The Kinabatangan River, located in Sabah, is one of the best places in Borneo to see wildlife in its natural habitat. Stretching over 500 kilometres, it is the second longest river in Malaysia and flows through protected rainforest and floodplains that support a high concentration of wildlife. This is where sightings of the “Borneo Big 5” are most likely.
Before booking, I found plenty of guides explaining what was included, but very few that explained what it is actually like. The early mornings, the structure of the days, the time between sightings and the extra costs that are not always mentioned upfront.
We booked a 3 day 2 night Kinabatangan River tour with Borneo Calling, paying £164.50 per person for a deluxe room with transfers from Sandakan included. While this was straightforward to arrange, it is worth knowing that many of these tours are more similar than they first appear, which becomes more relevant when choosing who to book with.
If you are trying to decide whether it is worth it as part of a wider trip, I have also covered how to plan a trip to Borneo, including Sandakan and Sepilok, in more detail here.
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What this guide covers
- A full day by day breakdown of a 3 day 2 night Kinabatangan River tour
- What we saw and the wildlife you are likely to see
- How much a Kinabatangan River tour costs
- The additional costs to be aware of
- What to pack for a Kinabatangan River tour
- How to choose who to book with
- Whether a Kinabatangan River tour is worth it
What to expect on a 3 day 2 night Kinabatangan River tour
A 3 day 2 night Kinabatangan River tour follows a structured schedule, with most activities centred around river cruises timed around early morning and late afternoon when wildlife is most active.
Day 1: Transfer, Arrival and First River Cruise
Pick up is usually around midday from Sandakan or Sepilok. We were collected at 12:20 from Sabah Hotel and arrived at the lodge at approximately 14:40, after a two hour journey that becomes noticeably rougher as you get closer to the river.
After checking in, there is a short break before the first river cruise in the late afternoon, which for us ran from 16:00 to 18:00. This is your first introduction to the river, travelling in a small open boat while guides scan the trees and riverbanks for wildlife.
Flip flops or sandals are far more practical than trainers, as water regularly comes into the boat, particularly when the river is slightly choppier.
On our first cruise we saw proboscis monkeys, silver leaf monkeys, long tailed macaques and several hornbills, often much closer than expected along the riverbanks.
Dinner is served in the evening, followed by optional activities such as a night walk or night river cruise, which are not usually included in the base price.
Day 2: Early Morning Cruise, Jungle Walk and Afternoon Cruise
Day two starts early, with tea and coffee available from around 05:30 before heading out for the first river cruise at 06:00. Being on the river at this time feels noticeably different, with cooler temperatures and more movement along the riverbanks compared to later in the day.
After returning to the lodge, breakfast is served, followed by a slower stretch of the morning before a short jungle walk. Long sleeves are useful here, both for insects and general comfort.
The middle of the day is spent back at the lodge, when the heat is at its peak and activity on the river drops off slightly. Most tours build this downtime in before heading out again in the late afternoon.
The second river cruise usually runs from around 16:00 to 18:00 and is another strong window for sightings. By this point, it also feels more familiar, with guides calling groups by name for each activity rather than it feeling crowded or rushed.
Guides also used a WhatsApp group to share recent wildlife sightings across the wider area, not just within the same lodge, which helped direct where to focus during each cruise.
Day 3: Final Cruise, Gomantong Cave and Departure
The final day starts early again, with one last river cruise before breakfast and check out. While it is shorter, it is still another opportunity to be on the river at one of the best times of day, and often feels quieter after the previous two days.
Our final morning cruise was when we finally saw a wild orangutan, and a keen reminder that sightings can vary across each cruise, even within the same area.
After breakfast, we checked out and added on a visit to Gomantong Cave, which can be added as an optional extra. The caves are known for their large swiftlet nests and bat populations, with the surrounding forest also home to wildlife such as orangutans. While sightings are not guaranteed, we saw an orangutan in the trees directly above us, closer than at the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, along with a maroon langur.
After the visit, we continued back towards Sandakan, arriving in time for an afternoon flight. If you are planning onward travel, it is worth booking departures from around 12:00 – 14:00 to allow for the journey.
How much does a Kinabatangan River tour cost?
A 3 day 2 night Kinabatangan River tour is one of the more affordable ways to see wildlife in Borneo, particularly given what is included.
We paid £164.50 per person for a 3 day 2 night tour with Borneo Calling, which included accommodation, meals and guided river cruises, along with transfers from Sandakan.
Prices can vary depending on the lodge, room type and how you book, but most tours fall within a fairly similar range. Budget options can be slightly lower, while more comfortable lodges tend to cost more.
What is included is also broadly consistent across operators, with most packages covering accommodation, all meals, shared river cruises and transfers to and from Sandakan or Sepilok.
Because the structure of the tours is so similar, and many operators use the same lodges, you may find that you are effectively booking the same experience at different prices. In our case, the tour itself was run by Borneo Natural Sukau Bilit Resort, while Borneo Calling was simply the platform we booked through.
