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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Danum Valley

5D4N East Coast Wildlife Adventure

5 days
4 nights
Departs Sandakan
Varied
Price fromRM 5,190
twin share private room, per person, minimum 2 people per departure
Duration5 days
4 nights on the road
DepartsSandakan
Monday & Thursday only
Groupmin 2 pax
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About this trip

The ultimate nature lovers trip combining the wildlife rich Kinabatangan River, the pristine rainforests of Danum Valley, along with the orangutan & sunbear sanctuaries in Sepilok and the impressive Gomantong caves. Sleep 2 nights at a riverside lodge on the Kinabatangan and 2 nights at Danum Valley Field Centre and join river cruises, treks, night walks and more! The East Coast Wildlife Adventure departs from Sandakan / Sepilok each Monday & Thursday based on a minimum of 2 people per departure. If you would like to fly in 1 or 2 days earlier to spend some extra time around Sepilok and/or visit Turtle Island first then just let us know and we can help arrange airport transfers, accommodation in Sepilok or Sandakan and itinerary add-ons for you.

Highlights

  • Guided visit to Sepilok orangutan & sun bear sanctuaries
  • Dawn & dusk cruises for pygmy elephants & proboscis monkeys
  • Jungle & night walks for slow loris, civets, frogs and more
  • Gomantong caves on the way to Danum Valley
  • Exploring a 130 million year old rainforest
  • 2 nights Hornbill Lodge, 2 nights Danum Valley Field Centre

    • Trip facts

    Danum Valley, Kinabatangan River, Sepilok
    Caves, Jungle walks, Night Drive, Night Walk, River Cruise, Wildlife
    5 days of travel
    Physical difficulty 3 / 5
    Departs from Sandakan
    Minimum 2 pax per departure
    Rates: Pricing valid for stays until 31st Dec 2026
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    Day by day

    Day 1

    Sandakan - Sepilok sanctuaries - Kinabatangan River

    Pick up from Sandakan hotels or airport between 8 - 8.30am or hotels in Sepilok between 8.45 - 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. After a lunch stop at a local restaurant, start your journey to the Kinabatangan river around 1pm, After check-in, welcome drinks and an orientation to the lodge you’ll join your first boat cruise in search of wildlife and bird-like along the banks of the Kinabatangan River into your river. Return to the lodge for dinner and then choose to either relax at the lodge or join the night walk in search of nocturnal animals. (L, D)

    Day 2

    Kinabatangan River

    As day dawns, join the early morning boat cruise in search of pygmy elephants, proboscis monkeys, hornbills, orangutans and more before returning to the lodge for breakfast. After breakfast join a trek along the river banks looking for wildlife before returning to the lodge for lunch and the chance to relax surrounded by nature. Once the afternoon sun cools down, join the cruise boat for more wildlife spotting opportunities. After a buffet dinner there will be another chance for a night walk looking for tarsiers, frogs, insects, flying squirrels and other nocturnal wildlife. (B, L, D)

    Day 3

    Kinabatangan River - Gomantong caves - Danum Valley Field Centre

    Wake up to the sounds of hornbills & gibbons and take your last chance to join our boat for a final wildlife spotting dawn river cruise or enjoy a well deserved lie-in before breakfast. Depart from the lodge around 8.30am and stop off at the Gomantong caves, explore the boardwalk through the caves and search for orangutans in the vicinity of the caves then continue on to Lahad Datu for lunch. After lunch, take a 2 hour drive down a small gravel road to arrive at Danum Valley Field Centre, you might already spot elephants, orangutans or other wildlife along the way! After check in, get an orientation to the field centre before embarking on a mid-afternoon walk with your guide. The area surrounding the center teems with wildlife and it is not unusual for you to spot resident orangutan, hornbills etc. Return to center before sundown and enjoy dinner at 7pm. After dinner, go on an included night walk with your guide or arrange for an optional 4x4 night drive (own costs). (B, L, D)

    Day 4

    Danum Valley

    Wake up early for an early morning nature walk nearby DVFC to see the forest come to life. Alternatively, you can also pre-arrange a 4x4 drive to Bukit Atur for a breathtaking sunrise experience atop a canopy of trees – please tell your guide in advance that you are interested in this and he can assist with booking accordingly. Return to center for breakfast and embark on a trail in the area if you wish. Spend late morning resting before having lunch. After lunch, take a dip at the Ulu Segama river before heading off for another trek with your guide. Return to the center in late afternoon, in time to watch the sky change colour as the sun sets. After dinner, go on an included night walk with your guide or arrange for an optional 4x4 night drive. (B, L, D)

    Day 5

    Danum Valley - Lahad Datu

    Wake up early for early walk and more wildlife sighting possibilities. Return to field centre for breakfast, and spend the rest of your morning at leisure until check out time at 9.30am. Arrive at Lahad Datu for onward travel by 12pm. (B) We recommend catching an afternoon flight to Kota Kinabalu (MAS Wings) or if you would like to travel onwards to Sandakan, the Kinabatangan river, Semporna or Tawau we can help to arrange this. If you are not in a rush and would like to leave the Field Centre at 11.30am instead so that you can spend an extra couple of hours exploring the grounds in your own time then please ask about arranging a later transfer (additional charges apply).

