Borneo

Tour info:

Duration: 15 days / 14 nights

Safari starts and ends in Kota Kinabalu

Hotels and Lodge accommodation

Next Departure – 3 October 2027

Full Itinerary:

Day 1:
Arrival in Kota Kinabalu
Your birding adventure begins upon arrival at Kota Kinabalu International Airport, the gateway to the remarkable wildlife and rainforests of Malaysian Borneo. After a warm welcome, you will transfer to the Kota Kinabalu city area, where the first birding excursions introduce you to the rich avifauna of this extraordinary island.

Positioned along the shores of the South China Sea, Kota Kinabalu offers an excellent introduction to Borneo’s birdlife, with a variety of wetlands, grasslands, coastal habitats, and urban green spaces attracting an impressive diversity of species. The afternoon is dedicated to exploring carefully selected birding locations in search of some of the region’s most sought-after species.

Targets for the day include the colourful Blue-naped Parrot and Long-tailed Parakeet, while wooded areas may produce Sunda Pygmy Woodpecker and the attractive Pied Triller. Wetland habitats provide opportunities to encounter Wandering Whistling Duck, Purple Swamphen, Dusky Munia, Chestnut Munia, Striated Grassbird, and the introduced but striking Java Sparrow. Numerous additional species are possible, offering an exciting first taste of the exceptional birdlife that makes Borneo one of Asia’s premier birding destinations.

This opening day sets the tone for an exclusive journey through Sabah’s diverse habitats, where each day brings new opportunities to discover the island’s remarkable birds and wildlife.

Day 2:
Kota Kinabalu to Tambunan
After an early breakfast, the journey continues with a scenic two-hour drive from Kota Kinabalu into the interior highlands of Sabah, travelling towards the forests surrounding Tambunan. The day is dedicated to birding at the renowned Trusmadi Bulwer’s Pheasant Hide, in the Trus Madi forest reserve, one of the best locations in Borneo for observing some of the island’s most elusive forest birds.

A full day is spent patiently exploring this exceptional habitat in search of specialties such as the spectacular Crested Partridge, Bulwer’s Pheasant, Crimson-headed Partridge, and Red-breasted Partridge. The surrounding montane forest may also reveal Bornean Banded Pitta, Dayak Blue Flycatcher, Rufous-chested Flycatcher, Penan Bulbul, Grey-hooded Babbler, and Bornean Black-capped Babbler, along with a variety of other Bornean endemics and forest species. While birding remains the primary focus, the forests of the Trusmadi Range support a rich mammal community, and sightings are possible. Species that may be encountered include Northern Pig-tailed Macaque, Malay Palm Civet, Yellow-throated Marten, and Southern Red Muntjac, all of which have been recorded from the reserve.

After a rewarding day in one of Sabah’s premier birding destinations, overnight accommodation is a short distance from Tambunan Town, perfectly positioned for the next stage of the tour.

Day 3:
Tambunan to Crocker Range National Park to Kundasang
This morning begins with a short 30-minute drive from Tambunan into the montane forests of Crocker Range National Park, one of Sabah’s most important birding areas. The park protects extensive tracts of highland forest and provides excellent opportunities to search for a variety of Bornean endemic species within a spectacular mountain setting.

Birding throughout the morning focuses on specialties such as Bornean Green Magpie, Bornean Bulbul, Bornean Leafbird, Bornean Spiderhunter, Bornean Barbet, and the elusive Bornean Shortwing. Other highlights may include Fruithunter, Pygmy Heleia, Mountain Barbet, White-fronted Falconet, and the impressive Mountain Serpent Eagle, together with a range of additional highland species. Mammal sightings are also possible, with Mountain Treeshrew, Plantain Squirrel, Bornean Black-banded Squirrel, and Red Giant Flying Squirrel among the species that may be encountered in the surrounding forests.

In the afternoon, the journey continues with a scenic two-and-a-half-hour drive through the mountains to Kundasang, a picturesque town nestled beneath the slopes of Mount Kinabalu. Overnight accommodation is ideally located for exploring the rich montane habitats of the Kinabalu region over the coming days.

Day 4-5:
Kinabalu Park
The next two days are dedicated to exploring the legendary Kinabalu Park, one of the world’s most important biological hotspots and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Situated on the slopes of Mount Kinabalu, one of the youngest non-volcanic mountains on Earth, the park protects an extraordinary range of habitats and is home to more than 326 bird species and around 100 mammal species. The mountain is equally renowned for its remarkable diversity of orchids, carnivorous plants, and unique endemic wildlife.

