FLY TO KOTA KINABALU
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.
KOTA KINABALU
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.
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.
MOUNT KINABALU NATIONAL PARK
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.
KOTA KINABALU - FULL DAY TOUR - KOTA BELUD & TIP OF BORNEO
Uncover the different faces of Sabah by visiting one of the most interesting ‘Tamu’ in Sabah, set in Kota Belud, home to the "Cowboys of the East".
A weekly event, the Kota Belud ‘Tamu’ is a colourful melting pot of hawkers, vendors, farmers, fishermen and cattle breeders alike. You may even glimpse Bajau horsemen in their splendid finery and traditional sword trading.
Drive past oil-palm and coconut plantations on your way to Gombizou and Sumangkap villages, and see honey bee farming. Later, visit the longhouse at Bavanggazo village and see where one of Sabah's indigenous tribes, reside.
See farmers who gifted artisans and excel in woven basketry and intricate beadwork.
Lunch and entrance ticket into the honey bee farm are included
Please note: This tour operates on Sundays only
- Breakfast.
- Full Day Tour.
- English Speaking Guide.
- Lunch.
- Entrance Fees.
- Overnight Accommodation.
TRAVEL TO SEPILOK
After breakfast you will be collected from your hotel and transferred to the airport by private car.
Fly from Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan with Firefly.
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.
SEPILOK - SUKAU
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.
SUKAU - KINABATANGAN RIVER
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.
TRAVEL TO GAYA ISLAND
After breakfast depart the lodge at 07:00 and return to Sandakan by boat.
The 2½ hour journey offers another chance to see wildlife.
Arrive at Sandakan jetty and transfer to the airport for your onward flight.
Fly 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.
- Transfer to Sandakan.
- Economy Class Flight.
- Airline Taxes.
- Check in Baggage Allowance.
- Arrival Transfer by Private Car and Resort Speedboat..
- Overnight Accommodation.
FLY TO AUCKLAND
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 AUCKLAND
Arrive back in New Zealand.
- Economy Class Flight.
- Airline Taxes.
- Check in Baggage Allowance.
