Kinabatangan Wetlands Resort
Kinabatangan River
A stay at the Kinabatangan Wetlands Resort puts you right in the heart of Sabah’s dynamic and biodiverse rainforest. The background hum of human noise - ever present in our daily lives - takes a back seat here, and nature’s soundtrack steps forwards, plunging you into the rhythms of Borneo’s unique jungle habitat. It’s an extraordinary place. Accessed via a boat trip down a narrow, winding tributary of the Kinabatangan River, the resort feels instantly remote.
Wooden chalets, raised off the forest floor on stilts, blend in perfectly with their wilderness surroundings. The interiors are surprisingly well kitted-out and comparatively luxurious for such an out of the way setting; cosy hideaways where you can really recharge your batteries. However, the Kinabatangan Wetlands Resort’s biggest appeal lies with having access to the rainforest with 360° clarity; nothing else compares to actually being there, in one of the world’s most beautiful environments. Find your pace, take every moment as it comes, and soak it all in.
Location
On a tributary of the Kinabatangan River, in Sabah’s Lower Kinabatangan Segama Wetlands, the resort is reached via an hour and a half boat trip from Abai.
A little more detail
Rainforest setting
Boardwalk
Boat safaris
Wildlife & birdwatching
From a client…
Right from the start, the river trip to get to the resort felt like an adventure - our stay here was a real highlight.
Image gallery
Why we love it
Discover what to expect from staying at Kinabatangan Wetlands Resort
Wildlife on the doorstep
Wake gently, as the early morning light filters through the trees, and tune into Borneo’s unique soundscape, from gibbon calls to the hum of insects and the harmonies of birdsong. Take boat trips up the river, keeping your eyes keen for glimpses of proboscis monkeys and pygmy elephants along the banks, and perhaps even an orangutan. Discover flamboyant orchids and colourful butterflies close to your chalet, and head out again after sunset to rediscover the river’s wildlife by night.
Luxury in the wild
Luxury comes in many different forms. Sometimes it’s in the high glamour of a premium city hotel, and other times it’s in the opportunity to experience something truly extraordinary that few people get to see. A stay at Kinabatangan Wetlands Resort certainly falls into the latter category, but with a surprising pinch of the former too. The chalet interiors are spacious and airy, with stylish design details and wide windows that look straight out into the rainforest. A rare kind of idyll (although, if we’re picking holes, the hot water supply can be a bit unpredictable!).
What can you do there?
A stay at the Kinabatangan Wetlands Resort is all about the wildlife and learning how this vital habitat is protected. Head out on day and night boat safaris, and explore the rainforest nearer to the lodge on foot, following the boardwalk through the trees. Dine on an array of dishes made with locally sourced ingredients, accompanied by wide-windowed jungle views.
A Protected Habitat
Being located within the protected habitat of the Kinabatangan Wetlands, the resort has sustainability as a high priority. Amongst many initiatives, solar panels generate electricity, and rainwater and river water are filtered, treated and recycled onsite.
