Classic Borneo

Meet the rest of your group in Kota Kinabalu, known as KK, the capital of Sabah. The city is conveniently located within easy distance of mountains, rainforest and tropical beaches, so it’s a great place to start your Borneo adventure. If you like, you can head to the Sabah Museum to learn more about the history, art, architecture and zoology of this region, then spend the evening getting to know the group at your welcome meeting in your hotel.

Check out the mountain views and walk along the rainforest canopy in Mount Kinabalu National Park, home to the 4095-metre peak of Mount Kinabalu. This World Heritage-listed park is one of the most important biological sites in the world, and is filled with animal and plant life, including over 800 orchid species and the intriguing pitcher plant, which eats insects. Take a walk along the park trails and through the Mount Kinabalu Botanical Garden.

Head to Malaysia’s second longest river, the Kinabatangan, keeping a look out for crocodiles, macaques, orang-utans and proboscis monkeys. If you are really lucky, you might even spot wild elephants. Take a river cruise through the lush forest reserve, home to hornbills and kingfishers, to name a few!

Continue to lively Sandakan, with its bustling markets and Chinese temples. Explore the intricacies of the Gomantong Caves, where the swift nests are harvested for bird’s nest soup. There is a strong Cantonese influence in Sandakan, so be sure to try the tasty cuisine in the bustling harbour-side food market.

Head to Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre and observe the orangutans as they are taught the skills needed to be introduced to the wild. It’s a magical experience to see these magnificent creatures interacting, so don’t forget your camera. Keep a look out for proboscis monkeys at the Labuk Bay Sanctuary too. Wildlife enthusiasts can catch a glimpse of the Bornean sun bear at the conservation centre where they are rescued, rehabilitated and released back into the wild.

Transfer to Sandakan Aiport for your flight back to Kota Kinabalu. Whilst in Sandakan, take a look at the Sandakan War memorial, located on the site of a former prisoner of war camp. The site was the starting point of the Death Marches, where 2400 POWs were forced to walk through the jungle – only six survived. After your flight lands, take the boat across to Manukan Island, located within the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine National Park. Here, you’ll don your fins and snorkel and dive into the warm waters, keeping a look out for the many multi-coloured fish – you can even scuba dive, if you wish. The beach here is gorgeous, with white sands and aquamarine seas, and lends itself well to swimming or just doing nothing for a couple of days. Bliss!

Return to Kota Kinabalu by boat. Culture buffs can visit Mari Mari Village and gain an insight into Borneo’s indigenous groups.