One of the pioneer Eco tourism resorts in Kinabatangan River is the Proboscis Lodge at Bukit Melapi and this is my review of the place.
Having come here for the first time ever, I found it to be one of the nicer places to stay at 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.
We were picked up from a village jetty after a two-hour drive from Sandakan town and ushered here in a ten-minute speed boat ride along the famous Kinabatangan River of Sabah.
Melapi Proboscis Lodge at Sukau Kinabatangan
Bukit Melapi Lodge Proboscis Bar
The Proboscis Lodge at Bukit Melapi has its own private jetty and so do the other river lodges along the famous Kinabatangan River in Sukau.
As we approached the large wooden jetty, the staff from the lodge were waiting to welcome us and carry our luggage up to the main reception, which is also entirely made out of rich wood.
The first impression - 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 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 staff from the lodge were waiting to welcome us and carry our luggage up to the main reception, which is also entirely made out of rich wood.
The first impression - 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 cold towel and after a quick briefing about the place, lunch was served ala local Sabahan style.
Nature books for guest reading provided by the lodge
I found the lodge was pretty impressive as 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 in general.
These books were for guests reading pleasure and were not sold. I have to say, this was something really great that the lodge provided especially when you are in the middle of the Kinabatangan Sukau River.
These books were for guests reading pleasure and were not sold. I have to say, this was something really great that the lodge provided especially when you are in the middle of the Kinabatangan Sukau River.
Entertainment room at Bukit Melapi Lodge
A quick tour around the lodge was next by my senior nature guide, Ben. For entertainment, there was a room upstairs the main restaurant and bar area where guests could indulge in a serious session on Karaoke or simply have a game of pool or foosball.
The entertainment room is air-conditioned by the way so no humidity here. This is one of the popular places after dinner where guests would bring their drinks and socialize with other travelers and guests.
The entertainment room is air-conditioned by the way so no humidity here. This is one of the popular places after dinner where guests would bring their drinks and socialize with other travelers and guests.
Meal times at Bukit Melapi Lodge
Staying here showed me what true nature and Eco-Tourism was all about. Meal times were pretty much set as the entire day, one would be out either on the boats doing the Kinabatangan River Cruise or trekking inland.
Apart from nature and adventure provided here, there is absolutely nothing else to do but relax. Did I mention that you are in the middle of the Kinabatangan in the center of Sabah Borneo? Yes, there is absolutely nothing but pure nature found here.
Apart from nature and adventure provided here, there is absolutely nothing else to do but relax. Did I mention that you are in the middle of the Kinabatangan in the center of Sabah Borneo? Yes, there is absolutely nothing but pure nature found here.
Another chalet unit in the rainforest of Kinabatangan
I have to admit that the chalet units here at Bukit Melapi Lodge were really good. Not your 4-5 star hotel or resort style but it was basic with good amenities included.
We were given one of the units that were facing the Kinabatangan River with a balcony and air-conditioned with attached bathroom and it was beautiful.
We were given one of the units that were facing the Kinabatangan River with a balcony and air-conditioned with attached bathroom and it was beautiful.
River view chalet unit at Bukit Melapi Lodge
Our cozy chalet had two single beds, very spacious with good wood finishing and it was more than I expected.
The chalet units are pretty spaced between each other too where there was a distance of about 20 feet apart.
The chalet units are pretty 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 really enjoyed while staying here. The Kinabatangan River is about 100 meters from the chalet if you should know.
I swear to you, this is one balcony I really enjoyed while staying here. The Kinabatangan River is about 100 meters from the chalet if you should know.
Sitting at the balcony of the chalet was such an experience as the natural sounds of the rainforest just surrounded you like a DOLBY Surround System.
I spent good quality time here minus technology for two full days. No phone, no laptop or computer, no facebook or twitter, nothing.
I spent good quality time here minus technology for two full days. No phone, no laptop or computer, no facebook or twitter, nothing.
The neat and nicely done bedroom |
I must give the Melapi Lodge credit for taking the extra effort in preparing the chalet rooms as the bath towels were prepared in a rose or flower formation.
Beds were decently comfortable while the blankets were sufficient for the night. Again, this is not your four or five-star resort but a nature lodge.
Beds were decently comfortable while the blankets were sufficient for the night. Again, this is not your four or five-star resort but a nature lodge.
The Melapi Lodge Bathroom |
The attached bathrooms were plain, simple and fully tiled. They were also clean and water pressure was decent. Another thumbs up for the bathroom and toilet as they met the typical traveler standard.
Kinabatangan River View chalet units
Seriously, the chalets here are astounding. Most of them have the Kinabatangan River view while a few of them are garden view. I suggest you take the river view ones when you book your package.
Melapi Lodge Garden Chalet Units
Melapi Lodge family chalet units
Family rooms are available here where there is a double bed and a single bed. Easily ready to house 4 to 5 people on request. These rooms have the 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 surroundings of the lodge. 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 surroundings of the lodge. A priceless experience if you ask me.
Local dishes 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.
Mouth-watering Sabah food which was cooked by a local chef using local herbs and such. Not to worry as they also provide some Western food for the guests here.
Mouth-watering Sabah food which was cooked by a local chef using local herbs and such. 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 of them was the sighting of the Pied Hornbills which make the resort grounds their sleeping haunt.
At 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.
At 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 on my hand
The conclusion to staying at the Proboscis Lodge at Bukit Melapi
This place is a MUST if you want decent occupancy while exploring the Kinabatangan-Sukau Conservation.
It may be a little higher priced than the other lodges, but you can be sure of quality service with proper accommodations. I absolutely enjoyed my stay here with no regrets at all.
This place is a MUST if you want decent occupancy while exploring the Kinabatangan-Sukau Conservation.
It may be a little higher priced than the other lodges, but you can be sure of quality service with proper accommodations. I absolutely enjoyed my stay here with no regrets at all.
Bukit Melapi Lodge or Proboscis Lodge 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 done in Sandakan town in Sabah.
Night River Cruises or Safaris are organized by the lodged 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 done in Sandakan town in Sabah.
Night River Cruises or Safaris are organized by the lodged 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/
If you are pondering on where to stay when you visit the Kinabatangan area, I would recommend trying out the Melapi Proboscis Lodge at the Kinabatangan River as they are truly one of the pioneer properties here.