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Sandakan Location Map: Where it Located in Borneo?
If you look at a Sabah map, you'll see Kota Kinabalu on the west coast and Sandakan sitting proudly on the east — facing the Sulu Sea. This side of Sabah is wilder, wetter, and teeming with life.
Why the east coast matters? Because of its geography!
The region's vast Kinabatangan River system winds through dense tropical rainforest — one of the richest ecosystems on Earth. Nowhere else in Malaysia (or the world) can you find such easy access to so many iconic species — from orangutans to hornbills to crocodiles — all within a few hours' journey.
Sandakan Tourist Map: Where to Go & What to See
I visited Sandakan the last summer. According to my experience and local guide's tips, it's better to break Sandakan into 3 areas as it shows in the Sandakan Toursit Map: the town, the Sepilok and the Kinabatangan River.
Sandakan Town – Your Base Camp & Gateway to Adventure
Sandakan town is your arrival and departure point, the place to rest, refuel, and prep for your Kinabatangan River adventure. I stayed there for the night before flying out!
The town itself is small but surprisingly charming — perfect for a half- or full-day city walk. Follow the Sandakan Heritage Trail, a self-guided route linking 10 historical sites like:
- Masjid Jamik (Town Mosque)
- William Pryer Monument
- Stairs with Hundred Steps
- Agnes Keith's House
- Remains of old staircase
- Goddess of Mercy Chinese Temple / Kun Yam Temple
- St. Michael's and All Angels Church
- Sam Sing Kung Chinese Temple
- Malaysia Fountain
- Wisma Warisan/ Sandakan Heritage Museum
It's a nostalgic stroll through a town that once buzzed as the "Little Hong Kong" of Borneo.
Wildlife Conservations - Get Close to Orangutan, Sun Bear & Proboscis Monkey
About 25 km west of Sandakan, the Sepilok area is the heart of Borneo's conservation efforts — and the must-see highlight on any Sandakan Map.
- Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre
This world-famous sanctuary rescues and rehabilitates orphaned orangutans. I visited the centre around 10:00 AM with my tour guide. He told me that 3:00 PM is another good time to face to face with these emotional animals.
Orangutans have one of the closest parent-child relationships in nature, nursing their offspring for up to seven or eight years. I saw some baby orangutans nestled in their mothers' arms, nursing. It's amazing!
- Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre
Right next door (literally a 2-minute walk!) is the world's only sanctuary for the smallest bear species on Earth. An adult sun bear is about the size of a six-year-old child.
I walk through the elevated walkways, spoting them playing or snoozing in their forest enclosure. They are free, healthy and happy.
- Rainforest Discovery Centre (RDC)
Just a stone's throw from the other two centers, the RDC is a paradise for birdwatchers and nature lovers. Its main attraction is an incredible 347-meter-long canopy walkway suspended high in the treetops.
It offers a totally different perspective of the rainforest. It's especially magical at sunrise or sunset when hornbills swoop overhead.
- Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary
Located about 45 km from Sepilok, this privately-run sanctuary is the best place to get incredibly close to the bizarrely charming proboscis monkeys with their huge noses.
These monkeys are endemic to Borneo, which means you literally can't see them anywhere else on Earth.
The Kinabatangan River Cruise - Tropical Rainforest Adventure
A trip to Sandakan is incomplete without a Kinabatangan River Cruise! That's why I fly to this remote coastal destination.
I don't visit "the Kinabatangan River" on a day trip from Sandakan. Instead, I stayed at a jungle lodge right on the river (lower section).
Pretty much every river lodge offers package deals that include transportation from either Sandakan town or Sepilok, boat transfers to the lodge, all meals, and guided safaris.
Typical Packages:
- 2D1N (Express Adventure): Great for tight schedules — arrive afternoon, evening safari, morning safari, breakfast, and departure by late morning.
- 3D2N (Most Popular): Includes 3-4 safaris, meals, and a chance to see elephants.
- 4D3N (Deep Jungle Escape): Adds time for night walks, birdwatching, and village visits.
I chose the 3D2N packages and I was so luckey to see almost every wildlife. During early morning and late afternoon boat safaris, I meet wild orangutans brachiating through the canopy, pygmy elephants (yes, they're a real species, and yes, they're impossibly cute) drinking at the water's edge, proboscis monkeys in massive troops, saltwater crocodiles sunbathing on the banks, and an absolutely ridiculous variety of birdlife—hornbills, eagles, kingfishers, herons, storks, and more.
Tips: Boat trips operate on the main river and tributaries around major villages like Sukau and Abai. So choose the river lodges there, like Sukau Rainforest Lodge, Hornbill Lodge, Kinabatangan Wetlands Resort, Bilit Adventure Lodge, Borneo Natural Sukau Bilit Resort, Sukau Greenview Lodge, and Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge.
Sandakan Travel Map: How to Plan Your Trip & Connect the Wildlife Dots
Step 1: Getting to Sandakan
Fly into Sandakan Airport (SDK) from either Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) or Kota Kinabalu (BKI).
Most international travelers will fly into KUL first (3 hrs), then catch a domestic flight to Sandakan. From Kota Kinabalu, it's about a 50-minute flight eastward to Sandakan. The flights are regular and reliable.
Step 2: The Sepilok Hub
From the airport, it's an easy 30-minute taxi or Grab ride to Sepilok. Stay overnight near the rainforest, visit both Orangutan and Sun Bear centres, and maybe squeeze in a walk at RDC.
Step 3: The Journey to the Kinabatangan River
This part's trickier — there's no public transport. This is why river lodge packages are king!
Your travel to the river is almost always arranged as part of a pre-booked package. This includes comfortable transfers from your hotel in Sandakan town or the Sepilok area directly to the correct river jetty, a boat transfer to your lodge, all your meals, and expert-guided river safaris.
It's seamless and stress-free.
Sandakan Tour Map: The Perfect 4-Day Safari Itineraries
Day 1: Arrive at Sandakan Airport and transfer to a comfortable hotel in the Sepilok area. Relax and soak in the rainforest atmosphere.
Day 2: Enjoy a relaxed morning visit to the Sepilok Orangutan and Sun Bear centers. In the afternoon, your transfer to your Kinabatangan lodge begins. Settle in and enjoy your first evening safari.
Day 3: A full, glorious day on the Kinabatangan River. Enjoy both morning and afternoon river safaris, with plenty of time in between to relax, read a book, or go on a guided jungle walk around the lodge.
Day 4: Enjoy a final breakfast by the river before your seamless transfer back to Sandakan Airport for your flight home.
The Asia Odyssey Advantage: Your Wildlife Logistics Experts
As you can see from the map, a Sandakan safari involves multiple locations and transfers. How do you book a reliable transfer from Sepilok to a remote river jetty? How do you choose the right jungle lodge? How do you time it all to match your flights?"
This is our specialty. Asia Odyssey Travel removes all the logistical stress so you can focus on the wildlife.
- Seamless Connections: We handle everything. Your expert guide and private vehicle will meet you at the airport, take you to Sepilok, transfer you seamlessly to your river lodge, and get you back for your flight home. No waiting, no stress.
- Vetted Expert Lodges & Guides: We don't just book any lodge. We partner with the best, most reputable jungle lodges on the Kinabatangan River, ensuring you have comfortable accommodation, knowledgeable guides, and the best chance of amazing wildlife sightings.
- A Complete, Tailor-Made Safari: We build the perfect itinerary for you. Whether it's the 3-day express trip or a 10-day deep dive into Borneo, we handle all the details.
Your job is to bring your camera and enjoy the Sandakan adventure!
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