Best things to do in Sandakan and Sepilok, Borneo
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Trying to figure out the best things to do in Sandakan for your Borneo trip?
This part of Borneo is one of those places that feels properly wild — but amazingly, it manages to do this without making travel feel that hard. It’s incredibly easy to explore (even with kids), and somehow packs in orangutans, sun bears, rainforest walks and river safaris all within a really small area.
And the best bit? You don’t need weeks to experience it.
If you’re wondering what to do in Sandakan city (and whether it’s even worth staying there), you’re definitely not alone — I had the exact same question when planning our trip.
In just a few days in Sandakan and nearby Sepilok, you can tick off some of Borneo’s most iconic experiences — watching orangutans swing through the trees, getting surprisingly close to the world’s smallest bears, wandering through the rainforest canopy, and even heading out on a Kinabatangan River safari in search of wildlife in the wild.
When we were planning our trip, my number one question was: should we stay in Sandakan or Sepilok?
I went back and forth on this a lot — and if you’re doing the same, you’re definitely not alone. I’ll walk you through exactly how to decide, along with all the best things to do in Sandakan and Sepilok so you can plan your time in a way that actually works (especially with kids in tow).
Because while most people come here for the wildlife (fair), there’s a bit more to Sandakan than you might expect — and it’s well worth slowing down just enough to see it.
Table of Contents
- Should you stay in Sandakan or Sepilok?
- Best things to do in Sandakan and Sepilok
- Where to stay in Sepilok
- Where to stay in Sandakan
- Where to eat in Sandakan and Sepilok
- How to get to Sandakan
- How to get from Sandakan to Sepilok
- How long do you need in Sandakan or Sepilok?
- When is the best time to visit Sandakan and Sepilok?
- Where should you head next in Borneo?
- FAQs About Things to Do in Sandakan and Sepilok
- Download our free 2-week Borneo itinerary for families
- Looking for more Borneo travel inspiration?
Should you stay in Sandakan or Sepilok?
This was absolutely my number one question when planning our own trip. Which makes the better base for exploring this part of Borneo?
The quick answer is – either. Especially since most of the main things to do in Sepilok and Sandakan attractions are so close together.
You’ll have easy access to all the Sepilok and Sandakan attractions wherever you stay, as the travel time between the two is only about 30minutes.
There are a few more things to consider though when you’re planning out your Borneo itinerary.
Sandakan is – for the most part – the landing point for visitors. It’s more often used as a stopover, and a launchpad for tours and visits to the attractions, rather than a place to visit in it’s own right. And whilst it *does* actually have some pretty interesting things to see, it’s not the prettiest of towns and it’s severely lacking in interesting and good quality accommodation options,
Sepilok on the other hand might be small (more of a village than a town) BUT it’s home to a number of resorts and quirky little places to stay. Plus, this is where you will actually feel like you’re more immersed in nature and closer to the whole Borneo rainforest experience.
Plus, the biggest, most famous attractions are right in Sepilok, so you’ll have all of these on your doorstep. The list of things to do in Sepilok includes the world-famous Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre AND the Rainforest Discovery Centre.
If you’re specifically looking for things to do in Sepilok, this small area packs in some of the most memorable wildlife experiences in all of Borneo.
If these things are top of your list, then stay in Sepilok. You’ll be able to visit the star attractions and then chill out back at your accommodation without the hassle of getting there and back.
Best things to do in Sandakan and Sepilok
The wildlife here might be the star attraction but there is also plenty of culture and history on offer here too if you know where to find it.
Wildlife & Nature
If you want wildlife – and let’s face it, if you’re planning to travel all the way to Borneo then this is HIGHLY likely – then Sepilok is the place to be.
Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre
Read our full review of a visit to the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre here
The truly iconic Borneo must-do, and this is THE place to do it. Seeing the agile, funny, fascinating orangutans as they swing through the trees is utterly amazing.
The Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre helps to nurture orangutans back to strength before gradually reintroducing them to the wild on their nature reserve.
You can see the orangutans in the outdoor nursery – swinging playfully on the ropes and wooden platforms – or you can follow the wooden walkways through the forest to the open feeding platforms.
Feeding here takes place at 10am and 3pm; you’ll see semi-wild orangutans emerge from the trees and make their way to the platforms to take their pick of the fruit on offer.
And if you’re lucky you might even see a mother and baby. The moment we saw the tiny baby clinging to it’s mother as they emerged from the forest – now that is what travel dreams are made of.
TIP FOR VISITING: Your ticket allows you to leave and come back in the day, so if you have the time you can come for both feeding times. Because why not – it’s not every day you get to see orangutans up-close-and-personal so you make as well make the most of it!
- Opening Times: 09:00-16:00
- Admission Cost: RM30/£5.60/US$7.50 for adults and RM15/£2.50/US$3.50 for kids; cash only
- Suitable for: All ages – the wooden walkways are easy to navigate and flat, even little legs will be OK. And kids of any age will be starstruck by the orangutans!
Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre
Our complete review of our visit to see the sun bears is here
Another must-visit when figuring out what to do in Sepilok is the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre.
Sitting right across the road from the famous orangutans, the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Center is focused on rescuing the world’s smallest bears from lives of misery (in captivity or as pets in some cases) and rehabilitating them to the point where they can hopefully be released back in to the wild.
Featured on David Attenborough’s ‘Asia’ series, this is a fab place to spend a couple of hours. The walkways are cleverly constructed so they are suspended above the enclosures, giving you a good view of the little bears as they move around in their spaces.
There’s lots of info on sun bears and the conservation efforts of the centre too, making this a really educational activity for the whole family. The boys loved the explanations from the staff on why each of the sun bears ended up with their nicknames – and then trying to match these up to the bears in the enclosures.
Oh, and this place also has the best gift shop by far of any of the Borneo attractions – so get ready for some souvenir shopping at the end with the kids. I think we spent almost as much time in the shop as the rest of the centre!
- Opening Times: 09:00-15:30
- Admission Cost: RM50/£9.35/US$12.50 for adults, RM25/£4.60/US$6.25 for under 17s.
- Suitable for: All ages – the wooden platforms make it easy to get around.
Rainforest Discovery Centre (RDC)
For in-depth info on visiting the Rainforest Discovery Centre, see our review here
If you’re not up for trekking deep into the jungle, then the way to experience the Borneo rainforest is right here at the Rainforest Discovery Centre. It might not be the deepest, darkest depths of the forest but it’s highly accessible and the night tours are well worth it.
Visiting during the day allows you to wander the huge Skywalk – bridges that take you right through the canopy where you can spot insects and plenty of birds. Don’t expect to see any mammals in here in daylight – you’ll need to head to the Kinabatangan River if that’s what you’re looking for.
But it’s a great intro to the rainforest ecosystem.
And the night tours are BRILLIANT. The rangers will take you on a twilight walk through the park – with a stop on the canopy walk so you can watch the Giant Flying Squirrels take flight.
The gasps from our boys when the squirrels took flight still echoes in my ears. This wasn’t on my radar when we booked our Sepilok trip – but it turned out to be such a highlight.
After this spectacle you’ll continue on the tour in the dark, spotting insects, scorpions, snakes and birds. Book ahead for the night tours as they are popular.
If you’re still building your list of things to do in Sepilok, the Rainforest Discovery Centre is an easy one to include.
- Opening Times: 08:00-17:00
- Admission Cost: RM30/£5.50/US$7.40 for adults and RM20/£3.75/US$5 for kids aged 5-17 (under 5s are free). The night tours are RM50/£9.35/US$12.50 for adults, RM25/£4.60/US$6.25 for under 17s.
- Suitable for: Ages 4+ – younger kids would be OK with the shorter canopy walks but the heat is difficult for any length of time.
