The 7 Best Things To Do In Sepilok, Borneo

Last Updated: April 10 2024

Although Sepilok is only a small place, it’s a must for any Borneo itinerary! This is where you’ll find Borneo’s famous Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, where you’ve got a great chance of spotting these great apes, especially if you’re short of time.

However, you’ll find plenty of other attractions here, all worth a visit. Offering jungle hikes, wildlife centres, and awesome day trip opportunities, there’s so much to do in and around Sepilok. This means it’s not a place you want to rush!

In this travel guide, we’ll cover the best things to do in Sepilok so you can make the most of your trip. We’ll also detail other helpful information such as how to get there, where to stay, and how to get around.

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The Best Things To Do In Sepilok, Borneo

1. Visit the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre

If you’re looking to spot orangutans in Borneo, the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre is a must-visit. It was the first centre in the world to dedicate itself to rehabilitating orangutans and has been around since 1964.

Around 60-80 orangutans live independently in the reserve which covers approximately 43 sq km (16 sq miles). Sabah Wildlife Department runs this place and within the centre, you’ll find nurseries, a clinic, and a treatment ward.

Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre is open daily from 9 am to 4 pm. Orangutan feeding takes place twice every day (at 10 am and 3 pm), while the nursery is open from 9 am – 12 pm (9 am – 11 am on Fridays).

This full-day eco-tour lasts for 7-8 hours and will show you the very best of Sepilok. You’ll visit three conservation centres, including the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre and the tour includes a local lunch.

2. Head to the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC)

If you’re wondering what to do in Sepilok, don’t miss out on the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC). Sun bears are the world’s smallest bears and are only found across Southeast Asia, in countries such as Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam among others.

Unfortunately, these beautiful creatures are threatened by illegal hunting, forest degradation, and poaching. This has led to young sun bears being kept as pets, but luckily, this centre works to give these bears a new home!

There are currently 43 rescued bears at the centre, and each one resides in large forested enclosures. This gives you the chance to observe them in their natural habitat while they are rehabilitated back into the wild.

The centre is open daily from 9 am – 3:30 pm. Although BSBCC shares the main entrance gate with the Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, you will need separate tickets as these are two different charities so just keep that in mind.

3. Explore the Rainforest Discovery Centre (RDC)

No trip to Sepilok is complete without visiting the Rainforest Discovery Centre (RDC). This place is one of the best environmental education centres in Sabah and it’s not hard to see why!

As well as an exhibition hall, the centre also boasts a plant discovery garden, marked jungle trails, and a canopy walkway system with observation towers. From here, you’ll be treated to jaw-dropping rainforest views. You might even spot wildlife, such as civets, tarsiers, and orangutans (which we were lucky enough to spot here).

The Rainforest Discovery Centre is also a fantastic location for bird watching. You can spot a variety of birds here including the rhinoceros hornbill, Wallace’s hawk-eagle, Bornean bristlehead, and blue-banded kingfisher. In fact, The Borneo Bird Festival is held here annually.

The RDC is open every day from 8 am – 5 pm, although the canopy walkway and trails close later (at 8 pm).

4. Take a day trip to the Kinabatangan River

Although we highly recommend spending a couple of days along the Kinabtangan River, we know that some travellers will be short of time. If that’s the case, then you can easily head there on a day trip from Sepilok.

The Kinabatangan River is 560 km (348) miles long and is Sabah’s longest river. This part of Borneo is incredibly biodiverse and is one of the best places to spot wildlife on the island. Here, you can see various species including orangutans, Bornean pygmy elephants, proboscis monkeys, crocodiles, and gibbons. You might even spot Irrawaddy dolphins!

Going on a Kinabatangan River cruise is an experience like no other and is a must for any Borneo itinerary. This is where we spotted our first-ever wild orangutan! You can also head out on jungle treks in this area, but you’ll likely need to stay overnight to have time for this.

5. Spot more wildlife at Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary

Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary is around a 25-minute drive from Sepilok. This place is located within an oil palm estate and has an interesting history. In the 1990s, the site was supposed to be cleared for oil palm until the owner found a group of proboscis monkeys living here.

Luckily, he decided to keep the 400-acre site natural and it’s now a sanctuary for these monkeys. There are around 150 in total, and they’re all free-ranging. Unfortunately, the land is surrounded by plantations so their food is insufficient. Therefore, the proboscis monkeys get a supplementary diet and there are two feeding platforms here.

You can also spot other species in the area including oriental pied hornbills and silver-leaf monkeys.

Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary is open from 8:30 am – 5:30 pm. Feeding times are as follows; Platform A (9:30 am and 2:30 pm) and Platform B (11:30 am and 4:30 pm).

