From  £4295
per person
Tour Highlights
  • Trek in Bako National Park
  • Learn to fish Iban-style
  • Watch proboscis monkeys on the river
  • Witness the feeding of the orangutans
  • Plant a tree with local villagers
  • Hike the jungle trails of Tabin Reserve
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Essential Sarawak & Sabah

17 Day Tour, from £4295 per person

Visiting the jungles of Sarawak and Sabah, spending time with the Iban people and getting up close and personal with Borneo’s wildlife is an incredible experience.

Explore Kuching ‘Cat City’ as it’s known to the locals and spend the night in Bako National Park. Learn about traditional Iban culture and enjoy the magnificent bird and animal-life of Tabin Wildlife Reserve before relaxing on the white-sand beaches of Gaya Island.

Tour Itinerary

DAY 1
FLY TO BORNEO
Fly to Borneo.
DAY 2
KUCHING
KUCHING
Arrive in Kuching, Sarawak and transfer to the Pullman Hotel. Check in and enjoy time at leisure.
Accommodation
Pullman Hotel
DAY 3
KUCHING
KUCHING
This morning, discover the charms of this clean and green riverine city on a half-day tour. Old Chinese temples and colourful markets dot almost every corner. The waterfront promenade is popular with visitors and locals alike. Return to the hotel and enjoy the afternoon at leisure. (B)
DAY 4
BAKO NATIONAL PARK
BAKO NATIONAL PARK
Pick up and drive to Bako Village and take a short boat ride to Bako National Park. The park’s coastline is dotted with small bays and beaches and there are several trails to explore. After dinner go for a night walk. Overnight at the park accommodation. (B,L,D)
DAY 5
KUCHING
KUCHING
Following breakfast, depart for a final hike on one of the trails to spot the migratory birds and search for the proboscis monkey, a primate only found in Borneo. Return to the Pullman Hotel Kuching for the evening at leisure. (B,L)
Accommodation
Pullman Hotel
DAY 6
BATANG AI NATIONAL PARK
BATANG AI NATIONAL PARK

This morning drive through rural Sarawak, passing through pepper gardens and rubber plantations. Visit the colourful market in Serian town and stop to view wild orchids and pitcher plants. Upon arrival at the Batang Ai reservoir, proceed by longboat (1-2 hours) upriver to Nanga Sumpa Lodge. After dinner proceed to the longhouse across the river. Relax on the verandah and spend time with the Iban people, learn about their culture and enjoy some local rice wine. Overnight stay at the lodge. (B,L,D)

Accommodation
Nanga Sumpa Lodge
DAY 7
BATANG AI NATIONAL PARK
BATANG AI NATIONAL PARK
This morning, hike the jungle trails along the river and continue upriver by longboat to the Enseluai Waterfall. There is time to relax, swim and explore the rainforest or try fishing Iban-style. Return to the lodge. Dinner is served in the lodge after which there is time to visit the longhouse to spend more time with the Iban people. Overnight at the lodge. (B,L,D)
DAY 8
KUCHING
KUCHING
Following breakfast, depart downriver by longboat and then drive to Semengoh Wildlife Centre, a centre for orphaned or injured wildlife. Observe the feeding of the orangutans. Lunch is taken en-route. Proceed to Kuching and drop off at the Pullman hotel. (B,L)
Accommodation
Pullman Hotel
DAY 9
SEPILOK REHABILITATION CENTRE
SEPILOK REHABILITATION CENTRE

Today fly to Sandakan, via Kota Kinabalu. Upon arrival drive to MY Nature Resort which is just a short walk from the Sepilok Rehabilitation Centre. Enjoy time at leisure to visit for the afternoon orangutan feeding, a must see on any Borneo visit. Evening at leisure. (B,D)

