The Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary is situated directly within a mangrove forest surrounded by a palm oil estate. If you are planning a trip to Borneo, here is everything you need to know about visiting and photographing Labuk Bay.
The Sanctuary’s Origins
The history behind Labuk Bay is quite interesting. The owners of the palm oil farm sectioned off a small area of mangrove and forest specifically for a few families of proboscis monkeys that reside there. Because this isolated patch of forest is not large enough for the monkeys to forage and survive naturally, the sanctuary established daily feeding sessions to support and sustain the local population.
Location and Getting There
The sanctuary is located approximately 40 kilometres from Sandakan, making it an easy addition to an itinerary if you are already visiting the nearby Sepilok area, which is well-known for its orangutan rehabilitation and sun bear conservation centres.
Getting to Labuk Bay, however, can be somewhat challenging due to its remote setting within the palm oil farm. Ride-hailing apps such as Grab will likely not be a viable return option; while a driver might drop you off, they generally will not wait around for you to finish. To ensure a smooth trip, you have two primary options:
- Book a guided tour through a reputable company.
- Hire a private driver and pay them a dedicated fee to wait at the sanctuary and return you to your accommodation afterwards.
Feeding Times and Viewing Platforms
To support the monkeys, the sanctuary runs four feeding sessions throughout the day across two different viewing areas:
- Platform A: 09:30 and 14:30
- Platform B: 11:30 and 16:30
The 14:30 session at Platform A is highly recommended for photography. The afternoon lighting is superb, allowing you to capture wonderfully smooth bokeh in the background of your shots. It is also a very quiet session; you can often expect fewer than 15 other visitors, giving you ample physical space to move around the platform and experiment with different angles.
Wildlife Photography Tips
There is a noticeable gap between the viewing platforms and the monkeys, keeping a respectful distance, but they are still close enough for excellent close-up detailed photography. You will definitely want a telephoto lens, but you do not need anything excessively long; focal lengths between 200mm and 400mm are perfect for this environment.
Entry Costs
To assist with travel budgeting, I have included the local currency prices alongside their approximate conversions into pounds.
- Adult Entry: 60 MYR (Approx. £10)
- Child Entry: 30 MYR (Approx. £5)
- Camera Fee: 10 MYR (Approx. £1.70)
Labuk Bay offers a great opportunity to photograph a broad range of different poses of proboscis monkeys, as well as an opportunity to see them in a close, intimate setting. It is a really enjoyable visit and highly recommended if you are visiting Borneo.
