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’ll be met at the airport and transferred by private car to Shangri-La Rasa Ria, your beachside resort north of the city. The drive usually takes around 40 to 50 minutes, depending on traffic, and as you leave the city behind the scenery becomes greener and more relaxed.
Set on a long sweep of sand with rainforest-covered hills behind, Shangri-La Rasa Ria is one of the most appealing resort bases in the Kota Kinabalu area. Once you’ve checked in, the rest of the day is best kept easy. Stretch your legs with a walk through the gardens, spend some time by the pool, or head down to the beach to catch your first Borneo sunset.
If you feel like staying awake a little longer after the flight, it’s a lovely place for a relaxed dinner and an early night. You’ll already feel a world away from home.
- Kota Kinabalu can be warm and humid on arrival, so it’s worth having water handy and changing into lighter clothes before the transfer if needed.
- If the weather is clear, sunset at Shangri-La Rasa Ria is often beautiful, so it’s worth making time to head down to the beach in the early evening.
- Because you’re staying outside the city, it’s a good idea to enjoy a quiet first evening at the resort and save Kota Kinabalu sightseeing for another day.
- Economy Class Flight.
- Airline Taxes.
- Check in Baggage Allowance.
- Arrival Transfer by Private Car.
- Overnight Accommodation.
KOTA KINABALU - DAY AT LEISURE AT SHANGRI-LA RASA RIA
Enjoy a day at leisure at Shangri-La Rasa Ria, one of the most relaxing resort settings in the Kota Kinabalu area. With a long sandy beach, extensive tropical grounds and views towards the rainforest-clad hills, it’s the sort of place where it’s very easy to slow the pace right down and simply enjoy being here.
You may prefer to begin the day quietly with breakfast overlooking the gardens, before spending the morning by the pool or on the beach. The sea here can be lovely for a paddle, while the resort’s spacious grounds make it easy to wander between the different areas without ever feeling crowded. If you feel like doing very little, this is a very good place to do exactly that.
For something a little more active, the resort offers a wide range of facilities and experiences. You might choose to enjoy the swimming pools, try some of the available watersports, or make use of the resort’s nature-focused activities. Shangri-La Rasa Ria is particularly well known for its setting beside a protected nature reserve, which gives it a more spacious and natural feel than many beach resorts.
Later in the day, you could return to the beach for a walk as the light softens. Sunset can be especially lovely here, with the wide beach and open views creating a calm and rather memorable end to the day. In the evening, enjoy dinner back at the resort and another relaxed night in this peaceful part of Sabah.
- The beach is usually at its best for a stroll in the early morning or late afternoon, when the heat is gentler.
- If you’d like to make the most of the resort facilities, it’s worth checking the daily activities schedule in the morning as some nature and recreation experiences operate at set times. An evening nature walk (after dark) is a great way to ease into your trip with a genuine wildlife experience.
- This is a good day to leave unscheduled. The resort is large enough that it doesn’t feel repetitive, even if you simply move between breakfast, pool, beach and dinner.
- If you’d like a change from the main pool area, spend a little time exploring the grounds on foot as the resort has a much greener and more spacious feel than many city beach hotels.
- Overnight Accommodation.
OTA KINABALU - RASA RIA RESERVE EXPERIENCE
Enjoy a more active day today with time to discover the Rasa Ria Reserve, the protected coastal forest beside Shangri-La Rasa Ria. Covering 64 acres, the reserve offers a very different side of the resort, with jungle trails, birdlife, native plants and the chance to experience Sabah’s natural environment a little more closely.
A good way to approach the day is to spend the cooler part of the morning in the reserve with one of the guided nature activities arranged through the Discovery Centre. The reserve is home to more than 90 bird species, around 20 butterfly species and a variety of wildlife including long-tailed macaques, while the trails also introduce medicinal plants, palms and other forest species.
There are a number of walking routes of different lengths, from very short interpretive walks to longer trails, so you can choose something that suits your energy levels.
The setting here feels surprisingly wild for a beach resort. Depending on the activity you choose, you may enjoy elevated views towards Mount Kinabalu, look out for hornbills and other birdlife, or simply enjoy being out in the forest with the reserve’s naturalists, who help bring the environment to life. It’s a rewarding contrast to a pool or beach day and gives real context to Sabah’s rich wildlife and landscapes.
After your time in the reserve, return to the resort for a slower afternoon. You might spend the rest of the day by the pool, walk along the beach, or simply enjoy the space and greenery of Shangri-La Rasa Ria after a more active morning. It makes a very good balance, with a little adventure followed by time to relax properly back at the resort.
- The reserve activities are best done earlier in the day, before the heat builds and when wildlife is generally more active.
- Wear proper walking shoes or sturdy trainers rather than sandals, and take water, insect repellent and something light with long sleeves if you prefer extra protection in the forest.
- If birdlife is of particular interest, the reserve offers a dedicated Borneo Birds activity, while families may also like some of the softer nature-focused options available through the Discovery Centre. The site currently highlights experiences including Sunrise Hike, Avian Exploration: Borneo Birds, and Nature’s Little Buzzers.
- It’s worth checking the latest reserve activity timings and availability with the resort after arrival, as some experiences operate at set times and some are guided rather than open for independent wandering.
- Overnight Accommodation.
SANDAKAN - ARRIVE SEPILOK
Today you’ll leave Shangri-La Rasa Ria and transfer to the airport for your flight to Sandakan.
Fly from Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan with Malaysia Airlines.
On arrival, you’ll be met and transferred to MY Nature Resort at Sepilok, a relaxed and convenient base for the start of your wildlife touring.
As you are likely to arrive around late morning, there should be time to settle in before enjoying an optional visit this afternoon to the nearby Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre. One of Sabah’s best-known wildlife experiences, Sepilok offers the chance to see semi-wild orangutans in a protected forest setting.
The afternoon feeding session takes place at 3.00pm, and the centre is generally open for afternoon visits from 2.00pm to 4.00pm, so this works very well as a first introduction to Sepilok. You'll be visiting the centre tomorrow as part of your organised tour, but it's well worth visiting twice!
If you would prefer a quieter afternoon, you may simply want to relax at MY Nature Resort, enjoy the pool and settle into the rainforest setting. If you still feel like stretching your legs later in the day, the Rainforest Discovery Centre is also nearby and offers excellent forest trails and a superb canopy walkway, giving you a fine first taste of Borneo’s birdlife and rainforest environment. The centre is known for its canopy walkway and forest-based interpretation within the Sepilok area. the night walk is especially popular here.
Later, return to the lodge for dinner and your first night in Sepilok. After the coast and beaches of Kota Kinabalu, this feels like the beginning of a very different part of Sabah, greener, quieter and much more closely connected to the forest.
- If you’d like to visit Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre this afternoon, it’s best to aim to arrive there shortly before 3.00pm for the second feeding. Orangutans don’t appear on every single visit, but this is the main scheduled viewing time.
- MY Nature Resort is well placed for visiting the wildlife attractions around Sepilok, so this is a good day to keep things fairly light and save your energy for the touring ahead.
- Wear light clothing, but keep proper shoes handy if you plan to visit either Sepilok or the Rainforest Discovery Centre, as paths can be damp after rain.
- Departure Transfer by Private Car.
- Economy Class Flight.
- Airline Taxes.
- Check in Baggage Allowance.
- Arrival Transfer by Private Car.
- Overnight Accommodation.
- Entrance fees or excursions.
SEPILOK - KINABATANGAN RIVER - ABAI
This morning you’ll be picked up from MY Nature Resort and taken to the nearby Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, one of Sabah’s best-known wildlife experiences. Set within the Kabili-Sepilok Forest Reserve, the centre rehabilitates orphaned and displaced orangutans, with the aim of helping them return to life in the wild.
You’ll usually have the chance to watch the 10.00am feeding session from the forest platform, and may also be able to see younger orangutans in the nursery viewing area if it is open on the day. Sightings are never completely guaranteed, but this is one of the most rewarding places in Borneo to begin understanding orangutan conservation.
