2D1N Kinabatangan river experience
The quickest way onto the Kinabatangan — an afternoon cruise, a night walk and a dawn cruise before you travel on. From RM900 per person.
Short on time? Start here
Our 2D1N Kinabatangan river experience is perfect for those who are short on time and are looking for the quickest way to visit the Kinabatangan river. You will arrive at Hornbill Lodge in time for an afternoon river cruise, dinner and night walk on day 1 and leave after an early morning river cruise and breakfast on day 2, allowing you to continue with your travels the same day.
If your goal is to see as much wildlife as possible then we recommend staying a minimum of 3 days 2 nights to maximise your encounters with this area’s incredible wildlife.
Your Itinerary Day By Day
01
Day 1 · Sandakan or Sepilok to the Kinabatangan
Your day will start with pick up from Sandakan hotels, Sandakan airport or the Sepilok area between 12pm and 1pm. Make sure to have something to eat before pick up or bring some snacks for the journey, as the estimated transfer time to the Kinabatangan river is 2 to 2.5 hours.
Upon arrival, check into your room and enjoy tea, coffee and snacks at our restaurant overlooking the river before embarking on your first river cruise at 4pm. Over the next 2 hours, your guide will be on the lookout for proboscis monkeys, long-tail & pig-tail macaques, silver leaf monkeys, orang-utans, crocodiles, birds and more!
After your river cruise, return to the lodge for dinner before joining your guide on an included night walk.
Meals: dinner
02
Day 2 · Dawn cruise, breakfast and onward travel
Wake up early and join your guide for a dawn river cruise in search of this area’s outstanding wildlife. Observe the river coming to life in the early morning, then return to the lodge for breakfast before catching your transfer back to Sandakan / Sepilok.
The transfer departs the lodge at 8:30am. Suitable for flights out of Sandakan from 1pm onwards, or a drop-off at hotels in Sepilok or Sandakan, arriving between 10:30 and 11:30am.
Meals: breakfast
Onward transfers to Lahad Datu (for Danum Valley & Tabin Wildlife Reserve) or Semporna (for Mabul / Sipadan) can be arranged on request, please inform us at the time of booking.
Everything That's Included
One night on the river with everything you need — cruises, night walk, meals and transfers all in the price.
What's included:
- 2 river cruises (1 morning, 1 afternoon)
- 1 night walk
- 2 meals (1 breakfast, 1 dinner), tea, coffee & water
- Return transfers to Sandakan/Sepilok on scheduled basis
- Nature guide on join-in basis
Optional Add-ons & Extras
Not included: Drinks other than tea, coffee & water; Tourism Tax RM10 per private room per night; Flights; Tips (optional).
If you have extra time on your last day, join us for a day of adventure including a visit to the Gomantong caves, lunch in Sepilok and a visit to Sepilok Rainforest Discovery Centre before being dropped off at hotels in Sepilok & Sandakan or Sandakan airport. This optional add-on is suitable for guests staying overnight in Sepilok & Sandakan after their tour, or departing from Sandakan airport no earlier than 5.30pm.
Children aged 4 to 12 years old are entitled to a 25% discount on the above rates.
Night cruise
RM100 per person (min 2) — crocodiles, sleeping birds and owls by spotlight.
Extended river cruise
Up to 2 extra hours on the water at RM180 per person (min 4).
Gomantong caves day
Caves, Sepilok lunch and the Rainforest Discovery Centre on your way out.
Pricing
Dormitory
Quad-share, fan-cooled
RM900
/ per person*
- Shared bathroom
- Same guides, cruises & meals
- Best value for solo travellers
River Chalet
Twin or triple share, ensuite
RM1050
/ per person*
- Private ensuite bathroom
- River-facing veranda
- Single supplement RM250
Good to know
Supplements & children
25%
child discount (4–12 yrs)*
- High season supplement (all room types): RM100 per person per night for all nights in April, July, August & September 2026
- Single supplement RM250
*Prices valid for tours departing before 31st Dec 2026
Departures & Good To Know
The practical details — pick-up times, drop-off, children and what to bring.
Daily departures — pick up from Sandakan hotels between 12 - 12.15pm, Sandakan airport or the Sepilok area between 12.30pm and 1pm. If you are planning to fly in on the same day your tour starts, please book a flight landing no later than 12pm
Drop off back in Sepilok between 10.30 - 11am and Sandakan between 11 - 11.30am. Suitable for flights departing from 1pm onwards. If you need to catch an earlier flight, private transfers are available at an additional cost.
Child 4 - 12 years old: 25% off from adult rate if sharing a private room with parents (no child rate is available for dormitory beds); 0 - 3 years old are free of charge based on using existing beds
River cruises are not physically demanding, but night and jungle walks require the ability to walk for an hour or longer over uneven ground
There is no step-free access at the lodge: the closest rooms are 10 - 20 steps from the restaurant, the furthest around 85
We only have 16 rooms so advance reservations are essential. Easter holidays and European summer holidays fill up especially quickly, book at least 6 months in advance if you can.
Phone reception is limited; Starlink wifi is available in the main restaurant area but it can be slow at times
Hornbill Lodge has 24 hour electricity as well as a back-up generator; power outages may still occur but should be short-lived
- Light raincoat/poncho
- Sun hat & sunscreen
- Insect repellent
- Refillable water bottle
- Binoculars (not essential but good to have, available to rent at Hornbill Lodge)
- Torchlight/Flashlight/Headlamp for night walks & power cuts
- Comfortable shoes with good grip (sports or hiking shoes are best, rubber boots are available to borrow at Hornbill Lodge if needed)
- Lightweight long sleeve shirt and trousers for night & jungle walks (Shorts, T-shirts & sandals are fine for river cruises)
- Basic first aid kit
- Leech socks (optional, can also be purchased from the lodge) or long socks
Tipping is not mandatory nor expected, but a small token of appreciation is always gratefully received.
There is a communal tip box at reception for our lodge staff and you may choose to tip your driver or guide directly should you wish to do so. An appropriate amount is RM10 - RM20 per person per day for your guide or driver and/or RM50-100 in the communal box.
Yes, you can pay for any drinks, Tourism Tax or optional activities by credit card.
