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Activities |
Duration |
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River safaris in search of Proboscis
monkeys and other wildlife, Sepilok, Turtle Islands |
4d/3n full board |
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Rates - 4 or more participants |
Rates - 2 participants |
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RM 1588 per person |
RM 1688 per person |
In search of wildlife in Sabah! This trip gives you one of the best
possible insights into Sabah's astoundingly varied flora & fauna within a
very short time span. It is an adventure ideal for all; there is not much
walking or hiking, but lots of boat trips, and lots of wildlife such as
proboscis monkeys and orang utans, giant sea turtles, hornbills, maybe
crocodiles and with
some luck even Borneo pigmy elephants.
Itinerary
Day 1 0900 hrs Meet at the lobby of your hotel in Sandakan (or at
the airport -
suggested flight MH2042, arriving in Sandakan 0740 h).
You are taken to the jetty for a boat ride to
Selingaan Island – the famous “Turtle
Islands”. During calm seas the journey takes approximately one hour. On
arrival register at the Turtle Island Parks HQ and check into your
chalet. Lunch is served at the Cafeteria, at 12.30 noon. The afternoon
is at your free leisure. Profit of the snorkelling grounds, go swimming,
or laze away in the sun. Dinner is served at 7.30 pm, but before that
you are taken to the small but interesting exhibition hall, and you are
shown a video on Turtle Island explaining the philosophy and
conservation work. After dinner wait for the rangers’ call to observe a
turtle laying eggs. You will gain first hand experience of the work of
the rangers, and witness how they transfer the freshly laid eggs to the
hatchery. If there are any young turtle hatchlings - virtually every
night - you have the opportunity to observe the release of the turtles
into the sea. By that time it is often already midnight…
Overnight in Chalets with common or attached bathroom; meals:
lunch, dinner
Day 2 0700 hrs depart for Sandakan. After breakfast proceed
overland to the world famous
Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre,
ca 30 minutes outside Sandakan. Experience a close encounter with the
“Wild Man of Borneo”. In Sepilok orphaned and captive or pet Orang Utans
are being rehabilitated to live an independent life in the jungle.
Before you enter the forest reserve a video is shown explaining the
philosophy and work of the rangers at Sepilok. At 10 am you witness the
feeding of the free roaming orang utans. At 1100 hrs return back
to the Sandakan jetty for a river journey up the mighty Kinabatangan
River, Sabah’s longest river. The cruise through the estuary and lower
Kinabatangan River Sanctuary to Kampung Abai, where lunch will be
served, takes about one hour. After lunch the river cruise continues.
Watch as the environment changes from Nipah to Mangrove forests, and
then to lower Dipterocarp forests – and have your binoculars ready for
you might spot some of Borneo’s elusive wildlife. After about two hours
you arrive in Kampung Sukau where you check into your chalet on the
river. After some refreshments continue exploring Borneo’s wildlife:
join a boat ride up the Menanggul River, a small tributary of the
Kinabatangan in search of wildlife, notably the curious
Proboscis monkeys. This unique creature
is endemic to Borneo and exists no where else in the world. By nightfall
return to the lodge for a lavish dinner of Malaysian and local “Sungai”
specialities.
Overnight in chalets at the Old Ben’s Kinabatangan Riverside
Lodge; meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 3 wake up to the calls of gibbons and hornbills. Join an
early morning river cruise (6 am) to an Ox Bow Lake to observe wildlife
and experience the particular ambiance on the longest river in Sabah.
You can go for some light jungle walks along the lake in search of more
wildlife. Return to the lodge for breakfast, after which you are free at
your own leisure (optional Gomantong Caves can be organised upon
pre-arrangement – see below). You might want to go for light jungle
trekking in the forest and hills right behind the lodge. After lunch in
the late afternoon join another boat trip in search of more wildlife.
Overnight at the lodge; meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 4 0700 hrs depart to Sandakan by boat. The trip takes two to
three hours and takes you again past the villages in the unique
Kinabatangan Floodplain, and through the vast Nipah palm groves at the
estuary of the mighty river. With some luck you will be able to see some
more wildlife. Back visit the Puh Jih Syi Buddhist Temple, which offers
a panoramic view of Sandakan and Sandakan Bay. Lunch will be served at a
local hotel. The tour ends with transfer back to your hotel in Sandakan,
or directly to the airport (recommended flight: MH2709, dept Sdk 1415,
arr KK 1500).
Overnight: none; meals: breakfast and lunch
Inclusive of:
• All transfers in air conditioned vehicles
• All excursions as stated
• All meals as stated
• All entrance fees
• All accommodation
• English speaking tour guide throughout
Not included:
• Flight to and from Sandakan (around RM550 per person return), or
hotel in Sandakan, other meals than stated, camera and video fees where
applicable (Selingaan, Sepilok, Gomantong), tips and other personal
expenses
• Visit of Gomantong Caves (surcharge):
The visit of the Gomantong Caves can be arranged on day 3: the caves are
about 30 minutes’ drive (depending on road conditions) from Sukau, and
they are famous for their edible bird’s nests. A 15-minute walk on a
plank way takes you to explore the awe inspiring caves where millions of
bats and swiftlets roost. Twice a year the nests of the swiftlets are
collected for the famous Chinese Birdnest soup, which is tonic and
supposedly rejuvenating. The visit is recommended during the harvesting
of the birds nests. The seasons for harvesting are somewhat fluctuating
(April and October) but we will be pleased to make an inquiry of your
tour dates coincide with the harvesting. The tour will be conducted for
a minimum of two participants at a supplement of RM100 per person
(subject to change in 2009, according to Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary
permits),
inclusive of entrance fees and guide.
Recommended Personal Gear
Travel as light as possible (luggage storage on the boats is
restricted): casual, tropical attire is acceptable throughout; walking
shoes, sandals, sun screen lotion, raingear, sun hat, torch light,
binoculars, personal toiletries, insect repellent. Please note that for
the Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre it is advised not to wear
brightly coloured garments.
IMPORTANT
Please take note that Sabah Parks do not allow to take photos of the
turtles with a flash; video recording of the turtles is prohibited at
all times and you are not allowed to go around the island from nightfall
to sunrise. These rules are strictly enforced as not to interrupt the
breeding process of the turtles.
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Related features on this site: |
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Morning on the Kinabatangan River - Sukau Lodge
Varied bird life
No swimming in the Kinabatangan! (close to Sukau Lodge)
Long tail macaques are common
Gomantong Caves during harvesting of birds nests
Sandakan bay from Puh Jih Syi
Chalet on Selingaan Island |
