The Kinabatangan Explorer Group Retreat
This is where your visit makes a difference. Deep in the wild landscapes of Lower Kinabatangan, Sabah, your stay with KOPEL is more than just a holiday —.
This is where your visit makes a difference.
Deep in the wild landscapes of Lower Kinabatangan, Sabah, your stay with KOPEL is more than just a holiday — it is a direct contribution to conservation, community livelihoods, and the future of one of Borneo’s most important ecosystems.
Surrounded by rainforest, rivers, and wildlife corridors, KOPEL offers an immersive community-based tourism experience where every visit helps local families protect the very environment you came to explore. What was once a community dependent on unsustainable practices has transformed into a model of conservation-driven tourism, empowering villagers through guiding, hospitality, handicrafts, conservation work, and sustainable livelihoods.
Wake up to the sounds of the rainforest, cruise along the Kinabatangan River in search of wild orangutans, pygmy elephants, proboscis monkeys, hornbills, and crocodiles, then return to warm Sabahan hospitality rooted in local culture and stories. Here, tourism is not extractive — it is regenerative.
By choosing to support this experience, you are helping:
- Create jobs and income for rural communities
- Support rainforest and wildlife conservation
- Encourage youth participation in sustainable tourism
- Preserve local culture and traditional knowledge
- Protect the Kinabatangan ecosystem for future generations
This is travel with meaning — authentic, impactful, and deeply connected to the people and place of Sabah.
Experience the rainforest beyond tourism through immersive conservation and nature-based learning experiences. TREC offers visitors a chance to understand Borneo’s biodiversity up close — from forest restoration and wildlife monitoring to guided jungle exploration. It is ideal for travellers seeking deeper environmental awareness and meaningful engagement with conservation efforts happening on the ground.
Nestled near the Kinabatangan floodplain, SUPU Camp delivers an intimate jungle experience surrounded by raw wilderness. Guests can enjoy river safaris, night walks, birdwatching, and peaceful stays immersed in nature. The experience is simple, authentic, and grounding — reconnecting travellers with the rhythms of the rainforest while supporting local community initiatives.
Step into one of Sabah’s most fascinating natural wonders. Famous for its massive limestone cave systems and swiftlet nests, Gomantong offers a dramatic and unforgettable experience rich in ecology, history, and culture. Walk through ancient cave chambers alive with bats, swiftlets, and unique cave ecosystems while learning about the traditional bird’s nest harvesting practices that have sustained local communities for generations.
- Registration, introduction & lunch
- Boat transfer/Check In to TREC
- Jungle Trekking, Sunset Wildlife River Cruise
- Dinner at TREC
- Night Jungle Walk & Milky Way Viewing
- Early morning bird watching
- Breakfast at TREC
- Jungle Trekking (Tungog Lake Trail)
- Lunch at TREC
- Catch & Release Fishing at Oxbow Lake
- Forest Conversation Program – Tree Planting
- Sunset Wildlife River Cruise
- Night Safari & Milky Way Viewing
- Breakfast at Riverside Cafe at Village
- Visit to Tulug Cave – Ancient Burial Cave
- Tree Nursery Visit
- Cooking lesson & lunch at Smiling Boat Cafe
- Cultural Performances – Traditional Dance & Martial Arts + Light refreshments
- Fish trap & hand fishing demo
- Play sports with local community
- Dinner at TREC
- Night Jungle Walk
- Sunrise Wildlife River Cruise
- Breakfast at TREC
- Check Out & Boat Transfer back to HQ
Many travellers visit Sabah to see wildlife. Few realise their choices can directly determine whether these forests and communities continue to thrive.
Staying with KOPEL means your travel dollars remain within the community — funding conservation, empowering local people, and creating long-term alternatives to deforestation and unsustainable industries.
This is not just a place to stay. It is a chance to become part of a larger story — where travel protects forests, uplifts communities, and keeps Borneo wild.
- Corporate teams seeking grounded ESG and sustainability immersion
- Creators and storytellers focused on impact-driven narratives
- Conservation travellers interested in nature and conservation
- This experience is inclusive of accommodation, meals, and curated guided activities throughout the journey. Licensed local partners will manage and support your experience. Pickup/Transfer (private basis or sharing is available upon request with additional fees).
- The quoted rate is based on a minimum of 5 guests per booking.
- Pricing is tiered based on group size, with a maximum of 5 guests per departure.
- Booking enquiries are responded to within 24–48 hours.