The Sabah Trail

The Sabah Trail
Tour Details
Duration:
10 days
Departure Date:
26 April 2014
This Trip Operates:
As a fixed tour date with a minimum of 4 people
Max Group Size:
8
What's Included:
  • 9 nights accommodation on twin-share basis in comfortable hotels & lodges
  • tour leader
  • private vehicle and driver throughout
  • all entrance fees as listed
  • many meals
Cost:
USD$3900

The forests on Borneo, the world's third largest island, are shrinking, day by day, yet it still remains home to some of the weirdest and most wonderful creatures on the planet, including the famed orange "man of the forest', the orangutan, and the bizarre proboscis monkey. Our 10-day journey through Sabah offers the chance to see some of the island's most incredible animals, in some of its most pristine habitat, both on land and sea, but we also take the time to look at some of the issues here and ensure your visit will contributing positively to the conservation economy in Borneo.

Day 1 | Kota Kinabalu

On day 1 people will be arriving throughout the day. We'll meet in the evening to get to know one another over dinner, and have an introductory briefing to the tour.

Day 2 | Mount Kinabalu National Park

Today we get our first taste of the island's rich biodeiversity, plus a chance to see Southeast Asia's highest mountain, Mt Kinabulu (weather permitting). We begin our journey into the heart of Sabah with a 2 hour drive through paddy fields and Dusun villages over the ridges of the Crocker Range to the foothills of Mt. Kinabalu at 1500m. Once at the park we'll have the chance to experience some of the weird and wonderful plant species which exist here, including the carnivorous pitcher plant and maybe the world's biggest flower, the giant Rafflesia Arnoldi which can grow to be nearly a metre across and emit a pungent aroma.

Day 3 | Sandakan

After breakfast we continue to Poring to explore tropical lowland rainforest and the jungle trail leading up to the treetop canopy walkways, suspended 41 meters above the forest floor across giant Mengaris trees. We'll also visit Kipungit Waterfall and take a relaxing soak in the hot sulphur pools. From here we'll proceed to Kundasang Memorial Park to learn part of Sabah's World War II history before returning to KK for our evening flight to Sandakan.

Day 4 | Selingan Island

After breakfast we head out by boat to beautiful Selingan Island (aka Turtle Island). An afternoon at leisure will give you plenty of time to explore the island, swim or even snorkel before learning about the incredible life cycle of the turtle. After dinner hopefully we'll get the chance to see green turtles laying their eggs on the beach and the transplanting of these eggs to the hatchery. The following morning early risers might even get to witness the release of baby turtles into the sea!

Day 5 - 6 | Sukau

Today we return to the mainland and transfer to the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre where we'll get to see the magical orange men of the forest up close and personal during their twice-daily feeding ritual. In the afternoon we head back onto the water, taking a boat journey Sabah's longest river, the Kinabatangan to the Sukau, one of Borneo's prime wildlife spotting habitats. This fantatically biodiverse region affords the chance to see proboscis monkeys, reticulated pythons, crocodiles, kingfishers, hornbills and much more. Whilst here you'll have have the option of planting trees as part of the Kinabatangan Wildlife Corridor Regeneration Programme (KWICORP).

Day 7 - 8 | Kapalai

After breakfast we make the long overland drive to Semporna from where we continue by boat to Kapalai, an incredible resort set on stilts above the ocean. Here you'll have a well needed rest for a few days to catch up on some reading, take in the aqua life and most importantly, soak up Borneo's incredible marine life – sea turtles, sting ray and eagle rays are all common sights here and they can all be viewed from the privacy of your own balcony.

Day 9 | Kota Kinabalu

After lunch we bid farewell to our floating paradise and transfer to Tawau Airport for  our flight to Kota Kinabalu where we'll enjoy a delicious farewell dinner.

Day 10 | Tour Ends

Tour ends after breakfast.