IN SEARCH OF SABAH’S RARE MAMMALS

eco1

06 May 2021

No Comments

Price: From £6455/person

Visit the Rainforest Discovery Centre and Watch Red Giant Flying Squirrels

Visit Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre

Searching for Proboscis Monkeys and Orangutans

Discover the Remote Deramakot Forest Reserve and Search for Rare Mammals

Various wildlife treks in the Danum Valley Conservation Area

Day 1: Arrive at Sandakan

 

Your holiday starts with a pick-up from Sandakan airport. Your driver will take you to Sepilok Nature Resort for check-in. Free at leisure. You will be picked up at 5.30 pm from your hotel and transferred to the Rainforest Discovery Centre.  Your rare mammal search will start inside the centre’s canopy walkway. You will have a breathtaking view of 28 metres above the rainforest. You will have the chance to see birds and some mammals while you walk in the dark. There are chances to see tarsiers, wily civet cats and cunning mouse deer along with various insects. RDC is a great place to learn about the importance of conservation and the sustainable use of forest resources. Your driver will pick you up by 8 pm then transfer you back to Sepilok Nature Resort.

Overnight in Sepilok.

Meals included: Dinner

Orangutan in Sepilok

Day 2: Discover the Wildlife of Sepilok

 

Pick up in the morning for a full-day exploration of the Sepilok-Kabili Forest Reserve area. Visit the Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre for a morning feeding, followed by a visit to the Sunbear centre next door. After lunch, head to the Rainforest Discovery Center. Here, explore some of the trails and visit the excellent canopy walkway for some wildlife and bird watching. At sundown, transfer back to your accommodation.

Overnight in Sepilok.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Sun bear in the rehabilitation centre in Sepilok

Day 3: Travel to the Deramakot Forest Reserve

 

Today you will depart to one of the best places to see mammals in Sabah, to Deramakot Forest Reserve. Your journey will be around 190 km. Your driver will pick you up in Sepilok, take you to Telupid for lunch and then continue on a bumpy gravel road to the Forest Reserve for another 2 hours. On arrival, check in to your park-style chalet accommodation and discover the forest on a short walk before dinner. There will be a 2-hour 4×4 night safari at night searching for wildlife.

Overnight in the Deramakot Forest Reserve.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

A rare mammal in Deramakot Forest Reserve

Day 4-5: Explore the Deramakot Forest Reserve

 

Wake up early (5:00 am) and depart for a pre-dawn safari. Your guide will drive you on different tracks inside the reserve in search of fo wildlife. Breakfast will be served in the lodge; then you might opt for a jungle walk in the forest. After lunch, you will have the chance to rest before dinner and another safari at night.

Overnight in the Deramakot Forest Reserve.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

A Tarsier in Demarakot Forest Reserve

Day 6: Travel to the Kinabatagan River

 

Get ready for your last dawn walk today. After breakfast, it is time to say goodbye to this remote area. Leave the field base at 9L00 am and drive to Sandakan. It will take you are 5 hours to reach the town from where it will be another 2-hour drive to Sukau village. From the town, it will only take a short boat ride to arrive at your lodge. Enjoy a bit of free time and relax before heading out on the first river cruise in search fo the local wildlife. You will spend dinner at your accommodation. You can also opt-in for an additional night hike if you still have energy.

Overnight at the Kinabatagan River.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Proboscis Monkey at the Kinabatangan RIver

Day 7: Discover the Fauna of Kinabatangan

Your day will start with a morning cruise on the Kinabatangan River. Early mornings are a perfect time to search for wildlife. You will also have the opportunity to visit an Oxbow Lake. Enjoy a short walk in the forest before returning to the lodge for breakfast. There will be one more cruise waiting for you in the afternoon.