Kinabatangan River
Read all about our adventures on the Kinabatangan River here
If your Borneo dreams include seeing orangutans, pygmy elephants, proboscis monkeys, crocodiles and hornbills actually in the wild, then a river safari down the Kinabatangan is the place to head to.
Sandakan and Sepilok are where all the Kinabatangan River tours start from. The river lodges will pick up and drop off from either Sandakan or Sepilok (including Sandakan Airport).
And this really is the wildlife adventure of a lifetime – in just a short 3-day/2night stay we saw all the wildlife we’d dreamed about – and then so much more (including a LOT of birds I’d never even heard of before our trip!). In fact on our very first boat safari we saw pygmy elephants, proboscis monkeys, hornbills – and the cherry on top – an orangutan in the wild. All in about an hour and a half.
Staying at one of the river lodges is a delight in itself too – you really are off-the-grid in the Borneo rainforest here. As well as all that wildlife-spotting, waking up to the river views and drifting along the water at sunrise and sunset is a magical experience too.
Plus, it’s SO EASY. The wildlife spotting is from the boat, so there’s no hiking through the jungle, and the river lodges – whilst remote – are comfortable and homely places to stay.
It might require a couple of extra days on your Borneo itinerary but this is honestly not something to be missed.
- Tour cost: RM2,100-5,350/£400-1000/US535-$1,340 for a family of four, depending on which river lodge you choose
- Suitable for: All ages – the boat safaris make it easy to spot wildlife even for younger kids.
History & Culture
Whilst Sandakan isn’t home to the famous world-class nature attractions that Sepilok boasts, it does offer a real insight into the culture and history of the area. If you’re focusing specifically on things to do in Sandakan city then these are some of the key Sandakan attractions that balance out all the wildlife experiences.
Agnes Keith House
The house where the famous writer Agnes Keith and her family lived stands at the top of a hill looking down across Sandakan and is a great spot to have lunch, admire the views and learn a bit more about colonial times in Borneo and the arrival of the Second World War in this part of the world.
The lawned area – with a lovely cooling breeze and views out to sea – is home to a little cafe with seating under gazebos in the garden. They serve traditional British afternoon teas here – which is a bit weird to be honest in the Borneo heat but still delicious (and the cakes were a massive hit with the boys).
Entrance to the house is charged separately. It’s a beautiful wooden house with wraparound verandas – some of the rooms are still furnished in the style of the 1940s whilst other rooms are filled with displays that walk you through colonial life in Borneo at the start of the 20th Century and the life of Agnes Keith and her family.
One of Agnes Keith’s most famous – and important – works was her account of her time in a Japanese internment camp during the war, Three Came Home. If you haven’t read it yet, there are copies available to buy in the house at the end of your visit – it’s a difficult but incredibly interesting read.
- Opening Times: 9am to 5pm every day
- Admission Cost: Free to enter the gardens and the teahouse. Entry to the house costs RM15.
- Suitable for: The gardens are a lovely place for any age; younger kids will enjoy the cakes from the cafe. The house is unlikely to hold the attention of kids younger than 10.
Heritage Trail
If you’re wondering what to do in Sandakan city, the Heritage Trail is one of the best ways to explore it – it lets you combine the historical sites of Sandakan with a bit of a walk (and some scenic views).
The whole loop takes in the Masjid Jamik mosque, the William Pryer Monument, two Chinese temples, the Malaysia Fountain, Agnes Keith House, St Michael’s and All Angels Church, the Stairs with a Hundred Steps and the Sandakan Heritage Museum.
Our favourite part though was the walk down to town from Agnes Keith House – this follows the colourful Stairs with a Hundred Steps (which, crucially, are nice and shady), gives you some great views out to sea and drops you back in to the centre of town at the end.
And yes, the kids did count the steps (but we’re still not sure if it was *exactly* 100 steps as our totals seemed to differ a bit!).
