Borneo Wildlife Highlights

15 days
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
View all 17 photos
4.6/5 Excellent
100+ reviews  
98%
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
premier

Health Safety +

Cancellation Policy
Small Group Tour
This 10 day adventure through the jungles of Sabah provides ample opportunity to spot the incredible endemic wildlife found on the island of Borneo. Along the way we search for wildlife from a boat along winding waterways, sample a natural fish spa and take a night walk to look for endangered species in the Tabin Wildlife Reserve. Sepilok - Visit the famo...
19%
$3,973
From$3,230
See departure dates

Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate

Highlights

    • A two week wildlife full immersion in Borneo's jungles of Sabah and Sarawak
    • Cruise along Bako's rainforest and marvel at Mulu National park's pinnacles
    • Visit Sepilok Orang-utan Sanctuary and spend three nights in a lush wildlife reserve

What's this trip about?

    This 10 day adventure through the jungles of Sabah provides ample opportunity to spot the incredible endemic wildlife found on the island of Borneo. Along the way we search for wildlife from a boat along winding waterways, sample a natural fish spa and take a night walk to look for endangered species in the Tabin Wildlife Reserve. Sepilok - Visit the famous Sepilok Orang-utan Sanctuary and witness the excellent rehabilitation work Kinabatangan River - Cruise through the steamy waterways spotting proboscis monkeys and hornbills Tabin Wildlife Reserve- Trek to a mud volcano and search for clouded leopard, pygmy elephant and gibbons

Details

Itinerary focusOff the Beaten Path
Group sizeSmall Group - max of 20 people
Age range16 to 85 years
Flights and transportN/A
Start CityKota Kinabalu
End CityKota Kinabalu

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • Hiking & Walking

Destinations

  • Asia
  • Indonesia
  • Malaysia

Attractions

  • Borneo
  • Kota Kinabalu
  • Mount Kinabalu

Activities

  • Hiking

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1 Join trip in Kuching, the capital of the Sarawak region of Borneo

For those arriving on time our Leader plans to meet you in the hotel reception at 6pm for the welcome meeting. There are no other activities planned today, so you are free to arrive in Kuching at any time. If you would like an airport transfer today, you'll need to ar...

Day 2 Discover Kuching Heritage Trails and take a traditional Sampan Cruise

The history of modern Sarawak began when the English adventurer James Brooke sailed up the Sarawak River in his schooner in 1839. Today we discover Kuching, a veritable treasure trove of historical buildings and remarkable stories concentrated around the south bank of...

Day 3 Visit a fishing village and cruise along Bako National Park's rainforest

First thing in the morning, we depart Kuching for a 45-minute drive to Bako Fishing Village. We continue by motorized boat for a 30-minute cruise along the beautiful coast to reach Bako National Park. The oldest of Sarawak's national parks, Bako offers the perfec...

Day 4 Fly to Mulu and afternoon exploration of Mulu National Park

We transfer to the airport for our onwards flight to Mulu, our home for the next two nights. Depending on the arrival time, there are a variety of free options which include a wander to the Tree Top Tower for views across the roof of the Mulu National Park, a stroll a...

Day 5 Explore limestone caves at Mulu Park and go on a treetop canopy walkway

After breakfast, which is accompanied by the sound of the jungle's morning chorus, we take a 15-minute longboat ride up the Melanau River to experience two more of Mulu's \ must-see\ limestone caves: Wind Cave and Clearwater Cave. These form part of the Sarawak Chamb...

Day 6 Fly to Kota Kinabalu, the capital of the Sabah region of Borneo

This morning we head to the airport and take a short flight to Kota Kinabalu; KK as it is affectionately known by the locals. The small capital is a cultural melting pot and its inhabitants are a mix of Chinese, Indonesian, Filipino, Indian and of course Malay. This b...

Day 7 Explore the city's Great Mosque and markets. Optional afternoon visit to Mari Mari village

We set off this morning to explore the sights of KK. Having been bombed extensively during World War II, KK's architecture is awash with modernity, occasionally interspersed with the remaining historical buildings, mosques and ramshackle markets. We first visit Tun Mu...

Day 8 Drive into Kinabalu National Park, lunch with the Dusan tribe in the shadow of Mount Kinabalu

After a leisurely breakfast we leave the city limits and after approximately two and a half hours reach the Crocker Mountain Range, home to the highest mountain in South East Asia - Mount Kinabalu (4095m). We will travel to the small village of Tanak Nabalu where we s...

