Sabah Tours & Trips
Check out Sabah's lush rainforests, packed with wildlife, or tackle Mount Kinabalu, one of Southeast Asia's tallest peaks. Dive into crystal-clear waters and discover vibrant coral reefs, or kick back on pristine, sandy beaches. Adventure or relaxation—Sabah’s got you covered!
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John • traveled in April
The next best offering would be a jungle trek with a small group to see Orangurans in the wild - I would pay a premium for this as would all my extreme traveling friends.
Sandakan Orangutan Experience 4D/3N - R
Ross • traveled in June
Great tour, well organized.
Journeys: Best of Borneo National Geographic Journeys - M
Mel • traveled in July
The itinerary did exactly as expected, showcased the highlights of Sabah. The additional activities exceeded expectations; tubing in Tambatuon village was fun for the range of ages amongst out group, on the night jungle walk in kinabatangan, we had the pleasure of strolling across an endangered tarsier. Our well-connected guide (Jerry) was actively involved in all activities and shared a wealth of knowledge, as a local. The connections Jerry has with the communities made us feel at home in Borneo. His professionalism and experience in mountain climbing made the Mt Kinabalu hike a personal highlight for me. A well-passed, humbling and spectacular adventure well worth taking.
Highlights of Sabah & Mt Kinabalu
The best Sabah tour packages
Compiled by
MelissaSabah travel expert at TourRadar
- Sandakan Orangutan Experience 4D/3N
- Borneo & the Malaysian Peninsula
- Journeys: Best of Borneo National Geographic Journeys
- Kuala Lumpur & Borneo Explorer - 11 days
- Borneo Sarawak and Sabah Discovery
- Highlights of Sabah & Mt Kinabalu
- Danum Valley Rainforest Trek
- Wildlife Trail Sabah
- ESCORTED BORNEO ADVENTURE - PREMIUM TOUR
- Customized 10 Days Malaysia Borneo Wildlife Adventure, Daily Start & Private Guide
Sandakan Orangutan Experience 4D/3N
9 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Great wildlife to see, friendly staff in the lodges, plentiful food, rustic but nice accommodation.”
Victoria, traveled in August
Observe Sabah's wildlife at Sepilok Orangutan Centre and sun bear sanctuary. Watch endemic species from Bilit Adventure Lodge along Kinabatangan River. Hike through Kabili-Sepilok Forest Reserve and visit Sandakan's cultural sites including Buddhist temples.
Duration 4 days Destinations Sandakan Age Range Ages 10+ Operator Bamba Travel From
- US$708
Borneo & the Malaysian Peninsula
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Great sights, great food, and cultural immersion in distinct cities make for an unforgettable experience.”
Philip, traveled in April
Sabah's natural wonders unfold from Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary to Kinabatangan River cruises. Rest at Borneo Sepilok Rainforest Resort and Borneo Natural Sukau Bilit Resort, with dawn wildlife spotting and night walks available.
Duration 14 days Destinations Sepilok, Sandakan, Sukau, Pulau Langkawi Age Range Ages 16+ Operator Exodus Adventure Travels From
- US$3,750
Journeys: Best of Borneo National Geographic Journeys
5 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Lots of wildlife to see. Guides and accommodation excellent.”
Richard, traveled in September
Wildlife viewing awaits at Sepilok Orangutan Centre and Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre. Boat tours on Kinabatangan River reveal pygmy elephants and proboscis monkeys. Nighttime safaris at Tabin Wildlife Reserve complement stays in rainforest lodges throughout this wildlife-rich region.
Duration 12 days Destinations Kuching, Gunung Mulu National Park, Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan, Sukau, Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary Age Range Ages 12+ Operator National Geographic Journeys with G Adventures From $4,449
25% Off- US$3,337You save $1,112
Duration 11 days Destinations Kuala Lumpur, Sandakan, Sepilok, Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary, Kota Kinabalu Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator On The Go Tours From
25% Off- US$2,485
Borneo Sarawak and Sabah Discovery
9 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“We also saw proboscis monkeys, macaques and a gibbon in the wild as well as a range of birds and other mammals.”
Michelle, traveled in November
Wildlife viewing at Sepilok Sanctuary, Kinabatangan River, and Tabin Reserve awaits. Comfortable eco-lodges serve as base camps for spotting orang-utans, proboscis monkeys, and pygmy elephants. Professional naturalists lead guided night walks and river cruises.
Duration 16 days Destinations Kota Kinabalu, Mount Kinabalu National Park, Poring, Sepilok Age Range Ages 16+ Operator Explore! From
25% Off- US$5,530
Highlights of Sabah & Mt Kinabalu
17 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Comfortable and felt like nothing was missed out.”
