Classic Borneo
Example Itinerary
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Overview
The adventure begins in Sepilok, famous for its orangutan sanctuary, discover the incredible ...
The adventure begins in Sepilok, famous for its orangutan sanctuary, discover the incredible work carried out here to save one of man’s closest relatives as well as visiting the Bornean Sun Bear Sanctuary. A speed boat then takes you on to the mangrove forests of the Kinabatangan River, where you will take afternoon and morning boat rides in search of wildlife. Visit the Orang Sungai people before continuing into the protected landscapes of Tabin Wildlife Reserve. Here you will trek in the rainforest, visit a mud volcano and swim in jungle waterfalls. A flight across the island brings you to the capital Kota Kinabalu and the white sands of the Shangri-La Rasa Ria resort to relax and enjoy the water sports for your final few days.
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
How Tailor-Made Works
Discuss your initial ideas with one of our experts, the types of things you want to see and do.
Your expert will start designing your perfect trip. Within a day or two we'll send a suggested itinerary.
At this stage you can still tweak anything from accommodation to experiences and dates, using our expert advice.
Time to prepare for your trip, safe in the knowledge you'll be in the expert hands of local guides and drivers throughout.
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Example Itinerary
This is an example itinerary. Our experts have all travelled widely in the region and will be happy to tailor any of our itineraries to suit your tastes and budget, or build a trip from scratch.
Day 1 Sandakan – Sepilok: Arrival
On arrival in Sandakan, you will be met by your local guide and taken to the Sepilok Nature Resort. The remainder of the day is at leisure to relax after your flight, or, you may wish to visit the Rainforest Discovery Centre.
Day 2 Sepilok – Kinabatangan River: Orangutans & River Cruise
You visit the world’s largest orangutan rehabilitation centre at Sepilok this morning. At the centre, you can witness the orangutans being fed by the rangers. Stroll the jungle-flanked wooden walkways to the central platform; orangutans can sometimes be seen from these platforms, so you should have your cameras ready. From here you will then be driven to the Sandakan Jetty to board a shared boat cruise to the village of Abai, passing through a landscape alive with monitor lizards, serpent eagles and crocodiles. Upon arrival at your lodge, enjoy lunch before setting off for an afternoon river expedition in search of wildlife in an open-topped river boat. You might get the opportunity to photograph wild Orangutans, Pygmy elephants, Proboscis monkeys and other wildlife. If the weather is good, you should be able to see and photograph fireflies at a very challenging low-light condition. After dinner, you shall take a night stroll along the boardwalks on a lookout for nocturnal animals and interesting insects.
Day 3 Kinabatangan (Abai – Sukau): Safari & Nature Talk
After breakfast there is a chance to explore the nature board walk around the lodge area. Check-out and transfer to Sukau by shared boat. Every year, monsoon rains flood Malaysian Borneo’s Kinabatangan River basin, filling jungle waterways and nourishing the habitats of some of the planet’s most unusual species: wild orangutans, pygmy elephants, and proboscis monkeys. This evening, meander along the Kinabatangan with your local guide to spot the nocturnal activity along the river. Returning to the resort, enjoy dinner before meeting the resort’s naturalist for an informative talk and presentation on the river.
Day 4 Kinabatangan (Sukau): Ox-Bow Lake & Night Safari
After an early wake up call, embark on a morning river cruise in search of waking wildlife and birds which are most active in the morning, on the way to the Danau Pitas Ox-Bow Lake. The area is known for its herd of Asian elephants. Continue to visit the local fishing village, Kampung Abai where you can interact with local Orang Sungai people and observe the daily activities in this tiny fishing village. Return to a full breakfast and then set off for another cruise up the Kinabatangan River to Menanggul River in search of wildlife. Return for a candle light dinner and slide show conducted by the naturalist guide. After dinner, enjoy a night safari cruise spotting nocturnal animals, crocodiles and birds.
