Borneo: Birds & Natural History (14 days)

Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary and the Borneo Rainforest conjures images of magic and mystery.  The Island has long nourished the imagination of biologists and travelers alike.

We will concentrate our journey on the Malaysian State of Sabah which contains the best-protected areas on the island. We explore the montane habitat of Mt Kinabalu and the wetland of the Kinabatangan River, with ample time in the vast tracts of lush lowland forest between including Borneo Rainforest Lodge, Sakau Lodge and Tabin Wildlife Reserve. Accommodation is both atmospheric and comfortable.

2013 Departure Dates & Costs

Daily based on minimum 2 persons
Tour Cost: $ 4,345 USD from Kota Kinabalu
Single supplement: $ 800 USD

Deposit: $ 600 per person
Balance is due 60 days prior to departure

Itinerary

Day 1: ARRIVE KOTA KINABALU, BORNEO
Upon your arrival in Kota Kinabalu, you will be met by your guide and transferred to the Rasa Ria beach hotel with 400 acres of private gardens.

Day 2: KINABALU NATIONAL PARK (B,L,D)
Bird in Hotel Grounds prior to breakfast. Drive 2 hours overland (88 km) through paddy fields and Dusun villages over the ridges of the Crocker Range to the foothills of Mt. Kinabalu at 5,000 ft. Enjoy some local fruits along the way. Kinabalu Park World Heritage Site is home to various species of the flowering rhododendrons, carnivorous pitcher plants, orchids, oak trees and birds. Temperatures at the park is around 14 - 25 degrees Celsius. Take a guided walk on one of the trails in the cool surroundings to observe the montane forest. 2 nights at Fairy Garden Resort.

Day 3: KINABALU NATIONAL PARK (B,L,D)
Morning birding, breakfast and continue birding activites at Kinabalu National Park.

Day 4: KINABALU NATIONAL PARK - SEPILOK NATURE RESORT (B,L,D)
Morning birding at Kinabalu. Breakfast and transfer to Sandakan. 2 nights Sepilok Nature Resort. Hidden amongst a veritable treasure trove of tropical plants and grasses, the quaint bungalows of the Sepilok Nature Resort are within walking distance of the world-famous Kabili-Sepilok Forest Reserve. Afternoon bird walk and a nocturnal walk.

Day 5: SEPILOK ORANGUTAN CENTRE (B,L,D)
Pick up at the resort and transfer to Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre. See a short video and walk 10 minutes to the feeding station for the 10am meal time. Return to Sepilok Nature Resort. Afternoon birding and evening nocturnal walk.

Day 6: SEPILOK - SUKAU RAINFOREST LODGE (B,L,D)
Morning bird walk, breakfast and depart to Sandakan jetty for an estimated 2 hours boat journey to Sukau Rainforest Lodge along Sabah's longest river, Kinabatangan with opportunity to view birds and wildlife in virgin mangrove, wetland and rainforest habitats. Late afternoon take a two hours river cruise using electric motor in search of some of the 10 primate species including Proboscis monkeys as they settle down on treetops along the Kinabatangan River. Return for solar heated hot shower, candle light dinner. Nocturnal cruise. 3 nights at Sukau Rainforest Lodge.

Sukau Rainforest Lodge: The 20 rooms, multi international award winning lodge was built in 1995 in traditional Malaysian Architecture using several Borneo hardwood species. It is built on stilts with a lounge, gift shop, educational centre, Hornbill Boardwalk with two elephant passes, three open decks for wildlife viewing, an enclosed garden, a riverside Melapi restaurant, open sundeck, river jetty. Electricity is supplied by acoustic generator, and hot water by solar heaters. Twin bedded rooms with ceiling fans, mosquito netting, attached private bathroom with shower and toilet. River tours are conducted by boats powered with electric motors and four stroke outboard engines.

Birdlife is especially rich including eight species of hornbills, kingfishers, egrets, darters, owls, kites, eagles, broadbills, bulbuls, forktails, babblers, warblers, flycatchers, orioles, flowerpeckers, and many others.

Day 7: SUKAU RAINFOREST LODGE (B,L,D)
Wake up to the calls of gibbons and hornbills. An early morning river cruise up the Kinabatangan River to the Kelenanap ox-bow lake for a short jungle walk (if weather permits) along the lake while searching for more wildlife. Activities may be altered due to weather and movement of wildlife. A night safari.

Day 8: SUKAU - TABIN WILDLIFE RESORT (B,L,D)
Depart for a 27 km journey to Gomantong caves. Trek 20 minutes through the rainforest to the cave entrance where bats, swiftlet and crabs among other wildlife dwell. Transfer to Lahad Datu for lunch. Then continue on to Tabin Wildlife Reserve. The last hour will be on a gravel road. Tabin is one of the largest wildlife reserves in Malaysia. Check-in and group briefing introducing us to Tabin Wildlife Resort and its wonderful facilities. Take a short afternoon trek to an area known as the mud volcano. This is known to be frequented by deer, wild boars, pygmy elephants and a great variety of birds. Walk up the observations tower and enjoy the afternoon canopy activity. In the evening enjoy a nocturnal drive.

Day 9: TABIN WILDLIFE RESORT (B,L,D)
Today we trek through the lush green jungle known for its rich diversity of plants and animal species to visit Lipad's Waterfall. Return to Tabin base in the afternoon. At dusk a bird watching outing. After dinner a night drive in a different area of Tabin.

Day 10: TABIN - BORNEO RAINFOREST LODGE (B,L,D)
After breakfast, stroll to the nearby rock pool or riverside. Transfer to Lahad Datu and continue to Danum Valley through selectively logged forest, cocoa and soft-wood plantations before arriving at the Borneo Rainforest Lodge beside Danum River on the edge of 438 sq. km of undisturbed lowland rainforest. The Lodge is home to the full range of Sabah's lowland fauna, including the rare Sumatran Rhinoceros, Elephants, Clouded Leopards, and Orang Utans. So far some 275 species of birds have been recorded in the area. Explore nature trail and nearby river. In the evening a slide show and if weather permits one can go spotlighting to view some of the nocturnal animals. 3 nights Borneo Rainforest Lodge.

Day 11: BORNEO RAINFOREST LODGE (B,L,D)
Early morning birdwalk before breakfast. Spend the whole day exploring the forest for birds and mammals, leading up to an escarpment with ancient burial coffins. Return to lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, walk through trails leading to canopy walkway. Overnight at Borneo Rainforest Lodge. A night drive.

Day 12: BORNEO RAINFOREST LODGE (B,L,D)
Spend the whole day exploring the forest for birds and mammals. Overnight at Borneo Rainforest Lodge. A night drive.

Day 13: BORNEO RAINFOREST LODGE/KOTA KINABALU (B,L,D)
Morning Trek in search of mammals and birds. Return to the Centre before departing for Lahad Datu. Take the late afternoon flight back to Kota Kinabalu. Arrive at Kota Kinabalu and transfer for overnight at Jesselton Hotel. Farewell dinner.

Day 14: DEPART KOTA KINABALU (B)
Transfer to the airport for the flight out.

Extensions to other areas of South East Asia can be handled on an individual basis.

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