Best Things to Do in Sepilok – Malaysian Borneo

Sepilok, a world-famous destination on the island of Borneo, is an extraordinary place with a unique blend of wildlife, nature, and conservation efforts. Whether you’re an avid wildlife enthusiast or enjoy the tranquility of nature, Sepilok has a lot to offer. In this guide, we’ll cover the best things to do in Sepilok, along with practical information on accommodation, dining, how to get here, and more.

Sepilok and Malaysian Borneo

The island of Borneo is divided between three countries: Indonesia, which is around 73% of the area, Malaysia, around 26%, and the tiny state of Brunei, covering just 1%.

Sepilok is a small town located in the Sabah region of Malaysian Borneo. Renowned for its lush rainforests and rich biodiversity, Sepilok attracts travelers from around the world. Many visitors come to experience its natural beauty and wildlife, in particular, the chance to see orangutans in the wild. The town is home to several conservation centers and sanctuaries making it a hub for eco-tourism and wildlife conservation.

Best Things to Do in Sepilok

Sepilok offers a variety of outdoor activities and attractions, perfect for nature lovers and those that love adventure. Here are some of the best things to do in Sepilok.

Kinabatangan River Tour – Wild Orangutans

While Sepilok is an amazing destination on its own, the forests around it have been cut off from the larger rainforest. This means that the orangutans living nearby have usually had some human contact or been in captivity. For an even more authentic experience and a chance to see truly wild orangutans, nearby Kinabatangan is the place to go.

You can go for just a night, but it’s much better to do a 3-day/2-night tour or longer for a better chance to see more. Plus, there are a load of activities you can do which might be a bit rushed on a shorter trip.

The main feature, and the best way to see wildlife, is the Kinabatangan River. It’s the second-longest river in Malaysia, and its surrounding rainforest is ancient and one of the most biodiverse areas in the world.

Kinabatangan River Cruises

The 2-night trip includes 2 evening cruises and 1 morning cruises, and you can add on a second morning cruise for a small price. The river cruises are on smallish boats, allowing you to get closer to the wildlife.

As well as orangutans, the Kinabatangan River is home to a variety of other wildlife, including proboscis monkeys, long-tailed macaques, gibbons, crocodiles, and hundreds of unique bird species like hornbills and kingfishers. If you’re really lucky, you may even see a pygmy elephant coming for a drink.

We stayed at Bilit Adventure Lodge who offer loads of other activities.

Kinabatangan Night Walks

The night walks with the boat driver Jay were incredible. The forest is teeming with life even at night and you’re able to get up close to birds.

We saw two kinds of civet cats, a slow loris (who was very high in the trees), fruit bats, a glow-in-the-dark scorpion, and many species of beautifully colorful birds like the Malaysian blue flycatcher and Rufous-backed kingfisher.

Be sure to wear mosquito spray, there were swarms of them around the forest!

Other Activities in Kinabatangan

They also offer batik painting, an Indonesian technique using wax and dye to create a colorful artwork on cloth.

And finally, tree planting, using saplings grown in the local area. It’s a small part of reversing the damage done to the rainforest. We’re hoping to return one day to see how our little sapling is getting on.

Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre

The Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre is the main attraction in Sepilok. Established in 1964, the center rescues and rehabilitates orphaned and injured orangutans.

It’s a chance to see these incredible animals up close as they are fed and cared for in a semi-wild environment. Apart from the very young and injured individuals, the orangutans are free to come and go. So many are effectively wild but coming to enjoy for a free meal. But, with the rainforest here not being connected to the larger rainforest, all have had human contact at some point.

The rehabilitation process involves several stages, starting with quarantine and medical treatment, followed by gradual reintroduction to the forest. The best time to go is during the feeding sessions which take place at 10am and 3pm.

There’s also a viewing area of the nursery, where adorable young orangutans learn essential survival skills. The center’s efforts have successfully reintroduced many orangutans back into the wild.

Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre

Located adjacent to the Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre is dedicated to the conservation of the world’s smallest bear species. The center provides a safe haven for rescued sun bears.

The enclosures are designed to mimic the bears’ natural habitat, with plenty of trees, climbing structures, and foraging opportunities. You can watch the bears from viewing platforms or take a guided tour to learn about the center’s conservation efforts.

Rainforest Discovery Centre

The Rainforest Discovery Centre (RDC) is a must-visit for nature enthusiasts. The center features a network of walking trails, a canopy walkway, and an impressive collection of native plants and trees.

