Luxury Rainforests, Orangutans and Beaches

Arrive Sepilok

On arrival at Sandakan airport, you will be met and transferred to Sepilok; a nature haven and perfect base to visit the nearby animal sanctuaries and rehabilitation centres. Check into your lodge and enjoy your surroundings. At dusk you will visit the canopy walk at the Rainforest Discovery Centre in time to catch the red giant flying squirrels emerge from their nests and glide between the trees. Return to the lodge for dinner.

Meals included: Dinner

Overnight: Sepilok Nature Resort

Sepilok, Sun Bears & Labuk Bay

After breakfast, visit the Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre in time for their morning feed (10:00). This sanctuary rehabilitates previously captive or orphaned orangutans (through deforestation, poaching, etc.) to their natural surroundings, ready for release when they are capable of supporting themselves in the wild. You then have a tour of the Sun Bear Conservation Centre to learn all about the project to save these adorable bears, the smallest and least known members of the species, whose population is rapidly diminishing.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Overnight: Sepilok Nature Resort

Sepilok - Kinabatangan River

Enjoy a relaxing morning before departing at 11:00am for your transfer to Sandakan Yacht Club Jetty for your boat transfer to the Kinabatangan River. Along the 80 minute you’ll cross Sandakan Bay passing the historical Berhala Island, fishing communities and a variety of wildlife. Enjoy lunch at your riverside lodge before a late afternoon sunset rifer safari in search of wildlife. Watch in awe as the foliage lights up like a Christmas tree – this is the largest gathering of fireflies in Malaysia! After dinner, take a walk along the boardwalk with your headlamp or torch and look for nocturnal wildlife.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Kinabatangan Wetlands Resort - Sukau

Wake early for a morning cruise to Pitas Oxbow lake to observe wildlife. Enjoy a picnic breakfast in your boat while sitting in the calm waters of the oxbow lake, taking in the sound of wildlife all around you. Afterwards, visit Abai village to experience what riverside village life is like. This community set up their own tree-planting incentive which successfully ran for over a decade. Enjoy lunch back at the lodge before taking your boat transfer further along Sabah’s longest river to your next riverside accommodation. Along the journey keep your eyes peeled, as this stretch of the river, is a favourite spot for pygmy elephants! In the late afternoon, enjoy a boat trip to Menanggul tributary, a small stretch of the Kinabatangan which forms a narrow jungle corridor rich in wildlife and is particularly good for primate spotting and the quieter electric boat offers a more tranquil experience for both you and the wildlife. Return to the lodge for dinner and have the remainder of the evening to relax at leisure.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Overnight: Sukau Rainforest Lodge

Kinabatangan River & Gomantong Caves

Rise early and head out on a shared morning river safari to explore a variety of fauna and flora along the banks of the Kinabatangan River. Species to be found include orangutans, proboscis monkeys, tree snakes, crocodiles, monitor lizards, macaques and much more. Herds of wild elephant may also be seen passing along the banks of the river. Return back to the lodge for lunch and some relaxation time before heading out in the late afternoon to the Gomantong Caves in the 3,924 hectare Gomantong Forest Reserve, where orangutans, mouse deer, wild boar and buffalo can sometimes be spotted. Up to 1 million bats of 64 differing species are thought to live in the caves. Observe the swiftlets take their last flights before nesting for the night and the bats fly out of the cave at sunset to head off into the night to forage. Return to the lodge for dinner, before heading out on another boat safari in the evening in search of nocturnal wildlife (optional activity at additional cost).

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Overnight: Sukau Rainforest Lodge

Kinabatangan River - Danum Valley

An early check out this morning as you are transferred by shared mini-van south to Lahad Datu, then on to the renowned Danum Valley. On arrival at your rainforest lodge (about 12 noon) you will have time to sit back, relax and enjoy your new surroundings. Danum Valley is one of the best remaining examples of how Borneo's forests used to be, with a thick tropical canopy and a variety of wildlife. In the afternoon (around 3pm) join one of the fascinating treks taking in the canopy walkway for a close-up view of the rainforest. You may like to join the evening slideshow presentation, an informative insight into the local wildlife. Following dinner, there is a night drive in an open-top vehicle in search of nocturnal creatures.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Overnight: Borneo Rainforest Lodge

Danum Valley

Set up to protect the area from logging, Danum encompasses 430 square kilometres of pristine rainforest and is home to a variety of endemic wildlife; including, orangutans, flying squirrels, clouded leopard, elephants, gibbons, and many birds. With a towering canopy walkway and a beautiful viewpoint that looks out over the jungle canopy and the dramatic mountains, this conservation area is a definite must if you're in Borneo. Spend your days with one of the naturalist guides exploring the many nature trails and waterfalls, take a dip in the natural Jacuzzi pool or floating down the Danum River on tubes. In the evening, dine at the lodge, before embarking on an exciting night drive in search of nocturnal animals.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Overnight: Borneo Rainforest Lodge

Danum Valley - Kota Kinabalu

After your dalliance in the jungle, it is now time to retreat to paradise for some well-deserved relaxation on a beautiful beach. Wake up for your last early morning trek. After a transfer to Lahad Datu for your short flight to Kota Kinabalu (flight included), you will be met and transferred to Shangi-La Rasa Ria Resort. The remainder of the day is at your leisure.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Overnight: Shangri La Rasa Ria

Kota Kinabalu

Spend these days as you wish as you unwind at the end of your trip. You might like to relax at the hotel pool or enjoy the beautiful beach and watersports on offer. Alternatively, you may decide to explore the city and we highly recommend visiting Kota Kinabalu’s famous night market where local people sell everything from fresh fish to jewelled hijab brooches.

Meals included: Breakfast

Overnight: Shangri La Rasa Ria

Depart Kota Kinabalu

Today you will be transferred to Kota Kinabalu Airport in time for your international flight home. Please note that checkout is in the morning.

Meals included: Breakfast