The Borneo Adventure

Borneo Adventure – 6 Days / 5 Nights

Trip Highlights

• Up-close with Orangutans – Witness feeding time and visit the nursery at Sepilok Rehabilitation Centre.

• Meet the World’s Smallest Bear – Learn about the unique and endangered sun bear at the Borneo Sun Bear Conservation Centre.

• River Cruises on the Kinabatangan – Glide along Sabah’s longest river in search of proboscis monkeys, pygmy elephants, hornbills, and crocodiles.

• Stay in Award-Winning Eco-Lodges – Experience the magic of the rainforest with comfort, sustainability, and local conservation at heart.

• Night Walks & Dawn Safaris – Discover Borneo’s wildlife at its most active, from nocturnal creatures after dark to misty mornings on the river.

Day 1 – Arrival in Sandakan

Touch down in Sandakan and feel the pulse of Borneo. As the evening falls, you’ll be welcomed into the lush greenery of Sepilok Nature Lodge – your first taste of the rainforest. A gentle start to an adventure that will only grow wilder.

Day 2 – Sepilok: Orangutans & Night Walks

Begin the day with one of Borneo’s most iconic encounters – the orangutans of Sepilok. Wander along wooden boardwalks into the rainforest to watch them feed and play, then step inside the nursery to see young orangutans taking their first steps toward life in the wild.

Later, visit the Borneo Sun Bear Conservation Centre, home to the world’s smallest bear. After a relaxed afternoon, the jungle comes alive again as you set out on a guided night walk in search of rare nocturnal creatures.

Day 3 – Into the Rainforest: Sandakan to Sukau

A boat journey of 2½ hours along the mighty Kinabatangan River takes you deep into the rainforest and to your award-winning eco-lodge. On the way, keep watch for crocodiles basking, hornbills overhead, and perhaps even the long-nosed proboscis monkey.

As the sun sets, head out on your first river cruise – a magical time when the rainforest reveals its wild beauty. The evening continues with a riverside dinner and fascinating insights from your naturalist guide.

Day 4 – Life on the Kinabatangan

Wake before sunrise for a dawn cruise to the oxbow lakes, where mist rises from the river and wildlife stirs. After breakfast, explore the lodge’s Hornbill Boardwalk with an in-house naturalist and learn about the rainforest’s delicate ecosystem.

The afternoon brings more exploration – an Orangutan Talk that deepens your understanding of these incredible primates – before another evening river safari. Every journey along the Kinabatangan is different, and every sighting unforgettable.

Day 5 – Return to Sandakan

After one last breakfast by the river, journey back to Sandakan by boat. Settle in at the historic Sabah Hotel, and in the evening, enjoy dinner at the charming English Tea House overlooking Sandakan Bay – a perfect blend of colonial history and Bornean atmosphere.

Day 6 – Departure

Your adventure winds down with a relaxed morning at leisure before your transfer to the airport. Carry with you the memories of orangutans swinging through the trees, hornbills gliding across the river, and the hum of the jungle at night – treasures from the wild heart of Borneo.

Crafted in true The Search Adventures style – focused on experience, emotion, and connection with nature.

What’s Included

• Accommodation in Sepilok, Sukau and Sandakan as per itinerary

• All transfers and boat journeys listed in the program

• Daily meals as specified (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)

• Guided tours and activities as described

• Entrance fees to Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre & Borneo Sun Bear Conservation Centre

• English-speaking naturalist guides throughout the journey

Not Included

• Domestic flights (Kota Kinabalu ↔ Sandakan)

• Beverages (alcoholic & soft drinks not listed)

• Camera fees at Sepilok Orangutan Centre

• Travel insurance (medical, cancellation, luggage)

• Tourism Tax (RM10 per room per night, payable directly to hotels)

• Personal expenses and items not mentioned in the program