Wildlife River Cruise on Borneo’s Kinabatangan: Nature at Its Wildest
The Kinabatangan River, Sabah’s longest, winds through rich rainforest teeming with extraordinary wildlife — a must-see for nature lovers exploring Borneo.
Cruising in a small boat, you’ll drift through tranquil jungle tributaries where dense vegetation shelters a wealth of species. Keep an eye out for playful macaques, stealthy monitor lizards, and even Borneo pygmy elephants. But the true icons here are the proboscis monkeys — known for their comical noses and vibrant coloring — often seen leaping between trees along the riverbanks in the late afternoon light.
This lush corridor is also a haven for birdwatchers, with striking species like rhinoceros hornbills, crested serpent eagles, and the elusive blue-banded kingfisher making regular appearances.
Speak to someone who's been there
Our itineraries will give you suggestions for what is possible when you travel in Kinabatangan River, and they showcase routes we know work particularly well. Treat them as inspiration, because your trip will be created uniquely by one of our specialists.
Borneo ⟩ Kuching
Borneo ⟩ Kota Kinabalu
Borneo ⟩ Kinabatangan River
Borneo ⟩ Kinabalu National Park
Borneo ⟩ Kapalai Island
Borneo ⟩ Gaya Island
Borneo ⟩ Garama Wetlands
Borneo ⟩ Deramakot Forest Reserve
Borneo ⟩ Danum Valley
Borneo ⟩ Batang Ai
Borneo ⟩ Bako National Park
Our expert guides to exploring Kinabatangan River
Written by our specialists from their own experiences of visiting Kinabatangan River, these guides will help you make the most of your time there. We share both our practical recommendations and the best ways to appreciate Kinabatangan River at its best.
