One of the pioneer Eco-tourism resorts in the main Kinabatangan area is the Melapi Proboscis Lodge at Sukau Kinabatangan River.
Having come here for the first time ever, I found it one of the more excellent places to stay during my Kinabatangan River Wildlife Safari.
Arriving at the main jetty of the Bukit Melapi Lodge was something out of the ordinary from the usual resorts.
After a two-hour drive from Sandakan town, we were picked up from a village jetty and ushered here for a ten-minute speed boat ride along the famous Kinabatangan River of Sabah.
Melapi Proboscis Lodge at Sukau Kinabatangan
Bukit Melapi Lodge Proboscis Bar.
Like the other river lodges along the famous Kinabatangan River in Sukau, the Proboscis Lodge at Bukit Melapi has its own private jetty.
As we approached the large wooden jetty, the lodge staffer waited to welcome us and carry our luggage to the main reception, which is also entirely made of rich wood.
The first impression was that we were welcome to nature, and here we were, right in the middle of it. A local Malay lady who spoke excellent English welcomed us with a glass of juice and a cold towel, and after a quick briefing about the place, lunch was served ala local Sabahan style.
As we approached the large wooden jetty, the lodge staffer waited to welcome us and carry our luggage to the main reception, which is also entirely made of rich wood.
The first impression was that we were welcome to nature, and here we were, right in the middle of it. A local Malay lady who spoke excellent English welcomed us with a glass of juice and a cold towel, and after a quick briefing about the place, lunch was served ala local Sabahan style.
Nature books for guest reading are provided by the lodge.
The lodge was impressive. Walking around after lunch, I noticed they had a small gift shop and a mini library dedicated to all things nature and wildlife around the Kinabatangan Sukau district and Sabah.
These books were for guests' pleasure and were not sold. It was really great that the lodge provided them, especially when you are in the middle of the Kinabatangan Sukau River.
These books were for guests' pleasure and were not sold. It was really great that the lodge provided them, especially when you are in the middle of the Kinabatangan Sukau River.
Entertainment room at Bukit Melapi Lodge.
My senior nature guide, Ben, then gave me a quick tour around the lodge. For entertainment, there was a room upstairs in the main restaurant and bar area where guests could indulge in a severe karaoke session or simply have a game of pool or foosball.
By the way, the entertainment room is air-conditioned, so there is no humidity here. This is one of the famous places after dinner where guests work their drinks and socialise with other travellers and guests.
By the way, the entertainment room is air-conditioned, so there is no humidity here. This is one of the famous places after dinner where guests work their drinks and socialise with other travellers and guests.
Meal times at Bukit Melapi Lodge.
Staying here showed me what true nature and Eco-Tourism were all about. Meal times were set for the entire day, and one would be out either on the boats doing the Kinabatangan River Cruise or trekking inland.
Apart from the nature and adventure provided here, there is nothing else to do but relax. Did I mention that you are in the middle of the Kinabatangan in the centre of Sabah Borneo? Yes, there is absolutely nothing but pure nature found here.
Apart from the nature and adventure provided here, there is nothing else to do but relax. Did I mention that you are in the middle of the Kinabatangan in the centre of Sabah Borneo? Yes, there is absolutely nothing but pure nature found here.
Another chalet unit in the rainforest of Kinabatangan.
The chalet units here at Bukit Melapi Lodge were really good. They differed from your typical 4-5 star hotel or resort style but were essential and had good amenities.
We were given one of the units facing the Kinabatangan River with a balcony and air-conditioned with an attached bathroom, which was beautiful.
We were given one of the units facing the Kinabatangan River with a balcony and air-conditioned with an attached bathroom, which was beautiful.
River view chalet unit at Bukit Melapi Lodge.
Our cosy chalet had two beds, was very spacious, and had good wood finishing. It was more than I expected. The chalet units are spaced between each other, too, where there was a distance of about 20 feet apart.
View from inside the river view chalet.
The view from the chalet room would be classified as a Grade 1 view - why? Because it sees nothing but nature, river and green.
I swear to you, this is one balcony I enjoyed while staying here. The actual Kinabatangan River is about 100 meters from the chalet.
I swear to you, this is one balcony I enjoyed while staying here. The actual Kinabatangan River is about 100 meters from the chalet.
Sitting on the chalet's balcony was such an experience as the natural sounds of the rainforest surrounded you like a DOLBY Surround System.
I spent good quality time here, minus technology, for two full days. No phone, laptop or computer, Facebook or Twitter, nothing.
I spent good quality time here, minus technology, for two full days. No phone, laptop or computer, Facebook or Twitter, nothing.
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| The neat and nicely done bedroom. |
I must give the Melapi Lodge credit for making the extra effort to prepare the chalet rooms, as the bath towels were ready in a rose or flower formation.
The beds were decently comfortable, and the blankets were sufficient for the night. Again, this is not your four—or five-star resort but a nature lodge.
