We noticed that you're using an unsupported browser. The Tripadvisor website may not display properly.We support the following browsers:
Windows: Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome. Mac: Safari.

Tour Operators in Sandakan

Stockholm
Level Contributor
54 posts
76 reviews
71 helpful votes
Tour Operators in Sandakan
Save

Can anyone recommend a good tour operator in Sandakan? Our family intend to travel to Borneo in April next year and we wish to visit the Selingan Island, and see wildlife such as the Proboscis monkeys and orangutangs. What places are best to visit?

Boston...
Level Contributor
325 posts
50 reviews
102 helpful votes
1. Re: Tour Operators in Sandakan
Save

We have recently begun officially booking our April 2011 trip (two adults, two children ages 6 and 8). I like to plan ahead because I'm pretty specific about what I want to do and we're traveling a very long way (from Boston).

We found that prices were best when we booked directly with the lodges that we want to visit. That said, of all of the people that we have been communicating with (several!), the most helpful was Shirley of SI Tours (they operate lodges on the Kinabatangan). She books for SI Tours, of course, but can also book just about everything else in the area, and her prices pretty much match what we got from the lodges directly. Her email is: chin.shirley2010si@gmail.com.

Good luck!

Stockholm
Level Contributor
54 posts
76 reviews
71 helpful votes
2. Re: Tour Operators in Sandakan
Save

Thank you very much for your reply. I've now sent an inquiry to Shirley at the SI Tours. Our family, four adults and three children 5, 9 and 11 years old, are also travelling a long way, from Stockholm, Sweden, so we want to book long in advance. We know more or less what we would like to see during our one week stay in Borneo but there are so many tour operators so it's difficult to know which to choose. After Borneo we will continue our trip to the Malaysian mainland.

Boston...
Level Contributor
325 posts
50 reviews
102 helpful votes
3. Re: Tour Operators in Sandakan
Save

I hope that she is able to help you! Her English is fine, but there were times that we had to go back and forth a few times to clarify things. Otherwise, though, she was so responsive and helpful -- and always willing to help us plan the trip that *we* wanted (but offering advice where helpful), which is what really mattered. I hope you have a great trip!

Espoo Finland
Level Contributor
637 posts
60 reviews
37 helpful votes
4. Re: Tour Operators in Sandakan
Save

If you go to Sandakan you can not miss the Kinabatangan River with all its wild life!

We choosed DownBelow Marine & Adventures (http://www.downbelow.co.uk/) due to many recommendations in this forum (its run by UK owners). They arranged everything for 3 night visit Sepilok Nature Resort 1 night + Kinabatangan River 2 nights.

They offer some "boutique" lodge accommondation in small village called Bilit, which seems and is said to be of better quality compared to some other lodges (hot water, river view from terrace etc).

I could have well booked everything myself, but it was so easy and prompt service with DB, and we got quite decent rates from them. We are family of 2 kids, and they arranged us very kindly family rooms without need for specific request.

Our trip is just 18 days ahead...so can report back after a month!

Boston...
Level Contributor
325 posts
50 reviews
102 helpful votes
5. Re: Tour Operators in Sandakan
Save

Everyone here really loves divedownbelow -- and you can also find great prices with marimari.com and another that I can't remember right now . . . the only reason we didn't use one of these is that it seemed like none of them offered exactly what we wanted. If what you want to do matches up with what they offer, I think you'd do fine to book with them, but if you need things a little more "customized", I think it helps to work with someone really local. Good luck -- I'm sure your trip will be great in any case!

Burnie, Australia
Level Contributor
182 posts
21 reviews
50 helpful votes
6. Re: Tour Operators in Sandakan
Save

we are going early september and using a guide that we have hired using a website called 'localyte' ...will come back to the forum after we return home and let others know how it turned out

New Zealand
Level Contributor
152 posts
29 reviews
16 helpful votes
7. Re: Tour Operators in Sandakan
Save

Hi there. I'm interested in trying Localyte as I too am going to Sandakan in August. Which guide did you choose and what services did you buy (oh how much as well)?

I would like to have a driver take me to the monkeys and then the sanctuary in one day.

8. Re: Tour Operators in Sandakan

This post was determined to be inappropriate by the Tripadvisor community and has been removed.

Stockholm
Level Contributor
54 posts
76 reviews
71 helpful votes
9. Re: Tour Operators in Sandakan
Save

We have booked a four day/three night tour with Megah Travel. We will, among other things, visit Selingan Island and stay a couple of nights at the Myne Resort. Ms Tang at Megah Travel has been very helpful and she responded quickly to our messages. She also helped us to book hotel rooms in Sandakan for a couple of nights. I contacted several other tour operators but most of them were very slow in responding. Besides, the deal with Megah Travel was by far the best.

London UK
Level Contributor
38 posts
10. Re: Tour Operators in Sandakan
Save

Hi All, i in fact found that there were many "add-ons" when i enquired directly at some of the resorts, things that were not mentioned so i was not aware of them.

I found that booking through the agent saved me money and i got exactly what i thought i paid for. Read through other posts about independent guides and lodges - some people have had some very horrible experiences.

Ellen

© 2024 Tripadvisor LLC All rights reserved.

This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in United Kingdom. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu.