Wildlife of Borneo & Turtle Island

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

• View turtles come ashore to lay their eggs on Selingan Turtle Island

Our holiday focuses on the state of Sabah and its varied wildlife, visiting the charming state capital Kota Kinabalu, Kinabalu National Park, Sukau rainforest, the famous Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre and Turtle Islands Marine Park.

» Day 1 to Day 2: LONDON TO KOTA KINABALU

Overnight flight from London to Kota Kinabalu for 2 nights.

» 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: SUKAU TO LIBARAN ISLAND

After breakfast, depart Sukau and transfer to the jetty for the journey by boat to Libaran Island. On arrival check in to the island's simple accommodation for 2 nights. In the afternoon, take the short walk to the local village to observe life in a fisherman’s village. In the evening, cultural dances are performed by children from the village. (B,L,D)

» Day 9: SUKAU TO LIBARAN ISLAND

After breakfast, take a glass bottom boat cruise or snorkel to see colourful corals and fishes of the Sulu Sea. In the afternoon, enjoy a cruise to the mangrove forest and see the unusual wildlife that live on this unique vegetation. (B,L,D)

» Day 10: SELINGAN TURTLE ISLAND

Continue by boat to nearby Selingan Island, where there is an important turtle breeding programme. There is time to relax and enjoy the islands beautiful beaches and snorkel in the clear waters. In the evening there may be the opportunity to watch as huge green turtles lumber ashore, dig a hole with their flippers and lay their eggs (whilst sightings cannot be guaranteed, nesting occurs almost every night throughout the year. The rangers then transfer these eggs to a hatchery for incubation. You may be lucky enough during your stay to see as the tiny hatchlings are released back into the sea. (B,L,D)

» Day 11: SEPILOK ORANG UTAN REHABILITATION CENTRE

Return by boat to the mainland and 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 12: SANDAKAN TO KOTA KINABALU
Return by air to Kota Kinabalu for a final night, alternatively choose from our optional Borneo beach extensions. (B)

» Day 13: 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.