North Borneo

North Borneo

11 days from £4490 per person

Blanketed in thick tropical rainforest, the northern regions of Borneo have a rich biodiversity which is almost unparalleled. The breadth of flora and fauna is truly staggering with over two thousand types of trees which create a habitat that is a home to gibbons, hornbills, orang-utans and diverse birdlife. Commencing in Kota Kinabalu, explore Kinabalu Park before flying to Sandakan - gateway to the jungles of the interior. Four nights will be spent in the rainforest – two in Sukau and two in the Danum Valley – before ending the tour relaxing at the Gaya Island Resort.

Route: Kota Kinabalu – Sukau – Lahad Datu – Gaya Island

Itinerary Highlights

Borneo is known throughout the world for its association with orang-utan and the Sepilok Orang-utan Rehabilitation Centre provides a special introduction to the ‘man of the forest’.

The Kinabatangan River is home to much of Borneo’s magnificent wildlife. In their natural habitat, proboscis monkey, orang-utan and herds of Borneo Pygmy Elephants thrive.

The tropical rainforest and rivers of the Danum Valley Conservation Area supports the rare east Sumatran rhinoceros, orang-utan, gibbon, leopard and hundreds of bird species.

Itinerary: North Borneo

Day 1 Depart UK

Today depart the UK on the Malaysian Airlines flight non-stop to Kuala Lumpur. (N)

Day 2 Arrive Kuala Lumpur/ Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu – by air

Arrive in Kuala Lumpur and connect to a Malaysian Airlines flight to Kota Kinabalu. Kota Kinabalu is the gateway to the spectacular Kinabalu National Park. Dominated by the 4000m peak of Mt Kinabalu, the reserve is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Malaysia’s oldest protected areas. (N)

Accommodation in Kota Kinabalu: Shangri-La Tanjung Aru Resort

Alternative option: Shangri-La Rasa Ria Resort

Day 3 Kinabalu National Park

Today visit one of the most biologically diverse areas on earth, Kinabalu National Park with your guide. The reserve has four different climatic zones and forest environments ranging from coniferous to tropical, and supports a vast variety of plants and animals. The park is home to the world’s largest flower - rafflesia – and over 1000 species of orchid have been recorded. Kinabalu National Park also houses the wonderful orang-utan, lemur, wild pig, tarsier and slow loris as well as over 250 different species of bird. (B/L)
Accommodation in Kota Kinabalu: Shangri-La Tanjung Aru Resort

Alternative option: Shangri-La Rasa Ria Resort

Day 4 Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan – by air/ Sandakan to Sukau– by boat

Today fly to Sandakan in the north east of Borneo. Visit the Sepilok Orang-utan Rehabilitation Centre which houses orphan orang-utans. After visiting the centre, relax on the two-hour ferry journey along the Kinabatangan River which offers the opportunity to view birds and wildlife in their mangrove, wetland and rainforest habitat. Return to Sandakan where you will stay for the evening. (B/L/D)
Accommodation in Sukau: Sukau Rainforest Lodge

Day 5 Sukau

Waking up early to the sound of gibbon and hornbill, cruise the Kinabatangan River to Kelenanap, location of an oxbow lake, to bird-watch and view wildlife including proboscis monkey, orang-utan and, if lucky, the rare Borneo pygmy elephant. After returning for breakfast, meet the lodge naturalist, learn about the iconic hornbill or visit the Kinabatangan Wildlife Corridor Regeneration Program. In the afternoon take a further river cruise in search of more wildlife. (B/L/D)

Accommodation in Sukau: Sukau Rainforest Lodge

Day 6 Sukau to Lahad Datu – 140kms

This morning drive to Lahad Datu – the gateway to the Danum Valley situated in the far north east of Sabah. The Danum Valley Conservation Area is a remote area of protected tropical rainforest and with no permanent human settlement the undisturbed area supports an almost unrivalled diversity of tropical plants and animals. (B/L/D)
Accommodation in Lahad Datu: Borneo Rainforest Lodge

Day 7 Danum Valley

Today you can explore the Danum Valley at your leisure. And the Borneo Rainforest Lodge provide all activities. Explore the area on a jungle walk, go bird-watching, enjoy a night safari or uncover the canopy walkway. The conservation area is home to orang-utan, gibbon, mouse-deer, tarsier and clouded leopard. There have also been reports of Bornean rhinoceros and Borneo pygmy elephant – both of which are extremely rare. (B/L/D)
Accommodation in Lahad Datu: Borneo Rainforest Lodge

Day 8 Lahad Datu to Kota Kinabalu – by air/ Kota Kinabalu to Gaya Island – by boat

After breakfast return by road to Lahad Datu and fly to Kota Kinabalu. On arrival take a 15 minute speed-boat ride to Gaya Island. Located within the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, the crystal-clear waters of Gaya Island offer some of the finest snorkelling in the world. Active marine conservation also takes place here with a focus on the native turtle population. (B)

Accommodation in Gaya Island: Gaya Island Resort (or similar)

Days 9 - 10 Gaya Island

At leisure to relax and enjoy the hotel and island. (B)

Accommodation in Gaya Island: Gaya Island Resort (or similar)

Day 11 Gaya Island to Kota Kinabalu – by boat/ Kota Kinabalu to the UK via Kuala Lumpur

Return by boat to Kota Kinabalu and fly back to Kuala Lumpur. On arrival connect onto the Malaysian Airlines flight non-stop to the UK. (B)

**KEY: N = No meals, B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner

What's included

International flights from the UK
Domestic flights
Private car and driver
Sightseeing with local English speaking guides
Wildlife viewing with local naturalist
Hotel accommodation and taxes

What's not included

Cost of visas
Travel Insurance
Expenses of a personal nature

Guide to Price

The above price is based on two people travelling together and sharing accommodation in low season. The price is only a guide and can vary according to selected airlines, hotels and date of travel. If you wish to travel with your family, friends or on your own we will be very happy to assist you with your arrangements.