Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary

🇲🇾 Malaysia

🦧 Bornean Orangutan Stronghold Along Wild Rivers
🌍 #68 Global · 4.4 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ #3 in Southeast Asia #23 in Tropical Forest
Southeast Asia, Malaysia 1064 spp. recorded

Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary sits in eastern Sabah, Malaysia, protecting a lowland tropical rainforest that follows the winding Kinabatangan River and its flood‑plain swamps. Towering dipterocarp trees, vines and mangrove edges create a mix of riverbank, jungle and seasonal wetlands, supporting both land and water species.

5.495° N   118.131° E

Wildlife

SIGHTING PROBABILITY Share of citizen-science records from the park that report this species
<5%
Rare5–20%
With luck20–40%
Possible40–70%
Likely>70%
Very likely
ACTIVITY PATTERN
☀️ Diurnal 🌙 Nocturnal 🌅 Crepuscular ☀️🌙 Day & Night

⭐ Iconic Species

Bornean Orangutan ★
CR Endemic

Bornean Orangutan

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Pongo pygmaeus

60–70% · Likely
Proboscis Monkey ★
EN Endemic

Proboscis Monkey

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Nasalis larvatus

80–90% · Very likely
Saltwater Crocodile ★
LC

Saltwater Crocodile

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Crocodylus porosus

70–80% · Very likely

📊 Most Spotted

Oriental Pied Hornbill
LC

Oriental Pied Hornbill

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Anthracoceros albirostris

80–90% · Very likely
Green Imperial-Pigeon
NT

Green Imperial-Pigeon

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Ducula aenea

70–80% · Very likely
Crab-eating Macaque
EN Endemic

Crab-eating Macaque

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Macaca fascicularis

70–80% · Very likely
Blue-eared Kingfisher
LC

Blue-eared Kingfisher

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Alcedo meninting

60–70% · Likely
Stork-billed Kingfisher
LC

Stork-billed Kingfisher

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Pelargopsis capensis

60–70% · Likely
Great Egret
LC Endemic

Great Egret

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Ardea alba

60–70% · Likely
Silvered Leaf Monkey
VU

Silvered Leaf Monkey

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Trachypithecus cristatus

60–70% · Likely
Purple Heron
LC

Purple Heron

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Ardea purpurea

60–70% · Likely
Asian Elephant
EN Endemic

Asian Elephant

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Elephas maximus

60–70% · Likely
Crested Serpent Eagle
LC Endemic

Crested Serpent Eagle

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Spilornis cheela

60–70% · Likely
Oriental Darter
LC

Oriental Darter

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Anhinga melanogaster

60–70% · Likely
Southern Pig-tailed Macaque
EN

Southern Pig-tailed Macaque

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Macaca nemestrina

60–70% · Likely

⭐ Iconic Species

Bornean Orangutan ★
CR Endemic

Bornean Orangutan

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Pongo pygmaeus

60–70% · Likely
Proboscis Monkey ★
EN Endemic

Proboscis Monkey

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Nasalis larvatus

80–90% · Very likely

📊 Most Spotted

Crab-eating Macaque
EN Endemic

Crab-eating Macaque

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Macaca fascicularis

70–80% · Very likely
Silvered Leaf Monkey
VU

Silvered Leaf Monkey

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Trachypithecus cristatus

60–70% · Likely
Asian Elephant
EN Endemic

Asian Elephant

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Elephas maximus

60–70% · Likely
Southern Pig-tailed Macaque
EN

Southern Pig-tailed Macaque

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Macaca nemestrina

60–70% · Likely
Maroon Leaf Monkey
VU Endemic

Maroon Leaf Monkey

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Presbytis rubicunda

30–40% · Possible
Prevost's Squirrel
LC

Prevost's Squirrel

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Callosciurus prevostii

30–40% · Possible
Common Palm Civet
LC

Common Palm Civet

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Paradoxurus hermaphroditus

30–40% · Possible
Malay Civet
LC

Malay Civet

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Viverra tangalunga

30–40% · Possible
Sunda Flying Lemur
LC

Sunda Flying Lemur

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Galeopterus variegatus

30–40% · Possible
Small-toothed Palm Civet
LC

Small-toothed Palm Civet

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Arctogalidia trivirgata

30–40% · Possible
Least Pygmy Squirrel
Endemic

Least Pygmy Squirrel

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Exilisciurus exilis

30–40% · Possible
Plantain Squirrel
LC Endemic

Plantain Squirrel

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Callosciurus notatus

20–30% · Possible

📊 Most Spotted

Oriental Pied Hornbill
LC

Oriental Pied Hornbill

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Anthracoceros albirostris

80–90% · Very likely
Green Imperial-Pigeon
NT

Green Imperial-Pigeon

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Ducula aenea

70–80% · Very likely
Blue-eared Kingfisher
LC

Blue-eared Kingfisher

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Alcedo meninting

60–70% · Likely
Stork-billed Kingfisher
LC

Stork-billed Kingfisher

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Pelargopsis capensis

60–70% · Likely
Great Egret
LC Endemic

Great Egret

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Ardea alba

60–70% · Likely
Purple Heron
LC

Purple Heron

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Ardea purpurea

60–70% · Likely
Crested Serpent Eagle
LC Endemic

Crested Serpent Eagle

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Spilornis cheela

60–70% · Likely
Oriental Darter
LC

Oriental Darter

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Anhinga melanogaster

60–70% · Likely
Dollarbird
LC

Dollarbird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Eurystomus orientalis