Two full days of birding along the park’s trails and forest roads offers opportunities to search for many of Borneo’s most celebrated highland endemics. Highlights may include the highly sought-after Whitehead’s Broadbill, Whitehead’s Spiderhunter, and Whitehead’s Trogon, together with Bornean Green Magpie, Bornean Treepie, Bornean Whistler, Bornean Flowerpecker, Bornean Forktail, Bornean Whistling Thrush, and the elusive Bornean Shortwing. Other specialties include Everett’s Thrush, Fruithunter, Bare-headed Laughingthrush, Chestnut-hooded Laughingthrush, Chestnut-crested Yuhina, Mountain Wren-Babbler, Mountain Black-eye, Pale-faced Bulbul, Eyebrowed Jungle Flycatcher, Bornean Stubtail, and Mountain Serpent Eagle. After dark, there is also the possibility of encountering Sunda Owlet and Mountain Scops Owl.

The park’s rich forests also support a fascinating mammal community. Possible sightings include Mountain Treeshrew, Kinabalu Squirrel, Jentink’s Squirrel, Plantain Squirrel, Bornean Black-banded Squirrel, and the endemic Bornean Mountain Ground Squirrel. With luck, the secretive Red Giant Flying Squirrel may also be seen. Other unique wildlife includes the famous Kinabalu Giant Red Leech and Kinabalu Giant Earthworm, both endemic to the mountain.

Birding in Kinabalu Park is widely regarded as one of the great wildlife experiences of Southeast Asia, offering an exceptional opportunity to encounter a remarkable concentration of Bornean endemic birds and mammals in a spectacular montane setting.

Day 6:
Kinabalu Park to Poring to Telupid
After a final morning exploring the rich montane forests around Kinabalu Park, the route descends through the foothills to Poring, a small reserve located approximately 40 kilometres from Kinabalu Park. Although best known for its natural hot springs, Poring protects a valuable area of lowland and hill rainforest that supports an impressive diversity of Borneo’s birds and wildlife.

The forest trails, rivers, and canopy-level habitats provide excellent birding opportunities. Target species include the striking Black-and-yellow Broadbill and Banded Broadbill, together with Diard’s Trogon, Black Hornbill, Banded Kingfisher, Rufous-collared Kingfisher, Gold-whiskered Barbet, and Red-throated Barbet. Other highlights may include Yellow-rumped Flowerpecker, Little Spiderhunter, Bornean Blue Flycatcher, Maroon-breasted Philentoma, Fulvous-chested Jungle Flycatcher, Chestnut-capped Thrush, Moustached Babbler, Bornean Black-capped Babbler, Scaly-breasted Bulbul, and Yellow-bellied Warbler, along with a variety of additional rainforest species.

Mammal sightings are also possible in the forests surrounding Poring. Species regularly recorded in the area include Long-tailed Macaque, Northern Pig-tailed Macaque, Prevost’s Squirrel, Plantain Squirrel, and the endemic Bornean Mountain Ground Squirrel. With luck, the remarkable Red Giant Flying Squirrel may also be encountered, particularly around forest edges and mature woodland.

In the late afternoon, the journey continues with a two-hour overland drive eastwards across Sabah towards Telupid. This strategic location places you closer to the extensive lowland rainforests of eastern Borneo, setting the stage for the next exciting phase of this once-in-a-lifetime birding and wildlife adventure.

Day 7:
Telupid
This morning, a short drive from Telupid leads to Bestaria Village, where a 4×4 transfer continues into the foothills of Sabah’s interior forests. From here, a walk of approximately 1.2 kilometres brings you to the renowned Bornean Peacock-Pheasant hide, one of the finest locations on the island to search for one of Borneo’s most sought-after endemic birds.

The day is focused on patiently birding this exceptional forest habitat in search of the elusive Bornean Peacock-Pheasant and the striking Bornean Crested Fireback. Other forest specialties may include Grey-chested Jungle Flycatcher and Leaflitter Babbler, while the surrounding open country and roadside habitats can produce Crested Serpent Eagle, Changeable Hawk-Eagle, Black-winged Kite, Long-tailed Shrike, Striated Grassbird, and Dusky Munia.

The forests around Bestaria also support a variety of mammals. Possible sightings include Northern Pig-tailed Macaque, Long-tailed Macaque, Prevost’s Squirrel, Plantain Squirrel, and the endemic Bornean Mountain Ground Squirrel. The area is also known for supporting larger rainforest mammals, although these are encountered far less frequently.