Day 9 Visit Poring Hot Springs and a Rafflesia reserve. Drive onto Sepilok

This morning we travel east and visit the Poring Hot Springs, an incredible collection of natural geothermal pools dotted throughout the forest. Here we can take a dip in the natural mineral-rich waters and spot monkeys and birds on the canopy walk that traverses the ...

Day 10 Visit Sun Bears conservations centre and witness a feeding at Sepilok Orang-utan Sanctuary. Onto Sukau for a jungle night walk

This morning we set off on foot to the Sun Bear Conservation Centre. Sun bears are the smallest bears and their survival has been threatened by decades of ongoing deforestation. In the wild, they play a key role in ensuring the health of the forest. Here, orphaned or ...

Day 11 Cruise along the Kinabatangan River searching for wildlife on its banks

Waking to the distant calls of gibbons and hornbills, we rise for breakfast before joining a morning river cruise to Kelenanap Oxbow Lake. The Kinabatangan River area plays host to an incredible array of wildlife - a total of 10 primate species including proboscis mon...

Day 12 Drive onto the Wildlife Reserve of Tabin; Afternoon nature walk to the Lipad Mud Volcano

We head deeper into the rainforest today on our three and a half hour drive to the Reserve of Tabin. On the route this morning we see many reminders of man's interference with nature. Much of the route to the conservation area has been de-forested and replaced with va...

Day 13 In Tabin Wildlife Reserve: Bird Watch and take a dip beside a waterfall. Guided night walk

We rise early this morning amongst the birdsong and gibbon calls to travel to the core of the reserve, climbing the observation tower to discover some of Tabin's near 300 species of birds. Here we hope to spot species such as the Bronzed Drongo, Blue-crowned Hanging P...

Day 14 Morning nature walk in Tabin Wildlife Reserve. Afternoon drive to Sandakan

There is a final chance for another nature walk this morning before we leave our accommodation behind at lunch time and drive to the bustling town of Sandakan.

Meals Provided : Breakfast

Day 15 Trip ends in Sandakan

The trip ends after breakfast at our hotel in Sandakan. There are no activities planned today, so you are free to depart from Sandakan u at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you would li...

Want a tailor-made trip instead?

Your trip, your way, planned by an expert:

  • You choose budget, destinations, activities, transport & lodging type
  • Expert designs the itinerary for you, and once approved, takes care of logistics
Design custom trip

Dates & Availability

Price From $3,230
Price per day$215
Last Updated: 5/4/2024
Start Date
Finish Date
Base Price
Single Room (Optional)
Availability
21 Jul 2024
30 Jul 2024
$3,230
$760
9 spots left
04 Aug 2024
13 Aug 2024
$3,810
$760
2 spots left
27 Aug 2024
10 Sep 2024
$5,100
$930
11 spots left
10 Sep 2024
24 Sep 2024
$5,370
$920
8 spots left
08 Oct 2024
22 Oct 2024
$5,100
$930
12 spots left
05 Nov 2024
19 Nov 2024
$5,370
$920
14 spots left
23 Mar 2025
06 Apr 2025
$5,390
$940
16 spots left
20 Apr 2025
04 May 2025
$5,660
$970
16 spots left
18 May 2025
01 Jun 2025
$5,660
$970
16 spots left
15 Jun 2025
29 Jun 2025
$5,660
$970
16 spots left

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Explore!.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

Travelstride Gift Card
One card, thousands of extraordinary trips
Gifts Card

Explore! Reviews & Ratings

4.6/5  Excellent
Excellent
6,582
Great
2,187
Average
375
Disappointing
116
Terrible
56
T

Trusted Customer

Dec 2023

Written on

Borneo Wildlife Highlights

Full on trip. Loved the Sun Bears, and finally catching sight of Orangutans in the wild.

J

Julia

Nov 2023

Written on

Borneo Wildlife Highlights

This trip was concentrated on wildlife and we saw plenty. Loved the night walks drives and river journeys. It was well arranged. The last resort was particularly gr...

T

Timothy

Nov 2023

Written on

Borneo Wildlife Highlights

Well organised and paced. Superb leader and Tabin guide.

T

Trusted Customer

Oct 2023

Written on

Borneo Wildlife Highlights

The opportunity to see animals and birds in their natural h...

N

Nich

Oct 2023

Written on

Borneo Wildlife Highlights

The tour leader was fantastic, always available, and never faltering. The whole trip was amazing.

