THE Kinabatangan Rainforest is part of Borneo’s lush ecosystem, a haven for wildlife and enormous life-giving vegetation. The Kinabatangan is located in Sabah, the side of Borneo known for its jungle landscapes, while neighboring Sarawak claims the area’s beautiful beaches. Within the Kinabatangan lies Sukau, a small village that welcomes travelers seeking a glimpse of the rare and stunning animals that call the area home.
The Kinabatangan River runs through the lush rainforest in Sabah, Borneo, which is home to orangutans, long-tailed macaque monkeys, pygmy elephants, a number of exotic bird species and a plethora of other beautiful and diverse wildlife.
Families of proboscis monkeys can be seen hanging out in trees along the riverbank, particularly in the early morning and late afternoon. "Harem" families, including one big-bellied male boss, his many mates and their many children, are commonly spotted jumping through the trees.
Water monitor lizards, which are second only to Komodo dragons in size, frequently lounge on branches overhanging the river, blending in with their surroundings.
Tour guides are often required to spend time living in the rainforest before leading tourist treks through the forest and down the river. They are specially trained to spot animals such as orangutans, snakes, lizards and birds hidden in the trees.
Sukau is a small village set along the Kinabatangan, and homes are often set on stilts along the riverbank or deeper into the rainforest.
The locals in Sukau are exceptionally friendly, particularly the children, who often call to tourists from the windows of their homes.
Sunsets along the Kinabatangan are breathtaking, as night falls and fireflies begin to dot the landscape.
