Private Trip Available Discover the untamed beauty of Borneo, home to ancient rainforests, thriving ecosystems, and some of the world’s rarest wildlife, including orangutans, Bornean pygmy elephants, and proboscis monkeys. Begin your journey at a renowned orangutan rehabilitation sanctuary, where you’ll witness these gentle primates feeding, playing, and swinging through the treetops.
Ascend into the rainforest canopy for breathtaking views, spotting exotic birds like hornbills and kingfishers gliding through the dense jungle. Cruise along the legendary Kinabatangan River, one of Borneo’s best wildlife corridors, where you may see pygmy elephants bathing along the riverbanks and proboscis monkeys leaping between mangrove trees.
Embark on thrilling jungle treks and guided game drives, uncovering Borneo’s hidden wildlife treasures, from Bornean gibbons and flying lemurs to elusive clouded leopards. Experience the rich biodiversity of this tropical paradise, where pristine rainforests, serene waterways, and remarkable wildlife encounters make for an unforgettable adventure.
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NOTABLE EXPERIENCES
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ADDITIONAL INFO
Itinerary Updated: March 2025
| Date | Description | Lodge | Meals |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 3-4 | Travel to Sandakan, Sabah, Borneo. | ||
| May 5 | Welcome to Borneo. Arrive in Sandakan and enjoy a welcome dinner. | Sepilok Nature Resort, Kabili-Sepilok Forest Reserve | D |
| May 6 | Explore Sepilok Nature Reserve. Explore this incredible virgin rainforest Reserve. Visit the Orangutan Sanctuary and also spot free-roaming orangutans. | Sepilok Nature Resort, Kabili-Sepilok Forest Reserve | B, L, D |
| May 7 - 9 | Kinabatangan Adventure. Spend two full days of birding, jungle walks, and river safaris through the Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary. Visit the Bornean Sun Bear Center. Explore nearby Gomantong Caves and watch the bat exodus cloud the sky. | Sukau Rainforest Lodge, near Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary | B, L, D |
| May 10 - 11 | Tabin Wildlife Reserve. Head to the Tabin Wildlife Reserve with afternoon and nighttime exploration and game drives. Hike to a mud volcano for stunning views of the surrounding forest. | Tabin Wildlife Resort, Tabin Wildlife Reserve | B, L, D |
| May 12 - 14 | Sungai Kapur. Travel to Sungai Kapur and explore the undisturbed rainforest and its pristine, diverse ecosystems. | Utan Rainforest Lodge, Sungai Kapur | B, L, D |
| May 15 | Final Trek and Kota Kinabalu. Relax on your final morning in Sungai Kapur before flying to Kota Kinabalu. | Hyatt Centric, Kota Kinabalu | B, L, D |
| May 16 | Extension or departure. Continue on our Mount Kinabalu extension or fly home. | B | |
| May 17 | Arrive home. |
After signing up for a volunteer program in Indonesia in 2008, Charlie was re-routed to Sabah, Borneo where he helped set up community initiative programs for the Abai village. He has resided in Sabah ever since. Charlie guides for the National Geographic Adventure groups in Borneo and helps train nature guides, providing them with first-hand knowledge and experience. He is also an avid photographer, which compliments his passion for wildlife, culture, and travel.
Begin your adventure by traveling to Sabah, Borneo, an island renowned for its rich biodiversity and untouched rainforests. Fly into Sandakan and prepare for an unforgettable journey into the heart of Borneo’s wildlife.
Arrive in Sandakan, Sabah, and get transferred to your eco-lodge nestled in the forest just outside the city. After check-in, your expert guide will brief you on the exciting activities ahead. Enjoy a welcome dinner and, for those interested, join an optional night walk to discover the fascinating nocturnal wildlife of Borneo’s rainforests. For those arriving earlier, extra nights and alternative airport transfers are available.
Explore the Sepilok Forest Reserve, a vital haven for Borneo wildlife. Take an early morning canopy walk in search of endemic birds and mammals. Visit the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, a key conservation facility, to see orangutans feed and interact in the wild. Experience both day and night treks through the forest to observe species like the giant red flying squirrels, known for their incredible aerial acrobatics.
Embark on an optional dawn birdwatching walk before visiting the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Center, where you'll meet the world’s smallest bears and learn about their conservation. Next, head to the Kinabatangan River, home to one of the highest concentrations of wildlife in Borneo. After settling into your lodge, embark on a dusk river cruise to search for orangutans, proboscis monkeys, slow lorises, hornbills, and more.
