Sabah Tours & Trips
4.5 stars on(7,944 reviews)- Choose from 30 Sabah tours
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The best Sabah tour packages
Compiled by
MelissaSabah travel expert at TourRadar
- Journeys: Best of Borneo National Geographic Journeys
- Borneo & the Malaysian Peninsula
- Borneo Family Wildlife Adventure
- Borneo Adventure (9 Days)
- Customized Malaysia Borneo Wildlife Adventure, Daily Start
- Malaysia Sabah Eco: Kinabatangan River & Wildlife (Semi Private Custom)
- Wild Borneo
- Trek Mt Kinabalu
- Borneo Family Holiday (5 destinations)
- Classic Borneo (from Sandakan to Kota Kinabalu)
Journeys: Best of Borneo National Geographic Journeys
4 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Great trip - loads of beautiful nature with like minded people. Great explanations, information and discussion.”
Rhonda, traveled in October
Wildlife viewing awaits at Sepilok Orangutan Centre and Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre. Boat tours on Kinabatangan River reveal pygmy elephants and proboscis monkeys. Nighttime safaris at Tabin Wildlife Reserve complement stays in rainforest lodges throughout this wildlife-rich region.
Duration 12 days Destinations Kuching, Gunung Mulu National Park, Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan, Sukau, Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary Age Range up to 99 year olds Operator National Geographic Journeys with G Adventures From
- US$4,249
Borneo & the Malaysian Peninsula
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Great sights, great food, and cultural immersion in distinct cities make for an unforgettable experience.”
Philip, traveled in April
Sabah's natural wonders unfold from Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary to Kinabatangan River cruises. Rest at Borneo Sepilok Rainforest Resort and Borneo Natural Sukau Bilit Resort, with dawn wildlife spotting and night walks available.
Duration 14 days Destinations Sepilok, Sandakan, Sukau, Pulau Langkawi Age Range 16 to 80 year olds Operator Exodus Adventure Travels From $3,448
9% Off- US$3,150You save $298
Borneo Family Wildlife Adventure
10 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“A completely amazing trip, our first with Exodus. We were overwhelmed by the level of care and dedication.”
Gareth, traveled in June
Rich biodiversity spans from Kota Kinabalu's markets to Sepilok's orangutans. Wildlife viewing in Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary pairs with snorkeling at Tunku Abdul Marine Park. Cultural immersion at Tanak Nabalu village complements nature at Poring Hot Springs and Mount Kinabalu trails.
Duration 12 days Destinations Kota Kinabalu, Mount Kinabalu National Park, Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary, Sandakan, Manukan Island, Tunku Abdul Rahman Park Age Range 9 to 99 year olds Operator Exodus Adventure Travels From $3,223
7% Off- US$3,000You save $223
Explore Sabah's wildlife treasures at Sepilok sanctuary and along Kinabatangan River. Watch turtles nest on Selingan Island and spot pygmy elephants during river safaris. Includes comfortable accommodation and expert wildlife guides throughout the journey.
Duration 9 days Destinations Kuching, Bako National Park, Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan, Pulau Selangan, Sepilok, Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary Age Range 18 to 45 year olds Operator Contiki From $2,714
10% Off- US$2,443+$271 upfront costsYou save $271
Kota Kinabalu's State Mosque opens this tour of Sandakan's wildlife sanctuaries. Visits include Sepilok's orangutan center, Kinabatangan River's wetlands, and Danum Valley's rainforest. Luxury awaits at Shangri-La's Rasa Ria Resort near Dalit Beach.
Duration 10 days Destinations Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan, Sepilok, Sukau, Lahad Datu, Danum Valley Conservation Area Age Range 1 to 99 year olds Operator Agate Travel From
10% Off- US$6,859
Wildlife sanctuaries and Kinabatangan River's ecosystem take center stage during this 6-day tour. Highlights include Sepilok Orangutan Centre and Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary. Sukau Rainforest Lodge hosts dawn and dusk river safaris, with expert guides sharing local wildlife knowledge.
Duration 6 days Destinations Sandakan, Sukau Age Range up to 85 year olds Operator Odynovo From
10% Off- US$3,139
Natural wonders stretch from Kota Kinabalu's markets to Kinabatangan River's wildlife. The route includes Sepilok Orangutan Centre, UNESCO-listed Kinabalu National Park, and authentic Abai Jungle Lodge. Local culture thrives in Tombung Village with traditional activities.
Duration 10 days Destinations Kota Kinabalu, Poring, Mount Kinabalu National Park, Kundasang, Ranau, Sandakan, Sepilok, Sukau Age Range up to 100 year olds Operator Just You From $4,076
16% Off- US$3,429You save $647
Trek Mt Kinabalu
7 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Wet, cold and amazing!”
Chloe, traveled in December
Mount Kinabalu beckons on this 5-day trek from Kota Kinabalu. Southeast Asia's highest peak between the Himalayas and Papua New Guinea awaits, with certified mountain guides leading the way. Accommodations include park headquarters and Laban Rata mountain huts at 3,272m.
