With so much rain, (up to two metres/year) it’s not surprising that many of the largest rivers are found in rainforests and the Kinabatangan River is no exception to the rule. At 560 kilometres long it is the longest river in Sabah, and Lower Kinabatangan is estimated to have the largest concentration of wildlife in Borneo. Its tributaries were used for centuries to transport birds nests’ harvested from the nearby Gomantong Caves to trade with the Chinese Imperial Merchants for sugar and rice.

In 1997, 270 square kilometres of the Lower Kinabatangan floodplain was declared a protected area and a year later WWF Malaysia in collaboration with the Sabah Wildlife Department set up the Partners for Wetlands Program to care for and bring awareness to this unique area. In 2001, the areas designation was upgraded to that of Bird Sanctuary and on January 16, 2002 the proposed Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary that lies within the vast floodplains of the Kinabatangan River, was gazetted which will enhance better protection for the wildlife habitats and the floodplain ecosystem.

The river is fed by a vast network of tributaries making their way down from the jungle clad mountains of the Crocker Range which finally empties into the Sulu Sea and it’s estimated the entire network of these waterways drains over 17,000 square kilometres. In its lower reaches, the Kinabatangan River wanders across a flat plain covered in rainforest, often changing courses after flooding, and in the process forming numerous oxbow lakes. The area contains a rich mosaic of habitats including riverine forests, saline swamp forest, freshwater swamp forests, oxbow lakes and limestone forests. Flora of the area includes fig trees, palms, orchids, ginger, hibiscus, rattan and several species of bamboo.

The Kinabatangan River has been dubbed a ‘mini Amazon’ and its shores harbour a diverse concentration of wildlife and is one of two places on the planet where ten primate species cohabitate. These are the Tarsier, Slow Loris, Pig-tailed Macaques, Long-tailed Macaques, Proboscis Monkey, Silvered Langur, Maroon Langur, Grey Langur, Bornean Gibbon, and the famed Orang Utan (Kinabatangan has the highest concentration of wild Orang Utan in Malaysia). There are 50 mammal species living in the Kinabatangan area including the Sun Bear, Pygmy Elephant, Sumatran Rhino, and four species of cats, the Clouded Leopard, Leopard Cat, Marbled Cat and the Flat-headed Cat. The world’s largest living reptile, the estuarine crocodile also calls Kinabatangan home. Kinabatangan is one of the most productive freshwater fisheries in Malaysia with over 90 species of fish, and surprisingly - freshwater rays and sharks which until recently were thought to be extinct.

This is another bird lover’s paradise; there are over 250 species of colourful tropical birds the Bornean Bristlehead, Purple Heron, the endangered Storm’s Stork, Blue Banded Kingfisher, and all eight species of Hornbills can be spotted. Commonly seen drying their outstretched wings in the sun is the Oriental Darter, that is an endangered water bird extinct elsewhere in Malaysia.

There are numerous choices for accommodation around the Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary, the most popular of them being the Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge that has 33 semi-detached bungalows with ensuite, hot water and fans. The Sukau Rainforest Lodge has won several environmental and tourism awards making it an environmentally friendly paradise to kick back in, they have 20 rooms all with solar powered fans and solar hot shower. The Abai Jungle Lodge is also eco-friendly option with 18 rooms with ensuite, hot water and fans; it is a little more out of the way making it less crowded and peaceful. If you want to get back to basics, there are several options for homestay, where you can experience living with a local host family. The two most popular are the Miso Walai Homestay and the Abai Homestay. No matter where you stay in this area there are plenty of activities to partake in such as river cruises, jungle walks, night river cruises, jungle trekking, bird watching, abseiling, fishing and camping. There is certainly something to suit every nature lover’s needs.