Birding Borneo - The Best of Sabah

Tour Code: MYS01

A varied 12-day birding tour enjoying the rich and colourful avifauna of Borneo's tropical forests while also aiming to see the special mammals.

12 days from
£3,895 (Inc flights)
Land only price from
£3,295
book now

Highlights

SUMMARY

SUMMARY

The rainforests of Borneo are among the most species-rich habitats on earth, and this tour covers all the major habitat types in Sabah focussing on the splendid birdlife to be found here. As we go we will be trying to find the special mammals too of course. We visit Sepilok Reserve (famous for its nearby Orang-utan Rehabilitation Centre), the Kinabatangan River and Gomantong Caves before moving on to Tabin and finishing in Kinabalu National Park. 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 very likely to be seen with spotlighting at Tabin making Leopard Cat and a range of civets likely.  

  • Pristine rainforests with varied and colourful avifauna. 
  • Visit the Sepilok Orang-utan rehabilitaton centre and the Sun Bear centre
  • Bornean Bristlehead in the lowlands, Whitehead's Trogon in Kinabalu and many other endemic bird species
  • Orang-utan, Proboscis Monkey and spotlighting for other mammals
  • The Gomantong Caves (for bats, swiftlets, Bat Falcon)
  • Sumatran Rhino! The unique opportunity to see two of the last remaining Sumatran Rhinos in their forest enclosure at Tabin! 

Grading

Main tour - standard birdwatching walks. Extension - Trails on Mount Kinabalu are in places steep and demanding so extension is rated `B' - `D' (the latter only for those attempting to reach the summit)

Sabah is a semi-autonomous region in the north-east corner of Borneo and is familiar territory for Naturetrek, as we’ve been operating wildlife tours there for over twenty years! The focus of these tours has previously been on a wider natural history theme, but the birdlife of this region surely deserves its own dedicated tour, a point to which recent client feedback will attest. As a result, the tour now visits all major habitat types in Sabah, which necessitates a visit to Mount Kinabalu National Park, home to a number of exciting endemics. Sepilkok, Kinabatanagan River and Tabin are also on our route, as we survey lowland rainforest all the way up to high mountain cloud forest.

Widely recognised as one of the most productive birding destinations in South-East Asia, Sabah boasts an amazing avifauna, which includes mouth-watering possibilities such as Bornean Bristlehead (in its own endemic family) sumptuous Pittas (including the endemic Blue-headed and Black-and-crimson), several species of Broadbills and Trogons, the endangered Storm’s Stork (at one of its few remaining strongholds), amazing Rhinoceros Hornbills (and up to seven other Hornbill species), raptors such as Wallaces’s Hawk Eagle, Bat Hawk and endemic White-fronted Falconets plus Buffy Fish Owls and a wealth of other rainforest birds.

Though this is a dedicated birdwatching holiday, Sabah hosts an exciting variety of mammals, some of which we are likely to encounter while birding. Possibilities include Bornean Orang-utans, Borneo Pygmy Elephant (a subspecies of Asian Elephant), gibbons, Leopard Cats and much, more!

Travellers with Naturetrek also have the unique opportunity of a behind the scenes tour of a Sun Bear rehabilitation centre and a chance to see the last 2 remaining Sumatran Rhinos. This is off-limits to the general public, as visitors are strictly limited to small numbers of responsible travellers.

 

DETAILED INFORMATION
OUTLINE ITINERARY

Outline Itinerary

Day 1
In Flight
Day 2/3
Sepilok Nature Resort
Day 4/5
Kinabatangan River and Gomantong Caves
Day 6
Kinabatangan to Tabin
Day 7/8
Tabin
Day 9
Tabin to Kinabalu NP
Day 10/11
Kinabalu NP
Day 12
Land UK
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WHAT'S INCLUDED

What's Included?

  • Flights
  • Accommodation: Comfortable tourist lodges at Sukau and Mount Kinabalu. Simple but comfortable lodges and hotels elsewhere.
  • Food:

    All meals are included except evening meals on Day 5 and 9 (allow £10 per meal)

REVIEWS
DATES AND PRICES

DATES AND PRICES

2019

Departures Availability Cost
Tue 1st Oct - Sat 12th Oct 1 £3,895
BOOK TOUR SHOW DETAILS
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
 £3,295
Room sharing options:
If a customer on this departure has already expressed an interest in sharing a room it will be flagged here. We will identify if there are sharing options for male, female or both.
 Not available
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
 £695
Tour Leader:
Please note that, whilst we assign leaders to particular tours well in advance, we reserve the right to make changes if necessary
Dean Jais
TL Dean Jais

Tour Leader: Dean Jais

Not many people can say they've introduced a royal couple to an Orang Utan and her baby. Dean can! Fuelled by a curious personality, with the jungle as his classroom and a fascination with wildlife, Dean started guiding in his late teens. Dean quickly excelled, and indeed won the esteemed 'Best Specialised Tour Guide' award at The Sabah Tourism Awards in 2015! Dean has led a great many groups throughout Sabah, knowing the area extremely well and is always excited to be out in the field finding wildlife.

2020

Departures Availability Cost
Sun 20th Sep - Thu 1st Oct SPACES £3,995
BOOK TOUR SHOW DETAILS
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
 £3,395
Room sharing options:
If a customer on this departure has already expressed an interest in sharing a room it will be flagged here. We will identify if there are sharing options for male, female or both.
 Not available
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
 £695
WHY NATURETREK?

Why Naturetrek?

At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:

  • The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
  • Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
  • Outstanding value and exceptional customer service

Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!