The Kinabatangan River area in eastern Sabah is renowned as having one of the highest concentrations of wildlife and biodiversity in Borneo. The narrow strip of dense jungle along the banks of the river is home to the entire Bornean Big Five. If you are eager to see animals in the wild, this area is the place to go.

Eco-resorts are springing up around the river, offering jungle stay and river safari packages. Three days on the Kinabatangan River is a classic part of a visit to Borneo, and for many travellers, the highlight of an entire stay in Malaysia.

The 10 best hotels on the Kinabatangan River

Borneo's Big Five

It's not just the African savannahs that have their own Big Five. In Borneo too, you should try to spot the top five animals.

The king of them all is of course the orangutan, a critically endangered ape.

You can also try to find the kahau-nosed primate, the Bornean elephant, the double rhinoceros and the crocodile.

It's common to see most of the animals here when cruising the Kinabatangan River. Only elephants tend to be the exception and can only be seen in the area for part of the year. Apart from the Bornean Big Five, you can enjoy plenty of other species of monkeys, birds, snakes and insects.

Kinabatangan river, Sabah, Borneo

How to plan a visit to the Kinabatangan River?

It's easy to get lost in the plethora of offers on the internet and choosing the right option can be complicated.

In general, if you want to have the best chance of seeing a large number of animals, you should go to the area for at least 3 days and 2 nights. Most hotels will also offer a one night stay, but the chances of spotting wild animals are reduced.

You can choose between an organized package (available directly from the hotels) or a separate accommodation to which you can then add individual activities. River cruises are the most popular activity (at dawn, during the day and at night), but you can also do jungle treks.

The base for trips to the Kinabatangan River area is the town of Sandakan, or closer to Sepilok.

The best organised Kinabatangan River trips

Organised package or self-contained accommodation?

Most hotels and resorts along the river can be booked classically on Booking.com, but in general, if you want to do a lot of activities, it's better, and more cost-effective, to buy a whole package.

Packages usually include accommodation, full board, transport and activities throughout your stay. You can book an organized trip through resellers, such as Klook, or directly on hotel websites.

Booking separate accommodation is only worthwhile if you're travelling in your own car or specifically want to put together your own programme of riverside activities.

Book a Kinabatangan riverside hotel

Our tip - Sukau Greenview

During our trip to the Kinabatangan River we chose the lodge Sukau Greenview and we couldn't have chosen better.

There are several packages to choose from, we tried the 3 days and 2 nights package which we highly recommend.

For a reasonable price 620 myr per person you get comfortable accommodation, excellent full board, transport from Sandakan and also a full programme of five river safaris and two jungle walks.

Accommodation is provided in comfortable bungalows with private bathrooms right in the jungle. The lodge also includes a dining room and a terrace overlooking the river.

View rates and availability - Sukau Greenview

Accommodation Kinabatangan

Around the Kinabatangan River you will find a range of hotels and resorts to suit all budgets. The most common location around the river for accommodation is Sukau, but there are some lodges in other locations.

Book a hotel by the Kinabatangan River