Borneo Birding Highlights

Day 1: Sepilok

Arrive at Sandakan Airport and transfer into the rainforest surrounding Sepilok. Settle into your lodge and explore its boardwalks, where birds and other wildlife are regularly seen within the grounds.

As dusk approaches, watch for the resident flying squirrels leaving their daytime shelters and gliding between the trees.

Overnight at MY Nature Resort.

Day 2: Sepilok

Visit Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre and the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre, observing two of Sabah’s best-known mammals within protected forest.

Continue to the Rainforest Discovery Centre beside the Sepilok Forest Reserve. Its canopy-level Skywalk, observation towers and forest trails provide excellent vantage points for hornbills, bulbuls, broadbills and the sought-after Bornean Bristlehead. A locally arranged night walk reveals another side of the forest, with possibilities including Slow Loris, Horsfield’s Tarsier and Mouse Deer.

Overnight at MY Nature Resort.

Day 3: Abai

Transfer to Sandakan’s jetty and travel by boat into the lower Kinabatangan, passing through mangrove-lined channels while searching for birds and wildlife.

After arriving at Abai Jungle Lodge, explore the surrounding nature boardwalk before returning to the river in search of proboscis monkeys, reptiles and riverine birds. Watch fireflies gathering around the mangrove trees after dark, followed by a guided walk in search of insects and nocturnal wildlife.

Overnight at Abai Jungle Lodge.

Day 4: Kinabatangan River

Spend the morning beside the lower Kinabatangan before cruising upstream towards Sukau, searching the riverbanks and surrounding forest throughout the journey.

Later, explore the Menanggul tributary, one of the area’s most productive wildlife-watching waterways. Look for proboscis monkeys, hornbills, pygmy elephants and wild orangutans among the dense riverside vegetation.

Overnight at Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge.

Day 5: Tabin Wildlife Reserve

Travel through Lahad Datu and continue along forest roads into Tabin Wildlife Reserve. Almost 300 bird species have been recorded here, including all eight of Sabah’s hornbills. Search for Blue-headed Pitta, Black-crowned Pitta, Temminck’s Sunbird, Yellow-rumped Flowerpecker, White-fronted Falconet, Storm’s Stork and Giant Pitta.

Trek to the Lipad mud volcano, where mineral-rich ground attracts wild boar, deer and elephants. Continue to the birdwatching tower before joining a dusk drive and guided night walk in search of sleeping birds, frogs and nocturnal mammals.

Overnight at Tabin Wildlife Resort.

Day 6: Tabin Wildlife Reserve

Begin with an early bird walk through Tabin’s rainforest, followed by a journey into the reserve’s core area. Climb the birdwatching tower and continue through the forest to Lipad Waterfall, with time to swim in its natural pool and visit the Tabin Giant Tree.

Return to the lodge for a rainforest foot soak before another dusk drive and night walk. Continue searching for Tabin’s pittas, hornbills, sunbirds and flowerpeckers as the forest changes from daylight to darkness.

Overnight at Tabin Wildlife Resort.

Day 7: Danum Valley

Return to Lahad Datu and continue deep into the Danum Valley Conservation Area, travelling through lowland forest to Borneo Rainforest Lodge.

Explore the lodge’s rainforest trails and canopy walkway, suspended high among the trees. Search for Bornean Bristlehead, Blue-banded Pitta, Rhinoceros Hornbill and other lowland forest specialists, while orangutans, Bornean gibbons and pygmy elephants inhabit the surrounding reserve. Join an evening drive in search of nocturnal wildlife.

Overnight at Borneo Rainforest Lodge.

Day 8: Danum Valley

Join an experienced naturalist for a guided walk through undisturbed riverine and lowland dipterocarp forest. Follow the trail to Coffin Cliff, a Kadazan-Dusun burial site, before continuing to a viewpoint overlooking Danum Valley’s forest canopy.

Explore the Segama and East Trails during the afternoon, searching for rainforest birds and mammals beneath the towering canopy. After dark, join a guided walk around the lodge in search of nocturnal animals.

Overnight at Borneo Rainforest Lodge.

Day 9: Kota Kinabalu

Enjoy a final morning within Danum Valley before returning to Lahad Datu. Fly to Kota Kinabalu and transfer to your city hotel.

Spend the remainder of the day beside Sabah’s coastal capital, with its waterfront, restaurants and views across the South China Sea.

Overnight at Luma Hotel Kota Kinabalu.

Day 10: Kinabalu Park

Travel into Sabah’s highlands, stopping at Nabalu village for views towards Mount Kinabalu before entering Kinabalu Park.

Join a guided nature walk through the park’s montane forest and explore its botanical garden and surrounding trails. Search for Bornean Green Magpie, Chestnut-hooded Laughingthrush, Bornean Whistler, Golden-naped Barbet, Mountain Barbet, Black-crowned White-eye and Bornean Treepie.

Overnight at Kinabalu Park, Sutera Suites.

Day 11: Gaya Island

Spend the morning exploring Kinabalu Park’s forest trails, listening for the calls of montane birds and continuing the search for endemic species.

Descend to Kota Kinabalu and cross by speedboat to Gaya Island. Settle into your Bayu Villa and begin three days of nature-based activities and guided birdwatching led by the resort’s resident naturalist. A telescope is provided in the villa for observing the island’s birdlife.

Overnight at Gaya Island Resort.

Days 12 & 13: Gaya Island

Spend two full days exploring Pulau Gaya, where more than 40 bird species have been recorded. Join guided dawn and twilight birdwatching sessions through the island’s rainforest and coastal habitats.

Between birding sessions, relax on the beach, kayak around the coast or snorkel within Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park. Visit the Gaya Island Marine Centre to learn about its sea turtle rehabilitation and coral-restoration work, while sunset cruises and further island excursions can be arranged locally.

Overnight at Gaya Island Resort on both nights.

Day 14: Kota Kinabalu

Return to the mainland by scheduled speedboat and meet your driver at Jesselton Point. Transfer to Kota Kinabalu International Airport for your flight home.

Our Price Includes:

• Internal flight tickets, fees and taxes from Lahad Datu to Kota Kinabalu
• Return airport and hotel transfers within Borneo
• Tours as stated with private or shared transport and guides
• Twin or double accommodation including taxes and service charges
• Meals as specified
• Malaysia departure taxes
• Services of Odyssey World’s local agents in Borneo

Our Price Excludes:

• International flight tickets, fees and taxes
• Meals other than those specified
• Visas if required
• Travel insurance
• Early check-in and late check-out unless otherwise stated
• Malaysia Tourism Tax payable locally
• Personal expenses including laundry, drinks and tips
• Anything not specifically listed as included