Duration 5 days Destinations Kota Kinabalu, Mount Kinabalu National Park Age Range up to 90 year olds Operator G Adventures From $1,149
25% Off- US$862You save $287
Borneo Family Holiday (5 destinations)
10 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Enjoyed most of the trip, though the itinerary changes left us feeling a bit gutted.”
Helmer, traveled in December
Wildlife and culture blend from Kota Kinabalu to Kinabatangan River sanctuaries. The Sepilok Orangutan Centre and Mount Kinabalu National Park reveal natural treasures, while Turtle Island Marine Park offers nesting observations. Traditional cooking classes complement stays in local hotels and jungle camps.
Duration 9 days Destinations Kota Kinabalu, Poring, Sandakan, Sepilok Age Range 5 to 99 year olds Operator Intrepid Travel From $1,845
10% Off- US$1,661You save $184
Journey through Sabah's highlights with orangutan encounters at Sepilok and wildlife cruises on Kinabatangan River. Mix jungle lodges with 5 nights in hotels and 2 nights at beach resorts, while exploring from Sandakan to Kota Kinabalu. Visit the Everything Pineapple community project in Kampung Kiau and snorkel Manukan Island's coral reefs.
Duration 10 days Destinations Sandakan, Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary, Kundasang, Kota Kinabalu, Manukan Island Age Range 15 to 99 year olds Operator Intrepid Travel From $2,580
15% Off- US$2,193You save $387
What people love about Sabah Tours
- Journeys: Best of Borneo National Geographic Journeys
Great tour, well organized.
- Trek Mt Kinabalu
Great adventure! I reaced the summit!
- Borneo – East Sabah Adventure
Great tour for seeing lots of wildlife. Lots of early starts and busy days, so not very relaxing, but lots of fun.
What our customers ask about Sabah Tours & Trips
When is the best time to visit Sabah for wildlife viewing and outdoor activities?
The dry season from March to October offers prime conditions for wildlife viewing in Sabah especially along the Kinabatangan River where visitors regularly spot orangutans proboscis monkeys and pygmy elephants. The weather during March-May and September-October creates good conditions for jungle treks and beach activities with temperatures hovering around 30°C and minimal rainfall. Visitors to Sukau Rainforest Lodge often report successful wildlife sightings as one guest noted "We were really looking forward to this trip and it didn't disappoint. The orangutans were amazing as well as everything else we saw."
What type of accommodation can I expect on a general tour in Sabah?
Sabah's accommodations span from urban hotels to remote jungle lodges. Most itineraries include stays at properties like the 4-star Shangri-La's Rasa Ria Resort in Kota Kinabalu and nature-focused options such as Sukau Rainforest Lodge on the Kinabatangan River. According to guest feedback "The Bilit Adventure Lodge was much better with staff who were friendly and helpful." While city properties offer full amenities jungle accommodations provide simpler but clean and comfortable facilities focused on the natural surroundings.
How long should I plan to stay in Sabah for a comprehensive experience?
An 8-10 day stay allows visitors to experience Sabah's key destinations without rushing. This timeline typically includes 2-3 days in Kota Kinabalu 2 days at Sepilok's wildlife sanctuaries 2-3 days along the Kinabatangan River and time for island visits to Manukan or Dinawan. Previous travelers confirm this timing with one noting "The absolute perfect length to see the best of Borneo." This schedule balances wildlife viewing cultural experiences and relaxation time.
What's the best way to experience local culture in Sabah?
Local culture in Sabah comes alive through village visits and community interactions. Visitors can explore traditional Dusun villages near Mount Kinabalu the Mari Mari Cultural Village outside Kota Kinabalu and rural life in Kampung Bilit. Many tours feature cooking classes cultural shows and visits to local markets including Nabalu Market. As one traveler shared: "The locations visited local knowledge shared local people introduced to and experiences I had were all memorable."
How do the river cruises in Kinabatangan work?
Kinabatangan River cruises operate from riverside lodges like the Borneo Natural Sukau Bilit Resort. Each cruise runs for 2-3 hours with dawn and dusk trips scheduled around peak wildlife activity. The boats provide comfortable seating life jackets and small group sizes ensuring clear wildlife viewing. One traveler noted "the boat rides with local guides make for a thrilling adventure." Expert guides help spot wildlife including pygmy elephants orangutans and various monkey species.
How are the dining experiences on Sabah tours?
Food options in Sabah range from local Malaysian dishes to international cuisine. Kota Kinabalu presents numerous seafood restaurants while remote lodges like Sukau Rainforest Lodge serve set meals with regional specialties. Most tours include daily breakfast with additional meals provided at river lodges where dining alternatives are limited. Guest feedback suggests variety can be limited with one noting: "The meals are great but also very repetitive. I found myself getting pretty tired of the food by the end."