60–70% · Likely
Slender-billed Crow
LC

Slender-billed Crow

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Corvus enca

60–70% · Likely
Black Hornbill
VU Endemic

Black Hornbill

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Anthracoceros malayanus

60–70% · Likely
Storm's Stork
EN

Storm's Stork

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Ciconia stormi

50–60% · Likely

⭐ Iconic Species

Saltwater Crocodile ★
LC

Saltwater Crocodile

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Crocodylus porosus

70–80% · Very likely

📊 Most Spotted

Common Water Monitor
LC Endemic

Common Water Monitor

🌅 Crepuscular Reptile

Varanus salvator

60–70% · Likely
Flat-tailed House Gecko
LC

Flat-tailed House Gecko

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Hemidactylus platyurus

40–50% · Likely
Common Bronze-back
LC

Common Bronze-back

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Dendrelaphis pictus

30–40% · Possible
White-banded Narrow-disked Gecko
Endemic

White-banded Narrow-disked Gecko

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Gekko albofasciolatus

30–40% · Possible
Ornate Earless Agama
LC

Ornate Earless Agama

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Aphaniotis ornata

20–30% · Possible
Common Mock Viper
LC Endemic

Common Mock Viper

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Psammodynastes pulverulentus

20–30% · Possible
Rough Mabuya
LC

Rough Mabuya

🌅 Crepuscular Reptile

Eutropis rudis

20–30% · Possible
Spotted House Gecko
LC

Spotted House Gecko

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Gekko monarchus

20–30% · Possible
Green Crested Lizard
LC

Green Crested Lizard

🌅 Crepuscular Reptile

Bronchocela cristatella

20–30% · Possible
Borneo Skink
LC Endemic

Borneo Skink

🌅 Crepuscular Reptile

Dasia vittata

20–30% · Possible
Paradise Flying Snake
LC

Paradise Flying Snake

🌅 Crepuscular Reptile

Chrysopelea paradisi

20–30% · Possible
Gold-ringed Cat Snake
LC

Gold-ringed Cat Snake

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Boiga dendrophila

10–20% · With luck

📊 Most Spotted

Chasen's Frilled Tree Frog
LC

Chasen's Frilled Tree Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Kurixalus chaseni

30–40% · Possible
Copper-cheeked Frog
LC

Copper-cheeked Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Chalcorana raniceps

20–30% · Possible
Harlequin Tree Frog
LC Endemic

Harlequin Tree Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Rhacophorus pardalis

20–30% · Possible
Smooth-Fingered Narrow-mouthed Frog
LC

Smooth-Fingered Narrow-mouthed Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Kaloula baleata

20–30% · Possible
Rough-sided frog
LC

Rough-sided frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Pulchrana glandulosa

20–30% · Possible
Green Paddy Frog
LC

Green Paddy Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Hylarana erythraea

20–30% · With luck
Crested Toad
LC

Crested Toad

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Ingerophrynus divergens

10–20% · With luck
Large White-lipped Frog
LC

Large White-lipped Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Chalcorana megalonesa

10–20% · With luck
Brown-Striped Tree Frog
LC

Brown-Striped Tree Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Polypedates macrotis

10–20% · With luck
Rough Guardian Frog
LC

Rough Guardian Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Limnonectes finchi

10–20% · With luck
Alpine Cricket Frog
LC

Alpine Cricket Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Fejervarya limnocharis

10–20% · With luck
Crab-eating Frog
LC

Crab-eating Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Fejervarya cancrivora

10–20% · With luck

Animal Events

🦌

Orangutan Nesting and Feeding Season

JanFebMarAprAug

Orangutans build nests and forage heavily in fruiting fig trees, offering prime viewing opportunities during boat cruises.

Bornean Orangutan
CR Endemic

Bornean Orangutan

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Pongo pygmaeus

60–70% · Likely
🦌

Proboscis Monkey Riverbank Display

MayJunSepOct

Proboscis monkeys gather in large troops along the Kinabatangan River, leaping between trees and displaying their distinctive noses during dawn and dusk cruises.

Proboscis Monkey
EN Endemic

Proboscis Monkey

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Nasalis larvatus

80–90% · Very likely
🐸

Frogging and Amphibian Chorus Wet Season

FebMarMayJulAugOctNovDec

Heavy rains trigger explosive breeding choruses of frogs like the Copper-cheeked Frog and Harlequin Tree Frog, filling the forest with sound and visibility at night.

