Review Author: Ian & Leonora

Review Date: 10 okt 2025

Review Body: Our tour was with Greenview Lodge, booked through SeekSophie. Both companies we very easy to communicate with. We spent 2 nights in Deramakot Forest Reserve doing 4x4 jungle safaris, and then 1 night in Sukau doing cruises on the Kinabatangan River. Day 1 was a long drive to Deramakot. 2hrs on the highway with a lunch stop (included), 1hr through a Palm Tree plantation and then 1hr through the Deramakot forest. I suggest being alert for the last hour for wildlife. Later that evening we did a 2hr night safari. An early 3hr sunrise safari (including tea break) was followed by a long break, and then a 4hr sunset safari (again with tea break in the jungle from a camp stove). An early start on day 3 for the return drive and then on to Sukau, 4hrs travel with a lunch stop. That afternoon we had a 2hr river cruise, and another one that night. Final day was a sunrise cruise, then a 2hr drive back to Sandakan. Enough boilerplate chat... Whilst it is of course possible not to see anything, we saw lots of wildlife! On the river there are lots of boats and the guides are in contact with each other so can pass on information about animal sightings. They also know the usual hang outs for a few species, so it's pretty likely to see plenty. It felt safe and sustainable. The accommodation at Greenview lodge is clean and modern and there is phone signal. In Deramakot it's harder to spot wildlife, but incredibly rewarding if achieved. It's out and back on a dirt road, again feeling very safe and sustainable. The accomodation is basic and the camp feels very secluded, and there is no phone signal but you can pay something like 25RM for a 3GB satellite link. I would suggest getting up before sunrise to wander the camp looking for wildlife in the trees and skies. A shout out to the staff - we had an excellent bus driver called Along, a really friendly 4x4 driver called Sam, and a sharp-eyed genius guide called Reswan. All were very professional, happy to help out and went the extra mile for us. You definitely need waterproofs, and I'd also suggest a small umbrella. You also need sunglasses, sunhat, suncream, insect repellent and a torch. My top tip would be the binoculars. I wish I had some stronger ones, but just having a pair at all had a big impact on our experience. As seeing wildlife is not guaranteed, attached photos just show the environment of the tour... But we saw the Borneo Big 5 and a host of other amazing creatures!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Lisa Albino

Review Date: 12 mrt 2025

Review Body: I highly recommend this tour and company!! We started our tour in Deramakot and our guide Bron and driver Sam were absolutely brilliant!! They knew I wanted to see a clouded leopard and catered the tour to us extending the night drive. They went above and beyond to make sure we saw as many animals as possible and with Bron’s eagle eye we saw way more than we expected (including pygmy elephants, helmeted and rhinoceros hornbill, orangutans, flying squirrels and even a marbled cat!!). Everything was very well organised and they drove us halfway to meet our next driver Jahal and guide Sam in Kinabatangan. We didn’t think anything would beat what we saw in Deramakot but we were very wrong. The Kinabatangan river is absolutely stunning and filled with amazing wildlife. We took an additional firefly tour with our amazing guide Captain Jack and I highly recommend doing this tour. We got to eat a delicious home cooked meal at a local village, had front row seats to proboscis monkeys jumping from different trees and even saw crocodiles mating! The guides really made our Borneo trip such an enjoyable experience. Thank you so much Bron, Sam and Jack your passion for wildlife is infectious and we had the BEST time!!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Rahel Bürki

Review Date: 27 dec 2025

Review Body: 4D3N kinabatangan and deramakot tour We had an incredible trip! We started at the Kinabatangan River, where we saw the Big 5 of Borneo and so much more in just three tours. The tour guides did their best to find everything possible. In Deramakot, we were completely alone, which is not normal, but of course made everything even more special. Our tour guide Bobby and driver Sam were absolutely incredible people. We were very lucky again and saw an incredible amount, especially at night, thanks to Bobby's exceptionally good eyesight. Food and drinks were always provided and the Malaysian cuisine was extremely good. Don't expect too much from the lodge in the jungle (Deramakot): single beds, lots of insects (absolutely normal in the jungle) and everything is a bit old. We can only recommend it to everyone, and if you are lucky enough to have the dynamic duo Bobby and Sam as your guides, you will have one of the best tours ever. Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Carolyn

