Embark on an unforgettable adventure through the Rainforests of Borneo, where you'll experience some of the world’s most biodiverse ecosystems. Starting in Sandakan, this itinerary takes you to the Rainforest Discovery Centre, the Orangutan Sanctuary, and the Kinabatangan Wetlands, where you’ll explore by boat in search of wildlife. Continue to the Sukau Rainforest Lodge and the remote Danum Valley, one of the best places in Borneo to see orangutans in the wild. Over 12 days, enjoy guided treks, river cruises, and unique encounters with Borneo's incredible flora and fauna.
- 2 nights Sepilok Forest Edge Resort | Sepilok
- 2 nights Kinabatangan Wetland Resort | Kinabatangan
- 2 nights Sukau Rainforest Lodge | Kinabatangan
- 4 nights Borneo Rainforest Lodge | Danum Valley
- 1 night Hyatt Centric KK | Kota Kinabalu
- All accommodation and meals
- Entrance, camera fees, and guide in all locations
- All daily activities as specified in itinerary
- Internal flights (LDU – BKI)
- All land transfers in private vehicles
- The services of 2 Wild Eye hosts and photographic tuition
- Private river cruises in Kinabatangan River
- Private local & Wild Eye photography guide
- Boat transfers Sandakan Jetty – KWR – SRL -Sukau Jetty (sharing basis)
- Leech socks
- Any international flights arriving into & out of the start location of this tour
- VISA costs
- Gratuities
- Additional or excess baggage allowance on internal flight, must be settled directly at airport
- Juices, carbonated & alcoholic drinks, and meals not specified in program
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses (souvenirs, laundry etc.)
- Any optional/additional activities
- A 50% deposit is required to confirm your booking outside of our Early Bird promotions.
- Credit card payments are accepted via a secure link shared by our finance team.
- Direct deposits and EFT/wire payments qualify for a discounted rate.
Our Rainforests of Borneo tour offers a truly immersive experience in one of the world’s most biodiverse regions. From the Rainforest Discovery Centre and Orangutan Sanctuary to the Kinabatangan Wetlands and Sukau Rainforest Lodge, this journey takes you deep into Borneo’s untouched ecosystems. Enjoy thrilling boat safaris, dawn river cruises, and night walks in search of wildlife, including orangutans, pygmy elephants, and hornbills. The highlight is the Danum Valley, Borneo's premier wildlife destination, offering unparalleled opportunities to trek through virgin rainforest and spot wildlife in their natural habitat.
Borneo’s surrounding regions offer incredible extensions. In Sumatra, Indonesia, trek through Gunung Leuser National Park for unique wildlife shots, including orangutans and tigers. Sarawak, Malaysia, is home to the Mulu Caves and Bako National Park, perfect for capturing wildlife in lush rainforests. Palawan, Philippines, offers pristine beaches and crystal-clear waters for underwater and coastal photography. Brunei features serene rainforests and proboscis monkeys, while Singapore combines urban greenery with stunning natural reserves, ideal for diverse landscape and nature photography.
