Ex-Sandakan

DAY 1 : SEPILOK - SUKAU RAINFOREST LODGE   

On arrival at Sandakan Airport, transfer to Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre. We proceed to watch a video show about the plight of the Orang Utans and the rehabilitation efforts ongoing at the Centre. Walk ten minutes through the rainforest on wooden boardwalks to witness the feeding of the orang utans at 1000hrs then we continue to the newly completed enclosed nursery area for young orang utans. Thereafter visit the Borneo Sun Bear Conservation Centre to learn about conservation of the world's smallest bear.

After lunch, transfer to Sandakan jetty for 2½ hours boat journey to the multi awards winning Sukau Rainforest Lodge along Sabah's longest river, Kinabatangan with opportunity to view birds and wildlife. Take a river cruise using electric motor in search of wildlife and birds. Enjoy candle light dinner overlooking the riverbank followed by slide show and interpretation by naturalist guide. Stay overnight at the Sukau Rainforest Lodge. (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

DAY 2 : SUKAU RAINFOREST LODGE

Take a 0600hrs morning river cruise up the Kinabatangan River to Kelenanap oxbow lake to view more birds and wildlife. After breakfast, proceed for an educational tour along our Hornbill Boardwalk located behind the lodge with our in-house naturalist. In the afternoon, we proceed for another river cruise for more wildlife. Stay overnight at the Sukau Rainforest Lodge. (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

Experience profound relaxation and comfort at Halia Spa, Sukau Rainforest Lodge, as we provide an 'escape from the ordinary' by offering you a blend of both traditional and modern Spa treatments. Enjoy special deals when you book online!

DAY 3 : SUKAU - LAHAD DATU - TABIN WILDLIFE RESERVE

After breakfast, proceed 2.5 hours overland to Lahad Datu before travelling another 1.5 hours drive on gravel road to Tabin Wildlife Reserve. In arrival, enjoy lunch before visiting the Lipad mud volcano later in the afternoon. Trek to the elevated bare area of the mud volcano that is known to be frequented by wildlife and birds. After dinner, enjoy a CD or Slide presentation on Tabin’s natural wonders, followed by a night safari to look out for nocturnal wildlife and birds. (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

DAY 4 : TABIN WILDLIFE RESERVE

Join the early morning bird walk to discover some of Tabin’s rich collection of almost 300 bird species. After breakfast, visit bird watching tower and trek through the lush green jungle to visit Lipad’s Waterfall. Take a dip in the natural pool. Explore the surrounding vegetation or just relax. Return to base in the afternoon. In the evening, take a dusk drive to find wildlife and birds within the reserve. After dinner, look out for nocturnal wildlife along the trail nearby the resort. (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

DAY 5 : TABIN - KOTA KINABALU

After breakfast, free and easy until check out. Transfer to Lahad Datu Airport for late afternoon flight to Kota Kinabalu. (Breakfast & Lunch)

includes

Tours and transfers, accommodation and meals as specified, entrance fees and English speaking guide.

excludes

Domestic airfare, camera fee and items not mentioned.

	RATES PER PERSON	SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
Superior	RM 4403.00	RM 1465.00
Villa	RM 5177.00 4677.00	RM 1685.00

High season surcharge: MYR 160 (July & August)

Great News! Newly built Villa at SRL are coming your way starting from 01 June 2017, click here to see more. If you have made your booking with us and would like to upgrade to our new Villa, you may just pay the price difference!

Every international adult guest who stays at SRL contributes MYR 20 for Conservation Contribution (CC).

Valid till 31 March 2018.

All rates are inclusive of 6% GST.

Outstanding service, special commendation to our guides

After checking the company credentials and options offered by Borneo Eco Tours we sent an email direct with a list of things we wanted to fit in to our two weeks in Borneo. They designed a flexible itinerary including recommended flights to ensure we arrived everywhere in good time. We didn't want to do three river cruises - the standard package - at Sukau Rainforest Lodge so were pointed to other activities available, no problem at all. 

The guides for all our activities were outstanding; enthusiastic, on time, polite and passionate about ecological issues and preservation.

Another unexpected and pleasing experience was that our tour groups were small in number - sometimes we were on our own with our guide! The largest travelling group was 8 of us.

