Top 43 things to do and attractions in Sandakan

Beautiful small park which gives you the jungle feeling whilst walking on a trail or canopy walk way. It can get really hot and humid here, so be prepared. Down side? Families with children making a lot of noice or groups of teenage schoolkids playing music/tiktok on their phones can scare of the wildelife.

If I had my time again, I would come directly at opening and I would book in for the night walk. This is where you get the most value out of the animal activity. If you come during the middle of the day it is too hot and animals are not active. If, like me, you've just been into Sandakan and you have no other option - It's definitely still worth a visit. I walked some of the paths and I walked through the canopy although I didn't see much wildlife. I still enjoyed the experience walking around the lake and through the canopy of the trees. It's a beautiful spot and to get the best out of it. You really want to spend as much time as you possibly can and book yourself in for a guided night walk. The Browne Town.

What an experience! We did the night walk and our guide Ross Lee (apologies for the spelling), was great. Of course you can't predict nature but we managed to see a great mix of wild and wonderful animals. It must be noted that it is very humid and because it's dark and the grounds are uneven it's not the easiest of walks. I can imagine during the day it is equally stunning but we didn't have time (plus I think in the day you'll need binoculars which we didn't have). It's a must do activity!

Very nice to stroll during the day but even cooler during the guided night walks at 6pm and 8pm (the park closes at 5pm for regular visits). For self guided waks its best to go early in the morning or before closing. More animal activity and cooler.

I didn’t manage to really walk on the suspension bridge as my aunty was waiting inside the car. I only managed to take a few of the beautiful lotus flowers from the pond and visited a garden. If I have the opportunity to travel to Sandakan in the near future I will definitely walk around.

Gotta say, highly recommend this! Wish I could have stayed longer and spent more time walking the paths. Didn't see many animals, but it was a true rainforest experience. Make sure you go to the top of the towers!

The Rainforest Discovery Centre (RDC) is the gateway to getting to know the uniqueness and importance of Borneo’s rainforests. Look around and you will enjoy the beautiful flora and fauna found within this area. Situated 23 kilometres from Sandakan Town, RDC is within walking distance from the renown Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre and Bornean Sunbear Conservation Centre. The main highlight of this green place is of course its skywalk with an extensive lenght of 620 meters, the longest in Sabah. Among other attractions in RDC are the opportunities to walk around the many loop trails around the Kabili-Sepilok forest reserve, Sepilok Giant, Plant Discovery Garden, exhibition hall and marvel at the breath-taking nature view around their iconic lake. In 2009, RDC was recognized internationally as Important Bird Area (IBA) and will often be a stopover point for birding tours in Sandakan. Among the endemic species, one may be fortunate enough to observe the Bornean Bristlehead, Blue-headed Pitta, Sabah Partridge, Bornean Banded Kingfisher, Cream-eyed Bulbul, Charlotte’s Bulbul and Bornean Black Magpie. Other significant sightings are the various species of hornbills, pittas, flycatchers, and raptors; especially Wallace’s Hawk Eagle. It’s no surprise that the annual Borneo Bird Festival, which attracts birdwatchers from all over the world, usually chooses RDC as a host venue.

One of the landmarks included in the Sandakan Heritage Trail, Agnes Keith’s House can be located on top of a small hill and is the next stop after finishing the 100 Steps trail. It’s an easy hike surrounded by trees and sounds of nature which can be a great walk granted that there is also a nice weather. The house itself if beautiful. It is well-maintained and does represent a point in time where the lifestyle and architecture were different compared to the modern design of houses today. There’s definitely an appeal to it and especially with its beautiful garden, I wouldn’t mind living in this one.

This residentisl house is a must to visit, it’s very clean, well preserved and supercool temp with airconditioning. Guests are requested to takeoff shoes when visiting . Its display is very well organized, not too informative. Minimal exhibition but a lot of knowledge is learned from the life of owners, pictures and their daily furniture. Outside garddn is very well maintained, it’s very worthy F or admission fee for 15 MYR (nonmalaysian)

Out of curiosity we went to the destination without expecting much , but to our surprise, we did enjoy the visit. Love the life story of Agnes, a writer since young . Though she only been in sabah for a few years, yet she love this land so much & written a book about it . Thanks for preserving the history & the building .

A NOSTALGIA THAT'S WORTH VISITING. ANYONE WHO IS A HISTORY BUFF SHOULD BE VISITING THIS HISTORIC PLACE THAT SHOWCASES THE JOURNEY OF THE FAMILY WHO I BELIEVE BROUGHT UP THE SANDAKAN AS IT IS. A STORY OF HOPE, DETERMINATION, SACRIFICE AND LOVE. DON'T FORGET TO SIT AND WATCH THE DOCUMENTARY VIDEO THAT THEY PLAY THERE. A MEMORABLE VISIT.

Well preserved small museum. Good writings to learn about lives of an American embarking on an adventure to Borneo. Ticket is RM2 for locals, RM15 for foreigners.

At first, I just wanted to come and experience the experience of enjoying an English afternoon tea like many friends who always share photos of themselves enjoying their English afternoon tea at Agnes Keith House. We arrived at the restaurant and were greeted by a calm atmosphere, surrounded by a veranda on a hill full of beautiful greenery. We chose afternoon tea for a set of 4 people, hot tea with several types of cakes and muffins complete with butter and jam, while enjoying the evening breeze around Agnes Keith's House, the atmosphere is truly unique. You will definitely feel it if you are at this restaurant. While we were at the restaurant for about an hour, we were also treated to nostalgic songs, probably Agnes Keith's family's favorite songs. If you ask me the price, you will be surprised.. I really didn't expect the price to be very, very reasonable.. After afternoon tea, we visited the Agnes Keith House museum which is just a few meters from the restaurant. An old house in the style of a Malay house.. a house with floors and wooden walls, but all the furniture was modern for that era. Oh yes.. a ticket is charged to enter this museum.. Our visit here really gave us a special experience.. as a Sabahan I feel lucky to be left with historical material like this..

I like the exterior of this house. However I was a bit uncomfortable when I was inside the house probably it was very quiet on a weekday morning.

A peaceful park that serves as a memorial about the horrors and thousands (2500?) of deaths of the Allied POWs during the Japanese occupation. Not a lot to see from a historical angle, but valuable as a memorial.

If you really really really really have lots of time, then you can consider visiting this place. There is nothing special about it. Lots of irritating mosquitoes. One can spend at most 25 mins here. There is parking available. Plenty of signs to show the exact places for POWs. There is a pond to take nice pictures. Can bring along fish food to feed the hungry fishes.

I tried to find this place but missed a few times as the location on Waze wasn’t clear. I didn’t explore this place except taking some pictures of the beautiful water lilies in the ponds. For those who loves to see flowers like me can check out this place, you will immediately see the pond once you enter from the entrance.

I am immensely grateful that Sandakan Memorial Park exists, offering not just a site of historical significance; it is built in remembrance of those especially the Australians and British who perished in the war defending North Borneo. There are remnants of rusty machineries such as the excavator and boiler/alternator left there which were used in the construction of concentration camp and other infrastructure. The memorial park earns a respectable five stars rating for its impeccably maintained grounds and the profound experience it offers. It was unfortunate that I couldn’t explore further due to the heavy downpour and swamp of mosquitoes attacks on the day of visit nonetheless I was grateful that I came.

A must-see for war and history enthusiasts, Australians and British, or if you want a rainforest walk that's not too taxing. The former should make a stop at the house at the top of the stairs - it is a beautiful, dedicated memorial telling the story of the POW camp, death marches and thereafter, with a rolling wall of remembrance.

If you are in Sandakan, this is a highly recommended place to understand the context of the city and a very dark time in its history. The park is at the location of what was part of a POW camp where unimaginable atrocities took place. It is not well known to the rest of the world because atrocities were so bad that there were few survivors to tell the tale—such irony. Walking through reflecting and spending time inside the pavilion was truly a moving experience. Note that locals do use the area for wedding photos. Do bring insect repellent when visiting. There is a self guided tour that you can access through a smartphone to provide context and information of the different locations in the park.

It was good, well kept and even though the walking distance is just a short walk (for me) it is still a must go places

Lovely conservation where you get to see sun bears from various elevate platforms. The bears were busy doing things bears do, and it was nice to watch the cute creatures. Not always the best views from above or through a fence, but was still good. Lots of people on the day we went,so a bit of a tousle in some spots. Nice gift store too.

Would highly recommend stopping at the Centre on any trip to Sepilok; it’s right next to the Orangutan Sanctuary. The facility is really well maintained and features a lot of education about sun bears and the problems they face. We had a chance to see a feeding from one of the canopy walks and it was a thrill for the whole family. The gift shop is also really good!

An absolutely amazing place doing incredibly important work! All the sun bears here have been rescued from captivity or poor living conditions, and now they’re being cared for and gradually reintroduced to a more natural environment. It’s inspiring to see how much effort goes into their rehabilitation. I really can’t agree with some of the negative reviews that criticize the fences. The enclosures are essential for the bears’ safety and well-being — not all of them can live together, and the separation helps prevent conflicts. The fencing also protects the bears from wandering into nearby plantations, where they could cause damage and, unfortunately, risk being killed by local farmers. This is a truly meaningful conservation project and a must-visit when in Sepilok!

The BSBCC is right next door to the famous Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, sharing the same entrance and parking area, just a short walk or 2–3 minute drive apart. That makes it easy to combine both visits in one trip. The trail and viewing area are quite short, it only takes about 10 to 20 minutes to walk through, and there aren’t many bears visible at once. While the information boards are helpful, the cost of admission feels high compared to the time spent inside. Visiting the centre is meaningfully appealing if you're already at Sepilok and want to support sun bear conservation. But bear in mind it's a short, supplementary stop, not a full wildlife experience.

50rm entree, but you can pay by card! Would be amazing if you could buy a 2 in 1 ticket with the orang otang centre. We did see many bears and loved the talk with the workers. They have a free cold water refill point in the first building after the entrance, and a shop at the end to buy some souvenirs.

A visit to Sandakan wouldn’t be complete without stopping by this remarkable conservation centre. It is exceptionally well-managed and maintained, offering visitors valuable insights into Bornean Sun Bears and their natural habitat. You’ll also have the opportunity to observe these fascinating creatures safely up close.

