The 15 Best Sandakan Tours in Sabah

Borneo Wildlife Tour 3 Days 2 Nights At Tanjung Bulat Jungle Camp Kinabatangan - Day one: the first boat ride into the forest

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 100 reviews · from $270Our pick

Spend 3 days at a remote Kinabatangan jungle camp with boat cruises, forest walks, local meals, and chances to see orangutans and crocodiles.

“the guides were very nice, and informed us about a lot of the things we got to see. In the night walk i managed to spot a pangolin which was unbelievable. the driver on the way back wasn’t the best tho. He drove 40/50km/h the whole way which caused the drive to take twice as long as needed.”

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Full-Day, Orangutan Sanctuary Tours, Private, Sandakan Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Private Full Day Sepilok Orang Utan, Bornean Sun Bear and Rainforest Discovery Center Tour

2.Private Full Day Sepilok Orang Utan, Bornean Sun Bear and Rainforest Discovery Center Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 54 reviews · from $125

Review of Sandakan’s private Sepilok tour, with orangutans, sun bears, rainforest trails, lunch, transport, costs, and practical booking advice.

“Got to visit the Orangutan sanctuary, sun bear Sanctuary (next door) and the rainforest discovery centre with entrance fees paid. Not really a tour but a taxi service as did not provide any Information or act as a guide. English was very basic Read more”

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Cruises & Boat Tours, Sandakan Tours, Tour Reviews

Kinabatangan River Cruise from Sandakan

3.Kinabatangan River Cruise from Sandakan

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 28 reviews · from $89

Review of the Kinabatangan River Cruise from Sandakan, with wildlife, transport, dinner, guide tips, pricing, drawbacks, and booking advice.

“Don't use this tour company. Unroadworthy vehicles driver had a car accident due to his erratic driving. We also paid for a private tour but had another couple with us. The caves and river cruise was amazing a must do but use a different tour company”

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Cruises & Boat Tours, Dining Experiences, Dinner Experiences, Firefly Tours, Mangrove Tours, Sandakan Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Mangrove Cruise with Fireflies Tour Including Dinner from Sandakan

4.Mangrove Cruise with Fireflies Tour Including Dinner from Sandakan

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 25 reviews · from $64

Sandakan sunset, mangrove wildlife, fireflies, village activities, and a local seafood dinner make this a strong-value evening tour.

“Cruising down the river in the dark was quite amazing. Not many fireflies out and we did not spend time with the village kids or throw pots so that was a bit disappointing. The food was plentiful and delicious, even the doughnuts at the start! As there was no sunset due to weather the island was superfluous so this should be reconsidered if it rains.”

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City Tours, Lunch Experiences, Orangutan Sanctuary Tours, Sandakan Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Labuk Proboscis, Sepilok, Sun Bear, Sandakan City Tour & Lunch

5.Labuk Proboscis, Sepilok, Sun Bear, Sandakan City Tour & Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 25 reviews · from $151

See orangutans, proboscis monkeys, and sun bears, then explore Sandakan markets and temples on an 8-hour small-group tour with lunch.

“It was great to see the Orangutan at feeding time. Lunch was also delicious. Our tour guide Adil was lovely.”

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3-Day Experiences, Sandakan Tours, Tour Reviews

Sandakan: 3D2N The Wild Heart of Borneo River Secrets

6.3D2N The Wild Heart of Borneo River Secrets

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 24 reviews · 3 days · from $316

Spend 3 days on Borneo's Kinabatangan River with four wildlife cruises, a jungle walk, full meals, and small-group guides from Sandakan.

“Absolutely brilliant, I can't praise this place high enough. The staff were really friendly, the guides knew there stuff and the best places. We had a deluxe room which was really nice and the food was tasty, much better than I expected tbh. Unfortunately we didn't get to see the Orangutans, it rained which hampered that, but we seem the elephants swimming, monkeys, crocs ect. Well worth the money and a trip to remember. Thank you very much.”

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2-Day Experiences, Cruises & Boat Tours, Private, Sandakan Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

2D1N Sandakan Private Tour with Kinabatangan River Cruise

7.2D1N Sandakan Private Tour with Kinabatangan River Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 23 reviews · from $290

Review of a 2-day Sandakan private tour with Sepilok orangutans, Kinabatangan River wildlife, Sandakan sights, meals, and lodge stay.

“Enjoyed the whole experience. Lots of options to add and no rush at each activity. Saw lots of wildlife and even a baby croc!”

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2-Day Experiences, Evening Experiences, Sandakan Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Wildlife

Borneo Wildlife Tour 2 Days 1 Night At Tanjung Bulat Jungle Camp Kinabatangan

8.Borneo Wildlife Tour 2 Days 1 Night At Tanjung Bulat Jungle Camp Kinabatangan

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 23 reviews · from $230Top rated

Spend a night at a small Kinabatangan jungle camp with afternoon, night, and morning wildlife cruises from Sandakan.

