|
Home to both the endemic Bornean orang-utan and proboscis monkey, the Kinabatangan River is Malaysia’s second longest river and one of only 2 places in the world where 10 different species of primates can be found. It is also home to 8 species of Hornbills with Oriental Pied and Rhinoceros Hornbills being the most commonly spotted.
Lucky visitors will catch sight of Bornean pygmy elephants feeding on the river banks or taking a dip in the river and it is not uncommon for orangutans to make their nests in the lodge grounds or the nearby forest. Whilst sightings of wild animals can never be guaranteed, all five of Borneo’s big 5 can potentially be found on a trip to the Kinabatangan River! |
Who are Borneo's "Big Five"?
1. Proboscis monkey
|
The Kinabatangan River is the best place in Sabah to observe these iconic and fascinating primates. Proboscis monkeys (Nasalis larvatus) are the easiest of Borneo’s big 5 to spot and make an appearance on nearly every river cruise. You’ll easily be able to recognise them by their long, pendulous noses, which are more prominent in adult males, while females have a smaller, upturned nose.
They are commonly seen along the riverbanks and in the surrounding forests living in groups called "troops" or "harems." A typical troop consists of one dominant male, several females, and their offspring. Proboscis monkeys are excellent swimmers and can be spotted swimming across the Kinabatangan River from one side to the other to forage for their favourite food: leaves, young shoots, fruits, and seeds. The Kinabatangan River region plays a crucial role in the conservation of these primates which are listed as near-threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). |
2. Bornean Orang-Utan
|
Ask any wildlife enthusiast what they hope to see in Borneo and orangutans will often top the list! Unlike their long-nosed social cousins, Bornean orang-utans are mainly solitary animals, relying on a large home range for food and other resources. They construct nests high up in the trees where they spend the night and sometimes rest during the day. These nests are essential for their safety, as they help protect orangutans from ground predators and keep them above the reach of many insects and other potential nuisances, it also makes them trickier to spot in the wild!
We are extremely fortunate that Hornbill Lodge and it’s surrounding forest plays host to a large number of mature fruit trees that are attractive to orang-utans throughout the year. At certain times of year, lucky visitors can wake up to find an orangutan nesting within sight of their chalet balcony or spot signs of orang-utans such as their nests or even orang-utans themselves in the surrounding forest. The best way to maximise your chances of seeing an orangutan in the wild is to extend your time in Borneo’s jungles by combining a trip to the Kinabatangan River with one of Sabah’s other forest reserves such as Danum Valley Conservation Area or Tabin Wildlife Reserve. Alternatively, you can opt to join a visit to Sepilok orangutan rehabilitation centre to observe and learn more about these iconic yet sadly critically endangered animals. |
3. Pygmy Elephant
|
Probably number 2 on Borneo’s “most wanted” list is the Bornean pygmy elephant (Elephas maximus borneensis).
Most adult pymgy elephants are around 8 to 10 feet / 2.4 - 3m tall and if you are lucky enough to spot one, you may well wonder how the term “pygmy” came about at all! They are actually a subspecies of the Asian elephant and just a little smaller in size compared to other Asian elephants (but still very much elephant-sized!). Bornean elephants are social animals living in groups led by a matriarch and lucky visitors can encounter herds of 40 elephants or a perhaps just spot a couple cooling themselves off in the waters of the Kinabatangan River. They typically roam over a large area in search of their favourite foods and may be visible on the river banks for a few weeks before disappearing further inland and reappearing on the riverbanks a few weeks later. |
4. Rhinoceros Hornbill
|
Stay at Hornbill Lodge for a chance of spotting number 4 of our Borneo Big 5 list, the Rhinoceros hornbill (Buceros rhinoceros)!
One of 8 species of hornbills found in the region, it is named after its casque that resembles a rhino’s horn and features striking black plumage with white tail feathers. Rhinoceros hornbills can often be spotted alone or in pairs during river cruises or whilst relaxing on your balcony, just keep an ear out for its distinctive calls & wingbeats. Other species of hornbills you may encounter during your stay include oriental pied hornbills, wrinkled hornbills, helmeted hornbills, black hornbills, bushy-crested hornbills, wreathed hornbills and white-crested hornbills. Two further species exist but are only found in Peninsular Malaysia. |
5. Estuarine crocodile
|
The estuarine crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) may not be on everyone’s bucket list due to their reputation as fierce hunters but observing an adult estuarine crocodile from the safety of your boat is an awe-inspiring experience.
These beady-eyed predators are primarily nocturnal and in the daytime they love to lounge on the riverbanks when the water levels allow them to do so. They are opportunistic eaters and their favourite "snacks" include crabs, birds, small mammals, fish and even other reptiles. |
And more!
|
The Kinabatangan river is one of only 2 places in the world where you can find 10 different species of primates including long-tail macaques, pig-tail macaques, proboscis monkeys, orang-utans, gibbons, maroon, silver & grey langurs, tarsiers and slow-lorises.
Lucky visitors may encounter anything from mouse deer, leopard cats, civets and otters to the river's smaller inhabitants. Take a walk through the forest at night and you could see a wide-eyed tarsier, flying fox, camouflaged stick insect, sleeping birds, noisy amphibians and more! |
