Kinabatangan Wetlands Resort

Remote & immersive
Borneo
Everything we do is custom made by real Asia experts...

A stay at the Kinabatangan Wetlands Resort puts you right in the heart of Sabah’s dynamic and biodiverse rainforest.

The background hum of human noise – ever present in our daily lives – takes a back seat here, and nature’s soundtrack steps forwards, plunging you into the rhythms of Borneo’s unique jungle habitat. It’s an extraordinary place. Accessed via a boat trip down a narrow, winding tributary of the Kinabatangan River, the resort feels instantly remote.

Wooden chalets, raised off the forest floor on stilts, blend in perfectly with their wilderness surroundings. The interiors are surprisingly well kitted-out and comparatively luxurious for such an out of the way setting; cosy hideaways where you can really recharge your batteries. However, the Kinabatangan Wetlands Resort’s biggest appeal lies with having access to the rainforest with 360° clarity; nothing else compares to actually being there, in one of the world’s most beautiful environments. Find your pace, take every moment as it comes, and soak it all in.

Start planning your journey here...

With every detail finely tuned by our Asia Specialists.

Location & Highlights

On a tributary of the Kinabatangan River, in Sabah’s Lower Kinabatangan Segama Wetlands, the resort is reached via an hour and a half boat trip from Abai.
  • Rainforest setting
  • Boardwalk
  • Boat safaris
  • Wildlife & birdwatching
a river running through a forest

Why we love it

“Right from the start, the river trip to get to the resort felt like an adventure - our stay here was a real highlight.”

Wildlife on the doorstep

Wake gently, as the early morning light filters through the trees, and tune into Borneo’s unique soundscape, from gibbon calls to the hum of insects and the harmonies of birdsong. Take boat trips up the river, keeping your eyes keen for glimpses of proboscis monkeys and pygmy elephants along the banks, and perhaps even an orangutan. Discover flamboyant orchids and colourful butterflies close to your chalet, and head out again after sunset to rediscover the river’s wildlife by night.

Luxury in the wild

Luxury comes in many different forms. Sometimes it’s in the high glamour of a premium city hotel, and other times it’s in the opportunity to experience something truly extraordinary that few people get to see. A stay at Kinabatangan Wetlands Resort certainly falls into the latter category, but with a surprising pinch of the former too. The chalet interiors are spacious and airy, with stylish design details and wide windows that look straight out into the rainforest. A rare kind of idyll (although, if we’re picking holes, the hot water supply can be a bit unpredictable!).

What can you do there?

Birdseye view of a boat on a river through the rainforest.

A stay at the Kinabatangan Wetlands Resort is all about the wildlife and learning how this vital habitat is protected. Head out on day and night boat safaris, and explore the rainforest nearer to the lodge on foot, following the boardwalk through the trees. Dine on an array of dishes made with locally sourced ingredients, accompanied by wide-windowed jungle views.

Birdseye view of a boat on a river through the rainforest.
Deluxe chalet at Kinabatangan Wetlands Resort
Deluxe chalet at Kinabatangan Wetlands Resort
River tributary at Kinabatangan Wetlands Resort
River tributary at Kinabatangan Wetlands Resort
Boardwalk at Kinabatangan Wetlands Resort
Boardwalk at Kinabatangan Wetlands Resort
Double room at Kinabatangan Wetlands Resort
Double Room at Kinabatangan Wetlands Resort
Restaurant at Kinabatangan Wetlands Resort
Restaurant at at Kinabatangan Wetlands Resort
Rainforest chalets at Kinabatangan Wetlands Resort
Rainforest chalets at Kinabatangan Wetlands Resort

A great trip

We had an excellent holiday with an itinerary carefully arranged by Dave to suit our preferences. This is the third time we've travelled with Selective Asia and we will happily do so again in the future. We like the fact that they are a small company, passionate about what they do and committed to responsible travel.

Sarah Wilkie, Sri Lanka

Selective Asia is more than a booking agency...

When a museum sent its exhibits overseas on tour, they learned about this before our departure and steered another to another site. When a hotel that we had booked scheduled a noisy wedding for the period of our occupancy, they were able to identify a fantastic hotel without noise before our arrival. I am not sure that any other tour operator would provide such detail in follow up, even after the tour was booked and paid for.

David Kosh, Vietnam

Brilliant! Selective Asia covered every detail.

Travel, hotels, guides, and excursions all flawlessly executed. Selective Asia listened to our requirements and worked with us to refine a great holiday.

Tim Goodman, Thailand

Holiday of a lifetime

The planning of the holiday and the ongoing support was excellent. The organisation on the ground when we got there was perfect and the local guides were knowledgeable and very personable. We would definitely go with Selective Asia again.

Gillian Baker, Komodo & Borneo

Our trip was outstanding...

We had had several discussions with Andrew before booking the trip and he incorporated all the activities we were interested in, plus recommending other activities that he knew we would be interested in. The whole trip was seamless and managed at a thoroughly professional yet friendly level. I would travel with this company again.

Heather, Japan

Inspiring experiences and places to stay

Lean into the details of your bespoke Asia trip to discover rare experiences, exceptional hotels, local connections, inspiring conservation and much more…

Start planning your journey here...

With every detail finely tuned by our Asia Specialists.

Talk to our expert team...

Every Asia trip we build is finely tuned to fit you, and that all starts with a chat. Let us know what you're hoping to see, feel and experience on your travels, and the places you're dreaming of, and your Asia Specialist will craft a route that includes everything you want and more.

The Selective Asia difference

  • Bespoke journeys tailored just for you
  • Unparalleled local knowledge and expertise
  • Award-winning, nose-to-tail service
  • Responsible travel
  • 24 hour local support
  • Our flexi-booking promise and financial clarity

No ordinary Travel Company

Personally designed, exceptional journeys across Asia that champion a passion for travel with care for community connections and the planet.
Unfollow the herd.

Fully protected and flexible bookings

Selective Asia is a fully ATOL licensed and bonded tour operator, and our flexi-booking promise offers increased protection & peace of mind.,

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