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KOPEL Kinabatangan homestay bedroom in Sandakan for Kinabatangan River safari guests, with four single beds and ceiling fan
3D2N Kinabatangan River Safari | Away from the Crowds
Escape to Kinabatangan's lesser-known side with jungle stay and river safaris
5.0
|43 Reviews
Group size
Up to 103 guests
DURATION
3 days 2 nights
Booking type
Join-in trip
MEET UP
At location
Group size
Up to 103 guests
- Experience highlights
- Itinerary
- Inclusions
- Accommodation
- Availability
- More Info
- Host
- Reviews
See Kinabatangan in a quieter stretch of the river, in the most meaningful way
Looking for a quieter way to experience Kinabatangan, especially during the busy summer months? This 3D2N jungle camp stay takes you to a calmer stretch of the river, away from the main lodge area where boat traffic can get heavy. Here, fewer boats pass by, the forest feels less disturbed, and wildlife behaviour is more natural.The camp is built and run by the local community, right inside a protected forest reserve. Over 20 years ago, villagers here chose conservation as a way forward — protecting their land while creating steady livelihoods for the people who live along the river. Your guides grew up in this landscape and know its rhythms well, from animal movements to seasonal changes. By staying here, you’re directly supporting a long-running, community-led effort to keep this part of Kinabatangan intact.With three full days on site, there’s no need to rush. You’ll head out on multiple river cruises at different times of day, spend longer on jungle walks, and sit quietly in key wildlife areas rather than hopping from spot to spot. Life at camp is simple and hands-on — this is the kind of place where everyone pitches in, and even the manager might be fixing a light bulb. It’s low-key, sincere, and deeply rooted in place, offering a more meaningful and less commercial way to experience the river.What to ExpectWildlife river cruises at dawn, sunset and duskGuided jungle walks by day and nightLonger time in quieter wildlife zonesLearn how local communities protect the forestSimple jungle living inside a forest reserveFewer boats, fewer people, more time in nature
Experience highlights
What You’ll be Doing
Day 1:
Registration, wildlife cruise, dinner and relaxation in the eveningDay 2:
Sunrise cruise, jungle trek, wildlife cruise and night walkDay 3:
Sunrise river cruise, breakfast, check-out, transfer to Kopel receptionShow Details
What’s Included
Overnight stay at an off-grid jungle camp
Sunset wildlife river cruise (Day 1 & 2)
Lunch ( Day 1 & 2), Dinner (Day 1 & 2), Breakfast (Day 2 & 3)
Night jungle walk with a local nature guide
Sunrise wildlife river cruise (Day 2 & 3)
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Who you’re supporting
Community Champion
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Where You’ll Sleep
Next Available Dates
Prices shown in USD
Select Time for 08 Jun 2026
Additional Information
Where we'll meet
Start Point
Meet-up at KOPEL Reception Centre(KOPEL Reception Centre, Malaysia)
- 12:00pm
- Notes: The current meeting point is at KOPEL's Reception Centre. Transfers from Sandakan can be arranged at an additional cost—please see the add-on section for details.
End Point
- End at Start Point(s)
Transport Add-ons
Add-on 1
- Pickup and drop-off to/from Sandakan (Price: RM523.24 for up to 7 guests)
Start & Ends
12:00PM on Day 1 - 09:00AM on Day 3
Suitability / Accessibility
- Vegetarian food available
- Halal food available
- Child Friendly (No Minimum Age)
Cancellation & other policies
Cancellation
Cancel 24 hours before activity for a full refund
What to Pack
- Binoculars (available for rent)
- Boots for kids for jungle trek (host does not have)
- Bug repellent
- Camera
- Cash for anything you might want to purchase on site
- Hat
- Leech socks or long thick socks
- Raincoat/Light Poncho (highly recommended!)
- Sunscreen
- Torch light
From
RM747.78
/person5.0(43)
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Meet your host
The Batu Puteh Community has been running things since 2003, when a few local groups came together to form KOPEL Bhd. It all started with the MESCOT Initiative and the Miso Walai Homestay Programme, and over time it grew into a proper cooperative. These days, more than 340 members from nearby villages are involved, each playing a part in the ecotourism and conservation work they do. What makes this group stand out is how they keep things local—offering jobs to people in the area and sharing earnings among members. It’s a community effort through and through, built on working together and looking after the place they call home.
Experience: 23 years
Speaks: Basic English, Fluent English, Bahasa
Acceptance rate: 69%
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