River Junkie – fuel the addiction
River Junkie – fuel the addiction

River Junkie Tours Sdn. Bhd. — licensed Kota Kinabalu tour operator (KPL/LN5696), MATTA member, running wildlife safaris, Mount Kinabalu climbs and cave trips across Sabah and Sarawak since 2008.

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Kinabatangan River

3D2N Sepilok & Kinabatangan River Safari (Hornbill Lodge)

3 days
2 nights
Departs Sandakan
Mid-range
Price fromRM 1,590
dormitory, per person
Duration3 days
2 nights on the road
DepartsSandakan
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About this trip

Join us for a nature-filled adventure through the renowned Sepilok wildlife sanctuaries to Hornbill Lodge, nestled on the banks of the mighty Kinabatangan River. Explore both the main feeding platform and nursery at the Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary, discover the world’s smallest bears, and cruise the river in search of pygmy elephants, proboscis monkeys, wild orangutans, gibbons, hornbills, crocodiles, and more. Hornbill Lodge offers private river-facing chalets and comfortable dormitory options, combining jungle surroundings with warm hospitality and front-row views of Kinabatangan’s incredible wildlife. There is no single supplement for solo travellers staying in dormitory accommodation, provided you join one of our existing departures.

Highlights

  • Guided visit to Sepilok orangutan & sun bear sanctuaries
  • Dusk river cruise for proboscis monkeys, elephants & macaques
  • Jungle walk in search of orangutans, gibbons and more
  • 2 night walks in search of nocturnal wildlife
  • Dorm or River Chalet accommodation at Hornbill Lodge

    • Trip facts

    Kinabatangan River, Sepilok
    Jungle walks, Night Walk, River Cruise, Wildlife
    3 days of travel
    Physical difficulty 2 / 5
    Departs from Sandakan
    Rates: Stays from 1st Jan till 31st Dec 2026 (excluding high season supplement)
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    Day by day

    Day 1

    Sepilok visit & first river cruise

    Your Kinabatangan river safari will start with pick up from Sandakan hotels or airport between 8am - 8.30am or hotels in Sepilok from 08.45 - 9am. Head first to the orangutan sanctuary to watch the younger, playful orangutans in the nursery before catching the 10am feeding. Around 11am your guide will take you to the sunbear sanctuary to watch the sunbears (the world’s smallest species of bear!) from raised walkways. From there you will travel 2 hours overland to Hornbill Lodge and have lunch on arrival. Check-into your room and take a moment to relax before heading out 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, orangutans, crocodiles, birds and more! After your river cruise, return to the lodge for dinner before joining your guide on an included night walk. Meals - L, D

    Day 2

    Dawn cruise, jungle walk & afternoon cruise

    As day dawns, join your second river cruise and watch as the river comes to life. Keep an eye out for bird life including Borneo’s endemic hornbills and have another chance to spot multiple species of primates. Return to the lodge for breakfast then join your guide for a jungle walk looking for signs of orangutans such as nests in the trees or even orangutans themselves if you are lucky! Enjoy lunch overlooking the river and a chance to rest before joining an afternoon river cruise in search of more of the area's unique wildlife. After dinner, join your guide for a night walk or add-on a night cruise in search of nocturnal wildlife along the river bank. Meals - B, L, D Optional add-on: night cruise: RM100 per person

    Day 3

    Final cruise & transfer to Sandakan

    Wake up early and join your guide for a final dawn river cruise, return to the lodge for breakfast then check-out and transfer to Sandakan for drop off at Sepilok / Sandakan airport and Sandakan hotels between 11 - 11.30am. B Transfers to other overland destinations such as Lahad Datu, Semporna or Tawau are available on request and subject to additional charges.

    Add-on

    Have extra time on your last day?

    Stop off for a guided tour of Gomantong caves on your way back to Sandakan, enjoy lunch in Sepilok then visit Sabah's longest canopy walk at the Sepilok Rainforest Discovery Centre with us after check-out! This add-on costs RM300 per adult and is suitable for guests staying overnight in Sepilok or Sandakan or taking a flight leaving Sandakan airport from 5.30pm onwards. Just ask for more details at the time of booking!

    Where you'll stay

    Hornbill Lodge

    Hornbill Lodge

    Kinabatangan River, Sabah
    A small riverside lodge on the lower Kinabatangan at Bilit, wholly owned and run by River Junkie Tours. Guests stay in river-facing chalets with private balconies, air-conditioning, ceiling fans and ensuite hot-water rain showers. The lodge manages 30 acres of private riverfront for wildlife, replanting forest, maintaining salt licks and restoring elephant grassland. In addition to daily river cruises, guests also have the opportunity to explore the rainforest on foot on a network of jungle trails only accessible from Hornbill lodge.
  • DormitoryShared dormitory beds, available until 5 November 2026. After that date dormitories are replaced by Family River Chalets and only private rooms are offered.
  • River ChaletPrivate chalet on the riverfront with 1 King size bed & 1 single bed in each room. Sleeps up to 4 people with an extra bed.
  • Family River ChaletPrivate chalet on the riverfront with 1 King size bed & 1 set of bunk beds in each room. Sleeps up to 5 people with an extra bed.
    • FacilitiesLicensed bar and restaurant with river views. Private jetty for river cruises. Jungle trails with complimentary rubber boots. Information corner on local flora and fauna. Free onsite parking.
    Good to knowStarlink wifi in communal areas only, and there is no mobile phone signal. The lodge is built into a hillside, so there is no step-free access to the rooms: the nearest are 10 to 20 steps up and the furthest around 85. Tell us at booking if you need a room close to the restaurant. No plastic bottled water is sold, so bring a refillable bottle. No seafood is served, as there is no sustainable local supply.
    A closer look

