16D15N Borneo Bird Photography and Wildlife Expedition

Upon arrival at Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI), meet your local guide and begin your overland journey to Tambunan town, approximately 1.5 hours away. After check-in, enjoy a warm welcome dinner and a briefing about the adventure ahead.

Overnight: Tambunan (Dinner)

After breakfast, take a scenic morning drive to Gunung Alab, located about 30 minutes from Tambunan. Spend the entire day birding and photographing montane species at Alab Bird Station and Alab Sub-station, where you’ll encounter unique highland birds among the lush misty forests.

Overnight: Tambunan (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Rise early and head to the Trusmadi Bird Hide for a full day of hide-based photography. This session offers excellent opportunities to capture forest-dwelling birds up close, surrounded by the tranquil sounds of nature.

Overnight: Tambunan (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Enjoy an early morning session photographing forest birds at Trusmadi Forest Reserve. Afterward, depart late morning for Kinabalu Park, approximately three hours away. Stop en route for lunch before arriving for a late afternoon photography session in the park’s montane forest.

Overnight: Kundasang (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Spend a full day photographing in Kinabalu Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its rich montane biodiversity. Capture iconic Bornean species such as the Whitehead’s Trogon, Mountain Black-eye, and Sunda Laughingthrush among mossy forests.

Overnight: Kundasang (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Begin your day with birding around the park before enjoying an early lunch. Continue your journey to Telupid, a small town surrounded by forest reserves, approximately three hours away. Upon arrival, check in and relax before the next day’s hide-based photography.

Overnight: Telupid (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Start early at a bird hide near Telupid, where you may capture rare forest birds and ground-dwelling species. In the late afternoon, travel approximately 2.5 hours to Sepilok and check into your lodge near the rainforest.

Overnight: Sepilok (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Enjoy a full day of photography at the Rainforest Discovery Centre (RDC), famous for its canopy walkway and forest trails. Capture colorful broadbills, kingfishers, and hornbills from unique vantage points. In the evening, join a private night walk to photograph nocturnal species.

Overnight: Sepilok (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Begin the day with a morning forest-edge shoot before heading to Gomantong Forest Reserve. Explore the trails rich with wildlife, then continue your journey to Kinabatangan in the evening, approximately a 45-minute drive.

Overnight: Sukau, Kinabatangan (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Experience dawn and dusk boat cruises along the Kinabatangan River for incredible wildlife photography. Capture hornbills, kingfishers, proboscis monkeys, and crocodiles along the tranquil waterways. Optional night cruises are available for photographing nocturnal mammals and owls.

Overnight: Sukau, Kinabatangan (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

After breakfast, travel to Lahad Datu (approximately two hours). Register at the Utan Rainforest Lodge office before continuing the 2.5-hour journey into the rainforest. Enjoy an afternoon bird photography session in this pristine setting.

Overnight: Utan Rainforest Lodge (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Spend the entire day immersed in hide-based bird photography. Explore various trails and hides to capture lowland rainforest species, including hornbills, pittas, and forest kingfishers in their natural environment.

Overnight: Utan Rainforest Lodge (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Depart early from Utan Rainforest Lodge to Lahad Datu and proceed on a 2.5-hour drive into the pristine wilderness of Danum Valley. Upon arrival, enjoy an afternoon photo session around your lodge compound.

Overnight: Borneo Rainforest Lodge / Danum Valley Studies Centre (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Spend a full day photographing birds and wildlife along trails, canopy walkways, and forest roads in Danum Valley. Capture elusive forest jewels such as the Blue-headed Pitta and Great Argus. In the evening, join an optional night drive for nocturnal species.

Overnight: Borneo Rainforest Lodge / Danum Valley Studies Centre (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Enjoy an early morning photography session around the lodge compound before breakfast. After check-out, transfer to Lahad Datu Airport for your onward flight.

(Breakfast, Lunch)