Search for wild orangutans, visit the semi-wild orangutans at Semenggoh, see rare Irrawaddy dolphins and turtles on a boat trip, and discover the world’s largest flower – the endemic rafflesia – in the forest at Gunung Gading.
An overnight stay at Bako National Park, famed for proboscis monkeys, lets you appreciate its birdlife at dawn and dusk, but the highlight is a three-day jungle trek in search of wild orangutan, and a visit to a traditional Iban longhouse.
Suggested Itinerary
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Day 1:
Depart UK
Depart the UK on an overnight flight to Kuching via Kuala Lumpur.
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Days 2-2
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Arrive Kuching
On arrival in Kuching, you will be met and transferred to your chosen hotel and the rest of the day will be at leisure to explore the city, Sarawak's regional capital.
Talang-Satang National Park is a nesting ground for green & rare hawksbill turtles; here you can visit a turtle hatchery & learn about the conservation work. There is time to snorkel on the white sandy beach to enjoy the corals & marine life. You'll retrace your route mid afternoon, with a stop at Tukong Ara, a protected islet with a breeding colony for various species of terns.
Accommodation: Hilton Hotel, 3-nights
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Day 3:
Boat trip to Santubong & Salak Rivers, Satang & Tungkong Ara Islands
In the morning, explore the Santubong and Salak Rivers by boat, looking for the Irrawaddy dolphin. Your boat trip continues to the idyllic Satang Island where you can enjoy lunch and drinks in this paradise setting, as well as snorkelling from the pristine white beach. This island is a nesting ground for green and hawksbill turtles, and there is an opportunity to visit a hatchery and see first-hand the conservation work taking place.
In the afternoon, you will retrace the route, stopping this time at Tungkong Ara Island, a protected islet which is home to breeding colonies of various species of tern.
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Days 3-4
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Full-day excursion to Gunung Gading National Park
Today, you will be accompanied by a naturalist guide to Gunung Gading National Park, one of the best places in Asia to see the rafflesia, the world's largest flower. The rafflesia is spectacular when in bloom, however, the smell which can be rather pungent!
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Day 5:
Visit Bako National Park
This morning transfer to Bako village, where you board a boat into Bako National Park. With your wildlife guide, explore the park, keeping an eye out for any of the 150 bird species and proboscis monkeys. Bako is often considered to be one of the best places to see this fascinating species of monkey with their distinctive appearance. This national park is also home to the kerangas or heath forest environment that is endemic to Borneo and this unique habitat is definitely worth a look.
Accommodation: Bako National Park chalets, 1-night
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Day 6:
Return to Kuching
Return to Kuching for an overnight stay.
Accommodation: Hilton Hotel, 1-night
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Day 7:
Borneo interior rainforest
In the morning, transfer to Batang Ai Reservoir, with stops along the way to see the pepper, cocoa and rubber plantations, as well as a visit to the town of Serian to see the vibrancy of a native market. On arrival at the reservoir, you will board a longboat for a 90 minute journey along the Delok River to Nanga Sumpa Lodge. After dinner you will cross the river to an Iban longhouse to relax on the ruai or verandah with some of the locals to learn about their culture.
Accommodation: Nanga Sumpa Lodge, 1-night
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Days 8-9
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Explore the rainforest on foot
After breakfast, set out on a jungle trek looking for the wildlife of the rainforest, including pig-tailed macaques, flying squirrels, hundreds of birds and Borneo’s ginger icon, the orangutan. By lunchtime, you will arrive at the Genting Tunu Jungle Camp, which will be your home for the night in the heart of the rainforest. You will continue to search for the orangutan and their nests that are perched high up in the canopy until night falls.
The next day you will move on the Sungai Mawang Jungle Camp, again searching for wildlife amongst the trees en route.
Accommodation: Genting Tunu Jungle Camp, 1-night / Sungai Mawang Jungle Camp, 1-night
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Day 10:
Return to Nanga Sumpa Lodge
Today, you will trek back to Nanga Sumpa Lodge, which will feel almost like civilisation compared to being in the deep vegetation of the Borneo rainforest! After lunch, you might want to scour the surrounding forest looking for signs of orangutan, or perhaps take a boat upriver to the Enseluai Waterfall for a relaxing swim.
Accommodation: Nanga Sumpa Lodge, 1-night
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Day 11:
Return to Kuching
Transfer back to Kuching for an overnight stay.
Accommodation: Hilton Hotel, 1-night
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Day 12:
Orangutans at Semenngoh; afternoon depart Kuching
In the morning you will travel to Semenngoh to see orangutans; these individuals aren’t completely wild, but it is still a pleasure to see our closest relatives in their natural environment. The rest of the day will be free for a bit more sightseeing or last minute souvenir shopping before leaving for the airport in the evening to catch the flight back to the UK via Kuala Lumpur.
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Day 13:
Arrive UK