We had no issues with our accommodation booked via Borneo Eco Tours. We just picked a hotel from the good range associated with the company, this made that process as easy as the rest.

Do not be concerned about discomfort at Sukau Rainforest Lodge, it is in fact very well equipped for visitors unused to the tropical climate.

The only disappointment of our whole trip was missing the Hornbill walk at the Sukau Rainforest Lodge. The walk was scheduled to start at 10.30am but the guide took a group at an unscheduled earlier time unbeknownst to us. 

I recommend this company to others who desire ecologically and socially responsible travel and prefer to leave a smaller footprint behind whilst you enjoy some of Borneo's attractions.

Felicity_6169, Australia, November 2016

We enquired on line from Australia. Borneo Eco Tours proposed an itinerary that met our preferred tour options at a reasonable cost. They were on time very time with well maintained and operated vehicles - cars and boats. At different times we had different guides and drivers. All were friendly and knowledgable. We visited attractions in KK, Sepilok, Sukau and Danum valley and saw many birds and animals.
We rate them very highly and would travel with them again.

BigKev633, United States, November 2016

We booked three tours with Borneo Eco Tours before arriving in Borneo. The services offered by the booking team were fantastic. I asked a number of questions and received quick, helpful responses throughout the booking process. The website is also great with lots of information . Once booked I was provided with a booklet on things to do in advance and what to take on each tour - this confirmed the reviews I had read online that BET is an established, well organised business. 

Mount Kinabalu Day Trip: We were collected by Adam (tour guide) with another guide driving the bus. We were provided with a pack and detailed itinerary of all our trips. There were two pairs on the tour so only four in the minibus. Adam provided us with lots of information about KK as we departed the city and proceeded to drive to Mt Kinabalu. We stopped at a market for a look / fruit stop / toilet stop en route. We got some good photos there. Our travel companions for the day were nature enthusiasts and had expressed an interest in seeing the biggest flower so we built this into the day. Also visited the treetop canopy walk (worth it), sulphar baths (didn't go in but don' think we missed out) and the botanical garden at Mt Kinabalu. Adam was so full of knowledge about the plants and wildlife - we were super impressed. 

Quad Biking: Again collected at the hotel lobby at the designated time by Jason and Melvin. Driven out to Kiuli for the Quad Biking where we were greeted by Jo. This is a community project and provides Jo and his family with income and involves his local community. Quad bikes were new and clean. Good helmets and googles. There were four on our tour and we covered 20km on road off-road. Jo was fab, really caring and making sure that we were all comfortable going down awkward hills etc. At the end of the tour we were given noodles and juice that his aunt had made us. It really felt like part of the community. There was a random aussie chap on the bus home that wasn't explained who he was but we fell asleep almost immediately. A good way to see the countryside that you wouldn't ordinarily get to see. 

3D 2N Borneo Eco-Lodge Tour: Wow. Collected at our hotel by Fernando who was super informative about the orangatuns and asked if I was a model so that obviously helped. Met the rest of the group at Sepilok for Orangatuns. Watched an interesting video about their plight, watched the feeding and headed to the nursery. Very well organised. Sun bear sanctuary next which was ace - they were so active!! Buffet lunch at the Sabah Hotel which was actually very good with lots of choice. We opted for the slightly cheaper option so were bussed to the Lodge whereas the rest of the group (20 people) were taken on boat. Bus had wifi and we were collected by a speedboat for the final 10 minutes. This worked to our advantage as we had a private bus and a private speedboat. Warmly greeted at the lodge which has been awarded a national geographic prize for unique lodges of the world. Room was great, comfy beds and a good bathroom but air con only during the day. Lots of unique crafts int he room which could be purchased. First river cruise in the pm with leaf monkey's, probscisos monkey's and hornbills seen. We had the official tour guide To steering our boat and he was knowledgeable and interesting. We understand the other half of the group didn;t have as good a guide. Food at the lodge was very good with variety. We bought some drinks from the bar and although slightly more expensive than the centre of KK or Sandakan these were not expensive by any means. We did the night cruise and would recommend as it offers a different dynamic to the cruising. You do have some spare time / time to yourself between the morning and afternoon cruises so bring a book / pack of cards. Orangutans happened to arrive in the garden of the lodge so To escorted us all out to see. Back into Sandakan for lunch, rain forest discovery centre and war memorial. All very interesting and we saw more orangutans in the wild. 