Louise, traveled in October
Sabah's natural treasures range from Sepilok Orangutan Centre to Mt Kinabalu's 4,095m peak. Wildlife viewing on Kinabatangan River, conservation work at Turtle Island, and cultural immersion at Tambatuon village create lasting memories. Jungle lodges, guided safaris, and morning summit climb included.
Duration 11 days Destinations Kota Kinabalu, Kundasang, Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary, Sandakan, Pulau Libaran, Mount Kinabalu National Park Age Range Ages 12+ Operator G Adventures From $2,549
30% Off- US$1,784You save $765
Duration 3 days Destinations Lahad Datu, Danum Valley Conservation Area Age Range Ages 6+ Operator Asian Overland Services Tours & Travel From
30% Off- US$1,513
Duration 6 days Destinations Kota Kinabalu, Kampung Kiau, Mount Kinabalu National Park, Poring, Sandakan, Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary, Pulau Selangan, Sepilok Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Asian Overland Services Tours & Travel From
30% Off- US$1,989
Duration 10 days Destinations Sandakan, Sukau, Kota Kinabalu, Kuching Age Range Ages 35+ Operator Tweet World Travel From
30% Off- US$3,607
Kota Kinabalu's State Mosque opens this tour of Sandakan's wildlife sanctuaries. Visits include Sepilok's orangutan center, Kinabatangan River's wetlands, and Danum Valley's rainforest. Luxury awaits at Shangri-La's Rasa Ria Resort near Dalit Beach.
Duration 10 days Destinations Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan, Sepilok, Sukau, Lahad Datu, Danum Valley Conservation Area Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Agate Travel From
30% Off- US$6,859
What our customers ask about Sabah Tours & Trips
When is the best time to visit Sabah for wildlife viewing and outdoor activities?
The dry season from March to October offers prime conditions for wildlife viewing in Sabah especially along the Kinabatangan River where visitors regularly spot orangutans proboscis monkeys and pygmy elephants. The weather during March-May and September-October creates good conditions for jungle treks and beach activities with temperatures hovering around 30°C and minimal rainfall. Visitors to Sukau Rainforest Lodge often report successful wildlife sightings as one guest noted "We were really looking forward to this trip and it didn't disappoint. The orangutans were amazing as well as everything else we saw."
What type of accommodation can I expect on a general tour in Sabah?
Sabah's accommodations span from urban hotels to remote jungle lodges. Most itineraries include stays at properties like the 4-star Shangri-La's Rasa Ria Resort in Kota Kinabalu and nature-focused options such as Sukau Rainforest Lodge on the Kinabatangan River. According to guest feedback "The Bilit Adventure Lodge was much better with staff who were friendly and helpful." While city properties offer full amenities jungle accommodations provide simpler but clean and comfortable facilities focused on the natural surroundings.
How long should I plan to stay in Sabah for a comprehensive experience?
An 8-10 day stay allows visitors to experience Sabah's key destinations without rushing. This timeline typically includes 2-3 days in Kota Kinabalu 2 days at Sepilok's wildlife sanctuaries 2-3 days along the Kinabatangan River and time for island visits to Manukan or Dinawan. Previous travelers confirm this timing with one noting "The absolute perfect length to see the best of Borneo." This schedule balances wildlife viewing cultural experiences and relaxation time.
What's the best way to experience local culture in Sabah?
Local culture in Sabah comes alive through village visits and community interactions. Visitors can explore traditional Dusun villages near Mount Kinabalu the Mari Mari Cultural Village outside Kota Kinabalu and rural life in Kampung Bilit. Many tours feature cooking classes cultural shows and visits to local markets including Nabalu Market. As one traveler shared: "The locations visited local knowledge shared local people introduced to and experiences I had were all memorable."
How do the river cruises in Kinabatangan work?
Kinabatangan River cruises operate from riverside lodges like the Borneo Natural Sukau Bilit Resort. Each cruise runs for 2-3 hours with dawn and dusk trips scheduled around peak wildlife activity. The boats provide comfortable seating life jackets and small group sizes ensuring clear wildlife viewing. One traveler noted "the boat rides with local guides make for a thrilling adventure." Expert guides help spot wildlife including pygmy elephants orangutans and various monkey species.
How are the dining experiences on Sabah tours?
Food options in Sabah range from local Malaysian dishes to international cuisine. Kota Kinabalu presents numerous seafood restaurants while remote lodges like Sukau Rainforest Lodge serve set meals with regional specialties. Most tours include daily breakfast with additional meals provided at river lodges where dining alternatives are limited. Guest feedback suggests variety can be limited with one noting: "The meals are great but also very repetitive. I found myself getting pretty tired of the food by the end."