Sukau travel guide and discussion

As we approach Sandakan, Sabah, the mighty Kinabatangan River comes into view — Malaysia’s second-longest river, winding through the heart of Borneo. Can’t wait to stay at award-winning Sukau Rainforest Lodge, explore Borneo’s wild heart and search for the legendary “Big 5” — orangutans, pygmy elephants, proboscis monkeys, crocodiles and rhinocerous hornbills. ✨

Chiewie was a fantastic first representative to meet from Borneo Ecotours—friendly, helpful, and an excellent photographer. He even helped me spot my first rhinoceros hornbill right outside Sepilok, which was a magical moment. All the staff were cheerful and service-oriented, especially in the restaurant. Our Borneo Villa was very clean and comfortable, though it felt a bit dated—but we weren’t expecting a 5-star experience in a nature lodge. The lack of a TV was actually a big plus. The pools were nice for a refreshing dip, although they could have been kept a bit cleaner. The boardwalk provided a peaceful and relaxing walk both day and night; I even encountered a Paradise snake, who seemed more scared of me than I was of it! The food and drinks were outstanding—everything was plentiful, fresh eggs at breakfast were delicious, and the real ice creams were a treat. Even though the area was busy, Sukau never felt overcrowded. That said, the internet connection was patchy and inconsistent across the lodge, and it would have been great if there was internet access in our villa as well. Regarding the guides, I got the impression that Soheilie was the master guide. Luckily, he took us on a river cruise during our last afternoon, which was a highlight. This happened because we opted to skip the Gomantong Caves and joined a river cruise instead, something Jean kindly arranged for us. However, the quality and knowledge of the guides seemed inconsistent. It felt like there was a distinction between truly passionate, experienced guides and those who were just getting by meeting basic requirements. We also heard similar opinions from other guests. The Ape Talk by Jean was fun, educational, and definitely worth attending. Going into this trip, we weren’t expecting to see all of the Borneo Big 5, knowing it’s wildlife in a jungle, so spotting them was a delightful bonus. Email coordination for our trip with Cindy Edward from Borneo Ecotours was professional, prompt, and very helpful. Overall, it was an amazing experience we’ll never forget.

We joined a 3-day tour, and it was a fantastic experience. The Sukau area is nicely preserved with minimal disturbance to the wildlife, allowing us to encounter various animals during the afternoon and morning cruises, as well as an additional night cruise. We saw proboscis monkeys, silver langurs, crocodiles, lizards, hornbills, and even an elephant. Our guide, Mr. Lau, along with the cruise captains, was highly professional and patient, ensuring we had the best sightings. Highly recommended for nature enthusiasts!

The location of Sukau is fantastic, situated right on the river, especially during sunrise. Our guide, Jad, was a lot of fun, very informative, and eager to help us see as much as possible. The lodge room was comfortable and clean, though the air conditioning was slightly noisy. The restaurant offered a decent variety of food, with consistently excellent service. The tours, both on the river and around the lodge, were fascinating, with highlights including sightings of orangutans and rhino hornbills nearby.

Our visit to Sukau Rainforest Lodge was truly unique and amazing. We encountered an abundance of wildlife on both the lodge boardwalk and the river tours. Our guide, Jann, was not only knowledgeable and kind but also ensured we had an exceptional experience. His ability to spot wildlife was impressive, and he went above and beyond for us. During the tours, we saw a variety of birds, monkeys, orangutans, crocodiles, elephants, Bornean gibbons, and more. On our first day, a group of pygmy elephants greeted us near the lodge, and on our last day, we were fortunate to see mother and daughter orangutans in the trees above. We stayed in a villa, which was lovely, beautifully decorated, and very comfortable. The food was served buffet-style, offering plenty of options, and the dining area provided stunning views of the river. The staff members were all incredibly friendly and helpful. Special thanks to Jann for the fantastic tours and the wonderful photos he took, which I’ve attached to my review. We had an amazing stay and hope to return someday!

We loved our eco safari organized by Borneo Eco Tours. We spent two nights at Sukau Rainforest Lodge and two nights at Borneo Rainforest Lodge. The accommodations were fabulous—very comfortable, clean, and beautifully located amidst the rainforest. We encountered a variety of wildlife in both areas. We had two different guides: Jay at Sukau and Sabian at Borneo. Both were well-organized, friendly, and highly knowledgeable. We enjoyed boat rides along the Kinabatangan River and nearby estuaries while spotting birds and wildlife. The food was amazing, and the staff was warm and welcoming. In between activities, we relaxed daily by using the pools, which added to the experience. We would definitely recommend an eco tour in Borneo. It was great value for money!

