Kinabatangan Wetlands Resort
Abai, Kinabatangan River, Sandakan 90000 Malaysia
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#2 of 40 Specialty lodging in Sandakan
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A charming resort tucked in the wilderness of Lower Kinabatangan surrounding the pristine freshwater swamps and mangrove forest. An exclusive nature retreat, distance away from the crowded city and the busy ‘tourists’ areas of Sabah! It is recognized internationally as an important wetland area and an attraction for people who find solace in the presence of the wilds and its stunning wildlife. Abai village is the nearest access to LOWER KINABATANGAN SEGAMA WETLANDS, located 50km or about an hour and a half boat ride from Sandakan harbour. It borders the Lower Kinabatangan Floodplain, one of the most important wildlife refuge in Malaysia, which over the centuries has evolved 5 distinct habitats: waterlogged and dry forests, saline and freshwater swamps and limestone forests, each contributing towards some of the most diverse concentrations of wildlife in Borneo.
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Property amenities
Free internet
Public wifi
Free breakfast
Bar / lounge
Restaurant
Airport transportation
24-hour security
Baggage storage
Breakfast buffet
Complimentary Instant Coffee
Special diet menus
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Room features
Air conditioning
Desk
Housekeeping
Private balcony
Safe
Flatscreen TV
Bath / shower
Complimentary toiletries
Bottled water
Wake-up service / alarm clock
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Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Family rooms
Good to know
Languages Spoken
English, Chinese, Indonesian, Malay
Location
Abai, Kinabatangan River, Sandakan 90000 Malaysia
Getting there
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249Reviews20Q+A31Room tips
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This was such a surprise and delight to travel to. We were met and traveled upriver to the resort and were met at the jetty and escorted to the reception area and given cool wet cloths to freshen up with. The rooms were palatial and not what I was expecting for such a remote area. Huge rooms with lavish fixtures and fittings. Lovely large comfortable bed, an outdoor shower, and a seating area. I was grateful for the air conditioning as it was extremely humid. What was a bit disappointing was there were no hair dryers and no electric kettles for tea. The food was typical Malaysian and the vegetarian dishes of long beans and eggplant and tofu dishes were very well done. There were plenty of choices and freshly cut fruit with every meal. Alcoholic drinks were available for a little extra. Getting up early to be on the river at 6.30 am was a bit of a struggle at first, but seeing wildlife in its natural environment was well worth it. The guides were knowledgeable and the boat drivers were skilled. The highlights were traveling up the river at night at speed and slowing down to see the trees lit up like Christmas with little fireflies. Truly magical.…
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Date of stay: May 2023Trip type: Travelled with friends
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Room Tip: Take plenty of insect repellant, and keep your mouth shut when traveling at speed up the river at...
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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The resort was more than amazing! It exceeded our expectations in all the ways: the rooms, the food, the people!! Jr was an awesome spotter and guide for us. Jr has so much experience he makes it look easy to find all kinds of monkeys! All the staff are also awesome! You meed to plan and coordinate with the resort your day of arrival and departure in order to not have trouble with flights… try speaking with them before buying flights.
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Date of stay: May 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip: Contact them first before buying any airline tickets…
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1 Helpful vote
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+1
This was everything we expected it to be. We were accommodated in a comfortable lodge within the wild surroundings. The lodges have great air conditioning so keeps you nice and cool after sessions out on the river. At night, the jungle comes alive and can take you by surprise a little as the noise levels are incredible. Your really feel like you are enveloped by the jungle which of course, you are! You have to remember that you are not in a five star hotel so the staff are limited as to what they can offer. What this entails is limited hot water for showers due to the heating system being solar, limited but very tasty food choices, no relaxation areas other than the lodges. All of this was not a problem for us but worthy of mention as I’m sure some folk will expect somethings that cannot be offered!! The tours of the river were incredible and something we will never forget thanks to a very friendly and knowledgeable tour guide (Omar). Early morning and late afternoon starts are involved to give you the best opportunity of seeing as much wildlife as possible. We were very lucky to see a very large crocodile which appeared to have just fed (16-18 foot in length), Orangutans (from a distance), Rhino hornbill, Proboscis Monkey, Macaque Monkey, etc, etc. We were (very) lucky to have seen Pygmy Elephants as we were travelling onto our next destination which really ended our stay on a massive high. The staff at the resort are very friendly and helpful and cannot do enough to make your stay with them pleasant and enjoyable. I would highly recommend staying here, it is an experience that you won’t forget.…
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Date of stay: April 2023
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
