Untamed Borneo Adventure - Borneo

Day 1: Arrive In Kota Kinabalu

Arrive in Kota Kinabalu, the largest city in the state of Sabah, where you’re met and transferred to the centrally located Jesselton Hotel in downtown Kota Kinabalu. Spend the following day at leisure. Take a stroll along the wharf to sample freshly caught seafood grilled up at the Philippine night market and watch the sun dip below the calm waters of the Indian Ocean. Overnight at Horizon Hotel in downtown Kota Kinabalu.

Accommodations: Horizon Hotel

Day 2: Sepilok

This morning take an early morning flight from Kota Kinabalu Airport to Sandakan, where you’ll spend the morning at the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Center. Located within the Kabili-Sepilok Forest Reserve and surrounded mostly by virgin tropical lowland Dipterocarp forest, the Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Center was created for the rehabilitation of orphaned baby orangutans whose parents had been killed as a result of contact with humans at logging sites and plantations and through illegal hunting. After a brief video introduction, visit the free roaming area feeding platform to witness these furry “men of the forest” as the approach close-up providing unencumbered photographic opportunities.

Return to the tranquil forest setting of Sepilok Nature Resort for the remainder of the afternoon at leisure. After dinner, join an outing into the forest trails surrounding the property to see Borneo come alive at night. Overnight at Sepilok Nature Reserve.

Accommodations: Sepilok Nature Resort

Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 3: Kinabatangan River

Head to the Sandakan jetty this morning to start your boat trip through the delta and up the Lower Kinabatangan River Sanctuary. This is Borneo’s longest river, famous for its high concentration of wildlife, taking you from the coastal waters of the Sulu Sea through brackish mangrove forests and into the dense interior forests. If luck prevails, see wild elephant and a wide variety of other Borneo wildlife, including orangutans, proboscis monkeys and any of the eight species of resident hornbills known for their large, colorful, and uniquely shaped beaks. Arriving at Abai Jungle Lodge, enjoy lunch before embarking on an evening boat safari in search of local wildlife. The darkness of night reveals one of the most spectacular sites in Borneo; the synchronized spectacle of thousands of fireflies lighting up the trees on the river’s edge. After dinner you’ve the option to join your guide on a night walk on the 800 meter long stilted trail system through the forest. Overnight Abai Jungle Lodge.

Accommodations: Abai Jungle Lodge

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Abai

This morning take an early morning river trip to a nearby oxbow lake. This is an excellent location for observing the local troop of Proboscis monkeys. The lodge has a very close working relation with the local Orang Sungai villagers who share their traditions as part of our cultural experience in this region. The village of Abai lies just across the river and will host us for a truly authentic lunch of fresh water prawns (Udang galah), pandan flavored rice, and local steamed greens (lang long). Here you’ll have the opportunity to join in their tree planting project, an effort in conjunction with the World Wildlife Fund to create a continuous wildlife corridor along the banks for the Kinabatangan River. Logging activities and the agricultural development of the palm (for palm oil) has choked off existing wilderness areas near the river, hemming in the wildlife and in some instances isolating them away from the river. Overnight Abai Jungle Lodge.

Accommodations: Abai Jungle Lodge

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Danum Valley

Depart early this morning for a boat trip upriver to Sukau (1.5 hrs), stopping to spot hornbills and other wildlife along the route. On arrival at Sukau, head out by 4 x 4 vehicles to the famous Gomantong Caves. It’s about a 20 minute walk through the rainforest to the entrance of the caves, giving one a great opportunity to spot orangutans and silver leaf monkeys in the leafy treetops. Upon entering the caves and looking up into the stunning cathedral of stone it’s evident what is responsible for the pungent smell: bats and swiftlets nest in the upper recesses and their excreta support a diverse and complex food chain. Local communities also have a strong cultural and economic affinity to the caves: in season they collect birds' nests using bamboo ladders and poles. The nests are made from the saliva of swiftlets and are the main ingredient in the famous Chinese delicacy and aphrodisiac birds nest soup! From the caves depart for the town of Lahad Datu (1.5 hours) taking lunch at a local restaurant and securing permits before continuing on to the Danum Valley Conservation Area (3 hours). Overnight Borneo Rainforest Lodge.

Accommodations: Borneo Rainforest Lodge

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Days 6 - 8: Danum Valley

Far removed from human habitation and palm oil plantations, the Danum Valley is renowned for its rich biodiversity of flora and fauna. Covering 43,800 hectares, the Danum Valley Conservation Area is recognized as one of the world’s most complex ecosystems, lying within the upper reaches of Sabah’s second largest river, the Segama, and its tributaries. Fanning buttressed Dipterocarp trees dwarf the nearby chalets, rising nearly 230 feet in the air and comprising nearly 90% of the conservation area. This pristine rainforest is also home to more than 340 species of birds, 124 species of mammals, 72 species of reptiles, 56 species of amphibians and a staggering 200 species of plants per hectare. During the days we are in Danum you’ll have the opportunity to:

Hike to a panoramic overlook of the forest, and swim in a swirling natural pool.
Explore the conservation area on guided jungle walks with experienced resident naturalists through towering Dipterocarp forest and wild orangutan habitat.
Explore and photograph the rainforest and abundant birds of the canopy on the 170 meter long hanging bridges walkway.
Take night drives and walks in search of nocturnal wildlife.
Inner tube down the Segama river and under the forest canopy
Take advantage of the opportunity for extensive wildlife photography.

Accommodations: Borneo Rainforest Lodge

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9: Kota Kinabalu

Enjoy one final early morning walk before departing on a 3.5 hr drive to the town of Lahad Datu (3.5 hrs) to catch an early afternoon flight back to Kota Kinabalu. Greeted upon arrival, transfer into town to overnight Horizon Hotel.

Accommodations: Horizon Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 10: Departure

Transfer to the airport in Kota Kinabalu to catch your departing flight or extend your adventure in Malaysia with a visit to an off shore island, climbing Mt. Kinabalu or the cavernous Gunung Mulu caves in Sarawak. Please ask the Borneo Program director for more information on any of these exciting possibilities. [

Meals Included: Breakfast

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Borneo. Untamed Borneo Adventure

Day 1: Arrive In Kota Kinabalu

Day 2: Sepilok

Day 3: Kinabatangan River

Day 4: Abai

Day 5: Danum Valley

Days 6 - 8: Danum Valley

Day 9: Kota Kinabalu

Day 10: Departure

Scheduled Departure Dates