Great experience supporting an important cause. The staff are passionate and dedicated to protecting the world’s smallest bear species. Credit cards not accepted, but there’s free luggage storage on site. Worth a visit if you’re in Sepilok.

It's expensive for what you get. They feed monkeys and keep the profit and own the land, unlike the Orangutan sanctuary. Way over priced ... Would skip if needed.

Wonderful experience and must see if you’re in the area. The trip to the place is a bit bumpy, but worth it. We went with two small children, and the loved it. You can be driven all the way to the feeding platforms, and the place is stroller friendly. There are fans, and you can buy drinks and snacks. Watching the wild monkeys, was a really fun experience! Highly recommended

This is one of the places that I would recommend people to come if you like nature. I noticed most of the tourists especially Caucasians only visit Sepilok for orang utan and Kinabatangan river but never come here. I was very happy that I decided to visit this place, we managed to see a pair of Hornbills, I thought we won’t be able to see it since it was already 2-3pm and the workers had tried calling them so many times. Thankfully they eventually came. I have seen proboscis monkeys years ago when we visited Bako in Kuching, that day we saw a family of 9. I would highly recommend anyone to visit this place. Infact can give it a miss for Kinabatangan river, it’s not easy to spot Hornbills, let alone Elephants. On the way reaching this place we saw some small plots of agriculture land planted with cucumber, ladies fingers and we saw a water buffalo too.

The good: The monkeys are free in their conservation area so it's not a zoo. The bad: It seems like a very small place of forest that's left for them to roam freely. The palm oil plantation is right up until the very edge. Drove from Kinabalu to sepilok and the last hour of driving before sepilok is unfortunately nothing but palm oil plantations

I was really excited to come and see these animals up close, but after reading the reviews, I’m so glad I did my research first. Learning that the owner destroyed their natural habitat and is now profiting from it doesn’t sit right with me. I will not be going. I won’t be supporting this place and would advise others to avoid it as well. It’s hard to understand how anyone could do this and sleep peacefully at night.

Hard to express my feelings but I didn’t feel comfortable to see that proboscis monkeys are feeding like that then I left early. I was so ignorance to believe this is a sanctuary, but actually this place is belong to the palm plantation owners who destroyed the habitat of monkeys and other wildlife. They are now still make money from them by feeding them and sell the ticket for ignorance tourist like me. Such a disgusting business. So sad that I didn’t read the review before going . When talking to the driver, he revealed that the real owners behind of the plantation and “sanctuary“ are Chinese. Please don’t go there and support those kinds of people by our money. Return the wildlife to that poor but lovely creatures. And if you want to see proboscis monkeys in the wildlife, go to Kinabatangan River, at KOPEL, they did a good job on the reforestation and creating the habitat for orangutans, proboscis and other animals.

Amazing place, well worth going! We were at Platform B at around 1pm and we were the only ones there. Could already see the monkeys where we parked but they were a lot in very close proximity (within 5m), bring binoculars for the best experience! We were at platform A for the 2.30pm feeding, WOW the monkeys are already waiting well before 2.30pm. Great experience to see wild monkeys up close but could do with more information. Warning: the roads are absolutely atrocious and Internet connection is very limited. Price for foreigners is significantly marked up

If you are a cave lover then it is worth to visit, otherwise there are many other attractions to visit in this area. The world’s largest cockroach family really lives in this cave, they are also on the trail, you have to watch your step.

We didn’t go inside the cave but we went up the hill. We were very lucky to see a male orangután ~2 meters from us. If you are not lucky to see an orangutan, it is still worthy; you get a great view of the jungle at the platform.

Cave can not be entered due to extremely strong smell. Had to hold my breath the entire time standing NEAR the cave not even IN the cave. But the view is nice, but a lot of steep stairs! Parts of the path are in bad condition, but still easily passable.

Worth the time to take a detour to the Gomantong Caves and surrounding area. The caves themselves are beautiful to look at and explore however take a face mask as the bat and bird excrement smell is a tad over bearing. Take time to explore the surrounding boardwalks as well and see the monitors, dragon flies and we were fortunate enough to find an Orangutan on the drive into the caves.

Don't miss this if you are leaving Sukau, this cave is on the way if you are heading back to Sandakan. The walk to the cave is like less than 10mins and the loop isn't big. This place is definitely not for anyone who's afraid of cockroaches or had serious hygiene requirements. Lotsa guonooooo. The bird nest pickers work in Apr after Raya in which we met a few nice abang who directed us around. Note that there are quite alot of dogs at the entrance and at the cave.

It is not a dark cave, I didn't use my torch. The cave is high, but not very long, at least the part for the tourists. There are many amenities for the workers getting the swiftlets' nests and unfortunately also some trash and coacroches. You can climb up to see the view around, but it is 3 times the strairs from the picture. It would be very interesting to get more information about the workers and heir life. There are quite a few houses there and some people living there their normal lives. It is a nice cave but not as amazing as the ones in Mulu or Niah. Could be nicer after some easy cleaning of the trash. More explanation about the nest collectors and a little shop would be amazing. Entrance 30 myr for foreigners.

Tbh, I didn't know the place, and it was just part of our tour package. But it was actually very interesting to hear the story how the harvest the nests of the swiftlets and to see the huge cave (although a bit smaller than Batu cave I'd say). Yes, it stinks from Ammoniac (but it is not as bad as you can read in some reviews) and there are cockroaches (no, you don't step on them, they are mainly on the wall) and not the path. So not a problem, even for kids.

A beautiful local church with a fascinating and heartbreaking Australian history connected to the Sandakan prisoner of war camp from WWII.

Beautiful and historic church. The architecture is well maintained, and it still operates with weekly prayer services.

This Anglican church is the first and oldest stone church in the State of Sabah, completed build in 1925. The church is located on a hill, so walking up can be quite tiring for some. Entry fee is Rm5 and can see the interior with the supervision of the church assistant. Great architecture and design evoking Christian spirituality. It is part of the Sandakan Heritage Trail.

Beautiful majestic looking church. It was well maintained and clean. It just felt nice looking at all, I didn't manage to head in because I went there on a friday. I still enjoyed viewing the exterior of the building

This is the oldest Anglican church and is charmingly built of stone. When we visited on Sunday around 1 pm, we had to wait for services to finish. There is a restaurant (closed that day), as well as a bookshop where you pay for tickets. The sum was a nominal entry fee per person, and goes to help fund church activities. There are toilets near the bookshop, but do note the ladies did not have running water when we visited. Well worth a short visit.

A quaint, old chapel - well maintained so still in good condition. It was closed when we visited so we could only peep through the window to see the stained glass.

St. Michael's and All Angels Church or for short St. Michael is an Anglican church in the city of Sandakan in the Malaysian state of Sabah in northern Borneo. It is the oldest stone church in Sabah. The impetus for the construction of the church dates back to the clergyman William Henry Elton, who is also known as the founder of St. Michael's Secondary School, located next to the church. The church building is also the first completely built stone building in Sabah. The foundation stone was laid on 29 September 1893 by Governor Creagh and it took more than 30 years to complete. A must go place if you happen to visit Sandakan, l would described it in one word "Magnificent"!❤️ Credit to Wikipedia.

Its an interesting place to visit, seeing how others live. Some houses are quite ornate while others look close to falling into the sea. Its not a ticketed place. We didn't go there but the seafood restaurant nearby is meant to be good

What should I say…? I am sad about how sandakan changed after Covid. Last time I was there, everything was growing and clean. This is an example how dritte the water got over the years. The smell is really bad there. Even so, many locals are still so friendly, I wish this place in total would change again. In the small city of sandakan was once a nice hotel and the mall was way safer and bigger. The coast was cleaner. Sad, but I hope the future will change ist again.

It's worth a visit, however having a guide to actually explain the history and how the village works adds to just seeing houses on stilts in the sea.

The whole place is a mess. Someone needs to get a plan together and arrange a huge pick up of all the tons of rubbish lying underneath and around the village! What are we doing to our waterways and planet!!!

Do not bother to come to SIMSIM Water Village, the villagers doesn’t bother to trash the sea. Literally felt like walking into Slump Dog Millionaire movie set, and just saw a Malay man just throw a huge old half round table into the sea. Confronted them, their answer it’s a trash. Food isn’t that great either. Sandakan government, you guys need to educate the people and clean up the trash man. It’s sickening.

Dirty with plenty of rubbish especially low tides. The locals advised us to be careful when having our food there. Cleanliness and hygiene issues. Bought bananas from the aunty. Asked her where can I throw the banana skin, she replied can just throw down there. OMG

Interesting culturally but it would help with cleanup.

If you love nature, this activity is a must when you visit Sandakan. After 3 hours driving on bus, I arrived at Borneo Sukau Bilit resort where Our group embarked on open air boat cruising along this big river. There are many wildlifes, such as pygmy elephants, crocodiles, many kinds of monkeys but I had not seen orangutan. 2hours boatride is so wonderful experience here.

Absolutely amazing experience - we took several boat trips down this river and loved every minute. We saw orangutans, crocodiles, lots of different types of monkeys including proboscis monkeys - lots of them. So many different types of birds, the kingfishers are exquisite. It is a huge river and really a very beautiful place to come and visit.

My friends and I had 3D2N river safari package. I was really impressed by River Junkie work. Everything was planned precisely, we liked clear tour schedule, food was various and really delicious. Accommodation - spacious, clean and has amazing views. We were so lucky starting from orangutan center (meet orangutan mom and baby so close) and we saw so many animals and birds in the wild too. I took great pictures, had very good amount of information, so guides did their job very well. It was one of the best experience in Borneo so far! Highly recommended!

Amazing experience - stayed for 3 days 2 nights and went on the river twice each day. We saw proboscis monkeys, watched an orangutan building its nest at the side of the river for the night - apparently they do this each day in a different nest. Saw many pairs of Hornbill birds, gangs of kingfishers, giant lizards and various types of monkeys.

Went there on 23/12/2021. One of the best river cruise to observe wild animals within this sanctuary, especially pgymy elephants & prosboscis monkeys. Of course its luck-dependent, but we were very lucky on that day. Tour guide speaks very good English. Highly recommended to bring binoculars or a good camera to capture clear shots as the animals could be really far away.

Did two weeks of volunteering, and we saw so much wildlife. Quite a few places run boat tours. Definitely worth a visit.

Lots to see! Our guide helped us spot all sorts of birds, monkeys, crocs, monitors and told us lots about the area too.

