The science of primary rainforests and wetlands: Malaysian Borneo

August 2025 - 10 days

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Explore Malaysia’s primary rainforests and wetlands teeming with rare and endangered species as Alfred Wallace did before writing his 1869 book The Malay Archipelago. Expect to see orangutans, sun bears, civet cats, langurs, gibbons, proboscis monkeys, rhinoceros hornbills and many more. 

Visit conservation projects, hear from the experts and experience how species and habitats are being rehabilitated and protected. Staying in secluded idyllic lodges and nature resorts in the heart of the forest reserves.

Enjoy wildlife safaris, cruises, treks and evening walks through hectares of pristine and undisturbed tropical rainforest.

In partnership with Intrepid Travel.

DAY 1: ARRIVE INTO SEPILOK

Welcome to Borneo! You will be met upon arrival at Sandakan airport and then transfer to Sepilok Nature Resort, just 20 minutes away. Situated at the edge of Kabili Sepilok Forest Reserve.

In the evening, your accompanying guide and photographer Chien Lee and tour leader will give an introductory talk on the expedition ahead and you can enjoy a welcome meal together. Most evening, Chien will give informal talks reflecting on the days finds and insight on conservation issues. He will also help you improve your photography skills.

After dinner, head out for an optional night walk in the lush rainforest to search for nocturnal wildlife amongst the 150 species of orchid.

DAY 2: SEPILOK ORANGUTANG REHABILITATION, RAINFOREST DISCOVERY AND BORNEAN SUN BEAR CENTRES

After breakfast, depart for the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre, where you will be given a private tour of the centre by the founder of the centre, Dr Wong. The sun bear is the smallest bear species in the world and also the second rarest due to various threats. As well as being able to see the bears in a natural habitat, your entrance fee supports the ongoing protection of the species.

Later on you will walk the short distance to the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre. It was set up by Barbara Harrison in 1964 and was the first in the world to dedicate itself to the rehabilitation of orphaned orangutans. It covers an area of 43 square kilometres of protected land. Today, there are around 60 to 80 orangutans living free in the reserve. In addition, the centre provides medical care for orphaned and confiscated orangutans as well as dozens of other wildlife species. You will see how the centre has built a buddy system within the orangutan community to replace the training they would normally receive from their mothers.

In the evening, head out to the Rainforest Discovery Centre, which will involve a short amount of trekking. The centre is managed by the Sabah Forestry Department. The main purpose of the RDC remains as an environmental education centre for students and teachers. Being in the rainforest at night is an experience all its own but it’s even better if you can spot some of its elusive nocturnal creatures such as the tarsier, slow loris, flying squirrel, civet, and owl. Stick insects and frogs camouflaged themselves well so keep a sharp lookout for them too.  

DAY 3: SANDAKAN CITY AND KINABATANGAN WETLANDS

After breakfast, check out and proceed for half day city tour. Visit Sandakan Memorial Park, which is adjacent to the site of the original Sandakan Prisoner of War (POW) Camp. The park commemorates the sacrifice and suffering endured by both Australian and British soldiers who were held by the Japanese as Prisoners of War between 1942 and 1945. The Puu Jih Shih Buddhist Temple, located on a steep hilltop where you can have a magnificent view overlooking Sandakan Bay and the Town Centre. 

Visiting the Agnes Keith Museum to learn about life in the colonial days on Agnes & Harry Keith. Harry was the first conservator of the Forestry Department in Sabah and Agnes was the author of the three famous books called Land Below the Wind, Three Came Home and White Man Returns. Stop at the nearby English Tea House where you may have another spectacular view of Sandakan Nature City and have early lunch before driving to a small dock on the Kinabatangan River, taking around 45 minutes. From here depart on a two-hour boat journey through the jungle to the Kinabatangan Wetlands Resort, a boutique lodge situated on the banks of the river.

After time to relax at the lodge, head out by small boat for a private dusk river cruise to search for the wildlife along the river. The region is teeming with fauna, orangutans, pygmy elephants, hornbills, macaques, leaf monkeys and otters. You will spend a couple of hours on the river, before returning back to the lodge for dinner.

After dinner, you have the option to head out for a short night walk to search for some of the nocturnal residents of the forest. Some of the things to be seen are civet cats, owls, frogs, mousedeer, and much more.

DAY 4: RIVER SAFARIS AND SUSTAINABLE FARMING

There will be an early wake-up call today for coffee and tea, before embarking on a 2-hour river safari to search for wildlife. You will finish at the village of Abai for local breakfast at one of the houses. Afterwards, visit a forest restoration site, see the impact that it has on wildlife and have an opportunity to plant some trees.

After returning by boat to the lodge for lunch, you will have some time to relax before taking a late-afternoon river safari in search of more wildlife including the Proboscis Monkey. After dinner, you will have the option for a night walk around the resort with one of their in-house ecologists.

DAY 5: TABIN WILDLIFE RESERVE

Today you will travel by boat to Sukau jetty before switching to a vehicle to travel south to the Tabin Wildlife Reserve for two nights. Upon arrival, you will explore its nature trails, mud volcanos and salt lick for wildlife. The reserve is best the place in Borneo to see gibbons and they are comfortable being in proximity to the lodge, particularly in the mornings.

After dinner and a short presentation on the reserve, you will step outside for a night walk to look out for more nocturnal creatures. 

DAY 6: ORANGUTAN RELEASE CENTRE AND MORE EXPLORATION

Discover some of Tabin’s rich birdlife on an early morning walk before driving to the core area for further bird watching, a visit to the Tabin Orangutan Release Centre and a trek to nearby Lipad Waterfall. After a relaxing afternoon and dinner, you will explore the rainforest again at night before bed.

DAY 7: JOURNEY TO THE DANUM VALLEY

Today will involve travelling deep in the forest. There’s an early wake-up for a full breakfast, before departing for your next destination, the Danum Valley. Firstly, take a boat ride, followed by an overland transfer to Lahad Datu, then onto the Danum Valley Rainforest Lodge for lunch. It is Borneo’s premier 5-star jungle lodge and is the only resort in the entire Danum Valley Conservation Area, an area of 440 square kilometres of virgin primary rainforest. This region is home to some of the highest diversity on the planet. With common sightings of orangutans, red-leaf langurs, gibbons, hornbills and more, it is the perfect place to explore.

Borneo Rainforest Lodge has exceptional local guides and, in the afternoon, you will head out for the first of several private wildlife walks with them.

DAY 8: FULLY EXPLORE THE DANUM VALLEY

Spend the day with your guide trekking in Danum Valley to search for animals both large and small and everything is explained in great detail. A forest alive with smells, sounds and sights which you will experience on a canopy walkway and a jacuzzi dip in a natural pool. After dinner, take a night walk or drive as local conditions and sighting opportunities dictate.

DAY 9: KOTA KINABALU

After a relaxing morning and enjoying lunch at the lodge, you will depart for the journey back to Lahad Datu for a 1-hour flight to Kota Kinabalu. After checking into the Hotel Grandis you can explore this bustling waterfront city. It's surrounded by nature with offshore coral islands, forest-covered hills, scenic rivers and Mount Kinabalu, the highest peak in Southeast Asia. Explore its street markets and enjoy one of the amazing sunset. 

In the evening there is a farewell dinner in a local seafood restaurant. 

DAY 10: DEPART MALAYSIAN BORNEO

After a farewell breakfast, you will be transferred to the Kota Kinabalu airport for your onward journey.