Borneo’s rainforests are a simply magical home for some of Asia’s most charismatic wildlife from orangutans to pygmy elephants. This private Borneo wildlife holiday, led by expert private guides, will introduce you to its most cherished destinations including the Danum Valley and the Kinabatangan River while staying at its finest jungle lodges.
April is a particularly enjoyable time to visit with drier weather, prime orangutan viewing and great trekking conditions.
Price depends on the experiences and accommodation included, and your time of travel. It is based on two adults travelling for 11 nights and does not include international flights.
2 nights at Sutera Nepenthes Villa, 3 nights at Sukau Lodge, 2 nights at Utan Rainforest Lodge, 3 nights at Borneo Rainforest Lodge, 1 night at Shangri-La Rasa Ria
What makes this journey special?
- Unforgettable primate encounters: orangutans, gibbons, proboscis monkeys, silvered langurs, red leaf monkeys and slow lorises are just some of the species you’re likely to see..
- Explore a 130-million-year-old rainforest in the Danum Valley and experience a thrilling canopy walk among towering trees.
- Drift the Kinabatangan River in search of pygmy elephants and explore pristine mangrove channels looking for Irrawaddy river dolphin.
- Look for giant pitcher plants, rafflesia and rare endemic birds in the Kinabalu highlands.
- Night safaris to look for Borneo’s most secretive wildlife from clouded leopard to mouse deer.
The Journey:
Rare plants and cool air
The Kinabalu Highlights
A wonderful way to acclimatise before the sweltering heat of Borneo’s lowland rainforest is to begin in the Kinabalu Highlands, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From your luxury private villa, when you’re not relaxing and drinking in the extraordinary view, you have access to a huge network of trails through the montane forest. We’ll set you up with a private botanical guide who can take you to look for rare orchids, giant pitcher plants and rafflesia, the world’s largest flower, whose alternative name is the stinking corpse lily. If you’re (un)lucky enough to find one, you’ll know why it got its name! Alternatively seek out some of the rare endemic birds that inhabit the highlands including the mountain blackeye and the Kinabalu friendly warbler.
Orangutans and pygmy elephants
The Kinabatangan River
Flying to Sandakan, you’ll arrive at your Kinabatangan River lodge by boat. The forests, wetlands, and mangroves here support some of Borneo’s most iconic and vulnerable species. With your private guide, experience Borneo’s remarkable biodiversity up close. Among the most prominent are proboscis monkeys, unique to Borneo, easily recognizable by their distinctive large noses and often seen in groups along the riverbanks. Orangutans are frequently spotted in the forest canopy, while Bornean pygmy elephants, the smallest elephant subspecies, are occasionally seen grazing near the river or crossing its waters.
Rare cats and primates
Virgin Jungle Reserve
The rainforests and coastal mangroves of newly designated Borneo’s Virgin Jungle Reserve are an exceptional place to search for iconic species such as proboscis monkeys, orangutans and sun bears, as well as rarities such as the clouded leopard, Irrawaddy dolphin and helmeted hornbill. Based at Utan Rainforest Lodge, explore the reserve with your guide by boat and on foot. Wildlife hides offer opportunities to photograph sought-after species like the Borneo ground-cuckoo and view what’s been captured on the camera traps. Night safaris here are especially rewarding with slow loris, tarsier and leopard cat sightings all possible.
Myth and magic
Danum Valley
Around 130 million years old, the Danum Valley is the archetypal primary rainforest of your imagination. Giant trees tower up to 100 metres above you, and there are endless plant species to marvel at. No trip to Borneo would be complete without experiencing this critically important wildlife sanctuary, and award-winning Borneo Rainforest Lodge is without doubt the place to stay. The valley has the highest concentration of wild orangutans in the world (around 500 live here) and is also an important refuge for pygmy elephant and clouded leopard. Accompanied by your expert guide, walk the jungle trails in search of wildlife, and explore the thrilling canopy walk, best experienced as the gibbons are summoning up the dawn.
