Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary
Best known for its groundbreaking work in protecting these much-loved primates.
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Borneo Rare Wildlife Safari
A Tailor-Made Adventure
This tailor-made Borneo safari is designed for wildlife enthusiasts seeking to explore Borneo’s rare and elusive species. With expert guides, you'll embark on night safaris, jungle treks, and river cruises, searching for some of the island’s most secretive mammals. While sightings can never be guaranteed, this itinerary maximises your chances of encountering clouded leopards, marbled cats, slow lorises, and other nocturnal creatures.
Explore Borneo’s Hidden Wildlife
The Deramakot Forest Reserve is one of the best places in Borneo to search for the Bornean clouded leopard, a rarely seen apex predator found only on this island and Sumatra. The reserve is also home to other elusive species, including marbled cats, binturongs, and sun bears.
Cruise along the Kinabatangan River on night safaris, scanning the water’s edge for flat-headed cats and otter civets. In Danum Valley, trek through untouched primary rainforest, listening for the calls of gibbons and keeping watch for orangutans, mousedeer, and slow lorises.
Why Choose This Borneo Safari?
- Search for Rare & Endangered Species: Borneo is home to an astonishing 222 mammal species, including many that are rarely spotted in the wild.
- Expert-Led Night Safaris & River Cruises: Specially designed to increase your chances of seeing Borneo’s most elusive wildlife.
- Immersive Rainforest Adventure: From Deramakot’s dense jungle to the pristine Danum Valley, explore Borneo’s most biodiverse regions.
Example Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1, Arrive Sandakan - Sepilok
Upon arrival into Sandakan you’ll be met and begin your exploration of the Sepilok-Kabili Forest Reserve. Head straight to the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre for the morning feeding and visit the neighbouring Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre. Later, as the sun sets, visit the Rainforest Discovery Centre to watch the red giant squirrels emerge and take flight between trees.
Accommodation: Sepilok Forest Edge Resort
Day 2, Sepilok - Deramakot
After breakfast begin the long drive to Deramakot. You’ll stop at a local restaurant enroute for lunch. The tarmac disappears as you head through palm plantations into the forest, prepare for a bumpy journey. In the evening after dinner head to observe the wildlife at dusk.
Accommodation: Deramakot Lodge
Days 3-5 Exploring Deramakot Forest
You’ll be up before the dawn, watching it break over the misty rainforest. Deramakot is one of the few places in Borneo that all five cat species have been recorded, the Clouded leopard, marbled, bay, leopard and flat-headed cats. Rest during the day and head back out at dusk in search of more wildlife.
Accommodation: Deramakot Lodge
Day 6, Deramakot – Kinabatagan
Depart early from Deramakot to drive to the jetty for your boat transfer on to the Kinabatagan River. After lunch at your lodge head out at dusk onto the river as the trees light up with fireflies. After dinner explore the boardwalk looking for otter civet and bearded pigs.
Accommodation: Kinabatagan Wetlands Resort
Days 7 – 8, Exploring the Kinabatagan
Drift along the beautiful Oxbow lake, and experience life by the river on a visit to Abai Village. You’ll continue to enjoy early morning river cruises searching for endangered pygmy squirrel, pygmy elephant and proboscis monkeys. In the evenings you’ll sail into the night in search of more nocturnal species.
Accommodation: Kinabatagan Wetlands Resort
Day 9 – Kinabatagan – Danum Valley
Transfer by boat and then by jeep via Lahad Datu as you head into the virgin rainforest. After settling in to your luxury lodge, take a guided walk along the canopy walkway, often shared with red-leaf langurs, soak in the breathtaking view over the ancient trees.
Accommodation: Borneo Rainforest Lodge
Days 10-11 – Exploring Danum Valley
During your days here enjoy some challenging trekking to Coffin Cliff as well as Fairy & Serpent Falls. Swim in the natural pool or enjoy tubing in the river, depending on the water levels. In the evenings, head out on nature walks searching for slow loris, marble cats and binturong.
Accommodation: Borneo Rainforest Lodge
Day 12 – Danum Valley – Lahad Datu – Depart Kota Kinabalu
Enjoy one final early morning walk in the pristine rainforest before you head back to Lahad Datu for your flight to Kota Kinabalu. From here you can take your international flight home.
Your Accommodations
Sepilok Forest Edge Resort
Nestled within a tropical garden setting you'll find 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.
Deramakot Lodge
As the sole accommodation within this reserve, guests stay in modest chalets at the Deramakot Research Station. While the chalets may be simple, they cater to the practical needs of guests and provide a base for wildlife enthusiasts seeking a genuine connection with the surrounding wilderness.
Kinabatagan Wetlands Resort
This eco lodge is hidden amongst the mangroves, you approach the resort along a long boardwalk under a tunnel of trees. The spacious individual chalets are shrouded in the rainforest. You are assured the warmest welcome from the staff and incredible wildlife viewing opportunities from the river.
Borneo Rainforest Lodge
Nothing will quite prepare you for the breathtaking sight of opening your curtains to a 130-million-year-old rainforest in the morning. This beautiful luxury lodge boasts a wonderful canopy walkway, some challenging and rewarding hikes, as well as resident orangutans in the area.
Why Natural World Safaris for your Borneo Safari?
Conservation Minded
We will only work with the best guides and most eco-conscious operators and will always put the protection of the rainforest and its inhabitants above commercial interests. Visit the Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary, the Sun Bear Conservation Centre and the Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre to learn about the work done to protect these endangered species.
Wealth of Experience
To sell Borneo well, you need to know it from the ground upwards; this unique destination is forever changing. Through our years of experience designing safaris and time spent on the ground, we are experts in putting you in the right place at the right time to witness the wildlife in its natural environment, be it orangutans in the misty rainforests or sea turtles in the turquoise waters
Tailored Safaris
Share your interests with our Destination Specialists and we will match you to the in-country experts, providing you with nothing but the best access and highly experienced wildlife trackers and guides. Using first-hand knowledge, we offer Borneo safari holidays that steer clear of the mass market. Our exceptional selection of personally and privately run jungle lodges and bespoke experiences allows you to create a unique itinerary tailored to your specific needs.