Borneo Wildlife Highlights

Arrive in Kota Kinabalu; KK as it is affectionately known by the locals. The small capital is a cultural melting pot and its inhabitants are a mix of Chinese, Indonesian, Filipino, Indian and of course Malay. This blend of influences makes KK a foodie's dream, with fusion restaurants popping up all over town and street-food stalls serving up classics like Nasi Goreng (fried rice with spices) and satay alongside curries and kimchi. Tonight has been left free to explore the city's vibrant foodie scene.



For those arriving on time our Leader plans to meet you in the hotel reception at 6pm for the welcome meeting. There are no other activities planned today, so you are free to arrive in Kota Kinabalu at any time. If you would like to receive a complimentary airport transfer today, you'll need to arrive into Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI), which is 30 minutes from the hotel. Should you miss the welcome meeting, your Leader will inform you of any essential information over breakfast on day 2.



If your flight arrives earlier in the day, perhaps you might choose to visit the waterfront for a bite to eat and a visit to the fruit market.

We set off this morning to explore the sights of KK. Having been bombed extensively during World War II, KK's architecture is awash with modernity, occasionally interspersed with the remaining historical buildings, mosques and ramshackle markets. We first visit Tun Musthapha tower, the tallest building in the city that encapsulates the city's new and modern feel. Next we get a feel for the cultural diversity of the city when visiting the beautiful Chinese temple of Puh Toh Tze followed by the impressive State Mosque. This much-photographed mosque features intricate examples of Islamic architecture with gold motifs decorating its grand dome. We end at Signal Hill, where the observation platform offers great views over the city skyline.



This afternoon has been left free to relax or to further explore the city, perhaps visiting the handicraft market. Alternatively there is an optional trip to the nearby Mari Mari village, a traditional settlement that celebrates and preserves the indigenous tribes of Borneo.

After a leisurely breakfast we leave the city limits and after approximately two and a half hours reach the Crocker Mountain Range, home to the highest mountain in South East Asia - Mount Kinabalu (4095m). En route we stop at the World War Two Memorial Park, which commemorates the thousands of Allied forces, including British and Australian, that lost their lives at the hands of the Japanese empire. We will then travel to the small village of Tanak Nabalu where we share lunch with the local villagers. The people here are from the ethnic Dusan tribe, most of which now offer their services as guides and porters up to Mount Kinabalu's summit. We spend time with them learning about their ancient cultures and customs over a hearty lunch of Hinava. Similar to the Peruvian dish ceviche, Hinava is a raw fish dish which originates from Sabah's Kadazan Dusun tribes. Mackerel is the traditional fish used in Sabah, and this is marinated in lime and served with red chilli, ginger, shallots, Bambangan seeds, and prawns.



After lunch we enjoy a gentle stroll through the Botanical Gardens taking in some exotic species of flora such as slipper orchids, a variety of pitcher plants, yellow rhododendron and much more. We then make the short drive onto the town of Kundasang, our rest stop for the night.

This morning we visit nearby Sungai Moroli Fish Spa. This community-run project is led by the enterprising villagers of the Luanti village. Legislation was passed to ban any fishing activities in the nearby Moroli River to preserve the environment and ecosystem of the area. The villagers were reliant on fishing as a livelihood, so had to look elsewhere for a source of income. The idea of the fish spa was born and now guests are welcomed to receive a unique spa experience including a dip in the river whilst the fish gently provide their natural treatment.



Feeling refreshed we continue our journey east, and sticking with the spa theme we next visit Poring Hot Springs, an incredible collection of natural geothermal pools dotted throughout the forest. Here we can take a dip in the natural mineral-rich waters and spot monkeys and birds on the canopy walk that traverses the springs. From here we drive onto Sepilok, approximately a four hour drive where we plan to arrive in the late afternoon.

This morning we set off on foot to the Sepilok Orang-utan Sanctuary. A highlight for many of Borneo's visitors, Sepilok is home to the largest of the three orang-utan rehabilitation centres in the world. Covering over 4,000 hectares of forest, the centre was established in 1964 to rehabilitate captured, injured or abandoned apes. So far about 100 'wild men of the forest' have been brought to the centre, and there has been a remarkable success rate with up to 75% having returned to the jungle. The animals are taught how to make nests and how to survive in their natural habitat. We plan to visit the centre in time for feeding when, along with the resident apes, females who normally live in the jungle, come to supplement their diet after the birth of their young.



