Borneo for Beginners

Fly to Kota Kinabalu.

Arrive in Kota Kinabalu and drive to the Shangri-La Tanjung Aru Resort. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure.

• Hotel Description

Day at leisure. (B)

Today enjoy an exciting trip on the historic North Borneo Railway. Experience the bygone era of British North Borneo with a nostalgic trip through rural Sabah passing through villages and coastal towns. Stop to explore the small towns of Kinarut, home to Tien Nam Shi Chinese Temple and Papar with its historic railway station with its open air market. Return to the city mid-afternoon enjoying a traditional tiffin lunch while enjoying the passing scenery. (B,L)

Drive to Poring Hot Springs stopping en route to shop for handicrafts at a local market. On arrival, explore jungle trails and observe wildlife on the canopy walkway located 100 feet above the forest floor – not for the faint hearted! After lunch, take a dip in the steaming hot mineral springs before visiting the World Heritage site of Kinabalu Park. Spend the afternoon at leisure in the park, home to the giant rafflesia which only flowers once or twice a year – ask the guide if they know of one in bloom. Overnight in a twin-bedded cabin at Kinabalu Park (or equivalent). (B,L,D)

Travel overland to Sepilok and on arrival check in to MY Nature Resort. Spend the afternoon at leisure. Perhaps visit Sepilok Rehabilitation Centre to witness the orangutans enjoy afternoon feeding or take a short walk to the Rainforest Discovery Centre which offers a host of activities including night walks. (B,L,D)

• Hotel Description

Visit Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary and observe the orangutans at their feeding stations in the rainforest and at the nursery (if open). Continue to visit the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre which rescues captured sun bears and is involved in their conservation, welfare, rehabilitation and education. Enjoy lunch near Sepilok. Later travel by boat to the Lower Kinabatangan River Sanctuary which travels through the Mangrove Forest, a location that offers plenty of opportunities to spot the resident wildlife so keep an eye out! Arrive at Abai Jungle Lodge and spend some time relaxing before embarking on a wildlife river cruise to search for proboscis monkeys, pygmy elephants, hornbills and other birdlife. After dinner take the short night cruise to witness the spectacle of the fire flies lit up like a Christmas tree. (B,L,D)

• Hotel Description

Wake to the sound of the surrounding wildlife and enjoy an early morning river trip to the Pitas Lake to observe the wildlife. After breakfast, those who wish can join the tree planting project which consists of a short village tour, tree planting and a simple lunch with some of the Abai villagers. Return to the lodge and enjoy time at leisure until the final late afternoon wildlife river cruise. (B,L,D)

Return to the mainland and transfer to Sandakan airport for the short flight back to Kota Kinabalu. Drive to the Rasa-Ria Resort, check in and spend the afternoon at leisure. (B)

• Hotel Description

Spend the day at leisure. Perhaps visit the resort's 64-acre nature reserve. (B)

Day at leisure (B)

Day at leisure (B)

Transfer to the airport for the flight back to the UK. (B)