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Borneo’s Diverse Reefs and Rainforests in Comfort and Style
Tour Introduction
Borneo has some of the most biologically diverse rainforests and coral reefs on Earth. This itinerary focusses on these whilst providing accommodation of a very high calibre throughout. The tour begins with the Sepilok Orang-utan Centre which provides the perfect introduction to the wildlife of the rainforest. Next, search the banks of the mighty Kinabatangan River looking for proboscis monkeys, Borneo pygmy elephants and wild orang-utans before heading to the Danum Valley and the exemplary Borneo Rainforest Lodge for a fantastic array of rainforest species plus its wonderful canopy walkway. Finally, five nights on the beautiful Gaya Island provides sublime beach relaxation, rainforest hikes, canopy walkways, doorstep snorkelling, kayaking and paddle boards. Try this itinerary for wildlife and comfort in perfect balance.
Full Itinerary
Fly to Sandakan on Borneo's east coast. Met on arrival and drive to Sepilok. Check in to the lodge.
Staying at Sepilok Nature Lodge. Includes Dinner.
Full day at Sepilok. Visit the Rehabilitation Centre to see the feeding of the orang-utans, and the Rainforest Discovery Centre for a canopy walk and to explore forest trails. Perhaps take an optional night walk in the reserve to see flying squirrels and other nocturnal wildlife.
Staying at Sepilok Nature Lodge. Includes All Meals.
Return to the Orang-Utan Centre to watch morning feeding then visit the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre to see rescued bears in their forest habitat. Return to Sandakan for lunch then travel by boat a short way along the coast and then inland via the Kinabatangan River, the largest river in Sabah with wildlife-filled banks of mangrove, wetland and rainforest offering some superb wildlife viewing en route. After a journey of approximately two hours accompanied by a naturalist guide you will arrive at the lodge. Following a brief welcome and orientation there will be a late afternoon river cruise to spot wildlife.
Staying at Sukau Rainforest Lodge. Includes All Meals.
Early morning river excursion to the Kelenanap oxbow lake for excellent birding and other wildlife viewing. Afternoon river excursion for another chance to see proboscis monkeys and other wildlife. Optional night cruise to spot night animals including marbled and flat-headed cats.
Staying at Sukau Rainforest Lodge. Includes All Meals.
Transfer overland to Gomantong Caves, home to thousands of bats and cave swiftlets, whose nests are selectively harvested for use in the famous bird’s nest soup. Continue by road to Lahad Datu and on to the Danum Valley Conservation Area. Covering 438 square kilometres of pristine dipterocarp rainforest, the Danum Valley Conservation Area is one of the best wildlife regions in the whole of South East Asia, with towering rainforest trees and stunning landscapes. There will be an evening introduction and slide show followed by a night walk to spot nocturnal animals.
Staying at Borneo Rainforest Lodge. Includes All Meals.
Early morning start for the Canopy Walk, reaching a height of around 90 feet and ending in a huge majau tree with viewing platform. Following breakfast at the lodge you will have a full day in the reserve with your guide. Perhaps climb the escarpment to see ancient burial tombs in the cliff face, follow the Segama River deep into the forest or visit the local swimming hole – a natural Jacuzzi. In the evening there will be a spotlight game drive (weather permitting) to find deer, flying squirrels, leopard cats and possibly even elephants and clouded leopard.
Staying at Borneo Rainforest Lodge. Includes All Meals.
Full day of guided excursions. The area is home to a vast array of wildlife including all ten of Sabah's primate species, wild elephants, the beautiful clouded leopard and 340 bird species.
Staying at Borneo Rainforest Lodge. Includes All Meals.
Transfer by road back to Lahad Datu and fly to Kota Kinabalu. Met on arrival, transfer to dock and take the 45 minute boat transfer to your island resort.
Staying at Bunga Raya Island Resort. Includes Breakfast.
Day at leisure. Relax on the beach or perhaps head out for a morning snorkel. The reef is close enough to snorkel from the shore or you can drop of at the end of the jetty. Diving can be arranged through their sister property on the island.
Staying at Bunga Raya Island Resort. Includes Breakfast.
Free day at leisure. Perhaps take one of the inclusive tours of the canopy walkway with in-house naturalist guide. OPTIONAL extras include a thrilling zipline tour or hiking across the island with wildlife guide.
Staying at Bunga Raya Island Resort. Includes Breakfast.
Free day at leisure. Perhaps take one of the inclusive tours of the nearby Marine Ecology Research Centre to hear about their reef conservation work and see the fish and coral displays.
Staying at Bunga Raya Island Resort. Includes Breakfast.
