Blanketed in thick tropical rainforest, the Borneo region of Sabah boasts 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, orangutans and diverse birdlife. Commencing in Sandakan, gateway to the jungles of the interior, visit the renowned Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre and the Sun Bear Conservation Centre to learn about two of Borneo’s majestic species. Continue to Kinabatangan River which is home to much of Borneo’s magnificent wildlife including the proboscis monkey and herds of Borneo Pygmy Elephants. Enjoy stays in both Tabin Wildlife Reserve and the Danum Valley, both of which consist of protected, ancient rainforest and diverse wildlife. Finish in Kota Kinabalu where you will take part in a cycling tour of the surrounding countryside and spend time with the Dusun people, an indigenous group that reside in Sabah.
Sepilok – Kinabatangan – Tabin Wildlife Reserve – Danum Valley – Kota Kinabalu
Trip Highlights
- Get up close to the ‘man of the forest’ at the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre
- Kinabatangan River is home to proboscis monkeys and Borneo Pygmy Elephants
- Enjoy a birdwatching walk in search of Tabin’s 300 species of bird, including hornbill
- Explore the tropical rainforest and rivers of the Danum Valley Conservation Area
- Walk the impressive canopy walkway and experience a rainforest night safari by 4WD
- Take a cycling tour through the Borneo countryside and meet local Dusun people
Itinerary
Day 1
Depart the UK
Today depart the UK on the Malaysian Airlines flight non-stop to Kuala Lumpur.
Day 2
Arrive Sandakan
Arrive in Kuala Lumpur and connect to a Malaysian Airlines flight to Sandakan in the northeast of Borneo. En route to your lodge in Sepilok visit the Sandakan Memorial Park to learn about Sabah’s fascinating role in WWII.
Sepilok Nature Lodge
Day 3
Sepilok
This morning visit the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre which houses orphan orangutans. Observe the 10:00 feeding session before heading to the Sun Bear Conservation Centre which aims to increase awareness of this unique bear species – named after the crescent shaped patch of fur on their chest that resembles the rising sun. After lunch at the resort, take a jungle canopy trek at the Rainforest Discovery Centre along the 347m walkway which provides great opportunities for seeing nature, wildlife and fantastic views of the rainforest.
- Breakfast,
- Lunch
Sepilok Nature Lodge
Day 4
Sepilok to Kinabatangan – by boat
This morning transfer to Sandakan Jetty where you will take a two-hour boat journey along the Kinabatangan River and pass local villages and lush rainforest. After lunch and checking in to the lodge take an afternoon river cruise in search of wildlife, most notably the proboscis monkey which is endemic to Borneo. Other fauna which may be spotted includes pygmy elephants, gibbons, hornbills and other birds. This evening take a stroll along the lodge’s boardwalk in the hope of seeing nocturnal animals and insects.
- Breakfast,
- Lunch,
- Dinner
Kinabatangan Wetlands Resort
Day 5
Kinabatangan
Waking up early to the sound of gibbon and hornbill, take another cruise along the Kinabatangan River to Kelenanap Oxbow Lake. The stillness of the lake and relative protection provides a great opportunity for birdwatching and wildlife viewing. Continue to visit the local fishing village of Kampung Abai where you can interact with the Orang Sungai indigenous group and observe their daily activities. Later in the afternoon take another cruise in search of the river’s primate species, this is the best time of day to view them as they are at their most active.
- Breakfast,
- Lunch,
- Dinner
Kinabatangan Wetlands Resort
Day 6
Kinabatangan to Tabin Wildlife Reserve – by boat and 4WD
This morning take a one hour boat journey to Sukau Jetty for overland transportation to Lahad Datau before switching to a 4WD for the transfer to Tabin Wildlife Reserve. Upon arrival check into your charming wooden cottage and enjoy time at leisure to freshen up. In the afternoon take a short trek through the jungle to Tabin’s mineral rich mud volcano and in the evening head out for a nature walk under the star-studded sky.
- Breakfast,
- Lunch,
- Dinner
Tabin Wildlife Resort
Day 7
Tabin Wildlife Reserve
Early this morning take a birdwatching walk in search of some of Tabin’s 300 species of bird, including all eight of Sabah’s hornbill species. After breakfast drive to a bird watch tower before taking a short trek through the lush green rainforest to Lipad Waterfall. Take a dip in the refreshing waters and enjoy the rich diversity of flora and fauna that the jungle offers. Spend the afternoon at leisure at the lodge enjoying the spectacular surroundings before taking a night walk in search of sleeping frogs and other nocturnal wildlife.