Review Date: 26 apr 2026

Review Body: Everyone kept telling me before I left for Borneo that it would be the trip of a lifetime, and after my time on this tour, I can confidently say they were wrong--it was so amazing that I HAVE to come back again. I was awestruck with the professionalism and respect that everyone on this trip showed towards the wildlife and the guests. You can really tell that everyone working for this group wants to preserve this amazing ecosystem and share it correctly with the visitors. They all conducted the activities in a way that will not affect the plants or animals. My guide knew literally every single creature from the tiniest little lizards to the small birds flying overhead, and could spot squirrels in the dark from incredible distances. Speaking with my guide about his community outreach and career path showed me that this really is a company that values conservation and education. I can't be happier that I went with this tour, it was a life changer for sure.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Ellie

Review Date: 29 jan 2025

Review Body: Absolutely surpassed expectations. Our guide Bruno was deeply knowledgeable and enthusiastic and our driver Sam negotiated the rough terrain safely and with skill. Deramakot - an absolute privilege to be able to visit this environment that few travel to. Excellent birding. We spotted many forest inhabitants including pygmy elephants, orangutans, civets, slow loris and a leopard cat. Food was delicious. Kinabatang - excellent for wildlife - monkeys aplenty (including proboscis), lots of hornbills. The new accommodation buildings are very good. Tips - be prepared for wet weather and maybe to get a bit muddy. Bring patience - it will pay off! The accommodation at the deramakot forest is basic and only has power during certain hours so plan charging devices and shower accordingly. A head torch is very handy. Often no phone signal, which can be an excellent thing, but useful to know if you need to let anyone know you'll be offline whilst you're there.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Rob en Kim

Review Date: 06 sep 2026

Review Body: We hadden de 4D3N Dermakot en Kinabantangan Rivertour met Sukau Greenview Travel & Tours met Bruno en Sam als onze gidsen. Wat een fantastische tijd hebben we met hen gehad! Prachtige dieren en landschappen gezien waarbij Bruno en Sam er alles aan deden om ons zoveel mogelijk te laten zien maar altijd vanuit respect voor de dieren! Dankzij hen zijn het onvergetelijke dagen geworden!!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Konstantinos Panagiotides

Review Date: 03 okt 2025

Review Body: It was one of the best things I’ve ever expirienced. It was phenomanal and a unforgettbale trip. We had the best tour Guide, he was so kind and knowledgeable. Thank you so much for everything Bruno. You did a fantastic job. He spotted a variety of animals, including orangutans, an elephant, many different kinds of monkeys, a huge crocodile, a kingfisher, and even a leopard cat.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Alex B.

Review Date: 02 okt 2026

Review Body: We had a really wonderful time on our 4D3N trip with Sukau Greenview Lodge - we spent two nights at Deramakot Forrest and one night at the Kinabatangan River. To experience wildlife and nature in such an intimate way was a lifetime experience. Special thanks to our wonderful guide, Mr. Raswan - it was a pleasure to discover the wild nature of Sabah with you! Ale & Nici

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Felicia

Review Date: 04 feb 2026

Review Body: I really enjoyed staying here! Felt at one with nature whilst having the luxury of my accommodation. The food was great and the staff were all really friendly. I did the a tour to dereamkot and kinabatangan river which I’d highly recommend. Got to see a lot of animals: orangutans, Pygmy elephant, proboscis monkeys, langurs, lots of birds etc,

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Emily

Review Date: 04 nov 2025

Review Body: Fantastic! Highly recommend. Our guide Bruno and driver Sam were knowledgeable and friendly. Deramakot and Kinabatangan both fantastic. Agree with website that only book Deramakot if you are OK with more basic rooms (has aircon), bumpy roads and long drives. Would book again and spend more time.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Pier-étienne Robitaille

