The British North Borneo Company was formed on 1^st November 1881 to administer and exploit the resources of North Borneo (Present day Sabah in Malaysia). The territory became a protectorate of the British Empire in 1888 but the company remained involved with the territory until 1946, when administration was fully assumed by the crown colony government. From 1946 until the formation of Malaysia in 1963, North Borneo was a crown colony.

Sabah is rich in natural resources and with a sparse population along the coastal areas meant that natural vegetation and rainforest covers most parts of its land. The state capital, Kota Kinabalu, a modern city named after the majestic Mount Kinabalu, the highest peak in South East Asia, has been inviting most visitors to ascend to its peak at 13,455 feet above sea level. The outstanding destination has been recognized as an Unesco World Heritage Site in December 2000 for its "outstanding universal values" and the role as one of the most important biological sites in the world with more than 4,500 species of flora and fauna, including 326 bird and around 100 mammal species, and over 110 land snail species.

With its untamed beauty and fascinating history, Borneo entices those with adventure in their hearts. Whether you are looking for magnificent jungles, pristine sandy beaches, spectacular limestone caves, or soaring mountain peaks, holidays in Borneo offer countless sights to discover.

Its rainforests are blessed with a stunning botanical diversity and unique wildlife. The most beautiful inhabitants – the Orang Utan – only found in the rainforests of Borneo and Sumatra, are some of the most magical beings on earth – with holidays in Borneo offering one of the best chances of seeing them in their natural habitat.

Another magical moment must be to watch the curious proboscis monkeys, endemic to Borneo, as they gather by the river bank to settle for the night in the presence of visitors in a boat cruising along Menanggul River, a tributary of the Kinabatangan River near Sandakan.

The sighting of wildlife on this trip is done without strenuous trekking into the jungle terrance as normally associated with this form of activity. The trip is very suitable for the elderly and family. The accommodation and meals are carefully selected to reflect the needs and norms of international travelers of all ages and nationalities.

The tour guides will accompany the group throughout the journey. They can answer most questions on nature, wildlife, history and heritage of Borneo and Malaysia in addition to look after the needs of their guests. Happy Wildlife Holidays!

Room Policies & Guidelines

Twin Share:
Max. Allowed: 2 x Adults, 1 x Child (with extra bed), 1 x Child (with no bed)

Triple Share:
Max. Allowed: 3 x Adults

Single:
Max. Allowed: 1 x Adult

SABAH - LAND OF THE ORANG UTAN  (Tour Code 23)
5 Days 4 Nights

Itinerary

DAY 1   HOME / KINABATANGAN RIVER  
Arrive Sandakan Airport, transfer 1.5 hours journey to the village of Sukau at the Kinabatangan River where the greatest concentration of wildlife in Malaysia and possibly all of Borneo, can be found. River cruise to Sungai Menanggul to watch the curious proboscis monkeys gather by the river bank. A good chance to see numerous species of birds and other wildlife until nightfall. Stay overnight at the riverside traditional style lodge. (Lunch / dinner)

DAY 2   KINABATANGAN RIVER
Boat trips for the day at the river to view numerous species of wildlife such as orang utans, macaques, red and silver leaf monkeys, elephants, hornbills, crocodiles, civet cats, otters and the most famous creature: the proboscis monkey. Found only in Borneo, the male of this species has a large pendulous nose, fat belly, thick white tail and webbed feet. The bird life includes egret, kingfisher, oriental darter, bee-eater, hornbill and many more. Stay overnight at the riverside traditional style lodge. (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner included)

DAY 3   KINABATANGAN RIVER / GOMANTONG CAVES / LABUK BAY SANCTUARY / SEPILOK
Morning visit the Gomantong Caves where the bizarre edible bird's nest is harvested as they have been for hundreds of years. The caves are also home to more than a million bats. The birdlife around the cave is particularly rich, with crested serpent eagles, kingfishers, Asian fairy bluebirds and leaf birds often sighted.

Proceed to Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary. This privately-owned sanctuary located within an oil palm estate gives you the chance to observe the unique Proboscis Monkey up-close and personal. The remarkable males spot big dangling noses and pot bellies. You will have a chance to observe the Proboscis Monkeys both young and adults leaping from tree to tree and eventually coming down to feed on young leaves, plants and rice cakes.