- Opening Times: Always open
- Admission Cost: Free
- Suitable for: Kids aged 5+ who are able to cope with the steps independently (in the heat!)
Sandakan Memorial Park
A haunting but important place to come if you really want to understand what happened in Borneo during the Second World War. The Memorial Park is built on the site of the prisoner of war camp that once stood here; the trail through the wooded park includes information boards that describe the former camp (and it’s inhabitants) in more detail.
There’s also a memorial standing at the centre to commemorate those who lost their lives here – nearly 2,400 men in total. It’s a sombre, moving place to visit but it really does make it hit home how appalling life in the camp must have been and the horrific nature of the death marches through the jungle.
Bring water or cold drinks and a couple of snacks – there isn’t really anywhere nearby to cool off and you’ll need them after an hour or so walking through the park in the heat.
- Opening Times: 8am-5pm every day
- Admission Cost: Free
- Suitable for: Older children (7+) who can understand the significance of the place.
Where to stay in Sepilok
In general Sepilok – whilst small – has better accommodation options than nearby Sandakan. There’s a smattering of jungle style lodges and B&Bs to choose from. Our top tip for a stay in Sepilok is to book yourself in to a place with a pool (if your budget allows).
Visiting the attractions can be a hot and sweaty business, so having somewhere for you and the kids to cool off after is a massive help. I think this would be our top tip for where to stay in Borneo in general!
Sepilok B&B
The best budget option in Sepilok. The lodges are fairly basic but the family rooms are very roomy and the air-conditioning blasts out reliable icy-cold air, which is very much needed in these parts.
There’s an onsite restaurant with good value dishes and breakfast is included. It’s located just a couple of minutes walk from the entrance to the Rainforest Discovery Centre too.
The Family Rooms (sleeping 4-6) start at £55/US$75 per night.
If you’re looking for a simple, affordable base right next to the main attractions, this is a really easy choice — especially if you’re travelling with kids and don’t want to overcomplicate things.
🏨 Check availability for your dates here and lock in one of the family rooms before they go.
Sepilok Forest Edge Resort
If you’ve got a bit more to spend, then this is the perfect luxury option in Sepilok. The wooden cabin style rooms are gorgeous and the onsite restaurant – The Nest – is one of the best eateries in Sepilok.
But the biggest plus here is the pool. Booking somewhere with a pool actually gives you the space to decompress after all the outdoor adventures in Sepilok. And if you’re travelling to Borneo with kids, this can make all the difference.
If you want somewhere that actually feels like part of the experience (not just somewhere to sleep), this is 100% worth the extra spend — especially for that pool after a long, hot day.
Where to stay in Sandakan
Sandakan isn’t exactly blessed with a wealth of accommodation options. There’s a few hotels to choose from, but most accommodation is in flats and apartments.
There are some good places amongst these – however, many are out in the suburbs without any places to eat, things to do or facilities in walking distance (which makes you reliant on Grab taxis).
Sabah Hotel
Our favourite hotel option in Sandakan. It’s one of the few hotels (and we mean, very few) that are actually reasonably close to the centre of town (and to Agnes Keith House, if you’re planning a visit).
But the grounds are lush and green and so it feels like you’re surrounded by a bit of nature, rather than a concrete jungle.
And – best of all – there’s a good sized pool, big enough to actually properly swim lengths in. Finding pools this size (on our travel budget) was always a major win for me – there’s something about a peaceful morning or evening swim that makes the extra spend totally worth it. Oh, and the kids obviously loved it too.
Family rooms for four start at £150/US$200 per night.
If you’ve decided to base yourself in Sandakan, this is honestly one of the best all-round options — central, comfortable, and with that all-important pool.
🏨 Check room availability here — the family rooms tend to book up quickly.
Ninety1 Sandakan
As with virtually all the apartment stays in Sandakan, this one is out of the way in the suburbs. This makes for a quiet, relaxing stay BUT it does mean you’ll be reliant on Grab taxis for getting around for everything. There really isn’t anything in walking distance.
