2D1N Sandakan Wildlife & Historical Tour

Pick-up from Sandakan airport MH2042 @ 0750 hrs. Drive approximately forty minutes to Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation center. At this world renowned center, come face to face with human’s closest relative, the Orang Utan. Orang Utan shares 97% of the same DNA as humans. While Orang Utan rehabilitation is still the primary goal at Sepilok, present aims include public education on conservation, research and assistance to other endangered species such as captive breeding of the rare and endangered rhinoceros. Watch the scheduled video programme about the Orang Utan and the center at the Nature Education Centre and pay a visit to the Exhibition hall at the centre. The video show takes about 25 minutes. After registration, proceed to the feeding platform. The Orang Utan feeding time is at 1000 hrs. Witness the feeding of the Orang Utan.

After that, continue the trip by visiting the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation centre. The sun bear is the smallest, most arboreal and least known of the bear family measuring between 120–150 cm long and between 60-78 cm high at the shoulder. Unlike other bears, the sun bear’s dark brown or black fur is short and sleek, probably due to the lowland climates it lives in. On their chest sits a pale beige horseshoe shape marking which gives the sun bear its name being said to resemble a setting or rising sun. Similar color fur can be found around the muzzle and the eyes. Sun bears in Borneo live in the forest. In fact, they are so clever at hiding themselves in the trees that you would be extremely lucky if you see one in the wild. Lunch at local restaurant.

Proceed to Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary. The trip to the Sanctuary will take 40 minutes and the journey via gravel road will drive through oil palm and orchard farm. This is home to the endemic Proboscis monkey. Proceed to the observation area, visitors will have the delight of having a reasonably close and magnificent sight of these elusive monkeys. Found in most coastal areas of Borneo, they live in groups of 11-32 and almost exclusively in mangrove forests near fresh water and in lowland rainforests. They are mostly arboreal (tree living) but have been known to leave the trees in order to cross open ground, or pass through nipah palms. With its characteristic pot belly, huge pendulous nose with strange honking sound, it is one of the most peculiar animals in the world. Witness the Proboscis monkey in their natural habitat when they come to feed for their supplementary food. Feeding time is at 1430 hrs. After lunch depart Labuk Bay at 1530 hrs and continue journey to Sandakan town. Visit Puu Jih Shih Temple situated on the hilltop with a commanding view of Sandakan Bay, built in 1987, this ornate temple is blazed with red and gold, with writhing dragons and gold gilded Buddha. It is said that the temple protects and brings prosperity to Sandakan community. Drive downhill and pass by Sim Sim Water Village. This settlement was established in 1897, here you can walk and see the houses on stilt occupied by the local Chinese and Malays (time permitted). Proceed to the Hotel
Sandakan for dinner. (Buffet – Malaysian Cuisine).