Exploring the Sandakan Heritage Trail was unplanned but was pleasant experience during our trip to this small city. We stayed in the area a day before our scheduled trip to the Kinabantangan River and had a day and enough to enjoy what the place has to offer for us. After a filling breakfast from our hotel, we went on a morning walk to which we encountered the map of the heritage trail. It has about 11 landmarks that you can visit on foot travelling from one side of Sandakan to the other. It was an interesting and enriching journey where we got to see interesting sights but also learn about the past and present of Sandakan. Although some places were left in less than ideal state, the trail still has its significance for locals and tourists alike. I hope that the heritage trail get more care and attention as history has always been an important aspect of our lives.

Nice & relaxing walk through the city to get some interesting information about the city & its history. You can do it by yourself, it‘s free and the directions with the infoboards & footsteps on the floor are good.

It is good walk on sunny morning. This sandakan heritage just next to william monument /wisma warisan. Follow the sign to Agnes & keith house (after the tea house) on left , while to chinese cemetery (to sandakan massacre memorial) on right.

Sandakan on the whole is not a pleasant place to visit. It's dirty, quite poor and has been left behind by the government. True there are a few interesting and historic buildings/places to see but this poor town needs much investment and improvements by the government. The people here have been badly let down 😭

It's a nice trail, but in some places you are forced to walk on the road. The stairs are chill and quiet path to reach the tea house and the house of Agnes Keith.

it begins the Sandakan Masjid , near the Sandakan hotel. it's pleasant from street walking on flat terrain along the signs of "feet " on the footpath. it should allow at least 2 hours to complete all lists and looking ,visit and enjoy the story telling .it's quite hot along the day sunlight, please bring umbrella, sunscreen, and bottle of drinking water. However, the historical attractions and buildings are very interesting , cleanliness of the surroundings should upgrade this activity to be highlight.

A heritage walk that traced the founding of Sandakan, its diverse ethnic groups and religions and the important events such Japanese Occupation to its present day. It would be good if there were more signages along the way to guide visitors. The inscription at the places of interest were too brief. Lastly, as the prides of Sandakan, the cleanliness and its upkeep can be improved upon.

I was here on 8/1/2023, it almost 2 years since. So idk if my review still valid. But during that time the atmosphere was very nice, you can feel the classic and antique vibes from the restaurant. Really enjoyed my time chit chatting with my husband while waiting for the surprise delivery to arrive for him, bcz it’s his birthday. The staff was super nice offering to take pictures for us. Wonderful memories. 💝🥰

Great ambience. It’s situation at the top of a small hill. But you can get here with car (not recommended to hike up). GrabCar service is available here in Sandakan. Peaceful and comfortable place to hang out with friends while chill your evening time here. Service not bad. Downside is a bit pricey but the taste is so-so. I bought the chicken & mushroom pie, honestly I don’t really like it. But my friend really likes the scones here.

Came here mainly to enjoy the garden view. Theyoffers a variety of dishes, from local cuisine to western options. I ordered the royal tea set, the sandwiches mostly tasted of mayonnaise, with little other flavor. The scones were average but decent when paired with butter and strawberry jam. The cakes, however, were extremely dry. Overall, it was an okay experience, and the tea set was reasonably priced, though the rest of the menu items felt overpriced.

The English Tea House and Restaurant is situated just a short distance from the Agnes Keith House. They offer delicious and authentic English breakfasts that we thoroughly enjoyed. The atmosphere was charming, with beautiful views of the ocean and garden creating a picturesque setting. There’s plenty of seating available, both indoors and outdoors. The pie, in particular, was outstanding.

Excellent cafe atop the Agnes Keith hillside, overlooking atop dense forestry the skyline and harbour of Sandakan. The English offerings in tea and bites, the well-preserved colonial estatery wherein the teahouse lies, the beautifully kept lawn sprawling around the area, the trees and flora that rustle and shades winds upon every hilltop breeze, the well-trained service from a numerically small yet able staff, and the picturesque views its pristine location affords, combined make for a fantastic atmosphere, one I can myself comfortable in and lounge around for hours on end. I make it a point to find myself here upon every trip to Sandakan I make.

Delight Tea set - 2 muffins ( dry ), 2 veg sandwich ( 2 cucumber pieces and lettuce with mayo - average ), 2 scones ( doughy ), strawberry jam was okay, and cream ( thick and pasty ). Honestly the price was rm33.50 but not at all worth it. I came here years ago, it was not at all this dissapointing. The waiter was kind and funny. Ants all over the table despite wiping and cleaning. I wish they maintained this place better. View and weather was great at 4-5pm.

Came here thinking I’d live my British countryside fantasy, tea, scones, garden views, maybe impress my date a bit. But... woe. Reality was more colonial cosplay with meh food* 🫖🥲 Ordered the *Delight Tea Set*. Expected something elegant. Got... just regular Sabah tea. Okay lah, but not delightful. The scone? Flat. Tired. Like it gave up halfway baking. Cream looked like mayo sandwiched in as a prank. I ate it, but my taste buds filed a complaint. The muffin? Date took one look and said “no thanks.” Dense. Heavy. Very lame The sandwich? Let’s just say it looked better in the 90s. No crunch. No charm. Only redeeming part is the setting, pretty, very Instagrammable. Just... maybe come for the view, not the food. #SconeWrong #TeaTimeTragedy #PrettyPlaceMidTaste

Nothing much to expect. Just a local market. Selling meat, fruits, vegetables etc at the ground floor. Whereas food stalls are at the 1st floor. Lift is available but looks dark and didn't show number of the floor on the top.

A bustling central market that is lively and vibrant place filled with the sounds of vendors calling out to anyone passing thru their stalls, the chatter of customers haggling over prices resonated throughout the market. Stalls are packed with colorful displays of fruits, vegetables, dried seafoods and local snacks. The atmosphere is energetic and dynamic, with people moving about hunting for the best produce that money can buy. The 3rd floor on the other hand is vastly empty with only a handful of stalls selling foods. It is such a pity as the area is windy and airy with a panoramic view of the harbour.

The surrounding of the market is pretty happening. Right outside of the market, you can see waterfront , harbour mall and lotsa shoplots. The stalls start to close in the evening so it was still lotsa fish, fruit, vege, clothing, shoes vendor in the afternoon. However if you want to eat the food which is located at the highest floor, come in the morning. My review isn't because the market itself is extraordinary. It definitely needs maintenance and better hygiene although the market wasn't as wet as I thought. Certain parts of the stairs were dirty with rubbish. That aside, what I liked gonna be climbing up to the highest floor and get some good ocean view.

A big market where you can find everything there. They sell a lot of fruits and vegetables ( my favorite). Sellers are friendly and always smiling. I realized that they’re selling a lot vegetables in the market but there are not much choices for vegetables in restaurants. Do you know the name of the pink flowers and they are for cooking?

Ground floor is a wet market that sells dried seafood, fresh vegetables, meat and fresh seafood. Second floor sells cooked Halal food and 3rd floor Chinese food. Many stalls are closed upstairs after the pandemic! You can buy fresh seafood from the market and asked a stall on the 3rd floor to cook for you. Stall no 11, run by 2 senior lady friends. Look for Ah Ling. Charges are RM10-20 per dish depending on quantity and complexity of cooking. Opening hours 0600-1300. Cooking standard was flavourful. Must try also their KopiO. Example. I bought 1.5 kg of crabs at RM18/kg. Cooking RM20. Fried crab with ginger and spring onion. Total damage RM47 for 1.5 kg of fresh Crabs. Enjoyed!

Good place to buy fresh seafood to take back home. Ask the locals for pricing tips and haggle nicely with the traders ...

Very nice local market on 3 levels, the ground floor is produce and groceries, lots of fruit and vegetables too, some neatly packed in small sizes for RM5. The second floor is a food court and for clothes, souvenirs. The third floor is a partially empty food floor it seems. Food on the second level is great, lots of choice for nasi campur, rice with toppings, and many vegetable options as well. Extremely affordable, 2 meals with vegetables, tempeh and sambal were RM 12. Many stalls, vendors are super friendly and the whole space is super airy and pleasant through the breeze. Open from early morning to afternoon.

If you’re thinking of booking a river cruise then don’t look any further. We did a 3D2N cruise with Rex and his family, and it was amazing! His wife cooks the best food, and we had a great time being a smaller group on the river. We would highly recommend choosing Rex (a local) over the bigger companies on the river. Rex and his friend Len took us out on the safari trips. Both of them have great eyesight- spotting animals that we would have never seen, and helping us to find the big 5!

We had an amazing river trip with Rex, our boat driver and guide, who made the experience unforgettable. We were lucky enough to see the Big 5 of Borneo — proboscis monkeys, pygmy elephants, crocodiles, hornbills, and kingfishers — all thanks to his sharp eyes and deep knowledge of the area.Rex shared so much fascinating information about each animal, from their lifespans and diets to where they live and how they behave. It’s clear he really cares about the environment and the wildlife of the Kinabatangan River. His English was fantastic, and he also told us a lot about the history of the river and the local communities.If you’re visiting the Kinabatangan, I highly recommend going with Rex — he’s knowledgeable, passionate, and makes the whole experience both educational and fun

Rex is the best guide. We (me and my son 5 years old) are so happy about this cruise. We have seen a lot of wild animals like orang utan, elephant, snakes, proboscis monkey, different birds, ... Best guide. I booked 3 day 2 night. Perfect. Also for kids very good.

We had an amazing experience during our 4 day Kinabatangan cruise in May. We stayed with Rex and his family which was a great experience! Rex is a very knowledgeable tour guide and thanks to him, we spotted some amazing animals, including elephants 🐘 The tours were always super fun and we even had private tours a few times. Even with some other guests, it was never over-crowded like we have seen with some other boats. The food throughout our stay was always excellent and we really enjoyed our time on the river! We definitely want to come back one day!

We choose Elephant Package of 3D2N and it was marvellous! We eat great and see all 5 Borneo Big Five! Rex and the rest of the team have great experience and respect for their home! Just have in mind, with wildlife you neef patience so stay a few days and dont get sightings for granted!

Rex was amazing, he knew all the right places for the animals and often we were the only boat in the right place to see the elephant and other wildlife. Rex responded to our messages very quickly and we booked with very late notice. Rex's knowledge and respect for the animals was evident, he was one of the few guides not to use a laser pointer. Would highly recommend, our entire family had a tremendous experience.

