Meals: Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel Perkasa

You'll arrive in Kota Kinabalu from Kuala Lumpur this morning. When you arrive, drive to Kinabalu National Park; it's about a 2-3 hour drive.

Settle into a comfortable hotel near the park before your afternoon birdwatching tour.

We'll take it easy today to adjust to the altitude and weather.

The mountain is home to 24 bird species, with the Bornean spiderhunter being unique to the region.

Keep an eye out for common local birds like the Mountain Serpent Eagle, Mountain Leaf-warbler, Borneo Treepie, and Sunda Laughingthrush.

Showcasing one of the world's richest biodiversity collections, Kinabalu Park's four climatic zones support over 4,500 flora and fauna species, including 326 bird species, an estimated 100 mammal species, over 110 land snail species, and its star attraction, Mount Kinabalu. Among the sights is the breathtaking rafflesia, one of the world's largest flowers, with giant red blooms that can measure up to 170 centimeters across. The park's diverse flora features more than 800 orchid and 500 fern species, as well as the world's largest collection of Nepenthes pitcher plants. The birds include the rhinoceros hornbill, mountain serpent-eagle, Dulit frogmouth, eyebrowed jungle flycatcher, and pale-faced bulbul. Twenty-four bird species, including the Bornean spiderhunter, a pure endemic, primarily inhabit the mountain.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel Perkasa

We will spend the next two days taking long and easy walks along the road in the park and following some trails from time to time.

In between, we'll find time to head back to the hotel for lunch.

These 2 days will involve exploring the park. The many trails offer abundant chances to see fascinating wildlife. This high-altitude forest, draped in moss and lichen, is a stark contrast to the lowland rainforest you'll see later; it's a unique habitat for many special species.

Although some trails might be challenging with uneven terrain and narrow tracks, our walks will mostly be on roads, providing a delightful and fulfilling journey through this special and diverse landscape.

We're going to hike the great trail system that winds through the misty evergreen forest in the mountains. Woodland mixed-feeding flocks include common birds like Chestnut-hooded Laughingthrushes, Chestnut-crested Yuhinas, Mountain Leaf-warblers, Yellow-breasted Warblers, White-throated Fantails, Grey-throated Babblers, Black-capped White-eyes, Temminck's Sunbirds, Ashy and Hair-crested Drongos, Black and Crimson Orioles, and Bornean Green Magpies.

Your search will also include some rare birds, such as the Crimson-headed Partridge, Temminck's Babbler, Black-breasted Fruithunter, Eyebrowed Jungle Flycatcher, Bornean Stubtail, Whitehead's Trogon, Spiderhunter, and Broadbill.

Consider focusing on some of Borneo's 18 endemic bird species, including the striking Mountain Black Eye, Mountain Blackbird, Bornean Treepie, Kinabalu Serpent Eagle, Red-breasted Wood Partridge, Bornean Mountain Whistler, Orange-headed Thrush, Everett's Thrush, and Eyebrowed Thrush.

Kinabalu's diverse habitats, from lowland forests to alpine meadows, are a result of its varying altitude and climate; the summit features stunted bushes and bare rock. Himalayan, Australasian, and Indo-Malayan plants are found here.

Showcasing four distinct climatic zones, Kinabalu Park is renowned for its exceptional biodiversity, safeguarding over 4,500 flora and fauna species, including 326 bird species, approximately 100 mammals, over 110 land snails, and its iconic Mount Kinabalu. Among the sights is the breathtaking rafflesia, one of the world’s largest flowers, with enormous red blooms that can reach 170 centimeters across. Over 800 orchid species and 500 fern species thrive in the park, along with the world's richest collection of pitcher plants (Nepenthes), showcasing its exceptional biodiversity. The birds are the wreathed hornbill, eyebrowed jungle flycatcher, and pale-faced bulbul.

Many mammals inhabit these mountains, but they mostly stay high in the trees, making sightings rare. This group of difficult-to-spot animals contains squirrels, weasels, deer, and shrews. The black shrew, Bornean ferret-badger, and Whitehead's pygmy squirrel are among the endemic species that call Kinabalu home.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Borneo Sepilok Rainforest Resort

Following breakfast, you'll have a six-hour journey to Sepilok before checking into your lodging.