However, for that minor inconvenience you get a great big apartment, with a genuinely well-equipped kitchen (always helpful when you actually want to self-cater like we did!). Plus there’s a balcony with views that stretch out across the ocean – the perfect spot for a drink at sunset.
The apartment sleeps up to five (one king room, bunk beds and a sofa bed, sp plenty of sleeping options) and rates start from £36/US$50 per night.
If you prefer having your own space (and the flexibility to self-cater), this is an absolute bargain for what you get — especially for families.
🏨 See current prices and availability here — it’s one of the best-value stays in Sandakan.
Where to eat in Sandakan and Sepilok
Let’s start by saying this: dining out in Sepilok and Sandakan, in general, is not quite as exciting and slightly mind-blowing as you might have found in the rest of Malaysia.
Whilst other places in Malaysia have awesome fusion street food at incredibly affordable prices – especially in Penang and Kuala Lumpur – this is not really the case in this part of Borneo.
The food here is that bit more expensive – and more touristy. But you can go anywhere else in Malaysia for the awesome food – you’re here for the other amazing stuff on offer!
White House Bistro – Sepilok
Our favourite place in Sepilok to eat, hands down. Really tasty food and delicious fresh fruit smoothies – the passion fruit version was such a treat after a day exploring in the heat. The rotis were also a hit with the kids.
It doesn’t look like much from the outside, but the food here is excellent and it’s got a really homely, local vibe.
Mains are around RM20-40, and there’s also a proper kids menu with spaghetti, chicken popcorn and crispy chicken for RM12-15.
Check out their exact location and reviews here
The Nest at Sepilok Forest Edge Resort
If you’re already staying here this is a very easy option; if not, it’s still worth heading this way for at least one of your meals in Sepilok.
It’s definitely on the pricier side, with mains from RM40-60. However, the setting is lovely – surrounded by lush greenery and with birds flitting about everywhere.
The portions are generous and decent – plus if you have picky eaters in tow then there are kid-friendly classics like pizza and pasta on the menu.
Find directions to The Nest – and menu details – here
English Tea House & Restaurant – Sandakan
We’d been on the road for several months when we landed here. So for us, the prospect of an English style cream tea was too good to miss!
The Afternoon Teas here – including sandwiches, scones and pots of tea – are surprisingly good. But best of all, the cafe is set in the gorgeous landscaped gardens that surround the Agnes Keith House (which you can visit separately).
Sit outside under one of the gazebos and soak up the views out to sea while you drink your tea. Bliss.
Afternoon teas range from RM33.50-RM50 (for two people).
See exactly where the English Tea House is located here
How to get to Sandakan
Most visitors to this side of Borneo will fly in from Kota Kinabalu or elsewhere in South East Asia. AirAsia operate regular flights.
Whilst you can drive from Kota Kinabalu, it’s much easier and quicker to fly. Plus the roads in Borneo can be challenging; we wouldn’t recommend the drive unless you are really set on not flying.
From Sandakan Airport it takes around 20minutes in a Grab taxi to the centre.
How to get from Sandakan to Sepilok
If you’re planning the journey from Sandakan to Sepilok, the good news is that it’s incredibly quick and easy.
It takes just 30-40minutes from Sandakan to Sepilok in a Grab taxi. The journey should cost around RM30-50/£5.60-9.35/US$7.50-12.50. As there is no public transport in the region this is the best option.
If you’re planning to base yourselves in Sandakan and want to make life even easier, you can book day tours from Sandakan to Sepilok. These usually include visits to the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre and the Rainforest Discovery Centre.
How long do you need in Sandakan or Sepilok?
A mere two nights in Sandakan or Sepilok allow you to see some truly amazing, bucket list stuff – including orangutans, sun bears and a dive in to the Borneo rainforest at the RDC.
With a couple more days you can head out on the nature safari of a lifetime down the Kinabatangan River too – and really spoil yourselves.
