Habitat of elephants in Tabin Wildlife Reserve: Natural environment supporting elephant conservation in Sabah, Borneo
Variety of bird species in Tabin Wildlife Reserve, Lahad Datu: Diverse avian wildlife in Sabah's natural habitatWildlife in Tabin Wildlife Reserve: Elephants, birds, beavers,and mammals in Sabah, Borneo's diverse ecosystemTabin Wildlife Reserve: Diverse wildlife including elephants, birds, and mammals in Sabah, BorneoMud volcano in Tabin Wildlife Reserve: Natural geological formation surrounded by lush greenery in Sabah, BorneoTabin Rainforest: Dense jungle of Borneo at dawn, shrouded in mist with tall trees covered in thick green foliage. The early morning light filters through, creating a serene, almost mystical atmosphere.
ChecklistSample Itinerary
Checklist For Your Nature Adventure
Binoculars
Telescope
 
Insect Repellent
Long Sleeve Shirts & Long Pants
Raincoat
Sun Hat
Swim Wear
Comfortable Trekking Shoes
Torch Light
Water bottle & personal toiletries.
Camera
Hat
Leech socks are available for sale at the resort’s shop.
Sample Itinerary
3D2N Tabin Wildlife Safari Itinerary

Day 1

You will be picked up in the east coast town of Lahad Datu and transferred by road to Tabin Wildlife Reserve(1:30 hrs). Upon arrival guide briefing and enjoy a video presentation on Tabin’s natural wonders. Check into an attractive timber lodge at Tabin Wildlife Resort, which comes complete with private balcony, air conditioner, ceiling fan and hot water shower, a welcome luxury in the forest. Nestled within the rainforest beside the Lipad river, this lovely setting is home to a surprising variety of birds, insects and small mammals, even right beside the buildings of the resort. Discover the rich variety of jungle herbs, some endemic, used for generations by local folks for the treatment of various ailments.

 

Visit to Tabin Visitor Centre for information about the conservation of Tabin Wildlife Reserve and briefing on birds, insects and animals that is found in this area. (For guest check in before 11:00am)

 

In the afternoon, before trekking to the Elephant trail, our guide will stop by at the compost bin for information on recycling the food waste into fertilizer for the plants and afterward proceed to the active Lipad mud volcano which provides a mineral salt lick for wildlife, arrive at the elevated bare area of the mud volcano which is frequented by wildlife and birds. Try to identify the multitude of animal footprints here. The adventurous can try the effects of the volcanic mud, said to be responsible for a fine complexion. Trek from the mud volcano back to the main road.

 

After dinner, followed by a night safari to look out for nocturnal wildlife and birds. Remember to look up at the clear, dark sky of Tabin, identify the constellations above you and make a wish or two. (L,D)

Day 2

Join the early morning bird walk to discover some of Tabin’s rich collection of almost 300 bird species. After breakfast, a drive to the core area stop over and climb up the Birdwatching Tower continue trekking through the lush green rainforest known for its rich diversity of plants and animal species to visit Lipad Waterfall. Take a dip in the natural pool and enjoy a natural and refreshing shower under the waterfall. Alternatively explore the surrounding vegetation or just relax. Along the way back to the resort, you will stop by at the Tabin Giant Tree or a photo or take a group photos.

 

In the afternoon, try out the Tabin Rainforest Foot Soak made with a natural blend of herbs, to relax tired muscles after long jungle treks.

 

In the evening, a dusk drive to look out for more nocturnal wildlife & birds coming out to look for food during this time of the day.

 

After dinner, go for a night walk along the trail nearby the resort in search of sleeping birds, frog and nocturnal wildlife. (B,L,D)

Day 3

After breakfast, Mud certificate upon completion of tour free and easy until check out. – End of Tour (B,L)

You may opt to take up a dawn drive to look out for wildlife that is active at this time of the day.

