Borneo Wildlife Discoverer

Name: Borneo Wildlife Discoverer
Brand: Exodus
Rating: 4.7 (39 reviews)

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Award Winning Adventures

Nature First Adventures

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15 Days from

17 Days from

~~USD 5,249~~ USD 4,649

USD 6,794

4.7/5 from

Wildlife

Ways to Travel :

Guided Group, Private Group Adventures

Activity :

Wildlife

Activity Levels :

2 out of 7 - Leisurely / Moderate

Group Size :

4 - 16

Ages :

16+

Trip Code :

WOH

Discover the best of Borneo – wildlife, rainforests and tropical beaches

Borneo is home to some of the most diverse and beautiful wildlife in Southeast Asia. This adventure covers many natural wonders, including majestic Mount Kinabalu and the Danum Valley, one of the trip highlights, for a jungle trek in search of the elusive orangutan. It’s a nature lover’s paradise, whose beauty and wildlife are equalled only by Bako and Mulu national parks, which we also explore. We come face to face with more orangutans in Sepilok, stay at a bamboo longhouse in Sabah, and finish the trip in the historic port town of Sandakan.

Highlights

Spot orangutans and proboscis monkeys
Visit Mulu National Park, home to the impressive Deer Cave bat exodus
Enjoy a river cruise in Kinabatangan
Stay at a luxury jungle lodge in Danum Valley

Key Information

13 nights in comfortable/standard hotels and lodges (all en suite), one night in a basic longhouse with shared facilities
Travel by minibus, 4×4 and boat
Two internal flights
Visit remote wild areas

Countries visited: Malaysia

What's Included

14 breakfasts, four lunches and four dinners
All accommodation
All transport and listed activities
Tour leader throughout
Free group arrival and departure transfers available

What's Not Included

Travel insurance
Single accommodation (available on request)
Visas or vaccinations

People, Places & Planet

We work hard to create trips which improve life for the people and places we visit, and look after the planet we explore. Find out more about our sustainable travel ethos and practice here, and find out about the work of the Exodus Travels Foundation here.

Some sustainable travel highlights of this trip include:

People

How this trip helps improve life for local communities.

The use of a local guide means our customers will be well informed about local traditions, and cultural and social sensitivities.
This trip brings income and opportunity to the destination community through the inclusion of locally-owned hotels and restaurants, the emphasis on eating locally produced food and support of other local enterprise.
Staying at Kinabatangan provides employment opportunities to the local orang Sungai people who are working as boat men & drivers at the local wildlife lodge.
In Mulu National Park the Penan people, and others are employed by the park thereby our trip helps to maintain their livelihood and unique forest dwelling culture.

Places

How this trip helps protect and conserve local landscapes and nature.

By travelling in a small group, led by a local guide, we ‘tread lightly’ to minimise our impact on local resources and the environment.
This particular trip visits & directly supports the Sepilok Orang-utan Sanctuary which rehabilitates injured, orphaned and captured Orang-utans into the wild. At 43 square kilometres, Sepilok is the largest sanctuary of its kind in the world.
The trip visits the Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary, which provides sanctuary to Proboscis Monkeys and strives to educate people on sustainable ways of co-existing with nature and its inhabitants.
Whist visiting Sepilok, there is the option to also visit the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation centre, a wildlife conservation and research centre for improving animal welfare and rehabilitation of the Malayan sun bear.
Our trips adhere to ABTA’s industry-leading animal welfare guidelines to ensure the best possible practices with regard to working animals and wildlife viewing. Our animal welfare policy can be found here.
We spend 2 nights at the eco award winning Borneo Rainforest Lodge, nestled by the Danum Valley Conservation Reserve which covers an area of 43,800 hectares of tropical virgin rainforest, inhabited by an astounding biodiversity of various flora and fauna species. Our visit to the reserve and lodge directly contribute to the conservation efforts of this special area.
We work with our partners on the ground to proactively eliminate or reduce waste, for example eliminating all single-use plastic water bottles and instead providing refills for re-usable bottles.
The Exodus Travels Foundation has launched the Community Kickstart Project to help our destination communities recover and rebuild following the impact of COVID-19. In Malaysia, we’ve contributed to both the Rainwater Harvesting initiative (more details can be found here) and the Jungle Trek Path initiative (more details can be found here).

