Simply Sabah

Our extraordinary Simply Sabah holiday showcases this biodiverse state’s finest highlights by introducing you to orang-utans, sending you into a rainforest reserve, and giving you time to relax on a picture-perfect coastline.

At a glance

  •     See Sepilok’s rescued orang-utans enjoy breakfast
  •     Spot for wild orang-utans & other jungle species
  •     Meet the Abai tribe of Borneo’s riverbanks
  •     Cruise the biodiverse Kinabatangan River at dusk
  •     Observe rare creatures at Tabin’s mud volcanoes
  •     Explore the rainforest at night with an expert guide
  •     Kick back at a beachside resort

Highlights

  • Sandakan, Sepilok Orang-utan Sanctuary, Kinabatangan River, Tabin Wildlife Reserve, Kota Kinabalu Beach

Sandakan, Sepilok Orang-utan Sanctuary, Kinabatangan River, Tabin Wildlife Reserve, Kota Kinabalu Beach


Sample Itinerary

Day 1
Arrive Sandakan, transfer to Sepilok

On arrival in Borneo, you'll be met by your private guide, who will accompany you to your hotel.

Day 2
Sepilok Orang-utan Sanctuary & Sun Bear Conservation Centre

Rise in time to see the orang-utans of Sepilok Sanctuary enjoy their breakfast feeding time. Sepilok is an area of protected primary rainforest and mangrove on mainland Borneo, and its orang-utan rehabilitation centre is known across the world for exceptional conservation work. The reserve protects 19 square miles of dense rainforest, and exists for the rehabilitation of orphaned and injured orang-utans. Apart from feeding times, when you are almost guaranteed a sighting, you can enjoy looking out for flashes of orange fur amongst the multitude of flora and fauna in the surrounding forests.

Continue your wildlife encounter at the nearby Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre, built both to improve the welfare and rehabilitation of the Malayan Sun Bear, and raise awareness of the plight of this now protected species.

Day 3
Boat to Kinabatangan River, Wildlife spotting

From Sepilok, you'll head to Sandakan Yacht Club Jetty for the cruise to your riverside lodge, passing Berhala Island with its prominent sandstone cliffs. After lunch at your lodge, set out to explore the river in an open-topped boat. Look for wildlife with the help of your guide, and with any luck witness the impressive gathering of fireflies that frequently lights up the dusk. Return to the resort for dinner before venturing out on a guided night walk on the boardwalk around the lodge, spotting for nocturnal wildlife.

Day 4
Wildlife spotting

Prepare to be woken early by the hooting calls of gibbons and hornbills! At least you'll be up in time for an early boat trip to spot the river’s colourful (and noisy) birds, and wildlife foraging on the riverbanks. After your own breakfast, spend some time learning about Abai village life, before heading upriver for more wildlife spotting and time relaxing on the deck of a second riverside lodge.

Day 5
Drive to Tabin Wildlife Reserve

Meet the Tabin Wildlife Resort team for the journey into the reserve, where you'll start with a 20 minute trek through the rainforest to the Lipad Mud Volcano. Here you'll climb an observation tower to watch birds and animals getting their mineral fix, before returning to your lodge for dinner. Take in a quick presentation about Tabin’s wildlife and habitats, before heading out to search around the lodge for nocturnal wildlife and birds.

Day 6
Rainforest trek & wildlife spottin

After breakfast, trek through the rainforest looking for fauna and flora, stopping off at the Lipad Waterfall, with plenty of time to relax and enjoy the water. Alternatively, stay at the resort and explore the surrounding forest, or simply relax and absorb the natural ambiance. Enjoy lunch at the lodge, followed by an afternoon at leisure to relax or trek. At dusk head out on a bird walk to observe some of Tabin’s diverse and colourful bird species. After dinner there will be another opportunity to search for nocturnal wildlife.

Day 7
Fly to Kota Kinabalu, transfer to your beach resort.

Take a flight from Lahad Datu to Kota Kinabalu where, on arrival, you will be driven to your chosen beach resort.