Review Date: 14 mrt 2025

Review Body: We did deramakot and kinabatangan river and we had an amazing experience, the guides really know what they are doing and we had amazing time with them! The food is suprisingly good too even in the middle of them jungle!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Shane

Review Date: 13 mrt 2025

Review Body: Absolutely amazing trip, guides Sam and Bruno were unbelievable. They had vast amounts of knowledge and an amazing talent for spotting animals and couldn’t have been more helpful. 10/10 would 100% recommend for anyone!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Ben Moseley

Review Date: 12 jun 2026

Review Body: NOTE: This review is for 4D3N Deramakot and Kitanbangan Safari. This is a good experience, overall and we would recommend it generally speaking. However - I think it is important to stress a few things that are not completely clear from the tour information. Firstly - Deramakot is quite remote and thus takes a long time to get to! Expect a 5 hour drive from Sepilok/Sandakan to Deramakot. It then takes a further 6 hours to get from Deramakot to Kitanbangan. So you are committing to quite a few long drives to get to Deramakot. The alternative tour that has just the River Safaris is much less travel overall. Secondly - it is important to understand that the wildlife viewing is significantly better / easier (in our experience) on the boat tours. In 1 day on the water we saw vastly more animals than we did during 2 days in Deramakot. The viewings are more "special" in Deramakot as a result of this and you do see a different range of animals but you will spend a lot of time without seeing much, probably. Although as with all safaris, mileage may vary! The accomodation and food at Deramakot is, as described, quite basic. Think no chilled water, cold showers but there is consistent electricity supply now and signal for eSIMs can vary! However the staff an guides are lovely in both places and definitely lift your spirits when you've gone 3 hours without seeing anything more than a rat and a weasel! Perhaps we were a bit unlucky? Who knows! I think if we were to have our time again - we would do the 4D3N KITANBANGAN RIVER SAFARI only, and not go to Deramakot. But there is value to the more intimate experience at Deramakot if that is more your speed.

Review rating: 4

Review Author: Michaela

Review Date: 07 mei 2025

Review Body: Great tour into a remote area of Sabah. Ron was fantastic sporting the animals in the wild - we had the rare treat to see a clouded leopard which was really special. The accommodation in Deramakot is functional but good for a few days and Greenview B&B in Sukau for the boat safari is really nice.

Review rating: 4

Review Author: Tina

Review Date: 19 mrt 2026

Review Body: If I could give a 100/10 I would! This was, hands down, the best travel experience I had so far. First of all, they adjusted the order of activities for me to be able to make it the same day I was landing in Sandakan as I was short on time. My guide Ijam brought me first to Sepilok Orangutan and Sunbear sanctuaries - beautiful first experience with wildlife. I got a short guided tour and Ijam answered all my questions. After that lunch at the Sepilok resort which was delicious. In the afternoon we went to Greenview lodge, and the acommodation was absolutely amazing. I stayed in the newly built chalet which was fully equiped with comfortable beds, great bathroom, Aircon, all surrounded by beautiful nature - and - we were so lucky that the elephants were travelling accross these days that they showed up at the lounge in front of our rooms!! After that, first of the 4 river cruises started and we saw so much wildlife, I mean saltwater crocodile, Hornbills, Proboscis monkey all in the first cruise! The dinner later was super delicious, as were all the following meals with variety of meat, fish, rice, fresh fruit and desserts (they also check with you any dietary restrictions and adapt when needed). The more we went on jungle cruises and walks the more wildlife we saw and I can only describe it as magical - in addition to the above we saw King fishers, sweet water crocokodile, snakes, an eagle, several types of monkeys (one group saw Orangutan when my group went on the other side to see a very rare sight of otters). And were again so lucky that more elephants walked next to our acommodation. This varies very much of the season and you have to be lucky to see them all but my group indeed was lucky to see the Borneo big 5 during our trip :) The staff is very kind, acommodating, knowleadgeble, I especially enjoyed our guides Ijam and Icki! Last day they arranged a private tranfer to get on the speedboat to Selingan Turtle Island. That was a truly unique experience - seeing a newcoming Turtle to lay eggs and releasing baby tutrles was truly mind blowing! The staff there is really dedicated to conservatorahip and well-being of the turtles and we were instructed to follow minimum interventions during the process meaning no flash, no touching, no walking around the island at night. The acommodation here is simple, less luxurious than in Greenview lodge, but had everything you can need for a one night stay. Snorkling on the island is beautiful! All in all I can only recommend Sukau Greeview Lodge with its staff! :) I saw they were building more chalets and expending and I do hope that in the future with the rise of tourism and their scope they continue with dedication of sustainability and respect towards nature as they demonstrated this time. Must stay in Borneo!🐒🐘🌅

