Compare Borneo – East Sabah Adventure by G Adventures vs Wild Borneo tour by Audley Travel
Compare details and see what other travelers are saying.
| Trip |
5 | Excellent
|
5 | Excellent
|
| Duration | 8 days | 12 days |
| Price From | $ 1,479 | $ 5,520 |
| Price Per Day | $ 185 | $ 460 |
| Highlights |
|
|
| Trip Style | Small group tour | Private guided tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Standard |
| Physical Level |
|
|
| Travel Themes |
|
|
| Countries Visited | ||
| Cities and Attractions |
|
|
| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Ground transport included |
| Activities |
|
|
| Meals Included | 7 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 dinners | N/A |
| Description |
Between its intriguing wildlife, skyscraper-height jungle canopies, and gorgeous coastlines teeming with tropical fish, this magical stretch of Borneo is positively bursting with stuff to see and do. This eight-day adventure promises to keep you busy; time spent marvelling at nature’s glory on Libaran Island, close encounters with orangutans at a rehabilitation centre, prowling the streets of Kota Kinabalu by night, and otherworldly wonders in the jungle. Borneo has it all, and in east Sabah, it’s all close at hand. |
Rich equatorial rainforest, wild orangutan and the Kinabatangan River... On a tailor-made vacation to Borneo with Audley, you’ll see the highlights — and much more — your way. We’ll design your ideal trip with you, paying close attention to your interests, your travel style and your budget. Our Borneo specialists know the country inside out and can lead you to experiences you won’t find in a guidebook. Savor sunrise atop Mount Kinabalu, the island’s highest peak. Be a guest of the Iban tribe with a night in a traditional longhouse. Trek beneath some of the world’s tallest trees, while a symphony of insects click and hum in the background. Leave a positive impact on the island by seeking out its rare leopards and proboscis monkeys responsibly. Snorkel around offshore islands and relax on a stretch of powder-soft sand. The great bat exodus at Gunung Mulu National Park, freshly cooked street food, a rhinoceros hornbill in flight… What excites you? Travel at your own pace, in your own style, with the confidence that we’ll show you the best options, wherever you go. |
Day 1 Kota Kinabalu
Arrive at any time.
Day 2 Kota Kinabalu to Kota Belud
From Kota Kinabalu, travel to Tambatuon village and meet the local community. Walk to a nearby river, exploring the landscape surrounding the village along the way. Visit a local farm and gather fresh ingredients for an included dinner. Learn how to cook some local recipes with the host.
Day 3 Kota Belud to Sungai Kinabatangan
Travel towards Sandakan and continue to the immersive jungle lodge on Kinabatangan River, Sabah's longest. After settling in, head out on a river cruise to experience the serenity of evening river life (keep your eyes peeled for birds and monkeys and crocodiles, oh my!). Enjoy dinner then opt for a guided night walk through the jungle.
Day 4 Sungai Kinabatangan
Begin the day with a river safari to witness the morning wildlife activity. After breakfast, visit the nearby oxbow lake with a professional guide and seek out proboscis monkeys, pygmy elephants, macaques, and gibbons. Enjoy another river cruise for a second chance to spot more wildlife (you never know what you may see) before returning to the lodge for dinner.
Day 5 Sungai Kinabatangan/Sepilok
Depart in the morning and travel to Sepilok - a wildlife haven. Enjoy a visit to the orangutan rehabilitation centre and the adjacent sun bear conservation centre.
Day 6 Sepilok/Pulau Libaran
Transfer to Sandakan and continue by boat to Libaran Island, also known as Turtle Island because thousands of sea turtles return to nest each year. Take a guided tour of the island's turtle hatchery and learn about the turtle conservation program. Later, visit the local village and experience what life is like on the island. Opt to go snorkelling or kayaking with some free time.
Day 7 Pulau Libaran/Kota Kinabalu
After breakfast, depart Libaran Island and travel back to the Sandakan jetty. From the jetty, transfer to Sandakan airport for a flight to Kota Kinabalu. On arrival, enjoy a free afternoon to walk and shop at Jesselton Point, a waterfront district lined with shops and street food. Opt to visit the famous Filipino market.
Day 8 Kota Kinabalu
Depart at any time.
Day 1 Kota Kinabalu
Kota Kinabalu
On arrival you will be transferred to your hotel, where you have the afternoon to explore after your long journey. The Filipino Markets on the waterfront are worth a visit this evening for some delicious seafood.
Day 2 Mulu National Park
Kota Kinabalu , Mulu National Park
After breakfast you will be collected by your driver and transferred back to the airport in time for your flight to the Mulu National Park. On arrival, take a short 5 minute shared transfer to your hotel on the fringes of the national park where you have chance to freshen up. This afternoon, explore the boardwalks around the park headquarters. At around 4pm, walk for around 45 minutes along the boardwalks to the entrance of Deer Cave for your first chance to see the bat exodus.