Sepilok is one of the most important rainforest reserves. The reserve houses both an orangutan rehabilitation center and a sun bear rescue center. The Rainforest Discovery Center makes up the rest of the reserve. A variety of birds and small mammals, such as tarsiers, langurs, and orangutans, inhabit the forest.

After rehabilitation, the Sabah Wildlife Department returned the orangutans to their natural habitat.

Keep in mind that some are semi-wild and behave more erratically than truly wild orangutans. Since this isn't a zoo, they're free to wander.

This afternoon, we'll birdwatch in Sepilok Forest Reserve, hoping to spot Bornean Bristleheads, Black-crowned Pittas, White-crowned Shamas, and Broadbills.

As dusk settles, we'll revisit the canopy walkway to see the Red Giant Flying Squirrels emerge. Special nest boxes have been installed to help the squirrels in their habitat.

An optional night walk in the forest is available for those interested. Tonight's walk lets you see the area's abundant nocturnal wildlife. If you're lucky, you could see a Collared Scops Owl or an Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher in its roost. Look out for nocturnal animals such as the red giant flying squirrel, reptiles, amphibians, and other fascinating mammals. This is an adventure you shouldn't miss!

We'll have dinner later, followed by a briefing on our exciting adventure.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Borneo Sepilok Rainforest Resort

Morning birding around the lodge.

Your morning will continue with a visit to the Orangutan Center and the Sun Bear rehabilitation facility. Witnessing the close interaction between primates and humans is thrilling. Pig-tailed and long-tailed macaques will be very active, while orangutans gather fruit.

Now is a great time for many photos.

This afternoon, we're going to the Rainforest Discovery Centre to explore the Sepilok lowland rainforest.

We'll prioritize birdwatching and mammal watching.

Our main birdwatching targets include the Bornean Bristlehead, Blue-headed Pitta, Rufous-collared Kingfisher, various hornbills, and other exciting species.

This area occasionally has orangutans, squirrels, and tree shrews, so watch out for them. While searching for wildlife, we might see Copper-throated Sunbirds, Blue-eared barbets, and Rhinoceros Hornbills.

After dinner back at the lodge, those interested can take a night walk to look for nocturnal animals. This enchanting experience may offer sightings of nocturnal animals such as the colugo and slow loris, if you keep a close watch.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Borneo Natural Sukau Bilit Resort

We're leaving at 6:00 AM to arrive at the famous Gomantong Caves in two hours to see the bats and swiftlets that make edible nests.

We have planned an hour's walk in the reserve, with optional cave exploration. Take your time to appreciate the beauty of these amazing caves.

These caves soar to heights exceeding 100 meters, sheltering millions of bats and, at certain times of the year, swiftlets. Local tribal people visit every three to four months, spending a week collecting nests used in Chinese bird's nest soup. Their terrifying and incredible ascent to these high caves is achieved using precarious, homemade ropes and bamboo ladders.

Explore the rainforest by the cave entrance, looking for wildlife like the Blue-headed Pitta, Wreathed or Bushy-crested Hornbill, red-leaf monkeys, or even orangutans.

Note: Gomantong Caves may close sometimes due to damage to the boardwalk there.

You will continue for another 3o minutes to the Kinabatangan River.

One of the world's richest ecosystems thrives along the powerful Lower Kinabatangan River. It's also Sabah's first and Malaysia's largest RAMSAR site.

Besides harboring Borneo’s orangutans and proboscis monkeys, this forest is one of only two global habitats for ten primate species.

Stretching 560 kilometers from its source in southwest Sabah to the Sulu Sea, this river is the second longest in Malaysia.

This rich environment offers opportunities to see orangutans and other elusive mammals. This area is also an excellent place to see troops of proboscis monkeys, the endemic primates that feed in the riverside trees.

