Kinabatangan River, Malaysia Plan a trip

The Kinabatangan River is the perfect spot for wildlife-loving adventurers. The shoreline and the river itself are teeming with life just waiting to be discovered. The Kinabatangan River is 560 km long, so it’s Sabah’s longest river. Its chocolatey-brown waters wouldn’t look out of place in Wonka’s factory, but we wouldn’t suggest trying to drink them.

Boat safaris are the big attraction on the Kinabatangan River. They ensure you’ll see as much of the local environment as possible, and give you the best chance to spot a few animals along the way.

Kinabatangan is one of the few places in Sabah where you’ll see some of the native primates. Bornean gibbons, long-tailed and short-tailed macaques, three different types of leaf monkey, western tarsiers, slow lorises and proboscis monkeys all call these trees home. You might see a few other animals on your travels too; look out for pygmy elephants, crocodiles and wild boars. Snakes often swim in the waters and bird lovers should keep an eye out for the eight different types of hornbill that live here. Clouded leopards also roam this area, but you’ll have to be extremely lucky to catch a glimpse of one. Also, whilst very rare, you may be one of the lucky few who spot’s an Orangutan. Borneo is one of only two places in the world where you can see these in the wild.

There are a few lodges tucked into the forests offering accommodation, but for an authentic taste of Malaysian riverside life opt for one of the homestay programmes. You’ll get to sample delicious local food, learn about traditional customs and spend a day in the life of one of the locals. A trip down the Kinabatangan River is one you’ll never forget. You’ll wind your way through the dense, green forest and tributaries in a peaceful and almost eerily quiet way. This place has been preserved as part of the Lower Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary, so it’s mostly free from development unlike other areas further upstream.

Plan your trip to Kinabatangan River today.