Into the Jungle: Wildlife Adventures in Borneo
Into the Jungle: Wildlife Adventures in Borneo
Into the Jungle: Wildlife Adventures in Borneo
10 Days Starting in Sandakan, Sabah, Malaysia and ending in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
Visiting: Sandakan, Rainforest Discovery Centre, Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, Sandakan, Sabah.\\, Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC), Kinabatangan River, Kinabatangan Wetlands Resort, Ranau, Maragang Hill, Pekan Nabalu, Tuaran, Manukan Island, Kota Kinabalu
Tour operator:
Tour code:
BOR
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
4 - 18
Physical rating:
Medium
Age range:
25-99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Active, Adventure Tours, Small Group, Walking Hiking and Trekking
Interests:
Beach Tours, Cultural, Foodie and Wine Tours, Wildlife Tours
Activities:
Private Available:
Request A Private Tour
Tour Overview
Encounter an array of wildlife as you traverse the spectacular landscapes of Sabah, on the Malaysian side of Borneo. Starting in Sandakan, you’ll visit orangutan and sun bear sanctuaries before travelling by boat to the Kinabatangan River, where you’ll have the chance to spot proboscis monkeys, Borneo pygmy elephants and many other species on safari cruises. Visit an organic tea farm, hike up Maragang Hill for magnificent views of Mount Kinabalu – the highest peak in Malaysia – and enjoy a traditional cooking class with the Dusun people. Wrap up your adventure with a snorkelling trip and farewell dinner in Kota Kinabalu.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrive In Sandakan
Location: Sandakan, Rainforest Discovery Centre, Sandakan
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Sabah Hotel
Meals Included: Dinner
Upon arrival at Sandakan Airport, head to the hotel where our Local Insider will greet you and help you check in. They will accompany the group throughout the trip. You’ll waste no time immersing yourself in nature: your first stop is the Rainforest Discovery Centre to learn about the variety of flora and fauna in Borneo on a guided evening journey along the canopy walkway. Keep an eye out for flying squirrels and don’t forget to wear insect repellent! Round off your first day with a welcome dinner in the company of your fellow travellers.
Activities included:
Rainforest Discovery Centre visit
Welcome dinner
Day 2 : Visit Orangutan And Sun Bear Conservation Centres
Location: Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, Sandakan, Sabah.\\, Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC), Sandakan
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Sabah Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Start your morning at the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, which provides a safe home for young orangutans orphaned to deforestation or the illegal pet trade. The centre rehabilitates them by providing the essential care they’d receive from their parents, with the goal of re-introducing them to the wild. Afterwards, head next door to the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre to observe this critically endangered species, under threat from habitat destruction and poaching. Meet the founder Dr Wong, and get a comprehensive insight into his team’s vital work before returning to Sandakan in the afternoon.
Activities included:
Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre visit
Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre visit
Day 3 : Transfer To The Kinabatangan River And Enjoy A Night Safari
Location: Kinabatangan River, Kinabatangan Wetlands Resort
Accommodation: Resort, ResortResort
Accommodation Name: Kinabatangan Wetland Resort
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today you’ll take a boat to the Kinabatangan River, which winds 560km (348mi) from the Witti mountain range to the Sulu Sea. The floodplains surrounding the second-longest river in Malaysia contain some of the most biodiverse ecosystems in the world, from thick rainforests to salty mangrove swamps. Later on, embark on another river cruise, where you’ll have an opportunity to spot Borneo gibbons, proboscis monkeys and plenty more mammals, reptiles and birds in their natural habitat. A guided night walk on the resort boardwalk offers another chance to encounter more of the extraordinary wildlife here. Don’t forget your binoculars!
Activities included:
Evening wildlife river cruise
Night walk on the resort boardwalk
Day 4 : Search For Elephants And Crocodiles On Wildlife River Cruises
Location: Kinabatangan River, Kinabatangan Wetlands Resort
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Kinabatangan Wetland Resort
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Morning person? You’ll be pleased to know you’re setting off on a wildlife cruise first thing. Keep your eyes peeled for crocodiles, pig-tailed macaques and rhinoceros hornbills as you float down the river. If you’re lucky, you might even spot a Borneo pygmy elephant – the smallest subspecies of elephant in the world, of which only around 1,500 remain in the wild. After lunch and some free time, head out on another wildlife cruise in the late afternoon. And, if you still have the energy, you can enjoy one final wildlife cruise after dinner – or spend the evening relaxing at the resort.
Activities included:
Morning wildlife river cruise
Late afternoon wildlife river cruise
Nighttime wildlife river cruise
Day 5 : Taste Organic Bornean Tea At The Sabah Tea Garden
Location: Sandakan, Ranau
Accommodation: Resort, ResortResort
Accommodation Name: Sabah Tea Resort Cottage
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Leave the Kinabatangan River behind and return to Sandakan by boat, where you’ll have the option of visiting the Agnes Keith House – a museum that educates on the history of Borneo under British colonial rule. You’ll then continue west towards the Sabah Tea Garden – an organic tea plantation surrounded by thick jungle in the mountains. Here, you have the opportunity to taste eight types of tea – including ginger, cinnamon and lemongrass – and gain a first-hand understanding of the production process. Be sure to get a good night’s rest ahead of an early start tomorrow.
