As with all our small group tours, this shorter private wildlife tour is designed for photographers by photographers. Our senior guide not only is very knowledgeable with all things animals and birds but is also a very good photographer himself 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.
Our locations are chosen for the 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 long winding waterways and from the mysterious caves to fantastic culture so there are plentiful opportunities to get amazing photos. Sabah 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 are visiting some jungle areas in the hope of seeing wildlife in their natural habitat but we start our tour by visiting the rehabilitation centres where we will see orangutans, sun bears and proboscis monkeys so one way or another you will see these wonderful creatures.
Day 1: Friday 30th May (D)
We start early afternoon with a meet and greet of the flight from Kuala Lumpur at Sandakan Airport (arrives 13:25) or a hotel pickup if you have arrived earlier in the week. We transfer to Sepilok to check in to our hotel before heading out to the nearby Rainforest Discovery Centre to photograph the vast array of birdlife and hopefully the flying squirrels.
Day 2: Saturday 31st May (BLD)
Today we will make two visits to the wonderful Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre. We will be able to photograph many orangutans here although I expect we will see some in the wild as well. The centre rehabilitates injured and orphaned orangutan then slowly limits human interaction until they are independent and disappear into the surrounding jungle to live wild. Occasionally wild apes will come in from the jungle for a feed of bananas, which is very special to see. Our morning visit will be to the nursery and feeding platform to photograph these wonderful animals. After lunch we will return when the area is quieter and then visit the nearby Sun Bear Conservation Centre. Sun Bears are the smallest of the bear family and are very vulnerable with very few left in the wild. There are more than 40 Sun Bears at the centre which have been orphaned or are ex-captive bears, some held to terrible conditions before coming to the centre. The centres aim is to rewild most of the bears but there are some who are resident at the centre as rewilding was not possible for them. We are very unlikely to see these in the wild so this will be our only opportunity to see these amazing creatures.
Day 3: Sunday 1st June (BLD)
We will explore the beautiful tropical gardens around our hotel before departing for the Kinabatangan River our home for the next 2 nights. On route we will stop at the Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary to see and photograph these extraordinary monkeys. The Kinbanatang River, which is the longest river in Sabah (560km) passes through many diverse habitats and eventually spreads out in to a huge fertile floodplain that supports many animals, birds and water life. We will stay here for 2 nights so that we get the most of what the river has to offer. The area was under threat from logging historically but now Sabah’s government have gazetted 27800 hectares creating the Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary. David Attenborough who filmed the documentary ‘The Private Life of Plants’ here made the area famous.
Day 4: Monday 2nd June (BLD)
We will head out early morning and late afternoon along the river to spot for macaque and proboscis monkeys, gibbons and many other primates including orangutan, as well as crocodile, lizards and plentiful birdlife including hornbills and kingfisher. In this area there have been many sightings of pygmy elephants coming down to the river for a drink or to bathe. The river cruise in the afternoon will provide a beautiful sunset along the river. There is an option to join a night walk (RM20) after dinner when you can get up close with birds whilst they sleep in the trees around the resort. We have also seen frogs, native cats and the tiny western Tarsier.
Day 5: Tuesday 3rd June (BLD)
We depart the River and head towards the town of Lahud Datu. On the way we will stop at Gomantong Cave as this area is a favourite haunt of wild orangutan. They are often spotted here quite close up on the edges of the car park lazing in the canopies during the heat of the day. If you wish to visit the caves known for the swiftlets that create nests harvested for bird's nest soup then this is an optional extra as it is not for everyone. 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 cockroaches that over the decades have produced mounds of guano and the smell is quite overpowering. It is not recommended for people with weak lungs but if you wish to go in then Anna-Mair will accompany you. The cost per person is RM30 plus and additional RM30 camera fee. We will transfer vehicles in Lahud Datu for our onward journey to Tabin National Park our home for the next 2 nights.
We will be staying within Tabin National Park for our last jungle adventure which are 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 and the civet cat. 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, Sumatran Rhinoceros and Tembadau or Banteng, which is like a wild buffalo. There are many mammals including otter, nine species of primate, three species of cats including the clouded leopards all of which are on the protected wildlife list and more than 300 species of bird. We will head out after dinner for our first nocturnal safari.
Day 6: Wednesday 4th June (BLD)
We are likely to be awoken by the gibbon dawn chorus in the surrounding jungle and will head out after breakfast to one of the many trails through the Jungle looking for animals and birds that are out looking for a feed. This area is very lush and has areas where mineral salts come to the surface that is one of the reasons that there are so many animals that call Tabin home. The animals hide in the heat of the day so we will return to the resort for lunch and a rest before heading out again for another safari drive.
Day 7: Thursday 5th June (BLD)
Our final full day of photography will start with an early morning walk looking for the gibbon in the area before we have breakfast. After breakfast we will head out again with the cameras in the area around the resort. We will depart Tabin to return to Lahad Datu to get our flight to Kota Kinabalu where we will head to the coast for a sunset shoot and our farewell dinner.
Day 8: Thursday 5th June (B)
Breakfast at leisure before transfer to Kota Kinabalu International Airport for your onward flight to Kuala Lumpur
A deposit of $AU1000 will secure your place now ($AU 500 of the deposit is non refundable).
Please note: This tour needs a minimum number of 3 people to book before departure is confirmed. Please do not book your flights until the tour has been confirmed.
A non-photographer companion is welcome to join us although they need to be aware that this tour is all about photography and no alternative itinerary will be given for them. Having said that, the itinerary is of interest to any lover of nature.
If you are a single person who would like to share with another person of the same gender please book a twin share but if we are unable to match you with another person then the single supplement price will be applied.
The full itinerary will be given nearer departure although some small changes may be applied.
What's Included:
· Airport transfers in Sandakan and Kota Kinabalu
· Internal flight from Lahad Datu - Kota Kinabalu
· All internal transport and accommodation
· 8 days/ 7 nights in Borneo -7 days of photography
· Entry fees for all attractions unless stated as an option
· All meals on Tour
· Highly experienced local guides and drivers
· Small group size
· Photographic support from Anna-Mair Francis
What's not included:
· Flights to/from Sabah and your home City Arriving Sandakan departing Kota Kinabalu
· 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)
· Alcohol/soft drinks with meals
· Photographic equipment
· Laundry, gratuities, etc
· Excess baggage (20kg limit on local flight)
· Travel Insurance (we require a copy of your insurance with your final payment)
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Terms and Conditions
Please note: This tour needs a minimum number of 3 people to book before departure is confirmed. Please do not book your flights until the tour has been confirmed.
