Join Wild latitudes on an exploration of one of the last great wild places on Earth: Borneo.

We’ll travel through rainforests of record-breaking heights, traverse rivers into a world that time forgot, and encounter animals that defy the imagination.

Our trip begins in Sepilok, where we’ll visit the Rainforest Discovery Center, famous for the premier birding provided by its network of trails and canopy walkways. Many endemic birds may be seen here, including the highly sought after Bornean Bristlehead. We then head to the Kinabatangan River, an area renowned for its wildlife diversity. Here we can find the endemic Proboscis Monkey, the rare Bornean Pygmy Elephant, as well as a plethora of birds including the Hooded Pitta and the Blue-eared Kingfisher.

From here we travel to the Tabin Wildlife Reserve, a huge tract of old-growth rainforest that is home to 8 species of hornbills, including the rare Helmeted Hornbill. Then we venture to the Danum Valley, another vast tract of primary forest, where sightings of the legendary Orangutan are all but guaranteed. While here, we’ll search for birds like the Sooty-capped Babbler, Purple-naped Sunbird, and Long-billed Spiderhunter.

Lastly, we’ll look for birds on the flanks of Mt. Kinabalu, rich in endemicity, in hopes of seeing the Whitehead’s Trogon, Fruithunter, Bornean Barbet, Eyebrowed Jungle Flycatcher, and the rare Crimson-headed Partridge.

EXTENSION TRIP TO KOMODO: Continue the adventure by joining us on a five-day journey to Komodo National Park in Indonesia! We’ll visit two wild islands in search of the legendary Komodo Dragon, the largest lizard species on Earth. Fantastic birding and snorkeling opportunities also await you on this exciting extension.

Itinerary at a Glance

Day 1

Participants arrive in Sandakan, Sabah, and travel to the Sepilok Nature Resort. Evening birding around the lodge before dinner where we’ll add the birds we’ve seen to our list. Optional activity: night walk to search for nocturnal wildlife.

Day 2

We’ll spend most of the day birding the trails and canopy walkways at the Rainforest Discovery Center in Sepilok, most famous as a haunt of one of the island’s most sought-after species, the endemic Bornean Bristlehead. We’ll visit the nearby Orangutan Sanctuary in hopes of catching our first glimpse of these massive primates in the wild.

Day 3

Today we visit the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Center, then head to the Kinabatangan Wetlands Resort via river boats, keeping a special eye out for primates, especially the endemic Proboscis Monkey. More birding in the evening by river boat, dinner and bird list as always.

Day 4

Today will be spent on the river birdwatching and searching for other wildlife, which could include Bearded Pig, Bornean Pygmy Elephant, or perhaps even the odd gliding mammal called the Colugo. Experience native culture & cuisine at a local village, and learn about the conservation projects enacted by the community. We then travel by boat to the beautiful Sukau Rainforest Lodge in time to bird a bit before we meet for dinner and bird list. Optional activity: night walk or river cruise; Clouded Leopards being a target species here.

Day 5

In the morning we’ll embark on a jungle walk to learn a bit about tropical ecology of the island’s unique rain forests, birdng as we go, and in the afternoon we’ll visit the Gomantong Caves to see the massive colony of bats that live here and to witness the their mass exodus at dusk.

Day 6

Today we travel to the largest wildlife reserve in Malaysia, the Tabin Wildlife Reserve. It’s primeval forests are a birders paradise, and are home to all 8 species of Borneo’s hornbills. While here we’ll bird the resort’s boardwalks and canopy walkways.

Day 7

Morning jungle walk in the Tabin Wildlife Reserve, searching for birds, mammals and their sign. Afternoon/evening game drive, followed by dinner back at the lodge.

Day 8

Today we head to Danum Valley Field Center located in the heart of another tract of primary rainforest, considered the best region in all of Borneo to see Orangutans in the wild. In the afternoon, we’ll have a guided walk thought the jungle.

