Reviews

I want to say this was an incredible trip which Borneo Eco Tours should be fully praised. Our trip started with a visit to Seligan Island to see the beautiful green turtles lay their eggs. As this is part of conservation project we were able also to release previously hatched turtles back into the sea: incredible! From Selignan island Borneo eco tours organised our transfer to Borneo Rainforest lodge which sits on the Kinabatangan river where we went on a number of boat trips to see a wide variety of wildlife including: Pygmy elephants, proboscis monkey, orangutans and the rhinoceros hornbill. Again with excellent organisation we left the rainforest lodge for the Danum valley where we had opportunities to snorkel, trek in the rainforest, and hike. The entire trip was simply magical. Thank you Borneo Eco Tours !

I want to say this was an incredible trip which Borneo Eco Tours should be fully praised. Our trip started with a visit to Seligan Island to see the beautiful green turtles lay their eggs. As this is part of conservation project we were able also to release previously hatched turtles back into the sea: incredible! From Selignan island Borneo eco tours organised our transfer to Borneo Rainforest lodge which sits on the Kinabatangan river where we went on a number of boat trips to see a wide variety of wildlife including: Pygmy elephants, proboscis monkey, orangutans and the rhinoceros hornbill. Again with excellent organisation we left the rainforest lodge for the Danum valley where we had opportunities to snorkel, trek in the rainforest, and hike. The entire trip was simply magical. Thank you Borneo Eco Tours !

As a serious hobby photographer, my husband spent countless hours researching tour operators in Borneo. Our goal was to photograph the Borneo Big 5 with a reputable provider that could also deliver comfortable accommodations, reliable transportation, and excellent service. We were two adults and a 10-year-old traveling from the United States via Kuala Lumpur to Sandakan, the gateway to the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre and the Kinabatangan River.

Throughout our research, Borneo Eco Tours consistently stood out. Although the positive reviews seemed almost too good to be true, we ultimately decided to take a chance—and I am so glad I did. From start to finish, Borneo Eco Tours exceeded our already high expectations. When we return to Borneo, we will look no further.

1) Outstanding Service from Audrey P.

I would first like to recognize Audrey Patrick, the consultant who assisted us throughout the entire booking process. Although we never met in person or spoke by phone, Audrey made us feel genuinely cared for from the beginning. She answered every question promptly, honestly, and thoroughly, and was extremely flexible in helping us balance our schedule and budget.

Audrey truly went above and beyond when my husband asked whether she could arrange a candle on a small cake or dessert so we could celebrate my milestone birthday during our stay at Sukau Rainforest Lodge. Not only was a cake arranged, but a large group of staff surprised me by singing Happy Birthday. Even more impressively, Audrey had thoughtfully organized a special gift for me entirely on her own initiative. It was an unforgettable moment that I will cherish forever. Audrey deserves tremendous credit for turning a wonderful trip into a lifelong memory.

2) Sepilok Nature Lodge and Surrounding Attractions

Our 4-night/5-day itinerary in late June 2026 included two nights at Sepilok Nature Lodge and two nights in a Borneo Villa at Sukau Rainforest Lodge.

On our arrival day, we were picked up at Sandakan Airport, visited the Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary, and then transferred to Sepilok Nature Lodge. In our opinion, Labuk Bay is an absolute must-visit destination. The proboscis monkeys were abundant, easy to photograph, and perfectly lit during the afternoon feeding session.

The following day, we independently explored the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre and the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre, both conveniently located about a 10-minute walk from the lodge. We came away with fantastic memories and some excellent photographs.

I also participated in a night walk at the Rainforest Discovery Centre, which proved worthwhile. Highlights included photographing a green tree viper consuming a gecko at close range, along with sightings of frogs and flying foxes. Unfortunately, we did not see any tarsiers. The centre is approximately a 30-minute walk from the lodge.

Sepilok Nature Lodge itself was beautiful, spacious, exceptionally clean, and equipped with excellent air conditioning. Bottled water was replenished daily, and the on-site restaurant served excellent breakfasts and dinners—a welcome convenience given the limited dining options nearby.

3) Transportation and Guides

Every transportation arrangement was excellent. Whether traveling in a Toyota Hiace around Sandakan and Sepilok or in the coach between Sandakan and Sukau, the vehicles were clean, modern, spacious, and air-conditioned. Just as importantly, every driver and guide was professional, knowledgeable, friendly, and safety-conscious.

4) Sukau Rainforest Lodge and Kinabatangan River

On the morning of Day 3, our guide accompanied us to the Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre before our transfer to Sukau Rainforest Lodge. We were fortunate to photograph a mother orangutan with her infant and a juvenile, although we did not encounter an adult male.

