Kinabatangan: 3-Day Wildlife Tour & Local Jungle Camp Stay

Summary

Wildlife watching by river quiet nights at kinabatangan camp

You’ll drift down Kinabatangan River spotting monkeys and rare birds from your own boat, eat home-cooked meals with locals at Tanjung Bulat Jungle Camp, and fall asleep to jungle sounds far from crowds. With hotel pickup included and just a handful of guests each night, this is as close as you’ll get to real Borneo wildlife — plus you’ll help plant a tree before you leave.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed was how quiet it was — not silent, but that thick, green hush you only get deep in the jungle. We’d just stepped off the boat at Tanjung Bulat Jungle Camp, and already I could smell wood smoke from the kitchen mixing with muddy river air. Our guide, Jamal, grinned and handed us mugs of sweet tea before pointing out a proboscis monkey across the water. No other boats anywhere. Just us and that monkey — Jamal joked he probably knew us by now.

I’ll be honest: I didn’t sleep much that first night. The jungle’s never really quiet after dark — there’s always something clicking or croaking or crashing in the leaves (one of the guys said it was a civet cat; I’m still not sure). Electricity’s only on for a few hours here, so we all sat around swapping stories by torchlight until someone yawned and we gave up trying to stay awake. The beds are basic but clean, and honestly, I was too tired to care by then.

Mornings start early with a quick breakfast — strong coffee and these little fried bananas — before heading out on the river again. The mist hangs low over the Kinabatangan River and everything feels slow and kind of magical. Jamal spotted an orangutan way up in the trees (I nearly missed it), and later we watched hornbills flapping overhead like they owned the place. Lunch is simple local food back at camp (rice, fish curry), eaten while you try not to stare too obviously at the monitor lizard sunbathing nearby. In between cruises there’s time to read or nap or just watch clouds drift past.

What stuck with me most wasn’t even an animal sighting — it was planting a tree with one of the staff, Ani. She explained how every guest helps their rainforest carbon offset project, buying seedlings from families along the river. My hands still smelled faintly of earth when we got back on the boat that last morning. It’s small stuff maybe, but it felt honest.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Arrival and Wildlife Watching

• Pick up at Sandakan or Sepilok
• Drive to Tanjung Bulat Jungle Camp
• Stop for lunch at local restaurant
• Arrive at jungle camp
• Briefing on camp rules
• Afternoon wildlife watching
• Dinner with local cuisine
• Night wildlife watching

Day 2 — Morning to Night Wildlife Watching

• Wake up and light breakfast
• Morning wildlife watching
• Real breakfast after cruise
• Free time until lunch
• Lunch served
• Afternoon wildlife watching
• Dinner served
• Night walk or night cruise

Day 3 — Departure and Check Out

• Breakfast at 8am
• Check out at 9am
• Optional late check out with extra payment

Top questions

How do I get to Tanjung Bulat Jungle Camp?

The tour includes pickup from your hotel in Sandakan or Sepilok area around 12pm.

Is this Kinabatangan wildlife tour crowded?

No, Tanjung Bulat Jungle Camp allows only 10 travelers maximum at one time.

Are meals included during the stay?

Lunches and dinners are included; breakfast is also provided at camp except for lunch on arrival day which is under your own account.

What kind of accommodation is provided?

You’ll stay in simple but clean jungle camp rooms with basic amenities.

Will I see orangutans or proboscis monkeys?

The area is known for wild orangutans and proboscis monkeys; sightings are likely but never guaranteed.

Is electricity available at Tanjung Bulat Jungle Camp?

The generator runs from 6pm to 10pm daily; outside those hours there’s no power.

Can I request late checkout?

You can request late checkout for an extra fee paid directly to local drivers if available.

Is this tour suitable for children or people with limited mobility?

A moderate level of physical fitness is recommended due to basic facilities and uneven terrain.

What’s included

Your trip includes hotel pickup from Sandakan or Sepilok areas, all wildlife watching cruises with a local guide on Kinabatangan River, two nights’ stay in basic jungle camp accommodation, home-cooked meals (except lunch on arrival), and participation in their tree planting conservation project before returning by shuttle van on day three.