Borneo, Rainforests, Orangutans and Beaches
A 12 Day Rainforest, Orang-utan and Beaches Safari - from £2,565 per person
Day 1
Met upon arrival at Lahad Datu airport and transfer approximately 3hrs to Danum Valley. On arrival at your rainforest lodge you will have time to sit
back and relax and enjoy the surroundings. Danum is one of the best remaining examples of how Borneo's forests used to be, with a thick tropical canopy and a variety of wildlife.
Overnight: Borneo Rainforest Lodge - locally crafted bungalows connected by a walkway and perched along the bank of the river with views into the rainforest (B, L, D)
Day 2
Set up to protect the area from logging, Danum encompasses 43 kilometres squared of pristine rainforest. Aside from this the conservation area has a variety of wildlife including, orang-utans, a variety of birdlife, clouded leopard, elephant and if one is very lucky the Sumatran rhino. With both a canopy walkway and a viewpoint which looks out over the jungle canopy and the dramatic mountains this conservation area is definitely worth dropping in on.
Overnight: Borneo Rainforest Lodge - locally crafted bungalows connected by a walkway and perched along the bank of the river with views into the rainforest (B, L, D)
Day 3
Activities are as previous day. Danum is renowned for its excellent birding and counts 275 species of birds and 109 species of mammals among its residents. Danum Valley is a world renowned birding destination.
Overnight: Borneo Rainforest Lodge - locally crafted bungalows connected by a walkway and perched along the bank of the river with views into the rainforest (B, L, D)
Day 4
Land transfer to BILIT at Ulu Kinabatangan. BILIT offers you one of the best opportunities to see Orang-utans in the wild! Similar to Sukau but not quite as developed BILIT rests on the banks of the Kinabatangan river and has the second highest density of wild Orang-utans in Borneo. Today and tomorrow are spent exploring this area of mangrove and rainforest either on foot or by boat. The river safari visits a variety of fauna and flora along the banks of the Kinabatangan River including orang-utans and proboscis monkeys!
Overnight: Myne Resort Lodge - rustic but comfortable accommodation with en-suite bathrooms (B, L, D)
Day 5
Today you can opt for the river safari which visits a variety of fauna and flora along the banks of the Kinabatangan River including orang-utans, proboscis monkeys, tree snakes, crocodiles, civets, monitor lizards macaques and much, much more! Sumatran Rhinos have been spotted here (although fairly rare) and herds of wild elephant often pass through the park...
Overnight: Myne Resort Lodge (B, L, D)
Day 6
A final day to explore the wonders of Kinabatangan before departing to Sepilok in the evening. On the way you will have a chance to visit the Gomantong Caves, a renowned nesting site for swifts and the traditional swift nest harvesting…This evening you will also have the chance to join the night walk to see what nocturnal fauna and flora you can spot…
Overnight: Sepilok Nature Resort (B)
Day 7
Today you have a variety of activities on offer. You can go on a cultural visit to the Water Village & Chinese Temple in Sandakan, or alternatively trek 10 minutes on wooden plank walks to witness the feeding of the Orang-utans in the sanctuary. This is a great experience as previously captive Orang-utans (through deforestation, poaching, etc) are being re-habituated to their natural surroundings for release when they are once again capable of supporting themselves.
Overnight: Sepilok Nature Resort (B, L, D)
Day 8
Early start to transfer by road to the jetty and then transfer by boat (approx 2hrs) to Lankayan Island. You will arrive in time for a delicious lunch on the island and then have the afternoon at your leisure and plan how you want to spend the next couple of days on this idyllic island.
Overnight: Lankayan in private chalets located on the beach (B, L, D)
Days 9, 10, 11
Spend your day relaxing on Lankayan. For those that wish to, Lankayan is excellent for diving. August is also the optimum time for seeing hatching turtles as they have been nesting since the end of June/beginning of July. Lankayan is now widely respected as the preferred location to watch this spectacle. Alternatively one can relax on the beach, go snorkelling, swimming, hire sea kayaks or go windsurfing. A perfect location to relax and soak up some sun after the adventures of the last few days!
Overnight: Lankayan in private chalets located on the beach (B, L, D)
Day 12
Today you depart back to Sandakan and catch your internal flight back to Kota Kinabalu in time for your international flight back home (not prior to 1915hrs) (B)
