Day 1
Airport pick-up : Flight arrival before 0900hrs
0900hrs : Pick-up from accommodation in Sandakan area
0830hrs : Pick-up from accommodation in Sepilok area
Transfer to Sabah Jetty. Boat will depart at 1000hrs to Selingan Turtle Island Park. The island lies 40km north of Sandakan in the Sulu Sea and will take 45 minutes to arrive there. Packing an overnight bag is recommended for this trip. You can arrange to store your big luggage with us and collect it the next day.
1045hrs
Upon arrival, register at Sabah Park HQ and then check in to your room. Before check in to your room, you will be brief on the facilities and safety procedures in the Island by our guide.
1200hrs
Lunch is served at the restaurant. Free at leisure. You may take a dip into the green-blue waters for swimming or snorkeling (snorkeling gears available for rent). Optional to go for walk along the soft-white sandy beach to see the beautiful sunset. Park regulations of the Turtle Islands Marine Park are strictly adhered to and visitors are not allowed on the beach from sunset to sunrise (1800hrs to 0600hrs)
1800hrs
Meet at the AV Room to watch short video presentation to provide you with the information on the turtle program by Sabah Park.
1930hrs
After dinner, wait for signal call by park ranger when turtles are seen coming ashore to lay eggs (The waiting may take a few hours as it is nature based). Once the turtles are started to lay eggs, followed the park ranger to nesting site and witness the egg laying process, collecting of eggs and tagging of the mother turtle. After that, observe the process of eggs being transferred to the hatchery site. Then, get the chance to see the baby turtles release to the open sea. Later overnight in room. (L/D)
Day 2
0600hrs
Rise and shine or wake up at dawn and take the opportunity to watch the sunrise. Pack up and your breakfast await at the restaurant. Then depart by boat from island to Sandakan.
0830hrs
Arrived to mainland then transfer for Sandakan City Tour visit. First stop at Puh Jih Shih Buddhist Temple which situated on a hilltop that offer a panoramic views of Sandakan Bay. Stop by at St Michael and All Angels Church which was the first stone building erected in Sandakan, and remains one of the very few stone buildings in whole Sabah.
1000hrs
Then to Agnes Keith House. This is also the house where the book Land Below the Wind and White Man Returns were written. After that to War Memorial Park, it is site of notorious WWII prisoner of war camp which thousands of Australian and British lost their live during the time. Then proceed for lunch.
1230hrs
Lunch at Mango Garden Restaurant, Sepilok.
1300hrs
Check-in to room at Tanini Sepilok
1400hrs
Proceed for visit at Rainforest Discovery Centre (RDC), it is a center for environmental education which is the gateway to getting know the uniqueness and importance of Borneo rainforest. Take a bird view of the center from the canopy walk, explore the botanical garden, home to various species of flora and fauna.
1600hrs
Back to Tanini Sepilok.
1900hrs
Dinner in Mango Garden Restaurant, Sepilok. We also offered variety of drinks from soft drink, fresh fruit juices, smoothies, and hot & cold drinks. Canned beers and wines are also offered. Have a good rest, overnight.(BF/L/D)
Day 3
0600hrs
Wake up and get ready for an exciting day ahead.
0800hrs
Check-out. Breakfast is served at Mango Garden Restaurant. You guide will meet you at the restaurant.
0900hrs
Proceed to Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Center, to have the opportunity to watch the Orang Utans up close in their natural habitat. It is a rehabilitation project dedicated to orphaned Orang Utans that were rescued and injured. Walk along the boardwalk to the feeding platform and witness as the Orang Utans being fed by wildlife ranger. The feeding time is at 1000hrs.
1100hrs
Then to world first Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre to learn about this very unique species of bears, called Sun Bear. The bear is the smallest bear in the world and can only be found in Southeast Asia. Keep close eye on the trees, they are very good climber!
1200hrs
Lunch at Mango Garden Restaurant, Sepilok.