    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
    Danum Valley Field Centre

    Danum Valley Field Centre

    Danum Valley, Sabah
    Open to visitors since 1986, Danum Valley Field Centre serves as both a research station and a base for visitors wanting to explore the stunning Danum Valley conservation area. Accommodations provided at Danum Valley Field Centre are simple and the only option for those wanting to explore this pristine conservation area without splashing out on Borneo Rainforest Lodge. Private rooms are ensuite with a fan (Standard Resthouse) or air-conditioning (Deluxe Resthouse). Fans and air-conditioning will only function during the generator electricity hours, currently 7am till 11pm. Guided walks around the field centre grounds and on the numerous rainforest trails give you the chance to spot orangutans, elephants, gibbons, samba deer, hornbills, Wallace's frog and more.
  • Superior Deluxe roomAir-conditioning, ensuite bathroom & fridge. 2 single beds, can accommodate 1 extra mattress
  • Deluxe ResthouseAir-conditioning & ensuite bathroom. 2 single beds. No extra beds allowed.
  • Standard ResthouseFan cooled & ensuite bathroom. 2 single beds, can accommodate 1 extra mattress
  • Hostel dormitory2 separate male / female hostel rooms with 48 beds in each and basic bathroom facilities. Located 10 - 15 minutes walk to the dining hall.
    • FacilitiesDining hall serving simple buffet meals, with dietary requests possible given notice. Over 50 km of marked trails, the Bukit Atur observation tower for sunrise and a track through the rainforest for night drives (4WD activities at additional cost).
    Good to knowThis is a working field station rather than a resort, so facilities are functional. Mains power runs on set hours, currently 7am to 11pm. Moderate fitness is needed: expect to walk two to three hours in heat and humidity. The nearest hospital is several hours away in Lahad Datu. The Hostel building is very basic and only recommended for solo travellers on the tightest of budgets.
    A closer look

    What's included

  • Meals as per itinerary
  • Transfers Sandakan airport – Sepilok – Kinabatangan – Danum Valley – Lahad Datu (other destinations easily accessible, just ask for advice)
  • Accommodation: 2 nights Hornbill Lodge, 2 nights Danum Valley Field Centre
  • Entry fees: Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, Sunbear sanctuary, Danum Valley conservation fee

    • Not included

  • Tourism tax: RM10 per private room per night (payable in cash at check-in)
  • Flights / transfers other than stated
  • Drinks
  • Meals other than stated
  • Optional 4×4 activities at Danum Valley: Night safari or Bukit Atur sunrise safari RM85 per person based on min 3 people
  • Camera fees at Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre: For any camera with zoom lens from 100 to 400mm, video camera or other video recording equipment for personal use are chargeable at RM10.00 per unit. For any camera (fixed-lens - 400mm and above) or any film-making equipment are chargeable at RM1,000.00 per unit.

    • Prices

    Twin share private roomRM 5190From RM5190 per person
    Single private roomRM 6240From RM6240 per person
    Pricing notesPeak period surcharge, per person, stays at Hornbill Lodge in April, July, August & September 2026— RM 200
    ChildrenChildren are welcome to join but families with children under 12 will require a private guide for the safety & comfort of all participants. Additional fees will apply, please contact us for a quotation.
    Rate validityPricing valid for stays until 31st Dec 2026

    Frequently asked questions

    Which places does this trip cover?
    You start in Sandakan and visit the Sepilok orangutan and sunbear sanctuaries, then spend two nights on the Kinabatangan River and two nights at Danum Valley Field Centre, finishing in Lahad Datu. Land transfers along the route Sandakan airport – Sepilok – Kinabatangan – Danum Valley – Lahad Datu are included, and other destinations are easily accessible if you ask us for advice.
    Where will I be staying?
    Your first two nights are at our own Hornbill Lodge on the banks of the Kinabatangan, where all private river chalets and dorms are newly renovated, air-conditioned and have modern ensuite bathrooms and river-facing balconies. The next two nights are at the more modest Danum Valley Field Centre in either a fan-cooled standard resthouse twin room, or an air-conditioned deluxe resthouse twin room, subject to availability.
    Is there electricity and wifi throughout?
    Danum Valley Field Centre runs on a generator with electricity only from 7am to 11pm, so whichever room type you choose there will be no fan or air-conditioning after 11pm — although the jungle is cooler overnight than the city. Elsewhere there is usually 24-hour electricity, but power cuts do happen. Charging points are 3-pin UK style plugs; phone signal is very limited or absent at both Hornbill Lodge and Danum Valley, and while Hornbill Lodge has Starlink wifi in communal areas, there is no wifi at Danum Valley.
    When does the tour depart, and where are the pick-up and drop-off points?
    This tour departs on Mondays and Thursdays only — do contact us for alternatives if those dates don't work for you. Pick-up is provided between 7.45 and 8.30am on the first day from any hotel in Sandakan or Sepilok, or from Sandakan airport, and drop-off is at any hotel in Lahad Datu, Lahad Datu airport or the bus station at around 12pm on the last day. Earlier airport transfers and transfers to or from other locations can be arranged on request, with costs varying by location.
    Who is this trip suitable for?
    The East Coast Wildlife Adventure is designed for travellers who don't mind sharing transport and a guide in order to reduce their trip costs. Trekking in Danum Valley requires a moderate level of fitness and you should be prepared for hot and humid weather conditions. Solo travellers are welcome to join any of our existing trips, subject to a minimum of 2 people per departure.
    Can we bring children?
    Children are welcome to join, but families with children under 12 will require a private guide for the safety and comfort of all participants. Additional fees apply, so please contact us for a quotation. An additional mattress can be added into the Standard Resthouse at Danum Valley but the Deluxe Resthouse sleep a maximum of 2 people.
    Can I upgrade to Borneo Rainforest Lodge in Danum Valley?
    The 5D4N East Coast Wildlife Adventure follows a set itinerary with all guests staying at the same accommodations. We offer a 5D4N Jungle in Style tour that includes accommodation at both Hornbill Lodge and Borneo Rainforest Lodge or just contact us for advice on other options.

    Photos from this trip

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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