Day 5 Kinabatangan River – Tabin Wildlife Reserve : Mud Volcano
Head to Tabin Wildlife Reserve, an area of rainforest in amongst the palm oil plantations, and the largest wildlife reserve in Malaysia, here work goes on to protect the both the forest and the wildlife. Spend the next three days with one of the reserve’s experienced guides and this afternoon set out on a jungle trail which will bring you to a mud volcano, a popular drinking hole and salt lick for many animals. This evening a night safari will introduce you to some of the nocturnal species.
Day 6 Tabin Nature Reserve: Rainforest Waterfall
There are 300 species of bird at Tabin and an early morning bird walk will hopefully introduce you to some of them with their bright colours and distinct calls and songs. A trip to the birding tower will set you high up in the canopy of the rainforest and from here you can walk down to a lush river pool complete with jungle waterfall for a swim. Further relaxation awaits in the afternoon with a traditional herbal foot soak using medicinal plants from the jungle before a dusk drive to see nocturnal animals coming out. This evening a night walk may allow you to see wildlife such as the flying squirrels gliding from tree to tree.
Day 7 Tabin Nature Reserve: Rainforest Walks
Morning and afternoon jungle walks are included today, the reserve has populations of Bornean elephants and rhinoceros however these are seldom seen, there are however more frequent sightings of orangutans and proboscis monkeys, if you are lucky you may see one of these or a sun bear when out trekking. Each walk will teach you more about the natural environment and the habits of the creatures you see as well as the steps being taken by the reserve to protect the environment.
Day 8 Tabin Nature Reserve – Kota Kinabalu: To the Coast
After breakfast, drive overland to Lahad Dadu for your flight to Kota Kinabalu. Upon arrival in Kota Kinabalu, or ‘KK’ as it is affectionately referred to, meet the local guide and driver and transfer along the coast to the Shangri-La Rasa Ria Resort, here 3km of white sand beach awaits you.
Day 9 Kota Kinabalu: Beach Time
The Rasa Ria features luxury accommodation and a whole host of activities, try kayaking or body boarding on the turquoise sea or perhaps head out on a horse ride along the beach. You might like to cycle to the local market or try a game of archery, there is also of course the option to just relax and enjoy the pool.
Day 11 Kota Kinabalu: Departure
After a free morning in Kota Kinabalu you will transfer to the airport where your tour will end.
EXAMPLE ACCOMMODATION
Shangri-La Tanjung Aru Resort And Spa, Kota Kinabalu
The Shangri-La Tanjung Resort and Spa is located on the sparkling shores of the South China Sea in spacious and extensive grounds. Its 492 luxurious rooms have views overlooking Mount Kinabalu and the ocean and offer contemporary luxury. The various sporting and leisure facilities include a private beach and spa with a variety of treatments. There is a selection of restaurants and bars many of which are highly regarded in the rest of Malaysia and serve international and local cuisine. Close to down town Kinabalu and not far from the Kinabalu National park the hotel is aimed at leisure travellers looking for a relaxing stay.
Sepilok Nature Lodge, Sandakan
Within walking distance from the world-famous Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, deep in a forest of tropical orchids and towering trees, the charming Sepilok Nature Lodge combines modern comforts with traditional style. Its twin bedded chalets provide en suite bathrooms, air conditioning and lake or jungle views, whilst the surrounding gardens boast over 150 species of Asian orchid. The lovely wooden lodge restaurant provides a fusion of local and western cuisines overlooking the rainforest canopies.
Kinabatangan Wetlands Resort, Kinabatangan (Abai)
Kinabatangan Wetlands Resort is a gem located in Abai, a quieter area of the Lower Kinabatangan Floodplain, about an hour’s boat ride from Sandakan harbour. If you are looking for something exclusive and away from the main tourist hotspots of Sukau and Bilit, Kinabatangan Wetlands Resort is the place to go. The resort is surrounded by secondary forest reserves, and is located within beautiful nipah and mangrove vegetation. Apart from the river cruises, you can spend time relaxing and observing nature from your chalet, a myriad of birds and monkeys, such as silver leaf langurs, maroon langurs, hose langurs, and wild orangutan are regularly spotted within the area. Raised boardwalks are available for night walks and morning strolls. NB, Please be careful on the boardwalks as they can be slippery after rain.