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Diletta Gentile

Review Date: 17 aug 2026

Review Body: Azizay, our guide, was always very kind, friendly and helpful, and always ready to answer all our questions about nature and wildlife. The lodge is really lovely and the food was good. The organization was impeccable, as were the transfers to and from the airport. It was our first experience being immersed in such wild and untouched nature, and I highly recommend the 3D2N package. I believe it is an excellent way to discover and experience the fascinating island of Borneo. A wonderful experience that we will cherish! precisa l’organizzazione così come i transfer da e per l’aeroporto. Era la nostra prima esperienza a contatto con la natura così selvaggia e consiglio l’esperienza del pacchetto 3D2N perché lo ritengo un’ottimo modo per scoprire l’affascinante Borneo. ChatGPT ha detto: Ecco una versione più fluida e naturale della tua recensione: Azizay, la nostra guida, è stata sempre molto gentile, simpatica e disponibile, pronta a rispondere a tutte le nostre domande sulla natura e sugli animali. Il lodge è davvero carino e il cibo molto buono. L’organizzazione è stata impeccabile, così come i transfer da e per l’aeroporto. Era la nostra prima esperienza a contatto con una natura così selvaggia e consiglio vivamente il pacchetto 3D2N: lo ritengo un ottimo modo per scoprire e vivere l’affascinante Borneo. Una bellissima esperienza che porteremo con noi! Accedi per ricevere aiuto più personalizzato per scrivere, riscrivere e tradurre. Accedi Registrati gratis Hai detto: Traduci in inglese ChatGPT ha detto: Azizay, our guide, was always very kind, friendly and helpful, and always ready to answer all our questions about nature and wildlife. The lodge is really lovely and the food was very good. The organization was impeccable, as were the transfers to and from the airport. It was our first experience being immersed in such wild and untouched nature, and I highly recommend the 3D2N package. I believe it is an excellent way to discover and experience the fascinating island of Borneo. A wonderful experience that we will cherish! As a suggestion, I would recommend providing more towels for each guest in the room, as having only one bath towel per person is not quite enough.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Rabie

Review Date: 12 feb 2026

Review Body: If you want to go to the Kinabatangan River but don't know who to travel with, LOOK NO FURTHER. I had a WONDERFUL experience with Sukai Greenview Lodge. 5 STARS. From pick up to drop off, and everything in between. Our guide was very knowledgeable, easy to communicate with and super enthusiastic about his job. We saw the Borneo big 5 and much more, thanks to our guide, who had a keen eye for spotting wildlife. We really enjoyed the boat cruises, and so we booked an extra one on our last morning before we departed. It cost an extra RM65 and we found it very much worth it as we spotted the rare Helmeted Hornbill. You will spot lots of wildlife if you keep an eye out for them. We spotted some animals ourselves, which we would not have seen had we relied completely on our guide. Not to take anything away from him, but the guide is only one pair eyes. Also, be sure to let them know what you want to target if you're looking for something particular. The food was great, with a mix of Malaysian and Western cuisine. We enjoyed the buffet 3 times a day with other guests. Everyone was super friendly, and we felt that we were all having a great time. We never experienced any issues or difficult people. The room was super clean and tidy, with complimentary bottled water. Hot showers were great. I will say, we were there when the other lodges around us were under construction, so there was a lot of construction noise (welding, hammering, talking ect). It actually never bothered us, though, because they would start late in the morning and finish early in the evening, and we were always busy with activities or eating by the river. On that note, yes, there are a lot of activities, and you will not be bored. We did the 3D2N tour, but it was really more like 2 days and 2 nights, arriving at 3:30 pm and leaving at 8:30 am. Nonetheless, we were all just upset that we were leaving so soon, as we were really enjoying the trip, and you will too.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Lauren Cooney

