Uniqueness of this attraction
Uniqueness of this attraction
Known locally as ‘beruang madu’ or honey bears for their love of honey, the sun bear is found in the tropical rainforests of Malaysia and about 9 other countries in South East Asia. The Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Center is the only sun bear conservation centre in the world and currently is home to 43 rescued bears. Facilities provided for visitors here including observation platform, boardwalk and a visitor centre in the area.
The goals of the center is to raise international awareness about the plight of sun bears as well providing care and rehabilitation for rescued sun bears. The visitor centre allows you to watch sun bears in their natural environment as well as rescued sun bears which are in their process of rehabilitating. Besides that, there are also tropical tree species and fauna such as orangutans and macaques on display here.
Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Center in Sandakan is located nearby other wildlife sanctuaries and discovery centres. If you want to explore more nature and get close to endangered wildlife species, choosing to stay for a night or two within this area is also a great idea. There are plenty of accommodation types for you to choose and the accommodation operators will make the tour arrangements for you.
The goals of the center is to raise international awareness about the plight of sun bears as well providing care and rehabilitation for rescued sun bears. The visitor centre allows you to watch sun bears in their natural environment as well as rescued sun bears which are in their process of rehabilitating. Besides that, there are also tropical tree species and fauna such as orangutans and macaques on display here.
Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Center in Sandakan is located nearby other wildlife sanctuaries and discovery centres. If you want to explore more nature and get close to endangered wildlife species, choosing to stay for a night or two within this area is also a great idea. There are plenty of accommodation types for you to choose and the accommodation operators will make the tour arrangements for you.
Other things to do here?
Other things to do here?
Right opposite the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Center lies the famous Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre. Here you get to see orang utans up close and personal in their natural habitat via a viewing gallery. There is also a feeding platform where you can watch the apes being fed bananas and milk. Within the area, you can also visit other places like Rainforest Discovery Centre and Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary.
What to bring home?
What to bring home?
The Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Center has an area called The Bear Shop where you can purchase souvenirs such as t shirts, canvas bags, hats and even some unique handmade products such as rattan bracelets and clay-molded sun bear figurines.
If you’re feeling generous, you can also adopt a sun bear here! From as low as RM 300, you can adopt a sun bear of your choice and receive a sun bear gift, e-newsletter updates on the status of your bear and an adoption certificate as well!
If you’re feeling generous, you can also adopt a sun bear here! From as low as RM 300, you can adopt a sun bear of your choice and receive a sun bear gift, e-newsletter updates on the status of your bear and an adoption certificate as well!
Who should I travel with?
Who should I travel with?
Solo , Couple , Friends , Family , Group
Getting around
Getting around
There are plenty of buses that travel to the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Center. From Sandakan, there is a bus terminal located behind the Centre Point Mall (opposite the jetty). The bus is marked as “Batu 14 Sepilok” and goes directly to the center. The journey takes approximately 45 minutes and costs RM 6 per person.
From Kota Kinabalu, take the bus that goes towards Sandakan and ask the driver to stop at Sepilok. This journey takes about 6 - 7 hours. From here you can hire a local taxi to bring you to the entrance of the center.
From Kota Kinabalu, take the bus that goes towards Sandakan and ask the driver to stop at Sepilok. This journey takes about 6 - 7 hours. From here you can hire a local taxi to bring you to the entrance of the center.
Insiders’ tips
Insiders’ tips
- For cameras with lenses that are 500mm and above, a RM 1,000 camera fee will be charged. All proceeds go towards conservation efforts for the sun bears.
- The Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Center and Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre share a main gate and are just a stone’s throw away from each other.
- Wear comfortable shoes for your trip here and do expect muddy trails within the site’s area.
- If you’re taking a bus, timings from Sandakan to Sepilok are at 9am, 11:30am, 2pm and 5pm while timings from Sepilok to Sandakan are at 6:30am, 10:30am, 12:30pm and 4pm.
- It is highly recommended to stay here for a night or two to fully explore the popular attractions that Borneo has to offer. The types of accommodation offered here range from bed and breakfast to resorts. It is best to make your bookings early.
Newly opened to the public, a trip here is an excellent opportunity to learn more about the sun bear and watch these adorable animals throughout their day.
Opening hours
| Monday | 09:00 am to 03:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 09:00 am to 03:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 09:00 am to 03:30 pm |
| Thursday | 09:00 am to 03:30 pm |
| Friday | 09:00 am to 03:30 pm |
| Saturday | 09:00 am to 03:30 pm |
| Sunday | 09:00 am to 03:30 pm |
Newly opened to the public, a trip here is an excellent opportunity to learn more about the sun bear and watch these adorable animals throughout their day.
