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Borneo (Klias) River Cruise & Fireflies Tour

Name: Borneo (Klias) River Cruise & Fireflies Tour
Brand: Only In Borneo Tours
SKU: 233988P1
Price: 50.00 USD
Rating: 4.5 (67 reviews)

Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia

From $50.00

Select Date and Travelers

up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)

9 hours
Pickup offered
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

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Overview

Explore the Klias Wetlands on this all-day guided tour from Kota Kinabalu. Cruise down the Klias River in search of proboscis monkeys, long-tailed macaques, the rare silver langur, and other local wildlife. At dusk, enjoy a village-style dinner before traveling through the mangrove swamp to see the fireflies’ flickering lights.

Experience the wetlands in the evening with this cruise
See the local wildlife such as proboscis monkeys
Enjoy a Malaysian buffet dinner (included)
Pickup and drop-off to/from Kota Kinabalu hotels included

What's Included

Coffee and/or Tea
All Fees and Taxes
Dinner

Snacks
Tipping
Bottled water

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Pickup details

Can find us with the company sticker at the body of the minivan/Bus Usually the pick up will be start at 1:15PM for hotel around Kota Kinabalu City

What To Expect

Klias Wetlands

4 hours • Admission Ticket Included

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Wheelchair accessible
Stroller accessible
Infant seats available

Transportation is wheelchair accessible
Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Most travelers can participate
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 30 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.

Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Featured review

Anonymous

It was the best firefries experience for me. I could enjoy the river view and observing some animals. Staff explained about animals, and they sent me to hotel after that. Thank you!

Reviews

4.5

67 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

We perform checks on reviews

Showing 1-10 of 67 reviews

Best experience

Anonymous, Apr 2024

It was the best firefries experience for me. I could enjoy the river view and observing some animals. Staff explained about animals, and they sent me to hotel after that. Thank you!

Guide was very know;edgable, and lots of great wildlife.

Jason_R, Apr 2024

We saw three different species of monkeys very quickly, and many groups of them through the cruise. Beautiful mangroves, and great evening light. Food also very good.

Wildlife galore

Bronwyn_H, Apr 2024

We saw probiscus monkeys, small monkeys, fireflies, a crocodile and a hornbill! Our guide Sulani was very informative, roadworks on the 2 hour drive make it a bit of a journey, but overall it was a worthwhile experience.

A lovely afternoon in the lap of nature

Ganesh_R, Mar 2024

The experience of going on a river nestled between pristine mangrove forests was truly unforgettable for a nature lover like me. It was also wonderful to see the probocis monkeys that are endemic to Borneo. Although we had a full moon that didn’t make things great for viewing fireflies we did get a chance to see them and this is another wonderful sight. Recommend you go when there isn’t a full moon. Overall a great and memorable visit

Stars everywhere

Saumya_K, Mar 2024

The guides on the boat were very knowledgeable and definitely have an amazing eye sight to see the animals in the jungle. Our group saw so many animals. The sunset on the boat was great. The fireflies in the night were insanely beautiful- like a Christmas tree in the dark. Must try! The water is bioluminescence at some places. It will be good to add that. The last part of the boat ride - clear sky with stars, the fireflies on the tree and the bioluminescent water. Imagine that. Unfortunately no camera can capture this beauty - got to see it in person.

A Worthwhile Day Trip

John_M, Mar 2024

Really enjoyed this affordable day trip. We were able to see much wildlife, and the Probiscis Monkeys didn't disappoint. This tour is operated by the company that actually provides the tour, so you're not paying for any middlemen. A highly recommended tour.

Response from Host, Mar 2024

Hello sir, Thank you so much for your feedback and kind words. We do our best to provide a good tour to everyone. Have a great days ahead!

Great way to spend 8 hours, even though the driving to and from was lengthy

Ron_W, Feb 2024

Seeing wildlife so close to civilisation, including the proboscis monkeys, large lizard, and the fascinating fireflies

Response from Host, Feb 2024

Hello sir, Thank you for your comments. We are so pleased to know that you enjoyed the tour. Have a great day ahead!

The experience was nice,...

Iain_W, Feb 2024

The experience was nice, we had a Good driver, nice cruise, food decent and kids loved the fire flies

Response from Host, Feb 2024

Thank you so much for your kind words. Glad you and your family enjoy the tour.