This river cruise was the highlight of our trip in Borneo. Our guide, Rex, was wonderful. From the beginning of the booking through Facebook until the end of the cruise, everything was perfectly done. Good English communication, amazing welcoming in his family house, pick up and drop of at Sandakan well-organised and his knowledge of the wildlife made the difference. We saw crocodiles, lizard, elephant, different species of apes including ourang outang! I recommend this cruise at 100%!

It was mid afternoon and the sun was shining brightly. Good thing the whole area …walkway,,, was shaded. There were many crocodiles there big and bigger …and some little ones too. For a first timer here, i was amazed at their sight. …. First timer ok….and it was an experience too. There were other animals too…more than 8 different animals if I’m not mistaken and for me, the RM10.00 for a senior citizen like me (or RM12 for the younger ones) was worth it. Spent nearly a leisurely hour there to enjoy the experience.

Not too bad It’s like a mini zoo in Sandakan, but they really need to improve their maintenance. Most of the animals are crocodiles, but there are also others like rabbits, chickens, birds, and an ostrich with only a few feathers haha (maybe because it is old). The crocodile feeding happens at 9:30 AM. Nothing too fancy, but at least it’s something. Price – RM12 for adults. Worth it? Maybe for my kid, but for me, it felt a bit pricey. Plenty parking - free too

#throwback2008 Ever wanted to feel like a juicy snack with legs? Welcome to Sandakan Crocodile Farm, where the scaly residents have been perfecting their death stare since the Jurassic era. Home to over 1,000 crocodiles who all look like they’ve read your browser history and judged you accordingly , this place is part zoo , part prehistoric courtroom where you're definitely the defendant. The layout? A mix of concrete moats , jungle vibes , and just enough fencing to keep things interesting. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to be on the menu , just lean a little too close to the railings, but not too close unless you want to star in your own cautionary tale. Croc shows are a hit.. handlers bravely demonstrate that yes , these creatures can launch from the water like nature’s most terrifying jack-in-the-box. Meanwhile , the rest just laze around like sunbathing tanks plotting your downfall. Also features other animals trying hard not to get eaten by their neighbors, deer , birds , and monkeys who look like they’re in the wrong neighborhood. Slightly unnerving , and definitely memorable, it's not just a visit , it’s a staring contest with living fossils.

A very nostalgic place. But I’m so sorry, this place need to improve or JUST SHUT IT DOWN. The charges RM12 per entrance. The crocodile are just sad. The workers are just sad. Many empty cages. Many animals not there anymore. Use to have 2 ostrich, now only left one and its feather is all gone. No more crocodile show, just a short feeding session to “entertain” the crowd. Terrible place. Don’t recommend at all (unless they improve its facilities)

17 RM for foreigners. There’s a lot of crocs here. There’s enclosures by the front and the main ones inside. There are 3 massive crocs that are held in quite small enclosures by themself though not sure why? Check the feeding times throughout the day. These are quite good as the crocs get quite active. We were occupied enough to stay for 2 times. There’s a sign saying that shows won’t be running, not sure why. Staff are a little unenthusiastic. I asked when the next feeding was and was told “yeah yeah over there”. The only comparison I have to this is the Langkawi park and it’s bigger than that. More crocs and the feedings are better. Also there’s other animals you can feed (rabbits, goats). Although the ostrich looks like quite bad condition. There’s patches of feathers missing. I’d say release the ostrich and it would be a decent place otherwise.

It's OK for those who have never seen a crocodile. This farm is very similar to the Tuaran Crocodile farm in Kota Kinabalu

Well, the name of this place already explains what is there. I have many beautiful memories here. From childhood, to youth, to the time of love with (now wife) until now the time of family with 3 blessed children. I pray, if given the chance, I will have time and energy to visit this place again with my grandchildren. You better not to pray that I come here again when I am gone. 🤣

Ornate, colourful temple typical of Buddhist temples. The prayer hall in large with three impressive gold Buddhas. View from outside, over the Sandakan bay is scenic.

Date: Aug 2025 No ticket required for the visit. You may donate to the temple at your own desire.

What a beautiful temple. The colours and the quiet rooms just to wonder around.

Some times the gaudiness of the statues abd imagery makes it almost seem fake. But there is great wealth of faith and service evident everywhere. Definitely worth seeing and the views are fantastic too

Interesting Buddhist temple, made more sense with info from our guide, Edwin. Great view over Sandakan's southern aspect.

Best city view at Sandakan, and windy environment really boost the mood 😍

What a treat to see such a beautiful temple that has a fantastic view. There are so many religious Buddha symbols and shrines to marvel at and the people there are very friendly. I suggest you spend at least an hour there to take in the culture of this amazing temple

Temporarily closed, i dont know what the reason. Located near Padang perbandaran and Majlis Perbandaran Sandakan (Sandakan Municipal Council). Also there is William Pryer and Sandakan Liberation Monument in the front of this building.

This museum has been permanently closed. I asked a government staff working in office upstair, she said the items have been moved to Agnes Keith's House.

The building is quite old and is hot n warm inside. Better dont drive to there as there are no parking. We make few rounds n still not manage to find any parking. So sad. At the end, we have to park at another place n climb some stair cases to reach there.

A little museum for Sandakan urbanisation record.

Several rooms closed but what you see is interesting and all relative to Sandakan. It's all from 20th century so not ancient history! Reconstructed houses and houseboat were really good.

This museum is just okay and I'm a fan of local museums. I was walking the Sandakan Heritage Trail and saw the museum across from the William Pryer Monument. Since it was just past noon, I thought I'd cool off inside. Only two rooms were air-conditioned. Most of the displays were old, grainy, black-and-white photos someone could publish in a book. No refreshments available and no gift shop. The Ministry of Tourism in Sabah, Datuk Christine Liew, needs to get better cooperation from the local businesses to promote this museum through much needed improvements. I found the traditional house models and the traditional musical instruments the most interesting exhibits. I suggest the show some clips from the movies the Martin's made in the twenties and thirties. They might even try selling copies of them on DVD.

Went there at 4.30pm today but already close. Saw thier staff waiting to go home at the staircase but no body care to inform us that the museum closes early than the actual time.

Surprising that this is the only mall in 400k people city 😅 We grabbed McDonald's in the ground floor. Surroundings are filled, as rest of Sandakan, with smaller in-house stores. Grocer store is large, but narrow aisles and you need to give up your bag in the front 🤷 A lot of homeless and poor people/children on the streets.

Just a small mall in town. You can find all the basic neccessities but nothing much.

The only mall at sandakan. I went on public holiday and it's a peak period. A new playground opening at mall so bring my kid to play thr. The playground is nice and fantastic but the mall's aircond is not opened/hot. All kids playing at playground sweated and staff is 'kipas' themselves wif paper. Besides that, i walked around mall also hot at every level. Not feeling comfortable to shop at this mall.

The shops on the top floor have some excellent tourist items at a discount.

Harbour Mall Sandakan is a comprehensive shopping and entertainment destination, seamlessly blending modernity with local charm. The mall houses a diverse array of retail outlets, from international brands to boutique stores, ensuring a satisfying shopping experience. Its vibrant food court offers a delectable range of cuisines, reflecting the city's culinary diversity. The entertainment section, featuring a cinema and recreational facilities, provides a perfect escape. With its strategic location and contemporary design, Harbour Mall Sandakan stands as a social hub, catering to both residents and visitors seeking a dynamic and enjoyable retail environment. Recommended.

The mall is quite small. there are 4 floors I guess and various stores in it. the building itself is quite good. on the 1st floor you will find some food stalls. it's quite difficult to park your car here..moreover when you visit at the weekend..it will take many times to find a good spot to park.

Overall, this is a great shopping mall compare to othersin Sandakan, air-condition is function and clean, but the shop inside isn't very attracting. So we ended up eating at McDonald and left.

Food was okayy. The seafood is fresh but i think the food was at the salty end of my tolerance. Food was well flavoured and the restaurant have good views. Century egg dumplings is also mid i would sayy. It is tasty but i cant really taste the century egg.

Food taste good, fresh & with reasonable pricing. We had steam crab as it’s super fresh coz it is running here n there super fast when catching it, Sapag soup was soooo fresh although without wine & ginger, salted egg softshell crab was incredibly yummy and last but not least the Yee Mee noodle was cooked with lots of seafood and taste outstanding as well. Overall I’ll rate our dinner 9/10 as 1 strange uncle came & asked lots of questions to spoilt my mood. Else its perfect dinner!

Came here for dinner, and the prices for fish and shrimps are reasonable. However, I thought the price for the lobsters was exaggerated although I think those were tiger lobsters, which are usually more expensive. The steamed fish was cooked to perfection and the fish was out pf the tank still alive. The fried squid is cut in big meaty and tender chunks and good size for a small portion. The spinach with garlic was good size for a small portion. Overall, I have noticed that they put a bit of sugar in almost every dish. I would not recommended the avocado juice l (too milky), but the mango juice is very fruity.

The seafood is fresh and tastes delicious. Everything was great until the rain started and spilled into the restaurant — the indoor seating area is quite limited. Prices are very reasonable compared to KL. Will definitely come back again someday!

Come back after 2 years++, the restaurant has been renovated and extended out further. The decorations is nice and good for photos. However, no one will greet and welcome you when we enter the restaurant, we find our own table then someone came and order the food from us. The service is poor，no waiters will serve you anymore after the food is served. The food is not delicious anymore, the butter crab is tasteless and not fresh, the salted chili's prawn is average. The seafood noodle is average. Initially we thought the steam siiakap fish has been forgotten by the kitchen because it was served after 30 min of all our food is served. The taste for the steam fish is ok, no surprise, however the fish still consider fresh.

Came back here because it used to be so good. Well not anymore. Wa Tan Hor tastes too smokey, lack umami and fish isn’t fresh. Very much disappointed. Can’t even finish my meal. The more bites you take, the more unpleasant the taste becomes. The hygiene…. So so…. Some of the cups are dirty, and all of them are still wet. Didn’t even try to at least dry them😩 Staff….. not really friendly. I wonder what happened🫠

This restuarant was a highlight for us. Quaint and full of atmosphere. If you like seafood, this is the place to go. Situated on a floating platform the sunset across the water was just as good as the food. Highly recommend.