In the late afternoon, the journey continues with a three-hour overland drive eastwards to Sepilok, one of Borneo’s most celebrated wildlife destinations. Surrounded by protected rainforest, Sepilok provides the perfect base for the next stage of this exclusive Sabah birding and wildlife adventure. For those interested, an optional night walk can be arranged directly with a local guide at the Rainforest Discovery Centre at additional cost.

Day 8:
Telupid – Sepilok
Today is devoted to exploring the outstanding Sepilok Rainforest Discovery Centre (RDC), located within the Kabili-Sepilok Forest Reserve, one of the finest lowland rainforest birding destinations in Sabah. A network of forest trails and an impressive canopy walkway, stretching hundreds of meters through the treetops and reaching heights of up to 25 meters above the forest floor, provide exceptional access to a rich variety of Borneo’s lowland birds and wildlife. Overnight is in Sepilok.

The canopy walkway offers excellent opportunities to search for one of Borneo’s most remarkable birds, the endemic Bornean Bristlehead. Other canopy specialists may include Banded Broadbill, Black-and-yellow Broadbill, White-bellied Woodpecker, Rhinoceros Hornbill, Bushy-crested Hornbill, White-crowned Hornbill, Spectacled Spiderhunter, Van Hasselt’s Sunbird, Yellow-rumped Flowerpecker, Lesser Green Leafbird, and Greater Green Leafbird.

The forest trails open up a different suite of species, with targets including Sabah Partridge, Black-crowned Pitta, Hooded Pitta, Rufous-collared Kingfisher, Rufous-backed Kingfisher, Scarlet-rumped Trogon, Red-naped Trogon, Diard’s Trogon, Bornean Brown Barbet, Cream-eyed Bulbul, Bornean Black Magpie, Chestnut-breasted Malkoha, Raffles’s Malkoha, Grey-and-buff Woodpecker, Orange-backed Woodpecker, and Rufous Piculet. Additional possibilities include Giant Pitta, Blue-headed Pitta, Crested Jay, Scarlet Minivet, Red-bearded Bee-eater, Greater Racket-tailed Drongo, Indian Cuckoo, White-fronted Falconet, Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher, Asian Fairy-bluebird, Great Slaty Woodpecker, Velvet-fronted Nuthatch, and numerous bulbuls, babblers, flowerpeckers, sunbirds, drongos, and hornbills.

Sepilok is equally rewarding for mammals. Regularly encountered species include Bornean Orangutan, Northern Pig-tailed Macaque, Long-tailed Macaque, Silvered Leaf Monkey, Prevost’s Squirrel, Plantain Squirrel, and Lesser Mouse-deer. The surrounding forest also supports Sunda Colugo and several species of flying squirrel, which are occasionally observed around the canopy walkway and during evening hours.

This full day in the heart of Sabah’s lowland rainforest provides an unforgettable opportunity to experience one of Borneo’s richest birding and wildlife areas. For those wishing to extend the experience after dark, an optional night walk can be arranged directly with a local guide at the Rainforest Discovery Centre at additional cost.

Day 9:
Sepilok to Kinabatangan River
The morning begins with a final birding session at the Sepilok Rainforest Discovery Centre, offering another chance to search the canopy walkways and forest trails for key lowland species that may still be missing from the list.

In the afternoon, the journey continues by road for approximately two hours towards the Kinabatangan River, Malaysia’s second-longest river and one of Borneo’s most important wildlife corridors. From the jetty, transfer by boat leads into the heart of the floodplain forest. The arrival on the river marks the beginning of a new phase of the journey, focused on wildlife-rich waterways and seasonal wetlands.

The afternoon river cruise offers exceptional birding and mammal viewing along forest-fringed channels and oxbow lakes. Key bird species include Storm’s Stork, Lesser Adjutant, White-crowned Hornbill, Rhinoceros Hornbill, Wrinkled Hornbill, Blue-eared Kingfisher, Stork-billed Kingfisher, and Stock-billed Kingfisher. Raptors and forest edge species may include Jerdon’s Baza, Wallace’s Hawk-Eagle, Crested Serpent Eagle, Grey-headed Fish Eagle, Lesser Fish Eagle, Brahminy Kite, White-fronted Falconet, and Oriental Darter, while other notable birds include Buffy Fish Owl, Large Frogmouth, Oriental Bay Owl, Reddish Scops Owl, Asian Paradise Flycatcher, Pied Fantail, Blue-throated Bee-eater, Brown Barbet, White-chested Babbler, and the elusive Bornean Ground Cuckoo.

