Borneo Holiday - Orangutans & Gaya Island

Dear Customer,

Borneo is one of those places that genuinely lives up to its reputation. The world's third largest island is home to some of the oldest rainforest on earth, and the wildlife found within it, from orangutans and proboscis monkeys to sun bears and pygmy elephants, is found nowhere else in quite the same concentration.

This 14-day journey focuses on the Malaysian state of Sabah in the north of the island, combining two very different sides of Borneo: the wildlife-rich river systems and primary rainforest of the east, and the island beaches and marine park of the west.

The trip begins at Shangri-La Rasa Ria, a well-positioned beachside resort about 40 minutes north of Kota Kinabalu. It makes an easy, unhurried arrival, with a long beach, tropical gardens and the resort's own protected nature reserve on the doorstep. From here, the journey heads east into the heart of Sabah's wildlife country.

Sepilok is the first destination, and for good reason. The Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre is one of the best places in Borneo to see semi-wild orangutans at close range, and the adjacent Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre adds valuable context to the conservation work happening across the region. It's an excellent introduction to what makes Sabah so distinctive.

The next section of the trip follows the Kinabatangan River, Sabah's longest waterway and one of its most productive wildlife corridors. Based at two different lodges over three nights, including a night at the river-only-access Abai Jungle Lodge before moving to Sukau Rainforest Lodge, you'll explore the river and its tributaries by boat, searching for proboscis monkeys, hornbills, kingfishers and, with a little luck, the rare Bornean pygmy elephant. Early morning and evening cruises are when the river is at its most atmospheric, and the guided night walks add another layer entirely.

From the Kinabatangan, the journey continues deeper into the forest at Danum Valley Conservation Area, three nights in one of the finest wildlife lodges in Borneo.

Borneo Rainforest Lodge is the only accommodation inside Danum, a protected primary rainforest covering over 430 square kilometres. The guided walks here, from the ancient Kadazan-Dusun burial site on the Coffin Trail to the elevated canopy walkway and night drives through the forest, offer a genuinely immersive experience in a place where the wildlife is wild rather than managed.

The final chapter is a welcome change of pace. Gaya Island Resort sits within the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, a short speedboat ride from the Kota Kinabalu waterfront. With 4 nights here, there's real space to slow down after the active wildlife days inland.

Snorkelling, mangrove kayaking, guided nature walks and the resort's excellent Spa Village all offer ways to fill the days at whatever pace suits you, and the marine life around the islands is well worth exploring.

Throughout the trip, the accommodation has been chosen for its character and setting rather than simply its facilities. Each lodge or resort adds something meaningful to the experience, and the pacing of the itinerary allows time to absorb each place rather than simply passing through.

Borneo rewards patience, and this is a trip designed with that in mind.

Please bear in mind that all of our holidays are tailor made and can be adjusted to suit your interests, time, hotel & airline choice and be tailored to fit your budget.

Call us today on 03 2424 320 and speak to a Borneo expert about your trip.

Alternatively email us on sales@rdtravel.co.nz for a tailor made quote today.

Kind regards,

The team @ Red Dragonfly Travel