Day 9

Today will be a full day of exploring and birding the trail system surrounding the Danum Valley Field Center, renowned for its rich diversity of flora & fauna. If fortunate, we could see one of several species of pittas, including the rarest of them all, the Giant Pitta.

Day 10

Sunrise breakfast atop a hilltop tower overlooking the rainforest; an excellent platform for birding, especially at dawn, just as the jungle comes alive with the early morning sun. Additional birding/ trekking opportunities throughout the day.

Day 11

Today we travel over land to the airport, then by air to Kota Kinabalu of Sabah, and on Mt. Kinabalu, an area renowned for its high number of endemic species of birds. Arrive in time to bird in the Mt. Kinabalu NP before we dine at the nearby restaurant.

Day 12

Today is sure to be a thrilling day of birding for both the expert and novice alike as we’ll spend it birding Mt. Kinabalu National Park, rich in endemics such as the Whitehead’s Trogon, Bornean Treepie, and Golden-naped Barbet. We’ll bird till dusk, followed by dinner.

Day 13

Morning birding Mt. Kinabalu NP, then depart for Kota Kinabalu, stopping to bird nearby canopy walkways and have lunch in a local village en route. Arrive at hotel, meet for dinner.

Day 14

Today is a free day for people to relax, explore Kota Kinabalu, visit the local markets, etc. We’ll meet for dinner at a restaurant on the waterfront to enjoy our last evening in Borneo together, then transfer to Kota Kinabalu International Airport for the journey home. Those participating in the Extension to the Island of Komodo will stay the night and depart for Bali the next Morning...

Extension Trip to Komodo Island

Day 1

Travel from Borneo to Bali, Indonesia, where we overnight near the Denpasar airport.

Day 2

After breakfast at the hotel, we catch a short flight to the island of Flores, then transfer to a boat that will take us directly to the Komodo Diving Club. Folks can either snorkel the pristine reefs just offshore, or opt for a little birding before gathering for dinner as the sun sets over the Flores Sea.

Day 3

In the morning we’ll head to the Islands of Komodo and Rinca in search of the Komodo Dragon and to learn about their fascinating life history. We will bird as we go, as Komodo National Park is home to no less than 26 regional endemic species of birds. In the afternoon we’ll head to snorkel at Manta Point, one of the best places in the world to swim with the giant Manta Rays. We’ll return to the resort in time to refresh up before we meet for dinner and to go over our bird list.

Day 4

After breakfast, we spend our last day in Komodo National Park snorkeling and birding in the park and the surrounding islands. We’ll head back to the resort in the afternoon, and go over our bird list one last time before enjoying our last dinner of the trip together.

Day 5

After breakfast, we travel by boat back to Flores, then onwards by air to Bali. From here, people have the option of flying directly home, or extending their stay in Bali.

TRIP FULL

Contact us to get on wait list

PRICE of EXTENSION: $1,995

START DATE: Feb 9, 2020

DURATION (Main Tour): 14 days

GROUP SIZE: Up to 14

TRIP FOCUS: Birds and Wildlife

WHAT'S INCLUDED

• Double-occupancy lodging
• Ground transportation
• Breakfasts, lunches, most dinners
• Excursions and park fees
• Guiding services

YOUR GUIDES

A true lover of the natural world, Steve Robertson has been a student of nature his entire life. First, as a little boy, who caught every creature he could for the mini zoo he kept in the garage, then later as an adult, leading scientific research expeditions into some of the most remote regions of the world, searching for rare species in such places as Tasmania, Madagascar and the upper Amazon Basin. With degrees in Wildlife Biology, advanced biology & education, Steve has worked in the field of Environmental Education for over 30 years. From 1998 to 2017, he served as the Education Director for the Audubon Society of Portland, creating a number of innovative programs including International Ecotours, a program that has won hundreds of accolades from around the country. During his time with Audubon, Steve personally designed and led Ecotours to over 20 countries, spanning six continents.