Borneo’s Wildlife

— Sabah Rainforest Adventure

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Highlights

Visiting one of the oldest and most pristine rainforest areas on the planet including the legendary Danum Valley

Encounters with Orangutan, Bornean Gibbons, Proboscis Monkeys and Western Tarsiers
Looking for many of Borneo’s endemic birds including Whitehead’s Broadbill and Spiderhunter, Bornean Barbet, Bornean Banded Pitta, Bornean Whistling Thrush and the bizarre Bristlehead
Experiencing the monumental diversity of invertebrate life that includes Lantern Bugs, Violin and Trilobite Beetles and Atlas Moths
Searching for Rafflesia, the largest flower on the planet
Multiple boat trips exploring the mighty Kinabatangan River
Witnessing the exodus of millions of bats from their roosting cave
Delving into the extreme biodiversity of Mount Kinabalu including Giant Moss and a number of carnivorous plants
Three guides: expert husband & wife team, Rachael & Dan Brown plus a local guide

Mount Kinabalu is a centre for extreme biodiversity

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Overview

Borneo is the third largest island in the world and one of the most biodiverse places on the planet. This tour takes in the very best of Sabah, the northern-most, Malaysian governed region of the island visiting four areas of mind-bogglingly rich tropical habitats from Mount Kinabalu to the Kinabatangan River and finishing in the world renowned Danum Valley.

If you want an immersive rainforest experience this is for you with and with Dan and Rachael leading together with a local guide you are bound to experience the full spectrum of remarkable wildlife from Borneo’s most charismatic species such as Orangutan, Bornean Gibbon, Proboscis Monkey, Western Tarsier, Giant flying Squirrels, Bornean Pygmy Elephant, Helmeted Hornbill, Bornean Banded Pitta, multiple Broadbills, Pittas, Woodpeckers (including Great Slaty) and Barbets, Rafflesia, Pitcher plants, Giant Moss, filmy ferns, a multitude of orchids and an indescribable number of invertebrates, reptiles and amphibians such as Lantern Bugs, Trilobite Beetles, Pit Vipers, Monitor Lizards, Bent-toed Geckos and much, much more. The whole tour is based out of very comfortable and perfectly placed accommodation throughout giving us the best possible chances of encountering not only the above but a chance of enigmatic species like Sunda Clouded Leopard, Flat-headed Cat, Sunda Pangolin and even Giant Pitta. Our explorations will be a combination of walking forest trails, boat trips along the Kinabatangan (day and night), night drives and all to maximise our wildlife encounters.

With both Rachael & Dan as leaders, in addition to a local guide, you get the best leader to guest ratio around and triple the knowledge.

Itinerary

Arrive in Kota Kinabalu and transfer to the hotel from where our tour will start. Night Kota Kinabalu.

Day 1:

After breakfast we will drive up to Mount Kinabalu and start exploring the network of trails that crisscross this incredible mountain flank. Night Mount Kinabalu.

Day 2:

We will explore the trails around the mid-elevation slopes of Mount Kinabalu, one of the most biodiverse sites on the planet. There are more species of fern on this one mountain than in the whole of Africa. We hope to encounter many of the endemic species such as Whitehead’s Broadbill, Bornean Whistling Thrush, Bornean Treepie, Mountain Serpent Eagle and Whitehead’s Spiderhunter. There will be time to enjoy the botanic garden where Raja Brooke’s Birdwings cruise by a plethora of Pitcher Plants. After dusk we will take a walk to look for Bent-toed Gecko’s and a plethora of amphibians. Night Mount Kinabalu.

Day 3:

Today we will depart Mount Kinabalu and head to Poring where we will look for the remarkable Rafflesia, the world’s largest flower as well as a variety of birds and even species like Whitehead’s Pygmy Squirrel. Later we will continue our journey to Sepilok. Night Sepilok.

Day 4:

This superb lowland forest area is a great place to encounter one of Borneo’s most charismatic species, Orangutan. Here our comfortable base allows us to visit a couple of sites including the Rainforest Discovery Centre, the Orangutan Centre and the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre. The former brims with life and we hope to encounter Orangutan, Western Tarsier, Great Slaty Woodpecker, Rhinoceros Hornbill, Maroon Langur, Lantern Bugs, Giant Flying Squirrels and a great variety of Trogons, Broadbills and Pittas. The birding highlight could be an encounter with the bizarre Bristlehead, yet another Bornean endemic and amongst the reptiles we stand a good chance of finding Bornean Keeled Pit Viper. Nights Sepilok.

Days 5-6:

After a morning back at the Rainforest Discovery Centre we will relocate south to the mighty Kinabatangan River where over the next couple of days we will take multiple boat journeys to explore this extensive maze of waterways. Here we should find the enigmatic Proboscis Monkey, Marsh Mugger Crocodile, Storm’s Stork and the potential for a variety of other mammals including Bornean Pygmy Elephant, Leopard and Flat-faced Cat, Maroon Langur and birds such as Black and Red Broadbill, Stork-billed Kingfisher and a plethora of woodpeckers. Night Kinabatangan.

Day 7:

As well as exploring the waterways of the Kinabatangan we will visit the astonishing cave at Gomantong towards the end of the day. During the day the cave is home to millions of roosting bats but come dusk they emerge on mass and we will be there to witness this exodus along with the Bat Hawks and Hawk-eagles. Nights Kinabatangan.

Days 8-9:

Today we will transfer from the Kinabatangan River to arguably one of the worlds most pristine rainforests in Danum Valley. Afternoon to settle in and enjoy the area. Night Danum Valley.

Day 10:

We have two full days to explore one of the oldest and most pristine areas of rainforest on the planet, Danum Valley. From our exceptionally comfortable lodge we will be able to see the critically endangered Rhinoceros Hornbill not to mention a further five species of Hornbill and the grounds abound with butterflies including several birdwings, amd Sunbirds including Crimson and Copper-throated can also be seen. We will make multiple trips out to the canopy walkways where we hope to encounter Orangutans, Bornean Gibbons, Hawk-eagles and Maroon Langurs. Along the river Proboscis Monkeys and Bornean Pygmy Elephants occur whilst Spiderhunters glean the overhanging leaves for insects. On the adjacent bluff is on old burial site of the Sugpan tribe. At night we will head out to look for a variety of civets, Moonrat, Porcupines and with luck one of the areas rarer species such as Sunda Clouded Leopard or Sunda Pangolin. Nights Danum Valley.

Days 11-12:

After a final morning exploring Danum Valley we will head to Lahad Dahtu from where we will take an internal flight back to Kota Kinabalu. Night Kota Kinabalu.

Day 13:

Day 14:

The tour concludes after breakfast.

The itinerary outlined is indicative and Wild Discovery reserves the right to alter the itinerary if conditions require.

Who we Support on this Tour

Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre

Trees for Life

Dates and Prices

            Set Departure Dates
            Cost
            Availability
       
            Tue 8th to Mon 21st September 2026
            £9995*
            Spaces available