6. Spend a Day in Sandakan

The city of Sandakan is just a 20-minute drive from Sepilok so you can easily visit here on a day trip. It was once the capital city of Sabah but unfortunately suffered extensive damage during WWII. Today, it’s thriving once again and is a popular spot with keen travellers as there are plenty of things to do in Sandakan.

Some of the most popular attractions include the Sandakan War Memorial, Puu Jih Sih Temple, Agnes Keith Museum, and the Central Market. There’s also the Sandakan Heritage Trail which will take you through the area’s historical buildings. Thanks to its location, it’s also famous for its delicious seafood.

If you’re still wondering what to do in Sandakan, check out the English Tea House and Restaurant. Boasting a colonial-style concept, an extensive menu (including English dishes and Asian cuisine), and a charming setting, this place has a lot to offer.

7. Visit Gomantong Caves

There are plenty of things to do in Sepilok, but there are some fantastic day trip opportunities as well. Gomantong Caves is one of these, located around a 1.5-hour drive away, which you can access by tour or by driving yourself.

There are two cave complexes located here; Simud Putih (White Cave) and Simud Hitam (Black Cave). Simud Hitam is the more accessible option as there’s a well-maintained boardwalk here so you can easily explore. Simud Putih is only for serious cavers and you’ll have to organise trips to this cave in advance.

Although the smell of this place is pretty unbearing (thanks to the bird and bat poo), these caves are certainly worth a visit. Not only is the geology impressive but in the evening, there’s often a huge vortex of bats streaming out of the entrance!

Gomantong Caves close at certain times throughout the year, so check this in advance.

Helpful Information For Visiting Sepilok

How to get to Sepilok

If you’re travelling from Kota Kinabalu then there’s a bus that you can take here. The journey takes around 5 hours and will typically drop you off at junction ‘Jalan Sepilok’. From there, it’s around a 20-minute walk to the main area of Sepilok which is where many people choose to base themselves.

Alternatively, you can travel to Sandakan by air or bus, and stay there. From Sandakan, you can easily reach Sepilok either by bus, taxi, or hotel shuttle. There are usually four buses that will take you directly to Sepilok throughout the day, and the journey takes around 45 minutes.

Sepilok is only a 20-minute drive from Sandakan so you can always take a taxi, or you can take one straight from Sandakan Airport if you’re flying into the area. The best way to order a taxi is by using the GRAB app.

Some hotels also offer shuttles to Sepilok so it’s worth checking in advance.

How to get around Sepilok

Sepilok is a really small area so you’ll have no issues getting around. The majority of attractions can be reached on foot, with the Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre and BSBCC being located right next to each other! The Rainforest Discovery Centre is also just a short walk from Sepilok.

For those who aren’t very mobile, you may want to hire a taxi to take you around. Your other option is to take a tour, where your transport will be included, and this way, you’ll have a guide with you.

Of course, if you plan on taking day trips out of Sepilok then you’ll need to use some form of transport. There are some great day tours on offer where everything is organised for you, or you can take a taxi. If you head to the main road (Jalan Sapi Nangoh), then you can always take the public bus to the likes of Sandakan.

The best time to visit Sepilok

Sepilok can be visited all year round, especially as its most popular attraction (Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre) is open 365 days a year. However, March to October is considered the best time to visit due to the weather.

During this time, rainfall is at its lowest. This makes for great wildlife-watching conditions, especially if you’re exploring some of the more dense rainforest areas. During heavy rain, the wildlife in these areas can be more difficult to spot.

Alternatively, you can travel to Sepilok during the rainy season as you may find some fantastic deals at this time of year. November to January sees the most rainfall, with October and February seeing considerably less rain.

No matter when you visit, you can expect average temperatures of around 30°C (86°F), with 23°C (73.4°F) being the lowest. Just remember, you’ll be exploring the rainforest so the weather can be unpredictable.

Visiting by tour

There are plenty of things to do in Sepilok and you’ll have no issues exploring independently. However, if you’re short of time or you’d prefer to have a guide with you, there are some fantastic tours on offer too. Just make sure you check the tour operator is ethical before you choose, as you’ll be heading to wildlife rehabilitation centres.

Here are some popular tour options for Sepilok:

• Private Full-Day Sepilok Tour – This full-day tour will see you explore the orangutan and sun bear rehabilitation centres, as well as the Rainforest Discovery Centre. It includes a guide, transportation, and lunch.

• Labuk Proboscis, Sepilok, Sun Bear, and Sandakan City Tour – This intimate small-group tour is action-packed with places to visit and includes your transport, lunch, and some entrance fees where stated.

