11 Days Ultimate Sabah Birdwatching Tour – Kinabalu, Sepilok & Kinabatangan

Arrive at Kota Kinabalu International Airport and meet your guide. Begin the overland journey to Tambunan, approximately 1.5 hours through scenic countryside roads. Upon arrival, enjoy a short tour briefing before check-in and free time to relax.

Overnight: Tambunan
Meals: Dinner
Bird to watch: Mountain Black-eye, Bornean Bulbul, Chestnut-hooded Laughingthrush

Depart early morning for Gunung Alab, around 40 minutes from Tambunan. Spend the full day birdwatching at Alab Bird Station and Alab Sub-station, famous for cool montane forest birds and endemic species.

Overnight: Tambunan
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Bird to watch: Whitehead’s Trogon, Bornean Green Magpie, Mountain Barbet, Indigo Flycatcher

Start early morning at Trusmadi Bird Hide with opportunities to observe shy forest birds. Enjoy packed breakfast at the hide before returning to town for lunch. Continue afternoon birdwatching along forest edges and roadside areas.

Overnight: Tambunan
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Bird to watch: Everett’s Thrush, Fruithunter, Whitehead’s Spiderhunter, Bornean Forktail

Enjoy another morning birdwatching session at Trusmadi Forest Reserve before departing for Kinabalu National Park. Stop for lunch during the journey and continue with late afternoon birding around the park area.

Overnight: Kundasang
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Bird to watch: Friendly Bush Warbler, Golden-naped Barbet, Mountain Wren-Babbler

Spend the full day birdwatching across various elevations within Kinabalu National Park. Explore forest trails and mountain habitats while searching for Borneo endemic species.

Overnight: Kundasang
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Bird to watch: Whitehead’s Broadbill, Bornean Treepie, Black-sided Flowerpecker, Temminck’s Sunbird

Enjoy an early morning birding session around the park before departing for Sepilok after lunch. The drive takes approximately 5 hours through Sabah’s changing landscapes. Evening birdwatching around forest edge areas upon arrival.

Overnight: Sepilok
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Bird to watch: Rhinoceros Hornbill, Black-and-yellow Broadbill, Asian Fairy-bluebird

Spend the full day birdwatching at Rainforest Discovery Centre, including the famous canopy walkway and forest trails. The area is excellent for lowland rainforest birds and wildlife photography.

Overnight: Sepilok
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Bird to watch: Bornean Bristlehead, Blue-headed Pitta, Red-bearded Bee-eater, Diard’s Trogon

Start with early morning birding at RDC before travelling towards Gomantong Forest Reserve. After lunch, continue birdwatching around the limestone forest and cave area before proceeding to Kinabatangan River in the evening.

Overnight: Sukau, Kinabatangan
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Bird to watch: Helmeted Hornbill, White-crowned Shama, Dusky Broadbill, Wallace’s Hawk-Eagle

Enjoy morning and afternoon river cruises along the Kinabatangan River. Spend midday birdwatching around the lodge area. Optional night cruise available for nocturnal wildlife and night birds.

Overnight: Sukau, Kinabatangan
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Bird to watch: Storm’s Stork, Oriental Darter, Lesser Adjutant, Blue-eared Kingfisher

Continue exploring different tributaries and river habitats around Kinabatangan. Search for more hornbills, kingfishers, raptors, and other riverine wildlife.

Overnight: Sukau, Kinabatangan
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Bird to watch: Wrinkled Hornbill, Buffy Fish Owl, Stork-billed Kingfisher, Grey-headed Fish Eagle

Enjoy one final early morning birdwatching session near the lodge before breakfast. After check-out, transfer to Sandakan Airport for your departure flight.

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Bird to watch: Pied Hornbill, Scarlet-rumped Trogon, Purple Heron