Culture & Wildlife Adventure in Borneo

Day 1

Arrival in Kota Kinabalu, Borneo

Welcome to Borneo! Once you arrive at Kota Kinabalu International Airport, our guide will be there to greet you. Hop on to the car for a 20 minutes drive by the coastal road to your hotel. A trip briefing will take place before you head out to explore the bustling city center of Kota Kinabalu with hawkers stalls, fiery ocean sunsets, and night markets.

Overnight: Hotel accommodation, private single/twin/double sharing with ensuite bathroom.

 

Day 2

Cultural Immersion & Mount Kinabalu Hiking Trails

Set out for a 2-hour scenic drive to the foothills of the majestic Mount Kinabalu. Once you arrive there, you'll have the chance to look around this secluded village, which is located at the foot of Mount Kinabalu before joining the host family for a traditional and locally prepared lunch. Post lunch, we'll head out for trekking through some easy trails, cool off in the mountain river, and enjoy the tranquility of being off the beaten track and surrounded by nature. 

After a quick rest, we'll join the host family for a mouth-watering locally grown and sourced Dusun dinner. After dinner, the fun really begins! Learn the local traditional Sumazau dance and enjoy the energy of village life with distinctive bamboo music and gong performances.

Overnight: Mountain Village Homestay, private single/twin/triple sharing room with a common bathroom.

Meals included: Lunch and dinner.

 

Day 3- Day 5

Exploring the Deramakot Forest Reserve Wildlife & Forestry Education

After breakfast, we'll step out for an early morning hike at the Crocker Range of mountains, home to Mount Kinabalu. If the weather is on your side, you will have panoramic views of Mount Kinabalu along the famous Pineapple Ridge! 

Later, we'll get out for a drive towards the Deramakot Forest Reserve. A must-see for any wildlife enthusiast, this place is a perfect example of how sustainable forest management can promote the protection and conservation of wildlife. The reserve itself is split into sections, some are completely protected for conservation whereas others are designated for sustainable and reduced impact logging. Despite being logged in places, it is one of the finest places to see many of Borneo’s rare and endangered mammals.

Some of the species that can be seen here are orangutan, leopard cat, binturong, slow loris, pygmy elephant, flat-headed cat, colugo, otter, civet, and Bornean gibbon. These species are not only seen here, but they are thriving in Deramakot. For many, the most iconic mammal species found here is the Sunda clouded leopard. The world's rarest cat, it is thought that the Sunda clouded leopard population in Sabah ranges between 1,500 and 3,000 individuals, and the Deramakot Forest Reserve has arguably the largest remaining population on Earth.

 Over the next two days, we take a series of daily walks and night drives in the reserve in order to maximize our opportunities to see the diurnal and nocturnal wildlife whilst returning to the lodge for our meals throughout the day. During our night drives & walks in particular, we will be looking for cats. All 5 of the Bornean cats can be seen in this forest. In addition to the mammals, there is a great deal of birdlife for us to enjoy as well as we explore the reserve. More than 250 species have been recorded here and it is possible to see more than 50 different bird species in a day. 

 

Overnight Deramakot Forest Reserve, private single/twin/double sharing with ensuite bathroom.

 

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

 

Day 6

Perfect One Day Scuba Diving/Snorkel Safari Program at Gaya Island

After drenching in the freshness of the forest, it's time to transfer to the Sutera Harbour Marina (10 minutes drive) and take our speedboat to Gaya Island. This is where our Dive & Adventure Centre is located. Enjoy a day of Snorkel Safari or try Scuba Diving for the first time. If you are already a qualified diver, enjoy a day of scuba diving in the warm tropical water. Get up close and personal with the huge array of tropical marine life including reef sharks, snappers, angel fish, clown fish and turtles, if you are lucky!

Overnight: Hotel accommodation, private single/twin/double sharing with ensuite bathroom.

Meals included: Lunch.

 

Day 7

Free day to explore

Today is your day! You must be having a bucket list of the things you wish to do, cafes you wanna try out, and souvenirs to buy - so take your time and tick all that off your list.

Overnight: Hotel accommodation, private single/twin/double sharing with ensuite bathroom.

 

Day 8

Bidding 'Goodbye' to Kota Kinabalu

Our guide will drop you off at Kota Kinabalu International Airport for your departure flight. As you embark on your journey home, you will leave behind footprints and bring home fond memories of your experience in Borneo.