Day 3 Mulu National Park
Mulu National Park
This morning, explore the incredible Wind and Clearwater caves with your private guide. These cave systems are best seen in the morning light, and there is a chance to swim in the Melinau river outside the cave if you would like. Return to the park cafe for lunch, before braving the heights of the canopy walkway with your guide this afternoon. You have the rest of the evening at leisure to relax at your hotel.
Day 4 Mulu National Park
Mulu National Park
This morning you will trek the short distance to the beautiful Paku waterfall with your guide. This is an easy walk and you can enjoy a refreshing swim in the river before a picnic lunch beside the waterfall. On your return you will explore the Deer and Lang's cave with your guide, before your last chance to see the incredible bat exodus at dusk.
Day 5 Kota Kinabalu
Mulu National Park , Kota Kinabalu
After a last morning to explore the Mulu National Park, you will take the short shared transfer back to the airport in time for your flight back to Kota Kinabalu. Due to the remote nature of the Mulu National Park, flights to and from here are often subject to delays and cancellations, so you have a night in Kota Kinabalu before moving onto the rainforest. On arrival at your hotel you will have the evening at leisure. If in the city on a weekend, the markets on Gaya Street are worth a visit.
Day 6 Sepilok
Kota Kinabalu , Sandakan , Sepilok
After breakfast, you will be transferred back to the airport in time for your short 45 minute flight over to Sandakan. Here you will be met by your guide and transferred around 40 minutes inland to Sepilok, to your lodge in the middle of the rainforest. Here you have the afternoon at leisure. You could explore the nearby Rainforest Discovery Centre, with its canopy walkways and extensive jungle trails.
Day 7 Sepilok
Sepilok
Today is your first day to spot orangutan! You will meet your guide and travel the very short distance to the nearby orangutan and sun bear sanctuaries in time for the morning feeding, where you'll spend a couple of hours. After lunch, the day trippers will leave the sanctuaries and they will be much quieter and a nicer experience as a result. Your ticket is valid all day, so return for the 3pm feeding for another chance to see Borneo's endemic species.
Day 8 Deramakot Forest Reserve
Sepilok , Deramakot Forest Reserve
After breakfast you will be met by your private guide and transferred from Sepilok to the Deramakot Forest Reserve. This is a journey of around 4-5 hours along bumpy roads; Deramakot is a truly off the beaten track destination. On arrival at Deramakot, you will have lunch and can relax for a short while before reconvening with your guide and driver. Spend the evening driving the trails through Deramakot in the search for the plentiful wildlife in the area. The accommodation in Deramakot is very basic, just one step up from camping, but the rangers' wives who manage the rooms are warm and welcoming and the experience is worth it to get off the beaten track and to explore one of Borneo's hidden gems.
Day 9 Deramakot Forest Reserve
Deramakot Forest Reserve
Deramakot is a sustainable logging reserve certified by the Forest Stewardship Council and, as such, there are many trails to explore. On the Domingos Trail, you can read about the history of the reserve and how they have learned from their previous mistakes. Today you will spend the full day driving the many trails through the reserve with your private guide. There are a few chances to explore on foot but, as Deramakot is a huge expanse of forest and a fantastic way to escape the crowds in Sabah, there is much to see and so driving is the best way to do so. There is a multitude of wildlife in the forest, and your guide and driver will take you around the reserve so you have the best possible chance of spotting the flora and fauna. Previously this has included hornbills, orangutan, pygmy elephants and even the incredibly rare clouded leopard. More common are the smaller creatures that need an expert eye to spot, such as the tiny slow loris and the snuffling bearded pig.
Day 10 Kinabatangan River
Deramakot Forest Reserve , Kinabatangan River
After a last morning exploring the trails of Deramakot, you will be transferred around 4 hours, back along the bumpy roads, to the Kinabatangan River for a different kind of wildlife experience. Although this is more on the beaten track, the Kinabatangan River is also one of the best places for wildlife in Borneo, and is great to combine with Deramakot for the real wildlife lovers whose main purpose of visiting this tropical island is to explore as many of its endemic species as possible. The accommodation is more comfortable here, and you will have chance to relax and freshen up before heading out onto a cruise on the river this afternoon.
Day 11 Kinabatangan River
Kinabatangan River
You have the full day at Sukau Rainforest Lodge today for your last chance to see as much of Borneo's wildlife as possible. You will have two river cruises, at dawn and at dusk; during the day you could explore the boardwalks behind the lodge or simply relax by the lodge's refreshing plunge pool.
Day 12 Return home
Kinabatangan River
After breakfast, you will be transferred around 2 hours down-river back to Sandakan, where you will continue your onward journey.
