Borneo Rainforest & Beach

Day 1 - Arrive Kota Kinabalu, transfer to your beach resort.

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

Days 2 & 3 - Enjoy a few days on the beach.

Includes:

Your days will be at leisure to relax and dig your toes in the sand.

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Sepilok Orang-utan Sanctuary - 1 night

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. Spend the night at leisure nearby before getting up to witness orang-utan breakfast time the following morning.

Day 4 - Fly to Sepilok

Includes:
Take a flight to Sandakan, where, on arrival you will be driven to Sepilok. Time to meet the local celebrities!

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Danum Valley - 2 nights

Danum’s 170 square mile reserve protects a patch of Borneo's original rainforest - 130 million years old, with a staggering 8.8 million plant species. This remarkable place is home to diverse wildlife, including very rare creatures such as the orang-utan, Bornean pygmy elephant, Spectacled Flowerpecker, and the sun bear. The park has a busy tree nursery and works hard to repopulate the forest, as well as protect the existing trees. As you might imagine, the place isn't exactly overflowing with accommodation options - you will stay deep in the jungle at the much-coveted Borneo Rainforest Lodge, with the wildlife right on your doorstep (and possibly, in the case of insects, inside your room - so be prepared!).

Day 5 - Sepilok Orang-utan Sanctuary & Danum Valley canopy walk

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Rise in time to see the orang-utans of Sepilok Sanctuary enjoy their breakfast feeding time, before you head deep into Danum Valley to find the Borneo Rainforest Lodge, which provides surprisingly luxurious accommodation for such an isolated location. The lodge is dedicated to wildlife spotting, with a long canopy walkway through the surrounding jungle, and seated viewing platforms where you can get comfortable and observe the wildlife in peace. There are also opportunities for excellent jungle trekking, specialised bird watching, outstanding photography, and messing about on the Danum River. Your visit will plunge you straight into the rainforest, with a guided walk along the lodge’s boardwalk nature trail and the superb canopy walkway. After dinner, join a night drive through a rainforest alive with sound, as you learn how to spot nocturnal animals such as civet cats, flying squirrels, tree frogs and Samba deer.

Day 6 - Trekking & night drive

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Early risers can take a pre-breakfast canopy walk for a fascinating bird’s eye view of the rainforest as its daytime residents noisily assert themselves while the sun rises. After breakfast on the veranda, hike the ‘Coffin Trail’, which leads to a 200 year old burial site created by an indigenous tribe. The route takes in a spectacular viewpoint which overlooks miles of horizon-spanning rainforest - a rare and precious sight, these days, even in the tropics. After lunch back at the lodge, explore one of the excellent forest nature trails for many wildlife-spotting opportunities, and the opportunity to take a dip in one of the forest’s natural pools or waterfalls. For a more boisterous alternative, spend the afternoon 'tubing' down the Danum River. In the evening, you can choose to join a night drive or walk through the forest.

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Gaya Island - 3 nights

Gaya Island lies within Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park - 19 square miles of protected ocean just off the coast of Kota Kinabalu. The Park's unique coral reefs support a multitude of marine species, and its five tropical islands are home to birds, mammals and reptiles. Along with being the perfect habitat, this warm section of the South China Sea is ideal for snorkelling and island-hopping. Gaya's beaches are amongst the best in Borneo, and the island’s nature trails are a fine opportunity to stretch your legs in the jungle. You'll get there by boat from Kota Kinabalu, and spend a blissful three days at leisure in the lap of tropical luxury.

Day 7 - Fly to Kota Kinabalu, boat to Gaya Island

Includes:

Take a flight from Lahad Datu to Kota Kinabalu where, on arrival, you will travel by car and then shared speedboat to Gaya Island.

Days 8 & 9 - Relax on Gaya Island

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Your days will be at leisure to explore the underwater world, venture along the nature trails, and simply kick back and relax.

Day 10 - Boat to the mainland, depart Kota Kinabalu

Includes:

Depart by shared speedboat to the mainland where you will be met and driven to the airport.