Kampung Sukau, Borneo, Malaysia
Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge is a simple but comfortable jungle lodge, set on the banks of the Kinabatangan River, in Sabah, Borneo. Reached by boat from the village of Sukau, it is perfectly located deep within the Borneo jungle, to provide a unique wildlife experience. We recommend a two-day package here but to maximise wildlife spotting opportunities, you can opt another one-night stay at one of other dozen lodges in the area to extend the jungle experience!
Accommodation at the Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge is in 33 stilted wooden chalets. All are simple in design but comfortable with ensuite bathrooms and in close proximity to the wildlife seen in the jungle from their shared verandas. All rooms are air-cooled and have ceiling fans though some have air-conditioning. Guests come to this remote part of Sukau to watch Borneo’s amazing wildlife: proboscis monkeys, wild Orang-utans, Bornean Pygmy elephants and you won’t be disappointed.
Amenities
Bar/PubGardenRestaurantKinabatangan Riverside Lodge Kampung Sukau, Borneo, Malaysia
Stay Kinabatangan River Lodge has 33 stilted chalets. Constructed entirely from local wood, each are semi-detached and connected by treetop walkways. Inside, rooms are simply furnished with polished wooden floors, comfortable beds with fine linen and en-suite bathrooms with hot and cold showers. Ten of the chalets have air-conditioning which are worth paying the supplement as temperatures along the Kinabatangan River can be sultry.
ChildCare Families with children are very welcome to stay at Kinabatangan River Lodge but there are no specific facilities available for them. Children of 5 years and above will enjoy water-based activities and watching the jungle wildlife. Naturalist guides at the lodge take special care to ensure that they have a good time spotting animal and birdlife. The restaurant is flexible with meal timings and will happily make something special for them.
Dine The in-house restaurant at the Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge serves delicious Malaysian cuisine with some Western favourites. Meals are prepared with fresh locally grown produce or the fishermen’s catch of the day and served buffet-style on the riverside terrace, overlooking the jungle where proboscis monkeys come down to feed.
Relax There is a library and TV room at the Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge, where on some evenings Sabah wildlife documentaries are shown. There is also an open sun deck and a bird observation tower, both of which offer magnificent wildlife spotting opportunities – look out for proboscis monkeys swinging from branch to branch or hornbills perched in the treetops.
Experience The main activity at the Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge, is exploring the Kinabatangan River through guided nature walks and boat excursions. On jungle trails you will see varied wildlife including Proboscis monkeys, long-tailed macaques and wild orangutans. Whilst on river cruises you’ll weave through the mangroves and see pygmy elephants splashing in the water, otters, basking crocodiles and rich birdlife. The lodge supports its local community through tree planting programs.
Location Set on the banks of the Kinabatangan River, Sabah’s longest river. Not far from Kampung Abai near the river mouth of the river.
Getting there 17-hour international flight (one change) to Sandakan Airport.
When to go Like the rest of Malaysia, Sabah’s climate is hot and humid. Expect temperatures in the high 20s and low 30s throughout the lowlands. The state’s rainfall averages about 300cm annually and though it rains throughout the year, the heaviest rainfall generally occurs between October and January. At higher elevations the temperature is refreshingly cool, dropping to colder temperatures at night. Mount Kinabalu has its own climate and, above 3500m, temperatures can drop to freezing.
Destination
Western, Borneo
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