Sukau Rainforest Lodge, Kinabatangan (Sukau)
The lodge has previously been awarded status as a National Geographic Unique Lodge of the World, one of only 25 in the world, and the only one in Southeast Asia. It is the only lodge that uses electric motor on all river boats, and has a great range of facilities for such a remote area (it is the only lodge with a plunge pool and has relaxing and well designed communal areas). Aside from the excellent wildlife spotting the resort offers foot massage, nightly wildlife talks by the in-house expert, and has some lovely trails to explore from the lodge.
Tabin Wildlife Resort, Tabin Nature Reserve
Tabin Wildlife Resort has a spectacular setting amongst the rainforest in eastern Sabah. The reserve holds extraordinary diversity and is a dedicated area for the breeding of wildlife and birdlife, including the Borneo pygmy elephant. The accommodation consists of 20 spacious riverside lodges. Ten overlook the river and ten are slightly further away on the steep hillside, each with private balcony, airconditioning and a fan, and a private bathroom, The Sunbird cafe serves simple western and local cuisine - depending on how busy the lodge is, this will be buffet or a la carte. Add waterfalls, mud-volcanoes, trekking, specialised bird-watching, dawn drives and night walks into the equation, and Tabin offers a truly outstanding addition to any Borneo itinerary.
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Accommodation listed here is intended as a guide only, to give you a taste of what we can do. Our experts can tailor any aspect of this itinerary and accommodation to suit your budget and tastes.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
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EXPERT TEAM
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WILD MILES
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Wild Miles Club
When you book a trip with Wild Frontiers you are awarded points, which are based on the return distance from London to the arrival city of your trip. Points are awarded for all our holidays, including both our escorted group tours and tailor-made trips. When you accrue points, you will qualify for the following discounts on all future bookings:
| Blue | More than 10,000 points | 2.5% discount |
| Bronze | More than 30,000 points | 5% discount |
| Silver | More than 45,000 points | 7.5% discount |
| Gold | More than 60,000 points | 10% discount |
This itinerary is aimed to give you an idea of what we can offer. The price shown above is per person, based on two people travelling outside of peak periods. As this itinerary is only a suggestion and can be tailor-made to suit your interests and budget, your final price may differ.
Positive Impact of this Trip
Making a Difference
Community Tourism
People and local communities have always been at the heart of Wild Frontiers and the travel experiences we offer. Through community tourism we have the opportunity to generate real positive impact, supporting people we visit through sustainable local development, and in turn help to alleviate poverty and protect culture and environments in often more vulnerable destinations. While doing so, our clients gain richer travel experiences and more meaningful connections with the people they meet.
Conservation and Climate Action
As a travel company, we hold a responsibility to minimise our environmental footprint and contribute to sustainability, and work closely with local communities to support their efforts. By implementing initiatives such as carbon measuring, tree-planting, reducing single-use plastic and promoting eco-friendly practices, we can help mitigate the negative impacts of tourism on fragile ecosystems and local communities. Additionally, prioritising conservation efforts helps preserve natural habitats and wildlife, ensuring that future generations can continue to enjoy the wonders of our planet.
Wild Frontiers Foundation
The Wild Frontiers Foundation aims to provide a platform to create awareness, raise money and deliver funding to projects in countries where we operate as a travel company. Through the foundation, we are able to channel money into grass roots projects, which we have either established ourselves or support through charity partners. These include initiatives focused around education, the empowerment of local people and community conservation.
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Check out our group tours in Malaysia & Borneo
As well as private tailor-made trips, we also offer small group tours (max size 12) to Malaysia & Borneo. Led by an experienced tour leader, travel with a group of like-minded people on one of our award-winning group tours.
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