3-Day Sabah Tour Packages
4.6 stars on(8,611 reviews)- Choose from 5 Sabah tours
- 24/7 customer support
Insider tips: Recommended 3-day Sabah tour itineraries
Compiled by
MelissaSabah travel expert at TourRadar
- Day 1
Kota Kinabalu to Pungiton Camp
Get to KK's Sentral Bus Terminal by 7:00 AM for your 2.5-hour coach ride to Keningau. Travel light and leave extra bags at your KK hotel since you'll be crossing rivers and exploring caves. From Keningau you'll head to Labang Village before switching to river transport. Pack quick-dry clothes for this part. Pungiton Camp is basic but you'll love the nighttime jungle sounds. You'll need good fitness and shoes with grip for cave exploration since the underground stream makes things slippery.
- Day 2
Batu Punggul and Romol Village
Start your day with a jungle trek to Batu Punggul an 800-foot limestone pinnacle. Planning to reach the top? Wear proper hiking shoes and bring at least 2 liters of water. The humidity can be intense. In the afternoon you'll move to MunorAulai Guesthouse to learn about local farming. Your evening includes traditional Murut food and dance. Feel free to join in but ask before taking photos.
- Day 3
Hidden Waterfall and Return to KK
Take a morning swim at the hidden waterfall. The trek there needs moderate fitness. Plan your departure carefully since the journey back to KK takes 5-6 hours. You'll arrive between 5:00-6:00 PM so avoid booking evening flights.
- Day 1
Sandakan to Selingan Turtle Island
Plan to land in Sandakan before 9 AM to catch your boat connection. The boat to Selingan Island leaves at 10 AM sharp from the main jetty and takes about an hour. You'll have the afternoon free for snorkeling but bring your own gear since rentals can be limited. The highlight comes after dinner when you'll get to watch green turtles laying eggs on the beach. Stay with your guide after 6 PM since walking around alone isn't allowed to protect the nesting turtles. You won't be able to take photos at night so just enjoy watching these amazing creatures.
- Day 2
Sepilok and Kinabatangan River
Head back to the mainland and get to Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre by 9:30 AM for feeding time. This is your best chance to spot orangutans though they might not show up during fruiting season. Make sure to visit the Borneo Sun Bear Conservation Centre next door to see these small bears. After lunch take the 2.5-hour drive to your riverside lodge on the Kinabatangan. River cruises usually start around 4 PM. Wear dark clothes so you don't scare away wildlife and pack binoculars to spot proboscis monkeys up in the trees.
- Day 3
Morning Wildlife Cruise and Departure
Get up around 6 AM for a 90-minute morning cruise. This early start gives you the best chance to see hornbills and proboscis monkeys having their breakfast in the trees. After check-out visit the canopy walkway at the Rainforest Discovery Centre. The elevated path offers great views but can get slippery when wet so wear shoes with good grip. Plan for a 3:30 PM transfer to Sandakan airport and book flights after 6 PM to avoid rushing.
- Day 1
Lahad Datu to Danum Valley
Your journey starts at Lahad Datu Airport with a 2.5-hour drive on gravel roads to the conservation area. Consider bringing motion sickness medication for the bumpy ride. The rough road access helps keep visitor numbers low and preserves the rainforest's untouched state. Get settled at the Borneo Rainforest Lodge before joining an orientation about the area's wildlife. You'll learn about the resident orangutans, clouded leopards and more than 300 bird species. Take on the 300-meter canopy walkway in the afternoon. It sits 26 meters high, so wear shoes with good grip since humidity makes the surface slippery. End your day with a night drive in an open-top vehicle to look for nocturnal animals like slow lorises and flying squirrels.
- Day 2
Deep Forest Exploration
Start your day with the sounds of Bornean gibbons calling through the valley. Head out early for the best chances of spotting orangutans. Your morning trek takes you to the ancient Kadazan-Dusun burial sites at the Coffin Cliffs and up to the View Point for sweeping views of the forest canopy. Take at least 2 liters of water since the humidity is strong even in early morning. Your afternoon options include another guided trek or river tubing on the Danum River if water levels allow. Join the night walk after dinner to find unusual insects and amphibians. Remember to wear long sleeves and pants since mosquitos are active at night.
- Day 3
Final Morning and Departure
Start your last day with an optional pre-breakfast walk to catch the morning mist over the valley. It's perfect for photos. Have a final lunch at the lodge before heading back to Lahad Datu around 12:30 PM. Schedule late afternoon flights to allow enough time for the road transfer.
