Welcome to the Kinabatangan river
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At 560km long, the Kinabatangan River is the largest and longest river in the Malaysian state of Sabah and the second-longest in Malaysia. Running from the central mountains in the interior of Sabah to the Sulu Sea to the East of Sandakan, the Kinabatangan River covers almost 23 per cent of the total land area of Sabah.
The river was an early focal point for trading in Sabah, helping to export the vast riches from the Interior of Sabah out to the sea and over to China. Better known now for its impressive biodiversity and ecological significance, the Kinabatangan River attracts visitors from all over the world hoping for a glimpse of Borneo’s "Big Five”, namely the Bornean orang-utan, proboscis monkey, Bornean pygmy elephant, saltwater crocodile and rhinoceros hornbill. Read on to find out more about the history of the Kinabatangan river and its inhabitants. |
A brief history of the Kinabatangan river
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Chinese traders may have arrived in the Kinabatangan region as early as 631AD but the true trading years began in the 16th century with exports of edible bird's nest, rhinoceros horns, elephant ivory, hornbill casques, hardwood resin, flexible rattan vines, beeswax, fragrant wood and oil rich illipe nuts flowing down the river and over to China. Exports continued during the British colonial era in the 19th century when the river and its tributaries were important for transporting goods, including timber, rubber, and other agricultural products, from the interior to the coast.
After World War II, the Kinabatangan River continued to be an important transportation route, but it also became a focal point for industrialization. Logging peaked in the 1980’s leaving in its wake bare land ready to be cultivated, leading to the emergence and rapid development of palm oil plantations and other commercial crops from the late 1980’s until conservation efforts began 20 years later. |
In recent decades, the Kinabatangan River has become an important center for ecotourism, largely because of its diverse and unique wildlife. The river is surrounded by several protected areas, such as the Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary, which helps to preserve the rich biodiversity of this area.
People of the Kinabatangan river
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The Orang Sungai (“People of the River”) settled along Sabah’s river systems centuries ago, drawn by the abundant natural resources provided by the rivers and surrounding forests. Living in stilted houses along the riverbanks, they practiced small-scale agriculture, fishing and gathered produce from the surrounding forests which could then be bartered with traders who sailed on the river. Rattan, resin, bird’s nests and medicinal plants were traded in exchange for salt, metal tools, and textiles. 4 main villages remain along the Kinabatangan River, Batu Puteh, Bilit, Sukau and Abai with many smaller communities and villages in between.
Hornbill lodge is located in Bilit village the second largest of these 4 settlements. |
Mammals of the Kinabatangan river
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The river and its surrounding forests provide a year-round water supply and an abundant food source, including fruits, leaves, fish, and insects, which support a wide range of herbivorous, carnivorous, and omnivorous mammals. Borneo is home for 43 endemic mammals, including the famous Bornean pygmy elephant and the Proboscis monkey that you might see during your boat cruises.
Sabah is home to 10 different species of primates and all of them can be found along the kinabatangan river! In addition to primates such as orang-utans, maroon langurs, gibbons and slow loris, mammals that can be spotted on our jungle and night walks around the lodge include squirrels, treeshrews, a variety of civet species, the Sunda stink badger, and for the most lucky, otters, Leopard cats or Marbled cats. Even the iconic and elusive Clouded leopard and Pangolin have been seen on our land! The area also hosts a wide variety of bats including the Large Flying Fox, a fruit bat which plays a crucial role in pollination and seed dispersal. Insectivorous bats are numerous in the caves and forests along the river and help to control insect populations. |
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Birds of the Kinabatangan river
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Around 300 birds species have been recorded in the area, making this place a heaven for birdwatchers! This unique ecosystem supports both resident and migratory bird species. The isolation of Borneo as an island has led to the evolution of numerous endemic species, some of which can be found during your time along the river: the Black-crowned pitta is commonly seen around the lodge, the Brown barbet can be found nesting in termite mounds, the Bornean crested fireback and the Bornean black- capped babbler use our forest trails daily, and you may hear the Borneo ground-cuckoo or see the iconic and beautiful Bornean Bristlehead during your cruise.
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All 8 of Borneo's species of hornbills can be found along the river, even the Helmeted hornbill which is the largest, rarest and most endangered species, is sometimes heard and seen. You might be lucky enough to spot one of the last remaining wild Storm storks or watch an Oriental darter catching a fish after diving. If there is a particular species you are looking for then feel free to let us know in advance so that our guides can keep an eye out for you!
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Amphibians and reptiles
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The most famous Kinabatangan reptile by far is the giant Saltwater Crocodile and many ancient tales are told about these fierce predators, they are also the reason we advise against swimming in the river! The False Gharial, a far rarer and more elusive species of crocodile, thrives in freshwater ecosystems and can be found here also. The largest lizard in the area is the Asian water monitor, commonly spotted both at the river and in the cities and villages throughout Borneo. Sometimes mistaken for a crocodile by visitors at first glance, it can grow up to 2,5 meters and weigh up to 25kg. At the smaller end of the scale, many species of geckos and skinks can be found around the Hornbill Lodge and flying lizards are quite commonly spotted also.
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It is also not rare to find a Malayan Box Turtle in one of our trails. Many species of snakes can also be found around : from harmless, non-venomous species to highly venomous ones, each playing an important role in the ecosystem. The Reticulated python is famous for being one of the world’s longest snakes but it is less often seen than bronzebacks. Dozens of frog species can also be found, including the Bornean horned frog (although you need some luck!), which is known for its camouflage, resembling fallen leaves, or the Wallace's flying frog famous for its ability to glide between trees using webbed feet.
Aquatic life
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38 % of Borneo’s freshwater fish species are endemic to the island and the Kinabatangan River supports a variety of freshwater fish, including catfish & gourami which are an important food source for both local communities and wildlife. Giant fresh water prawns (“Udang Galah” in Malay), are a local favourite amongst the river communities and prized for their sweet flesh. Mud crabs, fiddler crabs, horseshoe crabs, mud lobster and a variety of mollusks can all be found in the river’s estuarine mangroves and are a vital part of the river’s food web.
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