15 Day Wildlife Adventure to Borneo June 2010

Departs Sunday 12 June 2011. Enquire to register your interest or Secure your place now - Bookings by deposit accepted below - maximum twelve persons Join an experienced guide from our award winning company on a 'Wildlife packed' tour to Sabah in northern Borneo during June 2011.

Sabah province is known as "the land below the wind" and is a tropical paradise of wild and natural beauty containing some of the most diverse wildlife in some of the most outstanding rainforest on this planet. After flying into Kina Kotabalu the capital of Sabah our odyssey begins.

We will see the Orang Utan rehabilitation centre at Sepilok and visit Turtle Island early in the trip and during the following days visit the Kinabatangan river, Tabin wildlife reserve and the Danum valley. It is in these beautiful places where we encounter many primate species including the threatened Orang Utan (the proverbial wild man of Borneo) and another threatened primate, the Proboscis monkey. Other primates in these area's are Langgurs (leaf monkeys), Gibbons, the cheeky Macaque's and the nocturnal species slow Loris and Tarsiers.

Although we intend seeing as much wildlife as possible, we promise the tour will be fun, with the cultural 'plus' of meeting the friendly peoples of Borneo during our travels. We will have an opportunity to see rare animals such as Pigmy elephants, clouded leopard, snakes, Asian Rhinoceros and some weird and wonderful birds and insects. The lowland dipterocarp forests of the Danum Valley and the Tabin reserve area provide an unique opportunity to observe birds such as the Great Argus Pheasant, several species of hornbill, including the largest and most impressive, the Rhinoceros hornbill and a variety of lizards, insects and snakes.

At dusk we can search for the strange nocturnal frogmouths, one of the worlds least known birds and the large, more common Buffy fish owls.  Amongst the wide range of forest mammals here, we will hope to see a good selection of primates, including Bornean Gibbon, and Orang-utan. Our evening trips by vehicle may provide glimpses of larger game, such as Elephant, Banteng and, perhaps, even Clouded Leopard or Flat-headed Cat! Larger forest mammals are never easy to see, but we are sure to see such smaller mammals as the nomadic Bearded Pig, Yellow Muntjac and Red Giant Flying Squirrel.

At the Tabin reserve is an interesting mud volcano which attracts wildlife because of its high salt content. It is like a giant salt lick. Borneo is a bird watchers paradise containing 42 indigenous families representing 220 species.  Its other indigenous wildlife and plants also share this uniqueness.

Tour Guide

Our tour to Sabah last winter was great. We saw a huge number of animals, including six primate species in two days. The giant flying squirrel's were one of the highlights, and the wrecking of an accommodation boardwalk by elephants during one night certainly added to the adventure. We have managed to pack an awful lot of value into the price.  If you are interested we hope you will join us.
The 2010 tour will be escorted by Mr Shaun McConkey MSc (right), one of our senior guides, a knowledgable wildlife enthusiast and an avid photographer. Comment from previous clients visit to Borneo.

