Whether you long to see the majestic orangutan in its forest home, witness hatchling turtles make their first splash into the sea, or just want to experience what it feels like to be in a beautiful, luxurious tropical forest, Borneo offers this and so much more. Our Rainforest, Rivers and Islands trip combines some of the best elements of Borneo's wildlife and wilderness locations, leading you through rainforests and coastal habitats, mountains, rivers and islands and gives you some of the best chances to see wild Bornean orangutans in their natural forest homes.

Although it may seem difficult to put into context just how rich Borneo is in terms of its plants and animals, over 350 species of flora and fauna were newly described by science in the decade following the mid 90's. Estimated numbers of species there include 221 mammals, 420 species of birds, more than 3,000 different tree species and over 15,000 species of flowering plants. With its many remote forests and immense rivers, the island of Borneo delivers a real feeling of exploration into the unknown and a sense of natural wonder for those lucky enough to visit.

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

Your journey starts in Kota Kinabalu with the option to explore the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park - the thickly- forested islands of Gaya and Manukan; fringed with sandy beaches. If you're looking for a spot of adventure you can start you time in Borneo with an exciting white water rafting descent of the Padas River through the rugged jungle covered Crocker Range. Venturing then into the Kabili-Sepilok Forest Reserve, where 60-80 wild Bornean orangutans are living within an area of rich primary lowland forest, you have a good chance of encountering these enigmatic but endangered great apes in their natural forest home.  The reserve is also 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.

From Sepilok, we take you to the Turtle Island Park. This conservation programme is run by the Sabah Parks authorities, where team of conservationists work to protect green and hawksbill turtles, both of which are listed as 'endangered' on the IUCN Red List. Whilst here, you may be able to witness green and hawksbill turtles leaving their watery world to nest on the beaches on this tiny island. Whilst at the centre, you are able to see conservationists transferring the eggs to the safety of turtle hatcheries and may even be able to witness young turtles making their very first splash into the sea after hatching.

From the sea we next take you to explore one of Borneo's most diverse and wildlife intense habitats: the forested wetlands of the Kinabatangan - Sabah's longest river - within the Lower Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary.  The lower reaches of this river form an ecosystem of almost unparalleled richness, with ten primate species, including one of the best opportunities to encounter wild orangutans, gibbons and the bizarre proboscis monkeys, playing in the riparian forest canopy. This is also a good place for opportunities to see wild Asian elephants, as well as a vast array of birds, reptiles and amphibians.

Heading south overland we target the unique ecology of the deep limestone Gomantong Caves, where an estimated two million bats reside, emerging each evening in their search for food. These caves are the site of the seasonal extraction of a highly prized traditional Chinese 'medicine' known as Bird's Nest. Local people use tall bamboo ladders to reach the nests of cave swiftlets that secrete an adhesive mucus from which they build their nests; this is then taken and actually added to soups in the belief that it cures certain ailments.

Beginning this year we are pioneering a new option searching for Orangutans in the little explored forests around the Gomantong caves. We have been enjoying some good sightings here and this is a real opportunity to step into the 'unknown'.

Our visit then takes you either to the Tabin Wildlife Reserve or the Danum Valley Conservation Area - the choice is yours.  Tabin was declared a wildlife reserve on account of the large number of animals present in its forests; which include nine species of primate, Asian elephants, the critically endangered Sumatran rhinoceros and the tembadau - a native species of buffalo.  At over 120,000ha, Tabin is the largest protected lowland forest area in Sabah and is home to, swamp ecosystems and mud 'volcanoes'.  It is in Tabin that orangutans from the rehabilitation sanctuary are eventually reintroduced to into their natural habitat.

The Danum Valley Conservation Area lies deeper to the west and covers over 400 square kilometres of undisturbed lowland forest.  It is one of the most important conservation areas in South East Asia; rich in Borneo's bird and mammal species, including the elusive Bornean clouded leopard.  Some 275 species of birds are found here, along with Bornean white bearded gibbons, leopard cats, palm civets, mouse-deer and orangutans.  By moving through the forest along a canopy walkway suspended between huge dipterocarp trees you are able to gain a unique perspective amongst the treetops, as you walk by raucous hornbills and melodious gibbons.

Your trip culminates in the national park surrounding Mount Kinabalu, the highest peak in South East Asia.  For those who take our 13 day version of this journey, the focus is on exploring the outstanding array of flora and fauna in the mountain forest habitat of this, Malaysia's first UNESCO World Heritage Site.  We do this beneath, within and above the forest canopy when we explore part of it from a canopy walkway. There are more than 800 species of orchid in these forests, as well as giant pitcher plants, flesh eating spy plants large enough to consume a rat, and opportunities to see the once in 100 year flowering of the Rafflesia. This is the world's largest flower, well known for its pungent smell of rotting flesh and known locally as 'the corpse flower'.

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 either a Via Ferrata route or the Mesilau Trail, an alternative route to the summit, where beautiful orchids and huge pitcher plants can be found 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, 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.

