Abai Jungle Lodge

Rooms

The lodge offers accommodation in the form of chalets and twin rooms, all of which are styled to blend into their jungle surroundings, with polished wood floors and walls. They're each simply furnished with a double bed, twin beds or triple beds, as well as a desk, ceiling fan, netted windows and en suite bathroom that uses recycled water and comes equipped with bodegradable shower gel and toilet paper to reduce the lodge’s environmental impact.

Location

The lodge sits on the world famous Kinabatangan River, about an hour’s boat ride from Sandakan. From this position, you're in a prime location to explore the wildlife that Sabah has to offer and there's every chance that you'll see Borneo’s endemic proboscis monkeys, long-tailed macaques, orangutans, hornbills, crocodiles or even the elusive pygmy elephant.

Food and Drink

Your breakfast, lunch and dinner are provided by the lodge due to the remoteness of the location, with the restaurant set within the forest overlooking the river. You have the opportunity to eat Bornean delicacies, such as udang galah or marble goby, known locally as ikan ub (freshwater prawn) alongside Western favorites. Meals are served by members of the local tribe, adding some authenticity to your stay at Abai. The food is sourced locally, with the freshwater ingredients bought directly from the surrounding tribes, who are likely to have caught it that very same day.

Families

Abai Jungle Lodge has a family-friendly feel, and as all tours of the river are by boat, the excursions shouldn't be too long or taxing for young children. The nature trails around the lodge are only 500-800 meters long, so should be manageable for children. The lodge also provides rooms that can accommodate up to two adults and two children comfortably under one roof.

Facilities and Activities

What the lodge lacks in facilities it more than makes up for in its exceptional location for exploring the Kinabatangan River and its surroundings. During your stay, you'll make up to six trips on the river at all times of day, giving you the best possibility of seeing Borneo’s fascinating wildlife. The nature trails around the lodge also allow you to get closer to the area's wildlife.

Accessibility

Abai Jungle Lodge has several steps which lead to and from the jetty, but besides that it's flat and accessible throughout. The watchtowers surrounding the lodge may have to be missed by those with mobility difficulties, but the wildlife trails are easy to navigate, with no steps to traverse, and are generally accessible to all.

Environmental and Social Responsibility

Rainwater is collected for use within the lodge, and biodegradable shampoo, shower gel and toilet paper is used to reduce the environmental impact of visitors to the area. In addition to buying local produce from tribes along the river, the lodge donates RM1 per client, per day to the Abai Homestay Development Fund, which helps with improvements to living conditions in the community.

Alternative places to stay nearby

Where possible, we like to offer a range of accommodation for each stop of your trip, chosen by our specialists as some of their favorite places to stay. To help you make the right choice, we give each property a rating based on its facilities and service, but we also look for hotels with distinct character or a location that can’t be bettered.

Experiences while staying here

The following activities are designed to give you the most authentic experiences of the area where you’re staying. We work with local guides, who use their knowledge and often a resident’s eye to show you the main sights and more out-of-the-way attractions. Our specialists can also suggest outdoor pursuits and activities, such as cooking classes, that will introduce you to the traditions of the area’s inhabitants.