The tour content is good, but the tour management is poor.

Shimpei_O, Feb 2024

The bus was not properly managed, and the driver told that the battery might run out on the way. He decided to search for a battery so it took a time. He eventually got the battery, but it cost us a lot of time and gave us a tight schedule. Also, even though he changed the battery, the new battery was not enough and he ended up returning home without air conditioning. We arrived at the hotel an hour later than originally planned. It was quite physically demanding. There were some people who came via other tour companies. They were on more reliable buses and arrived more earlier at same hotel. The content of the tour was very good. We could see two proboscis monkey groups and hornbill and crocodile. The monkeys were very far away, so it would be best to bring binoculars. It was magical to see so many fireflies. All the tour guests were trying to take pictures, so the light from their cell phones was a nuisance. I think it would be a good idea to ban cell phones during the firefly tour.

Response from Host, Feb 2024

Hello sir, Thank you for your comments. I'm apologize on behalf of the management team for the unfortunate events happened to you during your trip. And i want to update you that the van is currently in workshop to be check and fix whatever needed to be fix. It's has been since the day after your tour we stop using that van. And thank you so much for the good comments of the tour. And we are happy to know that you enjoyed the tour. As for the cell phones usage during firefly cruise, we already inform all agents to inform their guests/tourists to switch-off the camera flash if want to take photos, but sometimes, there are guests/tourists who dont listen even we already give reminder. Sorry about that. Have a good day sir for you and your family. Thank you once again for you visit to Klias Rivercruise and Fireflies Tour!

Nice tour, really worth it!

Angelika_T, Jan 2024

Such a nice tour at the Klias River. We were picked up from the hotel in a comfortable van. We got to the river, had some tea/coffee and snacks followed by the first boat ride. We saw many proboscis monkies, langurs and even a hornbill. The landscape was beautiful. Dinner was good, buffet style. Finished the day with the fireflies which was interesting and relaxing. Solo traveller-friendly tour ☺️

Response from Host, Feb 2024

Hello miss, thank you so much for your kind words. We are so happy that you enjoyed your tour with us. You are so lucky to saw the hornbill and langurs because they are very wild and rarely there. As for the proboscis monkeys, they appear everyday at the mangrove areas because their food source is there :). Hope to see you again in the future.

Excellent

Patrick_F, Dec 2023

The total experience was incredible. The guide was very funny and engaging. This trip made my holiday in Borneo

Response from Host, Feb 2024

Hello there! Thank you so much for taking time to give comments and letting us know you have a good time here. Happy to hear the news! Have a good day ahead!

River Cruise Let-down!

LIONEL_L, Nov 2023

River cruise highly over-rated. Not worth 2.5hrs journey there & back just to see monkeys & fire flies in trees. No crocodile or other wildlife in sight. Dinner was satisfactory. Evening cruise was rushed. Operator seemed intent to return early after only observing 2 trees of fire flies on canopy. Cruised ended 6.55pm instead of 7.30pm as indicated in itinerary. Worse to come, driver was speeding back to city (averaging above 100kmh & very bumpy on minivan!) & arrived at hotel within 1hr 45mins compared to outgoing trip which took 2.5hrs with 10mins toilet break that was requested by passenger. If not driver seemed intent to travel non-stop to destination & back. Note: Borneo Travel & driver "James."

Response from Host, Feb 2024

Hello sir, thank you for your comments. And i'm sorry for late responding to you. As for the other wildlife animals, we cant guaranteed the sighting because sometimes they appear and sometimes they dont. Only the proboscis monkeys easier to spot due to the mangrove area provide their source of foods. On the matter of the driver, the management already talk to the driver and taken action accordingly. Thank you again for your feedback. Have a good day ahead!

It was a really good tour...

Andras_K, Oct 2023

It was a really good tour Welcome snacks after the drive, then out to the river We lookd for the monkeys a little bit then we found multiple families We were on the water for around 2 hours After getting back we had a good dinner, and back to rhe water to see the fireflies A pro tip: put away your phone. You’ll not be able to photo the fireflies, but the phone light will prevent your eyes to adapt tot the dark If your eyes adapt to the dark, not looking at any screen(no matter how dimmed), you’ll see the fireflies much better They are not 100W lightbulbs :)

Response from Host, Oct 2023

Hi Mr. Andras, Thank you so much for your comments, we really appreciate it. We are so glad that you enjoyed the tour. And YES, we agreed with your tips about the phone usage during fireflies cruise. Have a great days ahead. And stay healthy :)

Totally recommended! The...