- Breakfast,
- Lunch,
- Dinner
Tabin Wildlife Resort
Day 8
Tabin Wildlife Reserve to Danum Valley – by road
This morning return to Lahad Datu before heading on a 4WD drive to Danum Valley, the last two hours are likely to be bumpy. 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. This afternoon take a hike along the 130-metre-tall and 300-metre-long canopy walkway. From this vantage point, experience the magical hum of jungle sounds below which have been resonating through this rainforest for some 130 million years. After dinner board an open-top 4WD vehicle for a night time wildlife tour in search of nocturnal animals that inhabit the reserve including civet cats, sambar deer, frogs and leopards.
- Breakfast,
- Lunch,
- Dinner
Borneo Rainforest Lodge
Day 9
Danum Valley
Awake to a morning chorus of birds and primates. Today visit a 200-year old Kadazandusun Burial Site which spans along a 2.6km viewpoint trail. At the end of the walk you will be rewarded with spectacular views over the ancient jungle. En route back to the lodge stop at a rainforest waterfall. Spend the afternoon at your leisure where you can take advantage of the resort’s activities including jungle walks, birdwatching and night safaris.
- Breakfast,
- Lunch,
- Dinner
Borneo Rainforest Lodge
Day 10
Danum Valley to Kota Kinabalu – by air
After lunch return by road to Lahad Datu and fly 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.
- Breakfast,
- Lunch
Grandis Hotel & Resort
Day 11
Kota Kinabalu
Escape from the city today as you travel into the Borneo countryside to the region of Kiulu for a cycling tour. Pedal through quaint trails passing rice paddies and small villages and travel over hanging suspension bridges offering fantastic views. Stop at a local house inhabited by Dusun people as you enjoy a traditional snack and learn about their culture and way of life before visiting a rubber plantation. This evening you may opt to take a food walking tour to discover and sample the delicacies of Sabah, watch the sunset over the waterfront and enjoy a seafood dinner by the sea.
- Breakfast,
- Lunch
Grandis Hotel & Resort
Day 12
Kota Kinabalu to the UK
Fly back to Kuala Lumpur from Kota Kinabalu before connecting onto the Malaysian Airlines flight non-stop to the UK.
- Breakfast
Extending your stay...
Gaya Island, the largest isle in the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park, is home to crystal clear waters, white sandy beaches and lush tropical forest. Take a snorkelling trip to discover the colourful underwater world and enjoy relaxing in resort.
Continue your journey to Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo’s other region. Explore the world’s largest limestone cave system in Mulu National Park, observe rare proboscis monkeys in Bako National Park and visit the traditional longhouses and tribes of a village close to Kuching.
Add a stay in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia’s vibrant capital that boasts a melting-pot of culture, religion and art and offers an excellent food scene. Scale the Petronas Towers for spectacular viewpoints of the city, visit bustling China Town and explore the colourful temples.
Guide to Price
12 days from £5890 - £6390 per person
What's Included
- International and domestic flights
- Private car and driver
- Sightseeing with accompanying English speaking guide
- Hotel accommodation and taxes
What's Not Included
- Visas
- Travel Insurance
- Expenses of a personal nature
- Meals unless specified
from £5890 - £6390
Travel Information
Getting there
There are regular direct flights to Malaysia's capital Kuala Lumpur from the UK with both Malaysia Airlines and British Airways. Emirates, Qatar Airways, Oman Air, Turkish Airlines, Thai Airways and Singapore Airlines all offer indirect flights via their respective hubs.
Flying times from UK
A direct flight from London to Kuala Lumpur takes between 12 and 14 hours. The total length of travel time for an indirect flight depends on the airline and the route you take.
Time zone
Malaysia is +8 hours ahead of GMT.
Visa requirements
If you are a British national you do not need a visa to visit Malaysia and on arrival in the country will be given permission to stay for three months. If you plan to stay for longer than three months a visa must be obtained in advance of your arrival. You should also ensure that your passport is valid for a minimum of six months from the date you arrive in Malaysia.
Do’s and don’ts
In Malaysia the head is the most sacred part of the body. You should only touch another person’s head if you know them very well and are certain they will not take offence. This includes children.
Avoid pointing at anything or anyone with your feet, or indeed resting them on a table. This is very disrespectful. It is also considered rude to point with your index finger, particularly if you are pointing at another person. Instead, use your thumb on your right hand.
Malaysia is a Muslim country and although western clothing is common in Kuala Lumpur and at some beaches you still need to be appropriately covered to visit a mosque. Some mosques will have long sleeved clothes for you to borrow.