Review Date: 02 okt 2025

Review Body: Wow! My friend and I have just completed the Borneo Big 5 4D/3N trip with Sukau Greenview Lodge. It really exceeded all expectations. Firstly the important parts THE WILDLIFE! Yes we saw the 'Big 5' (Pygmy elephants. Oranguatang, Proboscis monkey, Rhinoceros horn bill and crocodile) and saw them close enough to really appreciate and get great photos. We saw so much more though, including an incredible number of bird species large and small, some quite rare including the Storm Stork and the White Crowned hornbill. Our GUIDE, Zac (aka Captain Jack Sparrow) - we have now titled 'Eagle Eye Zac' and best guide in Sabah. Local to the area, extremely knowledgeable about fauna and flora of all types, happy to share his knowledge, passionate and committed to wildlufe andnature conservation. Self taught and always learning, Zac also has an amazing ability to spot things in random / hidden spots whether ambling or speeding down the river!! We would not have seen and learnt half of what we did without Zac's guiding, knowledge experience. Our accommodation was new (twin room), comfortable, clean and well appointed for a few days stay in the jungle. Food was local, enjoyable and plentiful, and all staff friendly and willing to help resolve anything. Locally owned and employing local people, a definite plus for us. So highly recommended all around. Keep in mind, this trip is about nature and wildlife, and you are on a river, in a tropical rainforest! You may end up soaking wet during a downpour, there are bugs, mosquitoes etc which might get in your room, sometimes things might not go to plan! So no, not a luxury safari, rather a comfortable, well organised 'adventure ' in an incredible part of the world with nature and wildlife all around and great local people, like Zac, to help you find it! Big thanks to all the team at Sukau Greenview Lodge!!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Angie Mok

Review Date: 09 jul 2026

Review Body: We visited Sungai Kinabatangan in June and it was an unforgettable experience from start to finish. The warm hospitality began the moment we landed. Our facilitator met us right at the airport, so we never felt lost or unsure of where to go, and the van was punctual. That kind of smooth arrival set the tone for the whole trip. We were lucky enough to spot 4 of the Borneo Big 5, but the experience went far beyond ticking off a wildlife checklist. Our guide was friendly and incredibly knowledgeable, taking the time to teach us about the insects, plants, and trees along the way. It gave us a much deeper appreciation of the ecosystem as a whole. A small but lovely detail: the boatman always waited for everyone to put down their cameras and phones before setting off again, so no one ever felt rushed or missed a moment. It was also the perfect trip for a group of friends who only get to meet once a year. We genuinely put our phones down, soaked in the scenery, and spent real quality time together, something that's harder and harder to do these days. The food deserves a special mention. What stood out was the attention to detail: they asked about our allergies in advance and prepared separate dishes for my friend who has lactose intolerance wherever possible. Every meal was thoughtfully balanced, with two kinds of meat, two vegetable dishes, carbs, fresh fruit, and dessert, and very little processed food. You could really taste the care that went into it. If I could offer one suggestion, it would be to include a short debrief after each tour, or at least once a day. Some of us were seated further from the guide on the boat and couldn't always hear the explanations clearly, so a quick recap would help everyone take in what we saw. Highly recommend this trip to anyone wanting an authentic Kinabatangan experience with genuine hospitality.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Olivia Hopkinson

