Complete Borneo
Suggested Itinerary
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Overview
The third largest island on the planet, Borneo is a land rich in natural and cultural highlights. Home to one of the oldest rainforests on earth, it can also boast spectacular biodiversity, UNESCO World Heritage landscapes and the immense limestone caverns of the Mulu National Park.
Along the way you will visit the rich landscapes of Bako National Park and the Iban tribes of Batang Ai, watch orangutans feeding in Sepilok and search for rare Irrawaddy dolphins along the Salak River....
The third largest island on the planet, Borneo is a land rich in natural and cultural highlights. Home to one of the oldest rainforests on earth, it can also boast spectacular biodiversity, UNESCO World Heritage landscapes and the immense limestone caverns of the Mulu National Park.
Along the way you will visit the rich landscapes of Bako National Park and the Iban tribes of Batang Ai, watch orangutans feeding in Sepilok and search for rare Irrawaddy dolphins along the Salak River. The journey also takes you deep into the limestone caves of Mulu and the pristine mangrove forests of the Kinabatangan River delta, before delivering you to the remarkable setting of Kinabalu National Park, one of the oldest and most important reserves in Malaysia.
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
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.
Day 1 Kuching: City Exploration
Day 1 Kuching: City Exploration
Arrive in Kuching and transfer to your hotel. This afternoon is free to enjoy exploring Sarawak's charming capital. This fascinating riverside city is filled with temples and colourful landmarks that date back to its colonial beginnings. You can stroll along the beautifully landscaped waterfront and explore the bustling vitality of the handicraft shops of the main bazaar.
Day 2 Kuching: Bako National Park
Day 2 Kuching: Bako National Park
Today you visit the rich ecosystems of Bako National Park, Sarawak's oldest and smallest protected reserve. One of the best places in Sarawak to see wildlife in their natural setting, Bako is home to proboscis monkeys, wild boars, monitor lizards and a rich collection of bird species. Accessible only by boat you will have a chance to trek along some of the jungle trails that snake through the park, before returning to Kuching.
Day 3 Kuching - Batang Ai: Orangutan Sanctuary
Day 3 Kuching - Batang Ai: Orangutan Sanctuary
Departing Kuching this morning you drive on to the Batang Ai reservoir. Travelling via Semenggoh you will have a chance to watch the feeding of the orangutans, before continuing to the colourful market town of Serian. After lunch you continue to Batang Ai where, on arrival, you will board a longboat for a river cruise up to Mengkak Longhouse. After dinner you will visit an Iban longhouse for an evening of cultural interaction and some local rice wine.
Day 4 Batang Ai: Jungle Trails
Day 4 Batang Ai: Jungle Trails
After breakfast you hike along the jungle trails and travel upriver by longboat to the for your picnic lunch (if weather permit). After a chance to relax, swim, explore and maybe even try your hand at fishing Iban style, you return to the longhouse. After a dinner sprinkled with delicious local delicacies, you have another opportunity to visit the longhouse.
Day 5 Batang Ai – Kuching: Longboat Cruise
Day 5 Batang Ai – Kuching: Longboat Cruise
Taking a longboat back to the jetty, you return to Kuching this morning. This afternoon is free to relax or explore at leisure in Kuching.
Day 6 Kuching – Gunung Mulu National Park: Deer Cave
Day 6 Kuching – Gunung Mulu National Park: Deer Cave
Flying to Mulu this morning you enter the landscapes of the Gunung Mulu National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site that encompasses some of Sarawak's most spectacular natural features. This afternoon you will visit the breath-taking wonder of Deer Cave, the largest limestone cavern anywhere on earth. Filled with incredible limestone formations, the cave is home to some 2 million bats, which exit the cave in search of food at sunset most evenings.
Day 7 Gunung Mulu National Park: Cave Systems
Day 7 Gunung Mulu National Park: Cave Systems
Mulu is home to one of the largest cave systems in the world and this morning you will visit both the Wind and Clearwater Caves. These caves harbour unique species of flora, including rare orchids and pitcher plants, as well as delicate lace-like formations of stalactites and stalagmites.
Day 8 Gunung Mulu National Park - Kota Kinabalu – Sepilok: Travel to Sabah
Day 8 Gunung Mulu National Park - Kota Kinabalu – Sepilok: Travel to Sabah
Transfer to the airport for you flight to Sandakan in Sabah, via Kota Kinabalu. On arrival transfer to your hotel located just outside Sandakan.
