Details
10 DAYS FROM 7275 PP
Best time to go
OCTOBER 2024
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.
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.
07 - 09 October 2024
Nestled within a sprawling 20-acre expanse of rolling farmland, Sepilok Forest Edge Resort is perfectly situated on the fringes of the world-renowned Orangutan Forest Reserve. Here, you'll discover a harmonious blend of modern-day comforts infused with the rich traditions of life in Sandakan.
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.
Arguably the best known in the world for its groundbreaking work in protecting these much-loved primates, Sepilok Orangutan rehabilitaion Centre is one of just four orangutan sanctuaries worldwide.
Discover the SanctuaryDay 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.
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.
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.
Read moreDay 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.
The area of Bilit and the Kinabatangan River, the longest in the Sabah region, offers a mosaic of different habitats, which provides a unique wildlife haven for an astounding variety of animal and bird species. This is one of the best places to see orangutans in the wild. Plying gently through the swirling waters, your open-top river boat journeys along the Kinabatangan will provide ample opportunities to spot some of the area’s best loved wildlife, and our specialist guides are fine tuned to the activities of the various creatures that dwell around the banks of the rivers, making it easy for them to point them out.
Read moreDay 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).
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.
Read moreDay 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.
Located along the tranquil banks of the Lipad River, Tabin offers a harmonious blend of 20 timber chalets that seamlessly merge with the surrounding rainforest. Situated within the sprawling Tabin Wildlife Reserve, Malaysia's largest wildlife sanctuary spanning an impressive 123,000 hectares, Tabin Lodge is the sole accommodation of its kind in this pristine natural haven.
These rustic chalets not only provide a comfortable retreat but also afford you the rare opportunity to truly immerse yourself in the heart of the rainforest. Wake up to the symphony of nature, where the rustling leaves and gentle river flow create a soothing soundtrack to your stay.
Tabin Wildlife Reserve beckons with its untouched beauty and vibrant biodiversity. Whether you're an avid nature enthusiast, wildlife lover, or simply seeking a serene escape, Tabin Lodge offers an exclusive gateway to this remarkable wilderness. Explore, rejuvenate, and forge unforgettable memories in this extraordinary corner of Malaysia's natural paradise.
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.
Borneo Rainforest Lodge is set in the fauna and flora rich Danum Valley; this rustic lodge is the perfect place to stay on a selection of bespoke Borneo holidays. The spacious main building offers an open veranda where the traveller can sit back and enjoy the incredible diversity of this forest environment whilst wooden chalets and bungalows provide comfortable lodgings for guests. The mist shrouded treetops and babbling river lull one to sleep after a day's wildlife spotting.
Read moreDay 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.
The Danum Valley Conservation Area is a 438 km2 of lowland dipterocarp forest that provides a pristine sanctuary for a dazzling array of undisturbed wildlife in south-eastern Sabah.
Read about the Danum ValleyDay 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
| Date | Guests | Trip Length | Trip Style | Prices from | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 07 - 17 Oct 2024 | 8 | 10 Days | Photographic Safari with Charles Ryan | 7275 |
Follow Charles on Instagram