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Bilit Rainforest Lodge is located beside the Lower Kinabatangan River in the village of Bilit, approximately 2 hours drive from Sandakan. It is a set of amidst lush tropical forest and offers comfort and peaceful relaxation as well as a base for easy exploration of the incredible diversity of plant, mammal and birds at the Kinabatangan region. All chalets and the restaurant are made from local hardwood material and are designed to blend into the nature giving a unique local native ambience. The rooms are very spacious and comfortable with a minimum of 600 sq.ft. for standard chalets and 800 sq. ft. for VIP permier chalets. A boardwalk connects the jetty, restaurant and all the chalets.
We stayed here for one night, but I wish it had been two. The beds are lovely, the bathrooms are a little basic but that's not what you're here for - you're here to see the Kinabatangan River and the amazing wildlife that lives here. When you aren't venturing out on the river in speedboats to spot wildlife, there are hammocks dotted around the lodge in which you can read a book and relax. There is also a jungle walk, however this was closed for our visit due to a family of clouded leopards living nearby! On the river we saw plenty of primates (including proboscic monkeys, orang-utans, two different species of macaques and silverleaf langurs), beautiful birds and baby crocodiles. The following day some of our party were lucky enough to be in the river when a whole herd of pygmy…
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Date of stay: July 2019
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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Response from HadleyHo, Guest Relations Manager at Bilit Rainforest Lodge
Responded 14 Jul 2019
Dear SamanthaBlossom, Warmest Greeting from Bilit Rainforest Lodge. Thank you very much for the valued feedback, we are glad that all of you are satisfied your stay with us :) Hope to hear from you again in a short while!
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Basic accommodation. We stayed two nights and this was sufficient with 4 river tours including an evening one in the dark. Knowledgable guides. We saw many monkeys, orangutan and crocs etc, plus a range of birds. Accommodation is rustic. Food is a buffet style with a range of simple options. Friendly staff Ponchos provided. Limited things to do in between tours so bring a book. Some limited internet coverage. Probably 3.5 stars rather than 4, giving the benefit of you are in a jungle!!
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Date of stay: July 2019
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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Response from HadleyHo, Guest Relations Manager at Bilit Rainforest Lodge
Responded 14 Jul 2019
Dear NDMEdinburgh, Warmest Greeting from Bilit Rainforest Lodge. Thank you for the valued feedback :)
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Basic but doesn’t pretend to be anything else. Staff friendly, boat guides brilliant. Accommodation in need of an update, particularly the Louvre type windows to the lodges which didn’t do a great deal to keep the insects out or the A/c in. Fortunately we had two local geckos to help out. Food was good but not plentiful so get in quickly as the best bits didn’t get refills. River trips were great and with some perseverance the guides found us some elephants albeit in the pouring rain, so take waterproofs, no need for leech socks here. Night trip also worth a go as the birds roost and don’t fly off. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay
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Date of stay: June 2019
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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Response from HadleyHo, Guest Relations Manager at Bilit Rainforest Lodge
Responded 14 Jul 2019
Dear Allan P, Warmest Greeting from Bilit Rainforest Lodge! Thanks for your valued feedback, we will figure out some improve actions to maximize guests satisfaction. Anyways, we are glad that you enjoyed your stay with us :)
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Stayed here for 2 nights as part of a Borneo tour. My friends & I agree that this was the best part of our holiday. Really friendly and helpful staff. Food was always fresh & excellent, catering to all tastebuds. Rooms were spacious, clean, well-equipped even with a safe, hot water, AC etc. WiFi was limited but this was not a problem for us - we were grateful to be off-grid for a few days. The lounge was perfect to relax in, play some ping pong and take shelter from the heat. The boat cruises were the highlight - amazing guides & drivers who showed us the beauty & wildlife along the Kinabatangan River. Our guide Paul was exceptional - he was passionate, patient and made our trip so special. We felt very lucky being able to see wild orang utans, an amazing array of birds,…
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Date of stay: May 2019
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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Response from HadleyHo, Guest Relations Manager at Bilit Rainforest Lodge
Responded 14 Jul 2019
Dear mei_soo, Warmest Greeting from Bilit Rainforest Lodge. Thank you very much for the valued feedback, we are glad that all of you are satisfied your stay with us :) Hope to hear from you again in a short while!
