Experience Borneo in the company of orang-utans, long-nosed proboscis monkeys and a collection of fascinating species; on this trip you’ll visit Borneo’s best-loved wildlife hotspots. Then, survey the rich jungle lowlands below from atop Mount Kinabalu – South East Asia’s highest peak.
Enriching tailormade journeys – for you
This bespoke journey features some of our favourite spots in Borneo. You can choose to take our destination experts’ recommendations and travel just as you see the itinerary here, or contact us to add your own special touches; maybe a beach extension to recover after your climb or a stay in a traditional longhouse. We’re here to design your perfect holiday. Call us on 0844 875 1897.
Details may vary depending on departure date. Please choose
Arrive in Sandakan and drive to Sepilok. See the orang-utans being fed in one of the world’s largest rehabilitation centres. Covering over 4,000 hectares of forest, the centre was established in 1964 to rehabilitate captured, injured or abandoned apes. The animals are taught how to make nests and how to survive in their natural habitat.
Overnight Comfortable Hotel (H++)
in Sepilok Nature Resort
Sepilok Nature Resort
Set on the water’s edge, among a garden of beautiful tropical plants, the Sepilok Nature Resort offers a welcome, peaceful retreat for its guests. Rooms are simple yet comfortable; timber chalets offering picturesque views. There’s also a restaurant, lounge and sundeck.
Day 3:
Jungle Walks
Spend the morning enjoying jungle walks. Drive to Sukau and take a sunset river trip through the freshwater swamp forest. The freshwater swamp forest around Sukau is home to myriad wildlife such as tree snakes, and birds such as frogmouth, bulbul and hornbill.
Overnight Comfortable Hotel (H++)
in Sepilok Nature Resort Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Sepilok Nature Resort
Set on the water’s edge, among a garden of beautiful tropical plants, the Sepilok Nature Resort offers a welcome, peaceful retreat for its guests. Rooms are simple yet comfortable; timber chalets offering picturesque views. There’s also a restaurant, lounge and sundeck.
Day 4:
Kinabatangan River
Cruise through the oxbow lakes of the Kinabatangan River. On your cruise this morning, you 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, there’s a second boat cruise - as the sun starts to go down, you could spot long-nosed proboscis monkeys which converge on treetops by the river banks to settle for the night.
Overnight Comfortable Hotel (H++)
in Bilit Rainforest Lodge Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Bilit Rainforest Lodge
Set on stilts on the banks of the Lower Kinabatangan River, this lodge is built from local materials. The wooden chalets are linked by walkways to a bar and restaurant, which have exceptional views over the water.
Day 5:
Kinabalu National Park
Take a dip at the famous Poring Hot Springs before arriving at Kinabalu National Park. At 450m, you are in tropical lowland forest, dense with vegetation and thick bamboo. 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 – it’s the largest flower in the world, producing a red bloom over one metre wide but which lasts for just one week.
Overnight Rustic Cabins (C)
in Kinabalu Park Lodge Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Kinabalu Park Lodge
There are several lodges which accommodate between two and four people. Some have attached bathrooms, and others have shared facilities. All are basic, but comfortable.
Day 6:
Climb Mount Kinabalu
Begin the climb of Mount Kinabalu through tropical vegetation and rainforest to a mountain hostel. The lower part of the trek is through dense tropical vegetation and mist-shrouded rainforest with giant ferns, luxuriant mosses, rare orchids and brightly-coloured butterflies. You’ll continue to climb upwards for five to six hours; the mountain hostel is situated at 3272m.
Overnight Mountain Refuge (H)
in Mountain hostel Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Mountain hostel
The hostel at base camp has common facilities, and there is a canteen where you can buy a simple meal. This is typical mountain accommodation – basic but functional.
Day 7:
Summit Kinabalu
Rise at 3am for the final push to the summit of Mount Kinabalu and watch the sun rise over the jungle lowlands. The view from the top of Mount Kinabalu (4095m) is breath-taking.
Overnight Rustic Cabins (C)
in Kinabalu Park Lodge Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Kinabalu Park Lodge
There are several lodges which accommodate between two and four people. Some have attached bathrooms, and others have shared facilities. All are basic, but comfortable.
Day 8:
Explore Kota Kinabalu
Explore the architecture, culture and traditions of Sabah’s capital city, Kota Kinabalu (KK).
Overnight Comfortable Hotel (H++)
in Promenade Hotel Included meals: Breakfast
Promenade Hotel
Promenade Hotel benefits from a fantastic location in the heart of Kota Kinabalu close to the waterfront. The hotel has a restaurant and lobby lounge, deli, bar, swimming pool, spa and fitness centre. Rooms are spacious and tastefully decorated.