For photographers, we found the morning session to be superior to the afternoon session due to increased activity and more favorable lighting, even though it was busier.

After lunch and a comfortable two-hour coach ride, we boarded a boat for a brief transfer to the spectacular Sukau Rainforest Lodge. We spent two nights in a Borneo Villa and immediately wished we had booked a third.

Everything about the lodge was exceptional: the accommodations, staff, food, and overall atmosphere. Our villa featured a king bed, an additional bed for our daughter, excellent air conditioning, ample charging outlets for electronics, a spacious bathroom, and a refrigerator stocked with complimentary bottled water, soft drinks, and canned caffeinated beverages.

The buffet meals were excellent, with a wide variety of high-quality choices at every sitting.

5) Wildlife Encounters and Photography

The river cruises were a major highlight. During our morning and afternoon excursions, we saw numerous pygmy elephants at close range along the Kinabatangan River, along with hornbills, crocodiles, proboscis monkeys, macaques, and two orangutans. The orangutans were particularly challenging to photograph because of the dense vegetation; the 80-400mm lens on a full-frame camera proved invaluable for my husband.

One aspect we particularly appreciated was the guides' understanding of photography. They provided practical advice on lens selection depending on the activity, whether visiting the orangutan centre, sun bear centre, rainforest discovery centre, or river cruises.

The boats were also ideal for photographers. We had only six guests plus a guide on our boat, meaning no more than two people per row. In contrast, we observed several competing operators using larger, more crowded boats. The smaller group size made a significant difference to both comfort and photography opportunities.

Another thoughtful touch was the food service around excursions. Before early morning cruises, guests were offered coffee, tea, pastries, fruit, and toast. Upon returning, a full breakfast buffet was served. Similar refreshments were available before afternoon departures, ensuring no one ever went hungry.

6) Final Thoughts

After two nights at Sukau Rainforest Lodge, we returned comfortably to Sandakan Airport with ample time to check in for our afternoon flight back to Kuala Lumpur.

In summary, there were no surprises—only positive ones. Every aspect of the trip was exceptionally well organized and professionally executed. Transportation was modern and comfortable, accommodations were first-class, guides were knowledgeable and friendly, and the food was plentiful and consistently excellent.

Most importantly, every staff member we encountered was genuinely kind, welcoming, and committed to ensuring guests had an outstanding experience. We ate and drank freely throughout the trip and experienced no health issues whatsoever.

If six stars were an option, Borneo Eco Tours would earn them. We cannot recommend them highly enough. If you are considering a wildlife adventure in Sabah, look no further—you will be in excellent hands with Borneo Eco Tours.

As a serious hobby photographer, my husband spent countless hours researching tour operators in Borneo. Our goal was to photograph the Borneo Big 5 with a reputable provider that could also deliver comfortable accommodations, reliable transportation, and excellent service. We were two adults and a 10-year-old traveling from the United States via Kuala Lumpur to Sandakan, the gateway to the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre and the Kinabatangan River.

Throughout our research, Borneo Eco Tours consistently stood out. Although the positive reviews seemed almost too good to be true, we ultimately decided to take a chance—and I am so glad I did. From start to finish, Borneo Eco Tours exceeded our already high expectations. When we return to Borneo, we will look no further.

1) Outstanding Service from Audrey P.

I would first like to recognize Audrey Patrick, the consultant who assisted us throughout the entire booking process. Although we never met in person or spoke by phone, Audrey made us feel genuinely cared for from the beginning. She answered every question promptly, honestly, and thoroughly, and was extremely flexible in helping us balance our schedule and budget.

Audrey truly went above and beyond when my husband asked whether she could arrange a candle on a small cake or dessert so we could celebrate my milestone birthday during our stay at Sukau Rainforest Lodge. Not only was a cake arranged, but a large group of staff surprised me by singing Happy Birthday. Even more impressively, Audrey had thoughtfully organized a special gift for me entirely on her own initiative. It was an unforgettable moment that I will cherish forever. Audrey deserves tremendous credit for turning a wonderful trip into a lifelong memory.

2) Sepilok Nature Lodge and Surrounding Attractions

Our 4-night/5-day itinerary in late June 2026 included two nights at Sepilok Nature Lodge and two nights in a Borneo Villa at Sukau Rainforest Lodge.

On our arrival day, we were picked up at Sandakan Airport, visited the Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary, and then transferred to Sepilok Nature Lodge. In our opinion, Labuk Bay is an absolute must-visit destination. The proboscis monkeys were abundant, easy to photograph, and perfectly lit during the afternoon feeding session.

