BIRDING THE BEST OF BORNEO

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06 May 2021

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Price: From £4475/person (based on 4 people)

Discover the birds of Kinabalu National Park

Explore the Rainforest Discovery Centre in Sepilok

Boat cruises on the Kinabatangan River

Explore Tabin Wildlife Reserve and its bird-life

Day 1: Arrive at Kota Kinabalu

 

On arrival, your driver will pick you up from Kota Kinabalu airport and transfer you to the Marriott Hotel for the night. The evening is at your leisure.

Overnight in Kota Kinabalu.

Meals included: Dinner

Sepilok from above in Borneo

Day 2: Travel to Kinabalu National Park

 

Breakfast at the hotel. Check-out then your driver will take you to Kinabalu Park (2-hour drive). The lunch will be served on arrival after that, spend the afternoon birding in the Park. After dinner, you will have the chance to discover the herpetofauna of Kinabalu Park.

Overnight at Kinabalu National Park.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Chestnut-hooded Laughingthrush in Kinabalu National Park

Day 3: Discover the Avifauna of Kinabalu National Park

 

Start the day early at the headquarter of Kinabalu National Park. Discover the different trails with your birding guide. The Park is an excellent place for birdwatching, around 50% of Borneo’s bird species can be found here (326 species). The whole day will be spent exploring the Park’s trails looking for birds and other wildlife.

Overnight at Kinabalu National Park.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

hawk in Kinabalu National Park

Day 4: Travel to Sepilok

 

You will leave Kinabalu National Park today. Your next destination will be Sepilok which is approx. a 4-5-hour drive away. After lunch, you may head to the Rainforest Discovery Centre for more birding and to look for some other wildlife.

Overnight in Sepilok.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Sunbird in Sepilok

Day 5: Full Day in Sepilok

 

After an early breakfast, you will go for a visit to the Rainforest Discovery Centre for birding. After that head to the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre. Explore the boardwalk throughout the forest and observe the orangutan feeding at 10:00 AM. You will also have the chance to visit the nursery and see young orangutans as they learn critical behaviour for their rehabilitation. After visiting the orangutans, head to the Sun Bear Conservation Centre to see the World’s smallest bear and learn about their conservation. A well-deserved lunch will be served at a local restaurant. In the afternoon visit the Rainforest Discovery Centre once again. Discover its trails and explore the canopy walkway in search of wildlife and birds. Your driver will take you back to your lodge for dinner.

Overnight in Sepilok.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Baby orangutan in Sepilok

Day 6: Transport to the Kinabatangan River

After breakfast, your driver will take you to the SYC Jetty in Sandakan. From Sandakan, it will be a two and half hour boat ride on the Kinabatangan river to your award-winning accommodation, to the Sukau Rainforest Lodge. After refreshing yourself at the lodge, you will embark on your first river cruise looking for wildlife. The local common species are Proboscis monkeys, silver langurs, pygmy elephants, macaques and orangutans. The boats are equipped with electric motors to provide a more peaceful experience for the wildlife and you as well. Your dinner will be served in the lodge.

Overnight at the Kinabatangan River.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Oriental Pied hornbill in Kinabatangan

Day 7: Full Day by the River

 

Wake up to an early start the day with a river cruise on the Kinabatangan River at 06:00 AM. You will be visiting an Oxbow Lake in search of wildlife. Mornings are perfect for witnessing nature, especially birds, to come to life. You will return to the lodge for breakfast, and you will have the chance to learn more about the local ecosystem from your local guide while discovering the trails of the lodge. There will be some other river cruises provided today, one in the afternoon and one at night after dinner.

Overnight at the Kinabatangan River.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Banded Kingfisher in Kinabatangan

Day 8: Kinabatangan to Tabin Wildlife Reserve

 

After breakfast, proceed with boat transfer to Lepit Jetty for check out at 9:30 AM and overland to Lahad Datu. From Lahad Datu drive around 2,5-hours to your next destination, to the Tabin Wildlife Reserve. The lodge is located within the rainforest. Check-in and discover the diverse birdlife at the lodge. Head out for a drive before dusk looking for primates and mammals who will be active before dark (e.g. pig-tailed macaques, orangutans, grey leaf langurs, Bornean bearded pigs). When it gets dark, return to the lodge and enjoy the safari on the way back when your guides will look for some common mammals who are active at night. (e.g. Civets, leopard cat, flying squirrels, and an array of other animals)

Overnight at Tabin Wildlife Resort.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Bird in Tabin Wildlife Reserve

Day 9: Explore the Tabin Wildlife Reserve

 

Tabin is a home for almost 300 bird species, spend the early morning to discover and learn about them. After breakfast, your guide will drive you to the core area of the rainforest to look for wildlife. Birding can be very successful and productive along this road. Lunch will be served at the lodge. Enjoy another game drive in the afternoon in search of rare mammals and birds. After dinner, you will have the chance to go for another optional drive or night hike.

Overnight at Tabin Wildlife Resort.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Buffy Fish Owl in Tabin Wildlife Reserve

Day 10: Fly to Kota Kinabalu

 

Early morning birding and return to the lodge for breakfast, before checking out at 1:00 pm. Your transfer will take 2-hour transfer to the airprot of Lahad Datu. Take a flight to Kota Kinabalu in the evening. Upon arrival, transfer to Marriott Hotel for overnight.

Overnight in Kota Kinabalu.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Hornbill in Tabin Wildlife Reserve

Day 11: Departure Day

 

Breakfast at the hotel. Free at your own leisure until transfer to the airport for your flight departure home.

Meals included: Breakfast

Kota Kinabalu at sunset

Kinabalu National Park

Kinabalu Park Lodges (Classic)

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.

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.

Tabin Wildlife Reserve

Tabin Wildlife Resort (Classic)

Tabin Wildlife Reserve provides a unique experience in the middle of the rainforest, far from everything. The hotel has ten river and ten hill lodges. They are ensuite and are equipped with twin or double beds, and have private balconies.

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 £6150/person £1400/person
Based on 4 people £4475/person £1400/person
  • Inclusions
    • 10-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 birding tour in RDC & night walk
    • Guided birding in Kinabalu National Park
    • Guided river cruises in Kinabatangan
    • Guided activities and drives in Tabin
    • Private specialist birding guide throughout
    • All connecting land and boat transfers (Partially Shared basis)
    • Domestic Airfare from Lahad Datu to Kota Kinabaul on Day 10
    • Tourism tax

     

    Exclusions

    • International Flights
    • Travel Insurance
    • Tips
    • Drinks
Your
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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.

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