RaulMircea_C, Oct 2023

Totally recommended! The tour guide was very kind, to begin with. The provided snacks and dinner were really nice. The first boat tour was perfect, we've seen a lot and as a bonus a crocodile. The second boat tour was as well perfect, there were so many fireflies everywhere.

Response from Host, Oct 2023

Hi Mr. Raul, thank you for your kind words. We are so happy to know that you enjoyed the tour. Have a great days ahead! Stay healthy!

Good cruise, long drive

Kevin_P, Oct 2023

Great cruise. You’l probably see probiscus monkeys and fireflies. Kind of a long drive (2 hours each way). The meal was good also. Good driver guide, I’d recommend

Response from Host, Oct 2023

Thank you Mr. Kevin for your kind words. Really appreciate it. Have a great days ahead!

Overall Okay

Jeffry_K, Sep 2023

It's a long drive, but bearable. You will see monkeys - there were many proboscis. Didn't see much else. Couldn't hear the guide most of the time with the motor running. Food was better than I expected. Nothing special, but not the main point. Fireflies were okay. They're mostly in the trees. Cloud coverage is good (moonlight makes them hard to see). Just too LOUD - three boat motors and guides still trying to speak, it felt chaotic at moments. Mr. Jamil was awesome. He was helpful and friendly as both a driver and an extra guide at the back of the boat. Many thanks to you, sir!

Response from Host, Oct 2023

Hi Mr. Jeffry, Thank you for your comments. Really appreciate it. As for the long drive, we cant do much about that because of the location of Klias mangrove area is down south. Its one of the few places where you can see the endemic probosic monkeys. I did forwarded your thanks to Mr. Jamil, our driver. He send his regards to you and your family. Have a good days ahead sir. And wish you all the best in life!

Relaxing

Jeryl_C, Sep 2023

I get to see thw proboscis monkeys, fireflies and the little crocodiles. Could be better if we explote further on the cruise.

Response from Host, Oct 2023

Hello there, Thank you for your time in writing us the comments, and we appreciate it. As for the timing for the cruise, we cant do lot longer than the time schedule due to the journey back to the city will take times too. And we did tried our best for the given time as schedule. We are glad you enjoyed the tour and get to see the endemic probocis monkeys and fireflies at night. Hope you have a great days ahead. Wish you all the best!

Worth it!

Tim_A, Jul 2023

Excellent guide and driver. Saw three species of monkey including lots of proboscis. Fire flies were amazing.

First time on this trip would be fascinating

Chan_S, Jun 2023

We got to see a lot of different types of monkeys in the natural habitat. The fireflies were fascinating if you’re them for the first time. Only thing is the journey to and fro is about 4 hours plus so it can get a little tiring

Response from Host, Jun 2023

Hello sir. Thank you for your time giving us your comments. We really appreciate it. Warm regards from Only In Borneo Tours team:).

Don't leave Sabah without doing this!

TREVOR_M, Jun 2023

Klias River Cruise is a perfect getaway for a close encounter with the very rare proboscis monkeys in their natural habitat. This tour didn't disappoint us. We've seen full adult male and female monkeys as well as juvenile ones feeding on mangrove leaves. We also had a bonus sightings of long-tailed monkeys, monitor lizards, parakeets, swifts and other varieties of birds during the cruise. The firefly tour is magical as the fireworks in Disneyland! Our driver/tour guide Shamlee knows his craft very well. He drives his best as well despite the road condition along the way. Marilyn, the tour operator checks us once in a while, a much appreciated gesture for making sure that their clients are in good shape. The snacks and the dinner buffet is an interesting flow of Malaysian food that could be a hit or miss to your distinctive taste but for us, it is a hit! I personally love the fish dish! This tour is highly recommended!😊

Response from Host, Jun 2023

Thank you Trevor for your kind words and recommendations. Really appreciate it. We did our best to make our guests happy and bring home memorable holidays. Hope to see you again in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah in the future. Warm regards, Marilyn.