The following day, we independently explored the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre and the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre, both conveniently located about a 10-minute walk from the lodge. We came away with fantastic memories and some excellent photographs.

I also participated in a night walk at the Rainforest Discovery Centre, which proved worthwhile. Highlights included photographing a green tree viper consuming a gecko at close range, along with sightings of frogs and flying foxes. Unfortunately, we did not see any tarsiers. The centre is approximately a 30-minute walk from the lodge.

Sepilok Nature Lodge itself was beautiful, spacious, exceptionally clean, and equipped with excellent air conditioning. Bottled water was replenished daily, and the on-site restaurant served excellent breakfasts and dinners—a welcome convenience given the limited dining options nearby.

3) Transportation and Guides

Every transportation arrangement was excellent. Whether traveling in a Toyota Hiace around Sandakan and Sepilok or in the coach between Sandakan and Sukau, the vehicles were clean, modern, spacious, and air-conditioned. Just as importantly, every driver and guide was professional, knowledgeable, friendly, and safety-conscious.

4) Sukau Rainforest Lodge and Kinabatangan River

On the morning of Day 3, our guide accompanied us to the Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre before our transfer to Sukau Rainforest Lodge. We were fortunate to photograph a mother orangutan with her infant and a juvenile, although we did not encounter an adult male.

For photographers, we found the morning session to be superior to the afternoon session due to increased activity and more favorable lighting, even though it was busier.

After lunch and a comfortable two-hour coach ride, we boarded a boat for a brief transfer to the spectacular Sukau Rainforest Lodge. We spent two nights in a Borneo Villa and immediately wished we had booked a third.

Everything about the lodge was exceptional: the accommodations, staff, food, and overall atmosphere. Our villa featured a king bed, an additional bed for our daughter, excellent air conditioning, ample charging outlets for electronics, a spacious bathroom, and a refrigerator stocked with complimentary bottled water, soft drinks, and canned caffeinated beverages.

The buffet meals were excellent, with a wide variety of high-quality choices at every sitting.

5) Wildlife Encounters and Photography

The river cruises were a major highlight. During our morning and afternoon excursions, we saw numerous pygmy elephants at close range along the Kinabatangan River, along with hornbills, crocodiles, proboscis monkeys, macaques, and two orangutans. The orangutans were particularly challenging to photograph because of the dense vegetation; the 80-400mm lens on a full-frame camera proved invaluable for my husband.

One aspect we particularly appreciated was the guides' understanding of photography. They provided practical advice on lens selection depending on the activity, whether visiting the orangutan centre, sun bear centre, rainforest discovery centre, or river cruises.

The boats were also ideal for photographers. We had only six guests plus a guide on our boat, meaning no more than two people per row. In contrast, we observed several competing operators using larger, more crowded boats. The smaller group size made a significant difference to both comfort and photography opportunities.

Another thoughtful touch was the food service around excursions. Before early morning cruises, guests were offered coffee, tea, pastries, fruit, and toast. Upon returning, a full breakfast buffet was served. Similar refreshments were available before afternoon departures, ensuring no one ever went hungry.

6) Final Thoughts

After two nights at Sukau Rainforest Lodge, we returned comfortably to Sandakan Airport with ample time to check in for our afternoon flight back to Kuala Lumpur.

In summary, there were no surprises—only positive ones. Every aspect of the trip was exceptionally well organized and professionally executed. Transportation was modern and comfortable, accommodations were first-class, guides were knowledgeable and friendly, and the food was plentiful and consistently excellent.

Most importantly, every staff member we encountered was genuinely kind, welcoming, and committed to ensuring guests had an outstanding experience. We ate and drank freely throughout the trip and experienced no health issues whatsoever.

If six stars were an option, Borneo Eco Tours would earn them. We cannot recommend them highly enough. If you are considering a wildlife adventure in Sabah, look no further—you will be in excellent hands with Borneo Eco Tours.

I highly recommend the Borneo Ecotours Orang Utan-trip (4D3N). It is worth spending the extra day and experience the Gotanmantong cave. The guides (especially Jay) are excellent - they know very much and are very good at spotting the animals. We actually saw Borneos Big 5 thanks to the guides. The elephant tour and the night tour is also worth it - I’m very impressed by the naturalists and the guides at Sukau Rainforest Lodge - they did spot so many animals. Very good job! Everybody is so friendly and they all hearthly welcomed us. So thank you to all at Borneo Ecotours - your the best!