Copper-cheeked Frog
LC

Copper-cheeked Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Chalcorana raniceps

20–30% · Possible

Sighting Calendar

Chance of spotting each species, month by month

Months
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Species Total
60–70
60–70
70–80
70–80
70–80
60–70
70–80
60–70
70–80
70–80
60–70
60–70
Bornean Orangutan
70–80
70–80
50–60
50–60
60–70
70–80
60–70
60–70
60–70
70–80
70–80
50–60
Proboscis Monkey
80–90
80–90
80–90
80–90
80–90
80–90
80–90
70–80
80–90
80–90
80–90
70–80
Saltwater Crocodile
60–70
70–80
70–80
80–90
80–90
70–80
80–90
70–80
80–90
80–90
70–80
70–80
Oriental Pied Hornbill
70–80
70–80
80–90
80–90
80–90
90–100
80–90
90–100
80–90
80–90
80–90
70–80
Green Imperial-Pigeon
60–70
60–70
80–90
70–80
70–80
80–90
80–90
80–90
70–80
70–80
60–70
60–70
Crab-eating Macaque
60–70
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
60–70
60–70
60–70
80–90
70–80
70–80
60–70
Blue-eared Kingfisher
40–50
50–60
70–80
70–80
80–90
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
50–60
60–70
Stork-billed Kingfisher
50–60
60–70
70–80
60–70
70–80
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
70–80
60–70
60–70
Great Egret
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
70–80
70–80
60–70
60–70
70–80
60–70
50–60
Silvered Leaf Monkey
60–70
70–80
60–70
50–60
70–80
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
70–80
60–70
60–70
Purple Heron
50–60
60–70
70–80
60–70
60–70
50–60
60–70
60–70
70–80
70–80
50–60
60–70
Asian Elephant
40–50
70–80
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
70–80
Crested Serpent Eagle
60–70
50–60
70–80
60–70
60–70
60–70
50–60
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
50–60
Oriental Darter
50–60
60–70
80–90
70–80
60–70
50–60
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
50–60
60–70
Southern Pig-tailed Macaque
60–70
50–60
60–70
50–60
70–80
50–60
60–70
60–70
60–70
70–80
70–80
60–70
Animal Events
🦌 Orangutan Nesting and Feeding Season
🦌 Proboscis Monkey Riverbank Display
🐸 Frogging and Amphibian Chorus Wet Season

Sighting Zones

Warm areas are where all species together are recorded most, so they track where people go as much as where animals are. For one species, see the map on its own page.

0.0 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ Excellent
🦧 Bornean Orangutan Stronghold Along Wild Rivers

Where Wildlife Score

How good is this park for seeing wildlife?
🦜

Biodiversity

Very good

How rich is the wildlife?

4.3 Global avg
4.2 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
Species by taxon
🦅 Birds
584
🐒 Mammals
217
🦎 Reptiles
206
🐸 Amphibians
57
1064 Total Species
850 Global average across 296 parks
116 Threatened 62 Endemic
🔭

Sighting

Excellent

How likely to see animals?

3.6 Global avg
4.4 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
🎯
Top-12 Avg Probability
62% Global avg
72%
📊
Coverage (193 species at ≥5% of 1064 in the inventory)
24% Global avg
18%
🔀
Taxon variety in top 12 (6 bird, 5 mammal, 1 reptile)
46% Global avg
76%
🔭
Species per 10 outings (distinct species a visitor would meet over 10 outings — effort held equal across parks)
134 Global avg
115
🌟
Iconic-group species (≥15%) (every species from the 19 iconic groups — monkeys, cats, toucans, macaws, sloths, crocodilians… — not just the 4 highlighted above)
15 Global avg
21
⭐
High-prob species (>40%)
27 Global avg
32

Quick answers

What animals can you see in Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary?

The most likely sightings are Oriental Pied Hornbill (seen by 80–90% of wildlife watchers), Proboscis Monkey (seen by 80–90% of wildlife watchers), Saltwater Crocodile (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers), Green Imperial-Pigeon (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers), Crab-eating Macaque (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers) — among 1064 recorded vertebrate species, based on citizen-science data from GBIF.

When is the best time to visit Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary for wildlife?

October has the highest combined sighting rate for the park's top species in our month-by-month GBIF data. The full sighting calendar on this page shows each species' best months.

Can you see Bornean Orangutan in Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary?

Yes — about 66% of wildlife watchers report a Bornean Orangutan sighting in Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary, based on 238 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Proboscis Monkey in Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary?

Yes — about 83% of wildlife watchers report a Proboscis Monkey sighting in Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary, based on 487 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Saltwater Crocodile in Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary?

Yes — about 79% of wildlife watchers report a Saltwater Crocodile sighting in Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary, based on 404 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

⚖️

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