Really Wild Sukau & Danum Valley | Holidays to Borneo

Itinerary Highlights

Orangutans, Leaf monkeys, Proboscis monkeys and Gibbons
Pygmy elephants, Sun bears and Giant flying squirrels
Hornbills, Pittas, Broadbills, Sunbirds and other colourful rainforest birds
A myriad fascinating reptiles, frogs and invertebrates
Stunning tropical rainforest at Mt Kinabalu; Danum Valley and Kinabatangan River

What's Included

Flights
Accommodation Throughout
Transfers

10 nights from £4,540 per person

Kristen Lanskail-Morris

Travel Specialist

0203 553 0004

I'm here to tailor-make your perfect holiday. Give me a call and I'll use my expertise to create your personalised experience.

Enquire

Get up close and personal with Borneo's fabulous wildlife and its wonderful natural landscapes. From Orangutans and Proboscis monkeys to Hornbills and Broadbills; from Pygmy elephants and Giant flying squirrels to tiny Pygmy squirrels and Binturongs, and with habitats ranging from lush rainforests to lazy, meandering rivers and mangroves, this tour - often regarded as one of the best in the world for those keen on rainforest wildlife - takes in a great spectrum of Borneo's natural history highlights.

From modern and bustling Kota Kinabalu, travel inland to the inspiring Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, where orphaned and injured orangutans are rehabilitated before being returned to the wild.Continue along the serene Kinabatangan River, looking out for the plentiful wildlife all around you in the riverside rainforest and along its tributaries. The Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary is highly regarded especially by the wildlife photography fraternity.

At the Danum Valley, the largest protected area of lowland rainforest in Sabah, you can enjoy night drives in an open-top vehicle in search of nocturnal wildlife; stroll along a canopy treetop walkway, embark on daytime jungle walks and savour the time you have in this wildlife-rich rainforest. (Do note that serious birders should spend a few more nights in this location, in order to make the most of what it has to offer).

Tabin Wildlife Reserve has an attractive lodge nestled within the rainforest beside the Lipad river. Aside from more of Sabah's wildlife, you can discover the rich variety of jungle herbs here, some of which are endemic and have been used for generations by local people to deal with various ailments. Early morning birding walks are sure to reveal many of the feathered jewels finding their home here.After all these adventures, head back to Kota Kinabalu and if you wish, spend a few days relaxing on one the beautiful beaches, such as at idyllic Gaya Island, which offer ample opportunity to discover the amazing marine life.

Itinerary

Day 1 Flight: UK - Kota Kinabalu

Check in for your overnight flight to Kota Kinabalu.

Day 2 Welcome to Sabah: Kota Kinabalu

Upon arrival in Kota Kinabalu transfer to your hotel, the Shangri La, Tanjung Rhu where you will spend the rest of your day at leisure, to recoup from the long-haul flying.

Staying at

Day 3 Kota Kinabalu - Sandakan (flight) - Sepilok (driv

An early morning 45-minute flight to Sandakan followed by a 30 minute drive brings you to the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre. At the centre, witness the feeding of the resident orangutans from a platform in the forest. A 2.5 hour drive through the countryside and a short boat transfer brings you to the Borneo Nature Lodge. Relax by the tranquil Kinabatangan, Malaysia's second- longest river at 560km, which meanders from its source in the mountains of southwestern Saba to the Sulu Sea near Sandakan. During your time here, enjoy easy boat trips to spot resident wildlife which includes big groups of endemic Proboscis monkeys and Longtailed macaques; Pygmy elephants and reptiles such as Saltwater crocs and Asian water monitors. Birds abound, including Rhinoceros and Wreathed hornbills; Stork-billed kingfisher and Black-and-yellow broadbill, to name just a few. Wildlife concentrations in the riparian forests along the Kinabatangan River are high, because much of the countryside away from the river has been cleared to make way for palm oil plantations.

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Day 4 Kinabatangan River

Wake up to the wonderful calls of birds, insects and animals before taking a cruise up the Kinabatangan river to Kelenanap Ox-Bow Lake for bird-watching and wildlife-spotting. Take a short jungle walk (depending on the weather) through the magnificent wilds of Borneo before returning to the lodge for breakfast. After a break, take a leisurely cruise along the river to observe more wildlife in the riverside rainforest before returning to the lodge. Note: Optional activities such as nocturnal wildlife walk, night cruise and tree planting, can all be arranged at the lodge, depending on the weather conditions during your trip.

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Day 5 Sukau - Lahad Datu - Danum Valley Conservation Are

After breakfast, transfer overland on a gravel road to the lovely Danum Valley Borneo Rainforest Lodge. The lodge is situated in the largest protected area of lowland rainforest in Sabah, covering some 43,800 hectares. After a warm welcome and informative slide show, explore the lodge’s nature trails and the 300-metre canopy walkway with its breath-taking views and close-up observation of the rainforest, some 26 metres up at its highest point. In the evening, take a night drive in an open-top vehicle in search of nocturnal animals before returning to the Borneo Rainforest Lodge. Many of Sabah's wonderful nocturnal species can be sought here, such as the strange Binturong or 'bear cat', pictured.