We loved the boat trips, the location and the amazing animals that surrounded the area. The chalet was nice, but tired, a few things broken , the shower door outside wouldn't open probably. There was tea and coffee but no way to boil the water. We had to ask for extra towels every day for my long hair, and were told no we only got one. There was bottled water in the room, but it wasnt topped up we had to chase. I struggled with the food and this is the first place I have ever been where I was hungry. For lunch it was curry and rice every day meat or fish and much the same at dinner, there were no choices ... lots of bones. For me it was awful, so 3 days was enough of living off a piece of toast at breakfast. The boat trips were fabulous, 6.30 am, back around 9, then out again at 430 back around 630. The time in between however was spent reading in our chalet, or walking the boardwalk for 30 mins. There was no comunal area where you could sit, in a comfy seat, chat to other guests unless you sat in the restaurant. It wouldn't take much to set up such an area. There were quite a few children who struggled with the food and were bored . . there was table tennis or a dart board. Perhaps the guides could deliver some talks during the day about the wildlife, flora and fauna. There were no snacks to buy which I think was an oversight. There was talk of a swimming pool I hope that happens as it will make a huge difference. Annis our guide was fabulous... the boat trips as I said were more than memorable. …
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Date of stay: April 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
2 Helpful votes
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Amazing place. An hour by boat from Sandakan Jetty. The lodges are incredible with inside and outside showers. The panoramic windows make it feel you are in the rain forest. Guides are excellent with regard to information and the boat trips. We had Adnis who was so funny, enthusiastic and helpful. Saw Orang Utan in the wild, crocs, proboscis, silver leaf and macaque monkeys and loads of bird lift. The night trip will take you to a tree lit up lit Christmas by the fire flies. Food and drink was excellent and catered from head office who is coeliac. Would recommend
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Date of stay: March 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
We had the most amazing stay. It felt like such a personalised experience. All the staff were so friendly and helpful and our guide, Andis, was absolutely fantastic! I can’t recommend this place enough and would definitely encourage people to book at least 2 nights as there was just so much amazing wildlife to see.
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Date of stay: March 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1 Helpful vote
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Joanne Hutchison wrote a review Jan 2023
Kingston-upon-Hull, United Kingdom16 contributions4 helpful votes
Wow!!! Amazing 2 night stay. Great staff who just wanted to look after us with outstanding food not only fully board but morning and afternoon coffee and snacks ,cool towels after trips and gallons of orange juice. Room perfect and in our opinion 4*. Thankyou we had a great stay making memories
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Date of stay: January 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Sadly only had one night here… but wow!! Helpful buggy ride along the boardwalk with our bags to reception and then our chalet on our arrival. Warm welcome with bottle of red wine in our accommodation. Amazing spacious accommodation with fabulous direct view onto the jungle. Well appointed with own balcony, indoor and outdoor shower and fabulously comfortable bed. Guided night hike around the board walk really informative in addition to great wildlife spotting boat trips, Loved having packed early breakfast at the oxbow lake although cooked breakfast also done for when we got back. Only regret is not being booked for another couple of nights. This place a real highlight of our Borneo trip!
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Date of stay: October 2022Trip type: Travelled as a couple
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
3 Helpful votes
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Stayed here for two nights on honeymoon last month. All the staff were fabulous, the food was great. The staff shared local fruit with us to try. Went out on boat trips several times a day to see the wildlife. We were lucky to see an orangutan two days in a row! An authentic jungle experience.
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Date of stay: October 2022
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Our guide Andis Erwan was fantastic and showed us many wild animals. The room and facities were excelent and all the staff very friendly abd helpfull. This was the best lodge we visited during our stay due to all the animals we were able to see. Thanks again to Andis Erwan.
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Date of stay: October 2022Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
3 Helpful votes
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LOCATION
MalaysiaSabahSandakan DivisionSandakan
NUMBER OF ROOMS
15
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Claim Your ListingKINABATANGAN WETLANDS RESORT: UPDATED 2023 Reviews, Price Comparison and 406 Photos (Sandakan) - Tripadvisor
Frequently Asked Questions about Kinabatangan Wetlands Resort
What are some of the property amenities at Kinabatangan Wetlands Resort?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free breakfast, an on-site restaurant, and a lounge.
Which room amenities are available at Kinabatangan Wetlands Resort?
Top room amenities include air conditioning, a flat screen TV, and a desk.
What food & drink options are available at Kinabatangan Wetlands Resort?
Guests can enjoy free breakfast, an on-site restaurant, and a lounge during their stay.
Does Kinabatangan Wetlands Resort have airport transportation?
Yes, Kinabatangan Wetlands Resort offers airport transportation for guests. We recommend calling ahead to confirm details.
Which languages are spoken by the staff at Kinabatangan Wetlands Resort?
The staff speaks multiple languages, including English, Chinese, Indonesian, and Malay.