From here, continue to the adjacent Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre, which does important work rescuing and rehabilitating the world’s smallest bear. The centre is currently home to rescued ex-captive sun bears living in large forest enclosures, and a visit here adds another valuable layer to the morning by showing the wider conservation challenges facing Sabah’s wildlife.
At around 11.15am you’ll leave Sepilok and head to the jetty near Sandakan, where the next stage of the journey begins. By 12.00pm you’ll be travelling by boat up the Lower Kinabatangan River, passing mangroves and riverbanks where wildlife can appear at any moment.
The transfer itself feels like part of the experience, and after around an hour on the water you’ll arrive at Abai Jungle Lodge in time for lunch. Abai is accessible only by boat and sits in a wonderfully atmospheric riverside setting, making it feel properly remote without being overly rustic.
This afternoon there may be time to relax a little or explore the lodge’s nature boardwalk before heading out again at around 4.30pm for your first river cruise.
Early evening is one of the best times to be out on the Kinabatangan, and you’ll be searching for proboscis monkeys, macaques, hornbills, kingfishers, reptiles and other wildlife along the riverbanks. As dusk falls, the mood changes completely and the mangroves begin to sparkle with fireflies, a lovely and rather magical end to the cruise.
Back at Abai Jungle Lodge, dinner is served in the lodge restaurant before you head out once more on a guided night walk along the boardwalk.
This is a completely different side of the forest, quieter, darker and full of small details that are easily missed by day. With luck, you may spot sleeping birds, insects, frogs and other nocturnal creatures before returning to your room for the night. It’s a full and very rewarding day, and one that really feels like the beginning of the wild Borneo part of the journey.
- Keep your main camera and binoculars easy to reach today, as the boat transfer to Abai is itself a wildlife experience.
- Wear light, breathable clothing, but bring insect repellent and something with long sleeves for the evening cruise and night walk.
- At Sepilok, it’s worth arriving at the feeding platform a little early, as the best viewing spots tend to fill first. The scheduled morning feeding session is at 10.00am.
- Don’t expect luxury in the city-hotel sense at Abai Jungle Lodge. The appeal here is the location, the atmosphere and being right in the heart of one of Sabah’s great wildlife areas.
- Please note, there are no ATMs at Abai or Sukau. If you need cash, make sure you have enough with you before setting off.
- Breakfast.
- Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary.
- Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre.
- River Cruise to Sukau.
- Lunch.
- Afternoon River Cruise Safari.
- Dinner.
- Slide Presentation.
- Overnight Accommodation.
KINABATANGAN RIVER - ABAI TO SUKAU
Wake early this morning for another rewarding wildlife experience on the Kinabatangan River. At around 6.30am, head out by boat to nearby Pitas Lake, one of the most peaceful and atmospheric parts of the lower river system. Early morning is one of the best times to be out on the water, with soft light, cooler temperatures and a good chance of seeing birdlife and primates becoming active along the riverbanks and around the oxbow lake.
After returning to Abai Jungle Lodge for breakfast, continue your journey by boat further upriver towards Sukau, again keeping watch for wildlife along the way. This transfer is very much part of the experience rather than simply a means of getting from one lodge to the next, as the river itself is the lifeline of this region and wildlife can appear at any point along the banks. By late morning you’ll arrive in Sukau and check in at Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge, where lunch is served after arrival.
Set within the Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary, Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge is a simple but comfortable riverside base built from local hardwood, with boardwalks linking the rooms, restaurant and jetty. It has a more established lodge feel than Abai and also has a swimming pool, which can be very welcome in the heat of the day.
Later this afternoon, head out again at around 4.30pm for a river cruise up the Kinabatangan River and into the Menanggul River, one of the best-known tributaries for wildlife viewing in the Sukau area. Keep watch for proboscis monkeys, hornbills and other wildlife as the boat moves quietly through the forest-lined waterways. Return to the lodge for dinner and your overnight stay at Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge.