Write a Review

Other Explore! Reviews

S

Shannon

May 2024

Written on

Amalfi Coast Walking - Hotel Risorgimento

It was a great experience. The walking was sufficiently challenging to make it interesting and the vistas were amazing. The food at the hotel was excellent and the ...

T

Trusted Customer

May 2024

Written on

Very helpful

Patient and worked hard to get the best solution for me

Write a Review

Tour Operator

Explore!

premier
View Profile

About Explore

We've been taking small groups on adventure vacations for over 41 years. Our authentic adventure travel experiences explore the sights and culture of a country, with hand-picked accommodation that balances comfort and location. Our average group tour size is just 11; perfect for meeting new people and getting to the heart of our destinations. Explore is one of the world's most trusted adventure travel companies with over 350 trips to more than 100 countries. We are passionate about travel and have developed a wide range of unique activities and adventures which give our customers an unforgettable experience with a team of award-winning Explore leaders. With Explore, you'll get to see your destination from a whole new perspective that takes you away from the typical well-trodden tourist track. You'll have the chance to meet, dine and stay with local people, rest in authentic accommodation with other like-minded explorers and travel to must-see destinations with a unique Explore twist. From family holidays to trips for solo travelers; cycling tours to wildlife safaris; trekking on mountains or exploring miles of scenic coastline, there is something for every kind of traveler with Explore. We will provide our expert knowledge, exciting itineraries and outstanding service as part of our sustainable travel experiences which take you under the skin of the country you're visiting for the adventure of a lifetime.


Why we love this operator
They explore a place beyond the typical tourist traps and offer exciting activities that bring the “wow factor” intrepid travelers want.
What they’re known for
Famous for our expert local guides that help ease the unknowns of adventure travel while bringing a unique richness and spontaneity to each and every

About Travelstride

Find your perfect trip

An epic selection of pre-planned trips on every continent, for every style. Thousands of itineraries from over 1,000 trusted travel companies.

Save time

Use simple search and comparison tools to easily find the best trip. Don't sweat the logistics — travel providers plan for you.

Save money

Book directly with the operator. See inclusive packages for the best values, and get access to amazing deals.

Travel confidently

Read unbiased user reviews, pick the operator that suits your needs, and connect with them directly.

Logistics

Transportation & Flights

Boat, Flight, Minibus,

Transportation & flights

Boat, Flight, Minibus
Guides
Explore Tour Leader, Driver(s), Local Guide(s), Ranger(s)
Cancellation policy
These conditions are applicable to Discovery & Wildlife, Cycling, Walking and Family Trips. These conditions were updated November 2022. Booked a Polar trip? Please refer to our Polar booking conditions. To make it easy to know the detail of our flexibility, we’ve put it in a grid (these terms apply to all trips apart from our Polar Voyages.) Standard cancellations or changes within 69 days of travel If you’re getting closer to your trip, cancellation charges will apply as follows: For trips confirmed by 31st December 2022: 59-42 days before trip start date – 30%, or loss of deposit if higher 41-28 days before trip start date – 60% 27-14 days before trip start date – 90% Less than 14 days before trip start date – 100% For trips confirmed from 1st January 2023: 69 -42 days before trip start date – 30%, or loss of deposit if higher 41-28 days before trip start date – 60% 27-14 days before trip start date – 90% Less than 14 days before trip start date – 100%
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Malaysia: Visas are not required by UK, Australian, New Zealand, US and Canadian citizens. All passports must have at least 6 months validity after departure from Malaysia. Other nationalities should consult their local embassy or consular office.
Health & Safety
Nothing compulsory, but we recommend protection against malaria, tetanus, infectious hepatitis, typhoid, diphtheria and polio. Consult your travel clinic for latest advice on different prophylaxis available against Malaria. Please check the latest requirements with your travel clinic or doctor prior to departure. The above is not an exhaustive list. Further information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found by following the NHS and NaTHNaC links at <a href="https://www.explore.co.uk/essential-information/know-before-you-go/travel-health">Explore Travel Health</a> and from your local healthcare provider. Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed by you before travelling.
Meals Included
  • Breakfast : 14
  • Dinner : 5
  • Lunch : 7
Age Requirements
16 to 85 years
Additional Information
Trip ID
explore-MAB

Become a member

(it's free)
  • Save up to $700 per person
  • Access members-only specials
  • Personalize trip recommendations
Sign up and save
Top Tour Companies on Travelstride:
All 1,600+ companies >
Sign in to reveal savings up to $700 per person!