Borneo Through the Lens: Birding and Wildlife Photography Expedition

Wake up early for another rewarding day of birding as we journey to the renowned KK Lee Trus Madi Bird Hide, located within the Trus Madi region - one of Sabah's premier birding destinations and home to some of Borneo's most sought-after endemic species. Surrounded by pristine montane forests and rich biodiversity, this purpose-built bird hide offers excellent opportunities to observe a variety of rare and spectacular birds in their natural habitat.

A packed breakfast and packed lunch will be provided, allowing you to spend the entire day birding at the renowned KK Lee Trus Madi Bird Hide. Enjoy uninterrupted time observing the rich diversity of birdlife as you wait patiently for some of Borneo's most elusive endemic species to make an appearance.

After a fulfilling day of birdwatching, depart on a scenic two-hour overland journey to Kundasang. Upon arrival,check into your accommodation and enjoy the cool mountain climate as you unwind after another memorable day in the field.

Your final full day at Kinabalu Park offers another excellent opportunity to search for Borneo's iconic highland birds. Building on the previous days' sightings, revisit productive birding locations or explore additional trails where target species are frequently recorded.

With patience and favourable conditions, today may reward you with close encounters or long-awaited sightings of some of the park's most sought-after endemic birds. The combination of pristine montane forest, diverse habitats, and experienced guiding makes every outing a unique birding experience.

As the afternoon comes to an end, return to your accommodation to freshen up before dinner. Enjoy your final evening in the cool mountain surroundings, reflecting on the memorable birding experiences and remarkable wildlife encountered throughout your stay.

Depart early this morning for a two-hour overland journey to Telupid. Stop at a local restaurant to enjoy a hearty breakfast before continuing to the renowned Ulu Telupid Bird Hide, one of Sabah's newest birding hotspots nestled within the pristine lowland rainforest. As today's birding session may extend well into the mid-afternoon, lunch may be taken later than usual, allowing you to maximise your time at the bird hide.

Purpose-built to provide an exceptional birdwatching experience, the hide offers excellent opportunities to observe birds at close range with minimal disturbance. Spend the day quietly watching as the surrounding forest comes alive with an impressive diversity of birdlife, offering rewarding encounters for both avid birders and nature enthusiasts alike.

One of the day's highlights is the opportunity to search for the magnificent Bornean Peacock-Pheasant, one of Borneo's most elusive and highly prized endemic birds. With patience and a little luck, you may also encounter a variety of other fascinating lowland rainforest species, including pittas, broadbills, bulbuls, babblers, and other forest specialists.

In the late afternoon, continue on an approximately 2-hour 30-minute overland journey to Sepilok. Upon arrival, check in to your accommodation and enjoy dinner before settling in for a well-deserved rest, preparing for another exciting day of birding tomorrow.

After breakfast, we make our way to Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre where you'll learn about the plight of the Orang Utan and see firsthand the conservation efforts. Watch a short introductory video show about the Orang Utans and the rehabilitation efforts ongoing at the Centre and then proceed for ten minutes stroll through the rainforest on wooden boardwalks which takes you to the viewing platform where we'll witness the feeding of the orang utans at 1000hrs.

If the Orang Utans are feeling particularly friendly, you may even get the chance to get up close to the Orang Utan so be sure to hang onto your belongings. Besides orangutans, keep an eye out for Long-tailed Macaques and their stockier cousins, the Pig-tailed Macaques, which are often seen foraging through the surrounding forest. You can also spend time observing the playful young orangutans at the outdoor nursery, offering a fascinating glimpse into their early development and natural behaviours.

After lunch, continue to the Rainforest Discovery Centre, one of Sabah's premier birdwatching locations. Explore the extensive canopy walkway and suspension bridge, offering a bird's-eye view of the rainforest canopy, before strolling through the forest trails and botanical garden in search of the area's rich birdlife. Night walk in the evening.

Return to your accommodation, settling in for a well-deserved rest, preparing for another exciting day of birding.

Begin the day with an early morning birdwatching excursion at the Rainforest Discovery Centre, taking advantage of the cooler hours when bird activity is at its peak. Continue exploring the forest trails and canopy walkway in search of additional lowland rainforest bird species.

After lunch, transfer to the Sandakan Jetty and board a Borneo Eco Tours speedboat for an approximately 2 and a half hour journey along the Kinabatangan River to the 4 star multi-award-winning Sukau Rainforest Lodge. The journey itself forms part of the wildlife experience, with excellent opportunities to observe hornbills, kingfishers,crocodiles, primates and, with a little luck, the elusive Bornean Pygmy Elephant along the riverbanks.

Upon arrival, be welcomed with a refreshing drink and a chilled towel while the lodge staff assist with your checkin. Later in the late afternoon, embark on a silent electric-powered river cruise, allowing you to observe wildlife with minimal disturbance as you explore one of Borneo's richest wildlife habitats. The remarkable diversity of primates, rare mammals, and colourful birdlife makes the Kinabatangan River one of Southeast Asia's finest wildlife destinations and a paradise for birdwatchers, photographers, and nature enthusiasts alike.

After dinner, set out on an exciting night river cruise to discover the fascinating nocturnal wildlife of the Kinabatangan. As darkness falls, the floodplain forests, oxbow lakes, and riverbanks come alive with a different cast of wildlife, offering opportunities to spot nocturnal mammals, owls, reptiles, and amphibians that are rarely seen during the day.

An early morning call at 0530hrs to catch the rainforest waking up is in store. If conditions are just right, you might even wake to a surreal heavenly experience shrouded in mists. After a light breakfast, we embark on a morning river cruise in search of waking wildlife and birds which are most active in the morning on our way to the Kelenanap Ox-Bow Lake. Return to a full breakfast awaiting you, taking the time to just immerse yourself in the surroundings.