Enjoy your final full day on the island. Perhaps take one of the complimentary kayaks or paddle boards to explore a little further afield.
Staying at Bunga Raya Island Resort. Includes Breakfast.
Boat transfer to Kota Kinabalu airport in time for your international flight home.
Includes In-flight Meals.
Tour Accommodation
Overview
Beautifully set in lush grounds within walking distance of the lowland rainforests of Kabili-Sepilok Forest Reserve with it’s renowned orang-utan centre, sun bear centre and rainforest discovery centre.
The spacious chalets at Sepilok Nature Lodge have private facilities and are tastefully decorated with local wood and handmade textiles. The restaurant serves a good selection of local and more international food and there is free Wi-Fi available here.
The chalets are surrounded by wildlife-filled gardens which would take half a day to appreciate fully and include a natural lake, and orang-utans can sometimes be seen in the adjacent forest. The lodge offers guided walks through the reserve in the early morning and at night when orang-utans, flying squirrels and slow loris are often spotted.
Each of the 60 chalets has twin or double beds, air-conditioning, private bathrooms with hot water, TV and mini bar. Most chalets also have a private veranda that overlooks the lush gardens or the peaceful lake.
The famous Sepilok Organ-Utan Rehabilitation Centre and the new Sun Bear Centre are only a 5-minute walk from the resort. It is approximately 20 minutes to the Rainforest Discovery Centre.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
Rooms with private hot water bathrooms, verandas, free Wi-Fi, ceiling fans, satellite TV, laundry service and private veranda.
Local Wildlife
Orang-utans, long-tailed macaques, slow loris, red giant flying squirrels, mouse deer, hornbills, flying lizards and water monitor lizards.
Optional Activities
The Sepilok Orang-Utan Rehabilitation Centre is only a 5-minute walk from the resort, and it is approximately 20 minutes to both the Rainforest Discovery Centre and Proboscis Monkey Rescue Centre.
Overview
Built on the banks of the mighty Kinabatangan River using strict sustainable development principles, the lodge provides an ideal base from which to explore the wildlife of the surrounding forest, often in electrically powered boats to limit disturbance and maximise sightings. The accommodation here underwent a complete refurbishment and the rooms are now more spacious with modern facilities and stylish décor.
The Kinabatangan area is particularly renowned for proboscis monkeys that arrive in large groups at the trees of the riverbanks during late afternoon. There is also a very good chance of seeing wild orang-utan, macaque, gibbon and silvered and maroon langur monkeys. Bird species include all eight hornbills, oriental darter and the spectacular buffy fish-owl.
Borneo pygmy elephants are found here in large herds and can occasionally be observed walking through the lodge. There is a pleasant jetty overlooking the river where meals are sometimes taken and wildlife such as kingfishers and the rare storms stork can be observed.
Behind the lodge is an impressive network of boardwalks providing covered, safe walking through the rainforest.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
Private bathrooms with hot water, restaurant, air-conditioning, safety deposit box, small dipping pool, foot spa, pool table, mini library and sun deck.
Local Wildlife
Wild orang-utans, proboscis monkeys, long and pig-tailed macaques, silvered and maroon langurs, Bornean gibbons, Bornean pygmy elephants, civets, otters and bearded pigs are also occasionally seen. During the dry season when river levels are lower, the rare flat-headed cat can be seen more often on nocturnal boat trips and there is even a chance of spotting a clouded leopard. Reticulated python, mangrove snake and saltwater crocodiles can often be spotted. Eight species of hornbill, the rare storm’s stork, various kingfishers and Bornean ground cuckoos are some of the many avian highlights found there.
Optional Activities
Boat safaris along the Kinabatangan River and its tributaries. It is possible to arrange cultural excursions to the local village and visit the huge Gomantong caves where thousands of edible nest swiftlets and bats can be watched.
Overview
Widely regarded as one of the best wildlife lodges in Asia, Borneo Rainforest Lodge is situated on the Danum River which flows through Sabah’s largest protected lowland rainforest in the 44,000-hectare Danum Valley Conservation Area.
Borneo Rainforest Lodge boasts an extensive network of trails and a fantastic 300m-long canopy walkway giving a bird’s-eye view of nesting orang-utans up to 26m high.
Borneo Rainforest Lodge has well-appointed rooms, serves excellent food and has highly knowledgeable naturalist guides. The service is of 5-star quality while still maintaining sustainable and environmentally sensitive practices. Each of the 31 chalet style rooms has comfortable twin or double beds, ceiling fans, smart furnishings and private bathrooms with hot water.
