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The Kinabatangan River, although nestled deep within Sabah, Malaysian Borneo, stands out as one of the most astounding and life-rich spots on the face of the earth. With its ornately decorated history, spectacular natural beauty, and thriving wildlife, Kinabatangan has become a box-office destination for travelers in search of real essence in nature.
Tourist at Kinabatangan River (Source: BorneoEcoTour)
The name Kinabatangan originates from the word "kina" meaning river or source, and "batangan," which means long. Centuries ago, this was one of the lifeblood rivers for indigenous peoples living along its banks, otherwise known as Orang Sungai. These are communities attached to the river as it should provide them with fish and other agriculture, as well as a means of transporting themselves from one place to another.
With the growth of logging industries in the area during the early 20th century, the area was transformed, leading to deforestation and habitat destruction. Conservation programmes thus started to crop up with the need to protect varied wildlife and the fragile Kinabatangan River ecosystem, hence turning it into a haven for nature conservation and ecotourism today.
History of Kinabatangan (Source: InsideAsiaTour)
The Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary forms one of the most accessible parts of the Kinabatangan River and is of high biological diversity. This sanctuary is a home for many endangered species that include Bornean pygmy elephants, orangutans, and the unique proboscis monkeys.
You will be taken on special boat safaris along the river for wildlife viewing, promising the most rewarding chances to view such marvelous creation in its natural setting. The birdwatcher spots various species of birds including hornbills, eagles, and kingfishers among hundreds of species that flock this area.
Birds in Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary (Source: BorneoCalling)
Sukau is a small village nestled along the Kinabatangan River and also acts as an entry point into the region. Some of the eco-lodges in this village offer homestays to visitors who might wish to experience the culture of the locals, taken aback by the serenity of the river.
Several river cruises can be made from here in case of breathtaking views of the rising or setting sun above the river and lush jungles abounded with wildlife. It's a place where the community plays an important role in conservation, mainly through guides that show people how much they can learn about the region, ecology, and wildlife.
Sukau Village (Source: BorneoEcoTour)
The Gomantong Caves, near Kinabatangan, are a limestone cave system famous for swiftlet nests, a very valuable commodity and an extremely prized ingredient for the delicacy of bird's nest soup in Chinese cuisine. The caves provide a home for millions of bats and swiftlets, an excellent opportunity to observe the symbiotic relationship between these animals.
When evening approaches, tourists can have a surreal view by the event of thousands of bats flying out of these caves, supposedly to get food, and other birds, eagles among them, often circling around, looking to snatch them at any moment right in mid-air. These caves also form part of the extended protection area for the surrounding forest conservation.
Gomantong Caves (Source: Wikipedia)
A visit to the Danau Girang Field Centre is a complete experience for special-interest travelers interested in conservation and research. It lies along the Kinabatangan River and is established through cooperation between Sabah Wildlife Department and Cardiff University.
It dedicates itself to research into the region's wildlife and conservation. Although it remains essentially closed to visitors and most visiting is reserved for researchers and students, the center arranges educational programs that allow visitors to become acquainted with various projects of further conservation work and remarkable biodiversity of this area.
Elephant in Danau Girang Field Centre (Source: Facebook)
Oxbow lakes are lakes in a crescent shape that form the meanders of the Kinabatangan River. These tranquil lakes are heavenly spots to behold when observing wildlife such as crocodiles, water birds, and even pygmy elephants as these animals come to drink.
They are singularly unobtrusive in their beauty and the serenity of the experience that one has from them, removed from the main channel of the river. The boat ride through the oxbow lakes refreshingly offers great opportunities for photography and spotting of wildlife.
Oxbow Lakes (Source: Flickr)
Read more: Malaysia tour 7 days: Wild Borneo adventure
Dry Season (March to October): This is the peak tourist season, during which wildlife viewing is easier along the banks of the river. The dry season is good for river cruises, jungle trekking, and cave exploration.
Wet Season (November to February): The water level in the river rises considerably during the wet season, flooding much of the surrounding forests. These provide relatively tougher chances at spotting wildlife, but this is the most vibrant greenery this region has to offer.
Best time to visit Kinabatagan (Source: SEABackpacker)
By Car or Bus: The journey from Sandakan to Sukau, a popular base for exploring Kinabatangan, is approximately 2.5 hours by road. You can either hire a private car or take a bus heading toward Lahad Datu, which will drop you off near Sukau. Some eco-lodges also provide shuttle services from Sandakan.
By Boat: Some tours offer more exciting travel alternatives by allowing a boat transfer from Sandakan to Kinabatangan. The river journey may be longer than it would take on the road but is packed with beautiful scenery and wildlife spotting-en-route.
River cruise in Kinabatagan (Source:SEAbackpacker)
Kinabatangan is a place where history, culture, and the wild perfectly amalgamate into nature. For best and optimum sightings of the wildlife, it is ideally recommended to visit during the dry season. But there are also plenty of memories one can bring along by visiting Kinabatangan during the wet season as the rain transforms the forest in a dramatic way. So don't be shy now, and come to Asia King Travel for an unforgettable time in Kinabatangan.
Read more: Malaysia Off the beaten track