Opening hours
| Monday | 09:00 am to 03:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 09:00 am to 03:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 09:00 am to 03:30 pm |
| Thursday | 09:00 am to 03:30 pm |
| Friday | 09:00 am to 03:30 pm |
| Saturday | 09:00 am to 03:30 pm |
| Sunday | 09:00 am to 03:30 pm |
Uniqueness of this attraction
Uniqueness of this attraction
Known locally as ‘beruang madu’ or honey bears for their love of honey, the sun bear is found in the tropical rainforests of Malaysia and about 9 other countries in South East Asia. The Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Center is the only sun bear conservation centre in the world and currently is home to 43 rescued bears. Facilities provided for visitors here including observation platform, boardwalk and a visitor centre in the area.
The goals of the center is to raise international awareness about the plight of sun bears as well providing care and rehabilitation for rescued sun bears. The visitor centre allows you to watch sun bears in their natural environment as well as rescued sun bears which are in their process of rehabilitating. Besides that, there are also tropical tree species and fauna such as orangutans and macaques on display here.
Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Center in Sandakan is located nearby other wildlife sanctuaries and discovery centres. If you want to explore more nature and get close to endangered wildlife species, choosing to stay for a night or two within this area is also a great idea. There are plenty of accommodation types for you to choose and the accommodation operators will make the tour arrangements for you.
The goals of the center is to raise international awareness about the plight of sun bears as well providing care and rehabilitation for rescued sun bears. The visitor centre allows you to watch sun bears in their natural environment as well as rescued sun bears which are in their process of rehabilitating. Besides that, there are also tropical tree species and fauna such as orangutans and macaques on display here.
Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Center in Sandakan is located nearby other wildlife sanctuaries and discovery centres. If you want to explore more nature and get close to endangered wildlife species, choosing to stay for a night or two within this area is also a great idea. There are plenty of accommodation types for you to choose and the accommodation operators will make the tour arrangements for you.
Other things to do here?
Other things to do here?
Right opposite the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Center lies the famous Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre. Here you get to see orang utans up close and personal in their natural habitat via a viewing gallery. There is also a feeding platform where you can watch the apes being fed bananas and milk. Within the area, you can also visit other places like Rainforest Discovery Centre and Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary.
What to bring home?
What to bring home?
The Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Center has an area called The Bear Shop where you can purchase souvenirs such as t shirts, canvas bags, hats and even some unique handmade products such as rattan bracelets and clay-molded sun bear figurines.
If you’re feeling generous, you can also adopt a sun bear here! From as low as RM 300, you can adopt a sun bear of your choice and receive a sun bear gift, e-newsletter updates on the status of your bear and an adoption certificate as well!
If you’re feeling generous, you can also adopt a sun bear here! From as low as RM 300, you can adopt a sun bear of your choice and receive a sun bear gift, e-newsletter updates on the status of your bear and an adoption certificate as well!
Who should I travel with?
Who should I travel with?
Solo , Couple , Friends , Family , Group
Getting around
Getting around
There are plenty of buses that travel to the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Center. From Sandakan, there is a bus terminal located behind the Centre Point Mall (opposite the jetty). The bus is marked as “Batu 14 Sepilok” and goes directly to the center. The journey takes approximately 45 minutes and costs RM 6 per person.
From Kota Kinabalu, take the bus that goes towards Sandakan and ask the driver to stop at Sepilok. This journey takes about 6 - 7 hours. From here you can hire a local taxi to bring you to the entrance of the center.
From Kota Kinabalu, take the bus that goes towards Sandakan and ask the driver to stop at Sepilok. This journey takes about 6 - 7 hours. From here you can hire a local taxi to bring you to the entrance of the center.
Insiders’ tips
Insiders’ tips
- For cameras with lenses that are 500mm and above, a RM 1,000 camera fee will be charged. All proceeds go towards conservation efforts for the sun bears.
- The Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Center and Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre share a main gate and are just a stone’s throw away from each other.
- Wear comfortable shoes for your trip here and do expect muddy trails within the site’s area.
- If you’re taking a bus, timings from Sandakan to Sepilok are at 9am, 11:30am, 2pm and 5pm while timings from Sepilok to Sandakan are at 6:30am, 10:30am, 12:30pm and 4pm.
- It is highly recommended to stay here for a night or two to fully explore the popular attractions that Borneo has to offer. The types of accommodation offered here range from bed and breakfast to resorts. It is best to make your bookings early.