Currently none for this safari
AVAILABLE DATES
2 Spaces Available
YOUR ITINERARY
DAY 1
Upon arrival to Sandakan, your guide will meet you at the arrivals hall from where you will transfer to Sepilok Forest Edge Resort and check into the hotel. At 18:00, we will in the lobby for a drink and a trip briefing. After the briefing go straight to dinner and overnight at the hotel.DAY 2
After an early breakfast, we will head out for trekking at the Rainforest Discovery Centre, after which we will return to the lodge for lunch. In the afternoon we will continue to the Orangutan Sanctuary next door. At dusk we will return to the canopy walk at the Rainforest Discovery Center to look for flying red giant squirrels as they emerge from their nests.DAY 3
We will go back to the Rainforest Discovery Centre to watch sunrise on the canopy walk and search for more wildlife. Return to the lodge for breakfast. Pack up and check out by 11am and depart for Sandakan. The drive takes 45 minutes and we will stop for lunch, and then you will depart on a 2 hour journey to the Kinabatangan Wetlands Resort, a boutique lodge situated on the banks of the Kinabatangan River. Upon arrival, check into your chalet. Head out by boat at 4:00 PM for your dusk river cruise to search for the wildlife along the river. The region is teeming with fauna - orangutans, pygmy elephants, hornbills, macaques, leaf monkeys, otters, etc. etc. You will spend two hours out on the river, before returning back to the lodge for dinner. After dinner, you have the option to head out for a short night walk to search for some of the nocturnal residents of the forest. Some of the things to be seen are: civet cats, owls, frogs, snakes, flat-headed cats, and more!Day 4
05:20 wake up for light breakfast, before departing at 06:15 on a dawn river cruise to search for more wildlife. We will spend 2 hours on the river, before returning to the lodge for breakfast. Afterwards we will head out for a walk on the boardwalk in search of birds, mammals, and pitcher plants. We will then return to the lodge for lunch and some time to rest and work on post processing techniques. At 16:00, head out for another river cruise followed by dinner at lodge. After dinner, we can decide to do another night cruise or night walk.Day 5
Take another dawn river cruise to search for more wildlife. Return to the lodge for breakfast and check out. We will head up the river for 1.5 hours to arrive at our next lodge in Sukau. Check into Sukau Rainforest Lodge and have lunch. In the afternoon, head out for another river safari. The forest is different as you move up the river, and you will see different species of hornbills in this area. Return to the lodge for dinner and then head out on a night walk to focus on macro photography.Day 6
Early wake up for another dawn river trip. Return to the lodge for breakfast and downtime. After lunch, we will take a short boat ride to the village, and then take a 30 minute drive to Gomantong Caves. We will visit the caves which is great for photography and their is an abundance of orangutans and red leaf langurs around the cave. At dusk, a million bats come out from the cave and spiral into the sky. Return in the evening to the lodge for dinner.Day 7
Wake up early for breakfast, before departing from the lodge at 7:00 AM to head for Danum Valley. Drive to Lahad Datu (2 hours), take a short break, and then continue 2-2.5 hours in Danum Valley (15 minutes sealed road, 2 hours dirt road). Danum Valley consists of over 438 sq kilometers of class 1 virgin primary rainforest, with a huge diversity of flora and fauna. The conservation area is the best place in Borneo to see orangutans in the wild. Arrive at the Borneo Rainforest Lodge for lunch, and then proceed to check in. The lodge is Borneo’s premier 5-star jungle lodges, and is the only resort in the entire conservation area. Head out for a wildlife walk in the afternoon to search for orangutans, gibbons, hornbills, and more! In the evening, head out on a wildlife drive.Day 8-10
Spend 3 full days in Danum Valley with your guide searching for wildlife. Days will be spent with morning and afternoon treks. After dinner activities will alternate between night walks and night drives.Day 11
Spend your last day exploring Danum Valley with trekking with your guide, up on the canopy walk, or relaxing in the serene setting. Depart from the lodge at 1:30 PM, for the 2 hour drive back to Lahad Datu. Depart on your afternoon flight back to Kota Kinabalu (50 minutes) and check into the Hyatt Centric KK.Day 12
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight home
Borneo - The home of the Orangutan and other incredible wildlife.
Sandakan - This is where the tours begins, followed by a transfer to your Sepilok Forest Edge Resort - the first stop on this incredible journey.
Kinabatangan - a 2-hour transfer away and your second stop at Kinabatangan Wetland Resort for two nights. Followed by a two-night stay at Sukau Rainforest Lodge.
Danum Valley - Spend 4 incredible nights here at Borneo Forest Lodge in search of the wildlife in the rainforest.
Kota Kinabalu - Spend the last night of the journey here at the Hyatt Centric before your onward flight home.
YOUR SAFARI CO-ORDINATOR
Randy Moletsane
Randy oversees all of our Scheduled Photographic Safaris and works very closely with the guide allocated to host your trip. Rest assured Randy and the team have got you covered.
"At the heart of my motivation is the satisfaction of helping people achieve their travel aspirations & creating unforgettable memories for our guests. Witnessing the genuine joy on their faces and hearing about their experiences upon their return is the ultimate reward. Moreover, I have a profound fascination with the natural world, and a deep love for wildlife. Understanding the circle of life and how nature functions has always been a source of inspiration for me.
I believe this passion allows me to connect with our guests on a deeper level and create tailored experiences that are both authentic and meaningful."
