The Kinabatangan River in Sabah is one of the surest places to see wild proboscis monkeys, the big-nosed, pot-bellied primates found only on Borneo, gathering in the riverside trees at dusk. Dawn and dusk boat cruises from lodges around Sukau and Bilit glide past troops settling to roost, often alongside pygmy elephants, hornbills and crocodiles. Sightings hold up year-round, with the drier months from May to September offering the calmest cruising.
The Kinabatangan River in Sabah is one of the surest places to see wild proboscis monkeys, the big-nosed, pot-bellied primates found only on Borneo, gathering in the riverside trees at dusk. Dawn and dusk boat cruises from lodges around Sukau and Bilit glide past troops settling to roost, often alongside pygmy elephants, hornbills and crocodiles. Sightings hold up year-round, with the drier months from May to September offering the calmest cruising.
Up to 82% sighting chance in Kinabatangan River, Sabah, Borneo, Malaysia. Best months: June, July, May.
Yes, troops gather in riverside trees to roost at dusk, so evening boat cruises from the lodges see them reliably.
Kinabatangan cruises regularly turn up pygmy elephants in season, hornbills, macaques, crocodiles and sometimes orangutans.
River lodges near Sukau offer two-day, one-night packages with cruises from roughly 300 to 700 MYR per person (2026 prices).
