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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Borneo Rainforest Lodge

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Danum Valley

5D4N Jungle in Style (Hornbill Lodge & Borneo Rainforest Lodge)

5 days
4 nights
Departs Sandakan
Varied
Price fromRM 8,040
starting from RM8040 per person based on 2 pax booking
Duration5 days
4 nights on the road
DepartsSandakan
Groupmin 2 pax
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About this trip

This itinerary is for nature lovers who want to see Borneo's rivers, jungles & rainforests in style, including a 2 night stay at the beautiful Hornbill Lodge on the banks of the Kinabatangan river followed by a 2 night stay at the luxurious Borneo Rainforest lodge in Danum Valley. Longer tour options are available on request. Start your adventure with a visit to Sepilok's orangutan and sunbear sanctuaries before making your way to the mighty Kinabatangan river. Spend 2 nights at Hornbill Lodge enjoying 3 river cruises as well as 2 night walks and a jungle walk before continuing on to Danum Valley. Stay 2 nights at the beautiful Borneo Rainforest Lodge and explore the numerous hiking trails around the lodge as well as the extensive canopy walk in search of Danum Valleys's astonishing 340 species of birds, 124 species of mammals, 72 species of reptiles and 56 species of amphibians – a true nature lover's paradise!

Highlights

  • Dusk & dawn river cruises for proboscis monkeys, orangutans and more
  • Blue Rings Reef & Baik Island snorkelling
  • Coffin Cliff trek to a natural pool
  • Canopy Walkway 27m above the rainforest
  • 2 nights Hornbill Lodge, 2 nights Borneo Rainforest Lodge

    • Trip facts

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

    Day 1

    Sandakan - Sepilok sanctuaries - Kinabatangan River

    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 * Highly recommended: Night River Cruises can be added at the lodge.

    Day 2

    Kinabatangan River

    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.

    Day 3

    Kinabatangan River - Lahad Datu - Danum Valley

    After breakfast, check-out at 7am and transfer overland to Borneo Rainforest Lodge’s office in Lahad Datu. After a brief stop for registration, transfer a further 30 minutes to W Bay Payang for breakfast. From there, join a boat trip to Malaysia’s only coral reef ring and one of only two double blue rings in the world. Snorkel over the reef surrounding the blue rings before continuing to Baik Island for more snorkelling adventures, this time over a sunken Japanese cargo ship. Return to dry land for a freshwater rinse (towels provided), a relaxed seafront lunch and some time to unwind before beginning your journey into Danum Valley. Upon arrival, settle into your room and enjoy dinner at the lodge’s stunning in-house restaurant overlooking the Danum river After dinner, join a guided night safari via electric buggy on the road nearby the lodge in search of nocturnal animals. Meals: B, L, D * Guests wishing to skip the Blue Rings Reef tour may opt to transfer directly from Lahad Datu to Borneo Rainforest Lodge anytime between 10am - 3pm, subject to an additional private transfer fee (1 - 3 people RM550 per vehicle / 4 - 6 people RM700 per vehicle). Your lunch will be served at Borneo Rainforest Lodge and your afternoon will include a guided jungle walk.

    Day 4

    Danum Valley

    Wake up to the sounds of the jungle and enjoy a leisurely breakfast before joining a guided trek along the coffin trail to the viewpoint and burial site - Coffin Cliff. Take a short break by the natural pool for a refreshing dip before returning for lunch at the lodge. In the afternoon, visit the Canopy Walkway suspended up to 27m off the ground and offering breathtaking views of the primary rainforest below. It is not uncommon to spot orangutans, maroon langurs, hornbills or gibbons on your way to and from the canopy walkway! After an extensive dinner buffet featuring local & international specialities, a guided night walk is offered along the nature trail. Night walks in Danum Valley are especially rich in amphibians, insects, reptiles and birds. Meals: B, L, D

    Day 5

    Danum Valley - Lahad Datu

    Join an early morning jungle walk in search of wildlife most active at dawn, soak up the sounds of the rainforest from your own private balcony or take a dip in the pool overlooking the river. Check out and enjoy lunch before checking out at 12.30pm for the 2 hour transfer to Lahad Datu town or airport for your onward journey. Meals: B, L Recommended departure flight: Air Borneo MY3019 to Kota Kinabalu at 16.05 (flight times subject to change, please verify with the airline) Guests wishing to take an earlier flight may book a private transfer anytime from 8am onwards (1 - 3 people RM550 per vehicle / 4 - 6 people RM700 per vehicle

    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
    Borneo Rainforest Lodge