- This is a moving day, so it’s worth packing your main camera, binoculars, sunhat and insect repellent somewhere easy to reach rather than in your main luggage.
- 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.
- On the morning cruise, 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.
- The boat transfer from Abai to Sukau is also one of the pleasures of the trip, so try to stay alert and out on deck as much as possible. Wildlife sightings can happen at any stage.
- Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge is accessible by both road and river and has more facilities than Abai, including a swimming pool, so there may be time for a short rest before the afternoon cruise.
- Boat Trip to Ox Bow Lake.
- Breakfast.
- Morning walk.
- Lunch.
- Afternoon River Cruise Safari.
- Dinner.
- Overnight Accommodation.
SUKAU - LAHAD DATU - DANUM VALLEY
After an early breakfast, check out of Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge and continue by road towards Lahad Datu, gateway to one of Borneo’s most remarkable rainforest areas. From here, you will join the scheduled transfer into Danum Valley, a journey of around two hours that takes you deeper and deeper into protected primary rainforest. The sense of leaving the outside world behind becomes stronger as the road narrows and the forest closes in.
On arrival, check in at Borneo Rainforest Lodge, one of the most special wildlife lodges in Sabah. Set beside the river and surrounded by pristine jungle, it feels wonderfully remote, yet comfortable enough to make the most of your stay in this extraordinary setting. After lunch and a little time to settle in, head out with your guide for your first introduction to Danum Valley.
This afternoon’s activity is a guided walk on one of the lodge’s nearby nature trails, including the 400-metre boardwalk circuit and the impressive 300-metre canopy walkway. This is a superb way to begin, as it gives you a feel for the scale of the rainforest from both the forest floor and up in the treetops. Even on a relatively gentle walk, there is always the possibility of spotting birds, monkeys, insects and other forest life, while the sounds and atmosphere of Danum are an experience in themselves.
Dinner is served back at the lodge this evening. If weather conditions allow, the day ends with a night drive, offering the chance to search for some of the forest’s more elusive nocturnal wildlife. Danum has a very different feel after dark, and this is often when the rainforest feels at its most mysterious and alive.
Overnight at Borneo Rainforest Lodge.
- This is quite a big moving day, so keep your binoculars, camera, insect repellent and a light rain jacket in your day bag rather than packed away in your main luggage.
- Wear proper walking shoes today, as even the easier trails in Danum Valley can be damp or uneven after rain.
- If the night drive does go ahead, darker clothing can be useful, and it’s worth having a torch or headlamp handy as well. The operator’s recommended packing list for this tour includes insect repellent, long sleeves, long pants, a raincoat, trekking shoes, a torch and a water bottle.
- Breakfast.
- Transfer to Borneo Rainforest Lodge.
- Lunch.
- Afternoon Excursion.
- Dinner.
- Overnight Accommodation.
DANUM VALLEY
Today is a full day to experience the extraordinary rainforest of Danum Valley, one of the finest wildlife areas in Borneo. After breakfast, set out on the Coffin Trail, a rewarding forest walk that leads to an ancient Kadazan-Dusun burial site hidden within the jungle.
The trail is around 3 km return and includes a climb of about 40 minutes to a magnificent lookout point, giving you a real sense of the scale and depth of the forest around you. It’s an excellent walk, not only for the history and views, but also for the chance of spotting birds, primates and other forest life along the way.
Return to Borneo Rainforest Lodge for lunch and some time to rest in this remarkable riverside setting. Even downtime here feels special, with the sounds of the rainforest all around you and the sense that wildlife is never very far away. Danum isn’t about rushing from sight to sight. It’s about slowing down, staying alert and allowing the forest to reveal itself in its own time.
In the afternoon, head out again with your guide to explore the Segama Trail and East Trail, both excellent areas for searching for wildlife and experiencing a different side of the forest from the morning’s walk. These trails take you deeper into primary rainforest, and the appeal is as much in the atmosphere as in the sightings themselves, towering trees, dense greenery, forest sounds and the feeling of being in one of the oldest rainforest environments on earth.