Where you'll stay
Great journeys need great places to lay your head. These are our tried and tested suggestions.
Sutera Nepenthes Villa
The Sutera Nepenthes Villa, located in Sabah’s Kinabalu Park, offers a private retreat amidst Borneo’s lush highlands at the base of Mount Kinabalu, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The villa features spacious living areas, a fully equipped kitchen, and cosy fireplaces to ward off the mountain chill. Enjoy stunning views of mist-covered valleys and soaring peaks, explore nearby hiking trails, or join guided nature walks to discover the park’s rich biodiversity, including rare orchids and pitcher plants.
Sukau Lodge
Award-winning Sukau Rainforest Lodge, on Borneo’s Kinabatangan River, offers a conservation-forward experience amid one of the world’s richest ecosystems. Boat cruises along the river offer sightings of critically endangered wildlife such as proboscis monkeys, pygmy elephants, and orangutans, while guided jungle walks–by day and at night–allow you to see exotic birds, civet cats and flying squirrels. The lodge’s relaxed atmosphere also invites you to simply unwind, enjoy the tranquil river views and delicious Bornean cuisine.
Utan Rainforest Lodge
Located in Borneo’s newly created Virgin Jungle Reserve, where the lowland rainforest meets coastal mangroves, Utan Rainforest Lodge offers access to a wide range of Borneo specialties including sun bear, helmeted hornbill and the incredibly rare Irrawaddy river dolphin. Every morning, wake to the sounds of gibbons and hornbills calling before heading out to explore the trails or waterways. The 14 air-conditioned rooms, dotted amongst the rainforest, provide a comfortable base, and there is an excellent restaurant, and a pool for cooling off after your wildlife adventures.
Borneo Rainforest Lodge
Dwarfed by the sky-scraping dipterocarp rainforest of Borneo’s iconic Danum Valley and accessible only by light aircraft or a rugged drive, Borneo Rainforest Lodge feels a million miles from civilisation. The lodge’s 30 private chalets and villas, with their expansive glass windows, open-air verandas, and the forest sounds ever-present, immerse you directly into nature without sacrificing luxury. By day, explore the canopy walkway and vast network of trails or search for orangutans and rare birds along the river, while guided night safaris offer the thrilling possibility of clouded leopard and slow loris.
Shangri-La Rasa Ria
Set in a forested reserve in front of a white sand beach 45 minutes from Kota Kinabalu, the Shangri-La Rasa Ria is a larger and less personal luxury hotel than we would usually recommend, but is the best in the area and perfectly acceptable for a night or two to top or tail your exploration of Sabah. In addition to the usual five-star facilities, the Shangri-La does have excellent cuisine, a wide range of water sports and the opportunity to take a guided walk after dark to look for sambar deer and civet cats aided by night-vision goggles.
Customise your journey
All of our journeys are fully bespoke, and can be customised to meet your needs, interests and preferences. Here are a few ideas to inspire you.
Add a few days at world-class Bawah Reserve in the pristine marine paradise of the Anambas Islands, enjoying wild adventures and truly indulgent relaxation.
Include some time at the Deramakot Forest Reserve, whose undisturbed forests are probably the best place on Earth to see clouded leopard.
Take a helicopter trip to the Maliau Basin, a lost world of waterfalls and sheer escarpments offering challenging but rewarding trekking.
Combine Sabah with Malaysian Borneo’s other half: Sarawak. The food of Kuching, a jungle longhouse stay, Bako National Park and the incredible caves of Mulu are all amazing.
Mainland Malaysia makes a wonderful extension from the tea plantations of the Cameron Highlands to colonial Georgetown and the skyscrapers of Kuala Lumpur.
Looking for more inspiration?
We have a huge range of inspiring private experiences and accommodation options available. Get in touch with our Borneo specialists.
ENQUIRELearn more about our luxury holidays, or call our expert Asia team on +44 1367 850566 / 1-855-216-5040 (toll free) to discuss how we can turn your dreams into something truly magical.
“On earth there is no heaven, but there are pieces of it.”