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.
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 you will be met and taken 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.
Right after checking-in, go on board for an evening cruise in search of Borneo's wildlife and birds. Return to the lodge to savour a scrumptious dinner at Melapi restaurant, 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.
- Departure Transfer by Private Car,
- Economy Class Flight.
- Airline Taxes.
- Check in Baggage Allowance.
- 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.
Take an early morning bird walk to discover some of Tabin's rich collection of nearly 300 bird species.
After breakfast, visit the bird watching tower and trek through the lush green jungle to Lipad's Waterfall and take a dip in its refreshing pool.
Explore the surrounding vegetation or just relax.
Return to base in the afternoon.
In the evening, take a drive at dusk to find wildlife and birds within the reserve. After dinner, look out for nocturnal wildlife along the trail nearby.
- Early Morning Bird Walk.
- Breakfast.
- Bird Watching Tower & Lipad Waterfall.
- Lunch.
- Dinner.
- Evening Drive.
- Overnight Accommodation.
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.
Spend the whole day exploring the forest for birds and mammals, leading up to an escarpment with ancient burial coffins.
Trek to a waterfall for a refreshing dip in rock pools. Return to lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, explore more trails.
- 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 Shared Resort Speedboat.
- Dinner.
- 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.
- Full Board.
- 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.
- Full Board.
- 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.
- Full Board.
- Overnight Accommodation.
Enjoy the day at leisure.
- Full Board.
- Overnight Accommodation.
Enjoy the day at leisure.
- Full Board.
- Overnight Accommodation.
You will be transferred from Gaya Island Resort to the airport by shared 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.
- Economy Class Flight.
- Airline Taxes.
- Check in Baggage Allowance.
