Sepilok Orangutan & Sandakan City Tour with Lunch

Watch orangutans eat in the forest, then walk through Sandakan's layered past in a single day.

An all-day guided tour of Sandakan that combines wildlife and history: start at Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre to watch the feeding and learn about the animals, visit the Sun Bear Conservation Centre, then spend the afternoon at Sandakan Memorial Park, Puu Jih Shih temple, Central Market, Agnes Keith Museum and English Tea House. Hotel or airport pickup and lunch are included. The tour runs with an English-speaking guide and requires a minimum of four travelers.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Sepilok and Sandakan highlights

• Hotel or airport pickup in Sandakan
• Visit Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre
• Watch orangutan video at Nature Education Centre
• Walk to Sun Bear Conservation Centre
• Lunch break
• Visit Sandakan Memorial Park
• See views at Puu Jih Shih Buddhist Temple
• Visit St. Michael’s Church
• Explore Central Market for seafood and produce
• Tour Agnes Keith Museum
• Enjoy a drink at English Tea House
• Transfer back to Sandakan airport or hotel

The experience

The day starts with a drive to Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, where you'll walk the Outdoor Nursery and watch orangutans in the forest during their scheduled feeding. A 25-minute video at the Nature Education Centre explains the rehabilitation work and the animals' backgrounds. From there, a short walk takes you to the nearby Sun Bear Conservation Centre to see the world's smallest bear species in its natural setting before lunch.

The afternoon shifts to Sandakan's history and culture. Sandakan Memorial Park sits adjacent to the original Prisoner of War camp where Australian and British soldiers were held by the Japanese between 1942 and 1945. The park honors their sacrifice. You'll also visit Puu Jih Shih, a Buddhist temple perched on a steep hillside with views over Sandakan Bay and the town center, and St. Michael's Church, one of Sabah's oldest. The Central Market gives you a look at local produce and fresh seafood, while the Agnes Keith Museum explores colonial-era life through the story of Agnes and Harry Keith. He was Sabah's first forestry conservator, and she wrote three books about life in the region. The tour ends with a stop at English Tea House, which also overlooks Sandakan, before your return to your hotel or airport.

An air-conditioned vehicle and English-speaking guide are included throughout. Hotel or airport pickup and drop-off are part of the booking. If you're staying outside the city center, an additional charge of USD 15 per person applies. Lunch is provided. The full day runs eight hours, and the tour requires at least four travelers to operate.

What’s included

• Lunch.
• air-conditioned vehicle.
• hotel or airport pickup and drop-off within Sandakan city.
• tour with an English-speaking guide.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:30

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (2 to 11 years) · Infant (under 2): free

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 39 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Asni Tours & Travel (M) Sdn Bhd

Is this one for you?The guide speaks English throughout, so you'll follow the commentary and the stories about the orangutans, the POW camp and the colonial history without translation or a separate audio device.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (2 to 11 years); Infant (under 2): free.

What do you actually see when you watch the orangutans at Sepilok?

At Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, you walk through the Outdoor Nursery and watch the orangutans in the forest during their scheduled feeding time, then watch a 25-minute video program at the Nature Education Centre that explains the rehabilitation work and the animals' backgrounds.

Is the Sun Bear Conservation Centre a separate visit, or part of the same stop?

The Sun Bear Conservation Centre is a nearby walk from Sepilok, so you visit both on the same morning before lunch, seeing the world's smallest bear species in its natural environment.

What is Sandakan Memorial Park, and why is it included on this tour?

Sandakan Memorial Park sits adjacent to the original Prisoner of War camp where Australian and British soldiers were held by the Japanese between 1942 and 1945. The park commemorates their sacrifice and suffering, making it a significant historical stop on the Sandakan city portion of the day.

Do I need to arrange my own transport to the meeting point, or is pickup included?

Hotel or airport pickup in Sandakan is included in the tour price. If you're staying at an outskirt hotel, an additional charge of USD 15 per person applies.

How long is the full tour, and what time does it end?

The tour runs eight hours total, starting with hotel or airport pickup and ending with drop-off back to your hotel or airport after the English Tea House stop.