The Best of Borneo on a Shoestring is an 11 day tailor made holiday which explores the main highlights of the Sabah region. Starting with a few days in the relaxed city of Kota Kinabalu to relax and explore, the trip moves across to the Sandakan region where you will start by visiting the hatchery at Selingan Island. Here, green and hawksbill turtles come ashore to lay their eggs almost nightly. The eggs are then taken to the hatchery to keep them safe from predators while they hatch and you get to witness their nightly release. After a night here, move onto the Kinabatangan River region for some fabulous river cruises to spot the resident wildlife – look out for the proboscis monkeys, the pygmy elephants, the hornbills, monitor lizards and the more elusive wild orang-utans. And finally after your time on the river you get to relax on the simply idyllic island of Lankayan where you can be as active or as relaxed as you want before sadly returning home. An experience to savour in a country you will be sorry to say goodbye to.

Day 1: Departure

Depart the UK with Malaysia Airlines and fly non-stop overnight to Kuala Lumpur.

Day 2: Arrive Borneo

On arrival, change of aircraft and fly onwards to Kota Kinabalu. Overnight at the Jesselton hotel. At leisure.(B)

Day 3: Kota Kinabalu at leisure

Today enjoy a full day at leisure to explore the sights of Kota Kinabalu city – ask us for details on day excursions here if you wish. (B/-/-)

Day 4: Selingan Island

You will be collected early this morning from your hotel and transferred to the airport for your short flight to Sandakan. Upon arrival you will be collected and transferred to the jetty for the boat crossing to Selingan (Turtle) Island. Check into your room and enjoy the day at leisure to swim or snorkel before the evening activities viewing the turtles nesting with the resident Park Ranger. Be lucky enough to watch the release of the newly hatched baby turtles. Overnight Selingan Island. (B/L/D)

Day 5: Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge

This morning you will be up and about early for the boat transfer back to the mainland and then onwards to Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary to witness the morning feeding of the orang-utans. Afterwards enjoy a boat cruise onwards to Abai Jungle Lodge. Enjoy lunch and then cruise upstream to the Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge. Check-in and enjoy free time until your late afternoon wildlife river cruise. Enjoy dinner and enjoy a video presentation on the local proboscis monkeys. Overnight Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge. (B/L/D)

Day 6: Abai Jungle Lodge

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast. Depart Kinabatangan and cruise downstream to Abai Jungle Lodge keeping an eye out for the local wildlife along the way. Check into the lodge and enjoy time at leisure to maybe explore the boardwalk before lunch. This afternoon take an afternoon wildlife cruise followed by a further short cruise to see the fireflies. Enjoy dinner and then if you wish you can enjoy a further night walk along the boardwalk to search for nocturnal residents. Overnight Abai Jungle Lodge. (B/L/D)

Day 7: Abai Jungle Lodge

Enjoy an early morning river cruise to the Pitas Ox Bow Lake observing wildlife en-route. After breakfast, you have the opportunity to take part in the tree planting project followed by lunch with the local Abai villagers. After lunch enjoy free time at leisure before another afternoon river cruise. After dinner you have free time at leisure – you could maybe take a further walk along the boardwalk or just relax over a few drinks. Overnight at the lodge. (B/L/D)

Day 8: Sepilok Nature Resort

This morning enjoy breakfast and cruise back to Sandakan city. Proceed to visit the Puh Jih Syh Temple, a colourful Buddhist temple offering fantastic panoramic views of the surrounding city and coast. After lunch, transfer to the Sepilok Nature Resort. This tranquil Resort is a mere 5 minute stroll from the fabulous Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary. You arrive in time for the afternoon feeding of these magnificent animals – your entrance fee allows you to visit for the rest of the afternoon if you wish. Overnight Sepilok Nature Resort. (B/L/-)

Day 9: Lankayan Island

After breakfast, you will be met and transferred across to Lankayan Island for your 3 night snorkelling package. This is an idyllic island in the Sulu Sea along the ‘Sea Turtle Corridor’. Here you can enjoy snorkelling from the white sand beach and will be able to see the vast array of marine wildlife in this Marine National Park which at the right time of year can often include hatchling turtles. Overnight. (B/L/D)

Days 10-11: Lankayan Island

Days at leisure to enjoy the Island. (B/L/D)

Day 12: Departure

Transfer back to Sandakan airport and fly to Kota Kinabalu. Here connect with your flight back to the UK via Kuala Lumpur. (B/-/-)