    What's included

  • Scheduled return road transfer Sandakan > Sepilok > Kinabatangan river > Sandakan
  • Meals: 2 breakfast, 2 lunch & 2 dinner, coffee, tea & water refills.
  • Accommodation: Dorm or River Chalet at Hornbill Lodge
  • Guided visit to Sepilok orangutan rehabilitation centre & sun bear sanctuary on day 1
  • 2 morning & 2 afternoon river cruises, 2 night walks, guided trekking,
  • Experienced English-speaking River Junkie nature guide (join-in basis)

    • Not included

  • Tourism tax (private rooms only- RM10/room per night)
  • tips (optional)
  • flights
  • drinks other than tea, coffee & water

    • Prices

    3D2N Hornbill Lodge DormRM 1590per person
    3D2N Hornbill Lodge River Chalet (twin/triple share)RM 1890per person
    Pricing notesSingle supplement for chalet — RM250 per night High season supplement (all room types), per person per night, all nights in April, July, August & September — RM100 Tourism tax (private rooms only) per room per night — RM10 Optional add-ons (min 2 pax) Night cruise (1 hour) - RM100 per adult Gomantong caves + lunch in Sepilok + Sepilok Rainforest Discovery Centre canopy walk after check-out RM - 300 per adult Land transfers (min 2 pax) Transfer per person per way: Semporna town or Tawau airport — RM375 Transfer per person per way: Lahad Datu town or airport — RM250
    ChildrenChild 0 - 3 years old: Free of charge 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).
    Rate validityStays from 1st Jan till 31st Dec 2026 (excluding high season supplement)

    Frequently asked questions

    What time does the trip start and finish?
    Pick-up is from Sandakan hotels or the airport between 8am and 8.30am, or from hotels in Sepilok between 8.45am and 9am. On day 3 you will be dropped off at Sepilok, Sandakan airport or Sandakan hotels between 11 and 11.30am. We recommend flying to Sandakan 1 day before your tour starts.
    Are the Sepilok sanctuaries included?
    Yes. On day 1 your guide takes you to the orangutan sanctuary to see the younger orangutans in the nursery and the 10am feeding, then around 11am to the sun bear sanctuary to watch the sun bears from raised walkways. Both the guided visit and the entrance are part of the tour.
    How do I get to Sandakan to join the tour?
    There are direct flights to Sandakan airport (SDK) from both Kuala Lumpur (KUL) and Kota Kinabalu (BKI). If you are coming from Kota Kinabalu and would like to see a few sights on the way, you can join our West to East shuttle to explore Kinabalu Park, Poring hot springs and the Sabah Tea Plantation before being dropped off in Sandakan or Sepilok.
    Is there step-free access to the rooms?
    No. Because of the lodge's hillside location there is no step-free access at Hornbill Lodge; the furthest rooms require climbing around 85 steps and the closest 10 to 20 steps. Let our team know at the time of booking if you need a closer room and we will do our best to place you near the restaurant and reception area.
    What are the room options?
    Our private River Chalets are spacious and have either 1 king size bed and 1 single bed or 1 king size bed and 1 set of bunk beds (Family River Chalets). Two units of four-bed dormitory are available until 5th November 2026, after this they will be converted into Family River Chalets and the dormitory option will no longer be available. All rooms, including the dormitories, have river-facing balconies, air conditioning, ceiling fans and ensuite bathrooms with hot-water showers.
    Is this tour suitable for children?
    Yes, as long as your child can remain safely seated and relatively quiet for a 2 hour river cruise then they can join this tour. Child life jackets & rubber boots are available to borrow. Discounts are available for children 12 & below. Please see the pricing section above or email us for a quotation for your family.
    Can I book this as a private tour?
    Yes, subject to availability. We recommend this option for families with very young children, wildlife photographers, avid bird watchers and anyone who would like the freedom of their own boat & guide. Surcharges apply, please contact us for a quotation
    Does this tour include the Gomantong caves?
    No. If you would like to visit the Gomantong caves, this can be added as an optional extra after check-out (please see above). If you have enough time, we highly recommend staying 1 additional night at Hornbill Lodge and joining our afternoon visit to Gomantong Forest Reserve which includes the caves, bat exodus and is the best time to potentially see wild orangutans nearby the caves. Our 4D3N Kinabatangan river safari with Gomantong also includes a night cruise.

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    Ready to book, or still deciding?

    Tell us your dates and we will come back with availability, the total cost and honest advice — including when a different trip would suit you better.

    Getting between destinations: we also run private van and 4X4 transfers across Sabah and a daily Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan shuttle — ask us to add either to your trip.

    WhatsApp / phone: +60 11 1265 8581
    Email: info@river-junkie.com
    Hours: 8am–5pm, Monday to Sunday
    Office: Wisma Sabah, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

    ★ 4.7 / 5 from 288 traveller reviews on TripAdvisor