Borneo Family Adventure
Example Itinerary
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Overview
A stunning journey through some of Sabah’s most spectacular landscapes, this thrilling family adventure is filled with natural and cultural highlights, taking you from the city of Kota Kinabalu and into Sepilok and the wildlife rich ecosystems of the Kinabatangan River and Tabin Wildlife Reserve. Journey's end sees you on the beaches of Gaya Island to take in the island’s marine ecosystems and pristine beaches.
Arrive in Kota Kinabalu and head into the countryside ...
A stunning journey through some of Sabah’s most spectacular landscapes, this thrilling family adventure is filled with natural and cultural highlights, taking you from the city of Kota Kinabalu and into Sepilok and the wildlife rich ecosystems of the Kinabatangan River and Tabin Wildlife Reserve. Journey's end sees you on the beaches of Gaya Island to take in the island’s marine ecosystems and pristine beaches.
Arrive in Kota Kinabalu and head into the countryside to stay in a farmstay. Walk through the villages and stunning landscapes before taking part in harvesting local produce from the farms to be prepared by your gracious hosts. Learn how to cook the food of the region, blow a dart pipe, make handicrafts and sieve rice.
This incredible adventure then continues to Sepilok to meet the orphaned orangutans at the Orangutan Sanctuary and beautiful sun bears of Dr Wong’s Conservation Centre. Then it is on to your lodge along the Kinabatangan river, where you will have a chance to enjoy boat safaris, visit the local Orang Sungai people and witness fireflies dance above the waters. Continue on to Tabin Wildlife Reserve for more safaris through the rainforest before finally reaching your villa on Gaya Island, a paradise ideal for kayaking, snorkelling and relaxing on the beach.
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
How Tailor-Made Works
Discuss your initial ideas with one of our experts, the types of things you want to see and do.
Your expert will start designing your perfect trip. Within a day or two we'll send a suggested itinerary.
At this stage you can still tweak anything from accommodation to experiences and dates, using our expert advice.
Time to prepare for your trip, safe in the knowledge you'll be in the expert hands of local guides and drivers throughout.
Relax and enjoy...through our partners you'll have support on the ground as well as 24-hour emergency assistance in the UK.
Example Itinerary
This is an example itinerary. Our experts have all travelled widely in the region and will be happy to tailor any of our itineraries to suit your tastes and budget, or build a trip from scratch.
Day 1 Arrive Kota Kinabalu – Kiulu Farmstay: Village Walk
On arrival you will be met and driven to the countryside with a short stop at Tamparuli Suspension Bridge and the nearby local market, passing the scenic view of the Kiulu Valley. Enjoy a traditional lunch and in the afternoon, continue on for a leisurely village walk which will offer you stunning landscapes of the scenic valley as you pass the local school, lush paddy fields and a hanging bridge. After dinner, meet with the local people and learn about the village history and folktales before retiring to bed.
Day 2 Kiulu Farmstay: Local Farm
After breakfast, take a refreshing walk to visit the local farm and garden. Try your hand at rice planting and net fishing. Picking your own lunch will give a true farm to table food experience. Afterwards, head back to the kitchen for the opportunity to interact and be taught directly by local resident cooks while they prepare you a locally grown lunch. Watch (and participate in!) a demonstration of cultural activities such rice sieving, blow pipe, handicrafts, playing musical instruments and traditional games.
Day 3 Kota Kinabalu – Sandakan – Sepilok: Sun Bear Centre
You will have the opportunity this morning to wash in the nearby river and be cleansed by nature before catching your morning flight to Sandakan. This afternoon with a visit to the Sun Bear Conservation Centre for a morning with the founder Dr Wong. This centre aims to increase awareness of this endearing, but little-known bear species – named after the crescent shaped patch of fur on their chests that resembles the rising sun. There are currently 44 rescued ex-captive sun bears residing at the BSBCC. The facility includes large forest enclosures to provide a natural environment suited to the needs and welfare of the sun bears and facilitate their rehabilitation back into the wild. Have a private presentation on the Sun Bears with a personal tour around the facility from the founder himself.
Day 4 Sepilok – Kinabatangan (Abai): Orangutan Sanctuary
This morning you will visit the world’s largest orangutan rehabilitation centre located in Sepilok. At the centre, you can witness the orangutans being fed by the rangers. Stroll the jungle-flanked wooden walkways to the central platform; orangutans can sometimes be seen from these platforms, so you should have your cameras ready. You will then be driven to the Sandakan Jetty to board a shared boat cruise to the village of Abai, passing through a landscape alive with monitor lizards, serpent eagles and crocodiles. Upon arrival at your lodge, enjoy lunch before setting off for an afternoon river expedition in search of wildlife in an open-topped river boat. You might get the opportunity to photograph wild orangutans, pygmy elephants, proboscis monkeys and other wildlife. If the weather is good, you should be able to see and photograph fireflies at a very challenging low-light condition. After dinner, you shall take a night stroll along the boardwalks on a lookout for nocturnal animals and interesting insects.
