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Location
BORNEO

Borneo Photographic Safari

Details
10 DAYS FROM 9000 PP

Best time to go
OCTOBER 2024

AB1I9177

Borneo Photographic Safari

Small Group with Charlie Ryan

Borneo is one of the world’s greatest wildlife-watching destinations. A faraway island blanketed with misty jungles and filled with a honeypot of weird and wonderful biodiversity; this unspoiled pristine pocket of life is a paradise waiting to be rediscovered. Join us on this photographic safari, specialist-led by a seasoned professional in the realm of photography, Charlie Ryan. Capturing the essence of Borneo’s wildlife through his lens, Charlie’s work has been published in National Geographic, BBC, and Netflix.

AB1I9262
Borneo Rainforest

why book this trip


  • Experiencing the feeding of orangutans up close at Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre
  • Exploring the forests where orangutans live in the wild, as well as gibbons, proboscis monkeys & leaf monkeys, swinging through the trees of their natural habitat
  • Going on river safaris along the wildlife oasis of the Kinabatangan River
  • Stay deep in primal rainforest at Danum Valley, the oldest jungle in the world, home to 10 species of primate, as well as pygmy elephants, sun bears, and clouded leopards.
  • Exploring the rich vegetation of Tabin Wildlife Reserve, where the mineral rich mud volcanoes attract many animals such as gibbons, banteng, clouded leopards and an incredible array of tropical birds & reptiles
  • Exploring forest trails, view the jungle from a towering canopy walkway & go on guided night walks to spot nocturnal creatures
  • Visiting the Sun Bear Conservation Centre to learn about the great work being done to preserve these endangered species
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Day 01, 07 Oct: Arrive Sepilok

On arrival at Sandakan airport, you will be met by your guide and transferred to Sepilok; a nature haven and perfect base to visit the nearby animal sanctuaries and rehabilitation centres. After a welcome dinner, head out for an optional night walk in the forest to search for nocturnal wildlife.

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Day 02, 08 Oct: Sepilok

Wake up early for a dawn canopy walk for bird watching and searching for mammals. After breakfast, continue on to the Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary where captive orangutans are reintroduced into the wild. In the afternoon, we will head for trekking in Sepilok Forest Reserve and then continue to the canopy walk at dusk to see giant red flying squirrels emerge from their nests. Return for dinner, and then head out for a night walk to search for nocturnal wildlife.

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Day 03, 09 Oct: Sepilok - Sun bears - Kinabatangan River

Wake up for an optional dawn birdwatching walk behind the lodge. After breakfast, visit the nearby Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre. Continue to the Kinabatangan River, home to one of the highest concentrations of wildlife in Borneo. Settle into the lodge and take a cruise at dusk to look for orangutans, pygmy elephants, silvered langurs, hornbills, and proboscis monkeys. On a night walk, see nocturnal fauna such as the slow loris, western tarsiers, civets, and more. The Kinabatangan River is the longest river in Sabah known for the highest concentration of primates in North Borneo. The forest is secondary forest, with a large amount of ficus racemose, a preferred food source for a variety of species.

St Borneo Sun Bear Credit Lillian Tveit
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Day 04, 10 Oct: Kinabatangan River & Gomantong Caves

Watch the sun rise during an early morning river cruise. Set out on a jungle walk to search for wildlife and before lunch, there will be a talk by an orangutan expert. Take a short boat ride to Gomantong Caves, where over 1 million bats come out of the cave to feed in the night.

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Day 05, 11 Oct: Kinabatangan River

Spend another day on the river. Enjoy morning and afternoon river safaris focusing on the wildlife along the river. After dinner, set out for a night cruise to search for nocturnal wildlife on the riverbanks.

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Day 06, 12 Oct: Kinabatangan River - Tabin Wildlife Reserve

Head into the heart of Tabin Wildlife Reserve, home to ten primate species, five cat species, some 220 species of birds, pygmy elephants and banteng. After lunch, set off in 4x4s to search for leopard cats, marbled cats, flying squirrels, and binturongs (bearcats).