Optional activities:
Agnes Keith House visit
Tea tasting
Day 6 : Hike Up Maragang Hill For Spectacular Views Of Mount Kinabalu
Location: Maragang Hill, Pekan Nabalu, Tuaran
Accommodation: Resort
Accommodation Name: Shangri-La Rasa Ria Resort
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Rise and shine for departure at 5am. Today, you’ll be heading to Maragang Hill, named after the red leaf monkey that inhabits its forested slopes. After a safety briefing, begin your hike at 1,835m (6,020ft), ascending through the montane cloud forest to 2,232m (7,323ft). At the summit, you’ll be rewarded with awe-inspiring views of nearby Mount Kinabalu, the highest peak in Malaysia at 4,095m (13,435ft). Descend to the starting point and enjoy a well-earned lunch at a local restaurant before visiting Pekan Nabalu for souvenir shopping, en route to your hotel on the coast.
Activities included:
Maragang Hill hike
Day 7 : Uncover The Secrets Of Dusun Cuisine In A Cooking Class
Location: Tuaran
Accommodation: Resort
Accommodation Name: Shangri-La Rasa Ria Resort
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Delve deeper into the cultural heritage of Sabah, discovering culinary techniques and flavour combinations in a cooking class by the Kiulu River. You’ll learn about the traditional cuisine of the indigenous Dusun people. Speciality dishes include hinava (mackerel with chilli, ginger, onions and lime juice), pinasakan (braised basung fish with takob-akob fruit, fresh turmeric and lemongrass) and linopot (leaf-wrapped rice cooked with yam or sweet potato) – although the specific menu varies by season. Tuck into the fruits of your labour and cool off with a refreshing dip in the river before returning to the hotel.
Activities included:
Dusun cooking class
Day 8 : Relax By The Pool Or Enjoy A Guided Hike
Location: Tuaran
Accommodation: Resort
Accommodation Name: Shangri-La Rasa Ria Resort
Meals Included: Breakfast
Fancy taking it easy? Today is free to spend at leisure. Chill by the pool, make use of the resort tennis courts and 18-hole golf course, head to the beach for water-skiing and sea kayaking, or even treat yourself to a relaxing massage at the spa. If you’re in the mood for an adventure, you have several options: embark on an early morning hike to watch the sunrise over Mount Kinabalu, join a guided jungle trek or venture out on a night walk (led by an experienced forest ranger) with special infra-red goggles to spot nocturnal wildlife.
Optional activities:
Sunrise hike
Jungle trek
Night walk
Day 9 : Snorkel Among Coral Reefs Off The Coast Of Kota Kinabalu
Location: Manukan Island, Kota Kinabalu
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Horizon Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Kick-start your final day in Borneo with a boat ride to Manukan Island, in the Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park, for a guided snorkelling trip. Expect to see coral reefs and shoals of colourful fish in the calm, clear water. You’ll then have free time to explore the island on foot before returning to the mainland. In the evening, wrap up your trip in style with a sunset cruise along the Kota Kinabalu coastline, including a memorable farewell dinner below deck with your fellow travellers.
Activities included:
Snorkelling trip
Sunset cruise and drinks
Farewell dinner
Day 10 : Depart From Kota Kinabalu
Location: Kota Kinabalu
Meals Included: Breakfast
The time has come to pack your bags and say goodbye to your new friends as your Bornean adventure comes to an end. Check out of the hotel after one final breakfast and head to Kota Kinabalu International Airport to catch your flight home. Alternatively, you could choose to extend your stay in Borneo.
What's Included
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Meals described in the itinerary
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Activities described in the itinerary
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Arrival airport transfer
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Accommodation
What's Not Included
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International flights
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Departure airport transfer
Check out our Q&As
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You must be 25 or over to travel on our trips, however there is no upper age limit. You just need a sense of adventure.
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How many meals are included?
Breakfast is included daily and then depending on your itinerary, some lunches and dinners. This is clearly indicated in the trip details or ask your Travel Expert to confirm.
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Can I book extra nights accommodation before or after my trip?
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What happens if I am travelling on my own?
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I booked but cannot travel anymore. What are the amendments and cancellation options?
We understand plans can change and that’s why we offer flexible booking conditions. You can change or cancel your booking at any time up to 56 days prior to departure and receive a full refund of any funds you have already paid towards your trip.
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Do I have to take part in all the activities? Will there be free time on my trip?
The amount of free time varies per trip. Please enquire with our travel experts to get a proper understanding on the amount of free time on the trips you are interested in. You do not have to take part in all activities but we strongly encourage you to do so! We have carefully crafted each trip to show you the best of every destination, so you’d be missing out! Also taking part in activities is a great way to get to know your travel companions and make new friends. Nothing like a positive and supportive group environment to venture outside of your comfort zone and surprise yourself!
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What is a Local Insider?
We believe there’s no better way to discover a new place and a new culture than by experiencing it through the eyes and experience of a local. That’s why we only work with local guides - whom we name our Local Insiders. They know their region inside out and have a passion for sharing it with travellers. All our Local Insiders have years of experience guiding and speak English. Importantly, they like to travel the way we like it too: away from crowds, tourist traps and queues. Focussing on the true essence of a destination, teaching you all about the local culture and profusely sharing local hidden gems and insights.
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