Overnight at the Kinabatagan River.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Oygmy elephant at the Kinabatangan River

Day 8: Travel to the Danum Valley

Depart in the morning after breakfast and take a short boat ride to Sukau jetty. Depart by car to Lahad Datu then continue the journey to INFAPRO. Upon arrival, register at INFAPRO and check-in early if your room is available. Settle in after an introduction and safety briefing by your guide, and enjoy lunch. Spend some time relaxing in the early afternoon before departing INFAPRO at 3 pm for a safari drive towards Danum Valley Field Centre (DVFC). During your drive, try your luck at spotting wildlife along the way. Your guide will also help you if the animals are out. In the afternoon you will discover the trails of the forest with your guide before returning to INFAPRO for dinner. After dinner at 8 pm, head out on a night drive in hopes of spotting nocturnal wildlife. Return to base at around 9 pm.

Overnight at the Danum Valley.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Slow Loris in Danum Valley

Day 9-10: Explore Danum Valley

 

Early wake-up at 6 am for departure to DVFC. Early mornings are the best time for wildlife observation – both the drive-in and walks in the immediate DVFC area. At mid-morning, take a break and enjoy your packed breakfast at the eating area. Continue your morning exploration for wildlife sightings and observation before returning to INFAPRO at 11 am. Enjoy lunch at noon and spend your downtime reading, napping or simply relaxing. At 3 pm, depart to DVFC on a safari drive, followed by an afternoon hike and finish off with a swim in the river if you’d like. At 6.30 pm, go on a night walk in hopes of spotting nocturnal wildlife. Depart DVFC at 7.30 pm for a slow and leisurely night drive back to INFAPRO for dinner. After dinner, embark on our extended night drives from 10 pm – 2 am: ‘Rare Mammal Search’, for a chance to spot tarsiers, slow loris, Bornean clouded leopard.

Overnight at the Danum Valley.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Orangutan in Danum Valley

Day 11: Travel to Kota Kinabalu

 

Enjoy some free time for leisure this morning. Check-out after breakfast and depart to Lahad Datu for lunch. Take a flight to Kota Kinabalu in the evening. Upon arrival, transfer to Marriott Hotel for dinner and overnight.

Overnight in Kota Kinabalu.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Loris in Daum Valley

Day 12: Departure Day

 

Breakfast, free time and your driver will transfer you to the airport.

Meals included: Breakfast

Kota Kinabalu at sunset

Sepilok

Sepilok Nature Lodge(Classic)

Sepilok Nature Lodge is a comfortable, wooden chalet-style accommodation with great views of the lake and the surrounding rainforest. The cabins have ensuite bathrooms with hot water. The on-site restaurant serves Eastern and Western meals in a buffet or ala carte style.

Deramakot Forest Reserve

Deramakot Forest Reserve (Basic)

The only option to stay for overnight is the chalet of the field centre. These basic but clean rooms provide a good choice for travellers. The rooms come with AC or fans and with shared bathrooms.

Kinabatangan

Borneo Nature Lodge (Classic)

The lodge is located on the bank of the Kinabatangan River and is surrounded by the beautiful rainforest. Twelve private rooms, the lovely lounge area, and the restaurant which offers international and Asian dishes provide comfort to the travellers. The rooms are air-conditioned.

Sukau Rainforest Lodge (Luxury) -Optional Upgrade

Sukau Lodge is a multi-award-winning hotel, which belongs to the National Geographic Unique Lodges collection. The lodge offers luxury inside the rainforest by the Kinabatangan River. The hotel leads in sustainability and supports conservation.

Danum Valley

INFAPRO (Basic)

INFAPRO is a tree nursery which is located near the gate of the Danum Valley Conservation Area. The rooms are ensuite and have AC and come with hot water and electricity.

Borneo Rainforest Lodge (Luxury) -Optional Upgrade

Borneo Rainforest Lodge is one of the most luxurious lodges in Borneo. It is situated along the Danum River inside the Conservation Area. The lodge has 30 tastefully designed chalets and can accommodate up to 60 people. Guests can enjoy the outdoor swimming pool overlooking the river and a restaurant which offers excellent meals.

