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Borneo’s Orangutans and Rainforest Adventure
Embark on the ultimate Borneo Orangutans Tour and Rainforest Adventure and explore the lush jungles and pristine beaches of Sabah in Malaysian Borneo. Over 13 days, you’ll encounter endangered orangutans, proboscis monkeys, and sun bears, and explore verdant rainforests, wildlife sanctuaries, and vibrant local culture. Your journey ends in a luxurious beach resort, offering the perfect balance of adventure and relaxation.
Highlights of Your Tour
- Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre: Meet the gentle orangutans and visit the Sun Bear Conservation Centre, home to the world’s smallest bears.
- Rainforest Discovery Centre: Spend an unforgettable day exploring the Rainforest Discovery Centre with its stunning canopy walk and wildlife-rich surroundings.
- Wildlife Cruises: Cruise the Kinabatangan River and oxbow lakes, spotting proboscis monkeys, pygmy elephants, and a host of other wildlife.
- Jungle Lodge Stay: Experience the thrill of staying in a jungle lodge, fully immersed in Borneo’s wilderness.
- Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary: Visit the sanctuary to learn about these unique and highly endangered primates.
- Sabah Tea Plantation: Visit the serene Sabah Tea Plantation, where you’ll learn about tea production amidst breathtaking mountain views.
- Kinabalu Park and Poring Hot Springs: Explore the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Kinabalu Park, then relax in the rejuvenating Poring Hot Springs.
- Sandakan: Journey to the historic town of Sandakan, a former British colonial capital, with insight into Borneo’s history.
What’s Included
- 10 nights of carefully selected bed and breakfast accommodation, plus two nights on the aircraft.
- 20 meals: 10 breakfasts, 5 lunches, and 5 dinners.
- Fully air-conditioned coach travel and transfers throughout the tour.
- Outbound flight to Sandakan via Kuala Lumpur and return from Kota Kinabalu via Kuala Lumpur.
- Fully escorted by an experienced tour manager (except during your stay at the Shangri La Rasa Ria Resort).
Optional Excursions
- Take an optional night walk at the Rainforest Discovery Centre to spot nocturnal wildlife.
- Explore the Mari Mari Cultural Village, where you can experience Borneo’s rich indigenous cultures.
This Borneo Orangutans Tour offers a perfect introduction to the wildlife and natural wonders of Borneo. From thrilling river cruises to visiting world-famous wildlife sanctuaries, and relaxing in a luxurious beach resort, this tour has something for everyone.
Ready to explore the heart of Borneo and meet the orangutans? Book your Borneo Orangutans and Rainforest Adventure today and embark on an unforgettable journey through the wonders of Sabah. Want to personalise your experience? Contact us for more information on alternative dates, departure airports, or optional excursions.
Itinerary
Fly overnight to Sandakan in Borneo, via Kuala Lumpur.
You’ll arrive in Sandakan, where you’ll meet your local guide and transfer to the Sabah Hotel for a two-night stay. A welcome dinner is included at the hotel this evening.
Join your tour manager this morning for an included visit to the Rainforest Discovery Centre, where you’ll be met by a sea of scents and colours. Enjoy a guided walk along raised platforms on the rainforest floor, past fragrant orchids and colourful tropical flora, then head up slowly into the canopy where you'll have a bird’s eye view of this wonderful environment. With luck, you may catch a glimpse of the rhinoceros hornbill or perhaps even a swinging orangutan looking for some wild fruit!
The tour will then continue to the remote Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary, where you’ll have the chance to observe the unique proboscis monkey. While walking across the hanging platforms, you'll get to to view the monkeys up close as they feed and play. Look out for the distinctive males, who have pot bellies and large dangling noses, as well as silver leaf monkeys and macaques. Lunch will be enjoyed at a local restaurant afterwards.
This evening, you may wish to join the once-in-a-lifetime optional night walk back at the Rainforest Discovery Centre in search of nocturnal wildlife. With an experienced park ranger and a 'spotter' at the helm, you'll be led through the darkness, seeking out rare species that you wouldn't normally get a chance to see during the day. Keep an eye out for flying squirrels, sleeping kingfishers and slow loris monkeys.
