10 days from £3,895
(Inc flights)
Land only price from £3,295
The rainforests of Borneo are among the most species-rich habitats on earth, and this ‘Bargain Birdwatching tour’ focuses on the splendid birdlife to be found in these fast disappearing forests. We visit Sepilok Reserve (famous for its nearby Orang-utan Rehabilitation Centre), the Kinabatangan River and Gomantong Caves before concluding with three days at Tabin. A fantastic bird list includes hornbills, malkohas, broadbills, pittas and many other colourful Asian specialities. Mammals such as Orang-utan and Proboscis Monkey are also likely to be seen, while an optional post-tour extension to Mount Kinabalu offers yet more of Borneo’s endemic birds.
- Pristine rainforests
- Varied and colourful avifauna
- Bornean Bristlehead and other endemic bird species
- Orang-utan, Proboscis Monkey and other mammals
- The Gomantong Caves (for bats, swiftlets and edible-nest harvesting)
- Expertly guided by a Malaysian ornithologist
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Highlights
Tom Mabbett
Tom
Tom has been fascinated by wildlife and the natural world since childhood. At primary school he learnt all the British bird species, and he's been watching and enjoying them ever since! Trips to the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT) Slimbridge further fuelled his passion for birds and, when Tom's family bought 10 acres of land, he created his very own nature reserve on it! After gaining a degree in Biology from Exeter University, Tom set off in search of some of the planet's incredible wildlife, first travelling slowly around the world, and then returning to Australia. As well as seeing a wonderful variety of the world's birds on his travels, he also spent a lot of time beneath the surface of the ocean, scuba diving in Thailand, Australia and Fiji. Two of Tom's many highlights were diving with mighty Bull Sharks and swimming alongside gigantic Whale Sharks. Since returning to the UK Tom has worked in school wildlife clubs and also worked at WWT Slimbridge. Having grown up in the Cotswolds, a lot of Tom's spare time has been spent recording the birds and reptiles of this area's commons and wetlands. He also travels in search of overseas wildlife as often as he can, and amongst the European destinations that Tom and his brother have explored have been Hungary, France, Spain, Holland and, most recently, snow-clad Poland in the depths of winter to focus on mammal-tracking. Tom has now lead and co-led over 20 Naturetrek tours in France, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Finland, Belgium, Greenland, Guyana, La Palma and Scotland as well as short UK breaks including the Somerset Levels and Forest of Dean. Tom remains a very popular leader with our groups and when not out in the field works within our busy operations team at our new office in Chawton. Please feel free to contact Tom on 01962 733051 or email tom@naturetrek.co.uk with any questions or to discuss a future tour.
Outline Itinerary
Day 1
In Flight
Day 2
Sepilok
Day 3/4
Kinabatangan River
Day 5
Gomantong Caves; Tabin
Day 6/8
Tabin
Day 9
Tabin; Lahad Datu domestic flight to Kota Kinabalu
Day 10
London
Hamit was outstanding, one of the best ever. The leader was superb, found birds, general knowledge and people skills outstanding.
D.R. Berkshire
Food & Accommodation
All meals are included except evening meals on Day 5 and 9 (allow £10 per meal)
Comfortable tourist lodges at Sukau and Mount Kinabalu. Simple but comfortable lodges and hotels elsewhere.
Tour leaders
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Hazwan Bin Suban Tour leader -
Osman Majingah Tour leader
Hazwan Bin Suban
Hazwan was born in the coastal city of Sandakan in 1982, attending STPM High School before obtaining his Tour Guide licence. He has been guiding for 9 years, having been based at Uncle Tan's Wildlife Camp before joining Borneo Eco Tours in 2005.
Hazwan has seen 345 of Borneo's bird species and is particularly interested in their calls and songs. The elusive Bornean Ground-Cuckoo of swampy forests is his favourite bird.
Although he has not yet had the opportunity to watch birds in other countries, he would jump at the chance to visit New Guinea with its incredible birds-of-paradise, bowerbirds and other interesting species.
In addition to birds, Hazwan is also fascinated by Borneo's terrific diversity of mammals, many of which are seen on our birding tours.
Osman Majingah
Meet Osman, our licensed bird watching specialist. As a seasoned guide, Osman has led discerning travellers to discover Borneo in a fun and enjoyable way. The blue badge guide is easy going, radiates friendliness and able to guide with patience – earning him the reputation as a pleasant travel companion.
With over a decade of experience, Osman knows the nook and corner of Sabah's best birding sites. Osman agrees that Borneo is a new rising haven for bird watchers and the future of bird watching industry here is thriving, thanks to the nature's wonderment, hospitality and satisfactory tourism infrastructure.
With his expertise and interest in exchanging ideas with people from diverse backgrounds, it is not a surprise that he gets increased number of personal requests from guests to reuse his service.
Tom Mabbett
Tom
Tom has been fascinated by wildlife and the natural world since childhood. At primary school he learnt all the British bird species, and he's been watching and enjoying them ever since! Trips to the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT) Slimbridge further fuelled his passion for birds and, when Tom's family bought 10 acres of land, he created his very own nature reserve on it! After gaining a degree in Biology from Exeter University, Tom set off in search of some of the planet's incredible wildlife, first travelling slowly around the world, and then returning to Australia. As well as seeing a wonderful variety of the world's birds on his travels, he also spent a lot of time beneath the surface of the ocean, scuba diving in Thailand, Australia and Fiji. Two of Tom's many highlights were diving with mighty Bull Sharks and swimming alongside gigantic Whale Sharks. Since returning to the UK Tom has worked in school wildlife clubs and also worked at WWT Slimbridge. Having grown up in the Cotswolds, a lot of Tom's spare time has been spent recording the birds and reptiles of this area's commons and wetlands. He also travels in search of overseas wildlife as often as he can, and amongst the European destinations that Tom and his brother have explored have been Hungary, France, Spain, Holland and, most recently, snow-clad Poland in the depths of winter to focus on mammal-tracking. Tom has now lead and co-led over 20 Naturetrek tours in France, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Finland, Belgium, Greenland, Guyana, La Palma and Scotland as well as short UK breaks including the Somerset Levels and Forest of Dean. Tom remains a very popular leader with our groups and when not out in the field works within our busy operations team at our new office in Chawton. Please feel free to contact Tom on 01962 733051 or email tom@naturetrek.co.uk with any questions or to discuss a future tour.
