Kinabatangan Wetlands Resort

Location
Kinabatangan Wetlands Resort sits deep within Sabah’s Lower Kinabatangan floodplain, in a protected area recognised for its ecological importance. Reached only by river, the journey to the lodge takes around 1.5 to 2 hours by boat from Sandakan, passing remote fishing villages and dense mangrove forests. The resort is set in a peaceful and untouched corner of the wetlands, far from other lodges and well away from the road.

Rooms
Accommodation is in spacious, stilted wooden villas, designed to blend with the forest and mangrove surroundings. Each villa is fully air-conditioned and features large, comfortable beds, en-suite bathrooms with both indoor and outdoor showers, solar-powered ceiling fans and private verandas offering tranquil views of the surrounding jungle.

Amenities
Raised boardwalks link the villas to the open-air restaurant and lounge area. Meals are served buffet-style with a mix of local and international dishes, and evening drinks can be enjoyed under the stars. The lodge runs on a mix of solar energy and generators, and Wi-Fi is available in some communal spaces.

Activities
Twice-daily river safaris take guests deep into wildlife-rich tributaries in search of proboscis monkeys, hornbills, orangutans, crocodiles and occasionally pygmy elephants. Night cruises reveal fireflies glittering among the mangroves, while guided boardwalk walks offer a glimpse of nocturnal species. Longer stays can include cultural encounters and exploration of lesser-visited areas of the Kinabatangan.

Sustainability
Built with sustainability in mind, the resort uses raised walkways and structures to protect the sensitive wetland ecosystem. Water is used carefully, and solar energy helps reduce generator reliance. Being based in a RAMSAR-listed wetlands conservation area, the resort operates with strict environmental standards, supporting conservation through responsible tourism and working closely with local communities to protect this extraordinary landscape.