Borneo - Orangutans & More!

Featuring Red Ape Encounters!

11 Days / 8 Nights

This Journey allows us to experience the best of nature in Malaysian state of Sabah of the island of Borneo.  We'll spend a night in the Mt. Kinabalu area, which boast a huge variety of flora, as well as birds and other wildlife.  Then we'll travel to the Lower Kinabatangan River area, which is the principal area of Sabah's primates and other wildlife.  We'll likely see an array of wildlife, including birds, proboscis monkeys, elephants, bats, and much more!  But the highlight of the tour will be the search for Orangutans!  We'll take boat trips around the area to look for them in the wild.  By special arrangement, we'll also visit the Lower Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary, where we are allowed access to the Orang-utan Study Site, hosted by Red Ape Encounters!  In addition, we will overnight near the Sepilok Rehabilitation Center, where we will observe Orangutans being prepared for life in the wild.  This Journey will also include "Canopy Walks," in the Mt. Kinabalu and Sandakan areas, providing tremendous opportunities for birders and photographers!. 

Sample Group Itinerary 

Day 1  -  Depart USA
Today we depart the USA bound for Asia.

Day 2  -  (In Flight)

Day 3  -  Arrive Kota Kinabalu (Borneo)
Arrival today in Kota Kinabalu, on the island of Borneo, and the capital city of the Malaysian state of Sabah.  On arrival we are met and transferred to our beach resort, located just 10 minutes from the airport, and an equal distance from Kota Kinabalu.  The Tanjung Aru Resort & Spa features a private beach, seven restaurants and bars, and a wealth of enjoyable recreational opportunities.  The afternoon is at leisure to rest up after the lengthy trip.  Dinner at our hotel.   Shangri-La’s Tanjung Aru Resort & Spa.  (D)
 

Day 4  - Kota Kinabalu  -  Kinabalu National Park
After breakfast at our hotel, we’ll depart on a 2-hour overland journey, through rice paddies and across the scenic Croker Range, to reach Kinabalu National Park, a World Heritage Site, located at the base of Mt. Kinabalu (5,000 ft). The Park is home to around 4,000 species of flora, nearly 100 species of mammals, and over 300 bird species. Among the Park’s flora are some 1,400 species of orchids, over 600 species of ferns, and more than 40 species of oak trees, as well as carnivorous pitcher plants!  Included will be a visit to Poring, 1,500 ft above sea level, east of the Kinabalu Park HQ.  Well explore the tropical lowland rainforest, and the jungle trail leading up to the treetop canopy walkways, suspended some 130 ft. above the forest floor, across giant mengaris trees, and a great variety of birds!  Dinner and overnight.  Mt. Kinabalu Heritage Spa and Resort.  (BLD) 

Day 5  -  Kinabalu National Park to Sukau  (Night River Cruise)
A 4-hour drive today takes us to the village of Sukau, on the Kinabatangan River.  This is the heart of the Lower Kinabatangan River region, which is the primary habitat of Orangutans and other larger animals in Sabah.  From Sukau, we’ll proceed by land and boat to reach the Sukau Rainforest Lodge, our home for the next four nights.  After lunch we’ll begin exploring the area with a boat trip on the river.  This evening, after dinner, we’ll go on a night cruise along the banks of the Kinabatangan River, searching for nocturnal creatures, such as crocodiles and snakes; and, if we’re really lucky - western tarsier, civet cats, a clouded leopard, or even an elephant!  Sukau Rainforest Lodge.  (BLD)   
  

Day 6  -  Lower Kinabatangan River Area  (Orangutan Study Site)
Early this morning we travel by boat to reach the Orangutan Study Site, which is located in the Lower Kinabatangan Conservation Area.  By special arrangement with Red Ape Encounters, we are allowed a 4-hour access to the Study Site, which is normally restricted to scientists and researchers.  We’ll learn about the conservation efforts being made to save the Orangutan, and meet with local researchers.  Return to the lodge for lunch.  The afternoon is free to rest and relax.  Sukau Rainforest Lodge. (BLD)

