Borneo

Sabah- The Land below the Wind

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 mysterious caves to the heights of Mount Kinabalu, there are plentiful opportunities to get amazing photos. Sabah offers a varied amount of flora and fauna including the orang-utan, proboscis monkey, hornbills and over 5000 species of flowering plants found nowhere else in the world.

We visit in May/June when there should be an abundance of fruit and flowers, which should increase our changes of seeing a variety of animals. We are intentionally visiting some remote jungle areas first in the hope of seeing wildlife in their natural environments and then we will visit some rehabilitation centres where will see orang-utan, sun bears and proboscis monkeys.

Our 12 day experience will begin in Kota Kinabalu where we will start with street photography in a bustling market before visiting a cultural village with locals in traditional dress who explain tribal customs. We finish with sunset over the bay.

We then take an early flight to Lahad Datu where we will meet our guide and driver and venture into the rain forest jungle to experience all that it has to offer. There will be plenty of opportunities to photograph a huge variety of flora as well as insects, spiders, birds as well as the chance of the wild animals like orang-utan, gibbon, macaque, otter and pygmy elephant. An early rise and drive deeper into the jungle will provide the perfect chance to witness the dawn rising. We will photograph the early morning mist and listen to the animals waking up, calling loudly to each other across the valley. A night drive will give us the chance to see some of the nocturnal animals like the flying squirrels, civet cat and leopard cat.

The Kinbanatang river is our next destination where we will do early morning and late afternoon cruises to photograph the proboscis monkey and many other primates (including an orang-utan and pygmy elephants if we are lucky), as well as crocodile, lizards and plentiful birdlife. 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 the tiny western Tasier.

On the drive from the river will we stop in an area where there are often wild orang-utan.They are often spotted here quite close up and can be seen lazing in the canopies during the heat of the day.There will be an option to visit the caves where the bird nest of the swifts are harvested if you wish. There is an additional cost for entry(RM30) and camera fee (RM30) if you wish to go.

We will venture to Sepilok where we will visit the orang-utan rehabilitation Centre that works with orphaned and stolen apes. We will visit the nursery and witness the released orang-utan coming back for a feed. We will also visit the Sun bear rehabilitation centre, the Rainforest Discovery Centre and Labuk bay for an up close experience with the proboscis monkey.

Our adventure will the head west towards Poring Hot Springs where we will walk to the waterfalls and Tropical Gardens where if we are lucky witness the Rafflesia in flower. Whilst in the area we will visit the Anzac Memorial Gardens in Kudisang. Continuing West we will stop at Mt. Kinabalu National Park that has some lovely forest trails covered with mosses and fungi. We will spend some time in the Botanical Gardens with a variety of orchids and other tropical flowers. Fingers crossed the clouds will clear so we have views of the mountain itself.

We will finish our tour back in Kota Kinabalu.

** Please note our tour starts from Kota Kinabalu after breakfast on Sunday June 6th. Our recommendation is to arrive on Saturday June 5th. Your price will include your hotel room for the night of  June 5th. If you do not arrive on June 5th there will not be a refund.

Costs per person: AUD $5795 # twin/double* room
*Single supplement addition of AUD $750 applies

Early Bird offer of AUD $4950 for bookings made and paid in full by January 31st 2021

A non refundable* deposit of AUD $1000 is required to secure your booking. Balance will be required by April 15th 2021

*see terms and conditions for refund policy

Includes:

• Airport transfers
• All internal transport and accommodation
• 12 days/12 nights in Borneo
• Entry fees
• Most 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 Kota Kinabalu and your home City
• Internal flight from Kota Kinabalu-Lahad Datu(Approx $AU150)
• Evening meal on first evening
• Camera fees (local tax on photographers charged at some location approx total RM200)
• Tourism tax in hotels (RM10 per room/per night)
• 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)

See our Terms and Conditions

# Price is based on cost of flights as of Dec 2019. This price are subject to change until we pay for the internal flights so the price may alter slightly.

Ask about our multi tour discount.