[Optional Dawn Drive Not included in package]

 

Note: Activities are subject to weather condition/departure time, and may be re-organised to best meet operational situation.

Habitat of elephants in Tabin Wildlife Reserve: Natural environment supporting elephant conservation in Sabah, Borneo
Variety of bird species in Tabin Wildlife Reserve, Lahad Datu: Diverse avian wildlife in Sabah's natural habitatWildlife in Tabin Wildlife Reserve: Elephants, birds, beavers,and mammals in Sabah, Borneo's diverse ecosystemTabin Wildlife Reserve: Diverse wildlife including elephants, birds, and mammals in Sabah, BorneoMud volcano in Tabin Wildlife Reserve: Natural geological formation surrounded by lush greenery in Sabah, BorneoTabin Rainforest: Dense jungle of Borneo at dawn, shrouded in mist with tall trees covered in thick green foliage. The early morning light filters through, creating a serene, almost mystical atmosphere.

3D2N Tabin Wildlife Reserve: Experience Jungle Trekking, Night Safari, and Wildlife Encounters


Tabin Wildlife Reserve is a protected area located in the Lahad Datu district of Sabah, Malaysian Borneo. Covering approximately 122,539hectares (about 300,000 acres) of dipterocarp rainforest and mangrove forest, it's recognized for its rich biodiversity and unique ecosystem
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Description
Tour Code
TWL-003
Durations
3 Days 2 Nights
Schedule Transfer
Lahad Datu-Tabin:
0800 hrs & 1200hrs

Tabin-Lahad Datu:
1330hrs
(arrive Lahad Datu town
1500hrs)
Recommended Flight
BKI-LDU
MH 3010
0620 / 0715hrs

LDU-BKI
MH 3019
1600/ 1655hrs

What our guests say about
Nasalis Larvatus Tours

trip advisor logo
Surpassed Expectations
I never write reviews but really needed to big up this little gem. Honestly can’t believe any negative reviews on here. This place surpassed my expectationsYes the rooms are basic but this is a 2 star. We were the new style lodges which were clean and spacious. Massive bathroom with walk in shower, large twin room with veranda looking over the river, great air con. Chairs on veranda, nice toiletries, tea and coffee and 2 new golf umbrellas. Food was good choice of fish dish, chicken, beef and 2 vegetable dishes per meal with rice and noodles, soup and fruit. Simple food but totally ok. I am gluten free and vegan and they made sure I ate well every meal. Guide and river cruise were amazing. Saw the Borneo big 5 crocodiles, proboscis monkey, hornbills orangutan and elephants on 2 occasions. This was very special and the guide was in constant contact with other guides on a what’s ap groups to make sure he found everything . Ramzan our guide was just as excited as us when he heard there were elephants up steam and got us there as quickly as possible. 4 of us shared the boat with 4 lovely people from Italy so only 8 of us. Night walks were great and we saw a variety of birds sleeping and many different types of insects .All staff were extremely friendly and helpful and made this an incredible experience. Yes this is a 2 star chalet but definitely exceeded my expectations. Thank you everyone xx
There is a lot monkeys to see and we managed to see few different types of hornbill. Overall it's a great experience and highly recommended
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Review Aug 2024
Stay in Tanini Kinabatangan
Awesome
The crew is very nice and the chalets are very good and clean. I would recommend coming here with family and friends.

