Borneo

Luscious, mysterious, adventurous, cultural, natural are just a few description of this wonderful destination.

Visit peaceful villages, untouched beaches, mountainous jungles and be awestruck of the natural treasures and abundance of wildlife.

Let us help you create an unforgettable holiday; go in search of the ‘Big 5 Wildlife’: orang-utan, crocodile, pigmy elephant, horn pill and proboscis; or take on the ‘Big 5 Destinations’ and visit the top 5 highlights of Sabah including the World Heritage Site at Kinabalu Park, Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre, the wildlife sanctuary at Sukau, Kinabatangan as well as the mysterious Danum Valley.

We can tailor make an itinerary that suite you, your interests and budget, whether it be bird watching, adventure sports, diving or culture.

(All images courtesy of Doreen Ambridge).

Borneo is the third largest island in the world and is made up of three countries: Brunei, Malaysia and Indonesia; it also has the oldest rainforests in the world aging 140 million years old.

This precious destination is nothing short of amazing with approximately 15,000 species of flowering plants, 3,000 species of trees, 221 species of terrestrial mammals and 420 species of resident birds; a nature travellers delight.

Hiking and Diving Adventure Package

DAY 1: Arrive Kota Kinabalu, meet and transfer to Dreamtel hotel.

DAY 2: Drive 2 hours overland to the foothills of Mt. Kinabalu at 5,000 feet. A short stop at roadside stalls at Nabalu market to savour local fruits in season. Visit the Education Centre and Mountain Garden. Temperature at the park is around 14°C -25°C. Stay overnight in Park accommodation. (B/L/D)

DAY 3: Transfer to Timpohon Gate at 6,000 ft (1,828m) to start the 4-6 hours trek with mountain guide to the overnight accommodation (dormitory style), with common bathroom and restaurant at Laban Rata at 10,700 ft (3,261m). Do not forget to look around for some of the flowers and pitcher plants along the trail. Temperature is around 5°C - 10°C. (B/L/D)

DAY 4: Start ascent at 3 am to reach the summit at 13,435 ft (4,095.2m) in time for the sunrise at 6 am. After photography, return to Park HQ for late high tea, transfer back to Kota Kinabalu. Overnight at Dreamtel hotel (B/L)

DAY 5: Transfer to airport for an early morning flight to Sandakan. On arrival at Sandakan Airport, meet and transfer to jetty for the 75-minutes boat ride to Lankayan Island. Check into chalet and proceed for orientation dive. Stay overnight at the Lankayan Dive Resort. (B/L/D)

DAY 6: Three boat dives and unlimited beach dive. Stay overnight at the Lankayan Dive Resort. (B/L/D)

DAY 7: Depart by speed boat for Sandakan. Meet and transfer to Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre. Walk through the rainforest on wooden boardwalks to witness the feeding of the orang utans, and then proceed to watch a video show. Depart for an estimated 2 ½ hours boat journey to the multi awards winning Sukau Rainforest Lodge. Take a river cruise using electric motor in search of wildlife and birds. Enjoy candle light dinner overlooking the riverbank followed by slide show and interpretation by naturalist guide. Stay overnight at the Sukau Rainforest Lodge. (B/L/D)

DAY 8: Return to Sandakan by boat journey. After lunch proceed to the airport for your flight to Kota Kinabalu/next destination.

Meals: B (Breakfast), L (Lunch) & D (Dinner)

Includes: Tours and transfers, accommodation and meals specified, permit fee, insurance, entrance fee, certificate, mountain guide fee and English speaking guide, (Porter for Mt. trekking available on request at a surcharge).

Diver: food and beverage (excludes alcoholic and carbonated drinks), boat dives, unlimited shore dives, tanks, weights and belts.

Excludes: Air tickets, camera fee and items not mentioned.

TOUR STARTING FROM $2260.00 per person

CLASSIC Wildlife Package

12 Day Classic Borneo Wildlife Tour from $2445 per person

Day 1 -Arrive Sandakan, meet and transfer to Four Point Sheraton by Sandakan for overnight – deluxe sea view.

Day 2- Pickup from hotel, meet and drive to Labuk Bay Proboscis Sanctuary. We will trek to witness the feeding of the elusive Proboscis Monkeys and silver leaf langurs at the sanctuary. After lunch, return to hotel and free at leisure. Overnight at Four Point Sheraton by Sandakan hotel (B/L)

Day 3 -Pickup from hotel, meet and transfer to Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre. We proceed to watch a video show about the plight of the Orang Utans and the rehabilitation efforts ongoing at the Centre. Walk ten minutes through the rainforest on wooden boardwalks to witness the feeding of the orang utans at 1000hrs, and then we continue to the newly completed enclosed nursery area for young orang utans. Thereafter visit the Borneo Sun Bear Conservation Centre to learn about conservation of the world’s smallest bear.

