About This Trip
The 9-day Sabah discovery journey invites you to witness the varied wildlife on the rainforest-clad island of Borneo. After exploring the UNESCO-recognized Kinabalu GeoPark, get up close to orangutans and sunbears in their sanctuaries and cruise along the Kinabatangan River in search of more of Borneo's native wildlife. End your tour in Danum Valley with invigorating jungle treks to find more endemic flora and fauna.
Itinerary Summary
- DAYPLACE
- 1 - 2Kota Kinabalu
- 3 - 5Sandakan, Kinabatangan River, Sakua
- 6 - 7Danum Valley
- 8 - 9Lahad Datu, Kota Kinabalu
Itinerary
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Day 1: Kota Kinabalu, Arrival
Welcome to Borneo, Malaysia! Upon landing at Kota Kinabalu, the capital city of Borneo State, you're greeted by a local representative and taken to your hotel, with the rest of the day at leisure.
- Kota Kinabalu
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Day 2: Kota Kinabalu, Kinabalu National Park & Poring Hot Spring
A morning drive (about 2 hours) along mountainous roads will take you to the UNESCO-approved Kinabalu National Park, home to the country's highest mountain - Mount Kinabalu (4,095 m), stopping off at the Nabalu Market.
While exploring the park's Botanical Garden, breathe the fresh mountain air, walk on a natural trail, and learn about diverse flora. On a clear day, you may be able to spot a clear, majestic view of Mount Kinabalu.
After lunch, continue driving for about one hour to Poring Hot Spring. As you like, relax in the invigorating sulfurous water and challenge a thrilling canopy treetop walk. Finally, return to your hotel in Kota Kinabalu.
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- Kota Kinabalu
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Day 3: Kota Kinabalu - Sandakan
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for a brief flight to Sandakan. A private transfer afterward will whisk you to your hotel. The remainder of today is free to relax or explore at your leisure.
You may like to explore the Rainforest Discovery Centre, with a botanical garden, canopy walkway, and high towers, for bird watching and wildlife sighting.
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- Sandakan
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Day 4: Sandakan - Kinabatangan River (Abai Village)
Start by visiting the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, home to injured, orphaned, or rescued orangutans before being released back into the wild. At the adjacent Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre, get to know sun bears, the smallest among the bear species in the world.
From Sandakan jetty, depart on a one-hour boat ride up to the Lower Kinabatangan River Sanctuary, where you'll take your lunch and check into a riverside lodge. In the late afternoon, embark on a boat excursion to search for endemic wildlife, watch the sunset while sipping on your coffee, and witness twinkling fireflies like Christmas trees at nightfall. After dinner, experience the "jungle at night" at the lodge's nature boardwalk to spot nocturnal creatures with your nature guide.
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- Abai
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Day 5: Kinabatangan River (Abai Village) - Sukau Village
Set off on a boat cruise to Pitas Oxbow Lake to enjoy its serene beauty and observe wildlife in the early morning. Return to your Abai lodge for breakfast and enjoy some leisure time.
This afternoon, continue on the boat transfer along the Kinabatangan River up to Sukau Village. Hopefully, you may see primates, birds, pygmy elephants, or other wildlife by the riverbank. Arriving in one hour, settle into your Sukau lodge and get rested up. A late afternoon boat safari will take you to Menanggul River, a small tributary of the Kinabatangan River. Return to the lodge for dinner and a restful sleep.
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- Sukau Village
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Day 6: Sukau Village - Lahad Datu - Danum Valley
After breakfast, head to Lahad Datu town, and proceed to the Borneo Nature Tours office for registration and briefing. Later, start your overland journey on gravel road to Borneo Rainforest Lodge in Danum Valley. On arrival, taste an exotic "Welcome Drink", and listen to the Front Office personnel brief you on the facilities available at the lodge.
In the afternoon, you'll watch a slideshow about Danum Valley in the Conference Room. Accompanied by your tour guide, you will take a jungle trek through "Nature Trails" and tree top "Canopy Walkway" to explore much endemic flora and fauna. Return to the lodge for dinner, and then ride an open-top vehicle to search for the nocturnal animal.
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- Danum Valley
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Day 7: Danum Valley
In this morning, trek to the Kadazandusun burial site - "Coffin Cliff", one of the ancient funeral rituals in Southeast Asia. Later, proceed to "View Point" for a bird's eye view of the area. In the afternoon, you could choose to continue your jungle trek or go for a relaxing session of "tubing" down the Danum River (subject to the weather and water level conditions). After dinner, you'll enjoy a night walk to search for nocturnal animals.
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- Danum Valley
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Day 8: Danum Valley - Lahad Datu - Kota Kinabalu
You could step outside for a leisurely walk in the early morning. After lunch, you will transfer to Lahad Datu Airport for your flight to Kota Kinabalu. On arrival, your guide will take you to the hotel for check-in.
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- Kota Kinabalu
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Day 9: Kota Kinabalu, Departure
Enjoy this morning at leisure before your guide escorts you to the airport for your homebound flight.
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