Sabah by month
Sabah Wildlife Calendar
A month-by-month guide to what changes in the rainforest and on the reef, from river levels to sea turtle nesting.
When to come
Rainforest trails and coral reefs
The primary forests of Sabah receive rain throughout the year and support resident wildlife regardless of the specific month. Look for orangutans, proboscis monkeys and Bornean pygmy elephants along the Kinabatangan River in April just as well as you might in August. Most of Borneo's iconic wildlife is resident and visible throughout the year. They do not migrate away from the protected reserves.
A strict calendar only emerges when you target sea turtle nesting seasons or pelagic arrivals on the offshore reefs. By understanding what stays the same and what shifts with the months, you can set the right expectations for your trip. And remember that travel and health insurance is advised for any visit to Sabah, and cover that includes emergency evacuation is sensible in a remote place.
The wildlife
Resident populations
The animals that bring people to Sabah are resident. The Kinabatangan floodplain and the Danum Valley Conservation Area support their populations regardless of the calendar.
Orangutans and elephants
Orangutans are on most stays in the primary forest. Elephants are a realistic target.
Turtle nesting
Lankayan's prime turtle nesting season runs from June through September.
Whale sharks
A short window between March and May at Lankayan.
Migrant birds
The northern winter drives passage migrants to Sabah from September through April.
Related
Keep planning
Lankayan Island
Lankayan is a tiny coral island in the Sulu Sea north of Sandakan with a single resort, an active sea turtle hatchery and 32 dive sites.
Kinabatangan River
The Kinabatangan floodplain holds the highest concentration of wildlife in Borneo. This is where you go to track orangutans and proboscis monkeys from a boat.
Danum Valley
2.5 hours by road from Lahad Datu, Danum Valley is 438 square kilometres of lowland rainforest that was never logged with three very different places to stay inside it.
Sipadan Island
An oceanic island rising from deep water in the Celebes Sea, Sipadan is Sabah's flagship dive site. It is protected by a strict permit system with no accommodation on the island itself and offers exceptional encounters with schooling barracuda, reef sharks and turtles.
Best Time to Visit Sabah
Sabah has no single dry season and the east and west coasts run on opposite calendars. The best time to go depends on whether you are diving, climbing or exploring the rainforest.
When to come
Plan your itinerary
Tell the team about the species you want to see and they will match your travel dates to the best wildlife viewing seasons.