Borneo Eastern Wildlife Adventure - 5 Days

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Lahad Datu, Transfer to Danum Valley

Welcome to Borneo! Upon arriving at the Lahad Datu airport, you will head over to the local office for your two-hour land transfer to the Borneo Rainforest Lodge. Enjoy the changing landscapes as you venture through regenerating forests and into virgin rainforests millions of years old. Once at the lodge, you have time to settle in, meet your guide, and enjoy lunch. After a short rest, your guide will introduce you to the Borneo rainforest and the nature paths surrounding the lodge. Following dinner, you have the option to embark on a guided night safari to spot nocturnal creatures.

Day 2: Danum Valley

Wake up to the calls of Borneo gibbons and start your day with a guided trek to the viewpoint and burial site known as Coffin Cliff. Take a short break for a refreshing dip in the natural pools before returning for lunch at the lodge. In the afternoon, you may partake in optional activities such as jungle trekking or tubing session down the Danum River. Tonight you once again set off for a walk along the nature trail.

Day 3: Transfer to Sandakan, Meet Orangutans, Boat Tour of the Kinabatangan River

Early this morning, enjoy a brief breakfast before departing to Sandakan. At the airport, you are greeted by your guide and educated on the endangered orangutan as well as the ongoing efforts at the rehabilitation center. Walk through the rainforest to witness the orangutan feeding before continuing on to the nursery area for young orangutans, where, if you are lucky, you may have the chance to get up close and personal with the energetic youngsters. Afterward, visit the Borneo Sun Bear Conservation Center to learn about the conservation of the world's smallest bear.

Following lunch, head to the Sandakan jetty, where you'll set off on a speedboat for a two-hour boat journey along the Kinabatangan River to the stunning Sukau Rainforest Lodge. Cool down with a refreshing drink and savor an afternoon tea before you head out into the wild on your first of many river safaris in search of wildlife and birds. After sunset, return for a refreshing shower before enjoying a candlelight buffet dinner overlooking the mighty river.

Day 4: Morning Kinabatangan River Cruise, Hornbill Boardwalk, Afternoon to Relax

This morning, an early wake-up call is the perfect opportunity to experience the rainforest waking up. After your morning coffee, embark on a morning river cruise in search of waking wildlife and birds, which are most active in the morning, as you make your way to Kelenanap Oxbow Lake. Return to a tasty breakfast and take the time to just embrace your surroundings. After breakfast, proceed on a walking tour along the Hornbill Boardwalk with a local naturalist.

This afternoon you'll have some time to relax, or for those anxious for more activity, you have the option to enjoy a pampering spa treatment, try your hand at batik painting, or take a dip in the pool. Following afternoon tea, head out onto the river once again in search of more wildlife. Breathe in the rainforest and capture the moments as you return at sunset from your final river cruise. 

Day 5: Return to Sandakan, Depart

After breakfast, it's time to head to Sandakan by boat. Enjoy a brief lunch before you set off for the airport and your flight to Kota Kinabalu. For those taking the evening flight, you'll have time to visit the informative Rainforest Discovery Center. Here you can take in a panoramic view of the canopy walkway before exploring the botanical gardens, home to a variety of flora ranging from orchids to vegetables. For those interested, you can then proceed to the Sandakan Memorial Park, a memorial built to remember POWs lost during World War 2. Afterward, return to the Sandakan airport for your evening departure flight.

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