Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge, Kinabatangan River

Kinabatangan Wetlands Resort is an excellent base from which to explore the Lower Kinabatangan area.  You won’t be overrun by tourist boats: not too many visitors travel this far south. The resort is surrounded by unimaginable beauty: nipa palms, lush mangroves and freshwater swamps. Come here for some spectacular wildlife spotting and a very warm welcome.

 The wooden-chalet-style accommodation is nestled in the mangrove forest and connected by hardwood walkways. Expect bright and spacious rooms with polished wooden floors, elegant furnishings and forest views. Deluxe Chalets are the best option for comfort. In fact, while not luxurious, this is one of the best quality accommodation options in the area. All rooms have private bathrooms, 24-hour electricity, hot and cold water and simple amenities. Dining is buffet style in the common hall.

The highlight of Kinabatangan Wetlands Resort is the range of forest trails via the boardwalks, cleverly designed to showcase and yet respect the enormous variety of wildlife. The resort guides will go out of their way to show off the region’s treasures and inhabitants, even if it means taking a bit of extra time to get to a top primate spotting location or responding to a local tip on the whereabouts of pygmy elephants. Whether or not you manage to spot these elusive creatures, you are certainly in good hands at the resort.

 Kinabatangan is an eco-friendly adventure option for bold and enthusiastic nature lovers. If you need luxury facilities and comprehensive connectivity, you won’t necessarily find it in this part of the world. But this resort is one of the best available here and a great place to come to escape and discover both life and complete stillness in the mangrove forests of Borneo.