Fly from Auckland to Kuala Lumpur with Malaysia Airlines. (Other flight options are available - just ask us).
Fly from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu with Malaysia Airlines.
On arrival in Kota Kinabalu you will be met and transferred to your hotel by private car.
- Economy Class Flight.
- Airline Taxes.
- Check in Baggage Allowance.
- Arrival Transfer by Private Car.
- Overnight Accommodation.
Enjoy the day at leisure.
Ease into your Borneo journey with a day at the resort where you can relax, enjoy a spa treatment or get out onto the water.
Occupying a prime stretch of beach fronting the South China Sea about 40 minutes drive from the Borneo’s Kota Kinabalu Airport, the Shangri-La Rasa Ria Resort & Spa occupies a secluded and romantic beachfront location touching the edge of the Borneo jungle.
Accommodation ranges from Superior Rooms overlooking the rainforest to the more luxurious Ocean Wing.
Renovations in recent years have left the Rasa Ria looking better than ever. $20 million was spent on upgrading the Garden Wing in recent years.
One of the highlights of the Shangri La Rasa Ria is the adjoining nature reserve.
Shangri La Rasa Ria is a large resort with lots of facilities including swimming pools, Chi Spa, Water sports and a nature sanctuary.
Tennis courts and golf are available and plenty of excursions and activities are available.
- Breakfast.
- Overnight Accommodation.
Depart after an early breakfast for a scenic journey into Borneo’s rugged island interior.
Travel along winding roads, passing paddy fields and local villages en route to Sabah Tea Plantation, one of the last certified organic plantations in Malaysia.
Tour this vast farmland, learning about the process of growing and harvesting tea then stop at the plantation’s restaurant to enjoy sweeping views across the valley.
Drive to Poring Hot Springs and take a walk around this beautiful compound which takes its name from the giant bamboo that surrounds it. See Japanese-style outdoor hot tubs which are filled from natural hot springs believed to possess therapeutic effects.
Continue to the nearby Kipungit Waterfall to admire this spectacular natural wonder. Alternatively, opt for a trek to the canopy walk, a suspension bridge that soars 40-metres above the forest floor.
For thrill seekers, this swaying, man-made bridge is an ideal place to enjoy views of the rainforest, tree canopies and distant rolling hills. At midday, enjoy a break for lunch.
Resume the drive back to Kota Kinabalu, stopping at Mount Kinabalu National Park. Take a guided walk and learn from a local naturalist about the vast array of flora found in this lush park.
Admire views of Mt Kinabalu, Southeast Asia’s highest peak, in the distance before returning to Kota Kinabalu.
Arrive at the hotel as the day comes to a close, with ample time to relax and refresh before heading out for dinner.
- Breakfast.
- Full Day Tour.
- Private Car, Driver & English Speaking Guide.
- Entry Fees.
- Lunch.
- Overnight Accommodation.
After breakfast you will be collected from your hotel and transferred to the airport by private car.
Fly from Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan with Malaysia Airlines.
On arrival in Sandakan you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
Depending on flight times you may have the chance to visit the Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre and the Rainforest Discovery Centre (RDC) on your own if you wish. There's a highly recommended guided night walk your can do at the RDC.
Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.
Hidden amongst a veritable treasure trove of tropical plants, grasses, huge trees and spectacular orchids in bloom, the quaint bungalows of the Sepilok Nature Resort are within walking distance of the world-famous Kabili-Sepilok forest reserve, the precious home of the last wild Orang-Utans of Northern Borneo.
- Breakfast.
- Departure Transfer by Private Car.
- Economy Class Flight.
- Airline Taxes.
- Check in Baggage Allowance.
- Arrival Transfer by Private Car.
- Overnight Accommodation.
After breakfast you will be collected from your hotel for a visit to the Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary where captive orangutans are being reintroduced into the wild. Observe the orangutans at their feeding stations in the rainforest and enjoy the feeding session at 10 am.
At 11 am head to the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC). This centre rescues captured sun bears and is involved in sun bear conservation, welfare rehabilitation and public education. Over 30 sun bears live at the centre in the bear house and outdoor enclosures.
From here you'll depart Sepilok and transfer to the boat jetty in Sandakan.