This place was nice with their environment. Classic feel. We come here was a bit late lunch, many things was sold out. We order Kerabu Ayam Berempah was good. Nasi Lemak Beef Rendang was ok. Mee Siam was good. Their spacial drink was Cincau Susu with Gula melaka was nice. Salted Egg French Toast was good. Tea C cool was nice also. reasonable price. didn't get to try their tart cos finish.

I came here specifically to try the UFO tart. The texture is quite unique, a solid cookie base topped with soft meringue enveloping the custard. Overall, it tastes great. The atmosphere is very relaxing and pleasantly quiet, even during lunchtime.

When I was checking what is nice to eat at Sandakan, this kopitiam kept appearing apparently it’s one of the best. But I need to detest, maybe coming from Klang Valley there’s nothing really outstanding here. Both my aunty and I love Momo which is around this area. One thing I noticed at Sandakan even the waiter/waitress bring your food/drink to you, they won’t bother bring utensils and thus it’s self-service. Strange right.

The ambience is good The waitress wasn't that helpful, less attentive The laksa broth was not authentic enough, otherwise the taste was moderately acceptable The chicken chop Kolo mee, the noodle was very thick and the taste was very plain The Rendang chicken pie was spoiled, good that I noticed if not end up with food poisoning. The staff wasn't sure when was it prepared, she just guessed it maybe 2 days ago The drinks- Milo and Thai milk tea totally out of taste Sorry, we don't think we're going back here again 😞

During our recent visit, we enjoyed a wonderful meal at San Da Gen Kopitiam, which is located in the Sandakan town centre. The restaurant had a relaxed, casual atmosphere, and the staff were cheerful and helpful. Initially, we misunderstood the ordering process, thinking that we could only order desserts and drinks. Once it was clarified, we opted for a single dish to share from a set menu specially formulated for Ramadan. As well as individual desserts to taste and drinks. Our Order: ● Lamb Shank Bakar — RM 49.90 ● Roti Kahwin — RM 4.50 ● Mango Smoothie — RM 17.70 ● Hot Cappuccino — RM 12.00 ● UFO Tart — RM 3.50 ● Mango Cream Puff — RM 10.00 ● Pistachio Choc Puff — RM 18.00 The food was simply amazing; everything we tried was delicious! The highlight of the evening was undoubtedly the Lamb Shank Bakar, which was presented as a generous platter. Here’s what was included in the platter: Whole Lamb Shank, Spiced Lamb & Potato Samosa, Cucur Udang Jumbo, Nasi Arab Kismis, Telur Sambal, Cucumber & Tomato Salsa, Soup Asam Jawa, and a Secret Sauce. The Roti Kahwin surprised us; it consisted of a thick slice of butter and sweet jam between two thin slices of toasted white bread. While it tasted great, if given the choice, we would have preferred to skip this item. We found all the pastries outstanding, and we would happily order any of them again. Overall, our experience was fantastic, and we highly recommend this food destination!

Absolutely delicious meal, the soup (mee siam) was awesome! Just a tiny bit of spice and a yummy sour flavour. The prawns were also huge and super fresh. Now let’s talk about the pastries… OMG. The UFO one was sold out but I got super lucky and a fresh batch just came out the oven so i got to eat it fresh and warm, it was super soft and fluffy, delicious! I also got the mango vanilla puff pastry and it was delightful as well, super yummy fresh and sweet mango with cream & a balance of textures with the pastry! The best food ever! And super good prices! My soup was 12RM… UFO 3.50RM i think & around 6RM for puff pastry!

A great cornerside cafe in central Sandakan, a little walk away from the harbourside. Although a more contemporarily affluent space, its roots are still clearly visible and featured in its pleasant and roomy interior. The bites and sips are great, particularly to the sweet tooth, and the service is warm and cordial.

Dried food is available at level 1. I had breakfast at level 3. Love the light and clear broth noodles (RM3.50) from stall 33 which faces the sea. Tried the deep fried pork noodles (RM4.70) too. It is the stall with the big sign 'since 1940'. The area at level 3 is clean.

Easily get dry seafood in various gred and prices.

It is always interesting to come here. Situated literally right next to the sea, you can find produce besides just people watching and taking pictures. The lower floor sells fresh seafood, fruits and vegetables. The salted seafood such as anchovies (especially mata biru type), dried shrimp, dried salted fish and cuttlefish are quite popular with tourists to bring home. I see amplangs (local snack), kuih cincin, many sweet + savoury treats & coffee. Don't forget to visit the upper floor if you want to try local cuisines and buy souvenirs such as pearls, tshirts, keychains, etc.

Big market but not very interesting a very very smelly

Fresh seafood and best price

Good local food. And classic nestum poured in a different way. Nice place for breakfast

Wet market....what do u expect. For sure u cannot buy car at wet market, isn't it 😂😂😂

A good place for a free walk through the rainforest. Very well maintained paths and signage throughout the park. It gets very hot and sweaty so bring a lot of water. Didn’t see any birds/wildlife unfortunately.

Wow! An absolute gem in Sandakan, free entry and such a pleasure. The trails have a few moderately steep inclines, but worth the effort. Take water and make sure to check oit the pitcher plant garden.

One of the best experiences I had made in Borneo! You must ho there, when you are around but being a lot of water with you. The Jungle Trails are hard. If you are Lucky you can see there 3 types of monkeys and also a lot of different birds. We where so lucky that we saw a hornbill there. The skywalk there was so high and nice you could easily see over whole areas, but nothing for people with fear of Hight! Had my own problems on some points but everything is stable and safe. Also I should mention that you should be quite, because a lot of people try so take photos of rare animals and too much noise would scare them away. There is also a small cafe with a really fresh and yummy lemon chicken und fresh coconuts. Definitely a good point to avoid a heatstroke. It is also located at one of the entrances to the sky bridge and leads right to some fruit trees where a lot of orang utans eat and chill. All in all it was just amazing and I would definitely do it again.

I loved it here. Fun hiking/walking through the rainforest. Lots of locals going for jogs and walks. It's a nice breath of fresh air away from the city. We were unable to get a grab back downtown but that's probably because it's during Ramadan. Lots of bird species and tons of cicadas lol

One of the best city parks I visited. It has a decent parking with many places and facilities (toilets, food & drink sales) plus paved and non-paved paths, of which te second are the highlight! You can actually experience a jungle trek, with uphil and downhil path, differnt kinds of plants and trees, and a real (but totally safe) jungle atmosphere. Definitely worth a visit when near Sandakan. It is worth mentioning that the paths are well marked (You can't get lost), but good walking shoes are recomendend.

Nice quiet park away from the hustle and bustle to spot birds and squirrels. Was quite balmy and the concrete paths quite slippery so take care

Beautiful scenery of nature and you can hear different types of birds singing in the morning. They got hiking trails as well (be cautious). No fees required to enter this place.

First of all I‘d like to say we had a nice trip, the resort was beautiful, the food was good and we even saw elefants. That being said it just leaves a very bad taste in our mouths to hear that fellow travellers who did the exact same activities we did, ate the exact same food we ate and slept in the exact same rooms as we slept in paid consideribly LESS (411 RM) for 3 days and 2 nights than we did for 2 days and 1 night. We paid 449 RM per person for 2 days 1 night. They even had the transfer included (we drove there with the car ourselves which we got a discount for). Furthermore it‘s bold to call it a „two day trip“ when the first day starts at 4:30 pm and the next ends at 8 am. But at least they have that in common with other companies. So to summarize we feel ripped off and that‘s not a nice feeling. Ps: The other travellers we talked to booked the trip through their resort in Sepilok near the Orang Utang sanctuary. That‘s the thing to do.

Booked a 3D2N Kinabatangan tour with them, and everything was well organized. They were very responsive, so it was easy communicating and making arrangements with them. The only thing was the driver who was supposed to pick us up from Kinabatangan to Sukau said he waited an hour for us outside of KFC, when we were waiting inside KFC the whole time. The tour company probably forgot to relay our location or our contact information to the driver in advance. But it was no big deal. Other than that, everything was good.

I wandered around town looking for a tour agency. Google Maps showed several, but none had visible offices either poorly marked or no longer operating. I eventually found Sandakan Hotspot Tours & Travel Sdn. Bhd, located inside the Elopura Hotel. The woman working there offered me several packages and did her best to accommodate me. She even walked me to the excursion’s starting point, 5–10 minutes away. I really appreciated her help and recommend the agency.

Booked the kinabatangan river cruise 3d/2n and it was great! Choose pickup and drop off location, easy assistance through WhatsApp and very nice experience. +90% chance to see proboscis monkey, less than 10% chance to spot orangutans. Located next to the reception of Elopura Hotel.

Mr Lai was incredibly helpful from first enquiry all the way to our departure. Arranging the trips in the Sandakan area along with an airport shuttle. The guides that Mr Lai arranged for us were excellent. Highly recommended & I would use the services of Sandakan Hotspot Tours again.

I was looking around for the Kinabatangan tour and Sandakan Hotspot came up with the most reasonable budget and wonderful service! Mr. Lai & Rosalind have been great help from the minute I contacted them. When we finished our tour, we had a few hours to spare and they helped organisé a taxi that took us to the tourist spots in town. I would highly recommend you speak to them about booking a tour in Sandakan.

I'm short of words to describe the incredible experience we had with them. Absolutely everything was perfect. If you are in Sandakan do not doubt it and book a trip with them. We contacted them over WhatsAppa and then we were met at our hotel to confirm everything face to face and to confirm exactly what we were paying for. We had the 3 days + caves + Sepilok. For Sepilok we had the luck to have Hadi as our personal guide. He was so enthusiastic about the orang utan and the rehabilitation centre! Extremely knowledgeable and happy to share it all with you. Amazing experience. Then we spend the rest of the days with the outstanding Bibi at the Borneo natural Sukau Bilit resort. In Bilit we did some walks and several river cruises. We saw all sort of monkeys, birds, insects, crocodiles and even wild orang utans.

SCARY!!!!!!!!!!!