Rates

Itinerary

Day 1 - Auckland/Brunei/Kota Kinabalu (overnight)
(included : flight meals - overnight at a Kota Kinabalu Hotel (name TBA) Assemble at Auckland International terminal at the Royal Brunei departure desk. Shaun your Elm wildlife tour escort (image above) can be identified in a black shirt with Elm logo. When all assembled, check-in and get to know one another.  At 9.40am begin our Royal Brunei flight to Bandar Seri Begawan in Brunei. During the daytime flight we pass over Australia, Timor, various Indonesian islands, Sulawesi and finally Kalimantan the Indonesian south eastern side of Borneo before landing in Brunei. After a short stopover we fly to Kota Kinabalu in Sabah Overnight accommodation at a hotel .
Day 2 - Kota Kinabalu/Sandakan
(included : Breakfast - overnight Sepilok Jungle Resort) We have a free morning before we depart at 12pm to Sandakan where we are met on arrival at Sandakan airport to transfer to our accommodation at Sepilok Jungle Resort (SJR).The remainder of afternoon free, Shaun will have some good ideas regarding viewing or photography of local animals birds & insects in the resorts extensive gardens
Day 3 - Sandakan/ Selingan (Turtle) Island
(included : Breakfast Lunch & Dinner - overnight Turtle Island) Breakfast at 0815 hrs, pick up from SJR and transfer to CQ Jetty to board a motorised boat for the trip to Selingan Island. Upon arrival at the island, unpack and register. Check into your chalet ( basic facilities with attached bathroom ). Lunch included. Afternoon, you have free leisure time, to swim, snorkel or sun bathe on the sandy beach or explore. Monitor lizards live here. Evening, visit to the Exhibition Hall. After dinner, standby at the Cafeteria to wait for Park Ranger's signal before we proceed in small groups to view turtles laying eggs, then transferring of eggs to the hatchery and the releasing of hatchlings to the sea. We stay overnight at Selingan Island Chalet. Note: Photographing of turtles requires a fee - no flash allowed. Snorkelling gear is available for hire
Day 4 - Sandakan city/Orang Utan/Night Walk
(Included : Breakfast Lunch & Dinner - Overnight Sepilok Jungle Resort) After breakfast we depart Turtle island for Sandakan mainland by boat. Transfer to minivan for a sight seeing tour of Sandakan Nature City. Visit to the Sandakan Memorial Park, Buddhist Temple, St. Michael’s Church, New Central Market at Harbour Square,Final stop at Agnes Keith Museum & English Tea House. Lunch enroute own expense. After lunch, transfer to Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre. At 1500hrs, witness the afternoon feeding of orang utans. Visit to the Exhibition Hall for Video show. Evening, night walk at Sepilok Forest to see nocturnal wildlife (with Ranger). Dinner & stay overnight at SJR.
Day 5 - Sepilok/Gomantong Cave/Kinabatangan River
(included : Breakfast Lunch & Dinner - overnight Bilit adventure lodge) After breakfast board minibus for our overland trip to the dramatic Gomantong Cave where nesting colonies of Black-nest and Mossy-nest Swiftlets are located. Then, on to Bilit Adventure Lodge (BAL), on Sabah's longest river, the Kinabatangan. Lunch included. Afternoon, boat cruise (2 hrs) along the Kinabatangan to see all the incredible wildlife that gather by the river bank. Return to BAL for dinner and overnight stay. (*) Optional Night Walk can be arranged and paid for locally.
Day 6 - Kinabatangan River/Ox-Bow Lakes
(included : Breakfast Lunch & Dinner - overnight Bilit adventure lodge) Today we begin with an early morning cruise, 6am, to view wildlife activity by boat along the river. Expect to see lots of primate species, maybe elephants or crocodiles and many species of birds. We return to BAL for breakfast then have free time until around 10.30am. Use small boats to travel near Danau Bilit (Ox-Bow Lakes) and walk through the jungle to view forest wildlife through the riverine forest. A simple picnic lunch is served at the lake and we return to BAL through the jungle . Free time until evening when we join the boats for another river wildlife spotting excursion. During our evening meal we can watch the small bats swooping past the lights to catch insects. Try your skill at photographing these guys.
Day 7 - Kinabatangan River/Tabin Wildlife Reserve
(included : Breakfast Lunch & Dinner - overnight Tabin jungle lodge) At 6am, early morning final opportunity to view Kinabatangan river wildlife activity. Return to BAL for breakfast. Cross river in boats to join minibus for our overland journey to Tabin Wildlife reserve over a rough gravel road. The journey takes about 3 hours. On arrival, register, unpack and rest. After lunch we visit the Lipad mud volcano located near to the Tabin base. After trekking through the jungle for twenty minutes we arrive at the elevated bare area of the mud volcano known to be frequented by deer, wild boars, elephants and birds. We look out for wildlife and identify the footprints of animals in the vicinity . The adventurous few can experiment with the effect of the volcanic mud said to be responsible for fine complexion. Dinner is followed by a night tour by vehicle looking at nocturnal wildlife and birds.This is one of the best oportunities to see the cats of Borneo