There is a communal room where evening slideshows and talks are given and there is a small bar and laundry service available. Night game drives and walks are provided for nocturnal wildlife viewing. The restaurant offers delicious Malaysian and international cuisine and there is a good selection of beverages available from the bar.
The area is home to a vast array of wildlife including all ten of Sabah’s primate species, Bornean pygmy elephants and remains one of the strongholds for the beautiful Sunda clouded leopard and extremely rare bay cat. 340 bird species and an innumerable number of reptiles, amphibians, insects and plants are also present in the surrounding forests.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
Private bathrooms, hot water bathtubs, restaurant, bar, 24-hour electricity, ceiling fans, Jacuzzis, lounge, laundry service and natural history library. Deluxe chalets and three newer luxury villas available. Long canopy walkway.
Local Wildlife
The rare primary rainforest surrounding Borneo Rainforest Lodge is home to a huge diversity of wildlife: 340 species of birds, 120 of mammals, 72 reptile species, 56 amphibians and an incredible 200 species of plants per hactare. Some of the wildlife highlights include a healthy population of wild orang-utan, Bornean agile gibbons, western tarsier, Sunda slow loris, maroon langur, Bornean pygmy elephant, bearded pig, two species of mouse deer, five species of civet, smooth-coated otter, flying squirrel, leopard, marbled and bay cats and the stunning Sunda clouded leopard: the area was also previously home to the Sumatran rhino. The area is regarded as one of the best birding spots in Sabah, with six species of pitta alone regularly seen (including the endemic black-crowned and vivid blue-headed) as well as Bornean bristlehead, ground babblers, hornbills, owls, broadbills and many more.
Optional Activities
There is an extensive trail network, a magnificent canopy walkway, river tubing trips, game drives and walks and nocturnal spotlighting.
Overview
The Bunga Raya Resort is a beautiful island retreat situated on Gaya Island not far off the coast from Kota Kinabalu. The private resort borders a stunning white sand beach and offers superb five-star facilities and service but benefits from a peaceful and personal ambience. The resort is ideal for couples and families looking for some relaxing downtime after exploring the rainforests or mountains of the mainland.
The name translates to hibiscus, representing the wide variety of hibiscus flowers found around the resort. Due to its wild situations, guests can see considerable wildlife within the resort, including monitor lizards; bearded pigs; snakes; civets and birdlife.
Accommodation is in elegant, spacious wooden villas fitted with smart furnishings and facilities such as LCD flat screen TV, DVD player, radio, complimentary (except wine) minibar, room safe, free Wi-Fi and air-conditioning. Each villa has a living room, separate bedroom, en suite bathroom and a private balcony, some of which give sea views. Facilities and services at Bunga Raya Resort include 24-hour room service, a large infinity swimming pool, spa, and gym. Activities include kayaking, diving, snorkelling, ziplining and jet skiing.
There is a good choice of dining options available catering for all palates. The Pantai Grill is set right on the beach and specialises in grilled meat and fish for lunch and dinner, while the Koi Restaurant offers a wider range of cuisine and is open all day. The hotel’s underground wine cave contains an extensive selection of fine wines to accompany your meal.
There is a small coral reef nearby offering good snorkelling and island tours and hiking are also available.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
Restaurants, lounge, bar, sauna, gym, swimming pool, 24-hour room service, laundry service, minibar, LCD TV, DVD player, music system, safety deposit box, free Wi-Fi and air-conditioning.
Optional Activities
Snorkelling, diving, kayaking, jet skiing, trail hikes and island tours.
Route Map
Departure Dates
Travel Information
Are International Flights Included?
No. Please contact us for a quote if required.
Flight Info:
Domestic flights included within Borneo.
Best Visited:
March to October
Are you ATOL Registered?
Yes. This means we are legally able to book your international flights in conjunction with your ground arrangements so you can book with us with complete confidence. Read more about our ATOL license here.
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Jonathan Morris
Area Specialist
If you are a diver, consider switching to Sipadan at the end of the tour. This is one of the world’s top ten dive spots with plenty of turtles, sharks, coral gardens and breathtaking wall diving. Stay at the nearby islands of Kapalai or Mabul and visit Sipadan by boat but note that there is a strict limit of 120 divers a day.
If you have any questions regarding this Tour, please feel free to contact me on +44 (0)1803 866965
The tour was excellent. Really well organised at short notice. It was all that we expected. Have already recommended Reef and Rainforest to friends. Danum Valley was the best – close up views of Orangutans, numerous frogs and birds we hadn’t seen before. A monitor lizard in the river by our lodge was about 6 inches long and quite a surprise.