Uncover Borneo's Treasures: A Quest for the Orangutan

Hosted by

Kristóf

7 Days30 Days!

Extra Cancellation Days
only for the first TripMate

Guided trip
What's special?
special Tropical rainforest
special Wildlife: Orangutan, Elephant, Gibbon...
special Adventure: River cruise, Jungle walk
Borneo, the third largest island on our planet, covered with one of the oldest tropical rainforests of all. This sentence alone is enough to awaken the adventurer in most nature enthusiasts’ hearts, but if the lush landscape alone was not enough for You, maybe the chance of meeting one of the great ape species of our planet in its natural habitat will convince You. Neighbouring the mysterious Orangutan, other unique species live in the jungle, species like the Pygmy Elephant, Proboscis Monkey, Bornean Gibbon, several species of Hornbills and other colourful birds, lizards and crocodiles. Join me on this extraordinary expedition and visit these characteristic members of this wild neighbourhood! Outline itinerary Day 1-4: Arrival to Sandakan, Sepilok Day 5-9: Kinabatangan River, Sukau Day 10-11: Sandakan Day 12: Leaving for the airport

Welcome fellow explorer! I am Kristóf Regényi, a young Hungarian biologist. My goal with these wildlife expeditions is to give the best chance for other wildlife enthusiasts to meet these wonderful creatures in the wild. There are lots of tour companies out there offering luxurious travel opportunities to see wild animals, however most of the time these companies prioritise the luxury part of the travel over wildlife watching opportunities, offering a very limited time for this activity, or only in a very low quality. These tours are for the people who were dreaming about observing these animals in the wild all their lives. I visited every wildlife location I propose here, and I was satisfied with every offered lodge located in those areas. I chose these lodges because their location and/or their offered services really helped me to find the rare creatures of the wild. It is not my intention to make a huge profit out of these expeditions, rather to help others who are also interested in wild animals, and to support my future travels to other wildlife destinations which I have not seen before.

Our accommodations throughout this journey offer immersive experiences within Borneo's natural beauty. For the first four days, we'll be nestled in the heart of Sepilok, where the sounds of wildlife echo through the forest. Our lodge, situated on the edge of the Sepilok Forest Reserve, provides easy access to iconic attractions like the Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary, the Rainforest Discovery Centre, and the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre. Surrounded by lush greenery, you'll have ample opportunities to witness indigenous wildlife, with the convenience of being just minutes away from these conservation centers. Enjoy the tranquil ambiance as you unwind by the lodge's pool or take leisurely walks through the nearby forest, with breakfast, lunch, and dinner served at the lodge's restaurant. Moving to our next accommodation on days five through nine, we'll find ourselves at a riverside lodge along the Kinabatangan River. Set against the backdrop of towering palm trees, our rooms offer a serene retreat overlooking the river. Here, you'll embark on exhilarating river cruises led by experienced guides, immersing yourself in the diverse ecosystem of the Kinabatangan region. With multiple cruises and a jungle walk scheduled throughout our stay, you'll have ample opportunities to spot iconic Bornean wildlife, including orangutans, pygmy elephants, proboscis monkeys, and more. All meals will be provided by the lodge, allowing you to focus on the incredible experiences that await you along the river's edge. Any questions about the trip? You can let me know in the Q&A section!

What's included?
All accommodations
10 guided river cruises
1 guided jungle walk
Transport between accommodations
All meals at the 2. destination
All breakfasts at the 1., 3. destination
Your Booking includes free protection from Trip cancellations.
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Welcome fellow explorer! I am Kristóf Regényi, a young Hungarian biologist and the creator of Wildlife Quest Expeditions.

You can chat with Kristóf once you reserve your spot.
Trip Itinerary
1

Sepilok

Day 1-5
Day 1-4 Your flight will arrive at Sandakan Airport during the afternoon, and then we head towards our accommodation in Sepilok. After our first day we will have 3 full days here, so there will be one full day for each of the three main attractions in this area: the famous Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary, the Rainforest Discovery Centre, and the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre. Two of these are only 5 minutes walk from your room, the Rainforest Discovery Centre is the furthest, it is 20 minutes walk from the lodge, but it definitely worth the time because You will have the chance to walk up in the forest canopy with the monkeys and birds. During your free time You will have the chance to swim under palm trees in the pool of your lodge, or just enjoy the surrounding forest filled with monkeys. The lodge is basically on the border of the Sepilok Forest Reserve. Last time I was here I could hear the gibbons singing in the distance. You will have breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the restaurant of our lodge.
2

Sukau

Day 5-10
Day 5-9 After checking out, we head to our lodge at the Kinabatangan River. Our lodge’s own minibus will pick us up, and after 2 hours of travel we will arrive and make ourselves comfortable in our rooms which are just under a small group of large palm trees, a few meters away from the river. In the afternoon You will participate in your first river cruise looking for wild animals in the surrounding rainforest. I am sure You will never forget that amazing tropical sunset over the river at the end of your first cruise. Each river cruise is about 2 hours long, and is led by our lodge’s experienced guide. During the time we are going to spend here, You will have the chance to participate in 4 morning cruises (starting 06:00), 5 afternoon cruises (starting 16:00), 1 night cruise (starting 19:30), and 1 jungle walk (starting 09:30). All breakfast, lunch and dinner will be provided by the lodge. The forest around Kinabatangan River is considered as one of the most biodiverse places on Earth, and is probably the best place in Borneo to see all the Bornean big five: the Orangutan, the Pygmy Elephant, the Proboscis Monkey, the Rhinoceros Hornbill, and the Saltwater Crocodile. One of my personal favourites, the Eastern Grey Gibbon, can also be found in this area, but You can see many other creatures as well. By staying here as long as five days, we definitely increase our chances to meet all of these unique creatures in their natural habitat.
3

Sandakan

Day 10-12
Day 10-11 After breakfast the minibus will take us back to Sandakan. Here You can go and explore the city of Sandakan as You like. Sim Sim Water Village and Puu Jih Shih Temple are both worth visiting. You can also look for souvenirs in the local shops and markets, or You can just rest in your hotel’s pool. Breakfast will be provided by our hotel. Day 12 Checking out after breakfast and leaving in time to catch your flight.
Trip Summary
Accommodation
Hotel & Bed & Breakfast
12 days trip
Sepilok, Sukau & 1 more
Transportation
Car
What's excluded?
Flight tickets
Insurance
Visa if needed
Lunch, dinner at the 1., 3. destination
3 entrance tickets at Sepilok (20 Euro)
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