Borneo Wildlife Holiday

We arrive in Kota Kinabalu and check in to our hotel. Known locally as KK, Kota Kinabalu is a burgeoning city with a blend of Malays, Europeans and Chinese: the result is a unique mixture of architecture, culture, high technology and ancient traditions.

Overnight Standard Hotel

This morning we fly to Sandakan on Sabah's east coast from where we make the short drive to Sepilok. Sepilok is home to the largest of the three orang-utan rehabilitation centres in the world. Covering over 4000 hectares of forest, the centre was established in 1964 to rehabilitate captured, injured or abandoned apes. he animals are taught how to make nests and how to survive in their natural habitat. We plan to visit the centre in time for feeding when, along with the permanent members, pregnant mothers who otherwise live in the jungle, often come to supplement their diet and return after the birth of their young. There is a small charge to bring your camera into the sanctuary area.

Overnight Standard Lodge Included meals: Breakfast

This morning you can choose to either re-visit the Sepilok Rehabilitation Centre at feeding time or alternatively enjoy a visit to the nearby Rainforest Discovery Centre, where you will learn about the conservation of the rainforest and the myriad  animals and plants that rely on this incredible habitat. From the canopy walkway you'll be able to see the beautiful rain forest of Sepilok from up to 28 m above the forest floor! You might even catch a glimpse of the Bornean bristlehead bird, one of the rarest birds in Sabah! Apart from that, there are another 250 species of birds to look out for, including hornbills, pittas, kingfishers and broadbills Later we continue our journey to Sukau. The freshwater swamp forest around Sukau is home to myriad wildlife such as tree snake and birds such as frogmouth, bulbul and hornbill. Later we continue to Bilit village, a tiny village along the Kinabatangan river where we will spend our next 2 nights as guests in the homes of the villagers. This is a great opportunity to gain a first-hand insight into village life. From the orang sungei tribe, our hosts make their living from fishing in the rivers and lakes of the Kinabatangan. In the late afternoon, we plan to cruise the river by boat, looking out for wildlife. Later in the evening, we plan an evening walk to listen to the sounds of the jungle at night.

Overnight Basic Homestay Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Unlike other areas in Sabah, the Kinabatangan river has remained relatively unaffected by the rapacious logging unfortunately so prevalent elsewhere, mainly because the land is permanently waterlogged and there are few commercially valuable trees there. The river meanders through a flood plain and creates many ox-bow lakes making an ideal environment for wildlife viewing. On our cruise this morning, we may see crocodiles warming themselves in the morning sun and some of the other birdlife such as egret, storm’s stork, oriental darter and oriole. Later in the afternoon as the sun starts to go down on our second boat cruise of the day, we hope to spot the long nosed proboscis monkeys which converge on tree tops by the river banks to settle for the night.

Overnight Basic Homestay Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today we head to Kinabalu N.P stopping off at the Poring Hot Springs, a popular spot with locals. At 450m we are in tropical lowland forest, dense with vegetation and thick bamboo, with a humid misty atmosphere. You can cross a tree top walkway 60m above the forest floor or perhaps you prefer to take a relaxing soak in a hot spring bath, looking out for hornbills, mynah birds and monkeys. The rafflesia grows in the forest – the largest flower in the world, it produces a red bloom over one metre wide which lasts for just one week. Nearby is a butterfly and orchid farm. 

Overnight Simple Chalet Included meals: Breakfast

This morning we make an early start. We hope to get a good view of Mt Kinabalu which towers over the jungle below before driving to the park entrance and the starting point of the trail at about 1900m. Leaving our main baggage behind at the hotel but carrying our daypacks, we trek upwards for 5-6 hours to reach a mountain hostel situated at around 3272m, surrounded by magnificent scenery. The lower part of the trek is through dense tropical vegetation and mist shrouded rainforest with giant ferns and luxuriant mosses, a botanist’s paradise. Rare orchids and pitcher plants abound. Brightly coloured butterflies are everywhere. The hostel at base camp has common facilities, and there is a canteen where you can buy a simple meal. It is possible to opt out of the trek to Laban Rata base camp and stay an additional night at our pre-trek hotel. Those opting out will be charged an extra night’s accommodation (please ask your tour leader for details at the start of the tour). 

Overnight Basic Hostel Included meals: Breakfast

The trip to the summit is a hard trek and should only be attempted by those who are very confident about their level of fitness. We rise at approximately 02.30 and trek to the summit for sunrise (about 05.45). We walk in the dark and it is necessary to wear warm clothes and gloves and to carry a torch (head torches are the most practical). The view from the top of Mt Kinabalu (4095m) is exceptionally fine as we watch the sun rising over the misty jungle lowlands. For those who choose not to make the summit ascent, the views from around the base-camp hostel will keep you and your camera occupied until  the whole group make the descent on foot and then by truck back to the Park Headquarters. We then drive from the park to Beringgis Beach our base for the following few days. 

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Manukan Island is the second largest of the beautiful islands making up the Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park. This paradise island is the ideal place to relax for the day although there is also plenty on offer for the more active traveller. The snorkelling and diving opportunities are excellent. Or perhaps take a boat excursion to some of the other islands in the National Park, such as Gaya or Sapi. 

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Today is left free for personal exploration. Optional trips  possible include white water rafting a,a  visit to Kudat at the tip of Borneo including the Rungus tribal village and of course last minute shopping nearby Kota Kinabalu. For your own safety you should be able to swim at least 25m unaided if you wish to participate in white water rafting.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

The tour ends this morning after breakfast. Passengers travelling on the group flight back to London usually depart early morning and breakfast is not included at the hotel before departure.

Included meals: Breakfast