“The rivers cruises with the wildlife sightings were amazing, seeing four of the Borneo big five. The jungle lodge was secluded and serene, though I was not prepared for the heat, especially at night when then generator turns off.”

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1-Day Tours, Orangutan Sanctuary Tours, Sandakan Tours, Tour Reviews

Day Trip Sepilok Orang Utan & Proboscis Monkey (Flight Excluded)

9.Day Trip Sepilok Orang Utan & Proboscis Monkey (Flight Excluded)

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 19 reviews · from $176

See orangutans, sunbears, and proboscis monkeys in one long Borneo day, with lunch, a guide, and transfers included. Flights cost extra.

“Being up so close to the animals was just fantastic, the whole day was just so much fun, and the respect the people show towards these beautiful creatures is overwhelming ❤️”

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Full-Day, Orangutan Sanctuary Tours, Sandakan Tours, Tour Reviews

Full Day Orang Utan Sepilok, Proboscis Monkey, Sunbear, RDC

10.Full Day Orang Utan Sepilok, Proboscis Monkey, Sunbear, RDC

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 15 reviews · from $210

Review of Sandakan’s full-day wildlife tour to Sepilok, Labuk Bay, sun bears, and RDC, with timings, value, tips, and practical advice.

“Our guide Faisal was excellent-we had booked a group tour but we actually ended up on a private tour which was great -we could spend as much or as little time at each stop. We saw orang-utans, proboscis monkeys, other monkey types, giant squirrels, sunbears and lots of birds and learned a lot. Lunch was great at one of the resorts I. The jungle too.”

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1-Day Tours, Cruises & Boat Tours, Sandakan Tours, Tour Reviews

Borneo Kinabatangan River Cruise Day Trip

11.Borneo Kinabatangan River Cruise Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 13 reviews · from $90

Cruise the Kinabatangan River from Sandakan for proboscis monkeys, birds, crocodiles and possible pygmy elephants, with dinner included.

“What to expect; pick up is at 11.45, and then a 2 hr 10 minutes mini-bus ride to a rustic riverside hotel where some passengers may stay overnight for different tours. Then nothing is planned for you to do until 4pm, when you start your boat trip. So you’re denied a normal luRead more”

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Sandakan Tours, Tour Reviews, Wildlife

Sandakan: Sukau Rainforest Wildlife Journey & Dawn Cruises

12.Sukau Rainforest Wildlife Journey & Dawn Cruises

★★★★★★★★★★3.9 · 11 reviews · 510 minutes - 3 days · from $107

Follow Sabah’s Kinabatangan River at sunset and dawn for monkeys, hornbills, crocodiles, and possible elephants or orangutans.

“after being told to be on time we waited 2 times for over half an hour each time for late people. Then we waited for other late people several times. The 2 1/2 hour ride took 4 1/2 hours. We were rushed to get a snack and onto the boat. The good was the lady at the restaurant gave us dinner to go. The return driver was super and even brought us to our hotel. The riverboat ride was great”

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City Tours, Lunch Experiences, Private, Sandakan Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Private Tour: Half Day Sandakan City Tour Including Local Lunch

13.Private Tour: Half Day Sandakan City Tour Including Local Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 11 reviews · from $60Best value

Explore Sandakan’s war memorial, market, stilt village, temple, and Agnes Keith House with private transport and local lunch.

“Great tour our guide (Sita) was a really lovely lady who has such a lovely way about her. She was very knowledgeable about everything in Malaysia and Sandakan and made the tour great fun. Our driver (sorry can remember his name) was also excellent great tour and great way to get to know Sandakan”

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Orangutan Sanctuary Tours, Sandakan Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre & Sepilok Orang Utan Rehab Centre Tour

14.Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre & Sepilok Orang Utan Rehab Centre Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 10 reviews · from $112

See rescued orangutans and Bornean sun bears near Sandakan on an 8-hour guided tour with hotel pickup and small-group transport.

“Viator tours was one hour late, and didn’t answer our calls or texts. From pickup until we was back at the hotel took two and a half hours. We paid 347 dollars for 4 persons. From Sandakan you can take a taxi, pay for the entrance and then it Read more”

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2-Day Experiences, Evening Experiences, Sandakan Tours, Tour Reviews, Wildlife

Sandakan: 2 Days 1 Night Bilit, Kinabatangan River Wildlife

15.2 Days 1 Night Bilit, Kinabatangan River Wildlife

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 8 reviews · 2 days · from $381

See Sabah wildlife on river cruises, stay at Bilit Adventure Lodge, and spot elephants, monkeys, and birds on this two-day escape from Sandakan.

“We had an amazing time at Bilit. The guides were very informative and spotted so much wildlife along the river to show us. We were lucky enough to see an elephant crossing the river in front of us on the morning cruise too. The food is fantastic and it is a very well organised tour - we highly recommend!”

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