Sabah
Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge
Situated close to Sukau village with good road and river access, Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge is in a prime location for exploring the wildlife-rich Kinabatangan River.
Accommodation is in simple semi-detached, stilted bungalows with private facilities including hot water showers and fans. Windows have mosquito netting so can be left open to provide cooling aeration. There are pleasant communal areas for relaxation with views to the river and gardens and short trails behind the lodge can be explored independently or with a guide. The restaurant serves a good choice of delicious buffet dishes.
The Kinabatangan River is particularly renowned for proboscis monkeys that are frequently seen in large troops up in the riverside trees in the late afternoon. There is also a very good chance of seeing wild orang-utans, macaques, gibbons, and silvered and maroon langur monkeys in the forest here. Bird species include all eight species of hornbill, oriental darter and the large buffy fish-owl. The boat trips along Kinabatangan River offer the best chances to see Borneo pygmy elephants, which can sometimes be spotted swimming in the river.
Facilities
Restaurant, air-conditioned lounge with TV, en suite hot water showers, ceiling fans, mosquito-netted windows, outside seating area.
Local Wildlife
Wild orang-utans, proboscis monkeys, long tailed and pig tailed macaques, silvered and maroon langurs, Muller’s gibbons, Bornean pygmy elephants, civets, otters and bearded pigs. During the dry season when river levels are lower, the rare flat-headed cat can be seen (more often on nocturnal boat trips) and there is also a chance of seeing clouded leopard. Reticulated pythons, mangrove snakes, water monitor lizards and saltwater crocodiles are also possible sightings and bird highlights include 8 species of hornbill, the rare storm’s stork, various kingfishers and Bornean ground cuckoos.
Optional Activities
Boat safaris along the Kinabatangan River, guided walks through the forest, cultural activities and excursions to Gomantong caves.
Jonathan Morris
Area Specialist
Sarongs are provided for you to wear at dinner and there is a no- shoes policy at the restaurant. Best to bring some flip-flops that you can easily slip on and off rather than struggling with your walking boots.
If you have any questions regarding our Borneo tours, please feel free to contact me on +44 (0)1803 866965
This was our 11th consecutive wildlife trip with Reef and Rainforest, that in itself speaks volumes. As our interest in the natural world has steadily increased so have our demands, particularly with regard to itinerary planning. Reef and Rainforest have never let us down, delivering some truly magical experiences and wildlife sightings over the years. This trip was one of the best, we observed well 4 out of 5 cat species, 9 out of 10 primates and 6 out of 8 Hornbills. In all 44 species of mammals were recorded and numerous birds and reptiles. Be prepared to go nocturnal to get the best out of your visit, Borneo is a truly magical island to visit with some wonderful and rare wildlife. The accommodation throughout the trip was good, the guiding was exceptional and the food was of a very high standard. Thank you, Jonathan, and all at Reef and Rainforest, we look forward to hopefully travelling with you again in 2025.