There is a lot monkeys to see and we managed to see few different types of hornbill. Overall it's a great experience and highly recommended
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Review 21 Apr 2024
Stay in Tanini Kinabatangan
Great introduction to jungle in Malaysia
The staff at the lodge are very welcoming g and accommodating. My bungalow was very comfortable and the air conditioning worked very well.I was relocated to this property because the tour I booked which included other activities ended up being full at my original accommodation.
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Kathy P
Review Mar 2024
Stay in Tanini Kinabatangan
Awesome experience
I stayed here during November 2023 for a 3D2N trip and it was great! We stayed in the bigger dorms which had 3 bunk beds and to be fair they were clean, with mosquito repellent. The bathrooms could be better though as it was a shared one between the us and the other guests and was semi-outdoors. It didn't have water sometimes but was never fixed despite informing the staff about it. We went on a 6am morning cruise every day and an afternoon one, with breakfast included. The breakfast is a typical buffet with lots of food options. Our guides Mohammed and Omar were exceptionally good at spotting animals such as crocodiles and hornbills, and we stopped once in a while to see them, however we were not lucky enough to see the pygmy elephants. The receptionist was really friendly - she talked to us a lot and her daughter was the sweetest kid you'll ever meet! Overall this experience is great for animal lovers and photographers as it was interesting to see Borneo's wildlife, but don't expect a luxury experience at the lodge - the rusticity makes it better!
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Relax10571509953
Review Mar 2024
Stay in Tanini Kinabatangan
Amazing.
We stayed here for 2 nights. We were picked up from Sandakan by Alan, a really nice friendly driver, who took us on to Sepilok. There we had lunch (as we didn’t do the orangutan and bear sanctuaries with the company the lunch was not covered). We then had a two hour drive to the jetty on the Kitabanangan River.

When we arrived after a short river crossing we were amazed by the place itself. They’ve done so well to incorporate the place into the jungle, it really did feel as though we were right in the heart of the forest.

The river safari was incredible. Our guide Raswan was so knowledgable, interesting and he was great at spotting animals. Within minutes he was showing us proboscis monkey groups, macaques, various bird species and amazingly an orangutan after only about 20 minutes! The night walk was equally if not more incredible, as again was Raswan, pointing out amazing nocturnal animals like whip scorpions, snakes, a slow loris and civets, and telling us about them.

We stayed in a dorm, which was perfectly nice! To our surprise there was also air-con which was definitely needed for us! The lodges themselves are nice, with various chill-out spots where you can chat with fellow guests.

The food was also delicious, with 3 meals included within the price of the booking.

If you want to visit, which I highly recommend, ensure you bring plenty of powerful mosquito repellent, as they are absolutely everywhere, particularly on the daytime jungle walk. Also bring some kind of waterproof (poncho etc) as it does rain a lot and as long as there isn’t strong lightening the river cruises still go ahead!
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Olly M
Review Feb 2024
Stay in Tanini Kinabatangan
Review of stay
Lovely staff, fantastic location to the main attractions like the jungle centre and good value for what you get - beautiful scenery also- the room was a good size for the two of us and nice shower and comfy bed I was here for two nights and I would come back
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Paige A
Review 12 Oct 2024
Stay in Tanini Sepilok
nice location
Clean and spacious room, friendly staff, free water dispensers, basic breakfast, delicious diner options. Nicely located surrounded by the jungle and at walking distance of the Orangutan Rehabilitation center and the Sun bear conservation center.
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Wiebke P
Review 11 Oct 2024
Stay in Tanini Sepilok
Does the job!
Decent dormitory rooms with a few plug sockets. Towel and blanket provided. Showers are great. Good base location to see the local sights, we were part of an Intrepid Tour and they looked after us a group well. Laundry service helpful! Air Con is good.

Bring insect repellent!
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Dreamer24368889832
Review  9 Oct 2024
Stay in Tanini Sepilok
Very welcoming!
Very welcoming. Quiet area. Close by to more tourists attractions. Staff very accommodating. Toilets and bathrooms clean. Bedrooms tidy on arrival. Launder services available. Will recommend to others if in the area. Would come back when visiting again!!
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Dale H
Review  9 Oct 2024
Stay in Tanini Sepilok
Peace of mind
Good place to find peace of mind from the hustle and bustle of city live. The staffs are friendly, especially the receptionist. Good water pressure for bath.
Absolutely, i will come back for my next visit. I love the nature and the sounds of cicaddas.
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Navigator66785931719
Review 5 Oct 2024
Stay in Tanini Sepilok
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