Planet

How we seek to keep the carbon footprint of this trip low.

Read about Exodus Travels’ Planet Promise here, including our rewilding and carbon compensation commitments for every customer who travels.
Accommodation and restaurants in the itinerary use locally-sourced food which has not been transported long distances.
Vegetarian and vegan options are available at some accommodation and restaurants.
This trip favours locally-owned and run accommodation, such as the eco-award winning Borneo Rainforest Lodge. The lodge strives to minimise their carbon footprint through the implementation of various sustainable practices in their waste, water, chemical, noise, product use and energy management policies.

Tips for sustainable travel on this trip

Leave no trace: We do all we can to ensure we leave no rubbish behind in the wild and beautiful places we visit; we ask that you do the same. If there are no recycling facilities in-country, we’d ask you to consider bringing recyclable materials home with you.
Plastic waste reduction: Please bring your own re-usable water bottle on this trip; filtered water will be provided where tap water is not drinkable.
Cultural respect:
- Malaysia is a predominantly Muslim country so modest dress is required on this trip when visiting holy sites such as the National Mosque in Kuala Lumpur (i.e. legs, shoulders, and upper arms to be covered as well as a headscarf for women).
- One should not show the soles of their feet or touch someone’s head, both are considered disrespectful.

Itinerary

Kuching, capital of the Sarawak state, is a vibrant riverside city full of different ethnic groups who migrated here from the surrounding forests. With a great museum and a well-preserved colonial centre there is much to do in this cultural hot spot.

You can arrive at any time. There will be a group briefing at 6pm with your tour leader, after which we can have dinner at the waterfront hawkers’ stalls.

Accommodation: Hotel Lime Tree (or similar)

We enjoy our first foray into the amazing nature of Borneo as we head to nearby Bako National Park, home to proboscis monkeys. Here, the rainforest meets the sea and the only way to get to the park is by boat (after a one-hour drive out of the city). It has abundant wildlife, jungle streams, waterfalls, interesting plants, secluded beaches and trekking trails. Despite being the smallest national park in Sarawak, Bako contains almost every type of vegetation in Borneo. We return to Kuching for the night.

Please note, our time at Bako is often dictated by tides and weather conditions. Our leader will inform us of the details the previous day.

Accommodation: Hotel Lime Tree (or similar)

Meals Included: Breakfast

We leave the city and fly to Mulu National Park (schedules vary). After checking in at the park HQ, we meet the park guides and head through the forest to Deer Cave, the largest cave passage in the world and home to millions of bats and swifts. The floor has a raised platform, though that is no escape from the smell of guano (bird and bat excrement).

Nearby is Lang's Cave which, though much smaller, has stalactites and stalagmites and other cave formations. The surrounding forest is spectacular and there is plenty of time to examine it closely.

The walk to Deer Cave is 1.9mi (3km) each way along boardwalks and there are wooden steps leading to different viewing platforms inside the show caves.

We arrive at Deer Cave in time for dusk, when the bats leave their home to feed on insects (as long as it is not raining). This is a sight to behold with the bats forming a long, snaking line across the sky for quite some time. Dependent on the timings of the day, we may visit the caves tomorrow instead.

Please note, due to flight schedules, there isn’t much time for lunch between our arrival at Mulu National Park and when we depart for the caves. You should buy something at the airport to have later.

Accommodation: Mulu National Park Garden Cottages (or similar)

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today we explore Mulu with a local guide. In the morning, we visit two of the show caves, including Clearwater, where we can enjoy a picnic lunch (not included) in the gorgeous riverside location. The park has some incredible statistics: it has more than 3,500 plant species, 8,000 types of fungi, and 170 orchid species. There are also 262 bird species, almost 300 butterfly species and many reptiles and mammals.