Where to stay in Sepilok, Sabah

As Sepilok is a small town, there aren’t many accommodation options. Luckily, there is something for every budget though! Alternatively, you can stay in Bandar Tying which is nearby (this is what we did) or Sandakan.

Here are some of our accommodation recommendations:

Budget: Sepilok B&B

Sepilok B&B is one of the cheapest options you’ll find in the area. Here, you can stay in both private and dormitory rooms, with some rooms sleeping up to 7 people. This makes it a fantastic option for groups and families.

If you stay at this B&B, you’ll have access to plenty of facilities too including an in-house restaurant, on-site lounge, and garden area. You’ll also have free WiFi and the property offers a paid airport shuttle service.

Mid-range: Sepilok Nature Lodge

Sepilok Nature Lodge is more expensive but is still very affordable. As well as dormitory beds, this lodge offers private rooms, where you’ll have your own bathroom. You’ll also benefit from having air conditioning, and some rooms offer a balcony.

This charming nature lodge is set along the river, close to the sunbear and orangutan rehabilitation centres. With free WiFi in public areas, an on-site restaurant, and a tour desk, this place has everything you could need.

Luxury: Sepilok Forest Edge Resort

Sepilok Forest Edge Resort is a fantastic luxury option. As well as dorm beds and standard rooms, this place offers fancy glamping villas which boast an outdoor deck and plunge pool, BBQ, living area, kitchen, and outdoor shower.

With an on-site bar and restaurant, in-room dining, and free WiFi, this jungle resort has plenty of facilities. The property can also help you book various tours so you’ll have no issues exploring the nearby area.

Frequently Asked Questions About Sepilok

How many days do I need in Sepilok?

We recommend spending 2-3 days in Sepilok. This will give you enough time to see all the highlights, including the Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre and Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC) without rushing.

Some people choose to take a day trip to the Kinabatangan River, which you’ll need more time for. Alternatively, you can stay in Sandakan and travel to Sepilok, but we’d advise against this as you’ll need to allow for travel time between the two.

What is a good budget for Sepilok?

We’d suggest a budget of £30-£40 per person per day for Sepilok. Accommodation in this area is very affordable and there are some great local restaurants where food is cheap, making it a great destination for budget travellers.

Although there are plenty of attractions to visit, entrance fees are also affordable. Many of them range from 20 MYR to 60 MYR (£3.35 to £10) per person so they certainly won’t break the bank.

Is Sepilok worth a visit?

In our opinion, Sepilok is certainly worth a visit. There are so many awesome attractions for nature lovers including the Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre, and Rainforest Discovery Centre, all of which are located within Kabili-Sepilok Forest Reserve.

Thanks to Sepilok’s location, there are some great day trip opportunities including the Kinabatangan River. You can also head to Sandakan on a day trip, a coastal city with lots to do.

How To Get to Sepilok from Sandakan Airport?

Taxis are a popular way to reach Sepilok from Sandakan Airport. Journeys usually take around 20 minutes and cost approximately 50 MYR (about £8.40). The best way to get a taxi is by downloading the GRAB app.

Alternatively, you can hire a car from the airport and drive. If you’re staying in Sepilok, many hotels also offer transfers or shuttle services so you’ll have no issues getting here.

Where To Go After Sepilok

There are so many amazing things to do in Borneo, especially if you’re exploring the state of Sabah. After spending some time in Sepilok, you have plenty of onward options. Several of these can be taken as a day trip if you’re short of time.

We’d suggest heading to the Kinabatangan River for a couple of days. The longer you stay here, the better your chances when it comes to spotting wildlife, especially the elusive orangutan.

Alternatively, you could head to Sandakan as there’s so much to do here. As with Sepilok, there are plenty of day trip opportunities from Sandakan too so you won’t be short of things to do.

For those who’ve headed straight to Sepilok and missed out on Sabah’s capital, you could head back to Kota Kinabalu. There are some great beaches in the surrounding area, as well as Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park being found offshore.

Final Thoughts on things to do in Sepilok, Borneo

There are so many amazing things to do in Sepilok so it’s not a destination that you want to rush. Of course, Sepilok Orangutan Centre is the most-visited attraction in this area, but you don’t want to miss out on the others in this guide.

Whether you’re looking to spot wildlife, appreciate the jaw-dropping scenery or head to Sandakan for the day, you won’t be short of things to do if you base yourself here.

If you have any questions about things to do in Sepilok, please contact us via Facebook, Instagram, or in the comments!

Here are some other guides that you may find helpful:

• The Best Things To Do In Kuching
• The Best Places To Stay In Borneo

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