After dinner, head out once more on a guided night walk in search of Danum’s nocturnal creatures. This is often a real highlight, as the forest becomes completely different after dark. With luck, you may encounter frogs, insects, sleeping birds and other more elusive species before returning to the lodge for another night in Danum Valley.
- This is one of the more active days of the trip, so proper walking shoes are essential, and a light rain jacket is always worth carrying in Danum Valley. The operator also recommends insect repellent, long sleeves, long pants, a torch and a water bottle.
- The Coffin Trail includes an uphill section, so take it steadily in the heat and humidity.
- Keep your binoculars handy throughout the day. In Danum, wildlife can appear at any time, not just on the main walks.
- Breakfast.
- Morning Excursion.
- Lunch.
- Afternoon Excursion.
- Dinner.
- Night Walk.
- Overnight Accommodation.
DANUM VALLEY
Enjoy another full day in Danum Valley, one of the finest remaining areas of primary rainforest in Borneo and a place that feels wonderfully wild and remote. This morning you’ll head out on a guided walk to one of the area’s beautiful waterfalls, searching for wildlife along the way.
The walk itself is part of the experience, with towering rainforest trees, tangled vines, birdsong and the constant feeling that something may appear in the forest at any moment. In Danum, even a relatively straightforward walk can feel rich and memorable because the surroundings are so extraordinary.
After returning to Borneo Rainforest Lodge for lunch, there is usually time to rest and enjoy the setting before heading out again later in the afternoon. The lodge sits right in the heart of the forest, and part of the pleasure of staying here is that you are never really away from nature, even when you are back in your chalet or sitting quietly by the river.
This afternoon, head out once more with your guide on another forest walk, often choosing one of your favourite trails from the previous day or exploring a different section of the rainforest in search of more wildlife. Danum is one of those places where no two walks are ever quite the same. The joy here lies in the detail as much as the headline sightings, the immense trees, the changing forest sounds, the insects, the birds, and the chance of spotting primates or other elusive creatures moving through the canopy.
After dinner, there is the option of either a night walk or a night drive, depending on space availability on the vehicles and the lodge arrangements that evening. Both offer a very different perspective on the rainforest after dark and the chance to look for nocturnal wildlife before returning to the lodge for your final night in Danum Valley.
- Today is another active rainforest day, so proper trekking shoes, insect repellent, a light rain jacket and a refillable water bottle are all important. The tour operator specifically recommends insect repellent, long sleeves, long pants, a raincoat, a sun hat, swimwear, comfortable trekking shoes, a torch, a water bottle and personal toiletries.
- A small dry bag or waterproof pouch is useful for cameras and phones, especially if there has been rain.
- Night activities are subject to conditions and availability, so it’s best to treat them as a bonus rather than something guaranteed.
- Breakfast.
- Morning Excursion.
- Lunch.
- Afternoon Excursion.
- Dinner.
- Night Walk or Drive.
- Overnight Accommodation.
TRAVEL TO GAYA ISLAND
After breakfast, depart the lodge at 7.00am and travel back to Sandakan by boat. The journey takes around 2½ hours and is a lovely final chance to enjoy the river scenery and keep watch for wildlife along the way.
On arrival at the jetty, transfer to the airport for your onward flight to Kota Kinabalu.
Fly from Lahad Datu to Kota Kinabalu with Malaysia Airlines.
This morning brings quite a contrast, from the remote river landscapes of eastern Sabah back to the coast and islands of the west.
After landing in Kota Kinabalu, you’ll be met and transferred by private car to Jesselton Point, the departure point for Gaya Island Resort. The resort advises allowing around 20 minutes by road from the airport to its lounge at Jesselton Point, where check-in for the boat transfer is handled before you are escorted to the jetty.
From here, continue by the resort’s scheduled speedboat across to Gaya Island Resort. The crossing itself is short, taking around 10 minutes, but it’s a lovely arrival, with the Kota Kinabalu waterfront slipping behind you and the rainforest-covered slopes of Gaya Island coming into view ahead.
