A Borneo orangutan and Komodo dragon travel guide is best planned as one wildlife journey across two separate destinations: Sabah in Malaysian Borneo for orangutans, then Labuan Bajo in Indonesia for Komodo National Park. Haida in Lume’s disrupted Sandakan journey is a useful reminder that Southeast Asian ferry plans can change without warning. This guide explains how to build a realistic independent route, when to go, what fixed entry costs to expect, where to base yourself and how to travel responsibly around wildlife.
What Haida in Lume’s journey shows
- The journey begins in Tawau, Sabah, with a short domestic flight to Sandakan.
- On arrival in Sandakan, the plan was to continue by ferry towards the Philippines.
- At the port, the travellers discovered that the ferry route they expected to use had not been operating for months.
- The cancelled crossing forced a change of plan, turning Sandakan from a transit stop into an unplanned stay.
- The episode highlights why wildlife travellers should keep flexible time between flights, ferries and onward international connections.
Watch Haida in Lume’s original video before planning your own route:
How to get there and link the two wildlife regions
Start the Borneo section in Sandakan, Sabah, Malaysia. Sandakan Airport is the practical arrival point for Sepilok, which lies close enough for an easy first-night base. The official Sepilok visitor information lists daily opening hours, while Sabah Tourism confirms that the rehabilitation centre is in the Sepilok area outside Sandakan.
For orangutans, plan at least two nights in Sepilok or Sandakan. This gives you time for the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, the neighbouring sun bear centre and the Rainforest Discovery Centre, rather than trying to rush everything between flights. It is a gentler and more meaningful wildlife rhythm than treating a sanctuary as a quick stop.
Komodo dragons require a separate Indonesia leg. Fly to Labuan Bajo (LBJ), on Flores, then join a licensed day boat or liveaboard to Komodo National Park. Labuan Bajo is the established gateway to the park, whose principal islands include Komodo, Rinca and Padar.
Do not treat Sandakan-to-the-Philippines ferry services as a dependable shortcut for this itinerary. Confirm every sailing directly with the port, carrier and immigration authorities shortly before departure, then have a flight-based backup route. The video’s experience is exactly why a ferry connection should never be booked on the same day as an expensive international flight.
Best time for Borneo orangutans and Komodo dragons
For a combined trip, aim for the generally drier stretch from May to September. In Sabah, rainforest weather is possible at any time, so pack a light rain layer even when forecasts look promising. Wildlife viewing is never guaranteed: orangutans are free-ranging animals, and feeding-platform visits are not zoo performances.
Komodo’s landscapes are usually at their driest later in that period, when hills can turn golden and sea crossings are often more comfortable. However, sea conditions, harbour decisions and national-park access can still change. If your priority is photography, stay at least two nights in Labuan Bajo so a delayed boat trip does not end the Komodo part of the journey.
Wildlife travel works best with patience. A quiet morning at Sepilok or an unhurried ranger walk on Rinca is more rewarding than chasing a checklist. The same slow-travel approach works well in other nature-focused destinations, including this Tarapoto and Peruvian jungle adventure guide.
What it costs in 2026
The table below covers fixed, published entry costs that can be verified before travel. Flights, accommodation, private transfers and boat trips vary sharply by season, group size and booking date, so compare current operator quotes rather than relying on a single advertised package price.
| Item | 2026 price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, non-Malaysian adult | RM30 | Day ticket; the centre’s official information lists separate Malaysian and non-Malaysian rates. |
| Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, non-Malaysian child | RM15 | For visitors below 18 years old. |
| Sepilok professional camera fee | RM10 | Official guidance distinguishes camera equipment from ordinary phone use. |
| Rainforest Discovery Centre, non-resident adult | RM30 | Cash-only entry; the centre is open daily from 8:00 to 17:00. |
| Rainforest Discovery Centre night walk | RM50 | Listed separately from daytime admission. |
| Komodo National Park, international visitor | IDR250,000 | Published per person per day by Indonesia’s official tourism platform; confirm additional boat, ranger and activity charges with your operator. |
Sepilok’s official schedule includes feeding-platform sessions at 10:00 and 15:00, with limited opening windows around midday. Arrive early and keep food packed away. The Rainforest Discovery Centre publishes its 2026 admission and night-walk fees directly, while Indonesia’s official tourism platform lists the international Komodo National Park entry price.