Members of the Penan people also live within the park. They are a small population of nomadic forest dwellers who live as hunter-gatherers. There has been fierce international opposition to the Malaysian government who tried to settle them in permanent longhouses and indeed the Penan themselves have resisted. In 1994, they were granted an area of the forest where they could continue their traditional lifestyle. Although you are unlikely to meet these elusive people, you occasionally see their fishing shelters or areas in the forest where they have recently visited.

This afternoon, relax in the park and listen to the weird and wonderful creatures that call it home or explore self-guided trails within the park.

Those with a head for heights can try the optional canopy walkway. This 1,575ft (480m) high skywalk takes approximately two hours to complete. Along the way, you may spot macaques, hornbills, flying lizards, squirrels and a variety of rainforest birds. Time slots are subject to availability. In the evening, there is an optional night walk or we can try tuak, the Mulu firewater.

Accommodation: Mulu National Park Garden Cottages (or similar)

Meals Included: Breakfast

We aim to catch the morning flight out of Mulu and onto Kota Kinabalu via Miri, though delays are not uncommon. Depending on what time we fly out of Mulu, there may be time to walk along self-guided trails or peruse the visitor centre.

Known as KK to the locals, the capital of Sabah is a modern, multicultural city. The evening is free to relax, explore the busy Filipino markets or enjoy a waterfront sundowner.

Accommodation: Hotel Dreamtel (or similar)

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today you are free to enjoy some of the many activities Kota Kinabalu has to offer. A popular option is to visit one of the tropical islands in the marine park, a 15-minute boat journey from the city and with excellent snorkelling and diving opportunities. You can never be bored here, whether you are relaxing on the white sand, snorkelling or swimming in the warm South China Sea.

There are good birdwatching opportunities in the wetlands not far from KK and a culturally interesting village in Mari Mari where you can learn about the different cultures of Sabah. Your tour leader can help organise any of these options.

Accommodation: Hotel Dreamtel (or similar)

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today we transfer (about two hours) and explore Mount Kinabalu National Park. It’s a Unesco World Heritage site and home to the highest mountain in Southeast Asia, Mount Kinabalu, which stands at (4,095m) tall. This impressive granite peak can be viewed from the Crocker mountain range, which we pass over, with panoramic views of the countryside and soaring hills. The lower mountain slopes are covered in thick vegetation and it is well known for its diverse botanical and biological species.

En route, we stop at Nabalu market, where villagers sell their produce and handicrafts. It’s possible to walk through the plantation on your own if you want this afternoon. Tea, medicinal herbs, fruit and vegetables are just some of the local produce. From the plantation, the sunrise with a view of Mount Kinabalu is often spectacular. If we’re lucky, we can see the spectacular rafflesia in flower nearby or en route to the plantation.

Accommodation: Sabah Tea Gardens Longhouse

Meals Included: Breakfast

We visit the tea factory before we leave the plantation behind and continue our journey to eastern Sabah. Our destination is Sepilok, home to a well-known orangutan rehabilitation centre. The journey is about five hours and we stop at the Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary to get an up-close look at this extraordinary animal only found in Borneo. We then continue to our lodge in Sepilok. This evening, as dusk approaches, we head to the nearby Rainforest Discovery Centre, which has fantastic bird-watching opportunities (though luck does play a role) as hornbills and Borneo bristleheads are often seen. Orangutans are also spotted during the fruiting season and there is an impressive canopy walkway plus easy walking trails.

Accommodation: Sepilok Jungle Resort

Meals Included: Breakfast

Up early, we return to the Rainforest Discovery Centre for more wildlife viewing before returning to our lodge for breakfast. We then visit Sepilok Orangutan Centre, the largest orangutan sanctuary in the world. Here rehabilitated orphans and captured orangutans are cared for until they are ready to be released into the wild. We can see these incredible relations of ours close-up and learn about the threats to their existence. You have the chance to visit both morning and afternoon feedings. There is also an orangutan nursery where youngsters are trained to climb with the aim of reintroduction to the wild. We have the chance to view the youngsters from a special viewing platform that sits behind one-way glass so as not to disturb or influence them.

There is the option of visiting the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre, which works to research, rescue and rehabilitate captured bears and provide education to the community.

