12 Days Birding And Bird Photography Tours In Sabah, Borneo

Birding tours at Tambunan Rafflesia Centre, Kinabalu National Park, Sepilok Forest Reserve, Kinabatangan River and Danum Valley Forest Reserve

Tours available in 2017-2030.

Custom made trips also available.

Day 1 - 5: Tambunan Rafflesia Centre and Kinabalu National Park ~ Breakfast

Depart early to Tambunan Rafflesia Centre for Mountain Barbet, Bornean Bulbul and Bornean Barbet. Stay at 7 Lodge, Tambunan and continue to Kinabalu National Park for another 2 nights. This is one of the best places in Borneo to search for the endemic such as the Whitehead’s Trogon, Broadbill and Spiderhunter.  Early start in the morning at Power Station for species that is confined to the montane forest such as Mountain Blackeye. Visit includes Mt. Alab, Mt. Trusmadi and Mahua Waterfall for other forest species such as Yellow-bellied Warbler, Horsfield's Babbler and Gold-whiskered Barbet. Overnight.


Type of accommodations:

Standard

• The Cottage Hotel http://www.thecottagehotel.com.my
• 7 Lodge https://www.oyorooms.com/my/100455/
  

Other option: Deluxe

• Kinabalu Pine Resort http://kinabalupineresort.com

 

Whitehead's Trogon

Whitehead's Broadbill

Whitehead's Spiderhunter

Fruithunter

Mountain Serpent Eagle

Day 5 - 6: Sepilok Forest Reserve ~ Breakfast

Overland to Sandakan for few hours. Along the way, stop for Black Eagle, Wreathed Hornbill and White-fronted Falconet. Check in to Sepilok Bed & Breakfast and birding at Rainforest Discovery Centre, Sepilok. Overnight. Main highlight is Bornean Bristlehead, Violet Cuckoo and Rufous-collared Kingfisher.

Type of accommodations:

Standard

• Sepilok Bed & Breakfast http://www.sepilokbednbreakfast.com.my/ 

Other option: Deluxe

• My Nature Resort https://sitoursborneo.com/web/accommodations/my-nature-resort/

Black & Yellow Broadbill

Rufous-collared Kingfisher

Bornean Bristlehead

Day 6 - 8: Kinabatangan River (Sukau Village) - Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Drive to Kinabatangan River which is famed for its wildlife such as wild Orang Utans, Proboscis Monkeys, Silver Leaf Monkeys, Bornean Pygmy Elephants and over 200 species of birds has been recorded here. Notable birds such as Bornean Ground Cuckoo, Rhinoceros Hornbill and Storm's Stork. Cruise along the river and smaller tributaries for birds and wildlife. Overnight.


Type of accommodations:

Basic

• Sukau Greenview Lodge https://www.sukaugreenview.net/

Standard

• Borneo Nature Lodge http://www.borneonaturelodge.com.my/lodge.cfm 

 

 

Rhinoceros Hornbill

Lesser Fish Eagle

White-fronted Falconet

Oriental Darter

Day 8 - 12: Danum Valley Forest Reserve or Tabin Wildlife Reserve - Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Transfer to Danum Valley Forest Reserve or Tabin Wildlife Reserve and took about 4 hours 30 minutes drive from Kinabatangan River. Check in to Tabin Wildlife Lodge or Borneo Rainforest Lodge and spend the next few days birding in this beautiful reserve. Target species such as Black and crimson and Giant Pitta, Black-throated Wren Babbler and Bornean Bristlehead. Night walks and drives for nocturnal species. Overnight.

Type of accommodations:

Borneo Rainforest Lodge http://www.borneonaturetours.com/www/brl_default.aspx

• Deluxe

Tabin Wildlife Lodge http://www.tabinwildlife.com.my/

• Standard  

 Danum Valley Field Centre (DVFC)

• Standard Resthouse
  

Striped Wren-Babbler

Blue-headed Pitta

Malaysian Blue Flycatcher

View of the rainforest of Sabah

Day 12: Kota Kinabalu ~ Breakfast & Lunch

Depart to Lahad Datu airport after lunch for flight back to Kota Kinabalu. Upon arrival in Kota Kinabalu, transfer to Shangrila Kota Kinabalu Hotel. End of tours.

Type of accommodation:

Standard

• Shangrila's Hotel https://www.shangrila-kk.com/
• Gaya Centre Hotel https://www.facebook.com/GayaCentreHotel
  

Other wildlife could be seen during the trip:

• Orang Utan
• Bornean Gibbon
• Silver Leaf Monkey
• Grey Leaf Monkey
  
• Red Leaf Monkey
• Long-tailed Macaque
• Pig-tailed Macaque
• Western Tarsier
• Slow Loris
• Bornean Pygmy Elephant
• Salt water crocodile
• Reptiles and
• Amphibians

 

Bornean Pygmy Elephant

Extension trips ~ Optional :

3 Days 2 Nights :

• Mantanani Island - 3 species of Frigatebird , Mantanani Scops-Owl, Pied and Grey Imperial Pigeon.

Bird Photography trips :

• Sepilok Forest Reserve / Kinabatangan River : 6 Days 5 Nights ~ Ex - Sandakan town
• Tabin Wildlife Reserve : 4 Days 3 Nights ~ Ex - Lahad Datu town
• Danum Valley : 5 Days 4 Nights ~ Ex - Lahad Datu town

Custom made birding itinerary also available upon request

Includes : English speaking bird guides, accommodations based on twin sharing, entrance fees at birding places, meals as stated above, domestic flight from Lahad Datu to Kota Kinabalu, private river cruises and transportation on private basis.

Excludes : International airfares, travel insurance, camera and entrance fees and items of a personal nature.

For further information, pricing and specialized itinerary, contact :

Jason Bugay Reyes

Sabah Bird Guides https://www.sabahbirdguide.com/about-us

Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia

Tel : +60178205098

Email : horukuru@gmail.com or horukuru@yahoo.com

Visit my other birding blog for latest sighting and news of birds and other wildlife in Sabah at;

http://horukuru.blogspot.com



Bird guide:

Jason Bugay Reyes profile :

Working as a bird guide in Sabah since 2006 with clients mostly from the UK and Japan. Spoke person for Nikon EDG products under Nikon Malaysia from 2010-2012 and been involved in various bird surveys with Sabah Forestry Department and photography workshops mainly by Nikon Malaysia and Sabah Park. Currently represents Swarovski Optik, Austria as an ambassador in promoting bird watching activity in Sabah.

Images were published in Sepilok Bird Book, Nikon Vision Japan, Swarovski Optik Austria and promotional materials by Sabah Tourism Board mostly related with bird watching. Involved with Radio Televisyen Malaysia Kota Kinabalu (RTM) for documentary regarding birds in Sabah titled Sayap Borneo and were aired in November 2014

A member of Borneo 400 Club and visited Philippines and England as an exhibitors for the bird festivals promoting birding market for Sabah under Sabah Tourism Board at the same time, took the opportunity to know more about birds and nature on those places.

Specialized in Digiscoping ~ A concept of taking pictures and videos through Spotting scopes connected with compact camera and DSLR by Nikon. Preferred Nikon, Swarovski Optik and Think Tank Photo equipments for birding and photography with Apple machines for pictures editing.

Other interest includes Sport Photography mostly in rugby and extreme sports

References:

• Swarovski Optik: https://www.swarovskioptik.com/int/en/birding

• Nikon Vision Japan EDG : http://www.nikon.com/products/sportoptics/edg/top/index.htm
• Borneo 400 Club: http://borneobirds.com/borneo400