Having visited Sandakan City numerous times in the last 12 years for my work, I have decided to write this article about why Sandakan is the best wildlife destination in Malaysia.

Over the last decade, most visitors have loved to visit Sabah, but most usually end up in Kota Kinabalu or on the east coast of Semporna to access the islands of Mabul or Sipadan.

Due to the typical visitor or traveller’s timing, they would opt for these two destinations, and only a handful would venture on a more extended sightseeing experience in Sabah. I believe it is high time this tourist mindset was changed, and I hope to contribute.

Sandakan – The Best Wildlife Destination in Malaysia

Sabah is not only about stunning mountains, beautiful beaches, exotic islands, and incredible seafood, as most people tend to think. But when you look deeper into this part of North Borneo, you will find that there is much more to appeal to many travellers.

While most travellers are accustomed to doing the five-day to one-week tours, they simply want to see the best of Sabah, resulting in visitors spending time in Kota Kinabalu and some of the islands.

This article is more suited for those who love nature and wildlife. Therefore, it will focus solely on that, and if you want something else, read this article on things to do in Sandakan for the general traveller.

Where is Sandakan?

Before I continue, you should know that Sandakan or Little Hong Kong is located on the east coast of Sabah, Borneo and is a six-hour drive or a 40-minute flight from Kota Kinabalu City. Known as Sabah’s Nature City, many come here for all kinds of nature and adventure experiences due to the vast choices of places to visit.

Sandakan, also known as Little Hong Kong, has a history dating back decades and is currently one of the cities that is up and coming among niche tourism genres. Many come here also to experience some of the best food in Sandakan, where some dishes cannot be found anywhere else in Sabah or Malaysia.

Sandakan is also connected by flights from Kuala Lumpur and Kota Kinabalu (KK), while those seeking a driving adventure can also drive from KK.

Where are the Places to See Wildlife in Sandakan?

There are many different places, some located near the city area, while most require travelling to the destination. This means that you need to book a tour to do so. While some backpackers may try to do this independently, you can, but it requires a lot of time, namely, public transport and walking.

Let me start with the closest wildlife attractions to Sandakan, and then I’ll go a little further. Note that if you stay in Sandakan City, you won’t visit any attractions.

Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Center

This is probably the most famous wildlife sanctuary, which has gained world recognition and is home to the Bornean Orangutans. Even Star Trek Discovery star Michelle Yeoh has visited Sepilok, among the many famous people who have done so repeatedly.

Many people have claimed that the rehabilitation program conducted here is one of the best globally and the best way to see Orangutans in their natural habitat. Sepilok is not a zoo and has special timed sessions to see the Orangutans being fed, one at 10:00 AM and the other at 3:00 PM.

The place is family-friendly, and numerous tour companies offer trips from Sandakan City. A special volunteer program is also available, but it is by request and not walk-in. If you have ever wanted to see Orangutans naturally, the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Center is highly recommended.

Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Center
Sabah Wildlife Department,
W.D.T. 200, Sandakan, Jalan Sepilok,
Sepilok, 90000 Sandakan, Sabah
Tel: +6 089 531 180
Entrance: Adults – RM30, Children below 18 – RM15
Camera Fee (Personal) – RM10 per unit

Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Center

Just next to the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Center is another world-class wildlife conservation centre, the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Center (BSBCC), which specializes in the conservation and rehabilitation of rescued sun bears.

These are the smallest bears globally and have been seriously threatened by hunting, poaching and forest degradation, which has reached an alarming level. Opened in 2014 by passionate Malaysian biologist Dr Wong Siew Te, he has single-handedly struggled to turn this passion project into what it is today. In total, there are about 40 sun bears there.

Visitors to Sepilok now have two places to explore with the Orangutan and Sun Bear centres side by side, and this has made both of these places one of the most popular in Sandakan.

Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Center
PPM 219, Elopura, 90000 Sandakan, Sabah
Tel: +6 089 534 491
Hours: 9.00 AM to 3.30 PM
Entrance: Adults – RM31.80, Children below 18 – RM15.90
Camera Fee (Personal) – RM1000 for lens 500mm and above

Rainforest Discovery Center (RDC)

The Rainforest Discovery Center, or RDC, is near the Sepilok Orangutan and Bornean Sun Bear Center. This is one of the best places to see birds and smaller wildlife. A massive one-kilometre steel canopy walk runs through the rainforest.

The RDC is also best suited for day trips from Sandakan and is also children’s or family-friendly. This means that you can bring your kids here to learn about nature and wildlife. It is highly educational, with information found through the reserve here.