Accommodation: Sepilok Jungle Resort

Meals Included: Breakfast

This morning we journey (two to three hours) to the Kinabatangan River, stopping at the bizarre Gomantong Caves along the way.

The caves are a major source of swiftlet bird nests, which are a Chinese delicacy. Every day in season, workers climb ladders 400ft (122m) to the cave roof to collect the valuable nests. It is also a good place for spotting birds and wild orangutans.

Our lodge is by the mighty Kinabatangan River, an area home to an astonishing array of wildlife including 10 primate species, four of which are endemic to Borneo. It has one of the highest concentrations of proboscis monkeys and orangutans in Malaysian Borneo. Other wildlife includes Bornean gibbon, long-tailed macaques, sun bears and barking deer. The Asian pygmy elephant and clouded leopard also inhabit this area, but sightings are rare. There are also more than 200 bird species, including hornbills, eagles, herons, kingfishers, oriental darters, night jars, flowerpeckers and spider hunters. Later this afternoon, we take our first river cruise.

Accommodation: Nature Lodge Kinabatangan (or similar)

August 2022 update: The Gomantong Caves are currently closed for maintenance until further notice. Therefore, we can’t visit but will instead include an extra lunch for groups on Day 8 until the caves re-open and we can visit again.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We are up with the animals for a dawn wildlife cruise followed by a trek. In the afternoon, we once again take a river cruise to spot wildlife and, if we are lucky, a crocodile or two.

Accommodation: Nature Lodge Kinabatangan (or similar)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We drive to Lahad Datu (approximately two to three hours) where we change vehicles and drive off-road into Danum Valley conservation area (approximately three hours), one of the last remaining pockets of primary lowland rainforest in Asia.

Danum Valley is at the forefront of tropical rainforest research, and home to many rare and endangered mammal and bird species – it is a real privilege to spend two nights here in the comforts of the Borneo Rainforest Lodge.

Danum Valley is probably the best place in Malaysia to see wild orangutans in their pristine habitat. Apart from orangutans, it has just about the complete range of Bornean wildlife and great trails. After settling in, we take an afternoon jungle trek to search for the elusive orangutan. After dinner, we can take a night drive to spot many of the shy forest creatures. We spend our time here with very experienced guides who accompany us on all walks. One night drive and one night walk is included during our stay.

Accommodation: Borneo Rainforest Lodge

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We spend a full day with our experienced guides. We can explore the trails, canopy walkway and waterfalls searching for wildlife. The trek to a lookout point over the Danum Valley takes approximately 1hr 30min each way. Danum is home to more than 275 bird species, 110 species of mammals including orangutans, five species of deer, giant flying squirrels, gibbons, bearded wild boars, flying frogs and the Borneo pigmy elephant.

Accommodation: Borneo Rainforest Lodge

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today we journey to Sandakan (approximately five to six hours). En route, we stop at Sandakan War Memorial. Sandakan was once a huge logging centre (it first exported wood in the late 1880s to supply the building of the Temple of Heaven in Beijing) and is home to many Chinese and Filipino people. The waterfront is the place for an evening walk and the rooftop restaurant at the Nak hotel is great for a cocktail or two.

Accommodation: Sabah Hotel (or similar)

Meals Included: Breakfast

Our Borneo adventure ends after breakfast. Depending on your flight, you may have time to enjoy the hotel pool or explore Sandakan more before beginning your return journey home.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Essential Info

Visa

Malaysia

Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally do not need a visa to enter Malaysia. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.

Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

Vaccination

Malaysia

There are no mandatory vaccination requirements. Recommended vaccinations are: Polio, Tetanus, Diphtheria, Typhoid, Hepatitis A. The risk of malaria is slight, but you may wish to consult your GP or travel health clinic for further advice.

Dengue and zika fevers, both spread by mosquitoes, are known risks in places visited. There are currently no vaccines or prophylaxes available; therefore, we recommend you take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites.

Eating and Drinking

All breakfasts, four lunches and four dinners are included.

You should allow about 555-850 Malaysian ringgits (US$130-US$200) for food not included. If you fancy a few drinks, you may want to bring a little more as beer and other alcoholic drinks are expensive – expect to pay Western prices.

