This field trek visits a variety of environments found in Borneo, each home to a captivating mix of flora and fauna. The Sabah region is renowned for its conservation work, and as part of this itinerary, you will see and actively take part in projects that protect and preserve the wildlife, river eco systems and rainforests.
This tour is deigned to provide students with experience of actively studying biology in the field. During the itinerary they will explore eco systems, on foot, on water and up close to wildlife. Beginning at the world renowned Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation and Sun Bear Conversation centres, both offer the opportunity to witness and learn about endangered species undergoing rehabilitation.
Moving onto the Kinabatangan River, take part in fascinating river cruises looking out for endemic species such as proboscis monkey and pygmy elephant. The final section of the tour moves to the rainforest of the Danum Valley, a critically important area for the study of Borneo’s rainforests, and home to some amazing wildlife.
Depart the UK on an overnight flight via Kuala Lumpur.
On arrival you will be transferred to your lodge near Sepilok and have lunch. The rest of the afternoon is free to relax after your journey. Dinner will be served at the lodge.
In the morning you will start to learn more about conservation efforts in Sabah by visiting Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary and the Sun Bear Conservation Centre. After lunch you will visit the Rainforest Discovery Centre and learn more about the rainforest ecosystem and enjoy a short guided trek through the lowland primary rainforest.
After dinner there will by presentation by a representative from Sabah Wildlife Department about the wildlife in the Kinabatangan area and the conservation programmes aiming to protect this region.
After breakfast, leave the lodge in Sepilok and transfer by road to the Lower Kinabatangan River Sanctuary. On the way you will visit Gomantong Cave, one of the biggest cave systems in Sabah. In this enormous cave you will find many millions of bats during the day and just as many swiftlets (from the swallow family) at night
After lunch you will visit the Tree Planting Programme, which is one of the Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary's conservation efforts, helping to regenerate the rainforest. In the late afternoon, take a river cruise along the Kinabatangan River, where you can expect to see a range of amazing wildlife including proboscis monkey, hornbills and hopefully wild orangutans, as well as the critically endangered Bornean pygmy elephant.
After dinner you will join a night trek behind the lodge in search of nocturnal wildlife.
During the morning you will go for a trek to a nearby ox-bow lake, during which your naturalist guide will provide information on some of the interesting plant life you come across.
After lunch the team will join an activity to remove water hyacinths from a nearby site along the Kinabatangan River. These plants are considered to be a nuisance due to the physical problems and ecological impacts arising from their uncontrolled growth.
Later in the afternoon, you will take a river cruise in search of more wildlife encounters. After dinner join a night trek behind the lodge in search of nocturnal wildlife.
Before breakfast join an early morning river cruise in search of wildlife. Later this morning, join a second river cleaning activity to remove water hyacinth from a nearby site along the Kinabatangan River.
Back to the lodge late morning, you will join a local cooking class and learn to cook some tasty local dishes, with the results being your lunch! After lunch visit nearby Bilit Village and join a guided walk there. After returning to the lodge, you’ll join another late afternoon river cruise in search of more wildlife.
Tonight dinner will be a BBQ at the Lodge. After dinner you will join a local dance class from Bilit Youth Club – a chance to learn about traditional dancing in Sabah, and have a go!
Today you will have an early check out from the Kinabatangan Lodge. You’ll be provided with a packed breakfast and join a coach transfer to the Danum Valley Field Centre. On arrival you will register at the welcome centre and settle into the campsite. You’ll be provided with a briefing by your guides before having lunch.
After lunch, enjoy a mid-afternoon walk in the local area as an introduction to the Borneo rainforest. The area surrounding the Field Centre teems with wildlife and it is not unusual for you to spot resident orangutans and hornbills.
Return to the campsite before sunset for dinner, and then go on a night walk with your guides in search of nocturnal wildlife.
After breakfast, prepare your rucksack and depart at 9am for the trek to a jungle camp. The trek is eight kilometres through beautiful rainforest, and will take around four to six hours to complete. There will be approximately one hour of trekking uphill and before arriving at camp you will need to cross a shallow stream to pick up the trail on the other side.
Upon arrival at the campsite, settle in and enjoy lunch, before taking some time to explore the Purut waterfall with its seven-tiered pools. After dinner join a night trek around the camp in search of nocturnal wildlife.
Depart from camp after breakfast and trek back to the Field Centre on the same trail, exploring the forest with your guides as you walk.
Upon arrival at the Field Centre settle back into your campsite and enjoy lunch. Around mid-afternoon, take a short hike in the area in the hope of spotting wildlife, and return to the Field Center before sunset. After dinner, go on a night walk with your guides.
Wake early for a morning rainforest trek, to experience more wildlife encounters on your final day in the Danum Valley. Leave the research centre and transferred back to Sepilok, a three hour transfer by road.
You’ll arrive at the lodge near Sepilok in the late afternoon. Once you’ve checked in, the rest of the evening is free to relax before dinner at the lodge
This morning you will join a guided tour of Sandakan town, including visits to the Sandakan War Memorial, Sim Sim Water Village, St. Michael Church and Puj Jih Sih Temple, followed by lunch at Agnes Keith’s English Tea House.
After lunch you will be transferred to Sandakan airport for your flight to Kuala Lumpur and onward overnight flight back to the UK.
Borneo
Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary offers the finest orangutan encounters in Borneo. Here you can experience some of the clearest and closest meetings with these apes in their natural environment. Find out more about Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary
Home to some of the finest wildlife encounters in Borneo, the Kinabatangan region has been a haven for scientists and conservationists for many years due to its prosperous environment. Find out more about Kinabatangan River
This is one of Borneo's leading wildlife environments and an outstanding location to research some of the country's most diverse fauna such as the endangered Bornean orangutan and pygmy elephant. Find out more about Danum Valley