(Translated by Google) It seemed like people were visiting regularly. Let’s join hands🙏 (Original) 定期的に人が訪れているようだった。 合掌🙏

(Translated by Google) About 3 minutes walk from the parking lot🅿️🚶‍♀️, the cemetery is located on a hill overlooking the central market of Sandakan, and is it well maintained? The grass was mowed neatly. 🙏Place your palms together (Original) 駐車場🅿️から3分程歩く🚶‍♀️、墓地はサンダカンの中央市場を見渡せる高台に位置して綺麗は管理されてるのか？綺麗に草刈りもしてあった。🙏合掌

(Translated by Google) Continuing along the paved road of the well-maintained Chinese cemetery, there is a signboard for the entrance. If you go up the stone steps, you will find the cemetery on the hillside overlooking the sea. (Original) 綺麗に整備された中国人墓地の舗装道路をさらに進むと入口の看板がある。石段を上ると、海が見える丘の斜面に墓地があります。

A good point in city to begin heritage trail

This is a sanctuary with both resident orangutans and wild ones who come in knowing there is food available. The experience of seeing them is incredible. As with natural encounters, one cannot predict the numbers seen. I was lucky to have a mother and baby come out for a walk where the humans were so had a very close encounter. An older alpha male was also at the feeding on the day of my visit. One benefit of coming out during rainy season is the smaller crowds.

One of must visit location if you are in Sandakan, and at the same time helping the conservation efforts, the fund generated from all activities in this centre will help towards the conservation. This place has a lot to offer, an opportunity to learn to better understand the importance of orang utan conservation, and making memories with our family take pictures of your journey and make a chance no matter how little we can contribute.

I came here on two separate occasions once I went to the morning feeding at 10 am and another time I went to the afternoon feeding at 3 pm. Although this is a very small sample size, from my experience with the two, the afternoon feeding event is better than the morning one. There were less people and more orangutans than the morning one. There were too many people and lots of macaques eating the fruit instead of the orangutans during the morning session, as well as more tour buses outside and more people at the platform. Just so everyone is aware you can't take bags into the sanctuary. You have to leave them in a locker so allow a little bit of extra time for this if you were unaware. This comes at no extra cost. In the nursery, I've got to see an alpha male orangutan which was cool to see. The Browne Town.

We did both the morning and afternoon sessions, and we had a much better experience in the afternoon. The morning was too packed full of big tour bus loads of people, the afternoon session you could get a spot at the front easy and not be shoved around. A worker told us to wait a few minutes for the big bus tour people to leave the nursery so we could get down to the window for a closer look. We saw orangutan at the feeding platform both sessions, and the nursery was more active in the afternoon session. You have to lock your bags away in a locker room, and the gift shop was very small and didn't have a great range of products. Better items at the airport shops. It was a good price, especially being able to use the same ticket in the afternoon.

Incredible experience! I recommend getting there at 9am, when they open to get a good spot for the feeding time at the outdoor nursery area. They put food in the outdoor nursery between 9.30 and 2.30pm, and on the main platform between 10 and 3. We saw a few baby orangutans and adults, they all looked very happy and free to do their own thing. We only saw one adult orangutan on the main feeding platform, but it got scared away by the pig tailed macaques, so we didn't see it eat anything. It does look like the orangutans have lots of food in the jungle they can eat there too and it can always come back at a later time as food is provided throughout the day. We're not fans of zoos, so we were skeptical about coming here, wondering about the Ethical side of it. However, it isn't a zoo. The orangutans can come and go whenever they want, and there isn't any interaction with the feeders. There is also a great educational center, which i recommend going to as well.

We had never seen Orangutans before, only in books and on TV. To witness them moving around in the wild was nothing short of incredible. The experience was well-organized, with all visitors strictly kept to a designated path and led to observation rooms, where we could watch the Orangutans come for the fruits and vegetables provided twice a day, a Macaque even made an appearance. The animals are in no way contained and have no human interaction, which made it feel even more special. We were lucky enough to see a magnificent male Orangutan with stunning, long red fur. We also spotted several mothers carrying their young. They were so playful, we could have watched them for hours, but eventually, they wandered off into the jungle. As we continued our walk along the boardwalk, which wound through the lush jungle with its towering trees, we encountered more Orangutans. It was a truly unforgettable experience. Since we purchased our tickets in the morning, we had the chance to observe them again during the afternoon feeding. The fee was RM 30 per adult tourist, and there was an additional RM 10 charge for a small camera. After the tour, we treated ourselves to ice cream at the cafeteria, a perfect end to such a memorable day.

The rehibilition of orang utan specis where you can see for yourself. The facility included cart part, public toilet, locker, souvinier shop. The enterance free are affordable. Come and visit Sepilok as this is one of the attraction places popular by international travellers.

My visit to Balin Roofgarden Bistro & Bar was nothing short of amazing. Even though the restaurant was already fully booked, the team went out of their way to find me a place – and I was so grateful for that gesture. From the moment I sat down, I felt genuinely welcomed and comfortable – thanks in large part to the outstanding service of Ezairil. His warm conversation and attentiveness made me feel right at home, and his recommendation of the drink Uinah Ginger Land (with passionfruit purée) was absolutely perfect – refreshing, unique, and one-of-a-kind. I came here because I wanted to finally try lobster, and the Slipper Lobster with pesto spaghetti completely exceeded my expectations. The lobster was perfectly cooked, paired beautifully with the flavorful pesto, and complemented by thoughtful details like cherry tomatoes and egg. Considering the price, the quality and taste of the dish were beyond impressive – truly excellent value for such a memorable meal. Overall, this wasn’t just dinner, it was an experience filled with warmth, flavor, and genuine hospitality. Even the background music was well balanced and added to the great atmosphere. I left feeling more than satisfied and would highly recommend this place to anyone visiting Sandakan.

We just came here for cocktails after dinner. Although the service is very attentive and friendly we found the cocktails to be a bit too light although they were on happy hour 2 for 55RM. The ambience is nice and the rooftop view should be nice if it not raining.

Very nice place sat inside it was to hot out in the early afternoon. The chicken Hawaiian pizza was over the top good! If you're looking for a place with a great view and wanting some western style food this is the place to come and eat if you're in Sandakan.

I wanted to see sunset and while I googled I came across of this place. It’s not that high but you can see the shore from their roof top. Didn’t get to y their foods but I saw some other guests ordered and it looks good. They are part of NAK Hotel which located at the downtown busy road. If you stay around this area might be probably noisy at night, if you drive may have difficulty looking for a carpark. But if you are just walking and taking grab then this place is nearby to quite a few eateries.

We had a pizza and fish and chips. Pizza was really good! The place has a great atmosphere! They have a nice roof terrace.

Atmosphere is great. Food leaves a lot to be desired. Truffle pizza is good tho. Spaghetti aglio olio is too basic for the price!

the staff so beautiful, kind, explain all the menu well, customer service is okay and the food so delicious.. overall everything is perfect

They don't have a menu but the food is really good and cheap :) 18 RM for 2 persons + drinks.

The only one Muslim restaurant open 24hrs in town.

Nice restaurant with a decent Roti Cobra

Not always come to here only if have a meeting with someone

Not so good

affordable

(Translated by Google) Homemade food, very friendly staff. The lemon tea, roti, and noodles were delicious. Two people can eat for €3. (Original) Comida casera, personal muy amable. El té al limón, el roti y los fideos muy ricos. Por 3€ comen 2 personas.

Ocean King Seafood Restaurant in Sandakan earns top marks for delivering a well-rounded dining experience. Known for its exceptionally fresh seafood, the restaurant presents dishes that are rich in flavor and expertly prepared, capturing the essence of coastal cuisine. The spacious setting and inviting atmosphere enhance the experience, making it suitable for family gatherings or large group dinners. With efficient service and a scenic vibe, Ocean King stands as a testament to Sandakan’s vibrant seafood culture.

Made reservation before coming. Seafood was fresh. All were prepared in a smaller portion in view of the smaller group size of 2 adults. We were staying at the Elopura Hotel, took nearly half an hour to reach there.

Food was good. BUT, lobster at RM450/kg, mantis prawn at RM50/pc, sounds like rather unreasonable prices, higher even than Kuala Lumpur prices. While food and service was good,my conclusion is that they are pricing themselves way above what they used to charge at their old restaurant. Not worth the overall amount charged for food we had.

Super fresh and delicious seafood at a very reasonable price! Everything was tasty and worth every cent. Highly recommended! 🦀💯

The food is overpriced and underwhelming in taste. For instance, a simple corn soup is priced at RM80 per portion, fried "yau mak" (romaine lettuce) costs RM35 per plate, and sweet and sour fish slices—coated heavily in starch with barely any visible fish inside—are RM99 per plate. The service was equally disappointing. The manager displayed a sour face while we were ordering and made no effort to recommend any dishes. Overall, it’s not worth visiting. There are better options in the area offering higher quality food at more reasonable prices.

Food here was good nice. Cos is Seafood restaurant no pork serve. We just come for their Sea Prawn Yee Mee Wat Tan Hoo for two pax is RM39.00. We order 4pax is RM52.00. potion is not much. & we also order their famous fried sotong was good also. But price was a bit expansive than others RM95++ with Text & service charge. The Shop at the same roll at the end is good also is local food restaurant much cheaper price.

From start to finish, the dishes served were a true delight to the senses. The steam fish was an absolute standout, fish was exceptionally fresh and the soy sauce elevated the dish to new heights. The freshness of the clam was also impressive, and it was cooked to perfection, making it a real treat to savor. The fish maw soup was equally delectable, with the chewy fish maw adding a delightful texture to the dish. Moving on to the prawn noodle, the gravy had a lovely aromatic hint of rice wine, which gave the dish an extra layer of flavor complexity. Last but not least, the crab was incredibly fresh and absolutely bursting with a buttery flavor that was simply divine. All in all, the meal was a truly unforgettable experience that I would highly recommend to any food lover.

Beautiful Chinese temple in Sandakan

As TeoChew descedants like me, I felt my ancestors’ protection when praying for wealth, health, and fortune at this temple. Outside decoration looks new but the interior is original. It’s just at the sandakan sport playground.

Over approx.150 years old , very nice place to visit and to do prayers or offering.

Heritage of Sandakan. 150 years old.

Temple of the Three Saints is listed as Sam Sing Kung Temple in the Sandakan Heritage Trail. It is a Chinese temple, and faces the municipal field of Sandakan. The name "Sam Sing Kung" means "three saints temple", and refers to Kwan Woon Cheung, the saint of righteousness, the goddess Tin Hou, a deity worshipped by fishermen, and Emperor Min Cheong, a patron deity of students, worshipped for good examination results. The Sam Sing Kung Temple was built by the four main Chinese communities in Sandakan, namely the Hakka, Cantonese, Hainanese and Teochew. It was completed in 1887, making it the oldest structure still standing in Sandakan.