Boat-based birding in the Kinabatangan offers a delightful way to see diverse bird species. Look out for kingfishers, raptors, and many hornbills.

Keep an eye out for special birds such as the Black-and-yellow Broadbill, Changeable Hawk Eagle, various hornbills (Wreathed, Wrinkled, Asian Black, and White-crowned), and the rare Storm's Stork. We hope to see Stork-billed, Collared, and Blue-eared Kingfishers on our birdwatching trip.

If you like, you can take an optional boat trip in the evening. During this nighttime adventure, you can see birds roosting along the river or perhaps catch sight of a buffy owl in flight. Witnessing slow lorises, western tarsiers, civets, and mouse deer at night will create an unforgettable experience.

Note: All night boat rides and night walks are optional. Sometimes these boat rides may not be available and from the safety point of view.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Borneo Natural Sukau Bilit Resort

Enjoy the breathtaking sunrise from a Kinabatangan River cruise in the early morning.

This peaceful journey offers sightings of many birds, including the endangered Storm's Stork, a common sight here. You might also see White-fronted Falconets, Wallace's Hawk-eagles, White-bellied Sea Eagles, and Lesser Fish Eagles.

You might also spot a variety of birds, including the Bornean Ground Cuckoo, several Pitta species (possibly even the rare Giant Pitta), Diard's Trogon, several kingfisher species, a Moustached Hawk-cuckoo, a Bat Hawk, a Buffy Fish Owl, a Whiskered Treeswift, four types of Malkoha, and all eight Hornbill species.

You might also spot pygmy elephants along the Kinabatangan River, our expert guides will let you know if there's a herd nearby. Following your magical river trip, unwind at the lodge or explore the grounds teeming with birds visible right from the lodge.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Tabin Wildlife Resort

After breakfast, you will drive 4 hours to Tabin Wildlife Reserve.

Tabin's diverse terrain encompasses swamps and mountains, with Mount Hatton, at 571 meters, being the highest peak.

Rugged mountains, deep ravines, and steep river valleys characterize the central, western, and southern parts of the reserve. This area of the reserve boasts over 15 peaks exceeding 500 meters. There are also at least 30 peaks measuring between 300 and 500 meters tall.

You'll have a personal guide, so the schedule is very flexible. Numerous trails and roads offer excellent birdwatching opportunities.

This prime birding spot boasts over 250 species; you might even see 50 or more in a day, including several unique Borneo birds.

Tabin offers a wide variety of exciting bird-watching opportunities. Look out for the spectacular Great Argus and Crested Fireback pheasants, along with various pigeons including the Large Green, Thick-billed, and Little Green pigeons, and stunning birds such as Blue-headed and Black-headed pittas, leafbirds, hornbills, malkohas, and trogons. Keep an eye out for diverse birdlife, including Brown Wood Owls, Great Slaty, Crimson-winged, and Olive-backed Woodpeckers, Blue-banded Kingfishers, White-fronted Falconets, and various spiderhunters, sunbirds, bulbuls, and babblers.

The reserve's mammals are also part of its rich biodiversity. You might be lucky enough to see Bornean Gibbons, orangutans, and pygmy elephants.

Take a night safari after dinner to see nocturnal animals and birds. Tabin's night drives are exceptionally rewarding, as you might spot various nocturnal animals. Nocturnal explorations frequently reveal leopard cats and civets—Malay, Island Palm, and Bornean-striped. Look out for black giant flying squirrels and slow lorises. Although uncommon, people have spotted the Sunda clouded leopard in this region. Keep an eye out for Buffy Fish Owls—and if you're lucky, you might spot Barred Eagle Owls, Brown Wood Owls, and Sunda Frogmouths.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Tabin Wildlife Resort

While birdwatching at the lodge in the morning, listen for the enchanting calls of the nearby North Bornean gibbons. A fruit-laden fig tree will provide excellent armchair birdwatching, as it attracts many birds and mammals.

These remarkable animals are very social and have impressive vocalizations at dawn. Look out for the magnificent Great Slaty and stunning Crimson-winged Woodpeckers at Tabin wildlife sanctuary, home to 15 woodpecker species. Keep an eye out for White-crowned Shamas, and Banded Kingfisher around the lodge.