1230hrs
Depart Mango Garden Restaurant, Sepilok on a country road with secondary forest, plantations, small villages and occasional local shops on either side of the road. Your driver will make a stop at Medan Selera Kota Kinabatangan to pick-up more guest(s). Toilet is available at this stop for a fee. You are now more than half way through the journey and this is your last toilet stop before we reached Bilit village, Kinabatangan which is about one hour journey on road
1500hrs
Drive through the narrows winding road of Bilit village and arrived at Bilit jetty. Get off the bus/van and make sure all your belongings are with you. Our friendly boat captain will arrange your bags in the boat, assist you with your safety jacket and transfer you across the River where you will begin your wildlife adventure starting at Tanini Kinabatangan. The Lodge is located across the Kinabatangan river, opposite the Bilit jetty. Feel welcome by a refreshing drink at the reception area and our friendly staff with conduct an orientation. You will be briefed on our Lodge, safety procedures and activities during your stay. Collect your room keys and settle in to your room. The adventurous boat cruise will start at 1600hrs and be ready at the jetty 10 minutes before the river cruise.
1600hrs
Embark on an evening boat cruise in search of wildlife and birdlife along the mighty Kinabatangan River. TheRiver is the longest in Sabah (560km) and is known for its remarkable wildlife and fascinating habitat. Proboscis monkeys, Macaques, Silver Langurs, various species of hornbills, Kingfisher birds, Oriental Darters and snakes are commonly spotted along Kinabatangan River. The area is also known for the sighting of the endemic Borneo Pygmy Elephants (the smallest elephant in the world) and Orang Utan (The Wild Men of Borneo). As with nature, sighting of all the mentioned wildlife is not guaranteed as they are roaming about the place.
1800hrs
Return to the Lodge to freshen up. Enjoy your dinner at Tanini Kinabatangan.
1930hrs
After dinner, proceed to join a night walk at the back of the Lodge in search of nocturnal creatures.
2045hrs
Return to the Lodge to rest. Overnight. (BF,L,D)
Day 4
0530hrs
Wake up to the sound of birds and get ready for the morning river cruise. Meet your guide at the jetty.
0600hrs
Enjoy the morning breeze while you search for wildlife along river bank. Most of them have stayed there overnight and they will look for foods before moving into the forest, away from predators and hot sun. The wildlife is most active during early morning and in the evening. You then have bit of time in the middle of the day to catch up on a book, take a nap or sign-up for other activities.
0730hrs
Back to lodge. Breakfast is served at Tanini Kinabatangan.
0900hrs
Meet your guide for a walk along Kinabatangan River.
1200hrs
Lunch is at Mango Garden Restaurant Kinabatangan. Thereafter, you have a free and easy afternoon until the next river cruise. Meanwhile, you can opt to participate in our tree planting activity which is part of our efforts to support the forest restoration at Kinabatangan area or sign-up for batik silk painting featuring the wildlife of Kinabatangan and bring it home as a remembrance of your trip. Both optional activities are not within your standard package.
1600hrs
Embark on an evening boat cruise in search of wildlife and birdlife along the mighty Kinabatangan River. The River is the longest in Sabah (560km) and is known for its remarkable wildlife and fascinating habitat. Proboscis monkeys, Macaques, Silver Langurs, various species of hornbills, Kingfisher birds, Oriental Darters and snakes are commonly spotted along Kinabatangan River. The area is also known for the sighting of the endemic Borneo Pygmy Elephants (the smallest elephant in the world) and Orang Utan (The Wild Men of Borneo). As with nature, sighting of all the mentioned wildlife is not guaranteed as they are roaming about the place.
1800hrs
Return to the Lodge, freshen up and have dinner.
2000hrs
Enjoy the night trekking to watch sleeping birds and nocturnal creatures of the jungle.
2045hrs
Return to your room. Overnight. (BF/L/D)
Day 5
0530hrs
Get ready for the last river cruise along Kinabatangan River.
0730hrs
Back to the Lodge for breakfast and then returning to your room to pack.
0830hrs
Bid your farewell to Tanini Kinabatangan staff before travelling back to your drop off point. Continue your journey back to Sandakan and drop-off at either your accommodation or Sandakan airport (Recommended flight departure at 1400hrs onwards) (BF)