Sabah Wildlife Special

Day 1. Depart London for Kota Kinabalu via Kuala Lumpur

Day 2. Kota Kinabalu, 1-night. Hyath Regency Hotel [B]

Named after the highest peak in Southeast Asia, Kota Kinabalu, generally referred to as KK, is the capital of Sabah. The Hyatt Regency Kinabalu is in the heart of Kota Kinabalu's shopping, banking and entertainment district overlooking the coral islands of the Tunku Abdhul Rahman National Park.

Day 3. Kinabalu National Park, 1-night. Nepenthese Villas [B, L, D]

Kinabalu stands like a citadel above the lowlands of northern Borneo. In a modern world of shrinking boundaries and perspectives, the mountain still encapsulates all that is mystical and untamed. Its power is enhanced by its isolation. It is not surrounded by other high peaks that would dilute its splendour; instead it rises with menacing darkness, straight out of verdant green tropical forest to a multi-peaked summit of stark, bare rock.

The Park which is easily reached from Kota Kinabalu in about two hours drive, harbours remarkable botanical diversity, perhaps as many as 6000 plant species occur on the mountain. These include more than 1000 species of orchid and more than one third of all the islands' pitcher plants (genus Nepenthes). Superlatives aren't restricted to plants; there are over 600 species of butterflies and some 320 species of birds. Diversity of species is greatest on the lower slopes, whereas the greatest numbers of endemic species are found high on the mountain.

Nepenthese Villas - Located close to the park headquarters, Nepenthese Villas are a convenient base from which to explore the network of trails leading through the forest on the middle slopes. The villas offer all the comforts one could require and are adjacent to the Park restaurant. The open areas and forest edges around the villas are productive places to look for birds, and groups of effusive Chestnut-capped Laughing Thrushes and ebullient Bornean Treepies are common. After dark look out for the beautiful endemic Kinabalu Forest Gecko on nearby trails as well as a variety of frogs.

Day 4. Kota Kinabalu, 1-night. Hotel

Day 5. Sepilok Orang-utan Sanctuary, 1-night. Sepilok Nature Resort [B, L, D]

Sepilok Orang-utan Sanctuary about 30 minutes by road from Sandekan is renowned the world over for its work in rehabilitating orphaned Orang-utans. Visitors can enjoy close encounters with these charismatic apes at the twice-daily feeding sessions in the forest, where individuals not fully capable of self-sufficiency return for a free meal. However, set amongst 43 square kilometres of primary lowland rainforest, the reserve has much more to offer besides. Boardwalks through the forest are excellent places to wander at leisure - the birdwatching here is excellent and there is also a variety of snakes and frogs to look out for.

Sepilok Nature Lodge - situated by the park entrance and next to the forest offers spacious and comfortable accommodation. The air-conditioned wooden chalets are well appointed and connected by boardwalks to the main lodge and restaurant area that is set beside an artificial lake.

Day 6. Kinabatangan River, 3-nights. Sukau River Lodge [B, L, D]

The Kinabatangan River snakes its way, through the interior and coastal lowlands for 560 kilometres, until it reaches the Sulu Sea. It is Sabah's longest river and in its lower reaches forms a flood plain ecosystem of unparalleled richness. A mosaic of riparian forest, oxbow lakes, nipah swamp and mangroves support the most diverse concentrations of wildlife in Sabah, including Orang-utans, Proboscis Monkeys, Bornean Pygmy Elephants and a vast array of birds, including several species of hornbill, reptiles and amphibians. Sukau, about 80 kilometres up river from the coast, is the centre for wildlife tourism. Here the wildlife experiences are amongst the most memorable in Borneo. The majority of watching is done from boats and it is so good because most of the wildlife has become so tolerant. Boat journeys up a small tributary, the Mananggol River, are particularly intimate as the river narrows and forest encroaches. Passing under overhanging boughs and skirting fallen trees, it is possible to peer into the tangled vegetation at the margins where Water Monitors bask on half sunken trunks and Mangrove Snakes, young Reticulated Pythons and Wagler's Pit Vipers lay concealed and motionless. There are also troops of Proboscis Monkeys, macaques, langurs and even the occasional Orang-utan and Bornean Gibbon.

Sukau River Lodge is situated in the prime location at the confluence between the Kinabatangan and smaller Menanggol River. It provides a convenient base from which to explore the area. The intimate lodge and restaurant look out over the main river, while the chalets on stilts stretch behind into the forest. There is much wildlife to see in the immediate vicinity, with Long-tailed Macaques, Water Monitors, Buffy Fish Owls and a variety of smaller reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates often being seen within the lodge grounds.

Day 9. Danum Valley, 4-nights. Borneo Rainforest Lodge [B, L, D]

The pristine lowland rainforests of Danum Valley are arguably Borneo's premier wildlife location as they harbour some of the richest concentrations of species anywhere on the island. Wildlife here includes Sabah's ten species of primate (including Orang-utan), Asian Elephant, Banteng, Sumatran Rhinoceros, Clouded Leopard, Marbled Cat, Flat-headed Cat and Malay Sun Bear. More common species include Bearded Pig, Lesser, and Greater Mouse-deer, the endemic Bornean Yellow, and Bornean Red Muntjac, and Sambar. From a viewpoint overlooking the area it is possible experience the true atmosphere of the rainforest. After a clear night, mist hangs in the valleys and clings to the crowns of trees; only the tallest emergents standing proud above the swirling white cloak. As the sun breaks through, the canopy is briefly set on fire in a golden blaze of light beams. With gibbons calling, and hornbills flying by, few more evocative experiences are imaginable. Early mornings are also perhaps the best time to enjoy the canopy walkway. Here a tree-top view of the forest provides a spectacular alternative perspective and great birdwatching opportunities: various hornbills, barbets and broadbills may be seen as well as the enigmatic and endemic Bornean Bristlehead. Danum offers perhaps the best chance of seeing a wild Orang-utan, especially when one of the large wild durian trees is in fruit. This attracts Orang-utan from a wide area and it is possible to see several in proximity. Fruiting trees also attract other primates like Red Leaf Monkeys and Bornean Gibbons as well as Rhinoceros Hornbills and perhaps even a Binturong. After dark, night walks and vehicle rides offer a window into the secretive world of the forests nocturnal creatures - Greater Mouse Deer, Giant Flying Squirrels and Culugo are often seen. There is also a reasonable chance of seeing both Slow Loris and Western Tarsier. Frogs too are common and the resonant honk of the Bornean Horned Frog is always a feature, although tracking one down is a tough proposition. Danum Valley is a three hour drive from Lahad Datu or a six hour drive from Sandakan.

Borneo Rainforest Lodge lies at the heart of Danum Valley, some 80 kilometres off the main road from Lahad Datu. It is located on the banks of the Danum River, and facing the lodge on the opposite bank is a huge swathe of pristine forest. This is ones of the best rainforest vistas you could wish for. The main lodge and its very comfortable chalets are built on stilts and connected by raised board walks. Each chalet has a balcony, from which the sights and sounds of the forest can be enjoyed. Within the vicinity of the lodge there is a network of well laid out trails that follow the course of the river and forest interior. These allow easy access to most of the valley and provide ample opportunity to start discovering some of the forests amazing biodiversity.

Day 13. Return to the UK via Kuala Lumpur [B]

Day 14. Arrive UK

Tailor Made

Please note that this is a Tailor-made itinerary. If you like the principle idea of this holiday but would like us to look into a variation for you, do let us know!