Accommodation
MY Nature Resort
DAY 10
KINABATANGAN RIVER
KINABATANGAN RIVER
This morning visit the Sepilok Rehabilitation Centre to witness the morning orangutan feeding and the nursery (if open). 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. Return to Sandakan and board the cruise boat taking you through the Lower Kinabatangan Delta to Abai Jungle Lodge. Enjoy time at leisure to walk the nature boardwalk. Late afternoon cruise upriver in search of proboscis monkeys, birds and other wildlife. After dinner, depart for a night cruise and witness the glittering of the fireflies on the mangrove trees. (B,L,D)
Accommodation
Abai Jungle Lodge
DAY 11
KINABATANGAN RIVER
KINABATANGAN RIVER
Take an early morning boat trip to Pitas Lake for birdwatching and wildlife viewing, this is a great time to see wildlife as it's most active in the cool of the morning. Return to the lodge for breakfast. Visit the nearby Abai village and enjoy the tree planting project. Lunch will be served together with one of the families. Afterwards, depart by boat upriver to Sukau, another chance to search for the wildlife. Check-into the Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge. Enjoy free time until late afternoon and then go on a river cruise to the Menanggul River in search of proboscis monkeys, birds and other wildlife. (B,L,D)
Accommodation
Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge
DAY 12
TABIN WILDLIFE RESERVE
TABIN WILDLIFE RESERVE
This morning depart early and drive to Tabin Wildlife Resort. Check-in and enjoy free time.This afternoon, trek through the jungle to the Lipad mud volcano which serves as a mineral salt lick and attracts a lot of wildlife. Have a go at using the volcanic mud as an organic face pack! Walk up the observation tower and enjoy the view - birds are commonly sighted. After dinner, enjoy a night walk in search of nocturnal wildlife and birds. (B,L,D)
Accommodation
Tabin Wildlife Resort
DAY 13
TABIN WILDLIFE RESERVE
TABIN WILDLIFE RESERVE
Today there is an early morning bird walk available to discover some of the almost 300 bird species.After breakfast, trek through the lush green rainforest to visit the Lipad Waterfall. Take a dip in the natural pool and enjoy a refreshing shower under the waterfall. Alternatively explore the surrounding vegetation or simply relax. In the afternoon try out the Tabin Rainforest Foot Soak which is made with a natural blend of herbs, it will help to relax tired muscles after the long jungle treks. (B,L,D)
DAY 14
GAYA ISLAND
GAYA ISLAND
After breakfast, stroll to the nearby rock pool or riverside where groups of macaques and other small mammals can sometimes be seen. After lunch, depart Tabin and drive to Lahad Datu for the flight to Kota Kinabalu. Upon arrival, transfer to the jetty and take the resort transfer to Gaya Island Resort. Enjoy the evening at leisure. (B,L)
Accommodation
Gaya Island Resort
DAY 15
GAYA ISLAND
GAYA ISLAND
Day at leisure to relax at the resort, there is some excellent snorkelling available as well as diving and jungle walks with the resort naturalist. (B)
DAY 16
GAYA ISLAND
GAYA ISLAND
Day at leisure to relax at the resort. (B)
DAY 17
DEPARTURE
Return to the mainland and onwards to the airport for the flight back to the UK. (B)

Pricing Information

17 day tour, from £4295 per person

Price Includes

  • Return flights in economy class with Malaysia Airlines from London Heathrow via Kuala Lumpur
  • Domestic flights in Borneo
  • All airport taxes & security charges
  • Accommodation as stated on a bed and breakfast basis
  • Meals as specified (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner)
  • Private airport transfers in Kuching & Kota Kinabalu, shared excursions, boat transfers and river cruises elsewhere
  • All touring with English-speaking guides and drivers

Price Excludes

  • Travel Insurance
  • Tips and gratuities
  • Any meals not mentioned 

Price Includes

Price Excludes

Tour Route Map


  1. Borneo, Kuching
  2. Borneo, Bako National Park
  3. Borneo, Batang Ai National Park
  4. Borneo, Kuching
  5. Borneo, Sandakan
  6. Borneo, Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre
  7. Borneo, Kinabatangan River
  8. Borneo, Tabin Wildlife Reserve
  9. Borneo, Gaya Island
  10. Borneo, Kota Kinabalu

Tour Accommodation

Abai Jungle Lodge
Abai Jungle Lodge
Abai Jungle Lodge Abai Jungle Lodge is located close to the mouth of the Sulu Sea and offers 18 twin, double and triple rooms arranged in 6 units.All rooms have en-suite bathrooms, netted windows and......
Gaya Island Resort
Gaya Island Resort
Gaya Island Resort To book this special package, please contact our Borneo Specialists Stef or Emma to include a stay at the Gaya Island Resort on your Borneo adventure.Situated on Pulau Gaya......
Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge
Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge
Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge The Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge is located on the riverbank near the village of Sukau and in the larger Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary which was established in 2002 to......
Tabin Wildlife Resort
Tabin Wildlife Resort
Tabin Wildlife Resort The Tabin Wildlife Resort is comprised of 20 authentic Borneo timber bungalows, each housing a twin-bedded or double-bedded room with en-suite bathroom, hot water shower and......
Pullman Hotel
Pullman Hotel
Pullman Hotel Pullman Kuching is a contemporary hotel located in the heart of Kuching on top of the hill at Jalan Mathies offering panoramic view over the city and the Sarawak River. The hotel is......
Nanga Sumpa Lodge
Nanga Sumpa Lodge
Nanga Sumpa Lodge Nanga Sumpa Lodge provides clean and comfortable lodging whilst staying in Borneo with western-style toilets, mosquito nets, mattresses and bedding.The lodge has a total of 18 rooms......
MY Nature Resort
MY Nature Resort
MY Nature Resort MY Nature Resort is a new resort located a 10-minute walk to the Sepilok Rehabilitation Centre and Sun Bear Conservation Centre and a 5-minute walk to the Rainforest Discovery......

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