The Kinabatangan is equally renowned for its mammals, and river safaris regularly encounter Bornean Orangutan, Pygmy Elephant, Proboscis Monkey, Silver Leaf Monkey, Red Leaf Monkey, Long-tailed Macaque, and Northern Pig-tailed Macaque, along with other rainforest species moving between forest fragments along the river system.

After dark, a guided night walk around the lodge area offers further opportunities to search for nocturnal birds and mammals, including owls, frogmouths, civets, and other elusive forest wildlife, completing a full day in one of Southeast Asia’s richest river ecosystems.

Day 10:
Kinabatangan River
A full day is spent exploring the Kinabatangan River system by boat, with early dawn, afternoon, and evening cruises along its forested waterways and oxbow lakes. This stretch of river offers one of the richest concentrations of wildlife in Borneo, where lowland rainforest meets seasonal floodplain habitats, creating exceptional opportunities for close-range viewing of birds and mammals in an unbroken jungle corridor.

Birding focuses on some of Sabah’s most sought-after species, including Buffy Fish Owl, Malaysian Blue Flycatcher, Bornean Ground Cuckoo, and Bornean Swamp Babbler. The river margins and surrounding forest support a remarkable diversity of species such as Black-and-yellow Broadbill, Oriental Bay Owl, Brown Wood Owl, Great-billed Heron, Blue-winged Pitta, Blue-headed Pitta, Hooded Pitta, Black-crowned Pitta, Lesser Adjutant, Crested Fireback, Scarlet-rumped Trogon, Red-naped Trogon, Rhinoceros Hornbill, Helmeted Hornbill, Wrinkled Hornbill, Wreathed Hornbill, White-crowned Hornbill, Oriental Pied Hornbill, Asian Fairy-bluebird, Great Slaty Woodpecker, and White-bellied Woodpecker.

The Kinabatangan is equally exceptional for mammals, with regular sightings of Proboscis Monkey, Bornean Pygmy Elephant, Bearded Pig, and Müller’s Gibbon among the highlights. The region also supports up to ten primate species, making it one of the most important primate strongholds in Southeast Asia. River cruises offer the best chance to observe these animals moving through riverside forests and feeding along the water’s edge, often at close range.

This combination of dawn, daytime, and evening boat journeys offers a remarkable opportunity to experience one of the world’s most wildlife-rich river systems, where every bend in the river holds the possibility of a rare or unexpected encounter.

Day 11:
Kinabatangan River to Taliwas Bornean Ground Cuckoo hide
After an early check-out, the journey continues overland for approximately 2½ hours through Sabah’s eastern lowlands to Taliwas, a forested area known for its quiet trails and productive lowland birding. Here, time is dedicated to the Bornean Ground Cuckoo hide, offering a rare and carefully managed opportunity to search for one of Borneo’s most elusive forest birds within intact rainforest habitat.

Birding in this area focuses on a small but highly sought-after set of forest specialists, including the Bornean Ground Cuckoo, Sunda Blue Flycatcher, and Leaflitter Babbler, all of which depend on dense lowland rainforest with minimal disturbance. The surrounding forest also supports a wider range of Bornean wildlife, and sightings may include species typical of mature lowland jungle.

After the morning in Taliwas, the journey continues towards the Danum Valley conservation area, where guests proceed to the Borneo Rainforest Lodge office for registration before entering one of the most pristine rainforest reserves in Southeast Asia. This transition marks the approach into a globally significant wilderness area, known for its exceptional biodiversity and intact primary forest.

Possible mammal sightings along this route and within the surrounding forest include Bornean Orangutan, Long-tailed Macaque, Red Leaf Monkey, Bearded Pig, and various squirrel species, all characteristic of Sabah’s lowland rainforest ecosystems.

Day 12:
Lahad Datu – Danum Valley
A private shuttle departs in the morning for an overland journey of approximately 2½ hours into the heart of Sabah’s lowland rainforest, entering the globally significant Danum Valley Conservation Area. This pristine wilderness, home to around 268 recorded bird species, is one of Borneo’s most important intact forest ecosystems. Arrival at the lodge is scheduled for lunch, followed by time to settle in before the first birding opportunities within the surrounding primary rainforest.