The canopy walkway is definitely the highlight, offering breathtaking views of the rainforest and an opportunity to spot birds and other wildlife. With its proximity to the Orangutan Rehabilitation Center there’s also a chance to see some wilder orangutans.

The RDC also has a botanical garden with various plant species, including orchids and carnivorous pitcher plants. There’s also a small exhibition hall with animal displays and information on rainforest ecology and conservation.

Guided tours and bird-watching sessions are available, if you want to learn more about the rainforest and its inhabitants.

Night Walk – See Borneo’s Nocturnal Wildlife

For a unique experience, join a guided night walk in the rainforest. This also takes place in the RDC but it’s a separate activity worthy of its own mention.

These walks offer a chance to see Borneo’s nocturnal wildlife, including civets, tarsiers, flying squirrels, and various insect species. The rainforest comes alive at night, and the sounds and sights of nocturnal creatures are incredible.

You’ll be given a flashlight to help you explore the darkened forest and discover the hidden world of nocturnal animals. The guides are skilled at spotting wildlife and on our walk, there was never a dull moment.

As well as the larger mammals we saw birds, bats, frogs, scorpions, pill millepedes, and much more! It’s a good idea to wear mosquito spray and bring a waterproof jacket—this is the rainforest after all.

Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary

The Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary provides a rare opportunity to see proboscis monkeys. These unique primates can only be found on the island of Borneo. They’re known for their distinctive long noses and potbellies.

The sanctuary has four daily feeding sessions at 9:30am, 11:30am, 2:30pm, and 4:30pm allowing you to watch the monkeys’ playful behavior and interactions up close. It’s located in a mangrove forest, which is where proboscis spend most of their time.

There are two viewing platforms where you can watch the monkeys feeding on fruits and leaves. These monkeys are known for their social behavior, often living in large groups, and the feeding sessions are an interesting glimpse into their lives. The sanctuary also plays a role in protecting the mangrove ecosystem and its wildlife.

Fireflies – Boat Trip

Seeing fireflies is a pretty magical experience but even better when combined with a boat trip. The trip leaves before dusk as you navigate from a small town through mangroves and forests out to a beach on the coast.

On the journey we saw a lot of wildlife including proboscis monkeys, a crocodile, and kingfishers. As the sun begins setting, we got back on the boat to find the fireflies.

There are a few factors that can affect the experience. Firstly, it’s worse if the moon is near its full phase because it’s so much lighter and so the fireflies don’t appear as bright. But more importantly, if it’s windy, there’ll be fewer fireflies in the air. We were a bit unlucky with the wind, but still managed to see a few!

Where to Stay in Sepilok

There are only a few accommodation options in Sepilok, but there are choices to suit different budgets.

For a more budget-friendly option we’d recommend Sepilok Jungle Resort. The resort has rustic wooden chalets surrounded by the rainforest. There’s an on-site restaurant and outdoor pool.

Or take a look at Sepilok Nature Lodge for a higher-end choice. It’s set amidst lush tropical gardens and features a large lake. The resort also has a restaurant, bar, and swimming pool.

Where to Eat in Sepilok

Dining options in Sepilok are also fairly limited, the main options being within the accommodation. Both Sepilok Jungle Resort and Sepilok Nature Lodge have their own restaurants mostly serving Malaysian dishes.

If you’re looking for more choice, then the nearby town of Sandakan is your best bet. It’s only a 20-minute drive away and the Grab taxis are cheap.

How to Get to Sepilok

Before doing any research, we assumed getting to Borneo might be difficult and/or expensive, but we were wrong. Getting to Sepilok is really easy and the flights are cheap. The nearest airport is Sandakan Airport, which is well-connected to major cities in Malaysia. Regular flights are available from Kuala Lumpur on the mainland and Kota Kinabalu on Borneo, as well as other cities.

Flying in from KL? Check out the best things to do in Kuala Lumpur while you’re there!

From the airport, you can take a Grab or a local taxi to Sepilok. The journey takes around 20 minutes by car.

Getting Around Sepilok

Once in Sepilok, getting around is easy. Many of the attractions are within walking distance of each other. For longer distances, like the proboscis monkeys or fireflies, taxis and the ride-hailing app Grab are available.

How Long to Stay in Sepilok

A two-day visit is enough to explore the main attractions around Sepilok. Then you’ll want at least a 3-day/2-night stay at Kinabatangan.

So, altogether allow around 5 to 6 days depending on your arrival and departure times.

Best Things to Do in Sepilok – Malaysian Borneo

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