Tour Overview
Experience the ultimate Sabah birdwatching adventure across Borneo’s most famous birding destinations. Explore the cool mountain forests of Tambunan and Kinabalu Park, the rich lowland rainforest of Sepilok and Kinabatangan, and the ancient primary rainforest of Danum Valley. Search for rare endemic birds, hornbills, pittas, trogons, and many of Borneo’s rainforest treasures.
Top Highlights
- Birdwatching at Gunung Alab and Trusmadi Forest Reserve
- Explore Kinabalu National Park, home to many Bornean endemic birds
- Full day birding at Rainforest Discovery Centre (RDC) canopy walkway
- Wildlife and birding river cruises at Kinabatangan River
- Explore the pristine primary rainforest of Danum Valley Conservation Area
Itinerary
Arrive at Kota Kinabalu International Airport and meet your guide. Travel overland to Tambunan, approximately 1.5 hours through scenic countryside roads. Upon arrival, enjoy a short briefing and check in to your accommodation.
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
Transfer to Lahad Datu in the morning and register at the Danum Valley office before continuing into Danum Valley Conservation Area. Upon arrival, enjoy afternoon birdwatching around Borneo Rainforest Lodge or Danum Valley Studies Centre.
Overnight: Borneo Rainforest Lodge / Danum Valley Studies Centre
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Bird to watch: Scarlet-rumped Trogon, Black-and-yellow Broadbill, Rufous-collared Kingfisher
Spend the full day birdwatching in Danum Valley’s primary lowland dipterocarp rainforest. Explore trails and roadside areas in search of rare forest birds and wildlife.
Overnight: Borneo Rainforest Lodge / Danum Valley Studies Centre
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Bird to watch: Bornean Ground Cuckoo, Giant Pitta, Black-crowned Pitta, Malaysian Blue Flycatcher
Continue birdwatching around Danum Valley’s rich rainforest habitats. Excellent opportunities for photography and spotting elusive rainforest species.
Overnight: Borneo Rainforest Lodge / Danum Valley Studies Centre
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Bird to watch: Crested Fireback, Great Argus, Yellow-rumped Flowerpecker, White-crowned Hornbill
Enjoy one final early morning birdwatching session near the lodge before breakfast. Check out and transfer to Lahad Datu Airport for your departure flight.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Bird to watch: Asian Paradise Flycatcher, Purple-naped Spiderhunter, Green Broadbill
Includes/Excludes
The Trip Cost Includes
- Bird Specialised License Tour Guide
- Accommodation
- Land Transport
- Entrance Fee
- Meals as stated
- Tourism Tax
The Trip Cost Excludes
- Travel insurance
- Flight Ticket
- Personal expenses
- Additional activities
- Any other fees not mentioned above
- Laundry
Frequently Asked Questions
General
Enough clothes for change
Basic toiletries
Insect repellent
Cash
Outdoor attire
Trekking shoes
Torch light
Hat