Transfer to and overnight at a resort at Sepilok. (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner included)

DAY 4    SEPILOK: - ORANG UTAN CENTRE / BEAR CENTRE / RAINFOREST DISCOVERY CENTRE
Morning, depart to the famous Sepilok Orang Utan Centre. Founded in the Centre helps once captive orang utans learn to climb and fend for themselves in the wild with the hope that one day they may return to the forest. The semi-wild orang utans may return to the platform provided by the Centre for milk and bananas twice a day during the process of returning to the forest. Visitors will get a close up view of these orang utans and have the chance to photograph them at close range. Witness the feeding of the orphaned orang utans, visiting the information centre, exhibits and video presentation on the rehab of these remarkable primates.

Visit to the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre. It is a wildlife conservation and research centre for improving animal welfare and rehabilitation of Malayan Sun Bear (Helarctos Malayanus). It also aims to raise public awareness about the plight of the Sun bears and to raise conservation awareness about this species. The bears here are rescued and rehabilitated so they can eventually take their proper place in the rain forest.

Visitors will get to view from high level platform and see them going about their daily routines, playing, eating, climbing trees and other things. You might also have good opportunity to get some nice pictures from higher up.

Visit the information centre, AV room for video presentation on these endangered species and smallest bear on earth.

Visit the nearby Rainforest Discovery Centre (RDC) which has evolved has evolved from a small, cosy environmental educational centre in 1996 into one of Sabah's most popular centres. It is located within the famous Kabili-Sepilok Forest Reserve, home of the orang-utans Rehabilitation Centre. Here, you can walk along the network of beautiful trails and paths that are ideal for bird watching and discover the huge dipterocarp trees that are well known in Borneo. Discover the rainforest from the tree tops along a 343 metre-long Suspension Bridge and from the ground.

Overnight at a resort at Sepilok. (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner included)

DAY 5   SEPILOK / SANDAKAN / AIRPORT  
After breakfast, depart for brief City Tour of Sandakan. Transfer to the Observation Pavilion for a bird eye view of the town. Proceed to the Central Market where produce from the hinterland and fresh seafood are on sale here. The Market is also the focal point for socialising among the locals. Drive to the Chinese Temple where you can see the colourful interior decoration of this magnificent temple. Located on a hill it provides a commanding view. Continue the journey to St.Michael's Church where you can see a colonial style building where Christianity is preached. Drive to Sim Sim where you can see houses on stilts above the water occupied by local tribes.

Visits the Australian Prisoner of War Memorial, where the infamous Sandakan - Ranau Marches commenced in 1945. A commemorative pavilion holds educational material and includes a scale model of the original POW camp. A path winds through the park past preserved wartime relics and towards the obelisk of black granite, erected to commemorate those who has sacrificed.

Transfer to Sandakan Airport for your departure flight to Kota Kinabalu or Kuala Lumpur. (Breakfast / Lunch included)

How to book this holiday?

Our tour prices are based on: -

• Adults sharing a twin or triple (with extra bed) room basis.
• Per adult basis inclusive of all taxes.
• Varying numbers of adults travelling together as a small group in a private vehicle as per product options - Select - Twin or Triple Share (no of pax).
• Minimum number is 2 adults in a group staying in a twin share room.
• If sharing a twin share room is not the choice you would prefer, then you will stay in 2 single rooms by purchasing 2 Single Room Supplement as per product options - Select - Single Room Supplement.
• If you prefer to be a single traveler, you will stay in a single room by purchasing 2 adults as per product options - Select - Twin or Triple Share (no of pax).
• If sharing a triple room is not ideal for you, you can stay in a twin and a single room by purchasing 1 Single Room Supplement as per product options - Select - Single Room Supplement.
• The hotels allow double room if you do not prefer a twin room.
• Children under 12 years old can travel with minimum 2 adults in a twin share room by purchasing number of children as per product options - Select - Children (max 2 child per room). The hotels allow a total of 2 children staying in a twin room.
• Children staying in a Twin Share room will be treated as an adult.
• After you have paid for the total purchases by debit or credit cards, a receipt will be issued to you as proof of payment, together with details of your purchases and an itinerary as per the selected package will be attached for your easy reference. Please note day 1 on the itinerary will be the date as selected to commence the tour.
• Should you require to cancel your booking, please refer to our “Terms of service” under “Help” section on the top right-hand corner of the home page.
• Please advise us your incoming and outgoing flight details so that airport transfers can be arranged for you.