7 nights in Sandakan

Hello

This may have already been covered before. I am a young female solo traveller. I will be in Sandakan for 5-7 nights, primarily to see the Orangutans on one of the days.

I want to know what else others recommend to do in the City for a solo backpacker. I was looking at going over to Turtle Island but this looks a little out of my price range.

Look forward to hearing from you

Hi I am looking at travelling to Borneo too and seems the Kinabatangan wildlife tour is a must do, it lasts for 3 days and costs around 460RM for the budget option. You travel into the rainforest by boat and stay in a jungle lodge, there is chance to see a lot of wildlife in it's natural habitat :)

i second doing a kinabatangan river tour. Its worth it just to sit in your hammock outside your cabin and listening to the sounds of the jungle. Plus you see heaps of wildlife

Whatever you decide. ..don't stay in Sandakan for a week ;-)

A day in Sepilok is plenty. ..spend the rest of the time somewhere more interesting. ...

Sepilok: http://www.molon.de/galleries/Malaysia/Sabah/Sepilok/ (1/2 day trip)
Labuk bay: http://www.molon.de/galleries/Malaysia/Sabah/Labuk/ (1/2 day trip)
Sunbear centre: http://www.sabahtourism.com/destination/bornean-sun-bear-conservation-centre
Kinabatangan river: http://www.molon.de/galleries/Malaysia/Sabah/Kinabatangan/ (2-3 days)
Berhala island: http://www.molon.de/galleries/Malaysia/Sabah/Berhala/ (about 30 minutes by boat from Sandakan; no tourist infrastructure at all; in case you want to do some beach, bring enough water/drinks and arrange for somebody to come and bring you back; the good thing is that you have the whole beach for yourself)

Amazing thank you all! The river tour sounds great. I'll definitely look into doing that. And would love to maybe do a couple of beaches as well.
Has anyone been before? Can you tell me is it safe for a solo female?

Like everywhere. ..if you take the usual precautions you shouldn't have any problems.

Safety is mostly based on your preparations and behavior. ..that is the same for everyone, male or female, solo or not....

HI there,
Can you tell which tour you are referring to in the post above please ? Sounds like that's my kind of budget also.
Thanks!

HI there,
Can you tell which tour you are referring to in the post above please ? Sounds like that's my kind of budget also.
Thanks!

The tour is this one - http://www.uncletan.com/wildlifetour.html recommended to me by friends and seems to pop up as a good one on lots of forums :) I'm planning on doing it in September

Uncle Tan is not bad at all....very basic accommodation, but the guides are good enough and most people enjoy it...

When are you there in September? I can't wait. Hoping to do an island and some snorkeling/diving too, which will be fun!

I'm there from 10th September for 2 weeks in various places :) when will you be there?
busy making final plans now so should know soon when I will be in the Sandakan area

I'm travelling across on the last week in September from another part of my travels. You'll have to keep me up to date with any tips/advice from your time there if you get there before me :) Also considering going down to Semporna/the islands there for a couple of days.

thank you for this post - I am also a solo female traveller at the end of September and trying to figure out my route as well! Ive got 7 days for Borneo and I was going to do 2-3 at Maul for diving and then on to Sepilok. I do want to be able to relax on a beach too and have the opportunity to meet other travellers

Hi guys,
Im also going to be in Borneo in the last week of Sept (another Irish girl :-) ) from about the 28th.
Im trying to firm up my plans at the moment. Looking like Sepilok, Kinabatanagan, Mulu...
I don't dive so this isn't a priority for me.
Have you guys firmed up anything?
Happy travelling!

Thanks - think im going to try to book this. Have you done it yet? Any feedback?!
Hope your trip is going well!

Hi, good to hear from you all. I haven't confirmed anything yet. Still need to book my flights so will hopefully do this soon and have more of an idea of my plans :)

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