If you are planning a trip to Sabah in Malaysian Borneo, one of the highlights you should not miss is a stay at Abai Jungle Lodge along the Kinabatangan River. This quiet eco-lodge near Kampung Abai offers river safaris, wildlife encounters, and a chance to experience life along the second longest river in Malaysia.
Unlike crowded resorts, the lodge focuses on simplicity, comfort, and immersion in the natural surroundings. Visitors come here to experience the jungle, join river cruises, and enjoy a slower pace of life. Whether you are flying in through Sandakan or adding it to your Borneo itinerary, this guide will walk you through what to expect and why this lodge is a top choice for nature lovers.
Abai Jungle Lodge sits on the banks of the Kinabatangan River, about 50 kilometers from Sandakan. You reach it only by boat. The lodge stands near Kampung Abai, a small fishing village at the river mouth of the Kinabatangan River, the longest river in Sabah and the second longest in Malaysia.
The setting feels special. The Kinabatangan runs through rainforest, mangroves, and villages, and wildlife thrives along its edges.
The lodge blends into its surroundings. Builders raised the whole complex on stilts and linked the rooms and dining hall with wooden boardwalks. Guests can safely walk around the lodge’s nature boardwalk and spot plants, insects, and sometimes monkeys right outside their rooms.
Travelers choose Abai Jungle Lodge because of its location and atmosphere. Its position near Abai village makes it one of the closest eco-lodges to Sandakan, which means you spend more time on the Kinabatangan River and less time traveling.
The setting feels peaceful. Unlike lodges further upriver, Abai attracts fewer visitors, so you enjoy quiet surroundings. Wildlife thrives here, and many guests spot hornbills, proboscis monkeys, or even herds of pygmy elephants walking along the riverside.
The lodge also creates an immersive jungle experience. You join structured activities like an afternoon river cruise and a guided night walk, but you also relax on the deck and watch the river. Because of this balance, travelers say the lodge consistently earns great reviews.
The Abai lodge provides simple but comfortable facilities. The focus stays on eco-friendly living rather than luxury.
Here’s what the lodge offers:
Travelers come here for comfort and nature rather than resort-style amenities.
Most guests start in Sandakan. You either arrive at Sandakan airport or stay in town overnight. From there, the lodge arranges a 1-hour boat cruise from the Sandakan jetty to Abai.
The transfer feels like part of the adventure. As the boat moves along the river, you pass mangroves, fishing boats, and small villages. Guides often point out proboscis monkeys, macaques, or many species of birds before you even reach the jetty at Abai.
Many travelers follow a Borneo itinerary that includes a morning visit to the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre and the Sun Bear Conservation Centre, then travel by boat to the lodge in the afternoon. This mix gives you both land and river wildlife in one day.
The Kinabatangan delivers some of the best wildlife encounters in Borneo. The banks of the Kinabatangan hold one of Southeast Asia’s richest ecosystems.
You might see:
Because the animals live wild here, sightings vary, but the high density of species gives you strong chances of seeing them.
Guests gather at the jetty after lunch and board small boats for the afternoon river cruise. The boat cruise usually lasts two hours, and guides use their sharp eyes to spot animals.
As the sun lowers, activity along the Kinabatangan River increases. You may watch orangutans feeding, proboscis monkeys settling into trees for the night, or a hornbill soaring across the water.
Because the Kinabatangan River is the second-longest river in Malaysia, its many tributaries give you endless routes to explore. For many visitors, the afternoon river cruise stands out as the highlight of their stay.
After dinner, guides lead you on a guided night walk around the lodge. Armed with flashlights, you step onto the boardwalks and explore the nocturnal side of the jungle.
You might spot frogs, lizards, sleeping birds, or snakes resting on branches. Insects like beetles and butterflies often steal the spotlight, and lucky walkers sometimes see civets or slow lorises.
The rainforest sounds transform at night. Frogs, owls, and crickets replace the daytime calls of monkeys and birds. This guided night walk shows you a completely different side of the Kinabatangan.
The chalets stand on stilts above the forest floor. Each chalet comes with a fan, mosquito net, private bathroom, and simple furnishings.
At night, the jungle provides its own soundtrack. You might hear owls call or gibbons sing in the early morning. Many guests step onto the boardwalk at sunrise to watch many species of birds before breakfast.
The setup encourages you to slow down. You can read on your veranda, watch monkeys from your balcony, or simply walk around the lodge’s nature paths to take in the surroundings.
The Abai Jungle Restaurant serves meals in a large riverside hall. Staff prepare buffets that include local dishes like curries, noodles, and rice, along with simple international options. Packages include lunch and dinner as well as breakfast.
The view adds to the experience. While you eat, you can watch the riverside and see fishermen or wildlife pass by. At night, firefly colonies sometimes light up the trees, creating an unforgettable dining atmosphere.
At Remarkable Borneo, we make it easy for travelers to experience the best of Sandakan, Sepilok, and the Kinabatangan River. Our wildlife-focused tours combine comfortable lodges, guided river safaris, and local expertise so you can enjoy Borneo’s nature without worrying about the details.
A great choice if you have limited time but want the highlights. You’ll explore Sepilok, stay at Abai Jungle Lodge, and join a river cruise to spot proboscis monkey, hornbills, and perhaps even a pygmy elephant.
Perfect for those seeking a deeper immersion in Borneo’s wildlife. This trip combines Abai Jungle Lodge and Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge, giving you two different riverfront stays and more opportunities to see orangutans, macaques, hornbills, and fireflies along the banks of the Kinabatangan.
Every river cruise, every night walk, and every lodge stay brings a new discovery. Whether it’s spotting proboscis monkeys at sunset or hearing the rainforest come alive after dark, your Kinabatangan adventure starts here.
Contact us today to reserve your package or request a custom trip tailored to you. Let us take care of the details so you can focus on the experience.
Tell us what kind of adventure you’re looking for. From mountain climbs and island escapes to wildlife and cultural tours. We’ll customize it just for you!
Need help? Call our tour experts at 019-5491400
Remarkable Borneo Travel & Tours is a Malaysian tour operator based in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. We offer a wide range of affordable and appealing Sabah tour packages, such as Mount Kinabalu climb, Borneo tours, Sabah diving and island packages and Sandakan tours. Our mission is to provide memorable travel experiences that allow our customers to discover the wonders of Borneo.
