Sandakan
is religious relics, haunting cemeteries, and colonial mansions
Welcome to Sandakan
Looking out across the teal-blue Bay of Sandakan, dotted with fishing trawlers, to distant isles, it's easy to visualise the remarkable past of the former capital of British Borneo, with its exotic cast of foreign interests – German traders, Dutch and Chinese planters, Arab and Indian traders, and pearl divers. Sadly it was razed to the ground during WWII by the British in an attempt to shake off the grip of the invading Japanese. After the war a roaring timber trade blossomed here, with wood from Borneo exported all over the world. Today this little city is buzzing again with the success of the palm-oil industry and the busy, compact city centre retains little of its former colonial romance.
Top experiences in Sandakan
Amazing hotels and hostels
We've pre-picked the best hotels, hostels and bed and breakfasts to make your stay as enjoyable as possible.
Sandakan activities
Kota Kinabalu to Orangutans Rehabilitation Center on Day Tour
The Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Center, located near the town of Sandakan, is one of the best places on earth to see the famous wild man of Borneo in its natural habitat. After pickup from your hotel in Kota Kinabalu, be transferred to the airport for your flight to Sandakan (flight surcharge subject to change, please see Additional Info for more details). Upon arrival, be taken to the Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Center, the largest and oldest of its kind on earth where a dedicated team of professionals work tirelessly to assist orphaned, abandoned or abused Orangutans to learn the survival skills they need to return to their natural habitat - the teeming jungles of Borneo. Follow your guide on a walk along a raised wooden walkway to the observation deck where Orangutans slowly emerge from the rainforest to be fed by the rangers. The Sepilok centre supplements the rehabilitated Orangutan's diet with a feeding at 10am and 3pm. Please note that wildlife sightings are not guaranteed as the Orangutans roam freely in the jungle. Afterward, head to a local restaurant for a delectable lunch of Malaysian specialties. Then, enjoy an afternoon of touring around Sandakan beginning with a tour of a local market offering a variety of fruits, vegetables and unique local handicrafts. Learn about traditional Chinese architecture on a guided visit to a the Puh Jih Shih Buddhist Temple, situated on a hilltop. Admire the views of the city skyline from the observation point The temple is situated on a hill-top looking and provides great photo opportunities of the breathtaking views over Sandakan Bay. At the end of your tour, transfer to Sandakan airport to catch your flight back to Kota Kinabalu. Upon arrival, be transported back to your hotel in Kota Kinabalu
Sandakan Orangutan Rehabilitation Center, City Full-Day Tour
ItineraryThis is a typical itinerary for this productStop At: Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, Sepilok, Sandakan Division, SabahThe facility provides medical care for orphaned and confiscated orangutans as well as dozens of other wildlife species. Some of the other animals which have been treated at the center includes sun bear,gibbons,Sumatran rhinos and elephants.Duration: 4 hoursStop At: Sandakan Heritage Trail, Sandakan, Sandakan Division, SabahAt Sim Sim water village where houses are all built close to the water surface while observing the fascinating view of the sea.Duration: 1 hour
Sandakan Rainforest Private Wildlife Ecotour and Lunch, Pickup
Our driver guide will pick up you around 8am from your hotel or Airport. We will head to our first stop at Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre. It was established in 1964 to return orphaned "apes back to the wild". The centre was being administered by the wildlife section of the Forestry Department which in 1988 was upgraded as a department under the Ministry of Tourism and Environmental Development. All administration and management was given to the new Wildlife Department of Sabah. At 10:00 am Proceed to Platform B, observe man's closest relative a 'the Orang Utans being rehabilitated to become wild in their natural habitat and experience a walk in the Tropical Lowland Dipterous Forest of Borneo and later watch a 25 minutes scheduled video documentary show. Then move on to Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre in Sabah, Malaysia, is to promote sun bear conservation in Borneo through animal welfare, conservation, rehabilitation, education and research - giving captured sun bears a better home and restoring their right to live in the wild, by: A Creating the capacity to confiscate, rehabilitate and release suitable orphaned and ex-captive bears back into the wild & providing an improved long-term living environment for captive bears that cannot be released. Educating the public and raising awareness about this species. Achieving increased protection for sun bears and their habitat through ongoing research, increased knowledge and awareness, and further protection of habitat. Enjoy the Local Lunch at a Local Restaururant Lastly, visit to Rainforest Discovery Centre. It is the gateway to getting to know the uniqueness and Importance of Borneo’s rainforests. Situated 23 kilometres from Sandakan Town and not too far from the Sepilok Rehabilitation Centre, the RDC’s main highlights are its exhibition halls, the Plant Discovery Garden, the Kabili-Sepilok Forest Reserve, environmental education programmes and a small lake for boat rides. The RDC also gives visitors a chance to get intimate with nature through its Nature Experience programme which includes a guided walk to the Plant Discovery Garden, Rainforest Walk and indoor/outdoor activities. After finish above mentioned sightseeing we will Drop off you at Sandakan airport or your respective hotel (town area only).
Sabah, Sepilok, Selingan: 3-Day Sightseeing and Wildlife Tour
Green sea turtles, forest orangutans and limestone caves are just some of the highlights on this extraordinary 3-day tour from Sabah to Sandakan, including 4-star overnight stays at Selingan Island Resort and Borneo Nature Lodge. All meals and transportation, including boat tours, are included as you're expertly guided to some of the region's best natural and cultural attractions.
Borneo Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary, Sun Bear Center Day Tour
ItineraryThis is a typical itinerary for this productStop At: Puu Jih Shih Buddhist Temple, Sandakan, Sandakan Division, SabahThe temple is extravagant and likely built to awe. It is built in a grand scale, with giant undulating dragons, golden Buddha statue and many more.Duration: 1 hourStop At: Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre, Sandakan, Sandakan Division, SabahBear cub, which is used to living with people, will lose its ability to survive in the wild. Some even forget that they are bear. When they are free, they will look for people and cause a commotion in village nearby. This is a sad but typical story of a sun bear, whose mother was probably killed by poachers and it was kept as a pet.Duration: 3 hoursStop At: Magunatip Holidays, Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah PersekutuanSim-Sim Water Village where houses are all built close to the water surface while observing the fascinating view of the seaDuration: 1 hour
Full Day Sabah Tea Plantation & WWII Memorial
ItineraryThis is a typical itinerary for this productStop At: Kundasang War Memorial, Kundasang, Ranau, SabahThe war memorial has an Australian Garden , the English Garden , the Borneo Garden and the Contemplation Garden and Pool.Duration: 2 hoursStop At: Sabah Tea Garden Day Tours, Ranau, SabahSabah Tea is the only organic Tea farm in Borneo.Duration: 3 hours