Day 5 Kinabatangan (Abai - Sukau): Boat Safari
After breakfast there is a chance to explore the nature board walk around the lodge area, before transferring to Sukau by boat. Every year, monsoon rains flood Malaysian Borneo’s Kinabatangan River basin, filling jungle waterways and nourishing the habitats of some of the planet’s most unusual species: wild orangutans, pygmy elephants, and proboscis monkeys. This evening, meander along the Kinabatangan with your local guide to spot the nocturnal activity along the river. Returning to the resort, enjoy dinner before meeting the resort’s naturalist for an informative talk and presentation on the river.
Day 6 Kinabatangan (Sukau): Lake Cruise & Fishing Village
After an early wake up call, embark on a morning river cruise in search of waking wildlife and birds which are most active in the morning, on the way to the Danau Pitas Ox-Bow Lake. The area is known for its herd of Asian elephants. Continue to visit the local fishing village, Kampung Abai where you can meet with local Orang Sungai people and observe the daily activities in this tiny fishing village. Return to a full breakfast and then set off for another cruise up the Kinabatangan River to Menanggul River in search of wildlife. Return for a candle light dinner and slide show conducted by the naturalist guide. After dinner, enjoy a night safari cruise spotting nocturnal animals, crocodiles and birds.
Day 7 Kinabatangan (Sukau) - Lahad Datu – Tabin Wildlife Reserve: Mud Volcano
Departing Kinabatangan this morning, you will drive to Tabin via Lahad Datu which will take approximately 3 hrs. Check into the charming timber bungalow of Tabin Wildlife Resort, set amongst the rainforest alongside the Lipad River. In the afternoon, a short trek brings you to the Lipad mud volcano which serves as a mineral salt lick for wildlife, where you can try to identify any animal footprints and walk up the observation tower. After dinner, enjoy a slide presentation on Tabin’s uniqueness, followed by a night safari to look out for nocturnal wildlife and birds.
Day 8 Tabin Wildlife Reserve: Rainforest River Swim
After breakfast, stroll to the nearby rock pool or wander along the river where groups of macaques and other small mammals can sometimes be seen. Choose to take a dip in the river or simply listen to the sound of nature. In the afternoon you may wish to try out the Tabin Rainforest Foot Soak made with a natural blend of tropical herbs that help relax tired muscles after jungle treks. Dinner followed by a night safari to look out for nocturnal wildlife and birds.
Day 9 Tabin Wildlife Reserve – Gaya Island: To the Beach
You have the morning to further explore the rainforest before being driven overland to Lahad Datu for your late afternoon flight to Kota Kinabalu. On arrival in Kota Kinabalu, you will be met by your local guide and taken to the Bunga Raya Resort on Gaya Island for a three-night stay.
Day 10 Gaya Island: Island Activities
Bunga Raya Island Resort is set on a coral reef island just off the coast of Borneo. A secluded island hideaway, the resort is tucked away on a tranquil and hidden bay framed by crescent shaped white sand beach on one side and the centuries old virgin jungle on the other. Spend your days relaxing on the beach or taking part in the resorts numerous activities. Included in your stay is use of the kayaks and paddle boards, as well as entrance fees to the Gayana Marine Resort.
Day 11 Gaya Island: Island Activities
Another day exploring the island or simply relaxing in your villa.
Day 12 Gaya Island - Kota Kinabalu: Departure
You will be transferred to Kota Kinabalu for your flight home.
EXAMPLE ACCOMMODATION
Bunga Raya Island Resort, Gaya Island
Bunga Raya Island Resort is set on a coral reef island just off the coast of Borneo. A secluded island hideaway of 47 timbered villas, the resort is tucked away on a tranquil and hidden bay framed by crescent shaped white sand beach on one side and the centuries old virgin jungle on the other. Each private villa is rough hewn and hand-crafted by local tradesmen, terraced into the hillside reflecting the traditional simplicity of the Borneo architectural style, blending seamlessly with the comforts and needs of the most sophisticated and discerning luxury traveller. Private balconies offer jaw dropping vistas of the beach below and the South China Sea beyond. Villas range from simple timbered dwellings, steps from the beach, to opulent 3 bedroom, multi-level units with wrap around decks and indulgent private plunge pools. A dedicated hilltop spa, with exotic private spa pavilions, blends the very finest of Traditional Asian and Western treatments which capture restorative powers of indigenous plants and oils.