Tour company are honestly fab and I would not hesitate to book another tour with them.

Caroline S, , October 2016

We did the river safari tour with a 2 night stop at the Sukau lodge and it was one of the highlights of our honeymoon. All the staff are helpful and knowledgable. We saw plenty of Orangutans as well as various birds and monkeys. Due to Air Asia cancelling flights, we had to adjust our tour and we were glad we did as travelling back by car we saw the rainforest discovery centre and sandakan war memorial. Both were interesting. Fantastic lodge as part of the tour, food was wonderful! Thanks for a great tour.

Penguin_penguin8, United Kingdom, October 2016

It was easy to book and Cindy was very patient with my questions and delays. We were met at the airport with a clear sign and the Tour was exactly as planned - ONLY MUCH BETTER! We went to Selingan Turtle Island and saw turtles laying eggs, the rescuing and safe incubation of these and we stood in the evening with hatchlings flipping all around being released into the sea! VERY SPECIAL!!

Next day we were transferred to a VERY FLASH HOTEL! we were transported to see the fascinating and personable Probiscus Monkeys and after that we wandered around Sandakan and enjoyed the local people then a relaxing swim in the hotel pool and lovely restaurant meal. After a great breakfast we were transported to see the charming and gorgeous Orangutans and special Sun Bears. Wonderful!! We had also arranged a driver to take us to Semporna and this went perfectly! We highly recommend this very professional Tour Company.

nomadsathome, New Zealand, October 2016

aaN8488YM, United Kingdom, October 2016

We did the 4D3N Orang-utan Search tour and it was incredible, truly one of the best experiences of our lives. From start to finish all aspects of the tour were 10/10. All the guides were so friendly, knowledgable and spoke excellent English, special mention for our guide for the first two days Hamit. 

The Sukau Rainforest Lodge couldn't have been more perfect, the room was lovely and big, great bed and sitting area by the bathroom. All the staff were so friendly and happy to help and the food was amazing and plentiful, the sweet & sour prawns were the best I've ever had! One of the highlights too was the boardwalk behind the lodge, we were so lucky to have two wild Orang-utans swinging in the trees just above our heads on one of the days, unforgettable. 

All the river cruises were fantastic, we saw so many wild animals and birds the list would go on and on and on! And our trip to Gomantong Cave was another highlight watching the exodus of thousands of bats at sunset. 

An incredible experience and one we'll never forget, thanks to all at Borneo Eco Tours & Sukau Rainforest Lodge!

Guacamole182, United Kingdom, October 2016

We spent a couple of days in Sukau Rainforest Lodge and we love this place. In the heart of the jungle, surrounded by wildlife and with charming atmosphere. Thanks to our wonderful guide we had an opportunity to see all Borneo Big Five! They took care of us since hotel pick up until our departure at the airport. What we are missing? Perhaps only deck on the banks of the river where we could relax with a great view. Thank you all!

zania22, United States, September 2016

12 Days with Borneo Eco Tours

clhotchin, New Zealand, September 2016

With the most Joy and Happiness we would like to deeply Thank You and Everybody at Borneo Eco Tours for the generous hospitality, professionalism and the radiant lovely hearts everybody have shared with us during our trip. You have all worked very hard for our happiness and for this we are most grateful. We look forward to comeback one day again in the future and wish you a successful end of the year filled with Love and Happiness.

Andreas Fruechtl, Austria, October 2016

The 20 rooms, multi international award winner, has just been recognized by National Geographic as a National Geographic Unique Lodges of the World. Awarded the Best Nature Lodge in Sabah by Sabah Tourism in 2013/2014, named by National Geographic Adventure magazine in 2009 as one of the top 50 jungle lodges in the world and the winner of the 17th World Travel Awards 2010 as Asia's leading Green Hotel, is managed by Borneo Eco Tours. Built in 1995 in traditional Malaysian architecture using several Borneo hardwood species, it went through a major RM2 million renovation in 2010. It is built on stilts with a bar lounge, gift shop, plunge pool, Gomantong Hall meeting place, education centre, Hornbill Boardwalk, three open decks for wildlife viewing, an enclosed garden, a riverside Melapi restaurant, open sun-deck, river jetty. Commencing in 2016 until the end of 2017, an expansion and upgrading of facilities located some distance away is being undertaken that might have some disruption for our present guests. All rooms have attached bathroom and shower water is supplied through rainwater harvesting and hot water by solar heaters. Air is cooled by cross ventilation air currents, ceiling fan and since July 2016 energy saving inverter air-conditioning. Lighting is supplemented by oil lamps using recycled cooking oil. River tours are conducted by boats powered by electric motors and eco-friendly outboard engines.