After lunch, embark on a two and a half hour journey by speedboat up the Kinabatangan River to Sukau Rainforest Lodge.
Later on, enjoy a river cruise in search of wildlife and birds before returning to the lodge for a candlelit dinner on the pier, followed by a slide presentation and interpretation by a naturalist guide.
Today is such an exciting and varied day. If you have a pair of binoculars they're useful, especially on the afternoon river safari.
Please note, there are no ATMs at Sukau. If you need cash, make sure you have enough with you before setting off. We'll provide more useful tips for you prior to your trip.
We recommend travelling light by preparing an overnight bag for your stay at the Lodge. Free storage in Sandakan will be provided for any extra luggage if you're heading back to Sandakan.
- Breakfast.
- Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary.
- Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre.
- River Cruise to Sukau.
- Lunch.
- Afternoon River Cruise Safari.
- Dinner.
- Slide Presentation.
- Overnight Accommodation.
Rise and shine for the morning river cruise up the Kinabatangan River to Kelenanap oxbow lake to view more birds and wildlife.
Return for breakfast and join in the nature walk along the lodge's Hornbill Boardwalk with the in-house naturalist.
After lunch, it's time to relax before departing on another river cruise in search of more wildlife later in the afternoon.
Return to the lodge for dinner.
It's an early start today but the atmosphere is magical. The journey is by electric boat which means there is much less noise and no fumes from the engine - it's a wonderful way to cruise down the river.
At first the channel is wide but once you get into the tributaries you'll be close to the banks. The spotter will be looking out for wildlife for you - creatures you would never spot on your own; a snake curled up in the overhanging branches of a tree or a monitor lizard basking on the shore.
If you want to do an additional cruise, we recommend going on the night cruise which is available at an additional cost.
- Boat Trip to Ox Bow Lake.
- Breakfast.
- Morning walk.
- Lunch.
- Afternoon River Cruise Safari.
- Dinner.
- Overnight Accommodation.
After breakfats,, depart for a 2-hour drive to Lahad Datu for lunch.
Transfer from Lahad Datu to Tabin Wildlife Reserve on a gravel road for about an hour and a half.
Check into the charming timber bungalow of Tabin Wildlife Resort which comes complete with private balcony and hot water shower, a real luxury in the forest.
A variety of birds, insects and even small mammals can be sighted quite easily within the resort which is set amongst the rainforest alongside the Lipad River.
Discover the rich variety of jungle herbs, some endemic, used for generations by local folks for the treatment of various ailments.
In the afternoon, visit the Lipad mud volcano which serves as a mineral salt lick for wildlife. After trekking through the jungle for twenty minutes, arrive at the elevated bare area of the mud volcano.
Try to identify the multitude of animal footprints here. After dinner, enjoy a slide presentation on Tabin’s uniqueness, followed by a Night Safari to look out for nocturnal wildlife and birds.
- Breakfast.
- Transfer to Tabin.
- Lunch.
- Afternoon Lipad Mud Volcano.
- Dinner.
- Evening Presentation.
- Overnight Accommodation.
You may opt to join the early morning bird walk to discover some of Tabin’s rich collection of almost 300 bird species.
After breakfast, trek through the lush green rainforest known for its rich diversity of plants and animal species to visit Lipad Waterfall.
Take a dip in the natural pool and enjoy a natural and refreshing shower under the waterfall. Alternatively explore the surrounding vegetation or simply relax.
In the afternoon you may wish to try out the Tabin Rainforest Foot Soak made with a natural blend of herbs, to relax tired muscles after long jungle treks. In the evening, go on a dusk drive to look for nocturnal wildlife.
Overnight at Tabin Wildlife Resort.
- Early Morning Bird Walk.
- Breakfast.
- Lipad Waterfall.
- Lunch.
- Tabin Rainforest Foot Soak.
- Dinner.
- Evening Drive.
- Overnight Accommodation.
After breakfast, stroll to the nearby rock pool or river side where groups of macaques and other small mammals can sometimes be seen. Choose to take a dip in the river or simply listen to the sound of nature before saying goodbye to Tabin.
After breakfast, journey 2 hours overland to Lahad Datu before the onward journey to the award winning nature lodge, Borneo Rainforest Lodge.