Sepilok Nature Lodge, Sandakan
Within walking distance from the world-famous Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, deep in a forest of tropical orchids and towering trees, the charming Sepilok Nature Lodge combines modern comforts with traditional style. Its twin bedded chalets provide en suite bathrooms, air conditioning and lake or jungle views, whilst the surrounding gardens boast over 150 species of Asian orchid. The lovely wooden lodge restaurant provides a fusion of local and western cuisines overlooking the rainforest canopies.
Kinabatangan Wetlands Resort, Kinabatangan (Abai)
Kinabatangan Wetlands Resort is a gem located in Abai, a quieter area of the Lower Kinabatangan Floodplain, about an hour’s boat ride from Sandakan harbour. If you are looking for something exclusive and away from the main tourist hotspots of Sukau and Bilit, Kinabatangan Wetlands Resort is the place to go. The resort is surrounded by secondary forest reserves, and is located within beautiful nipah and mangrove vegetation. Apart from the river cruises, you can spend time relaxing and observing nature from your chalet, a myriad of birds and monkeys, such as silver leaf langurs, maroon langurs, hose langurs, and wild orangutan are regularly spotted within the area. Raised boardwalks are available for night walks and morning strolls. NB, Please be careful on the boardwalks as they can be slippery after rain.
Sukau Rainforest Lodge, Kinabatangan (Sukau)
The lodge has previously been awarded status as a National Geographic Unique Lodge of the World, one of only 25 in the world, and the only one in Southeast Asia. It is the only lodge that uses electric motor on all river boats, and has a great range of facilities for such a remote area (it is the only lodge with a plunge pool and has relaxing and well designed communal areas). Aside from the excellent wildlife spotting the resort offers foot massage, nightly wildlife talks by the in-house expert, and has some lovely trails to explore from the lodge.
Tabin Wildlife Resort, Tabin Nature Reserve
Tabin Wildlife Resort has a spectacular setting amongst the rainforest in eastern Sabah. The reserve holds extraordinary diversity and is a dedicated area for the breeding of wildlife and birdlife, including the Borneo pygmy elephant. The accommodation consists of 20 spacious riverside lodges. Ten overlook the river and ten are slightly further away on the steep hillside, each with private balcony, airconditioning and a fan, and a private bathroom, The Sunbird cafe serves simple western and local cuisine - depending on how busy the lodge is, this will be buffet or a la carte. Add waterfalls, mud-volcanoes, trekking, specialised bird-watching, dawn drives and night walks into the equation, and Tabin offers a truly outstanding addition to any Borneo itinerary.
Hotel Rating
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Hotel Rating
Accommodation listed here is intended as a guide only, to give you a taste of what we can do. Our experts can tailor any aspect of this itinerary and accommodation to suit your budget and tastes.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
MEALS
TRANSPORT
ENTRANCE FEES
EXPERT TEAM
ACCOMMODATION
WILD MILES
ACCOMMODATION
Wild Miles Club
When you book a trip with Wild Frontiers you are awarded points, which are based on the return distance from London to the arrival city of your trip. Points are awarded for all our holidays, including both our escorted group tours and tailor-made trips. When you accrue points, you will qualify for the following discounts on all future bookings:
| Blue | More than 10,000 points | 2.5% discount |
| Bronze | More than 30,000 points | 5% discount |
| Silver | More than 45,000 points | 7.5% discount |
| Gold | More than 60,000 points | 10% discount |
This itinerary is aimed to give you an idea of what we can offer. The price shown above is per person, based on a family of four (children 12 years or younger), travelling outside of peak periods. As this itinerary is only a suggestion and can be tailor-made to suit your interests and budget, your final price may differ.
Positive Impact of this Trip
Making a Difference
Community Tourism
People and local communities have always been at the heart of Wild Frontiers and the travel experiences we offer. Through community tourism we have the opportunity to generate real positive impact, supporting people we visit through sustainable local development, and in turn help to alleviate poverty and protect culture and environments in often more vulnerable destinations. While doing so, our clients gain richer travel experiences and more meaningful connections with the people they meet.
Conservation and Climate Action
As a travel company, we hold a responsibility to minimise our environmental footprint and contribute to sustainability, and work closely with local communities to support their efforts. By implementing initiatives such as carbon measuring, tree-planting, reducing single-use plastic and promoting eco-friendly practices, we can help mitigate the negative impacts of tourism on fragile ecosystems and local communities. Additionally, prioritising conservation efforts helps preserve natural habitats and wildlife, ensuring that future generations can continue to enjoy the wonders of our planet.
Wild Frontiers Foundation
The Wild Frontiers Foundation aims to provide a platform to create awareness, raise money and deliver funding to projects in countries where we operate as a travel company. Through the foundation, we are able to channel money into grass roots projects, which we have either established ourselves or support through charity partners. These include initiatives focused around education, the empowerment of local people and community conservation.
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