Borneo Wildlife and Culture

Wake to the noise of the forest and enjoy breakfast at the hotel, before heading to Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre. There, you will be treated to an enlightening video show about the centre’s conservation efforts. Enjoy a ten-minute walk in the rainforest and witness the orangutans excitedly gathering at the feeding platform before observing them over at the outdoor nursery. After, head to the Sun Bear Conservation Centre next door after to learn more about the smallest bears in the world.

Depart for an estimated 2-hour overland journey to the multi-award winning Sukau Rainforest Lodge. Here, you can enjoy a river cruise in search of Borneo’s wildlife and birds and then return to the lodge to savour a candlelit dinner on the pier, followed by a slide presentation and interpretation by a naturalist guide.

Highlights

• Make a visit to Orang Utan and Sun Bear Conservation Centre in Sepilok
• Explore the mystical Kinabatangan river via boat in the evening
• Enjoy a wide range of dishes at the floating restaurant next to the river

Rise and shine in time to enjoy a scrumptious breakfast at the hotel before embarking on a cruise up the Kinabatangan River to Kelenanap Oxbow Lake where you will be able to view more birds and wildlife. Then participate on an insightful nature walk along the lodge’s Hornbill Boardwalk with the in-house naturalist who will teach you all about the stunning plant life. After lunch, you will be free to explore the neighbouring area or simply relax at the hotel. In the afternoon, proceed for another river cruise for more wildlife and opportunities to photograph what this diverse country has to offer.

Feel free to explore the boardwalk at the back of our lodge at your own leisure. You may be lucky enough to spot a wild orangutan! Experience profound relaxation and comfort at Halia Spa at Sukau Rainforest Lodge, with an “escape from the ordinary” consisting of a blend of both traditional and modern spa treatments.

The Night Cruise is highly recommended to all guests (available with a small fee)

Highlights

• A boat cruising experience to Oxbow Lake in the early morning
• Get to know some of the interesting efforts in wildlife protection
• Evening cruise in the river to enjoy the sunset and the beautiful setting

Have breakfast before proceeding to Lahad Datu at 6.30 am. Upon your early morning arrival in Lahad Datu, you will be met by your driver before making your way to the Borneo Nature Tours Office for your official registration and debriefing. At 9.30 am, you will make your way overland to the Borneo Rainforest Lodge, which is the largest protected area of lowland rainforest in Sabah, covering almost 43,800 hectares. After dinner at the hotel, experience a night drive in an open-top vehicle to search for nocturnal animals moving around in their natural environment.

Highlights

• Exciting 4WD road trip to the heart of the jungle with some chances to spot wildlife
• Introduction jungle walk around the resort area
• Nighttime safari in search of nocturnal animals

Stock up your energy levels with an early breakfast at the lodge before trekking into the Danum Valley towards the Orang Sungai burial site. Soak up the historic and spiritual beauty of “Coffin Cliff” amongst traces of the ancient culture that once dwelled here. Ascend through the dense jungle canopy to the viewpoint and take in the astonishing birds-eye view of the surrounding area. Take a well-earned refreshing dip in the jacuzzi pool shortly followed by a replenishing lunch at the Lodge. In the afternoon, you can choose between a jungle trail trek on land, or a thrilling tubing ride down the Danum River. Retreat to the Lodge for dinner in the evening and walk off the calories in the darkness with your guide as you join the nocturnal creatures in the jungle.

Highlights

• Wild jungle trekking to the viewpoint outlooking the entire valley
• Dip inside the cool natural jacuzzi after the walk
• Be amazed by the diverse insect species during the night walk

Prepare to leave this heavenly landscape behind, for now, as you settle into an early breakfast at the Lodge and spend the morning at your leisure. Trade wildlife snapshots with fellow guests, surrender to your slovenly side and snooze in bed or catch a final look around the picturesque Lodge grounds before lunch. Enjoy the drive on the narrow dirt trail back to Lahad Datu airport before boarding your early evening flight back to Kota Kinabalu. Upon your arrival at Kota Kinabalu Airport, you will be greeted by our driver who will transfer you directly to your accommodation. The journey will take approximately 50 minutes.

Highlights

• Last chance to spot wildlife in the 4WD ride to Lahad Datu
• Take a flight from Lahad Datu to Kota Kinabalu
• Lay back and relax at the Nexus Resort and Spa Resort

At 8.30 am, the driver will pick you up and take you to the hidden village located at the mountainside. The one-and-a-half-hour journey will lead you to the guardian village of Mount Kinabalu, Kiau. You’ll be greeted by the friendly villagers and be able to wander and explore the Dusun’s village. Hear the interesting and dark background stories from the villager. Savour a delicious lunch at one of the villager’s homes and later taste some of the pineapple orientated products fresh from the local factories, which you can purchase as souvenirs. In the afternoon, explore further along the border of the village and up to the hill to search for local herbal plants.

In the evening, your driver will send you to your accommodation in Kota Kinabalu.

Highlights

• Discover a local village hidden in the mountain
• Listen to the interesting and mystical stories from the villagers
• Learn how the remote villages sustain themselves after earthquakes
• Taste the local cuisine

The tour will begin with a morning pickup from the hotel lobby, followed by an hour-long drive to the Kiulu countryside, away from the hustle and bustle of the city to the small villages with quaint huts along the roadside and street markets that sell local produce which is a source of income to complement the livelihood of the villagers here. Upon arrival, you’ll attend a safety briefing before being assigned to your bicycles. Start this exciting leisure activity, cycling through village terrains, which are a mixture of gravel roads and hilly slopes.

Balance yourself by crossing as many as four hanging bridges along the journey. The break stop point is at Native Dusun House in Tombung Village, where you will be met by your friendly host and relax with light refreshments. While here, visit the surrounding farms and experience rubber tapping and learn the process involved. The journey continues through villages, and street markets selling local produce, and ends at the riverside of Kiulu River where lunch is served. After lunch, relax, cool off and refresh in the clear flowing river until your transfer back to the hotel.

Highlights

• Go on a 15km bicycle ride, enjoying the surrounding countryside
• Taste the adventure in the rural village and get a chance to cross the hanging bridge
  across the village
• Learn some of the traditional agriculture technique

Wake up to enjoy breakfast at the hotel and you have all morning and early afternoon to yourself!

Around 3.30 pm your tropical evening on the North Borneo Cruise begins at Sutera Marina Jetty. Get ready to become acquainted with the charms of Kota Kinabalu on a whole new level. At 4.50 pm, start off the evening along the sultry sun-tinged South China Sea, cruising past the islands and water villages that dot Sabah’s west coast. You are free to wander around the vessel, taking in the stunning panoramic ocean views, the warmth of the setting sun and gentle sea breeze that grace the upper deck while a live band serenades the ethnic-themed air-conditioned restaurant below with acoustic favourites. Dinner will be served buffet style. As the sun sets and the stars come out, Kota Kinabalu’s coastline now comes alive with dazzling city night lights. the North Borneo Cruise will glide across the waterfront as you indulge in dessert or your next glass of wine. At 7 pm, your rendezvous at sea comes to an end and you will disembark from the cruise.

Highlights

• Relax and enjoy the last evening in Borneo
• The best view from the vessel to see the last few rays of light, also known as the golden hour at sea
• Taste the local cuisine via a buffet and enjoy local entertainment inside the boat

It’s time to say goodbye to the wonderful Borneo Island!

A driver will pick you up and take you to the airport for your departure flight.