A diverse array of remarkable birds awaits discovery along the 10km dirt road leading to the primary rainforest.

In the afternoon, explore the central area by four-wheel drive for more birdwatching. Listen carefully for the rare Helmeted Hornbill while driving your four-wheel-drive vehicle into the park's interior; Tabin is home to all eight Bornean hornbill species. Dusky Munias frequently flit through the grass, alongside many other birds, including the striking Black-crowned Pitta.

Consider observing Thick-billed, Long-billed, and Grey-breasted Spiderhunters, as well as Plain and Purple-throated Sunbirds, and Red-naped and Scarlet-rumped Trogons.

Expect to see raptors such as the Changeable Hawk-eagle, Crested Goshawk, and the White-fronted Falconet—the world's smallest raptor and a local species. There is a lot of wildlife diversity in the area.

This afternoon's drive after lunch should offer exciting wildlife viewing. We'll drive into the night to look for nocturnal animals like squirrels, civets, and owls.

Spotlights illuminate the night as our guide searches for fascinating mammals and birds, making for an exciting drive.

Pygmy elephants are a common sight in Tabin, and you're likely to encounter them during your exploration of the reserve. This amazing location boasts such a diverse bird population you'll want to see them all

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Borneo Rainforest Lodge

Following an early morning meal, your birding excursion will commence along the path toward the park's interior. Take a break and check out the birdwatching tower. The regenerated forest, with its lower canopy and abundant sunlight, makes for excellent birdwatching.

We'll depart from Tabin at 10 a.m., with a three-hour journey to the lodge. A vehicle change and lunch stop in Lahad Datu are planned.

The vast 438,000-hectare lowland forest reserve shows little evidence of permanent human settlement or hunting since becoming a research center. Danum boasts an amazing diversity of flora and fauna. Plant and animal life are equally abundant, with over 200 plant species per hectare. Researchers discovered a 100-meter-tall tree, the world's tallest tropical tree, in 2019.

Your itinerary is very flexible. Danum offers a variety of trails, so your days will comprise a lot of exploring.

Borneo's premier wildlife destination, Danum Valley, is home to all ten of Sabah's primate species. Besides its diverse primate population, this river valley is home to rare animals including Bornean pygmy elephants, banteng, clouded leopards, marbled and flat-headed cats, and the elusive Malay sun bear.

You might also see common animals such as mouse-deer and the Bornean yellow and red muntjacs, as well as sambar deer. You might spot hornbills, barbets, broadbills—even the endemic Bornean bristlehead—while walking or driving at night.

Embark on a nighttime adventure; a Borneo safari revealing the mysteries of its nocturnal creatures. You might see orangutans more easily when the durian trees are fruiting.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Borneo Rainforest Lodge

Your guide will adjust your itinerary daily, considering your energy levels and the specific animals you're tracking.

The lodge provides easy access to most parts of the valley via its many well-maintained trails through the forest and along the river. This setup lets you take stunning photos of the forest's flora and fauna.

Early mornings are the best time to experience the canopy walkway's unique perspective. The treetops offer a stunning vista of the forest, where you can observe diverse birdlife, including hornbills, barbets, broadbills, and the remarkable Bornean bristlehead. You might also see orangutans and red-leaf monkeys.

We can expect to see Borneo's eight hornbill species, the crested fireback, and other birds. In addition to the birds, we expect to see Bornean gibbons, western tarsiers, and red giant flying squirrels.

Keep a close watch for greater mouse-deer, giant flying squirrels, and colugos at night. A nighttime adventure promises excitement, with chances of spotting slow lorises and western tarsiers. This region boasts a thriving frog population, and with a bit of luck, you might spot a rare Wallace's flying frog. Although the Bornean horned frog has a unique honk, spotting one can be challenging.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: on own/none

This morning, check out and drive to Lahad Datu (3 hours away) to catch your connecting flight home from Kuala Lumpur.

Our tour ends.