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Pygmy elephants in the wild

Borneo Big Five Wildlife Expedition

Example 6 Day Tour
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Discover the Borneo Big Five on this 6-day wildlife tour starting in Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Center to Sun Bear Conservation Center. Embark by speedboat up the Kinabatangan River to Sukau Rainforest Lodge. Take an evening cruise in search of Borneo's wildlife. In the morning, take a river cruise up the Kinabatangan River to Kelenanap oxbow lake to view more wildlife. Join a nature walk along the lodge's Hornbill Boardwalk with an in-house naturalist. Journey to Gomatong Cave then prepare for your trip to Danum Valley. Explore Lahad Datu before the onward journey to the award-winning nature lodge, Borneo Rainforest Lodge. Enjoy the whole day exploring the forest for birds and mammals on this unforgettable wildlife tour.
Orangutan walking through the jungleProboscis MonkeyMelapi RestaurantPygmy elephants in the wild
Highlights
  • Discover Orangutans at the Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Center
  • Learn Sun Bears at Borneo Sun Bear Conservation Center
  • Experience the uniqueness of Gomantong Cave
  • Join early morning and afternoon river cruises
Places Visited
  • Asia
  • Borneo
  • Malaysia
  • Borneo Rainforest Lodge
  • Danum Valley Field Centre
  • Gomantong Cave
  • Kinabatangan
  • Sabah
  • Sandakan
  • Sukau Rainforest Lodge
Activity Level: Relaxed
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Sandakan | Sepilok | Travel by Boat to the Sukau Rainforest Lodge

The journey begins at Sandakan airport or your accommodation. Your next destination is the Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Center, where you can learn about the center's rehabilitation efforts through a video. You will then visit the feeding platform to observe the orangutans being fed at 10 AM daily. In the secure nursery area, you can watch the playful young infants. You then visit the Sun Bear Conservation Center to learn about the world's smallest bears. After lunch, you board a speedboat for a 2.5-hour journey up the Kinabatangan River to the Sukau Rainforest Lodge. After check-in, you go on an evening cruise to search for Borneo's wildlife and birds. The night is spent at the Sukau Rainforest Lodge.

Note: Remember to arrive in Sandakan no later than 0800 hours. Or, if that's not an option, it's advised to fly in and spend the night in Sandakan or Sepilok before the tour starts.

Day 2: Sukau Rainforest Lodge

Rise early for a morning Kinabatangan River cruise upstream to Kelenanap Oxbow Lake to spot more birds and wildlife. After breakfast, join the lodge's naturalist on a nature walk along the Hornbill Boardwalk. The afternoon is free. Embark on another river trip to see additional animals. Spend the night at the Sukau Rainforest Lodge.

Day 3: Gomantong Cave

Embark on an early-morning river cruise along the Menanggol River using a silent electric motor to search for animals, waking up to the sounds of the rainforest before returning for breakfast. Relax or participate in extra activities. After lunch, travel 27 kilometers overland to the Gomantong Cave, surrounded by a primary rainforest rich in fruiting wild figs, providing the perfect location to see orangutans in the wild. Spend time exploring the cave and its surroundings until dusk, when over two million bats migrate out for the night and swiftlets come to nest, with raptors (eagles) swooping in to catch prey. Return to the Sukau Rainforest Lodge for an overnight stay.

Day 4: Sukau Rainforest Lodge | Lahad Datu | Borneo Rainforest Lodge

Get ready for an early start to your journey to Danum Valley. After having breakfast, you'll travel for 2 hours by land to Lahad Datu and then head to the internationally recognized Borneo Rainforest Retreat nature lodge. After arrival and check-in, enjoy lunch and the option to attend an evening photo display, explore the nature path, and walk the canopy walkway. Weather permitting, you'll go spotlighting to see some night species before retiring for the night at the Borneo Rainforest Lodge.

Day 5: Explore Borneo Rainforest Lodge

Spend the whole day looking for animals and birds in the forest before climbing to an escarpment with antique gravestones. Explore a waterfall, then cool off in the rock pools. Re-enter the lodge after lunch. In the afternoon, explore additional routes. Make your home for the night at Borneo Rainforest Lodge.

Day 6: Borneo Rainforest Lodge | Return Home

  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch
Up until check-out, you are free to do as you choose. Then depart towards Lahad Datu to take a late afternoon flight back to Kota Kinabalu.

Accommodations

Sukau Rainforest Lodge

Borneo Rainforest Lodge

Borneo Rainforest Lodge - Reception
Borneo Rainforest Lodge - Main Lodge Dining
Borneo Rainforest Lodge - Lobby Area

Dates & Prices

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Per person starting at
$2,209 2-3 travelers

Notes

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Rates may vary based on current exchange rate.

Included
  • 5 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches, 5 Dinners
  • 5 Nights Accommodations
  • Accommodations as listed
  • Ground transportation as listed
  • Activities as listed
  • Meals as listed
  • Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
  • English Speaking Guide
Excluded
  • Gratuities
  • Travel Insurance
  • Personal Expenses
  • Flight costs (please request a quote)
  • Additional excursions during free time
  • Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
  • RM10 per room per night mandatory Tourism Tax in Malaysia collected by cash upon check-in.
  • Domestic Flights
  • Tourism Tax of MYR 10 per room per night

Map

When to Go

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Good to ideal period to travel, and many people choose to visit at this time.
Chance for unpredictable weather but with fewer visitors.

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The trip was terrific with great planning on your part. Most of the adventures were not mainstream and somewhat off the beaten path which made it especially enjoyable!! We felt taken care of and you all were readily available to respond to questions and issues. I would highly recommend your company and friends have already expressed interest based on our pictures and excitement.
Gale Cantor
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