Borneo Holiday: Orang-utans & Ibans

On arrival in Borneo, you'll be met by your private guide, who will accompany you to your hotel.

Head into Bako National Park, one of the best places in Sarawak to see wildlife in its natural habitat. Commonly spotted species include proboscis monkeys, silver leaf monkeys, long tail macaques, wild boars, monitor lizards and diverse birds. You can spot them on several natural trails which suit different fitness levels and interests, or simply relax on one of the secluded beaches. The park sits on a stunning peninsular, and its habitats here range from mangrove to kerangas, tropical swamp, cliffs and shoreline. At Bako Village, you'll climb aboard a boat to complete your journey into the park.

Your day will begin with a visit to Semenggok Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, considered to be the best place in Sarawak to view semi-wild orang-utans. Semenggok’s orangs have all been rescued from captivity and are undergoing rehabilitation to survive in the surrounding forest reserve. Orangs who’ve already been rehabilitated roam free in the forest throughout the day, but many still return to the centre at feeding time. The centre also has a successful breeding program, and it is often possible to see mothers with young babies.

After your orang-utan visit, head to an Iban tribal longhouse in Batang Ai National Park, travelling through picturesque rural Sarawak, pepper orchards, primary rainforest and the inevitable plantations. The final leg of your journey will be by longtail boat along the river into the rainforest, to find the longhouse.

Longhouse life starts early, so prepare for members of the community wandering past you as they get ready for the day. Share a traditional Iban breakfast, before a morning spent learning about the tribe's unique lifestyle, and observing the longhouse residents as they go about their daily routines. You'll watch a blowpipe demonstration, and have a go at shooting one yourself (just avoid shooting it at yourself), then learn how the Iban traditionally use rainforest plants, before taking a short boat trip upriver to visit a waterfall. After a traditional lunch, the remainder of your day will be at leisure.

Journey from Batang Ai to Kuching by longtail boat and then car, arriving into the city in the late afternoon.

Take a flight to Sandakan, where, on arrival you will be driven to Sepilok.

Your day will be at leisure to explore the nearby Rainforest Discovery Centre or simply make the most of the hotel's facilities. Tomorrow you'll be meeting Sepilok's famous residents...

Today you'll rise in time to see the orang-utans of Sepilok Sanctuary enjoy their breakfast feeding time. Sepilok is an area of protected primary rainforest and mangrove on mainland Borneo, and its orang-utan rehabilitation centre is known across the world for exceptional conservation work. The reserve protects 19 square miles of dense rainforest, and exists for the rehabilitation of orphaned and injured orang-utans. Apart from feeding times, when you are almost guaranteed a sighting, you can enjoy looking out for flashes of orange fur amongst the multitude of flora and fauna in the surrounding forests.

Continue your wildlife encounter at the nearby Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre, built both to improve the welfare and rehabilitation of the Malayan Sun Bear, and raise awareness of the plight of this now protected species.

From Sepilok, you'll head to Sandakan Yacht Club Jetty for the cruise to your riverside lodge, passing Berhala Island with its prominent sandstone cliffs. After lunch at your lodge, set out to explore the river in an open-topped boat. Look for wildlife with the help of your guide, and with any luck witness the impressive gathering of fireflies that frequently lights up the dusk. Return to the resort for dinner before venturing out on a guided night walk on the boardwalk around the lodge, spotting for nocturnal wildlife.

Prepare to be woken early by the hooting calls of gibbons and hornbills! At least you'll be up in time for an early boat trip to spot the river’s colourful (and noisy) birds, and wildlife foraging on the riverbanks. After your own breakfast, spend some time learning about local village life, before heading upriver for more wildlife spotting and time relaxing on the deck of a second riverside lodge.

Journey by boat and car to your Kota Kinabalu beach resort. The remainder of your day will be free to relax on the beach.

 Enjoy a few days R&R on the beach.

Transfer to the airport for your onward flight.