Day 9 Sepilok - Kinabatangan (Abai): River Safari
Day 9 Sepilok - Kinabatangan (Abai): River Safari
This morning, visit the orangutans at Sepilok Nature Reserve, where you can observe them at their feeding stations and enjoy a short presentation on the Orangutan Rehabilitation Programme. Following the visit, you then travel by boat on to the Kinbatangan Sanctuary and the pristine mangrove forests of the Kinabatangan River Delta. Upon arrival at the Kinabatangan Wetlands Resort, 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. After a few hours you will head back to the resort, if weather is good, we should be able to see and photograph fireflies at a very challenging low-light condition. After dinner, shall take a night stroll along the boardwalks on a lookout for nocturnal animals and interesting insects.
Day 10 Kinabatangan (Abai): In Search of Wildlife
Day 10 Kinabatangan (Abai): In Search of Wildlife
An early morning boat ride takes you around the nearby Ox Bow Lake, for a chance to search out some of the abundant bird and animal life in the area. Returning to the lodge for breakfast, you then pay a visit to the Abai village, before returning to the river again to enjoy another waterborne safari in search of proboscis monkeys and more endemic wildlife.
Day 11 Kinabatangan (Abai) - Sandakan - Kota Kinabalu: Morning Birdwatching
Day 11 Kinabatangan (Abai) - Sandakan - Kota Kinabalu: Morning Birdwatching
Early this morning, spend some time on the boardwalk for some birdwatching. Transfer by boat to Sandakan airport and in the afternoon fly back to Kota Kinabalu.
Day 12 Kota Kinabalu: Mt Kinabalu Nature Walk
Day 12 Kota Kinabalu: Mt Kinabalu Nature Walk
Kinabalu National Park is one of the oldest in Malaysia. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is one of the world's most important biological zones and surrounds the towering summit of Mount Kinabalu (4095 m). This morning you will visit the park and enjoy a guided walk with a park naturalist. Later you will explore the sumptuous Botanical Gardens and learn a little more about the incredible diversity of the region's flora, before returning to Kota Kinabalu.
Day 13 Kota Kinabalu: Relax on the Beach
Day 13 Kota Kinabalu: Relax on the Beach
Day at leisure to relax and enjoy the beach at the hotel.
Day 14 Kota Kinabalu: Departure
Day 14 Kota Kinabalu: Departure
After a free morning you will transfer to the airport in time to catch your onward flight.
SUGGESTED ACCOMMODATION
The Waterfront Hotel, Kuching
The Waterfront Hotel is set on the Sarawak river in Kuching giving guest rooms views out over the water or to the city. The 208 rooms and modern and stylish with earthy tones and plenty of amenities, many have floor to ceiling windows to make the most of the views. An all day restaurant serves international and local cuisine and there is also a lounge bar for guests to relax in the afternoon and evening. There is also an indoor swimming pool. throughout the hotel there is the theme of art and the hotel prides itself on being a space for local and upcoming artists to showcase their work, from handicrafts and fine art to music. The artworks are on display around the hotel and there is a dedicated gallery also.
Gunung Mulu National Park Park Head Quarters, Gunung Mulu
Mulu National Park Headquarters offers various accommodation options for those visiting the national park. Mulu National Park is a World Heritage area boasting some of the biggest caves in the world, fantastic trekking and wildlife experiences. From walking through rainforest canopies to riding along the waters of the Langsat River there is much to see and do. Mulu National Park Headquarters offers very comfortable accommodation options for travellers the best of which are Deluxe Garden Bungalows, with double beds fitted with air conditioning, There is a café that acts as an open air restaurant serving local foods and western dishes. With an outside patio, it’s a lovely place to relax with a cold beer or wine. The HQ is adjacent to the Mulu Discovery Centre which provides information through displays, video presentations and library books about the geological history of the park. All in all this is a very comfortable place to stay whilst discovering the natural riches of Mulu National Park.
Sepilok Nature Resort, Sandakan
Within walking distance from the world-famous Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, deep in a forest of tropical orchids and towering trees, this charming resort 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 resort 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.
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.
GUIDELINE PRICE & WHAT'S INCLUDED
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WILD MILES
ACCOMMODATION
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.
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