 

Day 8
Dinawan Island snorkelling

Lying just off the coast of Kota Kinabalu, the small island of Dinawan is largely covered in forest and surrounded by white sand beaches, clear water and coral reefs. Despite its relative accessibility the island sees fewer visitors and doesn’t get as crowded as other islands off the coast of KK, and the coral reefs are largely undamaged. Spend your day on Dinawan island, snorkelling and kayaking; jungle trekking and relaxing. A BBQ lunch is provided in a local restaurant.

Day 9
Enjoy a day of R&R

Your day will be at leisure to relax on the beach and make the most of the hotel's facilities.

Day 10
Depart Kota Kinabalu

Transfer to the airport for your onward flight.

 

Booking Policy

  • English speaking, local guide
  • All accommodation listed
  • Land transportation by private air-conditioned vehicles
  • Any domestic flights listed (unless marked otherwise)
  • All admission fees at attractions, temples and activities as mentioned in the itinerary
  • All meals listed
  • Entry visas
  • International airport departure taxes
  • Any meals not listed in the itinerary
  • Drinks, other than water on activity days
  • Personal expenses (laundry, telephone, drinks, tip...)
  • Travel insurance
  • All other services not listed in 'inclusive'    

Please note: During high season periods (such as Christmas and New Year) hotels often levy a surcharge and these are not included in the above prices. Your consultant will be happy to advise you of these.

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Personalised design
We’ll plan your trip around your specific interests, tastes and preferences, providing helpful tips and honest advice based on firsthand knowledge of the destionation.
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Authentic Experience
Our expert guides and brilliant travel concierges are hand-picked to provide a genuine experience, bringing you destination to life with care and passion.
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Responsible Travel
Our luxury trips are designed with responsible travel principles that priorities travel experiences that are both good for you and good for the planet.
It is easy to customize your Simply Sabah tours with us

Client Reviews: Find out what our clients have said about their experience.

Melinda & John
Nov 2016
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Not only were we treated royally and terribly spoiled, but we felt we got a sense of the Japanese people, their history and their culture. It is a trip that we will always find joy in remembering. Thank you so much for all you did to make it such a memorable time for us.
Sarah & Evan
April 2016
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We had no idea what a Microlight was going into our honeymoon, and seeing it when we arrived admittedly made us weak in the knees… But it ended up being the highlight of Zambia for us and we can’t imagine experiencing the magnitude of Victoria Falls any other way!
Tracy & Matt
April 12, 2016
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It was a life changing experience and we couldn't be happier to have done it, learned so much, seen so much, and escaped from work for a couple of weeks!
Scott Eirinberg
March 2017
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If you don't have a friend overseas, Absolute Asia is like the next best thing. We found their guides so friendly and knowledgeable, that we even traded recipes and photos with a couple of them after the trip.
Geoff & Annie
April 2018
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Absolute Asia nailed every aspect of our trip, immersing us in the folklore and dramatic wild beauty synonymous with the magical land, while also fitting in five star luxury…
Nina Greenberg
May 2018
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The level of service and the itinerary were all spot on. I left feeling that within a two week time period I had seen and experienced the best of Kenya!
Seth & Nicole
Oct 2018
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The planning process was excellent. My biggest concern at the outset was a lack of deep conversation from other agencies. My expectation was that someone would take the time commensurate with the cost and Jessica did exactly that
Alfond Family
Nov 2018
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We brought our two grandchildren, ages 12 and 14, to South Africa to fulfill a long-held dream of ours. Attention was paid by Daniela and her colleagues to every detail and every nuance of our trip, and after all of our raves, it’s inevitable that we shall have to come back with our other seven!
Nathan Battle
Dec 2018
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Absolute Asia packed our trip with hidden secrets, insider experiences, and top notch local guides-transforming our vacation into a a once-in-a-lifetime trip. Superb!
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Dec 2018
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Dec 2018
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Dec 2018
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Dec 2018
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I must say our 2 weeks in Asia has truly been the best experience of my life thus far! We truly appreciate you planning that for us.
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Dec 2018
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