The Wilds of Borneo Photographic Tour

Borneo is a diverse Island, made up of 3 countries, Indonesia, Brunei and our destination, the state of Sabah in Malaysia. Sabah has much to offer a photographer from the deep steamy jungles to the long winding waterways and from the mysterious caves to the heights of Mount Kinabalu there are plentiful opportunities to get amazing photos. Sabah offers a varied amount of flora and fauna including the orang-utan, proboscis monkey, hornbills, and over 5000 species of flowering plants found nowhere else in the world.

We visit in June when there should be an abundance of fruit and flowers, which should increase our changes of seeing a variety of animals. We are intentionally visiting some remote jungle areas first in the hope of seeing wildlife in their natural environments and then we will visit some rehabilitation centres where will see orang-utan, sun bears and proboscis monkeys.

Our 12 day experience will begin in Kota Kinabalu where we will start with street photography in a bustling market before we visit a cultural village with locals in traditional dress who explain tribal customs and housing and finish with sunset over the bay.

We then take an early flight to Lahad Datu where we will meet our guide and driver and venture into the rain forest jungle to experience all that it has to offer. There will be plenty of opportunities to photograph a huge variety of flora as well as insects, spiders, birds as well as the chance of the wild animals like orang-utan, gibbon, macaque, otter and pygmy elephant. An early rise and drive deeper into the jungle will provide the perfect chance to witness the dawn rising and photograph the early morning mist and listen to the animals waking up and calling loudly to each other across the valley. A night drive will give us the chance to see some of the nocturnal animals like the flying squirrels, civet cat and leopard cat.

The Kinbanatang river is our next destination where we will do early morning and late afternoon cruises to photograph the proboscis monkey and many other primates (including an orang-utan if we are lucky), as well as crocodile, lizards and plentiful birdlife. The cruise back in the afternoon also provides a beautiful sunset along the river. There is an option to join a night walk when you can get up close with birds whilst they sleep and if you are fortunate see frogs and the tiny western Tasier.

On the drive from the river will we call in at a cave where not only is the bird nest is harvested but is also a favourite haunt of wild orang-utan. They are often spotted here quite close up and can be seen lazing in the canopies during the heat of the day.

We will venture to Sepilok where we will visit the orang-utan rehabilitation Centre that works with orphaned and stolen apes. We will visit the nursery and witness the released orang-utan coming back for a feed. We will also visit the Sun bear rehabilitation centre, the Rainforest Discovery Centre and Labuk bay for an up close experience with the proboscis monkey.

Our adventure will the head west towards Poring Hot Springs where we will walk to the waterfalls and Tropical Gardens where if we are lucky witness the Rafflesia in flower. Whilst in the area we will visit the Anzac Memorial Gardens in Kudisang. Continuing West we will stop at Mt. Kinabalu National Park that has some lovely forest trails covered with mosses and fungi. We will spend some time in the Botanical Gardens with a variety of orchids and other tropical flowers. Fingers crossed the clouds will clear so we have views of the mountain itself.

We will finish our tour back in Kota Kinabalu.

What's included

• Airport transfers
• Internal flight from Kota Kinabalu-Lahad Datu
• All internal transport and accommodation
• 13 days/12 nights in Borneo
• Entry fees
• Most meals on tour
• Highly experienced local guides and drivers
• Small group size
• Photographic support from professional photographer Anna-Mair Francis

What's not included

• Flights to/from Kota Kinabalu and your home City
• Evening meal on first evening
• Camera fees (local tax on photographers charged at some location approx total RM200)
• Tourism tax in hotels (RM10 per room/per night)
• Alcohol/soft drinks with meals
• Photographic equipment
• Laundry, gratuities, etc.
• Excess baggage
• Travel Insurance (we require a copy of your insurance before travel)

Availability

This tour is available on demand. Please specify your preferred date and time on the booking form.