Day 1 - Kota Kinabalu
Your opportunity to meet your fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don’t forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.
Accommodation – Hotel Shangri-La Kota Kinabalu (or similar)
Day 2 - Kota Kinabalu to Kota Belud
From Kota Kinabalu, travel to Tambatuon village and meet the local community. Walk to a nearby river, exploring the landscape surrounding the village along the way. Visit a local farm and gather fresh ingredients for an included dinner. Learn how to cook some local recipes with the host.
Accommodation – D’Danau Homestay (or similar)
D’danau’ Homestay is a beautiful homestay located in Kota Belud Sabah, Malaysia. It provides job opportunities for locals offering great experiences to travellers like hiking, water tubing, cooking classes and other activities. The income generated from tourism allows the community to collect fees that are invested in the nature conservation and development of the village. Visitors can also learn about the lives of the Borneo people, and enjoy the cool climate and peaceful atmosphere. D’danau’s mission is to promote their culture and way of life, protect the environment and enhance their livelihood.
Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Experiences
Local Farms and Cooking Demonstration
Visit a farm and learn of their contrasting techniques while picking fresh vegetables, later used when learning to cook local recipes with the villagers. First visit Kundasang Aquafarm, a community-led farm that uses fish waste instead of chemical fertilizer for a hydroponic system. Then you are off to Onis farm that practices more traditional farming.
Day 3 - Kota Belud to Sungai Kinabatangan
Travel towards Sandakan and continue to the immersive jungle lodge on Kinabatangan River, Sabah’s longest. After settling in, head out on a river cruise to experience the serenity of evening river life (keep your eyes peeled for birds and monkeys and crocodiles, oh my!). Enjoy dinner then opt for a guided night walk through the jungle.
Accommodation – Borneo Natural Sukau Bilit Resort (or similar)
Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Experiences
Kinabatangan River Evening Cruise
Cruise through the crocodile-infested waters with an expert boatman. While wildlife-spotting can’t be guaranteed there’s a good chance you will spot some monkeys, birds and the occasional saltwater crocodiles.
Jungle Night Walk
Take a night walk on the trails near the Jungle Lodge and look for the unique creatures that are active at night.
Day 4 - Sungai Kinabatangan
Begin the day with a river safari to witness the morning wildlife activity. After breakfast, visit the nearby oxbow lake with a professional guide and seek out proboscis monkeys, pygmy elephants, macaques, and gibbons. Enjoy another river cruise for a second chance to spot more wildlife (you never know what you may see) before returning to the lodge for dinner.
Accommodation – Borneo Natural Sukau Bilit Resort (or similar)
Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Experiences
Kinabatangan River Wildlife CruiseKampung Bilit
Jump into a boat and explore the muddy river; keep your eyes peeled for monkeys, birds, and crocodiles.
Guided Oxbow Lake Walk and Wildlife Spotting
Enjoy a guided trek along the lake and seek out proboscis monkeys, pygmy elephants, macaques, and gibbons.
Kinabatangan River Evening Cruise
Cruise through the crocodile-infested waters with an expert boatman. While wildlife-spotting can’t be guaranteed there’s a good chance you will spot some monkeys, birds and the occasional saltwater crocodiles.
Jungle Night Walk
Take a night walk on the trails near the Jungle Lodge and look for the unique creatures that are active at night.
Day 5 - Sungai Kinabatangan and Sepilok
Depart in the morning and travel to Sepilok – a wildlife haven. Enjoy a visit to the orangutan rehabilitation centre and the adjacent sun bear conservation centre.
Accommodation – Borneo Natural Sukau Bilit Resort (or similar)
Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Experiences
Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre Visit
The orangutans at the centre were either rescued as orphans or from illegal domestication. Once rehabilitated, they are set free to live in the wild. Watch these creatures being fed or roaming the grounds along with other animals such as macaque monkeys.
Jungle Night Walk
Take a night walk on the trails near the Jungle Lodge and look for the unique creatures that are active at night.
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 6 - Sepilok and Pulau Libaran
Transfer to Sandakan and continue by boat to Libaran Island, also known as Turtle Island because thousands of sea turtles return to nest each year. Take a guided tour of the island’s turtle hatchery and learn about the turtle conservation program. Later, visit the local village and experience what life is like on the island. Opt to go snorkelling or kayaking with some free time.
Accommodation –Walai Penyu Resort (or similar)
Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Experiences
Speedboat Sandakan to Pulau Libaran 45m-1h
Cut swiftly through the water en route to the next stop (and hang on to your hat).
Turtle Experience Pulau Libaran
Accompany Island rangers to learn more about these amazing creatures and the threats to their existence. Depending on the time of year, observe turtles laying their eggs on the beach, follow the park rangers as they transfer the eggs to the hatchery, or stand on the shore and witness the release of baby turtles to the open sea.
Libaran Island Village Walk
Visit the friendly village of Libaran Island, part of a Planeterra Foundation community development project. View demonstrations by villagers who make flower souvenirs from plastic bottles, master Pandanous weaving, and meticulously knit fishing nets. Also see how local snacks are prepared and enjoy the delicacies.
Day 7 - Pulau Libaran and Kota Kinabalu
After breakfast, depart Libaran Island and travel back to the Sandakan jetty. From the jetty, transfer to Sandakan airport for a flight to Kota Kinabalu. On arrival, enjoy a free afternoon to walk and shop at Jesselton Point, a waterfront district lined with shops and street food. Opt to visit the famous Filipino market.
Accommodation – Hotel Shangri-La Kota Kinabalu (or similar)
Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Experiences
Plane Sandakan to Kota Kinabalu 45m
Free Time Kota Kinabalu Afternoon
Take advantage of your free time to stroll and shop along the waterfront.