The combination of misty landscapes, vibrant birdlife, and the chance to spot rare mammals makes Ox-Bow Lake one of the highlights of the Kinabatangan experience. In the afternoon, head out to Gomantong Caves and explore the intricate cave system. Gomantong Caves form the largest limestone outcrop in the Lower Kinabatangan and support one of Sabah's most important cave ecosystems.

Inside the caves, millions of bats share the walls with nesting swiftlets; at dusk, witness the dramatic bat exodus as clouds of bats stream into the sky while Bat Hawks and other raptors swoop in, and around the surrounding forest, keep an eye out for Orangutans there too! If you’re up for the challenge, climb up the stairs up to Simud Putih to experience the bat exodus on the platform.

Head back to Sukau Rainforest Lodge for a scrumptious dinner at Melapi Restaurant and enjoy a restful night thereafter.

Rise early and set out on a morning river cruise along the Menanggol Riverby silent electric motor in search of wildlife and birds, waking to the cacophony of the rainforest before returning for a full breakfast.

After breakfast, join a guided nature walk along the Hornbill Boardwalk with the lodge's in-house naturalist. Learn about the fascinating flora and fauna of the Kinabatangan floodplain and gain a deeper appreciation of this unique ecosystem.

After lunch, enjoy some free time to relax and soak in the tranquil surroundings of the lodge. You may choose to unwind on the observation deck, explore the lodge grounds, or simply enjoy the sights and sounds of the rainforest.

Later in the afternoon, embark on another river cruise in search of the Kinabatangan's remarkable wildlife. As the day cools and wildlife become more active, opportunities abound to spot primates, birds, and other rainforest inhabitants along the river.

Return to the lodge for dinner and a relaxing evening.

Wake up early for an exciting new day! Begin your next adventure with an approximately 2-hour overland journey to Lahad Datu where we’ll stop at Lahad Datu office for some light refreshments and registration. Then continue to drive a 2.5-hour overland journey to reach Utan Rainforest Lodge featuring 14 air-conditioned rooms, located in the Virgin Jungle Reserve (VJR) of Sungai Kapur.

Indulge in our rooms with ensuite bathrooms and heated showers, as well as our covered restaurant and open deck, dip pool, and not forgetting our bar and gift corner. Upon arrival, receive a warm welcome with a facility briefing followed by a delectable lunch and check-in thereafter.

Get a taste of Sungai Kapur’s Virgin Jungle Reserve and its world of flora and fauna as you take a hike to Kapur trail. As the day unfolds, pause for a brief tea break before setting off on a late afternoon river cruise for wildlife encounters and a mesmerizing estuary sunset. If weather permits, you may witness a captivating summertime light show courtesy of fireflies as you make your way back to the lodge for dinner.

After dinner, join a night safari drive where the nocturnal wildlife of Utan Rainforest Lodge reveals itself in ways that will truly mesmerize you.

Wake up to the sounds of the rainforest. After a quick bite, we will set out for a short morning hike. Immerse yourself in the surroundings while getting your heart racing as we visit the Cuckoo Hide to photograph one of Borneo's endemic birds and other birdlife found in the area.

At our hide, you’ll have the rare opportunity to spot the Bornean Ground Cuckoo, Crested Fireback, Sabah Partridge, and a variety of other remarkable birds at Utan Rainforest Lodge Thereafter, return to the lodge to freshen up before enjoying a scrumptious breakfast at the restaurant.

Following breakfast, if weather and sea conditions permit, we'll embark on a river cruise adventure along the coastline, venturing into Lasun River and its mangrove forest. Keep your eyes peeled for a chance in wildlife encounters, such as flying foxes, eagles, and Irrawaddy dolphins.

Head back to the lodge to relax and refresh before a hefty lunch. Gear up with your leech socks and get ready for an exciting jungle trek along our many trails. If you're up for an adventure, let your guide know, and they’ll take you on a longer trek through the wilderness.

When the sun sets, tantalise your taste buds with a delicious dinner, and proceed to head out for a night walk around the lodge. Experience the serenity of the night and keep an eye out for nocturnal creatures like civets, leopard cats, mouse deer, and moonrats that rule the night. Return to the lodge for a good night's rest.

The rare transitional environment of lowland rainforest & mangrove ecotone offers a rich diversity of species.From river cruises and jungle treks to night safaris and firefly displays, activities are crafted to increase wildlife encounter opportunities.

Start the day with an early morning walk and enjoy the peaceful sights and sounds of the rainforest as nature awakens around you. Return to the lodge for a hearty breakfast before heading out on a river cruise in search of Borneo’s wildlife.

Along the way, we’ll briefly stop along the riverbank and disembark for a short trek to our little Nepenthes Garden, where you can discover these fascinating pitcher plants. Continue exploring the Virgin Forest area, with opportunities to take photos of our iconic Kapur Twin Tower tree and wander through the surrounding trails.

After the morning adventure, return to the lodge for lunch. Later in the afternoon, set out on a sunset river cruise and immerse yourself in the tranquillity of the river as the sun slowly disappears over the horizon. Return to the lodge to freshen up and enjoy dinner before ending the night with an exciting night safari drive.

Wake up early to the sounds of the rainforest and head out for a final guided nature walk, offering one last opportunity to spot some of Borneo's remarkable birdlife and wildlife. Return to the lodge for a hearty breakfast before enjoying some free time at leisure until check-out.

After lunch, depart by road for Lahad Datu Airport to board your late-afternoon flight to Kota Kinabalu, bringing your unforgettable Bornean birding adventure to a close.