After lunch we will drive to Sukau, located along Sabah's longest river, the Kinabatangan. After some rest time we will set off for our first river cruise, hoping to spot some of the endemic wildlife dotted among Sukau's myriad waterways.



For those feeling energetic, tonight we have the opportunity for a night walk in the jungle for a chance to spot nocturnal animals like the civet cat, tarsier, slow lloris as well as owls, frogs and a variety of insects.

Waking to the distant calls of gibbons and hornbills, we rise for breakfast before joining a morning river cruise to Kelenanap Oxbow Lake. The Kinabatangan River area plays host to an incredible array of wildlife - a total of 10 primate species including proboscis monkeys, langur moneys, wild orang-utans, gibbons and macaques are all common sightings here. The area is also known for pygmy elephants, Malay sun bears, clouded leopards, crocodiles and the Sumatran rhino. Birdlife is just as prolific, with all eight species of hornbill present, not to mention kingfishers, ospreys, storks and eagles.



We embark on another river cruise this afternoon where we hope to be able to spot some more of this varied wildlife from our boat with the help of our expert guide.



After dinner this evening there will be the chance to go back out for a night cruise - an excellent opportunity to see the water lit up by fluorescent light, hoping to see the shine of a pair of eyes staring back at us.

We head deeper into the rainforest today on our three and a half hour drive to the Reserve of Tabin. On the route this morning we see many reminders of man's interference with nature. Much of the route to the conservation area has been de-forested and replaced with vast swathes of palm oil plantations. Malaysian Borneo and Indonesia account for over 90% of the world's production of palm oil, and the drive today gives first-hand experience of the problem it causes by displacing endemic and endangered wildlife and flora. The guide will add some extra insight into the palm-oil industry, a complex issue that isn't pleasant to witness, but is very much a reality in modern-day Borneo. Fortunately the Tabin Wildlife Reserve has long been kept as a conservation area, meaning the rainforest here has remained entirely intact.



The Tabin Wildlife Reserve was created in 1984 to preserve some of Sabah's most endangered species, and covering an area of some 122,000 hectares it the largest in Malaysia. Tabin is home to the Bornean rhinoceros, the Sunda Clouded Leopard and the Borneo Elephant, as well as seven of Sabah's primates and a huge array of bird species.



In the afternoon we head out for our first walk, along the Elephant trail to the Lipad Mud Volcano. This small active volcano provides a mineral salt lick and thus attracts a multitude of wildlife which we hope to spot. A variety of animal footprints are usually visible across the mud, and the adventurous can try out the effects of the mud which is said to be excellent for skin care.



Our accommodation for the next two nights is the Tabin Wildlife Resort, a charming collection of wooden chalets built on stilts that look out over the river and surrounding hills. The chalets are comfortably appointed with en-suite facilities and a ceiling fan, and the resort also has a restaurant and bar.

We rise early this morning amongst the birdsong and gibbon calls to travel to the core of the reserve, climbing the observation tower to discover some of Tabin's near 300 species of birds. Here we hope to spot species such as the Bronzed Drongo, Blue-crowned Hanging Parrot and Purple-throated Sunbird, to name but a few. We then move onto Orang-utan Release Centre and learn about the important work the centre plays in the final step of releasing rehabilitated Orang-utans back into wild. From here we continue on foot, through the lush steamy rainforest to Lipad Waterfall, where it's possible to take a dip in the natural pools and brave a refreshing shower under the falls.



The afternoon has been left free to relax in the natural surroundings, or perhaps try out the Tabin Rainforest Foot Soak - a mixture comprised from a natural blend of locals herbs to ease those weary feet.



After dinner there will be the option to head out on a night walk, to keep an ear and eye out for some of the nocturnal wildlife found nearby the resort.

There is a final chance for another nature walk this morning before we leave our accommodation behind at lunch time and drive to Lahad Datu, the region's nearest city and provincial airport. We fly back to Kota Kinabalu, where the last evening is free, perhaps to pick up souvenirs at the city's night market, or to get your last fix of the flavoursome Malaysian cuisine.

The trip ends after breakfast at our hotel in Kota Kinabalu.



There are no activities planned today, so you are free to depart from Kota Kinabalu at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you would like to receive a complimentary airport transfer today, you need to depart from Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI), which is 30 minutes from the hotel.