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Elephants crossing the Kinabatangan River

Visit Kinabatangan River, Borneo

Visit Kinabatangan River, Borneo

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Sabah’s longest river is home to an impressive array of wildlife and is a real highlight of any trip to Borneo.

Boat trip on the Kinabatangan River, Malaysian BorneoA small boat will navigate you through the peaceful jungle backwaters and smaller river tributaries.

Along the banks, thick green rainforest provides a home for macaques, monitor lizards, elephants and, most famously, the proboscis monkey, with his unique colouring, large nose and harem of wives. Late afternoon is a great time to watch the monkeys as they jump from one side of the bank to the other in front of your boat.

The river is also a paradise for birdwatchers with a huge variety of species, including rhinoceros hornbills, crested serpent eagles and blue-banded kingfishers.

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who's been there
Audley Southeast Asia specialist Rob

Start planning your tailor-made trip to Kinabatangan River by contacting one of our Borneo specialists

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Suggested itineraries featuring Kinabatangan River

Our itineraries will give you suggestions for what is possible when you travel in Kinabatangan River, and they showcase routes we know work particularly well. Treat them as inspiration, because your trip will be created uniquely by one of our specialists.

Map of Kinabatangan River

Places & hotels on the map

    Places near Kinabatangan River

    Photos of Kinabatangan River

    • Pig-tailed macaque, Kinabatangan River, Malaysian Borneo
      Pig-tailed macaque, Kinabatangan River, Malaysian Borneo
    • Sunrise on the Kinabatangan River, Malaysian Borneo
      Sunrise on the Kinabatangan River, Malaysian Borneo
    • Proboscis monkey, Malaysian Borneo
      Proboscis monkey, Malaysian Borneo
    • Proboscis monkey, Malaysian Borneo
      Proboscis monkey, Malaysian Borneo
    • Dragonfly at Abai Jungle Lodge, Kinabatangan River
      Dragonfly at Abai Jungle Lodge, Kinabatangan River
    • Female Pygmy Elephant, Kinabatangan River
      Female Pygmy Elephant, Kinabatangan River
    • Pygmy Elephant Calf on the Kinabatangan River
      Pygmy Elephant Calf on the Kinabatangan River
    • Pygmy elephant, Kinabatangan River, Malaysian Borneo
      Pygmy elephant, Kinabatangan River, Malaysian Borneo

    Our expert guides to exploring Kinabatangan River

    Written by our specialists from their own experiences of visiting Kinabatangan River, these guides will help you make the most of your time there. We share both our practical recommendations and the best ways to appreciate Kinabatangan River at its best.

    • Kinabatangan river cruises
      Boat trip on the Kinabatangan River, Malaysian Borneo

      Kinabatangan river cruises

      Kinabatangan river cruises

      A Kinabatangan river cruise is a real highlight of any Audley tailor-made trip to Borneo. You will have a good opportunity of seeing some of the best wildlife in Southeast Asia.

      1 min read

      Read this guide
    • What to see in Borneo: our highlights guide
      Proboscis monkeys, Sandakan, Borneo

      What to see in Borneo: our highlights guide

      What to see in Borneo: our highlights guide

      This guide features recommendations for things to do in Borneo. It focuses on the states of Sabah and Sarawak in Malaysian Borneo, which offer a lot of variety in a smaller radius than Indonesian Borneo.

      7 min read

      Read this guide
    • Borneo family holidays
      Elephants on the Kinabatangan River, Malaysian Borneo

      Borneo family holidays

      Borneo family holidays

      Borneo specialist Sophie explains why Malaysian Borneo is a great family holiday destination. She recommends engaging ways to spot wildlife, experience tribal cultures and have jungle adventures.

      9 min read

      Read this guide
    • Honeymoons in Borneo
      Lankayan Island, Malaysian Borneo

      Honeymoons in Borneo

      Honeymoons in Borneo

      Plan your perfect honeymoon to Borneo with Audley. Discover some of the best properties, places and wildlife on offer and how we can make your honeymoon in Borneo extra special.

      8 min read

      Read this guide
    • Seeing orangutan in Borneo: Malaysia or Indonesia?
      Baby orangutan at the Sanctuary

      Seeing orangutan in Borneo: Malaysia or Indonesia?

      Seeing orangutan in Borneo: Malaysia or Indonesia?

      Although Borneo is the place to see orangutans in the wild, its political separation as part Malaysia, part Indonesia does leave you with choices for where to plan your orangutan-spotting trip. Our expert Sophie helps you decide: Indonesian or Malaysian Borneo?

      8 min read

      Read this guide

    Accommodation choices for Kinabatangan River

    We’ve selected a range of accommodation options for when you visit Kinabatangan River. Our choices usually come recommended for their character, facilities and service or location. Our specialists always aim to suggest properties that match your preferences.

    • Borneo Villa
      Responsible Choice

      Sukau Rainforest Lodge

      Kinabatangan River
      Simple

    Ideas for experiencing Kinabatangan River

    Our specialists seek out authentic ways to get to know the places that could feature in your trip. These activities reflect some of the experiences they've most enjoyed while visiting Kinabatangan River, and which use the best local guides.

    • The Kinabatangan River
      Proboscis monkey, Malaysian Borneo

      The Kinabatangan River

      The Kinabatangan River

      Guests will journey up one of the smaller tributaries of the Kinabatangan River such as the Menangle River. Wildlife abounds in this part of Borneo, and you may see chattering monkeys and many species of birds.

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