The Lower Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary which covers an area of 26,800 hectares, forms part of the Kinabatangan region which is the largest floodplain the Malaysia covering a total of 23% of the land area of Sabah or 16,800 sq.km. Gazetted in 2005 as a gift to the Earth, it has a diverse ecosystem from coastal mangrove swamp, to riparian, freshwater and dipterocarp and oxbow vegetation teaming with wildlife supporting ten species of primates including more than 1,000 orang utans, proboscis monkeys, more than 300 Borneo pygmy elephants, 50 species of mammals, 20 species of reptiles and over 1,026 species of plants.

Birdlife is especially rich here (over 325 species have been sighted in the area) including eight species of hornbills, kingfishers, darters, owls, kites, eagles, broadbills, doves, storm storks, herons, hawks, ospreys, falcon, pheasants, parakeets, bee eaters, woodpeckers, pittas, bulbuls, forktails, babblers, warblers, flycatchers, orioles, flowerpeckers, spiderhunters, among others.

AWARDS

• 2014-2015 Malaysia Tourism Awards - WINNER / Best Hotel Services / 3 Star Hotel Category
• 2015 PATA InSPIRE Awards - WINNER / Best Independent Accommodation
• 2013 Sabah Tourism Awards - WINNER / Best Nature Lodge
• 2013 Wildasia Responsible Tourism Awards - WINNER / Most Inspiring Responsible Tourism Accommodation Provider
• 2010 - 17th World Travel Awards - WINNER / Asia's Leading Green Hotel
• 2009 Sabah Tourism Awards - Finalist, Excellence in Hotel Services - Nature Lodge
• 2009 - 16th World Travel Awards - Finalist / World's Leading Eco-Lodges
• 2009 - 16th World Travel Awards - Finalist / Asia's Leading Eco-Lodges
• 2009 - National Geographic Adventure's Magazine (Top 50 Ecolodges / Jungle Category)
• 2008 - 15th World Travel Awards - Finalist / Asia Leading Green Hotel
• 2008 - 15th World Travel Awards - Finalist / World's Leading Eco-Lodges
• 2006 - ECOCLUB.com Ecolodge Awards - 3rd Prize Winner
• 2006 First Choice Responsible Tourism Awards - Highly Commended/ Best small hotel
• 1999 IH&RA Green Hotelier Awards - 1st Runner-up
• Top 10 Ecotourism Hotspots by ShermansTravel.com
• 1999 The Green Hotelier of the Year 1999 Award - Winner
• 1997 British Airways Tourism for Tomorrow Award - Best Lodge Pacific Region Winner

We are incredibly excited to unveil our newly built Villas! The villas are exquisitely designed and furnished with a unique Borneo flavor that we hope will provide you with extra comfort and will further heighten your Borneo experience during your stay with us.

Highlights

• Villas are 60% larger than our superior rooms
• En-suite bathroom features Hans-Grohe hot water rain and hand showers and are 100% larger than our Superior room en-suite bathrooms
• Private balcony with patio chairs
• Option of twin sharing and king-sized bed arrangements
• Energy saving inverter air-conditioning supplemented by ceiling fan
• Villa rooms are fully mosquito netted. All windows and balcony doors have insect screens
• 100% LED lighting
• Decorated and furnished with Borneo styled crafts and motifs
• More privacy, away from main areas

Four villas will be available from 01 June 2017 onwards, with an additional four more in July 2017 onwards.

We are offering a very special introductory discounted rate now as we are continuing to bring more villas onstream and thus there might be some noise and visual disturbances. These should be minimal by July 2017, as construction progresses further and further away from our villas opened to guests.

Photos