This fascinating experience of wild Borneo and its wildlife is enhanced by the guidance and talks provided by expert local naturalists who can share their passion for this island's nature and its conservation.

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

 Borneo & Malaysia Tailor Made & Small Group Travel - Sabah deforestation  - sukau Palm Oil - Tropical Rainforest Rivers & Islands

Prices (valid to 31st Mar 2013) 12 days from £1965 pp sharing 13 days from £2,150* pp sharing * climbing Mount Kinabalu For Danum Valley option: in place of Tabin add £195 pp sharing, or £230 pp in July & Aug Gomantong evening bat safari add £59 Option for additional day in order to explore Gomantong forest area add £235 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 (except Sipadan Island*) All meals outside of Kota Kinabalu. In Kota Kinabalu accommodation is supplied on a B&B basis These prices are subject to availability of the accommodation proposed and seasonal pricing variations Our prices exclude Visas International flights Travel Holiday Insurance Drinks (except those provided with meals) Camera permit fees (RM10) Tips *Sipadan entry fee currently $14 per day Optional day trip on day 2. 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.

 

12 day itinerary:

Day 1
Arrive in Kota Kinabalu and transfer to the Jesselton Hotel; a tastefully preserved boutique hotel.

Day 2
A day to see something of Kota Kinabalu, or if you wish we can take you on a guided exploration of Gaya and Manukan Islands in the Tunku Abdul Marine Park, or a day's white water rafting on the Padas River (for these trips add £59 or £ 69 respectively). Overnight at the Jesselton.

Day 3
Fly from Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan in the early morning.
You will be met upon arrival and transferred to a rainforest lodge at the Kabili-Sepilok Forest Reserve.
You can make a relaxed check-in and begin acclimatizing to the lowland rainforest environment. In the afternoon, your guide will collect you and take you to the Sabah Forestry Department's Rainforest Discovery Centre to learn about conservation and sustainable uses of the forest, such as ethnobotany. In the evening before dinner, a guided night walk will be arranged to spot nocturnal wildlife. Overnight at the lodge.

Day 4
This morning we take an exciting 1 hour speedboat ride to Selingan Island and the Turtle Islands National Park. After having the day free to swim, snorkel and relax in the beautiful island environment you will be called to witness turtles nesting on the islands beaches and learn about the islands exemplary conservation project.  Overnight in a comfortable chalet on the island.

Day 5
Returning to the mainland you will visit the orangutan rehabilitation centre at Sepilok to Witness the morning feeding of orangutans that our learning to live once more in their natural environment. Continuing onwards by boat we journey along the Kinabatangan River to explore the mangrove, wetlands and rainforest habitats. Overnight in an award winning rainforest lodge.

Day 6
Continue your exploration and safari through the Kinabatangan Delta; viewing wildlife as primates, salt water crocodiles, hornbills and pygmy elephants.   

** Gomantong Orangutan Search - a pioneering rainforest journey: Starting in 2012 we are offering the opportunity to extend your rainforest experience with a pioneering wildlife safari in search of wild Orangutans in a rainforest region close to the Gomantong Caves. We'll spend the day searching for these primates and much more other wildlife besides. Returning from the rainforest you have the option to witness the awesome spectacle of thousands of bats leaving the Gomantong Caves as evening turns to night. Spend the night in our Kinabatangan lodge.

Day 7
Your driver and guide will take you overland to the limestone outcrop of Gomantong Caves and later continue to the Tabin Wildlife Reserve (a visit Danum Valley Conservation Area is also available for a surcharge - please contact us for details).

Day 8
Your driver and guide will take you overland to the limestone outcrop of Gomantong Caves and later continue to the Tabin Wildlife Reserve or to the Danum Valley Conservation Area.

Day 9
Fly back to Kota Kinabalu after a morning rainforest trek. Met at the airport you will be transferred to the Jesselton Hotel.

Day 10-11
Explore the outstanding array of flora and fauna in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kinabalu National Park. Explore the Kinabalu National Park's extensive canopy walkway system. On day 10, overnight in a lodge in Kinabalu National Park & on day 11, head back to the Jesselton. 

Day 12
Private transfer to airport for departure flight from Kota Kinabalu.

** Alternative 13 day itinerary for days 10-13 including Mount Kinabalu Climb from Mesilau Trail:

Day 10
Exploring the outstanding array of flora and fauna in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kinabalu National Park. Overnight in a lodge in Kinabalu National Park.

Day 11-12
Ascending to the summit of Mount Kinabalu amidst pitcher plants and orchids along the Mesilau Trail. On Day 11, overnight at a mountain rest house. Return to Kota Kinabalu on day 12 for an overnight stay at the Hotel Jesselton.

Day 13
Private transfer to airport for departure flight from Kota Kinabalu.

* Please note that we have included one guided visit on day 5 to the Sepilok orangutan sanctuary, and for many people, seeing these animals close-up is one of the highlights of the trip.  If you would like to include additional guided visits in the morning of day 3, please add £35 per day. 

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