7D/6N East Coast Wildlife Adventure
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The focus of this awe-inspiring week long itinerary is wildlife, wildlife and more wildlife! If you have always dreamt of cruising down tranquil rivers and trekking through steamy primary rainforests in search of pygmy elephants, orang-utans, proboscis monkeys, exotic birds, rare amphibians, elusive insects and much more then this trip is for you!
The itinerary starts in Sandakan (SDK) and finishes in Lahad Datu (LDU) from where you can catch a flight back to Kota Kinabalu or continue overland to Semporna. If there are other spots in Sabah you are hoping to visit then just let us know and we'll be happy to help you make a plan that truly suits you! |
Itinerary
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Day 1
08.30hrs: Pick up from your hotel in Sandakan or from Sandakan airport (SDK) and transfer to Sepilok in time for the 10 am feeding session in the Sepilok oran-utan sanctuary to see both the adult orang-utans at the main feeding platform and also the playful & naughty younger orang-utans in the nursery. Your next stop will be the Borneo Sun Bear conservation centre around 11am where you can spot sun bears from the raised walkways. You will have about 45mins to an hour with the sun bears before going for lunch at a local restaurant and continuing on to the Kinabatangan river. The transfer to the Kinabatangan will depart around 12.30pm and should take around 2 hours to reach Bilit jetty, from here it is just a short boat ride to reach the Nature Lodge Kinabatangan which is located at the Lower Kinabatangan River Sanctuary. Welcome drinks will be served upon arrival. After check-in and an orientation to the lodge we will head off for our first river cruise in search of wildlife and bird-life along the river banks. An optional guided night walk is available after dinner and will give you a chance to experience the jungle wildlife after dark! (Meals- L/D) Day 2 As day dawns, join our early morning River Cruise in search of more wildlife and birds. After breakfast, there will be a briefing on the morning trekking activity along the banks of the Kinabatangan river, normal departure is around 9am before things get too hot. During the trek you will learn about the area, the people that live in and around the Kinabatangan and how they make their living along with some of the ongoing projects in the area like tree re-planting. Return to the lodge for lunch and a chance for some down time to relax and explore your surroundings. As the afternoon draws to a close, we’ll head back out for another boat cruise along the Kinabatangan River with more wildlife spotting opportunities. Return to the lodge for dinner and decide whether to join our optional night walk into the jungle. (B/L/D) Day 3 Wake-up to the calls of gibbons and hornbills and join our 6am morning River Cruise for your final chance to spot pygmy elephants, orang utans, proboscis monkeys, hornbills and all types of other birds & monkeys. Return to the lodge for breakfast, check-out and head over to nearby Gomantong caves for a briefing about the significance of these caves to the local community. Spend around one hour exploring the cave and discovering more about the animals that call it home. Depart for Tabin wildlife reserve via Lahad Datu. Upon arrival check into your Tabin Wildlife Resort chalet and take a walk to explore the local Lipad River area, home to a surprising variety of birds, insects and small mammals. Discover the rich variety of jungle herbs, some endemic, used for generations by local folks for the treatment of various ailments. In the afternoon, trek with your guide from the Elephant trail to the active Lipad mud volcano which provides a mineral salt lick for wildlife, arrive at the elevated bare area of the mud volcano which is frequented by wildlife and birds. Try to identify the multitude of animal footprints here. The adventurous can try the effects of the volcanic mud, said to be responsible for a fine complexion. Trek from the mud volcano back to the main road. After dinner join the 4X4 night safari drive looking for nocturnal animals (B,L,D) Day 4 Start with an optional early morning bird walk to discover some of Tabin’s rich collection of almost 300 bird species. After breakfast, trek through the lush green rainforest known for its rich diversity of plants and animal species to visit Lipad Waterfall. Take a dip in the natural pool and enjoy a natural and refreshing shower under the waterfall. Alternatively explore the surrounding vegetation or simply relax. In the afternoon you may wish to try out the Tabin Rainforest Foot Soak made with a natural blend of herbs, to relax tired muscles after long jungle treks. As the sun sets, go on a dusk drive to look for nocturnal wildlife coming before returning to the lodge for dinner and an after dinner night walk on the nature trail nearby the resort (B,L,D) Day 5 After breakfast, free and easy until check out. You may opt to take up a dawn drive or jungle walk to look out for wildlife that is active at this time of the day. (Optional activity not included in package: Dawn Drive and Jungle Walk). Transfer out is at 1.30pm after lunch, next stop Danum valley! Upon arrival at the field centre, check and check out the area surrounding the center, this area teems with wildlife and it is not unusual for you to spot resident orang utan, hornbills etc. Return to center before sundown and enjoy dinner at 7pm. After dinner, go on an included night walk with your guide or arrange for an optional 4x4 night drive (additional activity at your own expense). (B,L,D) Day 6 Wake up early for an early morning nature and wildlife observation on the tree platform with your guide at 6am to see the forest come to life. Alternatively, you can also pre-arrange a 4x4 drive to Bukit Atur for a breathtaking sunrise experience atop a canopy of trees – please tell your guide in advance that you are interested in this and he can assist with booking accordingly (additional activity at your own expense). Return to center for breakfast and embark on a trail in the area if you wish. Spend late morning resting before having lunch. After lunch, take a dip at the Ulu Segama river before heading off for another trek – there are various types of trails and your guide can discuss this with you. Return to the center in late afternoon, in time to watch the sky change colour as the sun sets. After dinner, go on an included night walk with your guide or arrange for an optional 4x4 night drive (additional activity at your own expense). (B,L,D) Day 7 Wake up early to return to the tree platform for more wildlife sighting possibilities. Return to eating lounge for breakfast, and spend the rest of your morning at leisure until check out time at 11am. Arrive at Lahad Datu for onward travel at about 1pm. (B) |
Additional info |
Package includes: All transfers, accommodation and meals as stated above, guided tours and activities.
What to bring: Binoculars, Insect repellent, long sleeve shirts & long pants, raincoat, sun hat, swim wear, comfortable trekking shoes, torch light, water bottle, personal toiletries and leech socks. |
Price per person |
Pricing depends on group size, room type and transfers, please enquire.
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To Book |
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