Sabah Tours & Trips
Ever thought about watching orangutans swing through jungle canopy in their actual home? Sabah in Malaysian Borneo delivers that at Sepilok Rehabilitation Centre. Try a Kinabatangan River cruise for spotting wildlife, Gomantong Cave with its massive limestone chambers, and trekking through jungles near Bilit. Tambatuon village lets you cook with locals and see how daily life actually works here.
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Isabelle • traveled in October, 2025
Great wildlife experience! Very well organised, swift and clear communication, great activities with lots of different animals to observe - and most importantly: our guide Sewi was great, very friendly, communicative and knowledgeable.
Sandakan Orangutan Experience 4D/3N - P
Philip • traveled in April
The tour was fantabulous! Great sights, great food, excellent tour guides are ingredients for an unforgettable experience. Close encounters with wildlife in the primeval forest of Borneo as well as the mangrove forest in Langkawi are second to none; the boat rides with the help of local guides make for a thrilling adventure. Complementing the awesome nature discovery is the cultural immersion in the distinct cities of Malacca, Kuala Lumpur, Georgetown and Langkawi. A candid preview of Malaysia at its awesome best in two weeks! It is hands-down one of the best uses of one's time, energy, money.
Borneo & the Malaysian Peninsula - N
Nahman • traveled in April
Two comments 1. To add the Urang Hutan reservation in Kuching to the itinerary 2. The hotel in Bilit was not up to par, so if there are other options, it is worthwhile to check
Journeys: Best of Borneo National Geographic Journeys
The best Sabah tour packages
Compiled by
MelissaSabah travel expert at TourRadar
- Sandakan Orangutan Experience 4D/3N
- Borneo Family Holiday
- Borneo & the Malaysian Peninsula
- Borneo Sarawak and Sabah Discovery
- Kuala Lumpur & Borneo Explorer - 11 days
- Sandakan Explorer Safari
- Highlights of Sabah & Mt Kinabalu
- Journeys: Best of Borneo National Geographic Journeys
- Tabin Wildlife Experience
- Family Borneo Wildlife Adventure
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$733
Borneo Family Holiday
10 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“It was a wonderful experience for our family and met great people on our tour.”
Darlene, traveled in January
Wildlife and culture blend from Kota Kinabalu to Kinabatangan River sanctuaries. The Sepilok Orangutan Centre and Mount Kinabalu National Park reveal natural treasures, while Turtle Island Marine Park offers nesting observations. Traditional cooking classes complement stays in local hotels and jungle camps.
Duration 9 days Destinations Kota Kinabalu, Poring, Sandakan, Sepilok Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Intrepid Travel From
- US$1,960
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 $4,048
20% Off- US$3,240You save $808
Borneo Sarawak and Sabah Discovery
9 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The night rides and walks and the river trips. The night market.”
Julia, traveled in October
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
20% Off- US$5,530
This 11-day private tour combines Kuala Lumpur's Petronas Twin Towers and colonial landmarks with Sabah's jungle lodges along the Kinabatangan River. Stay at the Sepilok Nature Resort and a remote jungle lodge with three wildlife cruises included, watching for orangutans, pygmy elephants, and proboscis monkeys. The trip wraps up with four nights at a 5-star hotel in Kota Kinabalu, where you can relax on the beach and check out Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park.
Duration 11 days Destinations Kuala Lumpur, Sandakan, Sepilok, Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary, Kota Kinabalu Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator On The Go Tours From
20% Off- US$2,500
Duration 3 days Destinations Sandakan, Pulau Selangan, Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Asian Overland Services Tours & Travel From
20% Off- US$859
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
Journeys: Best of Borneo National Geographic Journeys
5 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Great trip - loads of beautiful nature with like minded people. Great explanations, information and discussion.”
Rhonda, traveled in October
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
27% Off- US$3,248You save $1,201
Duration 3 days Destinations Lahad Datu, Tabin Wildlife Reserve Age Range Ages 6+ Operator Asian Overland Services Tours & Travel From
27% Off- US$848
This 9-day trip takes you through Borneo's rainforests and tropical islands to see Sabah's diverse wildlife. Trek through Mount Kinabalu National Park's Botanical Gardens to see slipper orchids and pitcher plants, watch orangutan feedings at Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, and cruise the Kinabatangan River looking for proboscis monkeys and pygmy elephants. Accommodation includes riverside lodges along the Kinabatangan, comfortable hotels in Kota Kinabalu, and glamping tents on Ara Dinawan Island.
Duration 9 days Destinations Kota Kinabalu, Mount Kinabalu National Park, Ranau, Sepilok, Sandakan, Dinawan Island Age Range Ages 7+ Operator Explore! From
27% Off- US$2,070
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."