Over the next few days, enjoy early morning river cruises to experience the sunrise over Kinabatangan River and witness the region's breathtaking natural beauty. Trek through the jungle and engage with an orangutan expert to learn more about these iconic primates. Visit Gomantong Caves, where you'll witness a bat exodus with over one million bats emerging at dusk. Join a nocturnal cruise to spot night-active wildlife along the riverbanks.
Drive to the Tabin Wildlife Reserve, one of Borneo's most biodiverse regions, home to over 220 species of birds, wild banteng cattle, and 10 primate species. Experience an off-road adventure in a 4x4 vehicle to spot elusive creatures like leopard cats, marbled cats, and binturong bearcats. Participate in a morning trek to the mud volcano, a natural salt lick that attracts a variety of wildlife. Climb an observation tower to enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding rainforest, then meet the Borneo Rhino Alliance to learn about Sumatran rhino conservation. Finish your day with night game drives to search for nocturnal wildlife.
Travel to Sungai Kapur’s Virgin Jungle Preserve, where you’ll encounter unique wildlife, including gibbons, hornbills, and endemic bird species. During guided hikes, observe these creatures in their natural habitats, then cruise the rivers to spot flying foxes, dolphins, and stunning sunsets over the estuary. As night falls, join safari drives and walks to observe nocturnal wildlife like civets, leopard cats, and moonrats. Explore mangrove forests and photograph Borneo’s rare birdlife, soaking in the beauty of this vibrant ecosystem.
On your final morning in Sungai Kapur, relax at the lodge before traveling to Lahad Datu (a 2.5-hour drive on dirt track) for your flight to Kota Kinabalu (a 50 minute flight). After checking into your hotel, join your fellow travelers for a celebratory dinner, reflecting on the incredible wildlife and natural wonders you’ve encountered.
Choose to continue on our Mount Kinabalu extension or take some time to relax before your flight home
Arrive back home, carrying unforgettable memories of Borneo’s wildlife safaris and rainforest adventures.
Conservation| Type | Cost Per Person |
|---|---|
| Trip Cost, double occupancy | $10,750 |
| Single Supplement (subject to availability) | $1,650 |
Costs are per person, double occupancy, not including airfare (except for one-way flight from Lahad Datu to Kota Kinabalu), singles extra. See Included and Not Included sections for more details.
If you are a single traveler, we will find a roommate for you, but if we cannot find you a roommate, we may charge you a single supplement. Single rooms cost extra and are subject to availability.
| Payment | Due Date | Amount Per Person |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit | Due now to reserve your space | $500 |
| Final | November 25, 2024 | Remaining Balance |
Payments are due based on the schedule above. All reservations require a deposit to confirm reservation of your space.
Until the Final Payment due date, deposits are refundable except for a cancellation fee of $150 per person, which can be applied toward another trip if reserved within six months of the cancelled trip’s departure date. Cancellations are non-transferrable. No refunds are given after the Final Payment due date.
Temperatures vary greatly. The lower altitudes are often hot, while the forests and higher altitudes can be surprisingly cool. In May, the average daytime temperature in Borneo is in the mid 80s°F (28°C), with highs in the low 90s°F (33°C); the evenings get down into the mid 70s°F (24°C). There is very high humidity in the lowlands, and it will feel much warmer. Temperatures in the forest and at higher altitudes are only slightly cooler, averaging 60 to 80°F (16 to 26°C). Although May is considered the dry season, rain is still possible.
Most wildlife viewing is done from vehicles, boats, and on foot. Walks to search for wildlife are generally 2-3 hours long and along relatively flat trails, gravel roads, and single-track trails that are undulating. You have the option to split into smaller groups based on desired level of exercise. In Sepilok, Tabin, and Danum, the heat and humidity can make a 3 to 5km walk feel like double the distance. Drinking water is imperative. Please contact us if you have any health concerns that may make this trip challenging.
Detailed logistical information is included in the Trip Planning Materials we will send you.
Flights you book
Flights we book
Travel in open-air trucks that allow for wildlife viewing along the way. The river safaris are in private boats that are stable and wide, which are great for photography.
Our company ethos has always regarded conservation as inseparable from responsible tourism. We struggle with the dilemma that traveling worldwide expends climate-changing carbon. However, we wholeheartedly believe that traveling with us will cultivate your passion for conserving our beautiful world while stimulating each destination’s local economy. We encourage you to explore the various ways in which Cheesemans’ operates within this context:
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Charlie Ryan