Opening hours 7am-3?pm. Closed when we were there

A nice little temple along the heritage trail. It's fairly small and it isn't super flashy, but it's got a lot of history and the interior is very interesting to see.

We stopped here for a night between Sandakan and the river cruise part of our trip. Mainly so the next morning we were able to see the Orangutan and sun bears before heading off to the river lodge and trip. Each room is a lodge chalet and well equipped. AC tea large walk in shower and even a stand a lone tub bath with a view over the jungle etc. A good evening menu covering both western and local. Breakfast is a set menu, but very comprehensive. All the staff were very welcoming.

Room was comfortable and nice. Meals are not included but are fairly reasonably priced. Dining area overlooks a lake and we saw several birds while we were dining (we are amatue birders). Restaurant is not open all day but is open during breakfast/lunch/dinner times with different menu depending on meal time. We thought food was good and they have a decent amount of options and variety. Fresh juices and teas were very nice. They also have a pretty long cocktail list. Location was very good. Short walk to the Orangutan and Sun Bear centers. Walk to the Rain Forest discovery center was a bit further, about 1 mile and was on the side of the road for about the first half but it was not a bad walk and we felt safe. They were also able to arrange transfer in from the airport for us. Transfer and check in process were smooth. Overall would recommend if not just for the location.

While the location is excellent, this was a generally disappointing and unpleasant stay. The major positive is the proximity to the Orangutan Sanctuary (a 5-minute walk) and the authentic, wild feel of the property. The front desk team was helpful, and they can arrange airport transfers (though they are very expensive - see below). Unfortunately, the downsides were significant. Our room (number 7) was infested with ants, and I was bitten multiple times, which is unacceptable. The dining experience is a huge letdown. Breakfast is shockingly poor, with very low quality (e.g., stale toast) and minimal choice. Lunch was similarly overpriced and low in quantity and quality, as other reviews have noted. What made it worse was the incredibly rude and unprofessional restaurant staff. They would laugh, stare, and show open contempt toward guests, which is entirely unacceptable in a hospitality setting. Also, forget about seeing any wildlife on the property. The resort is undergoing heavy, noisy construction work to expand, which has driven any wild animals away. Finally, the hotel's transportation services are extremely overpriced (e.g., 160 MYR / 32 EUROS for a one-way transfer), making local taxis a much better option. Overall, this was a disagreeable experience. I would not recommend staying more than one night due to the poor quality of the rooms, the terrible dining experience, and the rude service.

I would not recommend staying here. The rooms are extremely basic and the resort is run down. It is located not far from big streets and other buildings so the pictures are misleading as it makes it look like it’s deep in nature. The food is inedible. It’s extremely greasy and most things taste horrendous and the choice is very basic. When I asked for honey they gave me a little glass with honey and about 10 ants in the honey. When I asked for a replacement the restaurant staff was very confused why I wanted a new one and only after explaining three times that there are ants in the honey a colleague came and brought a replacement. Which brings me to the staff. The staff is rude and not trained at all. They are more concerned with themselves and chatting to each other than helping their customers. Overall it was a very underwhelming experience and I would not recommend staying here at all.

Pros: Perfect location for the Sepilok orangutan and sun bear sanctuaries. A very short walk to both. The rooms were very nice and comfortable and the setting was great for bird watching. Cons: The only downfalls were the over priced food, breakfast was disappointing with lukewarm coffee and a sad looking omelette. We ended up heading to The Golden Hope food court for dinner which was a 15 mins grab away which was much better and good value for money. We were quoted for an airport shuttle of 81MYR per person each way which we declined as a grab for 4 of us only cost 46MYR (total)!! This and the food prices made me feel the hotel is a bit of a tourist trap.

We did not stay here. We stopped in to their restaurant for breakfast. The resort itself looked lovely and clean. However, the restaurant was a disaster. The service is incredibly slow and unorganized. The centre section where we had to serve ourselves bread and coffee was dirty and never stocked with basic things. We xonstantly had to ask for cutlery, cups, small plates, etc. the jams were never closed and one had a dead fly inside. They also confused several orders for a group next to us and then brought us the wrong breakfast set.

Absolutely loved the lodge we stayed in. The only slight negatives were a mild smell of possible damp/mould but it wasn't so much is spoilt our stay and there didn't seem to be enough hot water to fill the bath only about 2 inches. The surroundings were beautiful and the bedding quality was wonderful. I would stay again 100%!

Amazing place to relax, enjoy and learn about the Malaysian nature. The hotel has great facilities and offers tasty local food. The rooms are well equipped and comfortable. However, the best by far is the staff. A full army of súper friendly and súper professional people working hard every second to create a great experience for guests. 100% recommendable!!!

My husband and I stayed for 2 nights. All staff were friendly and welcoming. The food was buffet style and had numerous options. Beer and wine were available for extra charge however a bit pricey. Our guide, Farhan, was exceptional! His passion for birds, animals and nature was contagious. He went above and beyond making our stay magical as he found us the Borneo 5 and many other rare birds.

This is a very special place. The accommodation is amazing and only surpassed by the team that look after you. Our guide Jamille's knowledge of wildlife during a number of boat trips can not beaten. He was so enthusiastic and wanted to ensure we had the best experience possible. During our visit to Malaysia and Borneo this has been a highlight.

My husband & I were fortunate enough to stay at this amazing resort for 2 nights last week. What a treat it was. From the pick up at our hotel by Fernando, we where then taken to Sepilock Orang-utan Sanctuary & the Sun bear Sanctuary before having lunch at the Sabah Hotel. After lunch it was off to the dock to board the speedboat for the trip up river to the lodge. We checked in to our gorgeous villa on arrival & then it was off on a boat to look for wildlife. Unfortunately it was raining by then so we didn't see much. We certainly made up for it the next morning on the 6am tour. A herd of around 40 Pygmy elephants including some small calves came down to the river. It was an amazing sight, watching them in their natural environment. One day a mother & baby Orang-utan came into the lodge area & we were able to see them high above the villas.we managed to see all of the Big 5 during our stay. The food was very good & plenty of it. Special mention to our guide Ash, This young man was a wealth of knowledge about the flora & fauna along the river. He was also our boat driver & was very good at spotting the many different species of birds in particular. Our trip was all the better for having Ash as our guide. We were sad to leave Sukau & hope to return one day.

This place was beautiful! We were fortunate enough to see 3 Orangutans that live in the area... and they were right outside of our room! The river drives were always eventful. Plus we saw the Borneo Big 5 on the first day. I would definitely go back.

This property is heavily overpriced for what you get. The location is right by palm oil plantations and not in the remote untouched forest. You hardly see any animals around the lodge. If you are lucky maybe a few birds and monkeys. The rooms are satisfactory at best. The towels provided smelled horrible and like old sweat that was not washed well. The room is not fully insulated for insects. In the room we stayed in there were 20 wasps and more and more appeared at night. There are holes in the wood some which were filled and some they just stuffed with tissues. This makes it very difficult to have a restful night. They also do not have a way to reach reception from the room via phone to report this kind of issue, which is difficult as the reception is not staffed 24 hours and rooms are spread out a lot across the property. When we raised this concern they said this is part of the *eco* ethos of the property, they did not take any action to rectify the issue. Lastly the food and staff. The staff is not well trained, neither the restaurant nor the reception staff. They asked us to hand them the key at 6.30 am for check out when we had payed the full price so you would expect to be able to check out at a normal time, on top of that they asked us three times to settle the bill even after confirming we will do so right as we finish breakfast. The food is average at best. Dinner is the best out of all of the meals. Lunch was very dissatisfying and breakfast was very basic. Overall I would not recommend to stay here, especially given the price.

It’s the kind of place where the jungle eats the silence, the staff greets you like old friends, and dinner tastes like it was cooked by someone who actually cares. After hours of chasing hornbills and pygmy elephants, there’s nothing holier than a cold beer by the river. Oh, and the extras? • A pool that feels illegally great in this kind of heat. • Guides who spot wildlife you didn’t even know existed. • Rooms that once hosted David Attenborough and Judi Dench — if sleeping where legends slept is your kink. This isn’t just accommodation. It’s Borneo, distilled — humid, raw, and unforgettable. Civilization, thankfully, is always just a short walk/boat ride back through the lodge. In doubt? Just do it, you'll thank me later.

Very good tour. We had a very knowledgeable tour guide who was able to share his knowledge of the animals with us during the tour. Would recommend adding this to your itinerary if you’re in sepilok

We did a 2-hour river cruise there. It’s a good experience. Need luck to see the rarer animals in the wild. We were lucky to see an orangutan.

They destroyed 90% of the rainforest in this region already. We drove for three hours exclusively through plantations. No animals, no wildlife, only oilpalms. Sad to see how less these people care about nature and animals. Don‘t travel there!!

We were so lucky to spot elephants drinking water! Our local guide Mr Aji was superb by showing us many wild animals ranging from monkeys to crocodiles or even night animals and insects.

First of all the picture of the place is wrong... I wonder who is uploading all these wrong pictures and for what reason. It's an amazing place that worth visiting. I think a minimum of 3 days 2 nights will give the visitor a good idea about the fauna and the animals that live there. Highly recommended is the trek in the jungle. If you are lucky you ll spot some wild life.

This is the place you come to on the river cruises. It is the place to come to spot the wildlife although you may see many birds by your accomodation and if you're lucky a snake or two or some red leaf monkeys. On the cruises and night walks we saw baby crocodiles, proboscis monkeys, long tailed macaques, civet cat, many birds but no elephants. Accommodation around the area is 'a bit natural'! We took a taxi from Sepilok to Sukau, cost us RM150 as there were no Grab available which would have only been RM90

If you are a wildlife enthusiast, do visit the place. Our guide informed us that the river has some crocodiles as well. Though we weren't lucky enough to see some. However, we got to see Proboscis Monkey, Long tail Monkey and a rare Monitor Lizard... Monkeys are easily visible here. You need a key vision to locate the other kind of animals. The guy driving the boat does take you pretty close to these animals. It gets kinds scary at times. Overall, pretty thrilling and adventurous

There are a few memorial monuments in this area, near 100 stair case

A nice point of Heritage Trail

Near 100 stair case. Can head to 100 stair case to Agnes Keith house once done visiting the monuments

one of the ten Sandakan Heritage Trail

Spacious and clean

Spend less than 10 min here. Good for history lover.

