Classic Borneo

Suggested Itinerary

Overview

Borneo’s natural wonders are amongst some of the most unique and captivating anywhere on the planet. This incredible wildlife adventure takes you on a journey through some of its most iconic and mesmerising landscapes, where you can swim in turtle rich waters and watch orangutans feeding in the rainforest, before trekking through some of the most unspoiled and pristine wilderness in Malaysia.

The adventure begins in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah’s bustling capital, from where you ...

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TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

  • Learn about the great work being done at the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre
  • Explore the Kinabatangan River by boat, searching for crocodiles, Pygmy elephants, and Proboscis monkeys
  • Enjoy numerous night safaris and educational discussions with a local naturalist
  • Visit a local fishing village of the Orang Sungai people and learn more about traditions in this remote river area
  • Trek through the 130-million-year-old rainforest of the Danum Valley and walk the 130-metre-tall canopy walk
  • Visit ancient burial sites and cool down in beautiful jungle waterfalls

Suggested Itinerary

This is a suggested itinerary. Our experts have all travelled widely in the region and will be happy to tailor any of our itineraries to suit your tastes, or build a trip from scratch.

EXPAND ALL ITINERARY DAYS
COLLAPSE ALL ITINERARY DAYS

DAY 1: ARRIVE KOTA KINABALU

DAY 1: ARRIVE KOTA KINABALU

Enjoy a free afternoon to enjoy the delights of Sabah's bustling capital. Wander through the Filipino market before you reach the lively waterfront strip for a sunset drink and a bite to eat. Take in the city of Kota Kinabalu as the sun sets and the waterfront comes alive at night.

Hyatt Regency

DAY 2: KOTA KINABALU - SANDAKAN - SEPILOK

DAY 2: KOTA KINABALU - SANDAKAN - SEPILOK

You will be collected from the hotel and transferred to Kota Kinabalu Airport for your flight to Sandakan. On arrival in Sandakan, you will be met by your local guide and taken to the Sepilok Nature Resort.

Sepilok Nature Resort
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 3: SEPILOK - KINABATANGAN (ABAI)

DAY 3: SEPILOK - KINABATANGAN (ABAI)

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.

Kinabatangan Wetlands Resort
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 4: KINABATANGAN (ABAI - SUKAU)

DAY 4: KINABATANGAN (ABAI - SUKAU)

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.

Sukau Rainforest Lodge
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 5: KINABATANGAN (SUKAU)

DAY 5: KINABATANGAN (SUKAU)

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.

Sukau Rainforest Lodge
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 6: KINABATANGAN (SUKAU) - LAHAD DATU - DANUM VALLEY

DAY 6: KINABATANGAN (SUKAU) - LAHAD DATU - DANUM VALLEY

After breakfast, your guide will bring to the Gomantong Caves, the largest birds nests cave in Sabah, famous for its swiftlets and their edible nests used in ‘Birds Nest Soup’ and for being home to two million bats. Drive through the rainforest to Lahad Datu for lunch before continuing deep into the lush tropical lowlands of the Danum Valley. Walk the 130 -metre-tall canopy walk through this 130-million-year -old rainforest. Following dinner, board a 4WD vehicle for a nocturnal wildlife tour in search of civets, insects and reptiles.

Borneo Rainforest Lodge
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 7: DANUM VALLEY

DAY 7: DANUM VALLEY

After breakfast you will take the short hike out to an ancient Kadazan-Dusun burial site, a 3-kilometre return journey that follows the 'Coffin Trail' and involves a 40-minute climb up to a stunning lookout point. Returning to the hotel for lunch, this afternoon then sees you heading out again, following the Segama Trail and East Trail in search of local wildlife. Day's end involves one more foray out from the lodge, departing after dinner to seek out some of the area's nocturnal creatures.

Borneo Rainforest Lodge
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 8: DANUM VALLEY

DAY 8: DANUM VALLEY

Following an early morning walk and breakfast, you then head out with a local guide to trek up to the Fairy Falls and the Serpent Falls. The afternoon is at leisure.

Borneo Rainforest Lodge
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 9: DANUM VALLEY - LAHAD DATU - KOTA KINABALU

DAY 9: DANUM VALLEY - LAHAD DATU - KOTA KINABALU

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 be transferred to the hotel. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure to enjoy the comfort of the luxury seaside resort.

Shangri-La Tanjung Aru Resort And Spa
Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 10: KOTA KINABALU

DAY 10: KOTA KINABALU

After a free morning in Kota Kinabalu you will transfer to the airport where your tour will end.

Breakfast

SUGGESTED ACCOMMODATION

Hotel Rating

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

Hotel Rating

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

Hotel Rating

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

Hotel Rating

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

Hotel Rating

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

Hotel Rating

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

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.

GUIDELINE PRICE & WHAT’S INCLUDED

10 days from £4,420

MEALS

As specified in the itinerary, sampling some of the country's finest cuisine.

TRANSPORT

Private air-conditioned vehicles with experienced, dedicated drivers.

ENTRANCE FEES

Tours and admission fees, including tickets specified in the itinerary.

EXPERT TEAM

Licensed English-speaking guides and a support team available 24/7.

ACCOMMODATION

As specified in the itinerary, using some of our favourite local properties.

WILD MILES

This tour will earn you 13110 Wild Miles

ACCOMMODATION

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

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

Tree
Ten trees are planted per passenger on this trip
Community
Supports Wild Frontiers Foundation community projects
Wind Turbine
A contribution to renewable energy projects

WHEN TO GO

START PLANNING YOUR TRIP

Our team of experts have a wealth of knowledge and experience to help you plan your adventure of a lifetime.

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OTHER ITINERARIES IN BORNEO