The Malaysian Customs Department (“RMCD”) imposes Tourism Tax to International guest (MYR 10 nett per room per night). You may pay the tax at reception. Update: Malaysia government waive the tourism tax from 1 July 2020 until 30 Jun 2021.
Gomantong Cave
Described by WWF as ’the best-managed edible birds’ nest cave in the world’, Gomantong Caves in the heartland of the Gomantong Rainforest Reserve have been the focus for birds’ nests for centuries.
Since the 13th century, Chinese traders have come to Sandakan in search of birds’ nests, a prized delicacy among the Chinese and found nearly 100 metres up on the ceilings of the Gomantong Caves. Harvesters put their lives on the line literally, climbing networks of rattan ladders and ropes to get to the nests. The risky nature of nest collecting has only helped made the commodity a pricey one.
There are two cave complexes - Simud Hitam (Black Cave) soaring up to 90 metres high and the more accessible of the two, and Simud Putih (White Cave), where the more valuable nests are found. Simud Hitam is a 5 minute walk from the registration centre. A well-maintained boardwalk gives you easy access to do some exploring or watch the skilled harvesters at work.
The resident creatures of the caves include swiftlets (from which the nests are collected) and bats among others. Outside, other birds such as serpent eagles, bat hawks and kingfishers can be seen. You might even spot an orangutan or two. You will need to make prior arrangements for exploring the more challenging Simud Putih which calls for more serious caving.
Facilities include a picnic area as well as the Gomantong Rainforest Chalet which can accommodate up to 30 people a night.
Kinabatangan River
Stretching 560 km from the Crocker Range in the southwest of Sabah to the Sulu Sea in the east, the Kinabatangan River is the longest river in Sabah, sustains one of the world’s richest ecosystems. The surrounding areas along the river consist of five distinct habitats - dipterocarp or dry, waterlogged and limestone forests, and freshwater and saline swamps. The lower basin of the river itself is the largest forest covered floodplain in Malaysia and has the largest concentration of wildlife in the South East Asian region.
Other than being home to Borneo’s indigenous orang utan and proboscis monkey, the surrounding forest is also one of only two known places in the world where 10 species of primates namely Proboscis monkeys, langurs, macaques, orang utan, slow loris, western tarsier are found. All the 8 species of hornbill such as Rhinoceros Hornbill, Pied Hornbill, Black Hornbill, Helmeted Hornbill (50kg, 120cm) also found in Borneo make the area their home. Besides, there are many more wildlife found, eg. kingfishers, bubuls, trogons, flycatchers, sunbirds, broadbills, herons, mangrove snakes, vipers, estuarine crocodile, asian elephants and etc.
A trip up the river at dawn or dusk is the best opportunity to see the wildlife. You might even sight an Asian elephant or a Sumatran rhinoceros wandering through the trees. Optional tours can be arranged for night safaris as well to spot crocodiles, birds and nocturnal animals.
Looking for extra activities?
* The itinerary is for reference only, it subjects to any necessary changes in accordance to local requirements.
Pick up from hotel and drive overland (2 hrs) to the Gomantong Cave.
Reached Gomantong Cave, exploring the cave.
Drive onwards to Bilit, Kinabatangan River.
Upon arrival, a warm welcome by the staff. Check-in to your room.
Lunch at lodge dining hall.
Free and leisure time.
Take an afternoon cruise along the Kinabatangan River where you can observe wildlife on the boat.
Finish cruising, back to room for a rest / shower.
Dinner and overnight at Bilit Adventure Lodge.
Night walk (optional activities, price not included)
Wake up to the calls of gibbons and birds and start the day with an early river cruise.
Proceed back to the lodge for breakfast.
A guided jungle walk in the late morning for wildlife sighting.
Trek back to the lodge.
Reach lodge to freshen up.
Lunch at dining hall.
Free and leisure time.
Take an afternoon cruise along the Kinabatangan River where you can observe wildlife on the boat.
Finish cruising, back to room for a rest / shower.
Dinner and overnight at Bilit Adventure Lodge.
Night walk (optional activities, price not included)
Enjoy breakfast.
Transfer back to hotel / airport.
Estimated arrival time at Sandakan city.
The pickup time is for reference only, actual time may be vary depends on number of visitors, distance, season, weather and road conditions, should be within 15 minutes. Transport fee quoted is per person.
Zone | Hotel | Pickup Time | Fee (USD) |
---|---|---|---|
A | Sandakan city (Four Points, Sandakan Hotel, Nak, ...) | 8:30 am | Free |
B | Sabah Hotel | 8:45 am | Free |
C | Mile 4 area (Bandar Indah area, Prima Square area, ...) | 8:45 am | Free |
D | Airport | 9:15 am | Free |
E | Sepilok area (Sepilok Jungle Resort, RDC, ...) | 9:15 am | Free |
No advance payment is required, simply pay cash in Ringgit-Malaysia to tour guide. However, you still need pay in full for any cancellation made 1 day prior to tour date.
Accep Visa and MasterCard credit card, Malaysian bank transfer, Paypal, FPX, Alipay. 2.3% surcharge apply. Please be noted that 2.3% transaction fee is non-refundable in case there is cancellation 3 days after the payment made.
Please request bank staff to calculate equivalent amount in USD before Telegraphic Transfer (T/T) to Malaysia. It takes 3 days to reach us. No 2.3% surcharge but you have to bear both side banks charges. The balances will be paid to either side as the case may be.
Min. Participant(s): 2 Persons To Go (child does not counted)
Tour location / Depart from: Sandakan . To reach Sandakan city, you have to take a domestic flight or bus express from Kota Kinabalu.
Recommend to book: 1 month(s) in advance
To book at least: 3 day(s) in advance
Cancellation & Refund Policy: 31 days or more, no cancellation charge, but need to pay for 5% refund fee; 16~30 days, charge 50% of tour total amount; Less than 15 days or No-Show, no refund. No refund for those tours which involve accommodation.
Specialities: You may decide the joining date, no compulsory tips (If you are happy and satisfied with the journey and the tour guide service, it's always a nice way to express your appreciation with tipping, OR words of thanks is good enough).