Afternoon birding around the lodge and forest trails focuses on some of Danum Valley’s most sought-after species, including Bornean Bristlehead, Blue-headed Pitta, Bornean Crested Fireback, Bornean Blue Flycatcher, Bornean Wren-Babbler, and Black-throated Wren-Babbler. As evening approaches, attention shifts to nocturnal species such as Blyth’s Frogmouth and Gould’s Frogmouth, both highly prized forest specialists associated with mature lowland rainforest.

After dinner, a night drive offers the chance to explore Danum Valley’s remarkable nocturnal wildlife. Although sightings are never guaranteed, this is one of the best opportunities in Borneo to encounter rare mammals such as Red Giant Flying Squirrel, Black Flying Squirrel, Sunda Flying Lemur (Colugo), Philippine Slow Loris, Horsfield’s Tarsier, and Temminck’s Flying Squirrel. Other nocturnal mammals and night-active birds may also be encountered as the forest comes alive after dark.

This first day in Danum Valley marks the beginning of an unforgettable stay in one of Southeast Asia’s most exclusive and biologically rich rainforest reserves.

Day 13-14:
Danum Valley
The next two days are spent exploring the extraordinary lowland rainforest of Danum Valley from the lodge, using its network of forest trails and canopy walkway to access one of the most intact jungle systems in Southeast Asia. This is prime habitat within a conservation area known for its exceptional bird diversity and high concentration of Bornean endemics.

Birding during the day focuses on some of the most sought-after species in Borneo. Key targets include Great Argus, Helmeted Hornbill, Great Slaty Woodpecker, Red-bearded Bee-eater, Sunda Blue Flycatcher, Maroon-breasted Philentoma, Striped Wren-Babbler, and Brown Wood Owl. Other possibilities in the forest include Barred Eagle-Owl, Bornean Crested Fireback, Bornean Blue Flycatcher, and a wide range of additional lowland rainforest species.

Danum Valley is especially important for hornbills and pittas. Up to eight hornbill species occur in the wider area, with Rhinoceros Hornbill commonly seen and heard, alongside possibilities for Helmeted Hornbill and White-crowned Hornbill. The full suite of Bornean pittas is present in the region, including Blue-headed Pitta, Black-crowned Pitta, Bornean Banded Pitta, Hooded Pitta, and Giant Pitta, though sightings remain highly elusive and dependent on conditions and chance.

Other key forest birds include Bornean Bristlehead, Chestnut-naped Forktail, White-crowned Forktail, Chestnut-capped Thrush, Bornean Wren-Babbler, Black-throated Wren-Babbler, Crested Jayshrike, Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher, Whiskered Treeswift, Great-billed Heron, Wallace’s Hawk-Eagle, Blyth’s Hawk-Eagle, Rufous-bellied Eagle, Bat Hawk, Large Green Pigeon, Olive-backed Woodpecker, Ashy Tailorbird, and White-crowned Shama, along with a rich variety of bulbuls, babblers, flycatchers, drongos, sunbirds, spiderhunters, and other forest specialists.

Danum Valley is a particularly important area for Bornean Orangutan, which is sometimes even seen within the lodge grounds. Common mammal species include Long-tailed Macaque and Southern Pig-tailed Macaque, a wide variety of both diurnal and nocturnal tree shrews and squirrels, Bearded Pig, Masked Palm Civet, Malay Civet, both Greater and Lesser Oriental Chevrotains, the endemic Bornean Yellow Muntjac, the more widespread Southern Red Muntjac, and Sambar Deer. The largest predator in the area is the Sunda Clouded Leopard, which is seen on night drives only a couple of times a year, so always a possibility but never expected.

After sunset, guided night walks offer further opportunities to search for nocturnal wildlife. Frogmouths, owls, civets, and other secretive forest species may be encountered, adding depth to an already exceptional rainforest experience in one of Borneo’s most exclusive wildlife destinations.

Day 15:
Danum Valley to Lahad Datu to Kota Kinabalu
The final morning is spent birding in the extraordinary lowland rainforest surrounding the lodge in Danum Valley Conservation Area, one last opportunity to experience one of Southeast Asia’s most pristine and biologically rich forest ecosystems. The surrounding trails and riverine forest may still produce memorable sightings as the journey draws to a close, with time focused on quiet birding within this exceptional habitat.

After lunch, departure is at 12:30pm on the scheduled shuttle from the lodge to Lahad Datu Airport, following the overland route out of the Danum Valley Conservation Area. From Lahad Datu, guests connect with their onward flight to Kota Kinabalu, continuing with international departures home.

As the tour comes to an end, guests depart with unforgettable memories of Borneo’s ancient rainforests, exceptional wildlife, and world-class birding.