Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Depending on the location of your lodge, some companies offer short treks (one to three
hours) through the jungle. Night hikes are some of the best fun to be had on the Kin-
abatangan - there's something magical about being plunged into the intense, cavern-like
darkness of the jungle at night. Headlamps should be carried in your hand, rather than
worn on your head - bats tend to be attracted to light sources and may fly into them; they
also secrete an enzyme causing localised paralysis (it's temporary but can muck up your
typinghshshenfnvnwurj - just kidding. Seriously, it's temporary).
Sleeping & Eating
You'll need to book at river lodges in advance. In Kinabatangan lingo, a 'three-day, two-
night' stint usually involves the following: arrive in the afternoon on day one for a cruise
at dusk, two boat rides (or a boat-hike combo) on day two, and an early morning departure
on day three after breakfast and a sunrise cruise. When booking a trip, ask about pick-up
and drop-off prices - this is usually extra.
SUKAU
Sukau means 'tall tree' in the local dialect, and the name is quite fitting. The tiny town sits
on the river among the skyscraping branches of a shaded thicket, across from massive
stone cliffs that are quite attractive, seemingly lifted from a Chinese silk-scroll painting.
Last Frontier Resort $$$
( 016-676 5922;
www.thelastfrontierresort.com
; 3-day, 2-night package RM550;
)
Getting to the Last Frontier is a good first step towards better cardiac health: the
only hilltop lodge in the Kinabatangan region sits high, high up (538 steps!) on a hill over-
looking the flood plains. Sadly, a Sherpa is not included in the rates. What you do get is
excellent fusion cuisine in the on-site
Monkey Cup Cafe
(this place is owned by a
Belgian-Malaysian couple - anyone want
frites mit/avec nasi lemak
?), gorgeous views of
the river, well-crafted, simple chalets and a host of trekking options.
RESORT
LODGE
Sukau Rainforest Lodge $$$
( 088-438300;
www.sukau.com
; 3-day, 2-night package RM1750; )
The Rain-
forest Lodge participates in tree-planting projects aimed at reviving degraded portions of
riverine forest, aims to reduce use of plastics and is pioneering the use of quiet electric
motors on its river cruises (which utilise boats made of recycled materials). All this is well
