Wildlife of Borneo

Located in the South China Sea, the island of Borneo evokes wonderful images of rainforests, rare and exotic wildlife and its most famous inhabitant, the orang utan.

Essential Experiences:

• Watch orang utans feeding at Sepilok Rehabilitation Centre

• Travel along the Kinabatangan River in search of wildlife

• Learn about the native flora in Kinabalu National Park

The Tour: Our tour starts in the Sultanate of Brunei, a tiny, oil rich nation set between Sabah and Sarawak, travel onwards to Miri from where we visit the nearby countryside to learn about the traditions of the region visiting an Iban longhouse and on to Mulu National Park famous for its spectacular limestone caves. We then join the main tour which focuses on the state of Sabah and its varied wildlife, visiting the charming state capital Kota Kinabalu, Kinabalu National Park, Sukau rainforest and the famous Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre.

Accommodation: The accommodation chosen for this tour varies between city hotels with extensive facilities to simple but charming lodges set amid beautiful surroundings. Whilst facilities at the lodges are comparatively limited, these are delightful places to stay - we recommend bringing a book as entertainment options are limited.

» Day 1 to Day 2: LONDON TO BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Overnight flight from London to Bandar Seri Begawan for 1 night.

» Day 3: BRUNEI TO MIRI

After breakfast, introductory tour of Brunei City viewing the spectacular Jam' Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque, the official residence of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di Pertuan of Negara Brunei Darussalam. After lunch, proceed to Kampung Ayer, the world's largest water village with 30,000 people living in houses on stilts snaking along the banks of the Brunei River in the heart of Bandar Seri Begawan. Transfer by land to Miri and overnight. (B,L).

» Day 4: MIRI TO MULU

Depart early for a scenic countryside drive to an Iban Longhouse with about 95 families. The chief of the longhouses will invite you to tour the longhouses and see their communal living quarters. Take a walk to view their farm of rice fields, fruit orchard and jungle or just observe as the Iban attend to their daily chores. Transfer to Miri airport for an afternoon flight to Mulu National Park. Where, upon arrival we depart for a walk to Deer Cave and Lang Cave, en route see the rainforest and observe the millions of bats as they emerge from the vast mouth of the Deer Cave. (B,L,D)

» Day 5: MULU NATIONAL PARK

by long boat going up river to Wind Cave. Explore the limestone formation of this unique eco system and continue by plankwalk to Clearwater Cave where the more interesting stone formations can be seen. (B,D)

» Day 6: MULU TO KOTA KINABALU

At leisure until transfer to airport for flight to Miri and onwards to Kota Kinabalu for 2 nights. (B)

» Day 3: KOTA KINABALU

After an introductory meeting the remainder of the morning is at leisure. In the afternoon, enjoy an introductory tour of Kota Kinabalu, the State Capital of Sabah, including Signal Hill, Sabah Foundation Building, Sabah State Museum and Tanjung Aru Beach. In the evening we include a welcome dinner with cultural show at a local restaurant. (B,D)

» Day 4: PORING HOT SPRINGS

Depart Kota Kinabalu and travel along the Crocker Range to Poring Hot Springs at the Southern end of Kinabalu Park. Lowland dipterocarp forest makes up most of the vegetation at Poring and it is an excellent place to view lowland birds. A short trek into the forest the Canopy Walkway offers a bird's eye view of the tropical rainforest, suspended between trees it offers an excellent opportunity to observe the forest canopy. Continue to the Kundasang Market where varieties of local produce are sold. (B,L,D)

» Day 5: KINABALU NATIONAL PARK

Visit Kinabalu National Park, a botanist's paradise with over a thousand species of orchids, numerous different rhododendrons and pitcher plants. The bird life is equally fascinating with most species being montane, including a number of endemics. Explore one of the many trails that lead through tropical Montane Oak and Chestnut Forest. (B,L,D)

» Day 6: KINABALU NATIONAL PARK TO SUKAU RAINFOREST

After breakfast, proceed to Kundasang War Memorial, built as tribute to the memory of the Australians and British POWs who died on the Sandakan Death Marches. Continue overland through scenic countrysides to the village of Sukau by the Kinabatangan River. The area is rich in wildlife, which includes orang utans, bornean gibbons, pygmy elephants, proboscis monkeys, crocodiles, hornbills and much more. In the late afternoon, take a boat trip to view the wildlife including the curious proboscis monkeys which gather by the river bank. (B,L,D)

» Day 7: SUKAU RAINFOREST

Rise early and travel by boat to the nearby ox-bow lakes. Birds abound in all shapes and forms. The lakes are the abode of freshwater fish, otters and sometime wild elephants may be sighted. Trek in the riverine rainforest and return to the Lodge. After lunch, follow our nature trails to see more wildlife. (B,L,D)

» Day 8: SEPILOK ORANG UTAN REHABILITATION CENTRE

Continue to the famous Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre. Founded in 1964, the Centre helps once captive orang utans learn to climb and fend for themselves in the wild. The semi-wild orang utans may return to the platform provided by the Centre for milk and bananas twice a day during the process of returning to the forest. Also visit the nearby Rainforest Discovery Centre where we experience the spectacular view of Borneo’s tropical rainforest as you walk among giant dipterocarp trees. You may be able to spot forest life such as the resident Bornean bristleheads, hornbills, pittas, kingfishers, broadbills, flying squirrels, giant tail squirrel and large geckoes. Learn about interesting plants such as the rare slipper orchids and the bizarre carnivorous pitcher plants. (B,L,D)

» Day 9: SANDAKAN TO KOTA KINABALU

Return by air to Kota Kinabalu for a final night, alternatively choose from our optional Borneo beach extensions. (B)

» Day 10: KOTA KINABALU TO LONDON

Transfer to the airport for the return flight to London. (B)

* Please note that the itinerary may operate in a different order.