The tour will then continue to the remote Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary, where you’ll have the chance to observe the unique proboscis monkey. While walking across the hanging platforms, you'll get to to view the monkeys up close as they feed and play. Look out for the distinctive males, who have pot bellies and large dangling noses, as well as silver leaf monkeys and macaques. Lunch will be enjoyed at a local restaurant afterwards.
This evening, you may wish to join the once-in-a-lifetime optional night walk back at the Rainforest Discovery Centre in search of nocturnal wildlife. With an experienced park ranger and a 'spotter' at the helm, you'll be led through the darkness, seeking out rare species that you wouldn't normally get a chance to see during the day. Keep an eye out for flying squirrels, sleeping kingfishers and slow loris monkeys.
Today an undoubted highlight awaits as you visit the world-renowned Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, dedicated to the protection of the species that is closest to our own. Watch the feeding of the primates and stroll through the forest on the marked trails, before visiting the equally fascinating Sun Bear Conservation Centre, where the smallest of the world’s ursine species live in protected open-air enclosures. You can observe these creatures from one of the viewing platforms before having lunch at a local restaurant.
You’ll then head further into the jungle for a two-night stay on the bank of the languid Kinabatangan River, at the Borneo Natural Bilit Resort, with its hardwood walkways and its riverside cabins. After arriving, you'll set off on on a two-hour boat river cruise with a guide, spotting wildlife like oranguatans, monkeys and birds as you go.
You’ll then head further into the jungle for a two-night stay on the bank of the languid Kinabatangan River, at the Borneo Natural Bilit Resort, with its hardwood walkways and its riverside cabins. After arriving, you'll set off on on a two-hour boat river cruise with a guide, spotting wildlife like oranguatans, monkeys and birds as you go.
Awaken early to the sounds of the jungle, and spend another day discovering its wonders. Cruise to Pitas Oxbow Lake to watch monkeys and pygmy elephants at play, and enjoy a second exciting afternoon cruise followed by a guided tour around the nearby village. The best chances to spot the Pygmy elephants are from March to October in the dry season.
Transfer to the Sabah Tea Resort, in Ranau, for a two-night stay amongst pristine nature, surrounded by unspoiled forest and a working tea plantation.
You’ll have the morning to explore the tea plantation and learn about the product of rainforest tea before journeying to the famous Poring Hot Springs. Enjoy an included lunch at a local restaurant, before spending an afternoon at the springs, where in addition to the chance to take a dip in the therapeutic waters you can explore the jungle trail of walkways through the rainforest canopy.
Journey deep into the UNESCO-listed Kinabalu National Park this morning, a forested paradise home to several unique species of orchid, 5,000 species of plants, over 300 types of resident and migratory birds, as well as 100 species of mammals, amphibians and reptiles. Here you’ll enjoy a scenic hike through moderate elevation, of about 3kms, before pausing at the park’s headquarters, with its beautiful Mountain Garden Collection, then continue to the Shangri La Rasa Ria Resort.
Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure at the resort, perhaps spent lazing by the pools or on the beach, indulging in a spa treatment or two, enjoying the selection of water sports or perhaps a round on the championship golf-course (activities payable locally).
Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure at the resort, perhaps spent lazing by the pools or on the beach, indulging in a spa treatment or two, enjoying the selection of water sports or perhaps a round on the championship golf-course (activities payable locally).
Enjoy a sumptuous day at leisure at the resort, or join the optional Mari Mari Cultural Village excursion. Those who join the optional excursion will get a fascinating glimpse and gain insights into the history, lifestyle and culture of the indigenous Borneo tribes with the help of a local guide. During the excursion, you'll sample traditional food and drink before watching a performance and enjoying an included lunch. Five ethnic tribes call this village home, and live, for the most part, as they did hundreds of years ago.
Spend another relaxing day at leisure, with a selection of dining options and the attractions of Kota Kinabalu.
Enjoy a final day at leisure, no doubt reflecting on a wonderful adventure.
Transfer to Kota Kinabalu airport for your flight to Kuala Lumpur, where you’ll catch your connecting overnight flight to the UK.
Early morning arrival in the UK.
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