Five nights here is the real sweet spot if you want to see everything Sandakan and Sepilok have to offer. This will give you time to fit in the nature activities in Sepilok, the historical Sandakan attractions and two days on the Kinabatangan River.
When is the best time to visit Sandakan and Sepilok?
You can visit Sandakan and Sepilok year-round and still do all the main attractions. But the best time of year to visit is generally considered to be the drier season between May and September.
The rainy season runs from October to March, though heavy rainfall also occurs at times during the dry season.
Year-round the temperature is high – hovering around 26C to over 30C. And as this is the rainforest, humidity is HIGH. It’s a hot and sweaty part of the world to visit – when you’re planning out your Borneo family travel you do need to think about the pacing and plan in plenty of time between activities to chill out and cool off.
Where should you head next in Borneo?
My honest advice? Book yourselves some proper downtime after all the excitement of your adventures in Sandakan and Sepilok.
A few nights over in Kota Kinabalu at the Shangri-La Rasa Ria – our favourite hotel in the whole world – will give you time to enjoy the other side of Borneo. Namely the gorgeous beaches!
And if you’ve got a bit longer in Borneo overall, then a detour to Kuching in Sarawak is a great option. Just a few days in Kuching will allow you to squeeze in EVEN MORE wildlife at Bako National Park (hello bearded pigs and proboscis monkeys) plus some beautiful riverside wandering and a visit to a traditional village.
FAQs About Things to Do in Sandakan and Sepilok
The best things to do in Sandakan include visiting the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, seeing sun bears at the conservation centre, exploring the Rainforest Discovery Centre, and taking a Kinabatangan River safari. You can also explore Sandakan city’s history through the Heritage Trail and Agnes Keith House.
Yes — Sandakan is absolutely worth visiting, especially as a base for exploring Sepilok and the Kinabatangan River. While the city itself is fairly low-key, the surrounding wildlife experiences are some of the best in Borneo.
Sepilok is home to some of the top wildlife attractions in Borneo, including the orangutan rehabilitation centre, the sun bear conservation centre, and the Rainforest Discovery Centre. It’s one of the best places to experience the rainforest without needing to trek deep into the jungle.
Most travellers prefer staying in Sepilok because it’s closer to the main wildlife attractions and offers more immersive, nature-focused accommodation. Sandakan is better suited for short stays or as a transport hub.
You need at least 2–3 days to see the main highlights in Sandakan and Sepilok. If you want to include a Kinabatangan River safari, plan for 4–5 days in total.
Yes — the best place to see orangutans near Sandakan is at the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, where you can watch semi-wild orangutans during feeding times.
Yes — Sandakan and Sepilok are great for families. The main wildlife experiences are easy to access, require minimal hiking, and are suitable for kids of all ages.
Sandakan is a small city with historical sites and transport links, while Sepilok is a quieter, nature-focused area where most of the wildlife attractions are located.
The best time to visit Sandakan is during the drier months from May to September, although it’s possible to visit year-round. Expect hot, humid weather at any time of year.
Yes — a Kinabatangan River safari is one of the best wildlife experiences in Borneo. It offers the chance to see orangutans, pygmy elephants, proboscis monkeys, and a huge variety of birdlife in the wild.
Download our free 2-week Borneo itinerary for families
Planning a Borneo trip and feeling a bit overwhelmed by all the moving parts?
We’ve put together our exact 2-week Borneo itinerary — including where we stayed, how we got around, and how we made it all work with kids.
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Looking for more Borneo travel inspiration?
You can read about every single one of our Malaysia travel adventures in our full list of posts here.
- Borneo with Kids
- Where to stay in Borneo
- Visiting the Kinabatangan River
- Kuching 3-Day Itinerary
- Best things to do in Kuching
- Visiting Bako National Park from Kuching
- Seeing the orangutans in Borneo
- Shangri-La Rasa Ria – Full Review
- Rainforest Discovery Centre Borneo with Kids
- Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre Review