The beds were decently comfortable, and the blankets were sufficient for the night. Again, this is not your four—or five-star resort but a nature lodge.
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| The Melapi Lodge Bathroom. |
The attached bathrooms were plain, simple and fully tiled. They were also clean, and the water pressure was decent. Another thumbs up for the bathroom and toilet, as they met the typical traveller's standards.
Kinabatangan River View chalet units.
Seriously, the chalets here are astounding. Most of them have a view of the Kinabatangan River, while a few have garden views. I suggest you book the river-view ones when you book your package.
Melapi Lodge Garden Chalet Units.
Melapi Lodge family chalet units.
Family rooms are available here, with a double bed and a single bed. They are easily ready to house 4 to 5 people on request. These rooms have a field view of the place and are equally comfortable.
The balcony of the family chalet unit.
One of the highlights of the family rooms is that you may even experience seeing the Borneo Pygmy Elephants from a distance.
According to the resort manager, many guests staying at the family chalets have witnessed the Pygmy Elephants roaming the lodge's surroundings. It's a priceless experience, if you ask me.
According to the resort manager, many guests staying at the family chalets have witnessed the Pygmy Elephants roaming the lodge's surroundings. It's a priceless experience, if you ask me.
Local dishes are served for lunch.
The food served is really something to shout about. I am not kidding. We were served a selection of the best local 'Orang Sungai' (River People) delicacies here.
A local chef cooked Mouth-watering Sabah food using local herbs and spices. Not to worry, as they also provide some Western food for the guests here.
A local chef cooked Mouth-watering Sabah food using local herbs and spices. Not to worry, as they also provide some Western food for the guests here.
A Pied Hornbill sits on a branch at the Melapi Lodge.
Roaming the Melapi Lodge area will pull a few surprises. One was the sighting of the Pied Hornbill, which made the resort grounds their sleeping haunt.
On one occasion, I must have seen at least ten of them making loud Hornbill sounds before retiring to bed. They start to appear around 6.00 pm at the Melapi Lodge.
On one occasion, I must have seen at least ten of them making loud Hornbill sounds before retiring to bed. They start to appear around 6.00 pm at the Melapi Lodge.
Leaf Insect from Sabah Borneo is in my hand.
The conclusion to staying at the Proboscis Lodge at Bukit Melapi
This place is a MUST for decent occupancy while exploring the Kinabatangan-Sukau Conservation.
Although it is slightly higher priced than the other lodges, you can ensure quality service and proper accommodations. I absolutely enjoyed my stay here and have no regrets.
This place is a MUST for decent occupancy while exploring the Kinabatangan-Sukau Conservation.
Although it is slightly higher priced than the other lodges, you can ensure quality service and proper accommodations. I absolutely enjoyed my stay here and have no regrets.
Bukit Melapi Lodg,e or Proboscis Lodg,e is located along the Kinabatangan River in the Sukau District of Sandakan. Getting here is easily arranged by most tour operators and tour agencies.
You MUST have an allocated tour guide on your visit here, as they do not entertain walk-in guests. All arrangements are made in Sandakan town in Sabah.
Night River Cruises or Safaris are organised by the lodges themselves, so this is an optional package offered when you check in at the lodge.
You MUST have an allocated tour guide on your visit here, as they do not entertain walk-in guests. All arrangements are made in Sandakan town in Sabah.
Night River Cruises or Safaris are organised by the lodges themselves, so this is an optional package offered when you check in at the lodge.
Types of lodges available at Bukit Melapi Lodge:
- 10 units of twin-sharing lodge
- 6 units of double-bed lodge
- 2 units of triple bed lodge
- 3 units of a family lodge (equipped with 1 double and 1 single bed respectively)
- Bed - Complete set
- Bathroom with hot shower and basic toiletries
- Air conditioning
- Ceiling Fan
- Ceiling light and side table light
- 220-240 volt points (three points pin/Southeast Asia)
- Wardrobe
- Dressing table with mirror
- Wooden Chair
- Balcony with full-length glass door
- Restaurant and bar
- Recreational room with pool table, foosball table and karaoke (air-conditioned)
- Multi-purpose meeting room (air-conditioned)
- Mini stage area
- Mini Library
- Gift and Souvenir Shop
Sukau Proboscis Lodge Sdn. Bhd.
Lot A1103, 11th Floor,
Wisma Merdeka (Mail Box No. A236)
Jalan Tun Razak, 88000 Kota Kinabalu,
Sabah, Malaysia
Telephone: +60 88 240584
Fax: +60 88 240415
Email: proboscislodge@sipadandivers.com
Website: https://www.sdclodges.com/proboscis-lodge/
Conclusion
If you are pondering where to stay when you visit the Kinabatangan area, try the Melapi Proboscis Lodge at the Kinabatangan River, which is genuinely one of the pioneer properties here.