Kinabatangan Wildlife Safari, Kinabatangan River Borneo, Borneo (Sabah)

The Sungai Kinabatangan is the second largest river in Malaysia, reaching 560km from its source in the mountains of southwest Sabah, to the mouth at the Sulu Sea near the city of Sandakan.

The river supports a wide range of wildlife and is actually one of the best places for wildlife viewing in the whole of South East Asia with animals such as the endemic orangutan, pygmy elephant, proboscis monkey and hornbills among the most iconic.  The waterways really are the lifeblood here, as well as providing the most convenient mode of transport, with roads few and far between in this rainforest dominated area.

The controversial planting of palm oil is evident in the Kinabatangan region; you are likely to come across the abrupt borders between primary rainforest and plantation here.  It is sobering to see such widespread evidence of the significant logging experiences worldwide - a very real example of how our planet’s wilderness regions are being lost to commercial interests. On the positive side, and as testament to their resilience, wildlife spotting is still great here and as you head up stream towards the tribal village of Abai, or even further up to Sukau, the palm oil plantations are (thankfully) left behind.

We recommend spending at least two nights exploring the waterways of the Kinabatangan, allowing you to visit different areas and maximise your chances of seeing the enigmatic orangutan in the wild – a sight to take your breath away.