Abai Jungle Lodge is located on the lush banks of the Kinabatangan River in Borneo. Built on stilts, and only reachable by boat, this simple but cosy lodge provides a fantastic base for spotting the wealth of wildlife that can be found in the area.
Although this is by no means a luxury lodge in terms of amenities, a stay here provides you with a rich experience
An abundance of wildlife to be seen, all you need to do is step out on to your veranda
There are wonderfully helpful and knowledgeable staff to look after you
Activities include boat trips along the Kinabatangan River, and walks through the rainforest
From the moment your first step off the boat into the grounds of Abai Jungle Lodge, there will always be something to see, whether that is a monkey, brightly coloured flowers in the lush gardens or a bearded pig, the area is a treasure-trove for nature lovers.
Accommodation is basic, but most visitors only spend a night or two here, and stays are very much about the experience rather than the rooms. There are 24 rooms, spread across chalets along the boardwalks. Each chalet has three rooms with a shared veranda. The rooms have overhead fans and en-suite bathrooms which have hot water showers.
The open-air restaurant has a lovely social atmosphere, as it is a popular stop-off point for visitors and locals on their way down the river. The restaurant serves delicious local produce and fresh fish brought in by the villagers. On the riverfront there is a large open deck which offers a charming place to relax and admire your surroundings.
You will spend your days going out on boat trips to cruise along the river, taking in the scenery and hopefully catching sight of the local inhabitants. Here, you may see pygmy elephants, orangutans, many species of birds, including hornbills and kingfishers, bearded-pigs, monkeys and snakes; to name but a few! There are also extensive boardwalks from the lodge into the jungle, and so there is plenty of opportunity to explore on foot.
When to visit
Don’t let the thought of snakes and spiders deter you from the night walk! It feels very adventurous and you will be in safe hands.
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Enquire NowAbai Jungle Lodge is situated at 47km from the river mouth of Kinabatangan River, the longest river in Sabah and Malaysia's second longest river.
The Abai Jungle Lodge is accessed by a 17-hour international flight (one change) to Sandakan Airport, followed by a road and boat transfer through the Kinabatangan Wetlands.
Ultimate Borneo
A journey through the heart of Malaysian Borneo showcasing the very best this diverse country has to offer. Discover metropolitan Kuala Lumpur before exploring the dense Borneo Rainforest. See pygmy elephants and orangutans in the pristine Kinabatangan Wetlands area before enjoying some respite on one of Sabah's beautiful outer islands, Gaya Island.
Kinabatangan River - Afternoon River Cruise
In the late afternoon set off by boat to explore the Kinabatangan River. Enjoy the scenery as the sun sets, watching the colours change across the sky. You may be lucky enough to spot the fireflies begin to twinkle along the riverbanks as night falls.
Sepilok Orangutan and Sun Bear Sanctuary
Visit the famous Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre. Here you will have a chance to see successfully rehabilitated orangutans coming to feeding platforms, and perhaps even juvenile orangutans during one of their daily training sessions.