Once you arrive, enjoy the rest of the day at leisure at Gaya Island Resort. After the wildlife lodges and rainforest experiences of the past few days, this is a very welcome change of pace. You may simply want to settle into your villa, enjoy the sea views, and spend a quiet afternoon unwinding in one of Sabah’s most attractive island settings.
- The resort’s scheduled speedboat departures from Jesselton Point currently operate at 12pm, 2pm, 4pm, 6pm and 9pm, so the exact flow of today will depend on your flight arrival time into Kota Kinabalu.
- Keep anything important for the afternoon, such as swimwear, sunscreen and a change of clothes, in your hand luggage rather than packed away in your main bag.
- This is a long travel day overall, so once you arrive on Gaya Island, it’s best to keep the rest of the day easy.
- Breakfast.
- Transfer to Lahad Datu by Shared Transfer.
- Economy Class Flight.
- Airline Taxes.
- Check in Baggage Allowance.
- Arrival Transfer by Private Car and Resort Speedboat.
- Overnight Accommodation.
GAYA ISLAND RESORT - DAYS AT LEISURE
Enjoy your days at leisure at Gaya Island Resort, a lovely place to slow the pace right down while still having plenty to do. Set within the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, the resort combines rainforest, beaches and marine life in a way that makes it easy to shape each day differently. One day might be mostly about the sea, another about the forest, and another simply about doing very little in a beautiful setting.
A very good way to spend one of your days is out on the water. The resort offers snorkelling and dive programmes, with coral gardens close to shore and access to dive and snorkelling sites around the marine park. For guests who don’t want a full boat trip, time at the beach and around the resort’s own waterfront can also be very rewarding, while a visit to the Marine Centre adds interest for anyone curious about coral restoration and turtle rescue work.
Another enjoyable option is to explore the island itself. Guided nature walks with the resort’s resident naturalist are a very good way to discover the forest, mangroves and wildlife of Gaya Island, and the resort also highlights experiences such as mangrove kayaking and other nature-based outings through its activity programme. These outings work particularly well for guests who want something active but not too strenuous, and they give the stay a more distinctly Bornean feel than simply remaining by the pool.
You could also set aside time for the resort’s excellent Spa Village Gaya Island, which is set within the mangroves and draws on Sabah’s indigenous healing traditions. Treatments use local ingredients and the spa is very much designed as a proper retreat rather than an add-on, so it’s well worth planning a slower morning or afternoon around it. Spa treatment hours are currently 11.00am to 7.00pm, with the last treatment starting at 6.00pm.
Dining is another pleasure here, and it’s worth varying where you eat over a few days. Feast Village is the all-day dining restaurant and works well for relaxed breakfasts and easy dinners, while Fisherman’s Cove is the more special option for a seafood-focused dinner with views towards Mount Kinabalu. Omakase offers Japanese dining in a hillside setting, and the Pool Bar & Lounge is a good choice for a casual lunch or sunset drink. For something a little different, Tavajun Bay can be reached by a short boat ride and works well for a lazy beach lunch or picnic.
Over several days, a nice rhythm here is to mix one more active outing with one slower resort day. For example, you might spend one morning snorkelling, another day on a guided nature walk or mangrove excursion, then leave time for the spa, the pool, long lunches and quiet afternoons by the sea. That balance tends to work very well at Gaya Island Resort, because the setting is so appealing that it never really feels like wasted time to simply relax and enjoy being here.
- It’s worth checking the resort activity schedule soon after arrival, as some experiences operate at set times and some are weather dependent. The resort notes that activities, spa treatments and dining experiences are subject to availability and weather conditions.
- If you’d like the best dinner experience, I’d be inclined to mix the restaurants rather than repeat the same one each night, with at least one evening at Fisherman’s Cove or Omakase.
- For spa treatments, earlier booking is sensible, especially if you want a treatment at a particular time before dinner.
- Overnight Accommodation.
FLY TO AUCKLAND
Today 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.
