Day 1 | Kota KinabaluYou will be met on arrival at Kota Kinabulu Airport (transfers cannot be arranged on arrival, please advise flight arrival details at least 14 days prior to departure).
Check-in time at our joining point hotel is after 2pm. Early check-in is not guaranteed, however if you arrive early, luggage storage can be arranged. Speak to the hotel reception on arrival. Please note that luggage storage in our hotels is at your own risk and generally these areas are not locked or completely secure. Bring your own luggage lock.
You can arrive at any time on day 1 as there are no activities planned until the important welcome meeting at 18:00. (This time may vary from time to time) Your leader will leave a note at reception telling you where this important meeting will take place and confirmation of the time. Please ask a member of reception for this information.
We will be collecting your local payment, insurance details and next of kin information so please ensure you have all details on hand to provide to your leader. After the group meeting there is the option of joining the group for dinner.
Tonight we stay in a centrally located 2-star hotel close to major shopping centres and the Kota Kinabalu waterfront. Accommodation is basic twin share with private amenities.
Kota Kinabalu, the capital of Sabah, is an intriguing city that was born between the Borneo jungle and the South China Sea. Having recovered from World War II bombings, 'KK' now possesses a gateway charm that can only be found in a frontier town. In your free time immerse yourself in local history at the Sabah State Museum, visit the Monsopiad Cultural Village (home to a notorious headhunter), or explore the islands off Kota Kinabalu - excellent for swimming or snorkelling. Allow approximately US$20 for an island visit, although costs can vary depending on your negotiating skills/boat availability, the time you wish to spend on the island and the number of people with whom you go.
As we depart Kota Kinabalu early on day 2, if you want to spend more time visiting the sights of the city, we recommend you arrive a day or two early.
Back to the top
Days 2-4 | Kinabatangan Jungle Camp/HomestayWe journey from the busy city of Kota Kinabalu to the quiet of the jungle, travelling by local bus through the foothills along Sabah's main highway (approx. 5.5 hours).
A local ecological program, MESCOT, runs our program at Kinabatangan. The MESCOT project aims to provide villagers with environmental education and the means of making a living from their forests, without the need for its destruction by chainsaws. Part of the program is to develop an ecologically sound wildlife and eco-tourism centre, owned and operated by the villagers themselves.
We are invited into the lives and homes of a local Malay village. Experiencing the ways and traditions of the locals firsthand. This is an amazing privilege and your leader will explain local cultural expectations to ensure that we get the most out of our stay. We are then billeted out into different homes throughout the village.
One of these nights will be spent night camping in the jungle. This is the best way to experience untamed Borneo. Wild elephants are rarely seen but we will hopefully find crocodiles, macaques, wild orangutan and the freaky looking proboscis monkeys, as hornbills fly in the skies overhead. Be prepared for an adventure!
At the jungle camp (weather permitting) we stay in a mosquito netted hammock, and on the other nights we enjoy the hospitality of a local Orang Sungei family. Sleeping and bathing facilities each night are basic, with only cold bathing available.
Back to the top
Days 5-6 | Sepilok Orangutan ReserveThis morning we jump on board a minivan and head to Sepilok (approx. 2 hours) - home to the friendly orang-utans (which means 'wild man of the forest').
After a brief stop at our Sepilok accommodation we will head straight to the reserve and try to catch a glimpse of the orangutans - keep an eye out for the pig-tailed macaques! There is also a short film to watch in the reserve's interpretation centre about the orangutan rehabilitation process. Your leader will let you know the relevant time.
The reserve is set up to help re-introduce these wonderful creatures back into the wild after a life of domestication or having been orphaned. As we walk into the reserve to see the feeding of these semi-wild orangutans it is essential that we follow instructions from the park warden. We are not permitted to hinder the orangutans as human contact must be kept to a minimum.
On day 6 we can return to the reserve for the morning feed before you can take a walk through the Rainforest Discovery Centre, just opposite our accommodation. Alternatively, your leader can arrange an optional tour to see Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary - well worth it!
For these two nights we stay in family multishare accommodation with private amenities. Our guesthouse is located in Taman Jilil, a local recreation area.
Back to the top
Day 7 | Kinabalu National ParkLeaving Sepilok behind, we head for the hills and the beautiful Mt Kinabalu National Park.
Arriving in time for lunch we have the afternoon to stretch our legs and take in the mountain views on many of the numerous walking trails - keeping an eye out for wild monkeys, birds, snakes and the odd little leech. There is plenty to see and do in this World Heritage national park.
Tonight we stay in a basic guesthouse with magnificent views of the amazing Mt Kinabalu. Get up early to catch glimpses of this mighty monolith before the cloud rises for the day.
Back to the top
Day 8 | Pulau Tiga National ParkWe transfer by minivan from Mt Kinabalu to Kuala Penyu (approx. 3 hours) where we get on a speedboat (approx. 1.5 hours) to travel to our secluded resort on 'Survivor Island'.
Pulau Tiga played host to the first-ever series of 'Survivor' - an American television program that was filmed on the island in 2000.
The island is full of mud volcanoes, great jungle walking tracks and is surrounded by beautiful beaches and amazing snorkelling opportunities. The waters surrounding the island are home to over 132 species of fish, as well as sea turtles, whilst the island wildlife consists of proboscis and macaque monkeys, flying foxes, bats and monitor lizards.
Arriving by mid-afternoon we will spend the night on the island. We have plenty of time to snorkel, swim or just relax on the beach.
Tonight we stay in family multishare accommodation with private amenities. Although basic, our resort offers the opportunity to sight the morning hornbills on their flight for the day's food.
Back to the top
Days 9-11| Kota KinabaluOn day 9 the morning is free to explore the island and its surrounds a little more before we head back to Kota Kinabalu and on to our seaside guesthouse on the mainland where we will spend the next two nights. We travel via speedboat (approx. 1.5 hours) to the mainland where we transfer to a minivan (approx. 1.5 hours) to take us to our final destination by the beach.
For the next two nights you have the opportunity to relax in this peaceful beachfront resort. Clean, comfortable twin share bedding with private facilities including air-conditioning, TV, restaurant and pool.
There are no activities planned for day 11 and you are able to depart at any time. Check out time is 12 noon. If you are departing later, you can arrange luggage storage. Our beach stay is a short taxi ride from the airport.
Back to the top
Itinerary DisclaimerPlease note: occasionally our itineraries are updated during the year to incorporate improvements stemming from past travellers' comments and our own research and may change with no prior notice.
Back to the top