Sepilok Orangutan & Sun Bear Tour from Sandakan: Full Day

Watch orangutans at Platform B in their forest habitat, then meet rescued sun bears and walk the rainforest.

A full-day private tour from Sandakan that visits three wildlife and nature sites: Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre (established 1964), Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre, and Rainforest Discovery Centre 23 kilometers from town. An English-speaking guide picks you up from your hotel or airport around 8am, handles transport by car or minivan, and includes a local lunch. The tour ends with drop-off at Sandakan airport or your hotel in town.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit Sepilok, Sun Bear, and Rainforest

• Pick up from hotel or airport
• Visit Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre
• Observe orangutans at Platform B
• Watch orangutan documentary video
• Visit Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre
• Enjoy local lunch at restaurant
• Visit Rainforest Discovery Centre
• Drop off at Sandakan airport or hotel

The experience

The tour starts with pickup around 8am and heads straight to Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, where you'll walk into the Tropical Lowland Dipterous Forest and reach Platform B at 10am to watch orangutans being rehabilitated to return to the wild. The centre has operated since 1964 with the mission of returning orphaned apes to their natural habitat. After observing the orangutans, you'll watch a 25-minute documentary video about the rehabilitation work.

From there you move to Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre, a facility focused on rescuing and rehabilitating sun bears, protecting their habitat, and educating the public about the species. You'll see bears that have been confiscated from captivity or orphaned, now living in improved conditions while the centre works toward releasing suitable animals back into the wild. A local lunch at a restaurant follows this stop.

The final stop is Rainforest Discovery Centre, located 23 kilometers from Sandakan town. The centre sits near the Kabili-Sepilok Forest Reserve and offers exhibition halls, a Plant Discovery Garden, and guided walks through the rainforest. You can also take a boat ride on the small lake if you choose. After finishing the sightseeing, your guide will drop you at Sandakan airport or your hotel in the town area.

What’s included

• English-speaking licensed guide.
• round-trip hotel or airport pickup and drop-off in Sandakan town.
• local lunch at a restaurant.
• goods and services tax.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (3 to 12 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 25 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical level

Operated by MAM Holidays Malaysia

Is this one for you?Your guide speaks English throughout the day, so you'll follow the commentary at each site without needing translation. The tour requires a moderate level of physical fitness for walking through the forest at Sepilok and the rainforest trails at the Discovery Centre.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 12 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What happens at Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre?

At Sepilok, established in 1964, you walk into the Tropical Lowland Dipterous Forest and reach Platform B at 10am to observe orangutans being rehabilitated to return to the wild. You'll also watch a 25-minute documentary video about the centre's work with orphaned apes.

Is lunch included in this tour?

Yes, a local lunch at a restaurant is included in the full-day tour.

What is the Rainforest Discovery Centre like?

The Rainforest Discovery Centre, 23 kilometers from Sandakan, features exhibition halls, a Plant Discovery Garden, guided rainforest walks, and a small lake where you can take a boat ride. It serves as an environmental education centre focused on Borneo's rainforest ecosystems.

When does the tour start and how long does it run?

Your guide picks you up around 8am from your hotel or airport. The full-day tour runs 7 to 8 hours, ending with drop-off at Sandakan airport or your hotel in town.

What is included in the tour price?

The tour includes an English-speaking licensed guide, round-trip transportation by car or minivan, local lunch, and goods and services tax.