Poor. The painting on the monument is not clear. Cannot read.

To be clear- I’m simply reviewing the accommodations/lodging here, not the wildlife experience (which was excellent thanks to our private guide!!). From what I gathered talking to other guests, not all guides are equally qualified or skilled , so that will affect your overall experience!! The rooms were small, dingy, and filthy! Beds were terrible with stained, worn out sheets and towels with holes! Basically gross! The meal area was dirty as well and trash bins were overflowing on the outside porch area- dirty table cloths and nobody seemed to do anything about that! The food was edible but not that great! I didn’t expect luxury here, but a basic place CAN be clean- no reason that it can’t be done! Other places I’ve been to managed that- it just would make the experience so much better! If it wasn’t for our guide who spotted a ton of things, I would not have stayed the 4 nights that we booked here! Pretty much all the other guests I met during that time were equally shocked and disenchanted with the place and most didn’t see half the things we did, because their guides were not as talented, so I highly recommend to do your research before you book this place! We’ve been all over Sabah and all the other places we stayed at, including the basic ones, were comfortable and clean!

I don’t know where to start, but my partner and I had the most incredible three days at Deramakot and were left in awe. We were drawn to it at the possibility of spotting an elusive clouded leopard; but soon learned the experience was so much more than that. Having researched many different agents we decided to go with Sukau Greenview Lodges as we were already booked on a 3D2N river cruise with them, and they provided the best value for money we could find. We paid 2,500 MYR per pax for 3D2N at the Forest including all meals and our guided safaris. We had no regrets! Luckily we ended up with a private tour as no other guests had booked on, and we were picked up by our guide Hamit Suban. Hamit lived in Malaysian Borneo all of his life and had so much knowledge about the area, very kindly answering our many questions! His ability to spot wildlife with the smallest light flicker, movement or change of smell was astonishing. We were blown away by his skills and passion for the job, and learnt so much. The food at the reserve is to a very good standard and they cater to all tastes/cuisines. Although it states basic accommodation we were very pleasantly surprised by the chalets, they were clean and comfy, exactly all you need after hours out on safari. The guides have binoculars but we also rented a pair for 50,000 MYR which was totally worth it. We bought leech socks at the market in sandakan prior and recommend you have good shoes/rain jacket (ideally body length), as although the walking is generally minimal and optional, the long hours on safari can some with a change in weather. We saw a family of 5 gibbons pretty close, many flying squirrels, a slow loris who climbed right down close to us, giant squirrels, about 6 Malaysian civets which are gorgeous, 4 leopard cats, orang-utans (a mother with a one month baby and juvenile preparing a nest, unreal!), many eagles, pheasant, small otters, porcupine and many other small mammals and birds. Lastly, we were lucky enough to spot two baby marbled cats which was surreal. Each sighting is thrilling no matter what you are seeing, and we didn’t anticipate the small things to bring so much joy. We went with no expectations and that’s the only way to visit as you can’t plan nature, but it’s an unmissable experience and we can’t stop raving about it. From dinner in the depths of the jungle, stunning sunrise and sunset over the canopies and being in touch with the simplicity and beauty of being hours from anywhere - it has a piece of our heart! Thanks to Hamit for an unforgettable time at Deramakot, we cannot recommend your services enough! Don’t sleep on it, people! Best, C + C

We used Adventure Alternative Borneo to organize our trip deramkaot It was flawless. The office team was incredible with answering many questions and so patient. I seriously cannot thank them enough for the support and help for planning this trip. The guides and drivers we had through the trip were remarkable at finding wildlife and keeping us safe the entire trip. We would have missed so much if it was not for their skilled spotting abilities and we are grateful for their expertise. This company is the one to use if planning a trip to Borneo as we saw lots of companies through our trip and we felt that AAB was above and beyond. Thank you to the AAB team!

We organize a tour in Deramakot with Alternative Adventure Borneo. Communications were really easy and clear; the organization was just perfect. In Deramakot you will find a nice and simple room and tasteful meals (I am vegetarian and they always proposed me a good alternative). The forest tour are long and full of sightings and emotions. We were lucky enough to see many animals (including: an Orangutan, some Bornean elephants, a Slow loris, a Leopard cat, two Sambar deers, many Red giant flyng squirrels, two mouse-deers, a Colugo, three different species of civets, a flying Blyth's paradise-flycatcher, Some chestnut-brested Malkohas.... and so on and so forth), but the greatest fortune we had was having Mike as our guide. He has incredible eyes to spot the most elusive animals and he can be funny as hell! I highly reccomend Adventure Alternative Borneo and Deramakot forest reserve if you are planning to visit Sabah.

We had a great series of sightings in the jungle. There appeared to be a limited number of routes to travel on through the jungle so wouldn’t spend too long there. Also I’d check and make sure they’re not logging there when you go as the roads would be shared with trucks. Cautionary note: avoid this if you’re coming from kota Kinabalu. We were told it would take 7hrs but it took 14

We chose Adventure Alternative Borneo for our Deramakot trip because of the very positive reviews here. I was skeptical how one-sided the reviews were. Now I know. A friendly meet up at Telupid gave a false hope that it would be a nice trip. [Serious safety alert] On the second day, after the morning drive, the guide told us to meet up at 15:30 for the afternoon drive. So we gathered at the doorstep of our house at 15:30, waited for 15 min before going to check what happened, only to find the guide and driver sleeping in their room. Apparently whisky had been drunk, as a half full bottle and glasses were seen on the table (see attached photo). When the guide finally got up to talk to us, he denied having said 15:30 for the pm drive, and instead claimed that there were only am and night drives for the day, according to the itinerary. But it was clearly written in the itinerary that there are 3 drives per day (anyone can check the itinerary on AAB’s website). At the end we had to settle birding on foot ourselves for the afternoon. I couldn’t imagine riding on a 4WD driven by a drunk driver in the dirt track of the forest, guided by a drunk guide. The guide denying what he said earlier: https://youtu.be/7mXzTD6hE0k As for the reserve itself, based on my 4D3N stay, I didn’t see the abundance of wildlife I had expected, definitely not comparable to Kinabatanga or Tabin. I guess for this reserve, you just have to stay at least a week to be able to see some more species and/or rare stuff. Here, it can go half an hour without a single mammal sighting in the night safari drive even in perfect weather. I would not recommend AAB, even if you choose to try your luck in Deramakot.

Excellent wildlife viewing (particularly for Orangutans) available and surprisingly good facilities at base camp. Very expensive compared to other wildlife tours in Sabah but I think it's worth it if you're a wildlife enthusiast. We went during the middle of the rainy season and still managed to see a wide variety of wildlife. I imagine it would be an even better experience during the dry season.

this attraction draws crowds of tourists, opening hours9-16:00 [lunch break 12-14:00]. first, no food, drink and backpacks or bags allowed, storage lockers are provided, then let learn how our wildlife companions rehab., nurtured. starting from observatory room at nursery , then going on platform to watch our friends fed on their natural habitat. it's crowded but well organized flow of visitors allows visiting the center more pleasant.

The Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre is situated within the Sepilok Forest Reserve, approximately a 30-minute drive from Sandakan Airport. The facility is well-managed, right from the ticket counter to the end of the trail. The visit begins at the nursery, where visitors can observe the orangutans through a glass viewing area from an elevated pavilion. From there, a raised wooden walkway leads through the jungle reserve to the feeding platform. The experience was truly exhilarating, and we were lucky to witness a mother orangutan with her baby from just a few feet away.

We did both the morning and afternoon sessions, and we had a much better experience in the afternoon. The morning was too packed full of big tour bus loads of people, the afternoon session you could get a spot at the front easy and not be shoved around. A worker told us to wait a few minutes for the big bus tour people to leave the nursery so we could get down to the window for a closer look. We saw orangutan at the feeding platform both sessions, and the nursery was more active in the afternoon session. You have to lock your bags away in a locker room, and the gift shop was very small and didn't have a great range of products. Better items at the airport shops. It was a good price, especially being able to use the same ticket in the afternoon.

Incredible experience! I recommend getting there at 9am, when they open to get a good spot for the feeding time at the outdoor nursery area. They put food in the outdoor nursery between 9.30 and 2.30pm, and on the main platform between 10 and 3. We saw a few baby orangutans and adults, they all looked very happy and free to do their own thing. We only saw one adult orangutan on the main feeding platform, but it got scared away by the pig tailed macaques, so we didn't see it eat anything. It does look like the orangutans have lots of food in the jungle they can eat there too and it can always come back at a later time as food is provided throughout the day. We're not fans of zoos, so we were skeptical about coming here, wondering about the Ethical side of it. However, it isn't a zoo. The orangutans can come and go whenever they want, and there isn't any interaction with the feeders. There is also a great educational center, which i recommend going to as well.

One of must visit location if you are in Sandakan, and at the same time helping the conservation efforts, the fund generated from all activities in this centre will help towards the conservation. This place has a lot to offer, an opportunity to learn to better understand the importance of orang utan conservation, and making memories with our family take pictures of your journey and make a chance no matter how little we can contribute.

Absolutely unforgettable experience here. So many orangutans and macaques coming and going between the forest and the centre throughout the day. Felt like I could have stayed here and watched them forever. Recommend arriving in the morning for the full-day ticket, and going to the rainforest experience when this centre closes for a couple of hours in the middle of the day, before coming back here in once it reopens in the afternoon.

The rehibilition of orang utan specis where you can see for yourself. The facility included cart part, public toilet, locker, souvinier shop. The enterance free are affordable. Come and visit Sepilok as this is one of the attraction places popular by international travellers.

The Church is beautiful and big. If you're traveling to Sandakan and want to attend mass, the BM mass starts at 9.15am after Rosary.

Its my first time to come here to attend my cousin wedding and this church looks so beautiful and calm. I love the environment and definitely I will come again.

Pre war water resevoir, Japanese bunker, Japanese turrets, Pitcher plants, pristine forest, beautiful Pelawan trees, great view of the bay, etc

Having our first priority going to church on Sunday nice to visit and reflection

Not a very modern church, nor a very old one.

I had a great experiences here and lots of breathtaking scenery😇😍 #stmarycathedral #sandakan

Historical Beautiful Graceful place of worship. First time attending Christmas Services here. Friendly smiley congregation. But, the homily sermon for For Christmas day could have been better for the occasion.