About This Trip
The 9-day Sabah discovery journey invites you to witness the varied wildlife on the rainforest-clad island of Borneo. After exploring the UNESCO-recognized Kinabalu GeoPark, get up close to orangutans and sunbears in their sanctuaries and cruise along the Kinabatangan River in search of more of Borneo's native wildlife. End your tour in Danum Valley with invigorating jungle treks to find more endemic flora and fauna.
Itinerary Summary
| DAY | PLACE | HIGHLIGHTS |
| 1 - 2 | Kota Kinabalu | Kinabalu National Park, Poring Hot Spring |
| 3 - 5 | Sandakan, Kinabatangan River, Sukau |
Sandakan: Rainforest Discovery Centre, Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre, Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre Kinabatangan River: Abai Night Jungle Walk, Pitas Oxbow Lake Boat Safari Sukau: Menanggul River Boat Safari |
| 6 - 7 | Danum Valley | Jungle Trek, Night Drive Safari, Kadazandusun Burial Site |
| 8 - 9 | Lahad Datu, Kota Kinabalu | Departure |
Suggested Itinerary
Welcome to Borneo, Malaysia! Upon landing at Kota Kinabalu, the capital city of Borneo State, you're greeted by a local representative and taken to your hotel, with the rest of the day at leisure.
- Kota Kinabalu
A morning drive (about 2 hours) along mountainous roads will take you to the UNESCO-approved Kinabalu National Park, home to the country's highest mountain - Mount Kinabalu (4,095 m), stopping off at the Nabalu Market.
While exploring the park's Botanical Garden, breathe the fresh mountain air, walk on a natural trail, and learn about diverse flora. On a clear day, you may be able to spot a clear, majestic view of Mount Kinabalu.
After lunch, continue driving for about one hour to Poring Hot Spring. As you like, relax in the invigorating sulfurous water and challenge a thrilling canopy treetop walk. Finally, return to your hotel in Kota Kinabalu.
- B L
- Kota Kinabalu
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for a brief flight to Sandakan. A private transfer afterward will whisk you to your hotel. The remainder of today is free to relax or explore at your leisure.
You may like to explore the Rainforest Discovery Centre, with a botanical garden, canopy walkway, and high towers, for bird watching and wildlife sighting.
- B
- Sandakan
Start by visiting the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, home to injured, orphaned, or rescued orangutans before being released back into the wild. At the adjacent Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre, get to know sun bears, the smallest among the bear species in the world.
From Sandakan jetty, depart on a one-hour boat ride up to the Lower Kinabatangan River Sanctuary, where you'll take your lunch and check into a riverside lodge. In the late afternoon, embark on a boat excursion to search for endemic wildlife, watch the sunset while sipping on your coffee, and witness twinkling fireflies like Christmas trees at nightfall. After dinner, experience the "jungle at night" at the lodge's nature boardwalk to spot nocturnal creatures with your nature guide.
- B L D
- Abai
Set off on a boat cruise to Pitas Oxbow Lake to enjoy its serene beauty and observe wildlife in the early morning. Return to your Abai lodge for breakfast and enjoy some leisure time.
This afternoon, continue on the boat transfer along the Kinabatangan River up to Sukau Village. Hopefully, you may see primates, birds, pygmy elephants, or other wildlife by the riverbank. Arriving in one hour, settle into your Sukau lodge and get rested up. A late afternoon boat safari will take you to Menanggul River, a small tributary of the Kinabatangan River. Return to the lodge for dinner and a restful sleep.
- B L D
- Sukau Village
After breakfast, head to Lahad Datu town, and proceed to the Borneo Nature Tours office for registration and briefing. Later, start your overland journey on gravel road to Borneo Rainforest Lodge in Danum Valley. On arrival, taste an exotic "Welcome Drink", and listen to the Front Office personnel brief you on the facilities available at the lodge.
In the afternoon, you'll watch a slideshow about Danum Valley in the Conference Room. Accompanied by your tour guide, you will take a jungle trek through "Nature Trails" and tree top "Canopy Walkway" to explore much endemic flora and fauna. Return to the lodge for dinner, and then ride an open-top vehicle to search for the nocturnal animal.
- B L D
- Danum Valley
In this morning, trek to the Kadazandusun burial site - "Coffin Cliff", one of the ancient funeral rituals in Southeast Asia. Later, proceed to "View Point" for a bird's eye view of the area. In the afternoon, you could choose to continue your jungle trek or go for a relaxing session of "tubing" down the Danum River (subject to the weather and water level conditions). After dinner, you'll enjoy a night walk to search for nocturnal animals.
- B L D
- Danum Valley
You could step outside for a leisurely walk in the early morning. After lunch, you will transfer to Lahad Datu Airport for your flight to Kota Kinabalu. On arrival, your guide will take you to the hotel for check-in.
- B
- Kota Kinabalu
Enjoy this morning at leisure before your guide escorts you to the airport for your homebound flight.
- B
What's Included in Your Private Tour
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A dedicated travel expert will work with you to design and arrange your itinerary based on your interests, travel style, schedule, and budget. Your trip can be adjusted as your plans take shape.
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Accommodation is selected based on location, quality, your preferences, and budget. Depending on the destination and itinerary, options may include international hotel chains, boutique hotels, and locally distinctive properties.
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Local guides are arranged in each destination, with strong language skills and in-depth local knowledge. Your guide will help you make the most of each destination while sharing local history, culture, and everyday life.
Guide arrangements may vary depending on your destination and itinerary. Please refer to your Tour Program for the specific guide arrangements for your trip.
If you have any special requirements for your guide, such as in-depth historical and cultural interpretation or expertise in a particular industry or subject, please let us know in advance so we can take your preferences into consideration when arranging your trip. -
- Private air-conditioned vehicle with a dedicated driver, as specified in the itinerary
- Domestic trains as specified in the itinerary
- Domestic flights as specified in the itinerary
- International flights for selected multi-country tours, as specified in the itinerary.
Transportation arrangements can be adjusted to suit your itinerary and travel needs.
*As each trip is tailor-made, transportation arrangements may vary by itinerary and destination. The final arrangements will be detailed in your Tour Program.*International flights to and from your home country are normally not included in the initial Tour Program. If you would like, your travel expert can also help arrange these flights upon request.
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- Breakfast (B), lunch (L), and dinner (D) as specified in the itinerary
- Additional meals can be arranged upon request
- Vegetarian and vegan options are available upon request
Gallery
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Kinabalu National Park
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Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre
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Birds Watching
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Hiking in the Jungle
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Rainforest, Malaysia
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River Crusie, Sakua
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Jungle Trek, Danum Valley
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