Kinabatangan River Malaysia, East Malaysia (Sabah)

Visiting the Kinabatangan River will grant you access and insight into the typical lives of wild animals, but it’s also an activity you can feel good about. Eco-tourism plays an important role in the region’s success. Much of the river area has been decimated by harmful logging practices, driving wildlife to the lower section of the river, which is where these tours take place. Today, the lower section is threatened by the Palm Oil industry, but ecotourism plays an important role in showing the local people that conservation is worth it for monetary reasons as well as environmental reasons.

Tours of the Kinabatangan River generally take place in the early morning or late afternoon because those are the times when the animals are most active. However, you can also book a nighttime river cruise which offers a chance to see some of the animals sleeping. Whatever time of day you choose to do it, this is a must when visiting Malaysia. It’s highly recommended to work with a tour company for all your accommodations; most even provide you transportation to the river since it can be a little tricky to get there. Book an overnight stay in the rainforest if you’re aiming for an early morning or late-night river safari.