Lok Kawi Wildlife Park
Lok Kawi Wildlife Park
3.5
9:30 AM - 1:00 PM, 2:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Monday
9:30 AM - 1:00 PM
2:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Tuesday
9:30 AM - 1:00 PM
2:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Wednesday
9:30 AM - 1:00 PM
2:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Thursday
9:30 AM - 1:00 PM
2:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Friday
9:30 AM - 1:00 PM
2:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Saturday
9:30 AM - 1:00 PM
2:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Sunday
9:30 AM - 1:00 PM
2:00 PM - 4:30 PM
About
Duration: 2-3 hours
Meets animal welfare guidelines
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
3.5
751 reviews
Excellent
151
Very good
275
Average
212
Poor
65
Terrible
48
Susan P
Canberra, Australia17 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
What an amazing animal sanctuary. All the animals have such sad back stories of human abuse and neglect. The animals now appear well cared for and the enclosures are large and clean. The bird cages are on the smaller size and could do with renovation, but that takes money and the only way that will happen is if people keep visiting and paying the entry fee. The sanctuary workers are very knowledgeable and they are fluent in English and can answer all your questions about the animals.
We hired a taxi from Kota Kinabalu for $150rm which included the return trip and the 2 hours we were inside the sanctuary. 2 hours was plenty of time to see all the animals. Unfortunately the animal displays were closed due to the rain, but the keepers were still available for any questions. The food and souvenir shop is permanently closed but there all several small drink stalls open inside the sanctuary. Great day out for the family and we highly recommend travellers support this worthy cause with a visit and payment of the very small entry fee of $20rm per adult and $10rm per child.
We hired a taxi from Kota Kinabalu for $150rm which included the return trip and the 2 hours we were inside the sanctuary. 2 hours was plenty of time to see all the animals. Unfortunately the animal displays were closed due to the rain, but the keepers were still available for any questions. The food and souvenir shop is permanently closed but there all several small drink stalls open inside the sanctuary. Great day out for the family and we highly recommend travellers support this worthy cause with a visit and payment of the very small entry fee of $20rm per adult and $10rm per child.
Written July 15, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anand1351
Singapore, Singapore3,817 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
You should be aware before visiting that
1. There is no taxi or Grab available here on return.
2. There is NO PLACE in the zoo where you can buy any water!!. The only shop there is closed and NO vending machine.
Else the place is good probably need more maintenance and bird show was superb.
And beware - in front of elephant deck I almost stepped on a bright Yellow snake sitting there.
Informed zoo staff and they had promptly actioned.
Place and surroundings are lovely by the way.
On our return one zoo staff who finished his shift dropped us in his car for 70 RM ( Grab is 22 RM lol).
1. There is no taxi or Grab available here on return.
2. There is NO PLACE in the zoo where you can buy any water!!. The only shop there is closed and NO vending machine.
Else the place is good probably need more maintenance and bird show was superb.
And beware - in front of elephant deck I almost stepped on a bright Yellow snake sitting there.
Informed zoo staff and they had promptly actioned.
Place and surroundings are lovely by the way.
On our return one zoo staff who finished his shift dropped us in his car for 70 RM ( Grab is 22 RM lol).
Written August 11, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carissa L
Sydney, Australia245 contributions
Oct 2023 • Family
We visited this zoo going by the reviews and we’re shocked at why the reviews were positive when it’s clearly run down and not suitable in terms of providing the animals with adequate enclosures to provide enrichment and a natural environment to what they would have in the wild. One animal who’s habitat is living in trees was laying on the ground panting and there were no trees in its enclosure but a few plain dead wood branches.
The birds were in cement mouldy floor cages with no enrichment at all one of them was an African grey parrot one of the smartest most intelligent parrots if not the smartest in the world sitting depressed with nothing to occupy it but a couple of old crappy toys.
Footpaths are dangerous elephants are swimming in ponds absolutely full of elephant dung.
The sun bear is stressed as it paces up and down the enclosure.
I understand funding is limited but I think the animals need to be relocated to a better environment even until they get funding to improve this zoo. It’s seriously run down and is a depressing stressful zoo for the animals.
I know they need tourist dollars but I can’t support a zoo like this maybe government needs to step in if they want tourists to come and visit this zoo.
The birds were in cement mouldy floor cages with no enrichment at all one of them was an African grey parrot one of the smartest most intelligent parrots if not the smartest in the world sitting depressed with nothing to occupy it but a couple of old crappy toys.