Most Malaysians are very friendly and welcoming but you can avoid staring by covering your chest, arms and legs, especially if you are a woman.
Money
The currency in Malaysia is the Malaysia Ringgit (RM) and is divided into sen. Notes come in 100, 50, 10, 5 and 1 Ringgits and coins are in denominations of 50, 20, 10, 5 and 1 sen. Pound Sterling and US Dollars are widely accepted throughout Malaysia and both are easy to exchange with facilities to do this at airports, authorised dealers and hotels. If in remote areas it may be harder to exchange money so it is better to carry local currency with you. All major credit cards are accepted in Malaysia and ATM machines are widespread although in rural areas it is still better to carry Ringgits should a card not be accepted or an ATM not working.
Tipping
In Malaysia, tipping is not generally expected. Normally when you go to a restaurant, a service charge of 10% will be added to your bill, however, it is common practice to tip service staff in a bar. A guideline for tipping your drivers and guides will be advised prior to travel.
Food and drink
A fusion of three of the world’s most loved cuisines – Chinese, Indian and Malay – the food in Malaysia is truly exceptional. The national dish of Malaysia is called 'Nasi lemak' and is rice steamed with coconut milk, served alongside dried anchovies, peanuts and eggs. Nasi lemak can be found all over the country. Another favourite is 'Nasi goreng', a Malay-style fried rice, which is very popular and commonly found being served at street stalls and night markets. In Malaysia Chinese food is normally eaten with chopsticks whilst Indian and Malay food is eaten with the fingers or knife and fork. Beer, wine and spirits and found throughout the country and locally brewed beers such as Tiger and Anchor are very popular. In tribal areas of Borneo look out for a traditional rice wine called tuak.
Accommodation
As one of Asia’s most developed countries, Malaysia has a huge range of accommodation from smaller boutique hotels to historic properties and luxurious five star resorts. The vast majority of the accommodation on the peninsula is of a very high standard and there are some excellent heritage hotels. On Borneo accommodation tends to be more rustic in nature with a focus on eco-lodges, rainforest retreats and traditional style accommodation. With the exception of Kuala Lumpur where there are plenty of hotel options, accommodation in smaller towns and remote locations often needs to be booked well in advance, especially if planning to travel during peak times or key holidays such as Chinese New Year.
Shopping
Aside from Rough Guides, Lonely Planet and Bradt, a good place to start is with Janet Tay and Eric Forbes' ‘Urban Odysseys’ – a collection of short stories detailing everyday life in Kuala Lumpur. For a more holistic look at the country, try Farish A Noor's ‘Searching for the Other Malaysia’ which journeys around the country covering everywhere from Majapahit to Putrajay. For a history of the country try ‘A Short History of Malaysia’, by Virginia Matheson Hooker or ‘Malayan Spymaster: Memoirs of a Rubber Planter, Bandit Fighter and Spy’, by Boris Hembry.
Health
Your doctor is the best person to advise you on staying healthy whilst abroad but current recommended vaccinations are Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Tetanus and Diphtheria. Yellow Fever is compulsory, but only if you have visited an affected Yellow Fever area within 5 days prior to your arrival. In some instances anti-malarial tablets may also be needed. For current information on health advice you may wish to visit the Medical Advisory Services for Travellers Abroad (MASTA) Web Site on www.masta.org. The NHS ‘Fit for Travel’ website (http://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/home.aspx) is also a useful resource.
Travel advice
For current information on Malaysia the best resource is the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice) which is a comprehensive resource and updated regularly. We would also recommend visiting the Safer Tourism Foundation website (https://safertourism.org.uk/) before you travel and will be happy to address any questions or concerns you may have.
Looking for something more bespoke?
Our Malaysia travel consultants can help you create your perfect trip
- Experts in tailor-made holidays
- Honest pricing with no hidden extras
- ABTA and ATOL protected
Getting to know you
A crucial part of our process, discuss your plans with us either by phone, video or in person.
Helping you to design your trip
Entirely tailor-made, there is complete flexibility to incorporate all your requirements.
On-hand support, when you need it
Our team are on hand to answer any questions and ensure you are fully ready, and excited, for your trip.
Full confidence whilst you are away
Enjoy full support from our UK team and trusted local partners throughout your journey.
We’re pleased to confirm that Pettitts Travel will not apply any surcharges to our package holidays when we are operating as a tour operator, regardless of changes in global costs. The price you agree at the time of booking is the price you will pay, a commitment we have proudly upheld for the past 38 years.