    Borneo Rainforest Lodge

    Danum Valley, Sabah
    Borneo's only five-star jungle lodge and one of only two accommodations within the pristine Danum Valley Conservation Area. Located two and a half hours, mostly on gravel roads from Lahad Datu, Borneo Rainforest Lodge offers guests air-conditioned timber villas and chalets with ensuite bathrooms and private balconies. From a compact Jungle Chalet up to double-storey Premium Villas with plunge pools, stays are full board and include guided walks, a night drive in an electric buggy and the canopy walkway.
  • Jungle ChaletSleeps 2 or 3Everything you need for a cosy, comfortable stay in the jungle.
  • Deluxe ChaletSleeps 2 or 3Jungle or river views and an outdoor bathtub in addition to all the standard room amenities. Limited units have 2 double beds and can sleep a maximum of 2 adults and 2 children.
  • Premium Deluxe ChaletSleeps up to 5Very spacious both indoors and outdoors, with 2 double beds and 1 single bed. Every Premium Deluxe room has its own plunge pool on the balcony.
  • Premium VillaKing bed1 king-size bed and a plunge pool on your balcony. Bookable for a minimum of 3 nights; comes with free private transfers in and out of Danum Valley and a complimentary private in-house nature guide.
    • FacilitiesRestaurant, licensed bar, swimming pool, spa, cosy gym, and a canopy walkway around 27 m above the forest floor. All rooms have air-conditioning, ensuite bathroom, mini bar, tea and coffee facilities, in-room safe, TV and international sockets.
    Good to knowElectricity runs 24 hours on generator supply. Free wifi throughout the lodge. Drinking water is filtered at the main lodge. Bring walking boots, light non-bright clothing, a raincoat, hat, binoculars, insect repellent and sunblock. Umbrellas are provided in the chalets and leech socks are sold in the shop. Mild to moderate fitness is recommended.
    A closer look

    What's included

  • Scheduled transfers as per itinerary
  • 2 nights Hornbill Lodge
  • 2 nights Borneo Rainforest Lodge
  • Shared nature guide
  • All meals & guided activities as per itinerary
  • Entrance & conservation fees
  • Coffee, tea & water refills.

    • Not included

  • Tourism tax (RM10/room per night)
  • Flight tickets
  • Soft/alcoholic beverages
  • Tips (optional).
  • 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

    River Chalet at Hornbill Lodge + Jungle Chalet at Borneo Rainforest LodgeRM 8040Prices starting from RM8040 per person; other room categories available on enquiry
    Pricing notesPrivate transfer Lahad Datu - Borneo Rainforest Lodge 1 - 3 people per vehicle — RM 550 Private transfer Lahad Datu - Borneo Rainforest Lodge 4 - 6 people per vehicle — RM 700
    Rate validityPrices valid until 31st Dec 2026

    Frequently asked questions

    Where does the trip start and finish, and what flight should I book home?
    You are collected from Sandakan hotels or the airport between 8am and 8.30am on day 1, or from hotels in Sepilok between 8.45am and 9am. The trip ends in Lahad Datu: you check out of Borneo Rainforest Lodge at 12.30pm on day 5 for the 2 hour transfer to Lahad Datu town or airport. The recommended departure flight is Air Borneo MY3019 to Kota Kinabalu at 16.05, though flight times are subject to change so please verify with the airline. Guests taking an earlier flight will need to book and pay for a private transfer.
    What is the accommodation like?
    You spend 2 nights at Hornbill Lodge, which has 16 spacious River Chalets with extra large beds, air conditioning, modern ensuite bathrooms and private balconies with sweeping river views. You then spend 2 nights at Borneo Rainforest Lodge in Danum Valley, where rooms range from standard Jungle Chalets to private Villas with plunge pools.
    Can I customise this tour?
    Yes. Just let us know how long you would like to stay in each location or how else we can help and we will put together a quotation for you.
    Is there anything else I should be aware of?
    Yes. Expansion work is ongoing at Borneo Rainforest Lodge until February 2027 in the area next to the premium villas, adding a three-storey clubhouse and 9 additional chalets. The work is actively managed to avoid disturbing guests and mainly takes place while guests are out trekking, but you may experience some noise during your stay.
    Can I skip the Blue Rings Reef snorkelling on day 3?
    Yes. You can add-on a private transfer directly from Lahad Datu to Borneo Rainforest Lodge any time between 10am and 3pm. Your lunch is then served at Borneo Rainforest Lodge and your afternoon includes a guided jungle walk instead.
    What optional activities can I book?
    Borneo Rainforest Lodge offers a few different optional activities such as cycling, rafting, tree climbing, a dawn safari to Bukit Atur and spa treatments. Hornbill Lodge has an optional night cruise which runs daily subject to min.2 people. These optional extras are chargeable and can be booked directly on site.

    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