Nature Lodge Kinabatangan

Nature Lodge Kinabatangan is located within Kampung Bilit, a village along Kinabatangan River and takes its name from the white trunk Kabilit trees found in the nearby forest. Easily accessible by car, this village consists of only 150-180 people from about 30 households.

These villagers are mainly Orang Sugei (literally River People) who make their living by fishing and making of craftworks such as fish nets and boats. They will later sell their crafts to the near by villages.

‘Sungai Kinabatangan’ is Sabah’s longest river and measures 560 km from its headwaters in the southwest of the state and empties into the Sulu Sea, east of Sandakan.

Logging and clearing for plantations have devastated the upper reaches of the river, but by a strange irony the riverine forest near the coast is so hemmed in by oil palm plantations that an astonishing variety of wildlife is easily seen.

Sightings of the unique Proboscis Monkeys are common among the mangroves in the late afternoon. You will be able to spot primates such as the ever energetic long tail and pigtail macaques, the amazing sounding gibbons, the elusive tarsier, lazy slow loris and human like orangutans. The main attraction being the proboscis monkeys; with its long nose and big belly, which can only be found on the island of Borneo.

Be prepared to have close encounters with a subspecies of the Asian elephant, the Borneo Pygmy elephant. These elephants are smaller in size, have rather large ears and longer tails than its Asian counterpart. Though elephants and larger animals come and go- herd often break up to get through to plantations encroaching many areas.

Bird lovers will find the bird watching incredible: all 8 of Borneo’s hornbill species are seen regularly. Occasionally, two species of the gorgeous pitas can be spotted, as well as the Storm’s stork and the bizarre Oriental darter or ‘Snake Bird’.

While trekking to the nearby Oxbow lake, Danau Bilit, you will continue to be amazed by the sighting of crocodiles basking along the muddy river banks, bearded pigs sniffing away for food, deers, wild cats such as the civets and clouded leopard and the workaholic otters. Our trained guides will be able to show you a variety of insects and many species of colorful birds including the eight species of Borneo hornbills, the gorgeous pitas, the Stork-billed Kingfisher, the Oriental Pied Hornbill, the Crested Goshawk and much more…

Kinabatangan is indeed one of the best places to observe wildlife. It is the highlight of any nature-lover’s trip to Sabah.

So, wait no longer, come join us to explore the Kinabatangan!

The accommodation facilities of our lodge are built within the lush green forest of the kampong (village). The surrounding area is left untouched as much as possible so as not to disturb the surrounding. The lodge promises an unforgettable stay filled with adventure.

** PLEASE NOTE!!!!
Minimum length of stay here is 2 nights: 2 nights / 3 days stay in dorm is RM 350, but if you want to extend your stay it costs only RM 50/ night for the dorm and RM 85/ person/ night for the chalet!! So, please just book for 2nights and please let us know how many days exactly you want to stay here when you make a bookings!