Kota Kinabalu

Marriott Kota Kinabalu (Premium)

This premium hotel is located on the coast of the South China Sea in the heart of Kota Kinabalu. It is a great place to start or finish your adventure in comfort. It has all the amenities as a modern hotel can offer a swimming pool, gym, wi-fi etc.

Prices & Inclusions

Travel Period

Holiday Price

Single Supplement

1st January 2025 – 31st December 2025

Based on 2 people £7745/person £870/person
Based on 4 people £6355/person £870/person
  • Inclusions
    • 11-Night accommodation in lodges and hotels
    • Meals as per the itinerary
    • Programs as per the itinerary
    • Entrance fees where applicable
    • Camera fees under 500mm lens
    • Private talk at the Sun Bear Centre and guided tour
    • Guided tour in RDC & night walk
    • Guided drives in Deramakot
    • Guided river cruises in Kinabatangan
    • Guided activities and drives in Danum Valley
    • Private specialist nature guide throughout
    • All connecting land and boat transfers (Partially Shared basis)
    • Domestic Airfare from Lahad Datu to Kota Kinabaul on Day 11
    • Tourism tax

     

    Exclusions

    • International Flights
    • Travel Insurance
    • Tips
    • Drinks
Your
Next Holiday

Borneo is the third-largest islands in the World. The Malay part is divided into two states: Sarawak and Sabah. Due to the proximity of the Equator temperatures are always high throughout the year, and they do not change drastically. 

 

There are only two seasons, a wet and a dry. As it is a tropical island rainfall can be expected every day. Mornings are usually clear and sunny, and the rain usually arrives in the early afternoon.

 

The island’s last remaining National Parks and ad Nature Reserves are home to some incredible wildlife. Sabah is the best place in the World of seeing wild Orangutans, Pygmy elephants, and Proboscis monkeys. There are some unique and rare species like the Clouded leopard, the Western tarsier, or the Bornean slow loris who are hiding in the forests.

+44 (0) 738 888 45 30

CALL US

Other itineraries you might also like

HERPING HOLIDAYS

HERPING MONTENEGRO TOUR

This is a week-long reptile and amphibian focus holiday in the beautiful Montenegro. We will be looking for more than 30 species of reptiles.

THE AMERICAS

COSTA RICA BIRD PHOTOGRAPHY HOLIDAY

This is a 12-day guided, bird and wildlife photography holiday in Costa Rica, led by British wildlife-photographer Richard Birchett.

PHOTOGRAPHY HOLIDAYS

THE ART OF MACRO PHOTOGRAPHY TOUR

A 12-day Macro Photography Workshop with Austrian Nature Photographer Kai Kolodziej in the Western Ghats of India looking for the local herpetofauna, birds and mammals.

HERPING HOLIDAYS

COSTA RICA HERPING ADVENTURE

A 14-day ultimate, guided herping adventure of the rainforests, Cloud forests of Costa Rica looking for iconic reptiles & amphibians.

COSTA-RICA

BIRDING COSTA RICA

Discover Costa Rica's incredible avifauna on a private, customisable holiday. This is a perfect holiday for first-timers in Costa Rica.

WILDLIFE HOLIDAYS

VOLCANOES, CLOUD FORESTS & THE SOUTH PACIFIC OF COSTA RICA

Explore the best of the volcanoes and cloud forests of Costa Rica on this semi-private holiday. This trip can be easily customised.

WILDLIFE HOLIDAYS

THE ULTIMATE CARIBBEAN ADVENTURE

Experience the wonderful Caribbean side of Costa Rica while visiting remote rain forests and learn about the local culture.

WILDLIFE HOLIDAYS

THE NATURAL WONDERS OF COSTA RICA

A semi-private premium holiday to Costa Rica, this holiday is perfect for first timers as it visits the highlights of the country.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

ecoterraadventures.com