Marvellous setting near Sandakan
by SanguiniA about Sepilok Nature Resort
Apart from having the advantage of being a stone's throw away from the famous Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, this place is truly magnificent - with its setting in a forest with a river and a lake!
Accomodation is in private chalets, spotlessly clean and all with their own bathroom and a/c. There is also a restaurant overlooking the lake, which serves delicious, affordable food.
This is a great alternative to staying in Sandakan city. Well, the setting in the forest did it for me ... and the pleasure of watching the butterflies, water monitors and giant flying squirrels from the terrace in front of the chalet!
SANDAKAN CITY TOUR
by balhannah
We did a city tour arranged by our accommodation "Sepilok Nature Resort"
Our guide was a man named "Hardy" a very nice and informative person, a pleasure to be with!
We were the only ones on the tour, this was a bonus for us!
The tour included a visit to the water village, then onto the big indoor Central markets. Here he explained the different foods we were looking at, we learnt so much more by being with a guide, it was all very interesting, and we got to sample some food as well!
Our next stop was the Puu Jih Shih buddhist temple which is on a hill with good views over Sandakan, where he explained the Buddhist religion to us and what we were seeing inside the Temple.
There is not a lot to see in Sandakan, and you can easily do it on your own.
We couldn't complain about the tour, and we enjoyed it very much.
Sandakan Sabah
by balhannah
"Sandakan Sabah"
To reach Sandakan, we caught and Air Asia flight from Kota Kinabalu.
The flight is short and quite scenic, especially looking over the ocean, and
seeing all the islands.
We were met at the airport and taken to the Sepilok Nature resort where
we were staying, and then in the afternoon, we were taken on a city tour
which was interesting.
We visited a water village where we were taken into one of the homes for
a look, it was quite nice inside, different to what I expected.
The next day, we went to the see the Orangutans which is a short walk
from our accommodation. A big male and two five year olds were hanging
around. To view them, you stand on an open platform and watch them
being fed and getting up to their antics, quite funny to watch!
A lot of people go to see them, so in peak season, it would be packed!
Later on, we left by boat for our trip up the Kinabatangan river.
We departed from the jetty in Sandakan, crossed the ocean and headed
into the Kinabatangan river. It wasn't look before we had our 1st close up
encounter of a male Proboscis monkey.
Sukau Lodge, which is basic, but to be expected , was our overnight
accommodation.
Late afternoon and another boat trip, this time up the Menanggul river,
where we saw lots of monkeys, snake, and hornbills in this quiet
river.
On the way back in the early morning, we saw dozens of Proboscis
monkeys.
This was a very enjoyable trip, and one I could quite easily do again!
Forum Posts
Orangutans in Borneo
by Brett-Wallace
My husband and I will be to Malaysia at the end of December for 4 weeks. At some point we would like to visit Sepilok Orangutans Centre in Borneo. Can anyone advice if is it worth travelling to Borneo in January as I understand that the weather is not the best at this time of the year? Also, what is the best way to travel from Kuala Lumpur to Borneo? And can anyone advise about accommodation close to the Orangutans Centre?
Thanks
Monika
Re: Orangutans in Borneo
by din2x
- IT wont be a problem to come to Borneo in January, unless you are planning to climb mount Kinabalu. Since it is located in equator, you wouldn't know when it's going to rain, even if the rain falls, it wont be cold, and it wont last very long.
- The best way to travel from Kuala Lumpur to Borneo is by using Airasia, as it is the cheapest option we have. you can book the ticket online. If you are planning to go to Sepilok for Orangutans, you can arrange a direct flight from Kuala Lumpur to Sandakan. As this is the closest city to Sepilok. If you choose to fly to Kota Kinabalu instead, it must be followed by etimating 5 hours road journey.
- Not only a rehabilitation center for Orangutans and borneo rhino, a new family to Sepilok is Sun Bear. When you plan your travel. make sure you arrived at Sepilok before 10AM or 3PM, so that you dont miss the feeding time of the Orangutans. Not far from Sepilok, there is a reserve for Proboscis Monkey.
- The closest accomodation would be Sepilok Jungle Resort (budget), Sepilok Nature Resort (Chalet Style). but I would suggest that you stay at the nearest city, Sandakan and it cost RM35.00 to go to Sepilok from here. and from sandakan, you can also plan to go to Turtle Islands Park and stay there (Selingan Island), this is among a few place where turtles lay their eggs year-round, without a season. and you can see it with your own eyes...
Re: Orangutans in Borneo
by balhannah
Hi1 We stayed at the Sepilok Nature Resort, this is next door to the Sepilok Orangutans Centre. We walked to the centre from here. This was our splurge for our Borneo trip, and it was worth it, absolutely beautiful. I have photos and write up under Sandakan Hotels and Accommodations. Have a good trip.
Re: Orangutans in Borneo
by cballans
We have just returned from Borneo - we flew Air Asia to Sandakan - stayed one night at Panganakandii - absolutely fantastic and very good price - Anton provided transport to Sepilok free of charge the next day. You will not be disappointed if you stay there. After Sepilok we stayed at the Last Frontier Resort owned by Jason and Gert - this was for 3D/2N - another sensational place. I have done reviews here and also on trip advisor. Check them out. If you want to know anything else feel free to email me.
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