NEI (UK)'s Sandakan, Sepilok Orang Utan Centre and Turtle Island...

We will be happy to arrange a visit to Sandakan and the Orang Utan Centre for you if it is not already included in your selected tour.
(We strongly recommend that all arrangements are made with us prior to your departure)

If you are interested in turtles it is worth the effort of reaching Turtle Island, but you must have all accommodation and transport pre-booked and we will be happy to arrange all this for you

Sandakan is a medium sized town on the east coast of Sabah.
The town has no big tourist attractions itself, though a half day tour to include places like the stunning hill top Chinese Bhuddist temple, which also contains images of the goddess Quan Yin, is well worth taking.

The main reasons for flying into Sandakan are to visit the Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre which is a short drive inland, or to go to Turtle Island which is about an hour's boat journey away.

Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre

Almost everyone who visits Sabah wants to see orang utans and the Rehabilitation Centre is the perfect place to do this.
The Centre was set up to help domesticated and wild caught orang utans to return to their natural wild habitat.
The orang utans are fed twice a day and it is at these feeding times that you are likely to see them. At other times they return to the forest.
However, there are always lots of other animals - especially primates - which are close to the boardwalks which weave throughout the Centre.

Sandakan is also the 'jumping off point' for a visit to Turtle Island.
In keeping with its policy of preservation of wildlife and flora, the Malaysian government has set up a sancutary for the various species of turtles which nest on the islands off the coast close to Sandakan.
It is possible to visit one of the Reserve islands and you may see turtles coming ashore to lay their eggs (pictured right) or be able to help with the release of turtle hatchlings into the sea in the early morning.
Accommodation on the island is very basic and limited.
Advanced booking (which can only be done through an authorised tour operator) is essential.