Day 1
Arrive Kota Kinabalu, proceed 88 km to Kinabalu Park at 5000 feet. Visit the Education Centre and Mountain Garden, home to various species of the flowering rhododendrons, carnivorous pitcher plants, orchids, ferns, oak trees and birds. Overnight in twin bedded room. (L)
Day 2 - 3
Full day birding in Kinabalu Park. (BL)
Day 4
Continue 40 km to Poring, east of Kinabalu Park HQ. Explore the jungle trail leading up to the treetop canopy walkways, suspended 41 meters above the forest floor. Visit Kipungit Waterfall before departing to Sandakan, approximately 4 hours to the east coast. Check into lodge. Night walk (BLD)
Day 5
Tour Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre. Proceed to Sukau along Sabah's longest river, Kinabatangan. Check into Sukau Rainforest Lodge. Afternoon cruise to search birds, primates and other wildlife. Optional night cruise (at surcharge) to view nocturnal wildlife. (BLD)
Sukau Rainforest Lodge
The 20 rooms, multi international award winners, is managed by Borneo Eco Tours. It was built in 1995 in traditional Malaysian architecture using several Borneo hardwood species. It is built on stilts with a lounge, gift shop, education centre, Hornbill Boardwalk with two elephant passes, three open deck for wildlife viewing, an enclosed garden, a riverside Melapi restaurant, open sun-deck, river jetty. Electricity is supplied by acoustic generator, and hot water by solar heaters. All rooms are twin bedded, with ceiling fan, mosquito netting, attached bathroom, hot shower and toilets. River tours are conducted by boats powered by electric motors and four stoke outboard engines.
Birdlife is especially rich here including eight species of hornbills, kingfishers, egrets, darters, owls, kites, eagles, broadbills, doves, storm storks, herons, hawks, ospreys, falcon, pheasants, parakeets, bee eaters, woodpeckers, pittas, bulbuls, forktails, babblers, warblers, flycatchers, orioles, flowerpeckers, spiderhunters, among others.
Day 6
Visit Oxbow Lake during morning cruise. Take an afternoon cruise for more sightings of wildlife and birds. (BLD)
Day 7
Morning and afternoon cruise in search of birds. (BLD)
Day 8
Depart for a 27km overland journey to Gomantong Caves . When in season, witness the collection of birds' nests by the local people using bamboo ladders and poles. Continue on another 2 hours drive to the town of Lahad Datu for lunch before moving on to Tabin Wildlife Reserve on gravel road. Upon arrival, register, unpack and rest.
In the afternoon, visit the Lipad mud volcano located nearest to Tabin base. Visit the mud volcano that is known to be frequented by deer, wild boars, elephants and birds. Look out for and identify footprints of animals. After dinner, there will be night activities to look out for nocturnal wildlife and birds. (BLD)
Day 9
Trek through the lush green jungle known for its rich diversity of plants and animal species to visit Lipad's Waterfall. Take a dip in the natural pool and enjoy the refreshing splash coming down from the waterfall. Return to base in the afternoon. At dusk, go for bird watching within the reserve. After dinner, there will be night activities to look out for nocturnal wildlife and birds on a different route. (BLD)
Day 10
Transfer to Lahad Datu and Danum Valley through selectively logged forest, cocoa and soft-wood plantations before arriving at the Borneo Rainforest Lodge beside Danum River. Check into Borneo Rainforest Lodge, home to the full range of Sabah 's lowland fauna, including the rare Sumatran Rhinoceros, Elephants, Clouded Leopards, and Orang Utans. So far some 275 species of birds have been recorded in the area. Explore nature trail and nearby river. In the evening a slide show and if weather permits one can go spotlighting to view some of the nocturnal animals. (BLD)
Day 11 - 12
Full day birding. (BLD)
Day 13
Depart from Lahad Datu to airport for flight to Kota Kinabalu. Overnight at Hotel Shangri-la (BL)
Day 14
Departure transfer to airport. (B) |
DestinationSabah ~ Kota Kinabalu ~ Kinabalu Park ~ Poring Hotsprings ~ Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre ~ Sukau & Kinabatangan River ~ Gomantong Caves ~ Tabin Wildlife Reserve ~ Danum Valley 
