Winding through Sabah's lowlands for over 500 kilometres to the Sulu Sea, the Kinabatangan River is a mosaic of riparian forest, oxbow lakes, nipah swamp and mangroves which supports a wide variety of mammal and birdlife. These have grown surprisingly tolerant of human presence.
Kinabatangan’s vast hinterland is peppered with jungle and limestone caves, including the famed Gomantong Caves, home to millions of swiflets and bats, and a source of edible bird’s nest for centuries.
The sanctuary is one of only two areas in the world inhabited by ten species of primate, four of which are endemic to Borneo. It is also one of two places in the world where four medium-sized colobines inhabit the same place: namely proboscis monkey, silvered langur, maroon langur, and Hose’s or grey langur.
Other fauna found here include: orangutan, long-tailed macaque, pig-tailed macaque, Bornean gibbon, two nocturnal primates – western tarsier and slow loris, Asian elephant, wild cattle and pigs, and deer. Carnivores include the world’s smallest bear, the Malay sun bear, and four feline species: clouded leopard, leopard cat, marbled cat and flat-headed cat. Among the numerous other small mammals are otters, rats and civets, whilst reptiles include reticulated python, tortoise, freshwater terrapin, monitor lizard and crocodile.
Over 200 species of birds are found here. These include eight species of hornbill, oriental darter, several species of egret, Storm’s stork, Sunda ground cuckoo, stork-billed kingfisher, Brahminy kite, crested serpent eagle, greater coucal; plus herons, hawks, ospreys, buffy fish owl, frogmouths, bulbuls, flowerpeckers, spiderhunters, drongos, and more!
A dedicated small group mammal watching holiday to Borneo’s rainforests in pursuit of the region's rarest mammal species, including the iconic Bornean orangutan, Asian elephant, the secretive Malay sun bear and the majestic Sunda clouded leopard, alongside a fabulous variety of reptiles, amphibians and birds.
Find out more about Borneo’s Rare Mammals
Join acclaimed photographers Nick Garbutt and Alex Hyde to explore Borneo's fascinating habitats and photograph the incredible diversity that lives within them. The forests, rivers and caves of Sabah are home to a huge variety of wildlife that provides no end of photographic opportunities.
Find out more about Borneo Rainforest Photography Workshop
Bornean orangutans are highly endangered, but on this specially designed itinerary we explore the finest locations in Sabah to observe these wonderful primates in the wild. As an introduction though, we also visit Sepilok where these remarkable apes are rehabilitated back to a life in the forest.
Find out more about Borneo’s Orangutans
Explore the lower slopes of Borneo’s highest mountain, navigate Malaysia’s second longest river, and delve deep into the world’s oldest rainforest on this wildlife trip to encounter Sabah’s hidden secrets and spectacular wildlife including endemic primates and colourful birdlife.
Find out more about Borneo’s Wildlife
Search for the wildlife of the interiors amongst the dense jungle and remote rivers of Sabah & Sarawak. Designed to introduce you to the area's top eco-destinations, highlights include a visit to a headhunter tribe, watching orangutans in Sepilok, and Tabin Reserve, home to some of Borneo’s unique species.
Find out more about Sabah & Sarawak Adventure
Travel to Borneo on a trip that visits some of the best places to see Sabah’s wildlife. Enjoy boat trips to discover the extraordinary wildlife on the Kinabatangan River, including proboscis monkey, orangutan and Bornean pygmy elephant, and spend four nights at one of our favourite lodges in the Danum Valley.
Find out more about Sabah Wildlife Special
A unique and comprehensive exploration, by day and by night, of Borneo’s wildlife, including endemic birds and mammals and a host of rarely seen nocturnal species. Visiting Mount Kinabalu, Deramakot Forest Reserve, the Kinabatangan River and Tabin Wildlife Reserve, it offers the very best of wild Borneo.
Find out more about Wild Borneo
Destination: Borneo
Price
(inc. flights): 15 days
from £7,295
Trip type:
Group Tour
Tailor-made can be arranged
When to go:
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Suggested accommodation options are shown below.
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Accessible by boat or road transport, this lodge consists of timber-built chalets connected by walkways. There are various spots around the lodge for viewing the surrounding nature and wildlife, including a bird observation tower and a jungle trail where red leaf monkey and wild orangutan are often seen.
Find Out More about Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge
Positioned on a remote stretch of the Kinabatangan River in an area teeming with life, Kinabatangan Wetlands Resort delivers an outstanding wildlife experience. The property provides spacious chalet accommodation on a series of raised walkways and various species pass through during the day and night.
Find Out More about Kinabatangan Wetlands Resort