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
I spend 3 nights and days at the lodge with sevarel trps into the forest and trips on the river Kinabatangan. I loved it there, fine cottages with everything you need and very fine food and very gentle people and perfect service. The trips in the forest and on the river gave many ecxellent animals. Both Orang-utang, proboscis monkey and crocodiles 4 and 6m.
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Date of stay: April 2019
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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Response from HadleyHo, Guest Relations Manager at Bilit Rainforest Lodge
Responded 14 Jul 2019
Dear FlemmingE30, Warmest Greeting from Bilit Rainforest Lodge. Thank you very much for the valued feedback :)
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
I loved staying at this peaceful lodge right on the river, the boat tours were wonderful, the food quite varied and very good, and the service was excellent. I've noticed a lot of the bad reviews are from a few years ago. The current manager, Nelson, is very efficient and friendly and the staff were all very helpful. My room was clean - simple, but very comfortable.
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Date of stay: April 2019
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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Response from HadleyHo, Guest Relations Manager at Bilit Rainforest Lodge
Responded 14 Jul 2019
Dear telchacsusan, Warmest Greeting from Bilit Rainforest Lodge. Thank you very much for the valued feedback :)
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Stayed 2 nights here as part of an Amazing Borneo 4 day tour. Arrived 130pm and handed over passports before eating lunch which had really good local food, spicy but accessible to a western palate. Then given keys to room which was enormous at about 400 square feet plus a toilet plus a separate shower room. The rooms was perfectly air conditioned and had fully functional mosquito nets, so effective that it is fair to say you'd get bitten more often in the South of France than here. The food over the entire period of the stay was really good and there was a permanent supply of free coffee and free drinking water as well as beers and soft drinks at accessible prices. We did 4 river cruises as part of our tour and saw crocs, monkeys, Orang Utans, owls, eagles, kingfishers and…
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Date of stay: April 2019
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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Response from HadleyHo, Guest Relations Manager at Bilit Rainforest Lodge
Responded 14 Jul 2019
Dear PaddingtonBear3, Warmest Greeting from Bilit Rainforest Lodge. We are very much appreciated for your valued feedback :)
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Stayed two nights here to do the river safari's having travelled up from Sandakan via Sepilok to see the Orangutan's and Sun Bear sanctuary. First impressions were interesting however these were misleading. The rooms are a little dowdy but clean and very comfortable. We did not have one dedicated guide as we arrived late so had split guidance. This wasn't an issue and the knowledge and observance of the guides was first rate. The river safari's certainly exceeded expectations with the variety of wildlife seen. Hospitality at the lodge is excellent. The staff are attentive and the food, which is a self service buffet, is very good. We expected this hotel to be "roughing it a bit" and were pleasantly surprised. Very nice hotel and very nice people.
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Date of stay: March 2019
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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Response from HadleyHo, Guest Relations Manager at Bilit Rainforest Lodge
Responded 14 Jul 2019
Dear Andyfatowl, Warmest Greeting from Bilit Rainforest Lodge. Thank you very much for your valued response and feedback :)
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Although the rooms a little musty this place has great atmosphere and fantastic staff. They made every effort to vary the diet of smorgasboards for the tour. The river cruises and boat drivers excellent. Actually saw wild orang. Heaps of wildlife. Very impressed. Water not esp. hot but not an issue at the day temp. Thoroughly recommend
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Date of stay: March 2019
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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Response from HadleyHo, Guest Relations Manager at Bilit Rainforest Lodge
Responded 14 Jul 2019
Dear KathleenR822, Warmest Greeting from Bilit Rainforest Lodge. We are very much appreciated for your valued reviews and recommendation :D
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Stayed 2 nights with our tour, great place, great food and staff. The lodge is clean and provides great hospitality. Our guide Nurain from the tour was very helpful & guided us through meal times, boat tours, jungle walks. I would recommend the lodge as a great place to stay aircon rooms with hot showers. A reminder no internet (which was nice) & cash is needed for extras. The staff was very helpful & friendly, great cooks especially the afternoon tea of cake, fried banana & also the pancakes & omelet for breakfast. The boat drivers great spotters of wildlife which helped us see lots of the wonderful nature in the area. Highly recommend as a great place to stay for a comfortable stay in the forest on the river. Thanks to everyone
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Date of stay: February 2019
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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Response from HadleyHo, Guest Relations Manager at Bilit Rainforest Lodge
Responded 27 Feb 2019
Dear Nthwestlady, Warmest Greeting from Bilit Rainforest Lodge. Your reviews are very much useful and we appreciate that! Hope you will visit us again in your next visit.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.