Wildlife Tours in Malaysia
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10 best Malaysia wildlife tour packages
Compiled by
NinaMalaysia travel expert at TourRadar
- Sabah Adventure (including Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary)
- Wildlife Trail Sabah
- Tabin Wildlife Experience
- Borneo Adventure
- Wild Sarawak
- Ulu Muda: A Date with Nature
- Best of Borneo (15 destinations)
- Malaysia's Ultimate Adventure (from Kuala Lumpur to Sandakan)
- Borneo Family Holiday Comfort (5 destinations)
- Sandakan Explorer Safari
Duration 11 days Destinations Kota Kinabalu, Mount Kinabalu National Park, Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary, Sepilok, Turtle Islands, Sandakan Age Range Ages 15+ Operator Intrepid Travel From
- NZ$3,995
Duration 6 days Destinations Kota Kinabalu, Kampung Kiau, Mount Kinabalu National Park, Poring, Sandakan, Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary, Pulau Selangan, Sepilok Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Asian Overland Services Tours & Travel From
- NZ$3,489
Duration 3 days Destinations Lahad Datu, Tabin Wildlife Reserve Age Range Ages 6+ Operator Asian Overland Services Tours & Travel From
- NZ$1,487
Discover Malaysia's unique wildlife, from orangutans at Semenggoh Centre to sun bears in Sepilok. Cruise Kinabatangan River spotting proboscis monkeys and pygmy elephants, plus witness turtle nesting on Selingan Island. Expert guides ensure optimal wildlife viewing throughout.
Duration 9 days Destinations Kuching, Bako National Park, Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan, Pulau Selangan, Sepilok, Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary Age Range Ages 18-45 Operator Contiki From
- NZ$4,267+$458 upfront costs
Duration 10 days Destinations Kuching, Bako National Park, Gunung Mulu National Park, Limbang, Labuan Island, Kota Kinabalu Age Range Ages 15+ Operator Intrepid Travel From
- NZ$2,895
Duration 5 days Destinations Penang Island, Alor Setar, Ulu Muda Forest Reserve, Pulau Langkawi Age Range Ages 13+ Operator Asian Overland Services Tours & Travel From
- NZ$2,249
Malaysian Borneo's wildlife comes alive at Semenggoh Sanctuary with orangutans and Bako National Park's proboscis monkeys. River cruises along Kinabatangan reveal rare pygmy elephants and macaques, while Turtle Island showcases conservation efforts. Accommodations include jungle lodges and park facilities throughout the journey.
Duration 20 days Destinations Kuching, Sarawak, Bako National Park, Gunung Mulu National Park, Limbang, Kuala Mendalam, Labuan Island, Kota Kinabalu, Mount Kinabalu National Park, KundasangSee all destinations Age Range Ages 15+ Operator Intrepid Travel From
- NZ$6,540
Malaysian wildlife awaits at Sepilok Orangutan Centre, Kinabatangan River, and Turtle Island Marine Park. Jungle lodge stays offer chances to spot macaques, sun bears, and pygmy elephants while participating in conservation activities.
Duration 20 days Destinations Kuala Lumpur, Georgetown, Teluk Bahang, Ulu Muda Forest Reserve, Cameron Highlands, Kota Kinabalu, Mount Kinabalu National Park, Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary, Sepilok, Turtle IslandsSee all destinations Age Range Ages 15+ Operator Intrepid Travel From
- NZ$6,995
Wildlife encounters await at Sepilok Orangutan Center and Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Center. Three wildlife-spotting cruises on Kinabatangan River showcase proboscis monkeys and hornbills, while guided snorkeling reveals marine life at Dinawan Island's house reef.
Duration 10 days Destinations Kota Kinabalu, Sepilok, Sandakan, Dinawan Island Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Intrepid Travel From
- NZ$3,395
Duration 3 days Destinations Sandakan, Pulau Selangan, Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Asian Overland Services Tours & Travel From
- NZ$1,507
What people love about Wildlife Tours in Malaysia
- Sandakan Orangutan Experience 4D/3N
the local operator was great. what was advertised on tour radar was inaccurate though about the details of the tour. we were supposed to visit a cave that has been closed for several years. i wish that the website had up to date information and that the itinerary that was prepared for us was accurate.
