need to walk a short distance to jetty if taking th eriver ride.

The breakfast met the basic need and just ok.

Stayed in September 2024

The Wifi was a bit unreliable, but staff was nice to do what they could in offering hotspots at the restaurant area.

Of course we did not want to miss the chance for a river cruise at the Kinabatangan river during our Borneo roadtrip. But some of the lodges directly at the river front were quite beyond our budget. But here the Kinabatangan Wildlife Lodge was a perfect match: just a short walk to the jetty made things more affordable. The bungalows and rooms were nice (we had a triple room in the longhouse) and the restaurant area was like an extended living room. All the staff was really nice and when we arrived we got a quick lunch just before heading out to the afternoon cruise. Dinner was served between the cruise and the night walk, so everything is planned around the activities which were scheduled right at the check-in. The best part here is of course the animal spotting: during our cruise we were really lucky to see a herd of elephants. Also, lots of proboscis monkeys in the trees and not to forget the majestic hornbills! Lots of other monkeys and birds too, even at the lodge we spotted some big birds and very active monkeys (but luckily staff makes sure they are not getting used to come too close to the restaurant and rooms). Our guide (Kai) was very experienced at navigating the boat across the river, avoiding larger logs and spotting the animals at the same time. We would have loved to stay another day to also do some of the hikes, but even just for the 2 river cruises it was entirely worth coming here!

Stayed in August 2024

Bad smell in the bathroom. Seems to be a problem with most hotels in Sabah.

Very good, friendly and helpful staff. Nice accomodation in a wooden house surrounded by a forest. Short walk to the river bank. Well organized river cruise and night walk.

Stayed in September 2024

It's not next to the river - about 10 minutes walk away but sometimes the employees give us a ride to the jetty for the river cruise. The bathroom in one of the rooms we were staying had a bad smell - not sure if that can be helped. Food was average.

Very friendly and knowledgeable staff. Big rooms and beds were comfortable. We saw prosbocis monkeys, macaque monkeys, rhinoceros hornbills, loads of birds and a crocodile.

Stayed in August 2024

Activitis not enough sucess

Staff

Stayed in August 2024

definitely something can be improved in the overall organization, we almost missed one cruise cause it started 30' earlier than the programmed time, and we did miss the night cruise cause the boat was not available, but no one was going to notify us until we asked some info 15' before the supposed start. Out of two dinners, one was perfectly pleasant, but the other had flies swarming all over our table and the food - not sure which one of the two would be the average situation.

the river trips are amazing, the room is clean and overall better than I expected from a jungle lodge. Food is basic but good, and the staff is friendly.

Stayed in August 2024

The toll of being one of the very few places easily accessible to view spectacular Borneo wildlife, is the very high number of tourists that clump together on the same stretches of the rivers and canals. Boats are loud and the smell of fuel at times can be pretty annoying. While this is of course out of the hands of the lodge, there is something the lodge could improve on, and that is the quality of the excursions they offer. The rivercruise excursion puts you in the middle of dozens of other boats. We avoided this for a second cruise by hiring a private cruise and a private night rivercruise (both pretty cheap). The night excursion offered by the lodge was pretty lame (we had to show the guide the snakes and most of the other small animals...), a mere 30 minute stroll through heavily degraded secondary forest, as was the excursion to the U lake. For a very superficial glimpse, the excursions were fine, but if you want to have a more profound experience of the enormous biodiversity, better to look for a private guide than the standard tours offered by the lodge.

We stayed for two nights. The accommodation (cabins, with airco), staff and food were all excellent, certainly when taking the price into account. The lodge is well situated near a (tiny) village and a short walk to the river (from where wildlife viewing cruises start). Wildlife watching is excellent (we were lucky to see a large herd of elephants crossing the river, besides four species of primates, hornbills, leopard and civet cats etc). The surrounding area is largely occupied by palm oil plantations.

Stayed in July 2024

Note - there is a short walk of 10 min. from the lodge to the rivers.

Fantastic place and accommodation with very nice and large bungalows with the Forrest and animals right outside the windows. Familiar and very friendly staff, and good food from the chef. Limited numbers of cabins means familiar atmosphere between the guest. Very skilled and knowledgable boat tour guides and great service. We saw the “Big 5” - miniature elegant, orangutaues, monkeys, crocodiles, Nosemonkeys and Hornbill birds.

Stayed in July 2024

Bed could do with a bit more padding, very hard wooden bed. Also had a room next to the staff who are up very late and very early and are quite noisy coming and going.

Amazingly friendly staff, great knowledge on the river with all the wildlife, amazing air con, very clean. Meals and accommodation are basic but to be expected in the wilderness. Organised privates transfers for us to/from Sandakan for a reasonable price compared to local transfers!