We had an incredible couple of days at the Sukau Rainforest Lodge. The staff were exceptionally friendly and accommodating. Kazree, our guide, was fantastic—his knowledge and expertise were outstanding. We managed to see the big five in a single day, along with many other fascinating wildlife sightings during our stay. Highly recommended to family and friends!

This company handled everything when we visited Sukau Rainforest Lodge. They picked us up from our hotel, guided us around the orangutan center in Sepilok, and ensured we and our luggage made it to the lodge. Once there, they led our boat trips and other activities, then arranged our transfer, with luggage, to the airport. Highly knowledgeable and thoroughly professional.

My two daughters and I had an amazing stay at the Utan Rainforest Lodge. Our journey began with a warm welcome at the office in Lahad Datu, followed by a convenient transfer to the lodge. It was such a relief to have all transportation taken care of! Upon arrival, we stayed in the regular rooms, which were modern, spacious, and very comfortable. The G-type power plugs and USB outlets by the beds were a thoughtful touch. We were incredibly fortunate to have Saiben as our captain. He guided us on all our tours and made every outing unforgettable. His bird expertise was astounding—he could identify any bird by its call, even from a great distance. On our last morning, he graciously arranged an extra outing to help us spot the elusive Borneo Ground Cuckoo. A two-night, three-day stay felt just right. This lodge offers a more intimate experience due to its smaller size. We bonded with other guests and spent time between tours in the reception area, enjoying drinks and conversation. The food was another highlight—it was exceptional. We eagerly anticipated each meal, and I still miss the freshly cut mangos! The staff, from reception to drivers, wait staff, and especially Saiben, showed genuine care for guests, making our visit even more special. I wholeheartedly recommend the Utan Rainforest Lodge, and it pairs wonderfully with the Sukau Rainforest Lodge. Borneo Eco Tours is truly the greatest way to explore Borneo!

Ready to level up your Borneo adventure? 🌳🦧 Here’s my quick guide to the Kinabatangan River—where rainforest walks are totally zen, wildlife sightings are next-level, and nature just owns the show. Top Spots to Visit: · Kinabatangan River (Cruises): Sunrise and sunset boat rides—spot orangutans, proboscis monkeys, elephants. Start from Sukau or Bilit. Cruises usually run 6:00–8:00 AM, 4:30–6:30 PM. · Rainforest Walks: Don’t skip morning or evening guided walks. The serene vibe is unmatched and you can hear the jungle wake up or wind down. Most lodges offer these right after cruises. · Gomantong Caves: About 30 mins from the river area, open 8:00–4:00 daily. Famous for birds’ nests and bats erupting at dusk! Personal Insight: Trust me—the rainforest walks here are *amazingly peaceful.* If you want a bit of mindful solitude, opt for the slower pace and unplug. Listen for rustling leaves: you might just catch hornbills or pygmy elephants passing by. How to get around: Book a package or transfer via trip.com for connect rides from Sandakan (about 2 hours). Most eco-lodges set up all transport and guides—no stress. Food recs: Enjoy lodge meals—fresh fish and local veggies shine! Ask for sambal if you like spice. Destination tips: · Pack quick-dry clothes, insect repellent, and waterproof bag for your gear. · Bring binoculars for wildlife spotting. · No visa needed for most visitors, but check your requirements! · Best time: March–October (dry season). Afternoon rain = rainforest magic. #BorneoWild #KinabatanganRiver #RainforestWalks #EcoTravel

#cityplaybook 9.00 am - Arrived at Sukau Greenview Bed & Breakfast. We were greeted by the staff and escorted to the registration counter to register as a visitors. 9. 30 am - We were taken to visit the chalet area. The chalet here is very neat, beautiful, the air is comfortable and creates a calming feeling. The price of the chalet here is also affordable. 10. 30 am - Next, we visited the cruise jetty. This cruise has 3 slots a day, that is morning, afternoon and evening. Each participant must comply with every guideline that has been set to ensure that safety aspects are always to be followed. 12.00 pm - Lunch and return to the homestay.

Sukau Rainforest Lodge is an award-winning ecolodge situated along the Kinabatangan River in Malaysian, Borneo offering the best of wildlife and nature ...#sukausabah

Really beautiful lodge, I saw owls, orangutans, hornbill, proboscis monkeys all at the site, you get greeted with a cold drink and flannel after a long exciting boat ride through the jungle. Definitely recommend visiting!