Aerial view of Manukan Island

Green turtle lays eggs at Turtle Island



Forested banks of the Kinabatangan

           Pig-tailed Macaques

         Bornean Pygmy elephant

  Borneo Blue Flycatcher

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   Towards Mount Kinabalu's Peak

This experience combines some of the best elements of Borneo's wildlife and wilderness locations including rainforest and coastal habitats, mountains, rivers and islands.

Your journey starts with the exploration of the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park - the thickly forested Gaya and Manukan islands which are fringed with sandy beaches.  You will then venture into the Kabili-Sepilok Forest Reserve, where 60 to 80 orangutans are living within 43 square kilometres of primary lowland forest offering good chances for encountering this endangered great ape.  The reserve is the site of one of the world's most famous wildlife rehabilitation and conservation programmes: the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre.  Young captive or abandoned orangutans, orphans of deforestation, are being helped by highly trained and motivated staff to readjust to a life in the wild.  Later you will enjoy close encounters with these charismatic apes as you witness the rangers feeding them. 

 
The iconic face of Borneo's most famous species of wildlife, the orangutan

Sea turtles, although listed as endangered by the World Conservation Union, are thankfully abundant in this part of the world and we will take you to see them laying eggs at an island sea turtle sanctuary.  Here you have the opportunity to see conservation in action and witness the transplanting of eggs to a hatchery and releasing of baby turtles back to the sea.

You will experience the intensity and diversity of the wildlife and habitats of Borneo exploring the forest covered floodplains of the Kinabatangan - Sabah's longest river - within the Lower Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary.  The lower reaches of this river form an ecosystem of almost unparallelled richness with 10 primate species and a vast array of birds, reptiles and amphibians.  It is also perhaps the best place to see troops of Proboscis Monkeys leaping in the riparian forest canopy.  Nearby we head for the unique and balanced ecology of the deep limestone Gomantong Cave systems.  Within these caves, an estimated two million bats reside emerging each evening in their search for food. 

Our visit takes us to the Danum Valley Conservation Area: 438 square kilometres of undisturbed lowland forest comprising one of the most important conservation areas in southeast Asia, rich in Borneo's bird and mammal species including the elusive Bornean Clouded Leopard.  Some 275 species of bird exist here and other fauna includes the Bornean Gibbon, Leopard Cat, Palm Civet, mouse-deer and orangutans.  A unique perspective is gained as you explore the rainforest from a canopy walkway high in the treetops amidst the calls of hornbills and gibbons.

Your Borneo safari culminates in the national park surrounding Mount Kinabalu, the highest peak in southeast Asia where you can explore the outstanding array of flora and fauna in the mountain garden of Malaysia's first UNESCO World Heritage Site.  The more intrepid can attempt the 4000m climb to the summit and take in the magnificent views of Borneo far below as the sun rises.  We follow the Mesilau Trail, an alternative route to the summit with orchids and huge pitcher plants in abundance.  Located at 2,000 metres on the eastern side of Kinabalu National Park, the trail is both wilder and more beautiful than the route most commonly taken.  The trail is excellent for those who are as enthusiastic about plants and wildlife as they are about the actual climb.  As you ascend through the cool, montane forest, conifers, tree-ferns and climbing bamboos and superb Agathis trees give way to a stunted forest of rocks, tangled tree roots, liverworts and spongy mosses that drip from the trees.

 
       Summit ascent in the wilderness of high altitude Mount Kinabalu

Your experience of Borneo and its wildlife and wild places is enhanced by a series of talks given by your expert naturalist guides.  This gives you a deeper insight into the places you visit and the wildlife that can be found there providing you with a heightened understanding of the environment and its conservation.

For a detailed draft itinerary, please click HERE

Prices 2008/9 13 days £1395, 14 days £1560 (add £65 for journeys in July or Aug) Prices are per person based on twin sharing Our price includes All accommodation All transfers All domestic flights Guided trips as per itinerary with English-speaking, expert naturalist guides Marine park & national park conservation fees & permits Meals as stated (B,L,D) These prices are subject to availability of the accommodation proposed and seasonal pricing variations Our price excludes International flights Drinks (except those provided with meals) Tips Travel Holiday Insurance Visas Camera permit fees (RM10) Prices valid until 31st March 2009 Activity Level High to low depending upon personal preference.  Please note that climbing Mount Kinabalu requires a good level of physical fitness Standard of Accommodation Comfortable lodges and hotels with dormitory style mountain refuge for night prior to Mount Kinabalu summit ascent

Photographs kindly provided by Charlotte Caffrey, Ralph Pannell, Alan Oh, SMART, Lawrence Lee, Nick Bramley, Albert Teo and PSR

 
Resting monitor lizard, Manukan Island


   Baby sea turtle released to the sea

Proboscis Monkey endemic to
Borneo