Rainforest Discovery Center
Address: Sepilok, 90715 Sandakan, Sabah
Tel: 089-533 780
Hours: 8.00 AM to 5.00 PM
Admission: Adults RM15, Kids RM7
Website: http://www.forest.sabah.gov.my/rdc/

Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary

Known as the best place to see Proboscis Monkeys up close and personal, Labuk Bay is a sure bet to see these unique primates, which are endemic only to the island of Borneo. The surrounding area is a palm oil plantation, and the landowner created Labuk Bay as a conservation area for the Proboscis Monkeys that were found living there.

Since opening this sanctuary in 1994, tens of thousands of visitors and nature lovers have come to see the monkeys. The sanctuary is located in the Semawang mangrove forest, about 48km from Sandakan city. Special feeding times are held four times a day at two main viewing platforms. Platform A feeding times are 9.30 AM and 2.30 PM, while Platform B feeding times are 11.30 AM and 4.30 PM.

Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary
Address: Off Jalan Labuk, 90000 Sandakan, Sabah
Hours: 8.00 AM to 6.00 PM
Tel: +6 089 672 133
Tickets: Adults RM60, Kids RM30 (Non-Malaysians)
Camera Fee: RM10 per camera

Gomantong Caves

Gomantong Caves are not your regular cave visit but more of an educational experience about caves, bats, and birds’ nest harvesting. This cave is located a little further out of Sandakan and is usually a half-day trip or a stopover for those heading to the Kinabatangan River.

The beauty of these caves is home to one of the most popular bird’s nest harvesting sites in Sabah. If you come on certain months, you can see the harvesters using centuries-old technology at work.

There are two main caves here, the Black Cave and the White Cave, both of which can be explored. Other than that, the cave formations, cave wildlife, and the outside of the cave are interesting experiences: spot orangutans, birds, red-leaf monkeys, and other wildlife outside the cave.

Gomantong Caves
Address: Off Jalan Sukau, Gomantong Hills, Kinabatangan, Sabah
Hours: 8.00 AM to 6.00 PM
Contact: Sabah Wildlife

Kinabatangan River 

The ultimate place for wildlife watching is Sandakan and possibly all of Malaysia. If you are a serious wildlife lover or photographer, the Kinabatangan is the place to visit. This mighty river is also the second-longest river in Malaysia, with a total length of 560 km.

Numerous lodges and resorts are located along the Kinabatangan, and many tour companies in Sandakan sell various packages. The journey is via road to the river jetty and then by boat to your lodge or resort. All tours are conducted with boats, and some walking treks are available.

A map showing the jetties along the Kinabatangan River.

If you are staying deep inside, your starting point will be at the Lepit Jetty or the Sukau Public Jetty, and if you are going to Abai, you may just take a boat from Sandakan to Abai.

There are many lodging options, ranging from homestays to lodges, guest houses, and resorts. Most packages sold here are overnight to multiple days, but I recommend spending at least three nights at Kinabatangan to fully experience this place.

Kinabatangan River
Lepit Jetty or Sukau Public Jetty, Off Jalan Sukau,
Kinabatangan 90200 Sabah.
Contact: Various travel agents in Sandakan or Kota Kinabalu.

Turtle Island 

One of the more unique wildlife experiences, combined with much conservation, is Turtle Island or Pulau Selingan, off Sandakan City. This special experience allows visitors to spend a night at Turtle Island, observing sea turtles come up to the beach and lay eggs. Visitors are also invited to help collect the turtle eggs and rebury them in the island’s special turtle hatchery.

If your luck is good, you may even have the opportunity to release some of the newly hatched turtles from there. Overall, this is an amazing experience for just about anyone, namely those travelling with kids.

Turtle Island (Pulau Selingan)
Off Sandakan City, Sabah
Tours: Various travel companies in Sandakan City

If you choose the city, try the Elopura Hotel, one of the recommended places to stay. If you are going to Kinabatangan, you will most likely book a package that includes your stay there, so there are also many options.

Flights take less than three hours from Kuala Lumpur to Sandakan. Image from Google.

How To Go To Sandakan?

There are direct flights to Sandakan from Kuala Lumpur or Kota Kinabalu in Sabah. Most visitors fly in and spend several days there. If you are in Kota Kinabalu or any other city around Sabah, you can rent a car and self-drive to Sandakan.

Various tour companies also organize tours from KK city to Sandakan. For budget travellers, buses go to Sandakan from Kota Kinabalu and other larger cities throughout Sabah.