Friday, April 18, 2008

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 Park



Depart early to Tambunan Rafflesia Centre for Mountain Barbet, Bornean Bulbul and Bornean Barbet. Stay at Padi View Resthouse for 2 nights, Tambunan and continue to Kinabalu 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 and Mt. Trusmadi bird hides for other forest species such as Bulwer's Pheasant, Bornean Banded Pitta and Crested Partridge. Overnight.

Type of accommodations:

Standard


Other option: Deluxe

 

Whitehead's Trogon



Whitehead's Broadbill



Whitehead's Spiderhunter



Fruithunter



Mountain Serpent Eagle



Bulwer's Pheasant



Bornean Banded Pitta



Red-breasted Partridge



Crimson-headed Partridge



Crested Partridge



Mt. Trusmadi Bird Hide



Day 5 - 7: Telupid and Sepilok Forest Reserve ~ Breakfast

2 hours drive to Telupid for the Bornean Peacock-Pheasant and Blue-banded Pitta. Required to walked for 1.5 KM from the village to the bird hide. Drive to Sepilok late in the afternoon. Check in to Sepilok Bed & Breakfast and birding at Rainforest Discovery Centre, Sepilok. Overnight. Main highlights are the Bornean Bristlehead, Violet Cuckoo and Rufous-collared Kingfisher.

Type of accommodations:

Standard

Other option: Deluxe




Bornean Peacock-Pheasant



Blue-banded Pitta



Black & Yellow Broadbill



Rufous-collared Kingfisher



Bornean Bristlehead



Black-crowned Pitta




Telupid Bird Hide




Day 7 - 9: 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

Standard
     
     

Rhinoceros Hornbill



Lesser Fish Eagle



White-fronted Falconet

Oriental Darter




Day 9 - 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, Tabin Rainforest Lodge, Danum Valley Field Centre 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 (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
  • Deluxe
Tabin Wildlife Lodge http://www.tabinwildlife.com.my/ (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
  • Standard  
Tabin Rainforest Lodge https://tabinrainforestlodge.com (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
  • Deluxe

Danum Valley Field Centre (DVFC)

  • Standard Resthouse (no air-conditioning room) (breakfast, lunch and dinner)


Striped Wren-Babbler



Blue-headed Pitta



Malaysian Blue Flycatcher



Bornean Ground-Cuckoo



Bornean Crested Fireback



Sabah Partridge




Bird hide at Tabin Rainforest Lodge





View of the rainforest of Sabah




Day 13-14: Tawau

Few hours drive to Tawau Hills Park for the Blue-banded Pitta bird situated around 1 KM from the office.

Stay at Blue-sentral Hotel



Blue-headed Pitta


Day 14: Kota Kinabalu

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


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


Orang Utan



Proboscis Monkey



Saltwater Crocodile




Silver Leaf Monkeys



Bornean Pygmy Elephants





Extension trips ~ Optional :

3 Days 2 Nights :
  • Mantanani Island - 3 species of Frigatebirds, Mantanani Scops-Owl, Pied and Grey Imperial Pigeon.


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

    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;
    https://jasonbugayreyes.blogspot.com



    Bird guide:

    Jason Bugay Reyes profile :

    Working as a bird guide in Sabah and 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: