The Wilds of Borneo Photographic Tour 13 day 2026

Please note that that a medium level of fitness is recommended for this tour. We will not be walking that far but the jungles can be very humid which makes all activities more draining. We will be climbing in and out of boats and safari vehicles with the aid of our staff which requires some fitness. 

As with all our tours, this private wildlife tour is designed for photographers by photographers. Our senior guide is very knowledgeable with all things animals and birds. He is also an excellent photographer so really understands what we value. We take our time, going out at times when the animals are more likely to be active and resting when the animals rest. We use private boats and vehicles with our own private guides, drivers and boatman. This is a small group tour with a maximum of 6 photographers lead by photographer, Anna-Mair Francis. 

We visit in late May/ early June when there should be an abundance of fruit and flowers, which should increase our chances of seeing a variety of animals. We are intentionally visiting some remote jungle areas in the hope of seeing wildlife in their natural habitat and then visit some rehabilitation centres where will see orangutan, sun bears and proboscis monkeys so one way or another you will see these wonderful creatures. 
We arrive on the Thursday to start our 12 days of photography refreshed on the Friday morning. 

Our locations are chosen for the birds, flora and fauna known to be there which increases our chances of seeing some extraordinary wildlife. Borneo is a diverse Island, made up of 3 countries, Indonesia, Brunei and our destination, the state of Sabah in Malaysia. Sabah has much to offer a photographer from the deep steamy jungles to the long winding waterways and from the mysterious caves to amazing birds so there are plentiful opportunities to get amazing photos. It offers a varied amount of flora and fauna including the orangutan, proboscis monkey, hornbills,fireflies and over 5000 species of flowering plants found nowhere else in the world. 

We will begin in Kota Kinabalu where we will start by visiting a cultural village experience where locals in traditional dress bring alive tribal customs. After lunch we will drive South for our first private river cruise to see monkeys and birds along the river before we stop for dinner. After dark we return to our boat to explore the banks for masses of fireflies that light up the trees like fairy lights. Although it's very hard to photograph it is one of the most wonderful nature experiences you will ever have. 

Saturday we take an early flight to Lahad Datu on the Eastern Coast where we will meet our driver and venture into the rain forest jungle to experience all that it has to offer. We will be staying within Tabin National Park which is known for a huge variety of flora as well as insects, spiders, birds as well as the chance of the wild animals like orangutan, gibbon, macaque, otter and pygmy elephant.  Night drives or walks will give us the chance to see some of the nocturnal animals like the flying squirrels, civet cat and with any luck, the clouded leopard. We have seen 2 porcupines here too.  Tabin National Park is known as Sabah's greatest wildlife sanctuary. It was created in the year 1984, the 300000 acres reserve is the largest wildlife reserve in Malaysia. It has areas of mud 'volcanos' which ooze mineral salts that attract many different varieties of creatures to it, even sun bears are known to visit although we would be very luck if we saw one. We will stay in the heart of the jungle at a river resort.  We may see the 3 largest of Sabah’s mammals, the Borneo Pygmy Elephant and Tembadau or Banten, which is like a wild buffalo. There are many mammals including otter,  nine species of primate, three species of cats all of which are on the protected wildlife list and more than 300 species bird. 

Our next destination is the Kinbanatang River which is the longest river in Sabah (560km). It passes through many diverse habitats and eventually spreads out in to a huge fertile floodplain which supports many animals, birds and water life. The area was under threat from logging but now Sabah’s government have gazetted 27800 hectares creating the Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary.  As we head West we will stop in the car park of the Gomantong Cave which is a favourite haunt of wild orangutan. They are often spotted here on the edge of the jungle, lazing in the canopies during the heat of the day. If you wish to visit the caves this is an optional extra as it is not for everyone. The cave itself is known for the swiftlets that create nests harvested for bird's nest soup. The caves main chamber is massive and with multiple openings which allows the light to filter through giving it a cathedral like atmosphere and great photo opportunities. However, the cave is also home to thousands of bats and insects which over the decades have produced mounds of guano so the smell is quite overpowering. As I said, it's not for everyone but if you wish to go at your own cost (RM60), then Anna-Mair and the guide will accompany you. 

We will stay on the river for 4 nights staying at 2 different resorts so that we get the most of what the river has to offer. We will head out early each morning and late afternoon along the river to spot for macque and proboscis monkeys, gibbons and many other primates (including an orangutan if we are lucky), as well as crocodile, lizards and plentiful birdlife including hornbills and kingfisher. With luck we might see pygmy elephants coming down to for a drink or to bathe. The cruise back in the afternoon also provides a beautiful sunset along the river. There is an option to join a night walk when you can get up close with birds whilst they sleep and if you are fortunate see frogs and the tiny western Tarsier. We will transfer by boat down the river between the resorts which will give us more chances of seeing wildlife as we journey that we would certainly not see by road. Our second river resort is new to us but we have chosen it because the wild orangutan in the area are known to come down to the rivers edge at low tide in search of tasty mangrove roots which would give us some amazing photo opportunities. 

Our final full photographic destination is Sepilok where we will have 2 nights. The main reason for coming here is the Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre that works with orphaned, injured and stolen apes. If we haven't seen any orangutan in the wild we certainly have an increased chance of seeing them here. Although many of the apes here have come through the rehabilitation process, it backs onto unfenced jungle meaning that wild apes will visit occasionally. We will visit the centre at least twice seeing the nursery and feeding sessions so you will get some great photos here. Next door is the Sun Bear Conservation Centre which does an incredible job at with over 40 rescued captive sun bears. The facility has large forest enclosures providing a natural environment facilitating their rehabilitation back into the wild. Sun Bears are the world's smallest bears and are on the vulnerable list. There is the option of a night walk around the hotel or the nearby the Rainforest Discovery Centre with a tree top walk which will bring us close to some amazing birds and nocturnal animals. We will also visit Labuk Bay for a close up experience with the proboscis monkey. We will transfer to Sandikan staying at waterside hotel for our farewell dinner at an amazing local restaurant. Our hotel is close to a great market for a quick shoot after breakfast on our last morning or you can chose to head to the shopping mall for some retail therapy. Our tour will finish on Tuesday late morning with a transfer to Sandakan Airport. 

Please Note: A deposit of $AU2000 will secure your place now ($AU1000 of the deposit is non refundable)  If the tour does not go ahead then your full deposit will be refunded minus any bank fees. The final balance need to be paid in Malaysia Ringott to the account of our agent.  This balance will reflect the price in Malaysia Ringotts so depending on the exchange rate changes between the Australian Dollar and the Ringott so it may not totally reflect the price quoted it may be a little less or a little more. The quoted price is based on the exchange rate of September 2025. This tour will only take place with a minimum of 3 people booking so please do not book flights to Kota Kinabalu until the tour has been confirmed. 

What's Included:

What's not included:

• Flights to/from Sabah and your home city arriving Kota Kinabalu departing Sandakan


• Camera tax (local tax on photographers charged at some location approx total RM150)


• Tourism tax in hotels (RM10 per room/per night)

• Entry into Gomantong Cave (RM30 plus RM30 camera tax) or optional night walks in Bilit and Sepilok

• Alcohol/soft drinks with meals


• Photographic equipment


• Laundry, gratuities, etc


• Excess baggage


• Travel Insurance (we require a copy of your insurance with your final payment)