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Day 6 Danum Valley Conservation Area

A glorious morning rainforest wildlife and birding walk will reveal plenty of the rainforest's marvellous life forms. If you feel like it, take the route to the ancient Kadazan-Dusun burial site, ‘Coffin Cliff’. After lunch take an afternoon walk through the rainforest, or, for those up to it, go ‘tubing’ down the Danum River. Danum Valley is especially appreciated for its prolific birdlife, including species such as the colourful Black-and-red broadbill, pictured here. In the evening take part in a night walk through the rainforest in search of nocturnal wildlife.

Staying at

Day 7 Danum Valley Conservation Area - Tabin Wildlife Re

Transfer by road to the charming timber lodges at the Tabin Wildlife Reserve. Deep within the rainforest arranged around the Lipad river, guests here will find themselves surrounded by a variety of birds, small mammals and other wildlife. An afternoon trek of about 20 minutes takes visitors to the Lipad mud volcano. An observation tower at the elevated part of the volcano gives stunning views all around the surrounding rainforest, where an array of birdlife can be sought in the tropical rainforest vegetation. After dinner at the resort, learn more about the secrets of your surroundings in Tabin, before exploring for yourself on a night-time excursion, searching for this lowland rainforest’s nocturnal species.

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Day 8 Tabin Wildlife Reserve

An early morning walk through the jungle will reveal some of the nearly 300 species of birds who call Tabin home. After breakfast at the resort, enjoy a hike through the rainforest to reach the Lipad Waterfall. The beautiful pool and falls here are the perfect setting for a refreshing and relaxing afternoon. Families of Oriental small-clawed otter (pictured) as well as Smooth-coated otter, are known to occur here, to the delight of visitors. Birders will enjoy the Tomanggong Road, along which plenty can be seen. In the evening, embark on a dusk drive and a trail walk during which your guide will explain the area's botanical treasures to you, while seeking out nocturnal species. To relax any tired muscles, try the Tabin Rainforest Foot Soak which is made with a natural blend of herbs.

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Day 9 Tabin Wildlife Resort - Lahad Datu (drive) - Kotu

After breakfast, stroll to the nearby rock pool or riverbanks, where groups of macaques and other small mammals can sometimes be seen. Here you can take a cooling dip in the river or simply relax and listen to the sounds of nature. Transfer to Lahad Datu Airport for your onwards flight to Kotu Kinabalu, where you have the option of spending more time in the city, or heading to one Borneo’s beaches to relax or explore and discover the diverse marine life to be found here. Alternatively, overnight in Kota Kinabalu.

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Day 10 Departure

You will be collected from your hotel and transferred to Kota Kinabalu Airport to check in for your onward flight journey.

Kristen Lanskail-Morris

Travel Specialist

0203 553 0004

I'm here to tailor-make your perfect holiday. Give me a call and I'll use my expertise to create your personalised experience.

Enquire

Pricing Information & Dates

10 nights from £4,540 per person

Kristen Lanskail-Morris

Travel Specialist

0203 553 0004

I'm here to tailor-make your perfect holiday. Give me a call and I'll use my expertise to create your personalised experience.

Enquire

Price Includes

Return International Flights as per the itinerary
All airport taxes and security charges
Accommodation and meals as specified
Transfers as specified
Activities and excursions as specified
All entrace fees on sightseeing tours as specified

* Return international flights (Malaysian Airlines): London - Kota Kinabalu with air taxes (economy class seating) * Domestic flights * All transfers and transportation as per itinerary * All excursions and activities as outlined * All entry fees/ permits * Accommodation with meals as indicated

Price Excludes

Travel Insurance
Any meals not specified in the itinerary
Tips and gratuities
Optional excursions

* Any meals or activities not listed * Items of a personal nature (travel insurance, drinks, gratuities, phone calls, laundry)

Why Choose Us?

Passionate travel experts

We've been leading wildlife travel since our first South Africa tours over 25 years ago
Our Travel Specialists have lived in their specialist area for years
We work with local guides to immerse you deeper in our diverse range of experiences

Personal & tailor-made

You'll speak to your own expert who'll share their first-hand knowledge
We'll make your itinerary seamless with 24/7 emergency contact available
Your Travel Specialist will listen to ensure you have the best chance of seeing the wildlife you love

Responsible by nature

We take care to actively contribute to the conservation of environments we visit
For select countries, we make a charitable donation on your behalf when you make your booking
We've partnered with conservation experts and NGOs to curate responsible tours