Many operators list the lodge on their website and offer different accommodation options, so it is worth checking this before booking. You may find that you are staying in the same place, on the same boats and following the same schedule as others who have booked through different providers or directly.
While this can make it seem like a straightforward comparison, there are also a few additional costs that are not always clear upfront, which are worth being aware of before booking.
Hidden costs to be aware of
While most Kinabatangan River tours appear all inclusive, there are a few additional costs that are not always made clear when booking.
Evening activities such as night walks or night river cruises are not included in the base price. At our lodge, the night walk cost 30 MYR per person, while the night river cruise was 90 MYR per person.
Tea, coffee and drinking water were available at the lodge, but other drinks such as soft drinks and alcohol were charged separately. WiFi was also not included, costing 15 MYR per device and only available in the main reception or restaurant area.
There is also a tourism tax of 10 MYR per room per night, which is payable locally and not included in the tour price.
Gomantong Cave can be added as an optional extra, which was advertised when booking, but is not included in standard tour packages and costs around 250 MYR per person.
What to pack for a Kinabatangan River tour
You do not need much for the tour itself, but a few things make a noticeable difference across both the river cruises and the jungle walk.
Flip flops or sandals are more practical than trainers for the river cruises, as water often comes into the boat.
For the jungle walk, trainers are useful, although wellies are usually provided by the lodge and are often the better option depending on conditions.
Lightweight, long sleeved clothing is useful for both sun protection and insects, particularly during the jungle walk.
Insect repellent is essential, especially in the early morning and evening.
A dry bag or waterproof cover is also worth bringing to protect your phone or camera while on the boat.
Who to book with
There are a number of operators offering Kinabatangan River tours, but one thing worth being aware of is that many of them follow almost exactly the same structure.
In many cases, operators are selling packages that use the same lodges, boats and daily schedules. In our case, although we booked through Borneo Calling, the tour itself was run by Borneo Natural Sukau Bilit Resort, and on arrival there was no Borneo Calling representative, just the lodge itself, which reflects how standardised the experience is across providers.
We also saw other lodges along the same stretch of river, including Hornbill Lodge and Borneo Jungle Adventure, which appeared to be running similar cruises at the same times.
This means that depending on how you book, you could be staying in the same lodge, on the same boats and following the same schedule as others who have booked through different providers or directly.
Many operators list the lodge on their website and offer different accommodation options, so it is worth checking this before booking. If a specific lodge is mentioned, it is a good idea to compare providers or look at booking directly with the lodge to understand the price difference.
Booking through a third party can still be convenient, particularly if it includes transfers or helps organise multiple parts of a trip, and we had a good experience booking through Borneo Calling, but it is not always necessary.
Is a Kinabatangan River tour worth it?
A Kinabatangan river tour is often considered one of the most affordable wildlife experiences of its kind, and one of the best places in the world to see wildlife in a natural setting.
Across the three days, we saw proboscis monkeys, silver leaf monkeys and macaques, along with a wide variety of birdlife including a rhinoceros hornbill, as well as crocodiles, with an orangutan only appearing on our final morning. In total, we saw four of the Borneo Big 5, which gives a clear sense of how much wildlife can be seen over a relatively short period of time.
What makes it worthwhile is the number of opportunities to be on the river at the best times of day. Rather than relying on a single outing, the structure of the tour increases your chances of seeing different species across multiple cruises.
Cost is also a factor, and compared to other wildlife experiences globally, it offers strong value for what is included. That said, as many tours follow a similar structure, it is worth taking the time to understand exactly what you are booking and where you are staying.
Overall, if your main reason for visiting Borneo is wildlife, it is one of the most worthwhile experiences to include as part of a wider trip. 
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Kinabatangan River known for?
The Kinabatangan River is known for its biodiversity and is one of the best places in Borneo to see wildlife such as orangutans, proboscis monkeys, crocodiles and pygmy elephants in their natural habitat.
How long should you spend on the Kinabatangan River?
Most visitors choose a 2 day 1 night or 3 day 2 night tour, with 3 days allowing more opportunities for wildlife sightings across multiple river cruises.
When is the best time to visit the Kinabatangan River?
Wildlife can be seen year round, but early morning and late afternoon cruises are when activity is highest. The drier months between March and October are generally considered the best time to visit.
Do you need to book a tour for the Kinabatangan River?
Yes, most visitors explore the river as part of an organised tour, which includes accommodation, transport and guided cruises. In practice, many tours follow a very similar structure regardless of provider.
Are wildlife sightings guaranteed?
No, wildlife sightings are never guaranteed. During our trip, we only saw an orangutan on our final morning, which shows how much it can vary between each cruise.
If you are planning a wider trip, I have covered how to combine this with Sepilok and Sandakan in more detail here.
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