Day 7  -  Lower Kinabatangan River Area  (Oxbow Lake, Sukau Village, Gomantong Cave)
We’ll wake up to the calls of Gibbons and Hornbills.  Before breakfast, we’ll embark on a trip up the river to the Kelenanap oxbow lake, a popular spot for birds and other wildlife, possibly including a wild orangutan.  Return to the lodge for breakfast; and then proceed on an educational tour on the Hornbill Boardwalk, located behind the lodge, with their in-house naturalist.  You also have the option to participate in their Kinabatangan Wildlife Corridor Regeneration Program (KWICORP) by planting trees on their 65 acres of adopted land.  In the afternoon we’ll go by boat to the village of Sukau.  After visiting the town, we’ll proceed by land to the area of Gomantong Cave, known for its colonies of swiftlets and bats.  It is also surrounded by a primary forest, making it a perfect place to spot the orangutan in the wild.  Immerse yourself deep into the forest on selected trails to search for the "man of the jungle.”  Weather permitting, we’ll get to witness the daily flight of the bats as they exit the cave in search of bugs.  Sukau Rainforest Lodge.  (BLD)

Day 8  -  Kinabatangan River Area
On this, our last day in the Kinabatangan River area, we’ll have breakfast, and then embark on a morning boat cruise, searching for proboscis monkeys and other wildlife. Return to the lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, we’ll enjoy another exciting boat cruise, this one along the Menanggol River.  Sukau Rainforest Lodge.  (BLD)

Day 9  -  Lower Kinabatangan River Area  –  Sepilok
After breakfast, we bid farewell to the Lodge, and travel by boat to the town of Sandakan.  From there we’ll proceed to the Sepilok Orangutan Rehab Center, arriving in time to see the afternoon feeding at 3 PM.  We’ll also see a presentation about the efforts the Sabah Wildlife Department is taking to rehabilitate orangutans for life in the wild.  Having already witnessed the Orangutan in the wild, we’ll observe the differences in those here in the Rehab Center.  Dinner and overnight.  Sepilok Nature Resort.  (BLD)  

Day 10  -  Sepilok  (Rainforest Discovery Center)  -  Kota Kinabalu
This morning we proceed to the Rainforest Discovery Center for its variety of plants and birds, and to experience another canopy walkway.  The 1,000-ft-long walkway provides a spectacular view of the lush rainforest of Sepilok, from 80 ft. above the ground.  The walkway is also great for bird watchers to get a glimpse of some of the 250 species of birds found here, including hornbills, pitas, kingfishers and the rare Bornean Bristlehead.  After lunch, we transfer to the airport for a flight back to Kota Kinabalu. On arrival at Kota Kinabalu, we are met and transferred back to the Shangri-la Tanjung Aru Resort, where day rooms will be provided. This evening we’ll enjoy a farewell dinner, and then proceed back to the airport for our Asiana Airlines flight departing just after midnight.  Shangri-La Tanjung Aru Resort.   (BLD)

 
Day 11  -  Kota Kinabalu  -  USA
After breakfast, we transfer to the airport for our flights back to the U.S.  After an overnight trip, we arrive back in the U.S. the same evening.  After clearing U.S. Immigration and Customs formalities, we board our overnight flight back home.  (B and in-flight meals).

Included Meal Codes:
 B  -  Breakfast
 L  -  Lunch
 D  -  Dinner.

Tour Price Will Include:    
  -  All Transfers Airports/Hotels/Airports
  -  8 Nights Accommodation as described (or similar) with private facilities, based on double occupancy
  -  All meals as indicated 
  -  Services of a professional English speaking escort throughout from arrival to departure while in Malaysia 
  -  Tours, sightseeing and nature excursions as described in the itinerary, inclusive of applicable entrance fees 
  -  Applicable local and government taxes on accommodation and transportation.

Tour Price Will Not Include:
  -  Airfare (Quoted Separately)
  -  Beverages with meals
  -  Taxes, Fuel Surcharges, and other fees applicable to the airfare
  -  Tips to guides, drivers, and tour director
  -  Excess baggage fees
  -  Items of a personal nature, such as telephone calls, internet access fees, laundry, etc.
  -  Travel Insurance.

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