Footpaths are dangerous elephants are swimming in ponds absolutely full of elephant dung.
The sun bear is stressed as it paces up and down the enclosure.
I understand funding is limited but I think the animals need to be relocated to a better environment even until they get funding to improve this zoo. It’s seriously run down and is a depressing stressful zoo for the animals.
I know they need tourist dollars but I can’t support a zoo like this maybe government needs to step in if they want tourists to come and visit this zoo.
Written October 3, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Zalnik
United Kingdom106 contributions
Oct 2024 • Friends
The park itself is very interesting, the animals look happy and the cages are quite clean and decent.
We were lucky enough to see the show where few animals participated.
The real downfall was that no taxis responded to Grab app and we were stuck there for an hour trying to figure out what to do. Someone had a friend who could come and take us back with 4 times the real fare but nothing else to do...
Book your taxi or go with your car there
We were lucky enough to see the show where few animals participated.
The real downfall was that no taxis responded to Grab app and we were stuck there for an hour trying to figure out what to do. Someone had a friend who could come and take us back with 4 times the real fare but nothing else to do...
Book your taxi or go with your car there
Written October 29, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
phuiann lim
Petaling Jaya, Malaysia54 contributions
Dec 2019 • Family
Experience is average. But the entrance price is alright with what you get. If you have extra time, you may stop over but not a must. The worth seeing is long-nosed monkeys. Botanic garden inside is totally got nothing to see.
Written February 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ali68Kent
United Kingdom118 contributions
Feb 2020
Sabah should be ashamed of this park. The animals are clearly bored and penned up. Tired run down. Did not see a keeper the whole time we were there. A disgrace. Not a good advertisement for the country at all.
Do not bother with this
Very disappointing.
Do not bother with this
Very disappointing.
Written March 14, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LinoSheffield
Sheffield1,048 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
Visited for a couple of hours, which was enough. Not a great deal to see really. But its heart is in the right place most if the animals had been brought there to stay until they could be relocated back into the wild. Not kept in the greatest of conditions. Hard to work out if the animals were indeed stressed by the conditions or just overwhelmed by the blistering heat.
Written January 21, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
xyz
1 contribution
Apr 2023 • Family
Really worth a visit. Half a day is all you need. Kids enjoyed the interactive animal show. Would recommend if you have time. Book a car as I hear Grab drivers don’t visit for a pickup.
Written April 13, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Zuzana C
14 contributions
Mar 2019 • Friends
The most heart-breaking visit to a zoo park I have ever experienced...I wish I hadnt supported this animal concentration camp with my money.The animals out there in small enclosures in the heat boiling alive in the sun.Elephants without proper amount of space to move around, no water to cool thenselves with and to drink except for a stinking green pool of water on the side, so distressed they just swing their trunks hours on end just to kill the time.The saddest orangutangs I have ever seen, bored no shelter from direct sunlight, no toys to play with.Birds in ridiculously small cages with obviously no veterinarian care provided, losing beaks and claws waiting to die...other animals trapped behind glass walls jumpin from wall to wall like lunatics trying to find a way out....It was such a depressing and deploring sight..this is not a WILDIFE PARK this is a CONCENTRATION CAMP where the animals just sit and rot waiting to die.DO NOT SUPPORT THIS WITH YOUR MONEY...
Written March 18, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BettyandLingShing
Malaysia637 contributions
Jan 2011
Lok Kawi Wildlife Park is not big at all, however, it is one of the most well-run wildlife park in Malaysia, with 280 acres of land and 100 species of animals. It's clean, and the animals are well fed, well tended. Borneo pygmy elephants, tigers, orang utan, proboscis and the aviary are some of the highlights of the park, plus some cute otters, hyperactive gibbons, and sunbears with toys, what we can say is- we really like the park!!
To reach the park, the best way is following a local tour, or taxi. Taking bus is not a good idea, as the park is located at quite remoted area, 25 km away from city centre.
The park opens 9:30 am - 5:30 pm everyday. Entrance fee for adult and visitors below 18 years old are RM10 and RM5 respectively for Malaysian. For non-Malaysian are RM20 and RM10 respectively. Entrance is free for senior citizen above 60 and handicapped visitors.