Stayed in August 2024

The staff cooking meals and running the accommodation could not have been more helpful, and really sensitive to the needs of guests. The lodge guide (Khai) was amazing really knowledgeable about animals and birds, with an uncanny ability to spot animals in dense jungle!

Stayed in August 2024

If you want to see animals, find an other place, this lodge is far away from the river (there are lot of lodges right beside, there can you see a lot), the guides in this lodge are not interested in showing animals, just drive you around for short cruises. They have a very old boat, not to count on, one of the cruises was much shorter because of damaged boat, the boats are overcrouded, thats why they are very slow. The food and the rooms are very simple.

The room had aircondition.

Stayed in August 2024

Staff who made us feel at home 😊. All staff were fabulous and they made our stay extra special and memorable. A big thank you 🙏🏽 to all - Sity, Rowena, Tina and her twin sister, Farah, Imran, Kai to name a few - I cannot remember the names of other staff including our chef amongst others.

Stayed in August 2024

You can hear your neighbours talking thought the thin walls. If you are disabled ask for a room down the hill. Not to much food available,basic food (the vegetarian food was perfect).

Friendly staff. Perfect vegetarian options/menu.

Stayed in August 2024

Parking was at the bottom of a (rather steep) hill to our room. Staff confusion over the duty roster meant there were two boat loads of us kept waiting for over half an hour for our early morning river cruise.

Meals were good—and catered for vegetarians (like us). Staff friendly. Some reasonable forest opposite with Hooded Pittas, although you're not encouraged to visit on your own.

Stayed in July 2024

- shame it’s not on the river but still feels like you’re in the jungle

Intimate - limited number of guests

Stayed in July 2024

We had problems with the toilet in one room, but they fixed the problem immediately.

We spent 2 nights with family and friends. We had two rooms in the cottage. The rooms are clean, spacious, comfortable beds. The staff is very friendly, always ready to help and advise. The food was delicious and there was plenty of it. They serve beer and wine. The location is a 10-minute walk to the river, which was no problem. A very nice walk through the village, the locals are all very friendly, greeting, smiling. We had a great time.

Stayed in July 2024

Quite loud air condition, need to turn off for night, shower without any glass or curtain - water in whole bathroom.

Everything was very good, nice staff, they waited with dinner for us until around 9pm, perfectly organized river cruises. Nice, cozy wooden houses. Remember it’s not 4 star hotel. Good time spend close to nature.

Stayed in July 2024

Cold shower, Wi-Fi not working

Staff were lovely, close to wildlife, it was quiet apart from jungle noises, offered river cruises and walks

Stayed in July 2024

A little dated. Our double room was ok but my family’s triple room was below average. Clean, but just needs upgrading .

It was fun to stay in a wooden hut surrounded by jungle. Nice restaurant/reception area. Staff very helpful with arranging cruises/batik painting

Stayed in July 2024

There was no internet. Each time we came to the diner, we had to ask for the hotspot. Kettle was available only upon request. We stayed there for four nights and our room was not cleaned once. We got fresh towels only because we asked for them. The jetty is about 15 mins away from the lodge.

Food was absolutely delicious. My daughter and I don't eat sea food and I'm GF and there were always special meals prepared for us. The guide who took us on cruises was just excellent. He knew a lot about animals and tried really hard to find as many as he could. Rooms and bathrooms are big and comfortable, the lodge is quite well mantained. There's a beautiful pond and a nice hiking trail.

Stayed in July 2024

A little remote and having to walk 10mins to jetty to get the boat for water safari. Set meals were disappointing, especially when you are travelling with fussy kids. A 1 night stay would probably suffice for most people for the jungle experience.

Great staff. Rooms are comfortable and clean.

Stayed in July 2024

Run out of water. Staff could have explained the possibility of not enough water ahead of time.

Friendly people trying their best to help have a good stay. Food was very tasty. The river trip was exceptional and the guided very knowledgeable

Stayed in July 2024

Food was hit or miss - one dinner was great, then next night average. A bit tricky for vegetarians - not many options.

Good for a short stay near the river - room was clean and comfortable

Stayed in July 2024

It was as expected. You’re in a jungle lodge you cannot expect luxury here. But is right spot if looking for adventures like in National Geographic :)

The room was basic but as expected. The food was simple Malaysian, but very delicious. They prepared no spicy options for kids. The tours were fantastic (river cruise), we saw lots of animals like elephants, crocodiles, orangutans, probiscis monkeys, silver leaf monkeys, macqaque, lizzards, birds… Between the tours we joined the Batik paintings which was also very interesting. Staff was very kind.

Stayed in June 2024