Kinabatangan River

A big chunk of today was spent on the bus as we travelled inland to the Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge which is to be our home for the next couple of nights.

On our way here we stopped off at a Proboscis Monkey Park to see these amazing animals. They live in either family groups with one dominant male or in bachelor groups. The dominant male is always on guard against the bachelor groups getting too close to his harem.

The big nose that gives these monkeys their name is used by the males to make loud noises to keep any interlopers away. Their big beer belly allows them to digest some of the forest fruits that are poisonous to other creatures. Their habitat is around mangrove swamps alongside the river estuaries. They live to be about 25 years old and their main predators are crocs and leopards.

We were there at feeding time so we managed to see them up close. Really amazing animals.

After another hour or two drive we came to the Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge. In colonial times this river was used to transport timber but now the focus is ecotourism.

After lunch we went on a cruise down the river to spot elephants! The Bornean elephants are about 70% the size of African elephants and are endangered. We saw a few from the river where they were happily munching on vegetation.

We also saw a few more proboscis monkeys, macaques, and a few rhinoceros hornbills.

A really great boat trip. Tomorrow we explore the river some more!Read more