Malaysia is renowned for its culinary excellence; however, food can often be relatively unexciting and limited in the lodges and for hotel breakfasts.

Meals will be more varied in the cities and seafood is widely available on the coast. In the bigger hotels and cities, a full range of Western and local foods are available. We also suggest you take snacks with you, as it is not freely available. Most meals will be basic, based around rice and noodles although most accommodations offer a Western breakfast of beans, toast and eggs. You can generally avoid spicier food if you wish.

Vegetarians are well catered for, but may find the food choice limited. Please inform us before departure of any special dietary requests. Please note, the availability of certain products is minimal or non-existent (for example wheat- or dairy-free), please be prepared for this as you may need to bring these from home.

Weather

Borneo has an equatorial monsoon climate with the weather remaining similar throughout the year. It is hot and humid; temperatures are 23C-33C (73F-91F) during the day and rarely drop below 20C (68F) at night. The rainy season is from November to January and the dry season is from May to September, though it can rain at any time. A Borneo rain shower is quite an event.

Weather Charts

Miri

Is this trip for you?

This trip is rated Activity Level 2 (Leisurely/Moderate). There is a wide selection of accommodation, including hotels, national park lodges, basic river lodges and a five-star jungle resort. The longhouse is simple without en-suite facilities. The climate tends to be tropical, which means it can get very hot and humid. There are several hikes in the forest, though these are not strenuous.

Following a review of all our trips we have categorised this trip as generally not suitable for persons of reduced mobility. However if you are a regular traveller on such trips, please contact customer services to discuss the trip and your personal condition.

Brian Quinn

Reviewed May 2023

Borneo bonanza

This trip exceeded expectations in terms of the variety of wildlife spotted and the competences of the group leader.

Most Inspirational Moment

Getting up close with Orangutans and Proboscis monkeys.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jeffry Ismail was superb. Extremely knowledgeable about wildlife and never stuck for an answer about any aspects of the trip. He was sensitive to individuals' needs, very competent in organisational skills, always smiling and relaxed and with a great sense of humour. He was as excited at wildlife spotting as any member of the group.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for leeches - they are almost bound to get past any defences.

Suggestions

The Borneo Rainforest Lodge luxury experience was a superb way to finish the trip.

Anne Lambert

Reviewed September 2022

Wonderful wildlife

A superb trip visiting some of Borneo’s national Parks and remaining rainforests. Every day a different highlight. We saw some amazing flora and fauna from the big (elephants) to the small (lots of frogs). In between we saw wild orangutans, at least 70 different species of birds topped by 7 different hornbills, reptiles (yes crocodiles), lizards and beautiful butterflies. And, of course, stunning rainforest.

Most Inspirational Moment

early morning on canopy walkway above the rainforest. Seeing the dawn light on all the different shapes and forms of trees was a magical moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Manual was superb. he has a deep knowledge of all the flora and fauna as well as being an excellent spotter of hidden wildlife. His skills greatly enhanced he trip. He went to considerable lengths to ensure we saw as much as possible - and to sort out all the inevitable minor hitches

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do as much of the activities as you can - don't expect a lot of sleep or free time! an umbrella came in handy -especially in the evenings walking to/from supper.

Sally Hawkins

Reviewed March 2020

Borneo Wildlife Discoverer

This is a great overview of Malaysian Borneo with stays at many varied national parks. Its great to see the wildlife, birds, plants, insects and forests and also stays in the towns. The food was generally very good. It was interesting to hear some of the history and to learn about the tribes of Borneo.

I am really pleased that I chose this trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

I enjoyed all of the holiday and stays at all of the national parks, seeing all the wild life eg the orangutans, monkeys, birds and plants. I enjoyed the contrast between the different national parks where we stayed and also making the most of short stays in the towns.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Manuiel was a great group leader he worked extremely hard to identify and to show us wildlife, insects, birds and plants. He worked very hard to ensure that the trip went smoothly and was very organised and we always knew in advance plans for the trip. He is sociable and has a good sense of humour which benefited us all . He was approachable so you could ask questions. He helped us on our free day in Koto Kinabalu to organise the boat to the island.