Where to stay
For the Borneo portion, stay in Sepilok if wildlife is your main goal. It puts you close to the orangutan centre and makes an early start simple. Stay in central Sandakan instead if you need restaurants, urban convenience or an airport-oriented overnight, but allow transfer time for sanctuary visits.
For Komodo, base yourself in Labuan Bajo. Choose a central harbour-area hotel if you are joining early-morning boats, or a quieter hillside property if you have an extra night and value sunset views. Ask your boat operator exactly where boarding takes place and whether hotel pickup is included.
For more practical accommodation thinking, especially when transport links shape the whole trip, see our Fuerteventura camper van guide: the destination is very different, but the lesson is the same—sleep close to tomorrow’s departure point when timing matters.
Safety, wildlife ethics and ferry tips
Keep a respectful distance from every animal, even when an orangutan or Komodo dragon seems calm. At Sepilok, do not touch orangutans: Sabah Tourism specifically warns that human diseases can affect them. In Komodo National Park, stay with the ranger, follow the route given and never walk off alone for a closer photograph.
Bring cash for sites that require it, carry drinking water, use reef-safe sun protection for boat days and pack dry bags for cameras and passports. For ferry travel, check the service status directly, arrive early, keep screenshots of bookings and avoid building a tight international connection around a small regional port.
As with the advice in our Cartagena safety guide, the safest habit is simple: confirm transport with the actual provider, not only through old search results, social posts or third-party listings.
Day-by-day (how to travel it yourself)
Day 1: Arrive in Sandakan and transfer to Sepilok. Settle in early, buy cash for entry fees and visit the Rainforest Discovery Centre if timing allows.
Day 2: Sepilok wildlife day. Attend an orangutan feeding session, visit the nursery and allow time for the sun bear centre. Return for the later feeding session or book the Rainforest Discovery Centre night walk.
Day 3: Buffer day in Sabah. Keep this flexible for weather, a river-wildlife excursion, delayed flights or a second Sepilok visit. Do not schedule a cross-border ferry and a long-haul flight on the same day.
Day 4: Fly to Labuan Bajo. Travel via a suitable Indonesian hub, arrive before evening and confirm tomorrow’s boat departure, meeting point, inclusions and national-park fees.
Day 5: Komodo National Park by boat. Join a ranger-led dragon walk on Rinca or Komodo Island, then add swimming or snorkelling only if sea conditions and your operator allow.
Day 6: Keep a weather reserve or continue onward. Use this day for a second island trip, a liveaboard departure or a protected buffer before your next flight.
Book wildlife activities with operators that state their ranger arrangements, park-fee policy, safety equipment and cancellation terms clearly.
Frequently asked questions
Are Komodo dragons found in Borneo?
No. Borneo is the place to plan orangutan experiences, while Komodo dragons are naturally found in Indonesia’s Komodo region. Labuan Bajo is the normal gateway to Komodo National Park.
How many days do I need for this combined wildlife trip?
Allow at least six days: three around Sandakan and Sepilok, one travel day to Labuan Bajo, one Komodo boat day and one flexible day for weather or transport disruption.
What time are Sepilok’s orangutan feedings?
The Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre lists feeding-platform sessions at 10:00 and 15:00. Arrive well before the session because late arrivals may miss the viewing period.
Can I rely on a ferry from Sandakan to the Philippines?
No. Treat any regional ferry as a service that must be checked directly and recently. Keep a flight-based alternative and avoid relying on it for a same-day onward international connection.
Facts and prices verified in September 2026. Travel with Influencers is an independent fan/editorial guide, not affiliated with or endorsed by the creators featured. Watch and support the original creator: Haida in Lume on YouTube.