I highly recommend the Borneo Ecotours Orang Utan-trip (4D3N). It is worth spending the extra day and experience the Gotanmantong cave. The guides (especially Jay) are excellent - they know very much and are very good at spotting the animals. We actually saw Borneos Big 5 thanks to the guides. The elephant tour and the night tour is also worth it - I’m very impressed by the naturalists and the guides at Sukau Rainforest Lodge - they did spot so many animals. Very good job! Everybody is so friendly and they all hearthly welcomed us. So thank you to all at Borneo Ecotours - your the best!

I must say this has been one of the greatest experiences in seeing jungle, and wildlife I have ever been on. Our guide Jay was amazing, he was funny, and amazing at seeing the animals he deserve all the credit. The Sukau rainforest lodge staff was also very nice and sweet. I can highly recommend this place and company. And Jay thank you so much!

I must say this has been one of the greatest experiences in seeing jungle, and wildlife I have ever been on. Our guide Jay was amazing, he was funny, and amazing at seeing the animals he deserve all the credit. The Sukau rainforest lodge staff was also very nice and sweet. I can highly recommend this place and company. And Jay thank you so much!

We've spent a very cherishable holiday! We've encountered a lot of wild animals, as you must have seen on the internet. The service at the lodge is also very warm and friendly. We all enriched our experience here!

We've spent a very cherishable holiday! We've encountered a lot of wild animals, as you must have seen on the internet. The service at the lodge is also very warm and friendly. We all enriched our experience here!

Was at the Sukau lodge on the Kinabatangan river.

It is an amazing lodge, the villas are beautiful and a great place to stay. The boardwalks are amazing especially at night. The food is some of the best I've had and the overall service is terrific.

The tours are worth it, if you can get the early morning cruise to find elephant's, proboscis monkeys, and many others.

We had Jimmy as our tour guide for the river cruises and guided walks. He is a great guide, very funny guy and very knowledgeable about everything you see and hear. He will always answer your questions and make every effort to ensure you see what you are looking for.

For the Gomantong caves I highly recommend Lee, he was great to have as a guide, very friendly, funny and knowledgeable about everything in the Rainforest, people and history. If you can request him as he made our trip there unforgettable. Also the bat exodus if you can see it is top notch.

If you are concerned about the pricing, go outside of peak season. But honestly for what you are getting it is 100% worth it.

Was at the Sukau lodge on the Kinabatangan river.

It is an amazing lodge, the villas are beautiful and a great place to stay. The boardwalks are amazing especially at night. The food is some of the best I've had and the overall service is terrific.

The tours are worth it, if you can get the early morning cruise to find elephant's, proboscis monkeys, and many others.

We had Jimmy as our tour guide for the river cruises and guided walks. He is a great guide, very funny guy and very knowledgeable about everything you see and hear. He will always answer your questions and make every effort to ensure you see what you are looking for.

For the Gomantong caves I highly recommend Lee, he was great to have as a guide, very friendly, funny and knowledgeable about everything in the Rainforest, people and history. If you can request him as he made our trip there unforgettable. Also the bat exodus if you can see it is top notch.

If you are concerned about the pricing, go outside of peak season. But honestly for what you are getting it is 100% worth it.

We were on the 4D3N Sandakan Wildlife Safari. The whole trip was amazing and really well organised. All the staff were great and everyone helped to make sure we saw as much of the wildlife as possible. We were lucky and saw the 'Borneo big 5' plus many others, including the turtles laying eggs and being released. We had a dedicated local guide Yunis, who was fantastic. He was very knowledgeable about their culture, the wildlife and the country history. He had amazing attention to detail and was very caring, nothing was too difficult. A lovely person, we can't speak highly enough of him. The Sukau Rainforest Lodge was the most magical place, wonderful accommodation (we had the David Attenborough room), with wonderful facilities and again all the staff were really helpful and caring. A big shout out to the Chef who arranged a large selection of delicious vegetarian dishes (not just vegetables). A really unforgettable experience.

We were on the 4D3N Sandakan Wildlife Safari. The whole trip was amazing and really well organised. All the staff were great and everyone helped to make sure we saw as much of the wildlife as possible. We were lucky and saw the 'Borneo big 5' plus many others, including the turtles laying eggs and being released. We had a dedicated local guide Yunis, who was fantastic. He was very knowledgeable about their culture, the wildlife and the country history. He had amazing attention to detail and was very caring, nothing was too difficult. A lovely person, we can't speak highly enough of him. The Sukau Rainforest Lodge was the most magical place, wonderful accommodation (we had the David Attenborough room), with wonderful facilities and again all the staff were really helpful and caring. A big shout out to the Chef who arranged a large selection of delicious vegetarian dishes (not just vegetables). A really unforgettable experience.

We booked a 7D/6N birding tour, and it was fantastic! We saw so many birds and other wildlife. We even saw the Borneo Big 5, which we weren't specifically aiming for, as our main goal was to see the bird species that inspired us to take this adventure in the first place—the Black-crowned Pitta—which we did!

Our two main guides were both great in their own way. Farhan was just as excited as we were about the birds and brought incredible energy and knowledge. Wangkong, at Utan, has been working with wildlife in Borneo since before I was born, so he brought a wealth of experience and extensive knowledge.

The transfers between accommodations all went smoothly, and I don't know how, but somehow all of our tours were private. It was just me, my husband, our guides, and our boat captains, which was fantastic for us since we were very bird-focused and other guests may have gotten sick of us! I think it may have been because we specifically booked a birding tour, but one of the guides also mentioned that peak season is July and August, so perhaps travelling in June meant it was a little quieter.

The accommodations were all lovely and unique in their own way.

Just a few tips for other travellers: we didn't need leech socks (although this may have been because we travelled in June). We did tuck our pants into our socks while trekking around Utan, and they supplied gumboots there. Mosquito repellent is a must. We used Bushman 20% DEET, which worked reasonably well, but we probably would have preferred the 40% version.

The food was buffet-style at Sukau and à la carte at Utan and Sepilok, with the option to purchase drinks such as cocktails, fresh juices, and smoothies.

One of the most unforgettable moments was sitting quietly in a bird hide at Utan when a lone bull elephant walked within a metre of us. We were so surprised that by the time we grabbed our cameras, all we managed was a video of it walking away. It was an incredible wildlife encounter and a reminder that you never know what you'll see in Borneo.

Overall, this was an unforgettable trip, and we wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to anyone with an interest in birds or wildlife. Whether you're hoping to tick off target species or simply experience the incredible biodiversity of Borneo, this tour is well worth it.

We booked a 7D/6N birding tour, and it was fantastic! We saw so many birds and other wildlife. We even saw the Borneo Big 5, which we weren't specifically aiming for, as our main goal was to see the bird species that inspired us to take this adventure in the first place—the Black-crowned Pitta—which we did!

Our two main guides were both great in their own way. Farhan was just as excited as we were about the birds and brought incredible energy and knowledge. Wangkong, at Utan, has been working with wildlife in Borneo since before I was born, so he brought a wealth of experience and extensive knowledge.

The transfers between accommodations all went smoothly, and I don't know how, but somehow all of our tours were private. It was just me, my husband, our guides, and our boat captains, which was fantastic for us since we were very bird-focused and other guests may have gotten sick of us! I think it may have been because we specifically booked a birding tour, but one of the guides also mentioned that peak season is July and August, so perhaps travelling in June meant it was a little quieter.

The accommodations were all lovely and unique in their own way.

Just a few tips for other travellers: we didn't need leech socks (although this may have been because we travelled in June). We did tuck our pants into our socks while trekking around Utan, and they supplied gumboots there. Mosquito repellent is a must. We used Bushman 20% DEET, which worked reasonably well, but we probably would have preferred the 40% version.

The food was buffet-style at Sukau and à la carte at Utan and Sepilok, with the option to purchase drinks such as cocktails, fresh juices, and smoothies.

One of the most unforgettable moments was sitting quietly in a bird hide at Utan when a lone bull elephant walked within a metre of us. We were so surprised that by the time we grabbed our cameras, all we managed was a video of it walking away. It was an incredible wildlife encounter and a reminder that you never know what you'll see in Borneo.

Overall, this was an unforgettable trip, and we wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to anyone with an interest in birds or wildlife. Whether you're hoping to tick off target species or simply experience the incredible biodiversity of Borneo, this tour is well worth it.

We had an amazing experience staying at the Sukau Forest lodge. The staff was very friendly and accommodating. The food was delicious. All the boat tours led by our very knowledgeable and funny tour guide Arnold were fantastic. We saw the Borneo Big 5! ( IYKYK). We were a family of 5 including 2 teenagers and 78 y/o grandma

We had an amazing experience staying at the Sukau Forest lodge. The staff was very friendly and accommodating. The food was delicious. All the boat tours led by our very knowledgeable and funny tour guide Arnold were fantastic. We saw the Borneo Big 5! ( IYKYK). We were a family of 5 including 2 teenagers and 78 y/o grandma