Overview
Orangutans, pygmy elephants, proboscis monkeys, sun bears—Borneo’s extraordinary wildlife is just as fascinating as its emerald-green rainforests. At Sepilok Forest Reserve, we walk among free-roaming orangutans, and from our eco-lodge on the jungle-draped Kinabatangan River, we boat at dawn and dusk in search of primates and pygmy elephants along the jungled banks. In the lowland forests of Tabin, we’ll look for flying squirrels, Asian palm civets, Malayan civets, and pig-tailed macaques. Our grand finale is the ancient wilderness of the stunning Danum Valley, with its incredible diversity of endemic animals in towering treetop canopies. Join us to discover one of the most biodiverse places on the planet!
Many aspects of this trip were magical, especially the time in the Danum valley and the river based lodge. The wildlife is wonderful and the guides very knowledgeable. It is a fragile corner of the world and well worth seeing
— Cindy M., New York, NY
Itinerary at a Glance
Days 1-2
Kota Kinabalu / Sepilok Forest Reserve
From Kota Kinabalu, we head to Sepilok Forest Reserve to track the orangutans as they arrive for their morning feeding. Sepilok was founded in 1964 to rehabilitate orphaned orangutans and today has around 60 to 80 orangutans living free in the reserve. We walk among the orangutans, cross a treetop canopy to watch sunset, and have a private visit to the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre, a sanctuary for the world’s smallest bears.
Days 3-6
Kinabatangan Wetlands / Tabin Wildlife Reserve
Winding down the Kinabatangan River by boat at dawn and dusk, we look for baby-faced pygmy elephants and tree-dwelling creatures along the banks. Ten primate species inhabit the Kinabatangan area, most of them endemic to Borneo. In Tabin Wildlife Reserve, we meet with local scientists and a member of the Borneo Rhino Alliance to learn about conservation efforts for the endangered Sumatran rhino.
Days 7-11
Danum Valley Conservation Area
The remote Danum Valley, one of the world’s most pristine rainforests, has off-the-charts biodiversity. Rare mammal species here include the Sumatran rhino, clouded leopard, mousedeer, gibbon, and maroon-leaf langur. We set out on early morning canopy walks, watching the sun paint its colors over the jungle, hike to an ancient burial site, and enjoy night drives in search of flying squirrels and mammals on the hunt. Depart on Day 11 via Kota Kinabalu.
Wildlife Adventures in Borneo
Highlights
Highlights
Details
Easy nature walks and light hikes in a hot and humid climate, river excursions by speedboat and longboat
