Our Stay at Tanini Sepilok & Amazing Excursions – A Warm Welcome to Borneo
After a smooth 2 hour and 45 minute business class flight from Kuala Lumpur with Malaysia Airlines, we landed in sun soaked Borneo to a toasty 32°C and clear blue skies.
For our first night in Borneo, we stayed at Tanini Resort, a tranquil and welcoming spot surrounded by lush greenery. We booked a Gajah Superior Room, which offered everything we needed for a comfortable overnight stay. The accommodation was simple but thoughtfully equipped, featuring a double bed, much needed air conditioning, tea and coffee making facilities, and one of the largest showers we’ve ever seen!
Despite its modest appearance, the resort had everything we needed. Free Wi-Fi was available throughout the property, and a rehydration station at reception provided unlimited cold, fresh drinking water, an absolute essential in the tropical heat.
The on site restaurant was nice. We enjoyed lunch upon arrival, and the following morning, a buffet breakfast was served, offering both local and international favourites to start the day off right.
Tanini Sepilok turned out to be a convenient and pleasant base for our arrival in Borneo, perfect for settling in before heading deeper into our jungle adventures.
After a long day of travelling, a good nights sleep was enjoyed one that was filled with the sounds of animals and birds in the rainforest, a unique and unforgettable experience.
Our Verdict
Tanini Sepilok provided a comfortable and convenient start to our Borneo adventure. While the accommodation is simple, it delivers all the essentials with thoughtful touches, like the rehydration station and a surprisingly spacious shower. The friendly service, food, and peaceful surroundings made it a relaxing place to recharge after our flight. Ideal for a short stay or stopover, especially if you’re looking for a no fuss, well priced option with local charm.
Night Walk at the Rainforest Discovery Centre, Sepilok
Just a short walk from Tanini Sepilok is the Rainforest Discovery Centre, where we took part in an unforgettable night walk from 6–8 PM. The tour can be pre-booked online, with payment made in cash on arrival, MYR 50 per person (approximately £8.50), making it fantastic value for such a unique experience.
Top Tip: There are no ATMs in Sepilok, so make sure to bring enough cash with you for tours, tips, and any extras.
And what an experience it was wow, wow, and wow again! Exploring the rainforest by torchlight offered a completely different perspective from a daytime visit. We spotted a fascinating array of nocturnal wildlife, including: Flying foxes, a slow loris, an angle-headed lizard, a pit viper, tarantula and a scorpion, Stick insects, a lantern bug, plus lots of Fireflies twinkling in the trees…and the star of the night: a Western Tarsier, absolutely adorable and incredibly rare to see!
Top Tip: Be sure to apply plenty of mosquito repellent and bring a torch or head torch if you have one. It gets very dark, and the terrain is uneven in places.
Our Verdict
The night walk at the Rainforest Discovery Centre was truly one of the highlights of our time in Sepilok. It offered an immersive and thrilling glimpse into the amazing nocturnal life of the rainforest. The knowledgeable guides helped spot creatures we would never have found on our own, and the chance to see a Western Tarsier in the wild was unforgettable. An absolute must do for nature lovers and anyone curious about Borneo’s unique biodiversity.
Morning Visit: Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre
Just a short Grab ride from our accommodation at Tanini Sepilok, we spent a wonderful morning at the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, observing these incredible animals in a semi wild setting designed to help them safely return to the forest.
Tickets are available for purchase in person at the counter and cost MYR 30 per person (around £5.00). They’re sold between 9:00–11:00 AM and 2:00–3:30 PM, and each ticket grants access to both feeding sessions on the same day, ideal if you want to return later in the afternoon.
Important to know:
– Tickets cannot be pre-booked, and payment is cash only.
– No bags, food, or drinks are allowed inside the centre, but lockers are available at the entrance to store your belongings.
The centre itself is beautifully laid out, with shaded walkways leading through the forest to various viewing platforms. Watching the orangutans during their morning feeding time was incredible. From curious young ones swinging on ropes to wise, older orangutans perched in the trees, each one seemed to have its own personality.
And then came the most heartwarming moment of all, seeing a new mother cradling her 8 week old baby. It was one of those rare, powerful moments embedded in our memory banks forever.
Our Verdict
The Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre is an unmissable experience for anyone visiting Borneo. It offers not only the chance to see Orangutans up close but also insight into the vital conservation work being done to protect this endangered species. The opportunity to witness these animals in such a natural and respectful environment was great. Affordable, educational, and unforgettable, this is a must for your Borneo itinerary.
Next Stop – If you are heading off into the Jungle we would highly recommend staying at the Natural Sukau Bilit Resort. You can read our review of this resort here.
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