Day 8 - Tabin Wildlife Reserve
(included : Breakfast Lunch & Dinner - overnight Tabin jungle lodge) Today, we trek through the lush green Bornean jungle known for its rich diversity of plants and animal species to visit Lipad's Waterfall. Take a dip in the natural pool and enjoy the refreshing cool water coming down from the waterfall. Alternatively explore the surrounding vegetation or just relax. At dusk, we go bird watching within the reserve. After dinner, night safari to observe nocturnal wildlife and birds.
Day 9 - Tabin Wildlife Reserve/Lahad Datu
(included : Breakfast - overnight executive hotel) After breakfast, free time - stroll to the nearby rock pool or river side. Choose to take a dip in the water or simply immerse yourself in nature. After lunch, depart Tabin Wildlife Reserve on minibus for our overland journey to Lahad Datu. Free time to explore this coastal town.
Day 10 - Lahad Datu/Danum valley
(included : Breakfast Lunch & Dinner - overnight Borneo rainforest lodge) 8:00am we go to the Borneo Rainforest Office in Lahad Datu for registration & briefing. At 9:30am Depart for the 2½ hour interesting and bumpy overland journey through the Danum Valley, 438 sq. km of undisturbed lowland rainforest where over 275 species of birds have been recorded. At approx 12pm we arrive at the Borneo rainforest Lodge. Our exotic "Welcome Drink" will be served while the warm and friendly resort staff brief us on the lodge facilities and exciting activities we will be joining during our stay. After lunch an introduction to the forest is provided through the "Nature Trail" and the "Canopy Walkway" to view unique wildlife. After dinner, a briefing and slide show are presented followed by a night drive in an open-air jeep in search of nocturnal animals (weather permitting).
Day 11 Danum valley
(included : Breakfast Lunch & Dinner - overnight Borneo rainforest lodge) At 6:00am we take an early morning jungle walk to the "Canopy Walkway" followed by breakfast and from 9.30am a range of guided jungle activities ; These include a trek to the Kadazandusun burial site - "Coffin Cliff" then further trekking to the "View Point" for a bird's eye view of the area. From here we descend to the "Jacuzzi Pool" for a refreshing dip. (Don't forget to bring along your swimming gear!) Back for lunch at the Lodge. Afternoon is free time or water tubing on the Danum River (optional activity). 7:00pm Dinner then at 8:30pm a Night Walk in search of nocturnal wildlife (weather permitting)
Day 12 Danum valley/Lahad Datu/Kota Kinabalu
(included : Breakfast Lunch) Following a 7:00 am Breakfast we begin a trek to the Hornbill Trail to view some of the really unusual hornbill species which exist in Borneo. After a noon Lunch we check out at 1:30pm and depart on our 2.5 hour return journey to Lahad Datu. Late afternoon flight to Kota Kinabalu. We stay overnight at a Hotel in Kota Kinabalu. It is central with helpful and friendly staff and a great central base for exploring the city. Maybe visit the night market for dinner. It only takes a glimpse of present-day Kota Kinabalu, or KK as the locals call it, to realise this is a fairly new city. The only colonial remnants of an almost century-long British control are the old post office building and the Atkinson Clock Tower. Indeed, KK received its city status only recently on 2 February 2000, but its history dates more than a century back to the days when the British North Borneo Chartered Company discovered it by accident, after a fire burnt down its former administration centre on Pulau Gaya island. KK was then a small fishing village, situated on a narrow strip of land with hills on one side and sea on the other. It was named Api-Api, loosely translated as "Fire-Fire," to denote the blaze that destroyed the former administration centre. It was later renamed "Jesselton," after Sir Charles Jessel, then Deputy Manager of the Chartered Company. You will enjoy exploring the city and its markets and finding those interesting cultural treasures
Day 13 Kota Kinabalu
(included : Breakfast - overnight Kota Kinabalu hotel (name TBA) Free day to continue exploration of this interesting city - Search out those interesting gifts from Borneo and if you feel you still haven't seen enough wildlife you could join a tour to the Killas wetlands or maybe just go to the beach. A last chance to visit the busy night market
Day 14 Kota Kinabalu/Brunei/Auckland
(included : Breakfast plus flight meals) Free day until 1630hrs - Transport from Hotel to Kota Kinabalu International terminal Check In. Begin our Royal Brunei return flight to Brunei at 1805hrs then on to Auckland direct departing Brunei at 1930hrs arriving home around 8am local time ( 15th day )

Luggage policy 20kg maximum
Cabin baggage policy
Tabin wildlife area
Rainforest lodge
Kinabatangan river