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Day 07, 13 Oct: Tabin Wildlife Reserve

Take an early morning nature walk, then after breakfast, hike to the mud volcano, where salt-enriched mud bubbles up and attracts many different animals. Climb the observation tower for great views of the surrounding forest. Jungle trek or afternoon drive in the reserve.

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Day 08, 14 Oct: Tabin - Danum Valley

Travel to Danum Valley, known for its 400 square kilometres of virtually undisturbed primary rainforest. In Danum Valley, the photography will all be by foot. Walking on well-maintained trails, this is one of the best places in Borneo to photograph orangutans in the wild.

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Day 09 - 10, 15 - 16 Oct: Danum Valley

Spend two days exploring the local nature trails on your own or with a guide. Keep an eye out for rare species, including the pygmy elephant, clouded leopard, Bornean gibbon, and maroon langur. Bird life is especially diverse, with some 275 recorded species.

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Day 11, 17 Oct: Danum Valley - Lahad Datu

Wake up for an optional early morning trek. After lunch, check out the lodge at 12:30 and transfer to Lahad Datu where you will arrive by 15:00.

Charlie Ryan

Charles Ryan

Wildlife Photographer & Jungle Guide


Charles Ryan

Wildlife Photographer & Jungle Guide


In 2008, Charlie Ryan embarked on a trip to Borneo, initially working on community conservation projects. A seasoned professional in the realm of photography, Charlie Ryan captures the essence of Borneo’s wildlife through his lens, while also contributing to the realm of tourism. Amidst his profound affection for every facet of Borneo, it’s the enigmatic clouded leopard and its feline companions that truly pique his curiosity. Charlie’s work has been published in National Geographic, BBC, and Netflix.

Sepilok Forest Edge Resort

Standard Chalet, 07 - 09 October 2024

Nestled within a tropical garden setting, Sepilok Forest Edge Resort is perfectly situated on the fringes of the world-renowned Orang-utan Forest Reserve. Here, you'll discover 12 charming rustic chalets hidden amongst the winding paths of the dense foliage.From your veranda look out for monkeys swinging in the trees and listen to the sound of birdsong. For those seeking privacy, opt for the Glamping Villa which features its own private plunge pool.

Hornbill Lodge

Dates: 09 - 12 October 2024

Located within close proximity to the renowned Kinabatangan River, this lodge serves as a gateway to one of the world's most biodiverse ecosystems. Named after the majestic hornbill birds that inhabit the area, accommodation at Hornbill Lodge blends comfort with rustic charm, featuring traditional wooden architecture quipped with modern amenities. Guests can embark on guided river safaris to observe Borneo's diverse fauna, including orangutans, pygmy elephants and proboscis monkeys. The lodge also offers night walks and has a great selection of forest trails, perfect for mid-day photography.

Tabin Wildlife Resort

Standard Chalet, 12 - 14 October 2024

A cosy lodge with locally constructed timber chalets dotted throughout the rainforest and along the banks of the Lipad River. Consisting of 20 timber chalets in the midst of the rainforest, Tabin blends well with its surroundings on the banks of the Lipad River. This is the only lodge located within Tabin Wildlife Reserve, the largest wildlife reserve in Malaysia, with a total land area of 123,000 hectares.

Borneo Rainforest Lodge

Deluxe Chalet, 14 - 17 October 2024

Set amongst the rich flora and fauna of the Danum Valley, this spacious and rustic lodge is the only lodge in the area. There is a swimming pool and open veranda at the main building, where you can sit back and enjoy the incredible diversity of the forest environment. The wooden chalets and bungalows are wonderfully welcoming, especially with the mist shrouded treetops and babbling river lulling you to sleep after a day wildlife spotting.

Dates & Prices borneo

Dates and Prices for borneo
DateGuestsTrip LengthTrip StylePrices from
07 - 17 Oct 2024810 DaysPhotographic Safari with Charles Ryan9000

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