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Travel to Malaysian Borneo – The Adventure of a Lifetime Awaits!
Spot Orangutans on a Safari in Sabah!
Would you describe yourself as an adventure seeker? How about a nature lover? Are you somebody who enjoys the sounds of the outdoors and is thrilled by the possibility of a rare animal encounter? How about someone who appreciates and relishes in meeting other travelers and gathering around a table at night to sing familiar tunes together? If you’ve answered ‘yes’ to any of the above, we STRONGLY recommend you travel to Malaysian Borneo, and specifically visit the Kinabatangan River just south of Sandakan.
The Kinabatangan River hosts a remarkable ecosystem with abundant wildlife and surreal landscapes. There are multiple wildlife camps in the region that offer accommodations to meet anyone’s comfort level, and while there are tons of things to do in Sabah, we are here to tell you about Uncle Tan’s Wildlife Adventures. (We are NOT affiliates of Uncle Tan’s, we just loved our experience there, so we want to share it with you!)
What is Uncle Tan’s Wildlife Adventures?
Uncle Tan began taking visitors to the lower Kinabatangan region almost 30 years ago! He believed in showing locals and tourists the unadulterated wilderness that makes up much of Borneo. That is why now, when you travel to Malaysian Borneo and visit Uncle Tan’s Wildlife Camp, there are no frills and no luxury. When you’re at Uncle Tan’s, plan on feeling yourself become part of the breathtaking natural surroundings of the Kinabatangan river valley. Uncle Tan’s guides are locals who know the behavior of the wildlife and have a lot of experience taking small groups of visitors to remote places in the jungle to spot orangutans, proboscis monkeys, flying foxes, and many other rare but beautiful species.
Uncle Tan’s Wildlife Adventures Base Camp
Are you ready to rough it? At Uncle Tan’s Wildlife Adventures camp, lodging is simple. Expect to sleep in a stilted cabin without doors. There are mattresses on the floor, and there is mosquito netting draping over top to protect you from the jungle bugs. Visitors are advised to put anything with an odor (deodorant, toothpaste, mouthwash, shampoos, soap) inside a plastic bucket with a sealed lid to protect from little critters (the camp provides this bucket).
A few minutes walking from the cabins, there are outhouses and sinks for showering and washing up. A large wooden shelter, designed to protect guests from the elements, is where all of the meals are served. Often times in the evenings, this is where travelers gather around for a drink and a song or two while they swap travel stories. When you travel to Malaysian Borneo, don’t expect five star luxury, but do expect a life changing and immersive experience in some of the world’s most pristine rainforest.
What You Can Do at Uncle Tan’s
While you’re at Uncle Tan’s there are a number of different activities you can opt to do.
Kinabatangan River Safari
Hop on board a small 6-8 person motorboat to explore the nearby river banks. From the boat, the guide can spot a plethora of wildlife including flying foxes, proboscis monkeys, kingfisher, hornbills, pittas, macaques, saltwater crocodiles, and orangutans.
Kinabatangan Jungle Safari
Sometimes, orangutans hide further inland and you could spot them later in the day by walking through the jungle.
Jungle Night Walk Safari
The best time to spot birds, snakes, and the Bornean slow loris is at night.
Play Volleyball or Soccer
At Uncle Tan’s there is a large open area with a volleyball net. In between safaris, gather a team of new friends and play some friendly games of volleyball, soccer (football), or any game that requires a ball!
Sing or Play Guitar
As I mentioned above, you can enjoy gathering with other travelers in the evening times around the table to sing and play a few familiar songs. The guides had a guitar that they shared with guests. Even though we are all from different places, we can connect through music!
Getting There
Coming From Kota Kinabalu
When you travel to Malaysian Borneo, you’ll most likely be coming from Kota Kinabalu.
- Take a bus from Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan. Contact Bintang Jaya Express to purchase tickets. It’s a 6 hour journey and the most economical option when traveling to Sandakan from KK.
- Take a flight from Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan. AirAsia and Malaysian Airlines have daily flights from Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan.
Uncle Tan’s Wildlife Adventures has its Operations Base at Labuk Square, Block A, Lot 1, First Floor, Mile 9, Labuk Road, Sandakan. All adventures begin there!
If you arrive at the Ops Base early, and have a few hours to kill, consider checking out the nearby Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary.
If your happen to have a stop over in KL, consider spending two days in Kuala Lumpur, as this fascinating city has a lot on offer!
Time to Go
The GREAT thing about spotting orangutans in Malaysian Borneo is that you can do it, and have great success, ALL YEAR ROUND!
Rainy Season
The rainy season in Sabah is considered March – September. The benefit of adventuring in the rainy season is the rivers and tributaries are higher, therefore boats can squeeze through the nooks and crannies and access more secluded places to spot wildlife.
Dry(er) Season
The dry(er) season in Sabah is considered October – February. The benefit of adventuring in the dry(er) season is there is less water in the river, leaving banks drier, giving those who wish to spot wildlife more of a chance of spotting them coming to the edge of the banks to drink.
What You’ll Need to Bring
When you travel to Malaysian Borneo, you’ll want to be prepared. Here is a list of items that are essential for your excursions at Uncle Tan’s! Tip: BRING ONLY WHAT YOU’LL NEED. Leave the rest at the Ops Base.
- insect repellent
- rain jacket – I use this Marmot raincoat*, and Seth uses this Marmot raincoat (it’s the same as mine, just cut for men).
- long wool socks (for tucking in your long pants)
- long pants – zip off pants are ideal (men’s option, women’s option)
- Hydro Flask
- You may want to bring a water bottle with a filter, so you can drink from any water source anywhere without having to worry about getting sick! At Uncle Tan’s they only sell disposable plastic bottles of water at camp.
- small amount of cash
- bar of soap
- Organicup (for women)
- torch
- sunscreen
Go Travel to Malaysian Borneo!
Spotting orangutans in Malaysian Borneo was one of our most memorable experiences in Asia. Additionally, when you travel to Malaysian borneo, consider climbing Mount Kinabalu! Take a look at some of our photos from that incredible experience.
Other Nearby Adventures
If you’re up for another adventure just a short bit away, why not head south and check out what there is to do in Kuching? Or if you’re open to taking a short flight, consider checking out El Nido in the Philippines, or even traveling to Palau! No matter what you decide, now you have all the info you need to craft your own off the beaten path adventure travel experience, so leave us a comment below, or reach out to us here letting us know what you think about all of this!
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