- Borneo – East Sabah Adventure
Such a great trip, lots included. Saw a lot and loved the island
- Real Borneo (5 destinations)
This trip was so much fun! It was really well coordinated with the right amount of free time. The first hotel in kota kinabalu is extremely nice but there are heaps of other cheaper hotels quite close if you're staying an extra day. If you want to see the city, stay an extra day or two as you don't get much time included in the tour. 1-2 days in KK would be enough as it's pretty small. Sepilok is really cool and there are heaps of things to do, however a lot of them are guided tours and they cost quite a bit. If you're trying to save, you could just opt to stay at the hotel as it has a pool and a restaurant. Wifi is only in the restaurant area and rooms have fans, no air con. Next is the eco camp which is really cool as it's right in the middle of the jungle. There are SO many mosquitos so don't think you can get away without repellant. Bring snacks as there's no where to get food outside of meal times. You'll probably also want lots of loose, long clothes to avoid sunburn. The tree planting you do here was pretty average but I guess cool to see. At lunch we got to do a cooking class which was pretty cool. The Batu Tulug caves were nice and worth a visit. The homestay depends a lot on your family but it's great to see how locals live. There's no wifi here or on the river at the eco camp, so if you need to check more than once every couple of days, get a local sim (they're pretty cheap anyway). Next you stay in the Kinabalu national park, which was bloody great for us because we got upgraded to this really fancy room. Once again there's no wifi and you have to buy something at a really expensive restaurant to use it. Food is all buffet here which is really fun. The hike was awesome and you can read reviews on it elsewhere, but some things specific to geckos might put some people off this tour. Firstly, we had some people on our group who had chronic medical conditions such as asthma. They were only told the day before the climb that they wouldn't be covered by insurance and if they wanted to climb it would be at their own risk. If you have something like this, it would be worth getting more comprehensive insurance and clarifying what this means for you with geckos before you go, as only learning about this the day before doesn't allow much time for decision making. Secondly, our group leader decided that we wouldn't go all the way to the summit as the weather was really bad. This was fine as we still got to base camp and got to do another smaller walk, and it's totally understandable of our group leader to put our safety first. However, a lot of other people went to the summit regardless (ie people not on our tour) and so if you're really really keen to get to the top, there's a risk you won't be able to with this tour. The poring hot springs were awesome as there are heaps of things to do there, but mostly the beds are comfortable which you'll need after the hike! The small waterfall (you'll find out when you get there) is awesome and definitely worth the 15 minute walk. The hot springs themselves are sort of gross, especially at the end of the day, as they get sort of dirty and you can see hair in them! So it's worth getting a private spa. There's also no wifi here but local cafes (ie across the road from the resort) have it. It's best to eat there too as the restaurant at the resort is really expensive. On the last day we didn't get back to KK until about 5pm and our guide organised a snorkelling trip for those of us who were still there for the next day which was really really good. Our tour guide, Felix, was absolutely awesome and was so passionate about Sabah and wildlife. This tour is a really comprehensive tour of Sabah and you get to see so much. It may seem expensive per day but we had a lot of transfers (including a flight) and got to climb Mt Kinabalu, and some of the hotels were a lot nicer than expected. One thing to keep in mind is that Malaysia is a Muslim country and for us they were celebrating ramadan at the time. This meant that a few restaurants were closed but we always found somewhere to go. We also got to experience the ramadan bazaars which were really cool! However it would have been marginally easier to go at a different time of year. This is also a great introduction into hiking and wildlife types of holidays if you haven't done that before. Sabah is a great place to travel and this tour makes it really easy and shows you the best bits.
What our customers ask about Wildlife Tours in Malaysia
When is the best time to go on a Wildlife tour in Malaysia?
March to October marks the dry season in Malaysian Borneo which offers reliable wildlife viewing conditions especially around the Kinabatangan River. During these months visitors can regularly spot orangutans proboscis monkeys and pygmy elephants. The Sepilok Orang-utan Rehabilitation Centre near Sandakan runs daily feeding sessions at 10am and 3pm. A TourRadar traveler noted: "Watching a troupe of macaque monkeys jumping off trees to swim across the Kinabatangan River right in front of us was an incredible wildlife moment!"
What type of accommodation can I expect on a Malaysia Wildlife tour?
The accommodations range from well-appointed jungle lodges to simple rainforest camps. Many tours book stays at places like the Sepilok Jungle Resort which sits just 5 minutes from the Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre. The Bilit Adventure Lodge along Kinabatangan River provides rooms with private bathrooms and air conditioning. More remote locations such as Tabin Wildlife Reserve feature wooden chalets on stilts with river views. As one TourRadar traveler reported: "The Bilit Adventure Lodge was excellent with friendly staff and a great riverside location for wildlife spotting."
How long should I plan for a comprehensive Wildlife tour in Malaysia?
Most visitors find 10-12 days allows enough time to explore key wildlife areas like Sepilok Kinabatangan River and Tabin Wildlife Reserve. Popular tours like the Borneo Wildlife Adventure run for 10 days giving visitors multiple chances to encounter different species. A TourRadar traveler confirmed: "Our 12-day tour gave us perfect amount of time to see various wildlife habitats and species without feeling rushed."
What wildlife species can I expect to see in Malaysian Borneo?
The rich biodiversity includes orangutans proboscis monkeys pygmy elephants sun bears and more than 250 bird species. River cruises through Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary often reveal crocodiles macaques and hornbills. Daily feeding sessions at Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre guarantee orangutan sightings. A TourRadar traveler reported: "We were lucky enough to see wild elephants orangutans proboscis monkeys crocodiles and countless bird species during our river safaris."
What time of day offers the best wildlife viewing opportunities?
Animals are most active during early morning and late afternoon/evening hours. Dawn cruises on the Kinabatangan River let visitors see proboscis monkeys and hornbills while night walks reveal nocturnal species. According to a TourRadar traveler: "The 6:30 AM river safaris were magical - watching the sun rise through the mist while gibbons called and birds awakened across the rainforest."
What are the best photography opportunities during wildlife tours in Malaysia?
Key photo moments include the feeding sessions at Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre river cruises on the Kinabatangan and guided walks in Bako National Park. The Danum Valley's canopy walkways provide clear shots of tropical birds. Locations like Sepilok Nature Resort put photographers close to multiple wildlife spots. One TourRadar traveler said: "The early morning river cruises provided perfect lighting conditions for wildlife photography and our guide knew exactly where to position the boat for the best shots."