Wildlife of Borneo Adventure

Day 4:

Optional early morning start to visit the Rainforest Discovery Centre to spot local bird life. At 11.00 we transfer to Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre to watch a short educational video about the work undertaken at Sepilok, then we follow wooden boardwalks to observe a feeding platform. Orangutans (in the process of being rehabilitated for release into the wild) usually climb down from the trees to feed at the platforms. Often multiple orangutans may be observed. After lunch, we visit the Sun Bears Centre to observe sun bears rescued from captivity (often long tail macaques and pig tail macaques are also spotted). Overnight in a hotel near Sepilok. Dinner in a local restaurant.

Day 5:

Early morning drive to Sandakan and transfer by boat to a beautiful coral island called Selingan (known as Turtle Island). Selingan has nice, sandy beaches, with coral and marine life offshore. The Philippine megapode and 1 m long Asian water monitor lizards are frequent sights within the open forests on Selingan. On arrival, we have an information briefing and video presentation, followed by dinner. Late at night we (hopefully) watch green and hawksbill sea turtles laying eggs on the island’s beaches. We may also witness a release of hatchlings into the sea. Note: turtles cannot be guaranteed – landings happen throughout the year, although the best time to see them is July to October (during which time, often a dozen or more turtles come ashore). Overnight in accommodation on Selingan and dinner in the island’s restaurant.

Day 6:

Early morning, we return by boat from Selingan Island and then drive to Poring Springs (approx 6 hour journey). We can stop at lowland pitcher plant (Nepenthes) sites along the way to see the spectacular species: N. rafflesiana ‘giant form’ and the rare N. macrovulgaris, as well as N. ampullaria, N. gracillis and N. mirabilis. 

When we reach Poring Springs, we visit reserves to see giant Rafflesia keithii flowers (a rare, parasitic rainforest bloom that can have flowers up to 60 cm across – flowers cannot be guaranteed, but are frequently open). Dinner at a local restaurant and overnight at Poring Springs.

Day 7:

This morning, we can have a swim in the hot, geothermal waters at the Poring Springs Geothermal Water Park (a series of concrete pools with water heated by the geothermal activity under Mount Kinabalu). We then transfer to Kundasang exotic fruit market (highly recommended to try an amazing range of exotic, weird and wonderful fruit. Depending upon the season, we often see and can taste dragon fruit, snake fruit, rambutan, mangosteen, durian and many others)!

We reach the Kinabalu National Park for lunch and spend midday / early afternoon walking along the mossy cloudforest trails to see orchids and birdlife. We can also visit the world famous Kinabalu botanic gardens. In the afternoon, we drive to Kota Kinabalu (4 hours) and check into a hotel in the city centre and have dinner in a local restaurant.

Day 8:

This morning, we catch a flight from Kota Kinabalu to Mulu National Park (Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo).  Mulu is one of Malaysia’s most spectacular parks and home to immense cave systems. We will arrive during the early afternoon, check into our hotel, then walk along wooden boardwalks to the spectacular Deer Cave to watch tens of thousands of bats flying out from the cave at sunset. The bats emerge in such vast numbers that they almost resemble smoke! We return to our hotel at the Mulu Park Headquarters and have dinner in a local restaurant.

Day 9:

We spend today undertaking guided tours of the absolutely immense cave systems. Highlights include  exploring Clearwater Cave and Deer Cave. The caves have very good paths and boatdwalks which allow visitors to see the immense cave chambers (some of the largest limestone cave systems in the world) as well as an enormous range of cave-dwelling animal life. During the afternoon, we can explore the spectacular rainforest trails through the dramatic limestone outcrops of Mulu. We return to our hotel at the Mulu Park Headquarters and have dinner in a local restaurant.

Day 10:

This morning, we fly from Mulu National Park back to Kota Kinabalu, arriving in the afternoon. We check into a hotel in the city centre. A highly recommended dining option is to visit the city’s famous seafood market on the docks to try local seafood including crab, squid, assorted shellfish and delicious fish (definitely a culinary highlight and an evening to remember). Several fish dishes are included in the cost of this expedition, however participants are encouraged to purchase additional delicacies such as lobster, crab, shellfish etc.

Day 11:

After breakfast, we drive to Klias Peat Swamp Preserve (approx 4 hours) to walk along trails through peat swamp forest to see wildlife, orchids and pitcher plants. After lunch, we transfer to the Klias River to undertake an afternoon cruise for a final chance to see wild proboscis monkeys and macaques in the trees. We then have dinner in a restaurant by the river, and after the sun has set, we return to the boats for a cruise to see fire-flies in the trees. The fire flies are famous having synchronised displays (so that individual trees light up like Christmas trees). The extent of the firefly activity varies, but usually is quite impressive. Overnight at a local hotel near to beautiful beaches.

Day 12:

Relax during the morning on the beaches, departing late-morning to return to Kota Kinabalu for late afternoon / evening flights.

END OF TOUR. 

An add on trip to one of Malaysia’s beautiful tropical islands is strongly recommended (contact us for details).