DAYS
13
Style
Accommodated
EX
Kuching – Kota Kinabalu
From
AUD $10,525.00
OVERVIEW
Next Tour: 5th - 17th October 2025
Highlights
- Semenggoh and Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuaries – View semi-wild rescued orangutans as they eat at their feeding stations in the rainforest
- Explore Kota Kinabalu National Park, including the Botanical Gardens and Geopark Gallery
- Visit the Kundasang War Memorial and Memorial Gardens (four gardens including an Australian, English, Bornean and Contemplation garden)
- Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre – Home to over 30 rescued sun bears
- Rainforest Discovery Centre canopy walk; 28m above the forest floor and excellent for birding
- Kinabatangan River – Cruise along the second longest river in Malaysia and spot Proboscis monkeys, even Pygmy Elephants, at close range. This river is one of the best wildlife hotspots within Borneo, attracting many top Naturalists over the years, including Sir David Attenborough.
- Abai village – Enjoy a local-style lunch and participate in a tree planting project
- Gomantong Cave – The largest birds nests cave in Sabah
- “Jacuzzi/Coffin Trail” – Jungle trek leading to an ancient Kadazan-Dusun burial site and lookout.
JOURNEY TO THE HEART OF BORNEO WITH OUR ECO & WILDLIFE ADVENTURE TOUR
The Malay Archipelago’s natural beauty and unique wildlife are so extraordinary that they inspired British naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace’s theories of natural selection in the 1800s.
On our jungle adventure, we travel to the Malay Archipelago in Southeast Asia to the world’s third-largest island, Borneo, where jungles and rainforests dominate the landscape and life flourishes beneath the forest canopy. With some of the world’s oldest rainforests (second only to Australia’s Daintree Rainforest), it is no surprise that this rugged island is extremely rich in biodiversity. Some 222 mammals, 420 birds, 150 reptiles, 100 amphibians and 394 fish species call the island home.
EXPLORE BORNEO’S WILDLIFE WONDERS ON A TOUR
We will also encounter Borneo’s most iconic species, the Orangutan (meaning “man of the forest” in Malay). Orangutans are highly intelligent creatures, sharing 96.4% of their genes with humans. They are also the only great ape to be found in Asia. Today, wild populations only exist in Bornean and Sumatran rainforests, so getting a glimpse of these gentle giants in their natural setting is a rare and beautiful opportunity. We also hope to find other well-known species, including pygmy elephants, clouded leopards, rhinoceros hornbills, saltwater crocodiles, and the rare proboscis monkeys.
Borneo also has over 15,000 species of plants, including pitcher plants, orchids, conifers and rhododendrons. Bird watchers, botany enthusiasts and general wildlife viewers alike will be delighted by the sheer variety of fauna and flora on this jungle adventure.
Itinerary
| Day 1 | Arrive in Kuching | Upon arrival in Kuching, you will be transferred to the hotel and the afternoon is free for you to relax and recuperate from your flight (earliest check-in at 3.00 pm). Tonight, meet your Coates Tour Leader and fellow tour companions, and enjoy a welcome dinner as a group at the hotel restaurant. Accommodation: Kuching Hilton D |
| Day 2 | Semenggoh Wildlife Centre | After breakfast, transfer to Semenggoh Wildlife Centre. It is located 24 kilometres from the centre of Kuching. The Semenggoh Wildlife Centre provides an excellent opportunity to view semi-wild orangutans in a natural setting. This orangutan rehabilitation centre receives orphaned or rescued orangutans and trains them to survive in the wild. Over 20 orangutans live in the forest within the nature reserve and often return to the centre for supplemental feeding. The feeding area is set in a natural amphitheatre where it is possible to observe the orangutans coming down from the surrounding forest for the food provided. The rangers will also give a briefing on the purpose of the centre and the conservation objectives. We then return to the hotel and the afternoon is free for you to enjoy the city; visit the Sarawak/Borneo Cultures/Natural History Museums (highly recommended), explore the city’s riverfront, or relax in the hotel. Accommodation: Kuching Hilton BD |