Enjoy lunch on arrival and check-in.
In the evening a slide show and explore nature trail leading to canopy walkway. If weather permits, go spotlighting to view some of the nocturnal animals.
Stay overnight at the Borneo Rainforest Lodge.
- Breakfast.
- Transfer to Borneo Rainforest Lodge.
- Lunch.
- Dinner.
- Slide Presentation.
- Evening canopy walkway.
- Overnight Accommodation.
Following breakfast, depart for a trek along the “Coffin Trail” that leads to an ancient Kadazan-Dusun burial site.
It’s a 3 km return trip, involving a 40-minute climb to a magnificent lookout point.
Return to the lodge for lunch.
In the afternoon go on another jungle trek in search of wildlife or opt for a relaxing session of tubing down the Danum River.
After dinner, depart for a night walk in search of nocturnal creatures.
Stay overnight at the Borneo Rainforest Lodge.
- All meals.
- Daily Activities.
- Overnight Accommodation.
In the morning hike to a beautiful waterfall, searching for wildlife along the way.
Return to the Lodge for lunch.
In the afternoon, take another walk on one of your favourite trails in search of more wildlife.
Return to the Lodge.
After dinner, you will have an option of night walk or night drive (but subject to space availability on the vehicles).
Overnight at Borneo Rainforest Lodge.
- All meals.
- Daily Activities.
- Overnight Accommodation.
After breakfast depart the lodge and transfer to the airport for your flight to Kota Kinabalu.
Fly from Lahad Datu to Kota Kinabalu with Malaysia Airlines.
On arrival in Kota Kinabalu you will be met and transferred to Jesselton Pier by private car.
It's just a few minutes to get to the pier from the airport. From here you will transfer directly to Gaya Island Resort by scheduled resort speedboat.
Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure at Gaya Island Resort.
In the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, just off the coast of Kota Kinabalu, lies the picturesque Gaya Island. This sizable Malaysian island has been protected as a reserve since the early 1920s and is home to a legendary beach at Police Bay.
A 400-meter stretch of pristine white sand slopes out gently to the sea forming an ideal spot for swimming in the crystal clear turquoise waters.
There is also a 20 kilometre long hiking path as well as plenty of coral reefs along the entire coast making Gaya a dream destination for snorkellers, scuba divers and nature lovers alike.
- Breakfast.
- Departure transfer by shared vehicle.
- Economy Class Flight.
- Airline Taxes.
- Check in Baggage Allowance.
- Arrival Transfer by Private Car and Resort Speedboat.
- Overnight Accommodation.
- Local Tourism Tax (MYR 10 per room per night) payable locally. It's about NZ$4 per room per night.
- Compulsory Sabah Parks Conservation Fee (MYR 32 per person for the first night) payable locally. It's about NZ$12 per person.
Enjoy the day at leisure.
Gaya Island Resort, Borneo is a luxury villa resort in Borneo offering fantastic value and some of the best luxury villas in Borneo.
- Breakfast.
- Overnight Accommodation.
- Local Tourism Tax (MYR 10 per room per night) payable locally. It's about NZ$4 per room per night.
- Compulsory Sabah Parks Conservation Fee (MYR 32 per person for the first night) payable locally. It's about NZ$12 per person.
Enjoy the day at leisure.
With some of the best luxury villas in Borneo, Gaya Island Resort Borneo is an ideal choice for a honeymoon to Borneo or luxury couples retreat.
- Breakfast.
- Overnight Accommodation.
- Local Tourism Tax (MYR 10 per room per night) payable locally. It's about NZ$4 per room per night.
- Compulsory Sabah Parks Conservation Fee (MYR 32 per person for the first night) payable locally. It's about NZ$12 per person.
You will be transferred from Gaya Island Resort to the airport by resort speedboat and private car for your onward flight.
Fly from Kota Kinabalu to Kuala Lumpur with Malaysia Airlines.
Fly from Kuala Lumpur to Auckland with Malaysia Airlines.
- Breakfast.
- Departure Transfer by Resort Speedboat & Private Car.
- Economy Class Flights.
- Airline Taxes.
- Check-in Baggage Allowance,
Arrive back in New Zealand.