After lunch, transfer to Sandakan jetty for 2½ hours boat journey to the multi awards winning Sukau Rainforest Lodge along Sabah's longest river, Kinabatangan with opportunity to view birds and wildlife. Take a river cruise using electric motor in search of wildlife and birds. Enjoy candle light dinner overlooking the riverbank followed by slide presentation and interpretation by naturalist guide. Stay overnight at the Sukau Rainforest Lodge. (B/L/D)

Day 4 - Take a 0600hrs morning river cruise up the Kinabatangan River to Kelenanap oxbow lake to view more birds and wildlife. After breakfast, proceed for an educational tour along the lodge’s Hornbill Boardwalk with our in-house naturalist. After lunch, join our in house Orang Utan Talk activity. In the afternoon, we proceed for another river cruise for more wildlife. Stay overnight at the Sukau Rainforest Lodge. (B/L/D)

Day 5 -Take an early Morning River cruise along the Menanggol River by silent electric motor in search of wildlife. After lunch, proceed 27 km overland journey to the vicinity of Gomantong Cave. Traverse deep into the forest along a trail in search of the 'man of the jungle'. Witness the exodus of over two million bats as well as raptors. Return to Sukau Rainforest Lodge for overnight stay. (B/L/D)

Day 6 - After breakfast, return to Sandakan by boat journey. After lunch, transfer to airport for flight (B/L) Arrive Kota Kinabalu, meet and transfer to Le Meridien Hotel for check in at Deluxe Sea View.

Day 7 - Pickup from hotel, Spend a day of sun, sea and sand on an offshore coral island. Transfer to jetty for a 20-minutes boat ride to one of the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park islands for a day of relaxation and explore jungle trails on your own. Snorkel in crystal clear water among coral reefs and rainbow-coloured fishes before we return to Kota Kinabalu at 1500 hours. Overnight at Le Meridien Hotel (B/L – Picnic box)

Day 8 - Meet and Drive approximately 20 minutes to Mari-Mari Cultural Village. Visit each tribe’s traditional house to learn about each tribe's ancient cultures and take part in some in-house activities. Proceed for cultural performance before we move on to the Dining Hall. You may shop for handicraft, take photos or just enjoy the natural surroundings. Try delectable traditional and fusion cuisines before the end of the tour. Return to your hotel for overnight. (B/L)

Note: Visits for the Village is at: 1000hrs

Day 9 - Pickup and Drive 2 hours overland to the foothills of Mt. Kinabalu. We make a short stop at Pekan Nabalu market to sample local fruits in season and to stretch our legs. Continue the drive to Poring, east of Kinabalu Park HQ to walk amidst tropical lowland rainforests leading up to the treetop canopy walkways. Enjoy lunch, before visiting the Kipungit Waterfall, stopping for a soak here or in the rejuvenating hot sulphur public pools. If the weather permits, treat your foot to a delightful but very ticklish fish massage at the Moroli River in Luanti which will almost certainly leave you in giggles. Overnight stay in Zen Garden Resort, Kundasang (B/L/D)

Day 9 - After breakfast, we visit the Kundasang War Memorial Park to learn about Sabah's WWII history and for great photos with the majestic Mount Kinabalu (if weather permits). Thereafter, we proceed to the Kinabalu Natural History Gallery and Mountain Garden in Kinabalu Park Headquarters. If weather permits, take a guided walk on one of the trails to explore the cool montane forest. Return to Kota Kinabalu after lunch. Overnight stay at Le Meridien Hotel(B/L)

Day 10 -Check out from hotel, meet and transfer to Shangri-la’s Tanjung Aru Resort for check in – Tanjung Sea View (B)

Day 11 - Free at leisure. Overnight at Shangri-la’s Tanjung Aru Resort – Tanjung Sea View (B)

Day 12 -Check out from hotel, meet and transfer to airport for your flight

Meals: B (Breakfast), L (Lunch) & D (Dinner)

Includes: Tours, transfers and meals as specified, accommodation, entrance fees and English speaking guide.

Excludes: Air tickets, camera fee and items not mentioned.

"I promised I would let you know how our trip went. I would like to thank you for organising it, it was fantastic. Everything ran like clockwork, the people were lovely, hotels good, food great, too much sometimes. I couldn’t find a fault with it. It was one of the most exciting holidays I have had for a long time.
We did a lot of walking, saw an amazing amount of different things. Had plenty of time to see the Orang utangs as they arranged our spare day at Sepilok so I was able to go three times to watch the feeding. We saw an amazing amount of orchids, saw birds, proboscis monkeys, and was lucky enough to see a male pygmy elephants having a bath in the river. Everyone told us we were so lucky to see that. There wasn’t an aspect of the holiday that I didn’t enjoy. We were also lucky that we had our own private guide and driver and they were such lovely people, Jason and Ibin.They looked after us for the first five and a half days. The next guide was equally as good, they certainly pick them very well.
Would highly recommend anyone, young or young at heart as we are, to visit Sabah, they couldn’t help but fall in love with the place."

-Doreen Ambridge