| Day 3 | Kuching - Kota Kinabalu – Kundasang | Early morning pick-up and transfer to the airport for your flight to Kota Kinabalu. Upon arrival, we will be met by our local guides and then proceed for 2- 3 hours (subject to traffic 90 km) through breathtaking scenery to Kundasang town. Lunch will be at a local restaurant. Visit the Kundasang War Memorial established in 1962; this was one of the first memorials to commemorate the brave Australian and British Prisoners of War who died in Sandakan during the infamous death marches to Ranau during World War II. The memorial also remembers the people of North Borneo who risked their lives to help the POWs, and is made up of four gardens to represent the different nationalities - the Australian Garden, the English Garden, the Borneo Garden and the Contemplation Garden and Pool (where most ceremonies are held). Also explore Kundasang Market and learn about the varied local produce grown in Sabah. Tonight we stay in a hotel located near Mount Kinabalu. Accommodation: Perkasa, Mount Kinabalu BLD |
| Day 4 | Kinabalu National Park - Kota Kinabalu | After an early breakfast, check-out and proceed to Kota Kinabalu National Park, where we will take a guided walk on one of the trails to explore the montane forest. Then visit the education centre known as the Geopark Gallery, and wander the Botanical Garden – home to many species of orchids, pitcher plants, birds, insects and butterflies. Lunch will be at the park and we return to Kota Kinabalu mid afternoon. Accommodation: Hyatt Regency Hotel Kinabalu BLD |
| Day 5 | Kota Kinabalu - Sandakan - My Nature Resort | This morning, we will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Sandakan. We then travel to the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC) for a tour and a private briefing by the Founder. This centre rescues captured sun bears and is involved in sun bear conservation, welfare rehabilitation and education. Over 30 sun bears live at the centre in the bear house and outdoor enclosures. We then proceed to the Rainforest Discovery Centre (RDC), an education centre within the Kabili Sepilok Forest Reserve. Upon arrival at the RDC, we look in the visitor information centre before walking to the centre’s 147-metre-long canopy walkway, up to 28 metres above the forest floor. This walkway offers a unique way of seeing Sabah’s rainforest from an elevated viewpoint and is an excellent place for bird-watching. Over 250 species of birds are found here. We then transfer to MY Nature Resort for check-in around 5:30 pm. This resort is set in 25 acres of rainforest bordering the Sepilok forest reserve, a protected area rich in wildlife. Giant flying squirrels are resident within the grounds of MY Nature Resort. They come out almost every night, but sightings are not guaranteed. Resort staff will point out which trees the squirrels sleep in and let you know when they start to come out of their hiding places. You’ll see the giant squirrels emerge from their nests and glide across the sky if lucky. Dinner tonight is at MY Nature Resort. Accommodation: MY Nature Resort BLD |
| Day 6 | My Nature Resort | This morning we visit the Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary, where rescued orangutans are reintroduced into the wild. You can observe them at their feeding stations in the rainforest (the feeding session is at 10.00 am) and at the nursery (if it’s open). We return to My Nature Resort for lunch and then you have the afternoon free to explore the resort surroundings, swim in the pool or relax however you wish. Accommodation: MY Nature Resort BLD Note: The nursery at Sepilok is sometimes closed to visitors. This occurs if any of the young orangutan are sick. As such there is no guarantee that the nursery will be open. |
| Day 7 | Sepilok – Abai | Mid to late morning we will depart Sepilok and proceed to a boat jetty in Sandakan. We will then take an hour boat cruise up the Lower Kinabatangan River, passing pristine mangrove forests and searching for wildlife. The cruise will bring us to the Abai Jungle Lodge, our home for the night. We will have lunch and then you can relax or explore the surrounding area on the nature boardwalk. At 4.30 pm, we will go on another cruise searching for proboscis monkeys, birds, reptiles and other wildlife. As night falls, you will witness fireflies glittering on the mangrove trees. We return to the lodge for dinner, and after we will go on a guided night walk around the Lodge’s nature boardwalk in search of insects, birds and other wildlife. Accommodation: Abai Jungle Lodge BLD |
| Day 8 | Pitas Lake – Abai Village –- Sukau - Menanggul River | It is an early start today. At 6.30 am, you will embark on another bird watching and wildlife viewing boat trip at nearby Pitas Lake. We return to the lodge for breakfast. After breakfast, we will visit the nearby village of Abai and participate in a tree-planting project. You will enjoy a local-style lunch prepared and served by the villagers. Alternatively, you may return to the lodge for lunch. After lunch, we will cruise upriver to Sukau, searching for wildlife. When we arrive in Sukau, we will check-in to Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge. At 4.30 pm, take another cruise up the Kinabatangan River to Menanggul River, and search for more proboscis monkeys, birds and other wildlife. Dinner is at the lodge tonight. Accommodation: Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge BLD |
| Day 9 | Oxbow Lake – Gamantong Cave - Menanggul River | Another early start today as we leave for our 6.30 am bird watching and wildlife viewing boat trip at nearby Ox Bow Lake. Later we visit Gomantong Cave, the largest bird nest cave in Sabah, famous for its swiftlets and edible nests. At 4.30 pm, venture on another cruise in search of wildlife. We return to the lodge at dusk. Accommodation: Kinabatangan Riverside lodge BLD |
| Day 10 | Sukau – Kopel/Mescot - Lahad Datu – Borneo Rainforest Lodge | We have an early departure from Sukau this morning. Leaving the river behind us, we head to Lahad Datu, where we will be met and transferred to the Borneo Rainforest Lodge. On the way to Lahad Datu, we visit Kopel /Mescott for breakfast; a village-based co-operative of local rural people, fishermen and farmers. Kopel was primarily set up to promote sustainable development with efforts to protect the forest habitat, wildlife and biodiversity of the Lower Kinabatangan ecology, while also preserving the livelihood of the local population. After breakfast, there will be a presentation about the introduction of a village Cooperative and how Eco Tourism is improving the lives of the villagers. After the presentation, we will continue onto Lahad Datu. Upon arrival at the Borneo Rainforest Lodge’s reception office, there will be a brief orientation on Danum Valley's activities and facilities. After this, we will depart for the scheduled transfer to the lodge, arriving at around 4.00 pm. If time permits, enjoy a guided walk on the 300m canopy walkway in the afternoon. In the evening we will have dinner at the lodge and if the weather permits, you can go for a night drive in search of nocturnal animals after. Accommodation: Borneo Rainforest Lodge BLD |
| Day 11 | Jacuzzi / Coffin Trail – Hornbill Trail | Following breakfast, depart for a trek along the “Coffin Trail” that leads to an ancient Kadazan-Dusun burial site. It’s a 3 km return trip involving a 40-minute climb to a magnificent lookout point (all walks are optional). We will then return to the lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, you can go on another jungle trek in search of wildlife, or you can relax at the lodge. After dinner, you can join a night walk in search of nocturnal creatures. Accommodation: Borneo Rainforest Lodge BLD |
| Day 12 | Lahad Datu – Kota Kinabalu | Today enjoy a leisurely breakfast. You can then spend the morning at your leisure; enjoy some bird watching at Hornbill’s corner, walk the 400m boardwalk nature trail or finish packing for your journey home. After lunch, you will check out of the lodge and depart at 12.30 pm for the scheduled transfer to Lahad Datu airport (for your flight to Kota Kinabalu). Upon arrival in Kota Kinabalu, you will be transferred to the hotel. As our journey comes to an end, we will share a farewell dinner at the hotel restaurant. Accommodation: Hyatt Regency Hotel Kinabalu BLD |
| Day 13 | Depart Kota Kinabalu | After breakfast, you will be collected and transferred to the airport for your flight as scheduled. B |
NOTE 1: We recommend that you arrange your homeward flights from Kota Kinabalu on Day 13. Flights booked on the evening of Day 12 may be missed if our flight into Kota Kinabalu is delayed.
NOTE 2: The above itinerary may be varied according to conditions and advice.
availability
Places Available
Inclusions
- Breakfast (B), lunch (L) and dinner (D) as indicated on itinerary
- Welcome and farewell dinner
- Twin share accommodation in resorts, lodges and hotels
- Camera fees (lens’ less than 400MM)
- Internal domestic flights (Kuching – Kota Kinabalu – Sandakan & Lahad Datu – Kota Kinabalu)
- Australian Coates Wildlife Tours Escort
- Qualified and experienced local English-speaking naturalist guides (one per region)
- Entrance fees for activities indicated on the Itinerary
- All excursions and transfers set out in the itinerary
- All tourist taxes for duration of tour
- Tipping
Trip Reviews
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