Review Date: 24 aug 2026

Review Body: Our entire experience at Sukau Greenview was magical. If you are looking for a tour operator for the Kinabatangan River, do not hesitate to book with these guys. The guides were very professional, experienced and entertaining. They are incredibly skilled, spotting tiny creatures from across the river even in the dark! We were very lucky to see all of the Borneo big 5 in just one boat trip which was truly life changing, and we can only thank our amazing guides for their knowledge and commitment to helping us see these animals. Special thanks to our guide Azizie (Ikky) who was with us from 6am to 9pm and helped us to see incredibly rare creatures such as orangutans, slow lotus, tiny owls, hummingbirds, elephants, proboscis monkeys and more, and kept us safe and in good spirits all the time. Our accommodation was stunning, you would have no idea you were in the middle of the jungle when in the rooms apart from the amazing real nature sounds to help you sleep. The food was excellent and plentiful, the dining area had a beautiful view over the river. Obviously it is very hot and humid and there are little bugs around because you are in the jungle, but there is good AC in the rooms. We did the 3D2N tour which I highly recommend, we actually saw 4/5 of the big 5 within two hours of being there! This included 2 sunset cruises, 1 night cruise, 1 sunrise cruise, 1 day jungle trek, 1 night jungle trek, a cultural talk, all your meals and transport to and from the airport or your Sepilok/Sandakan hotel. Incredible value for money! Do remember to bring cash if you want to buy mosquito repellent, ice cream, soft drinks or rent binoculars. Also bring ponchos and leech socks or long socks! We will never forget our time at Sukau Greenview and hope to visit again in the future. We will be spreading the word to our friends and family to visit!

Review rating: 5

Itinerary Day 1

Itinerary Summary: Pick-up from Sandakan to Deramakot Forest Reserve

Itinerary Description: 10:30 AM: Pick-up from Sandakan for a scenic journey to Deramakot Forest Reserve. 5:00-6:00 PM: Arrive at Deramakot Forest Reserve. Check-in to the cozy Deramakot Forest Lodge. 6:30 PM: Dinner. 7:00 PM: Embark on an exciting 4WD night safari (3-4 hours) to discover the rich nocturnal wildlife that thrives in the reserve. Overnight at Deramakot Lodge.

Itinerary Day 2

Itinerary Summary: Deramakot Wildlife Safari

Itinerary Description: 06:00 AM: Experience an early morning 4WD safari. Departure times may vary based on wildlife activity. 09:00 AM: Return to the lodge for breakfast. 12:00 PM: Lunch at the lodge. 02:00 pm: Afternoon 4WD safari. Your guide will advise on the best departure time. 05:00 PM: Return to the lodge to relax before dinner. Dinner at the lodge. Night 4WD safari. Experience the rainforest after dark with potential wildlife sightings. Overnight at Deramakot Lodge.

Itinerary Day 3

Itinerary Summary: Transfer to Kinabatangan River Wildlife Cruise

Itinerary Description: 6:00 AM: Embark on a morning safari (1-2 hours) for early wildlife encounters. 8:00 AM: Enjoy breakfast at the lodge, followed by check-out. Journey onward to Sukau Village where you will find the Kinabatangan River. 12:00-12:30 PM: Stop for a relaxing lunch along the way. 3:00 P.M: Arrive at the B&B and settle in after check-in. 4:00 PM: Set off on a peaceful afternoon river cruise along the Kinabatangan River (2 hours), where you'll have the chance to spot wildlife such as proboscis monkeys, macaques, and more. 6:30 PM: Dinner. 7:30 PM: Enjoy a night river cruise (1 hour) to observe the nocturnal creatures of the river, including owls and crocodiles. Overnight at Kinabatangan.

Itinerary Day 4

Itinerary Summary: Morning Kinabatangan Cruise and Departure

Itinerary Description: 5:30 AM: Wake-up call to start the day. 6:00 AM: Embark on an early morning river cruise to witness the enchanting misty sunrise and spot wildlife along the riverbanks (2 hours). 7:40 AM: Return to the lodge for a hearty breakfast. 9:00 AM: Check-out and enjoy a scenic transfer to Sandakan or Sepilok for drop-off. End of Tour. Note: The itinerary is flexible, can be swap to Kinabatangan River first before Deramakot, depending on your arrival time to Sandakan or depending on availability on both locations. Please contact us to share your flight details.