Please plan your visit as the animal shows are on 11 am and 3:15 pm. The animal feeding sessions span from 10:20 am to 2:35 pm, not to miss is the feeding of Malayan Tigers at 2:05 pm.
Our advice, apply some mosquito repellent before you visit the park. Try your best to be early, to avoid stinging sunlight. Sufficient water supply, hat, and sport shoes guarantee a more comfort visit.
As a full round of the park might takes few hours, a light snack at the canteen might be a good idea. On the way back from the park, you can spare some time on Sabah State Museum (will take around 1 hour 30 minutes for a complete tour) and get your feet wet at Tanjung Aru beach on your way back to your hotel.
Please visit our blog on Lok Kawi at:
http://bettyandlingshing.blogspot.com/2011/02/lok-kawi-wildlife-park-sabah.html
To reach the park, the best way is following a local tour, or taxi. Taking bus is not a good idea, as the park is located at quite remoted area, 25 km away from city centre.
The park opens 9:30 am - 5:30 pm everyday. Entrance fee for adult and visitors below 18 years old are RM10 and RM5 respectively for Malaysian. For non-Malaysian are RM20 and RM10 respectively. Entrance is free for senior citizen above 60 and handicapped visitors.
Please plan your visit as the animal shows are on 11 am and 3:15 pm. The animal feeding sessions span from 10:20 am to 2:35 pm, not to miss is the feeding of Malayan Tigers at 2:05 pm.
Our advice, apply some mosquito repellent before you visit the park. Try your best to be early, to avoid stinging sunlight. Sufficient water supply, hat, and sport shoes guarantee a more comfort visit.
As a full round of the park might takes few hours, a light snack at the canteen might be a good idea. On the way back from the park, you can spare some time on Sabah State Museum (will take around 1 hour 30 minutes for a complete tour) and get your feet wet at Tanjung Aru beach on your way back to your hotel.
Please visit our blog on Lok Kawi at:
http://bettyandlingshing.blogspot.com/2011/02/lok-kawi-wildlife-park-sabah.html
Written April 22, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Yes there are but I would check with the zoo before going on the day to make sure the exhibit is open as the location is out of town and you don't want to waste a journey to find out on the day.
Written January 10, 2020
Where are the animals from? Rescued? Bred behind bars? Are they there for life or being rehabilitated to return to the wild?
Written June 29, 2019
most of the animals are rescued animal such as their pygmy elephant, sun-bear & primate. They also have a breeding program there and yes some of the animals are born in the park. The park also released the animal to the wild but if the animals have the ability to survive on their own. It depend on the animals behavior. The purpose of the park is Rehabilitation for wildlife.
Written July 29, 2020
Is this a humane attraction? Especially concerned if it involves an animal performance?
Written June 21, 2019
There is the Amfitheater with animal presentations. The staff was really enthusiastic in talking about the animals (Binturong, birds, snakes, civet) and they also talked about education and conservation. Also people could take pictures and feed a bird seeds. I did not have the feeling they were exploiting the animals at all.
The park itself is quite OK, but not like the “western standard” we have in the Netherlands. But for an Asian Zoo it is not bad at all and worth the visit :-)
Josua from the Netherlands
Written June 21, 2019
Some reviews mention a show. What does this involve and what time does it take place?
Written March 10, 2017
The show involves some macaws, civet and snake. Two shows in a day, i can't be sure of the show timing in the morning, if I remember correctly, it is around 10-11am, in the afternoon it is at 3.15pm.
Written March 11, 2017
Hi!
What are the opening hours? Every website seems to say something different.
Written August 16, 2016
I would imagine 10 til 4 it would be open,
Written September 1, 2016
Could you give me some info on Lok Kawi please, we will be in Kota from 11.00am to 7.00pm off a cruise ship for 1 day only.
What was your method of transport to the park , what did it cost for transport & entrance fees at park
Thanks,
Ken Johnson
Written May 16, 2016
The best option is by Taxi, cost around RM30-40..the entrance fee should be RM20 for tourists. Cheers!
Written May 17, 2016
Belinda H
Perth, Australia
Is it a lot of walking one of my family members has bad knees and can not walk for long periods of time. Is there facilities for golf cars.
Written April 19, 2015
I believe there is a tram that goes around. It doesn't operate on Fridays which is when we were there, so I can't tell you where all it goes. I believe the whole place is wheelchair accessible except getting into the botanical gardens part
Written April 20, 2015
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