Orangutans of Borneo

Introduction

Although sightings of Orangutans in the wild are rare, we can provide you with a holiday that will offer the highest potential of seeing them, but as a back up, also include a trip to Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, where you are guaranteed to see Orangutans preparing to go back into the wild.

Most of our clients interested in Orangutans tend to want a holiday that not only incorporates Orangutans but also offers so much more in the way of other wildlife, scenery, and experiences. At the heart of the holiday though will be Orangutans, but surrounding that the other experiences are very much bespoke to each client. On the following page, you will find details of typical places of interest and activities, just to give you an idea, but please do contact us to discuss exactly what you'd like from an Orangutan holiday experience. 

The island of Borneo combines tropical rainforest, pristine white sandy beaches, and rare exotic wildlife with ancient cultures and tribes, along with great golf and world class dive sites.

Borneo is home to the independent kingdom of Brunei, and parts of Malaysia and Indonesia. Borneo’s main highlights are centred on the Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak, which are full of one off experiences. No itinerary would be complete without a visit to see the native Orang-utans at Sepilok and witnessing the hatching of turtles on Selingan Island. For the more adventurous a hike up Malaysia’s highest peak Mount Kinabalu and a visit with one of the hospitable native tribes could be just the thing. Why not top off these unique experiences with indulgent relaxation on one of Borneo’s quiet, beautiful beaches?

Overview

We tailor-make all holiday itineraries to Borneo. Only part of the trip includes visits to see the Orangutans, which we usually combine with a beach, rainforest, or spa stay, plus a city extension in Kuala Lumpur.

A typical holiday to Borneo could include any of the below highlights...

 

Mount Kinabalu National Park

Here you can spend three nights in the cabins. At 4,101 metres, this mountain is a spectacular granite landmark and the highest peak between Myanmar and New Guinea. Staying in the moist evergreen forests on its high slopes and in the company of a private guide, you will have a unique opportunity to search for its numerous plant, bird and mammal species. Large mammals are few, but you will see an interesting range of small squirrels and flora including literally hundreds of orchid species. At higher altitudes, look out for the endemic Kinabalu Friendly Warbler and Mountain Blackbird, as well as Blue Earthworms or the Giant Kinabalu Red Leech.

 

Sepilok

Sepilok Orang-utan Rehabilitation Centre is responsible for reintroducing numerous orphaned Orangutans back into the wild. You will be able to witness the afternoon feeding of the Orang-utans. Gentle and shy by nature and with their habitat fast disappearing, sighting of Orang-utans in the wild are rare. However, one place you are guaranteed of seeing them is Sepilok . Visits are restricetd and you will only be allowed to spend one night here.

 

Seligan Island

Transfer to the coast for the short boat ride to Selingan Island. A stay on this beautiful island gives you the opportunity to swim and snorkel by day. By night you will be able to watch Green turtles lay eggs on the beach and help assist the release of baby turtles to the sea.

 

Kinabatangan River

The 560 kilometre long Kinabatangan River, and Sukau Rainforest Lodge, are situated within the Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary. The lodge accommodates 40 guests in twin-bedded en-suite rooms, each with a fan and mosquito netting. Heavily influenced by Malaysian architecture, the lodge is raised from the ground on wooden stilts. Explore the area by boat and on foot, on the look out for Storm's Stork and Wrinkled Hornbill, as well as the remarkable Proboscis Monkey (a bizarre Bornean endemic) and wild Asian Elephant.

Danum Valley

Transfer by road to the Danum Valley and Borneo Rainforest Lodge, stopping at the Gomantong Caves en-route, home to literally millions of swiftlets and bats. Spend 3 nights at Borneo Rainforest Lodge which accommodates up to 60 guests in 28 twin-bedded rooms in 23 chalets, each room having an en-suite bathroom and balcony. Explore the forest on foot, via its many trails, in the company of a local guide. An impressive 275 species of birds and 110 mammals have been recorded in the Danum Valley Conservation Area, which covers 438 square kilometres of lowland rainforest - the best accessible primary rainforest in Asia. Wildlife includes Sabah's ten species of primate (including Orangutan), Asian Elephant, Banteng, Sumatran Rhinoceros, Clouded Leopard, Marbled Cat, Flat-headed Cat and Malay Sun Bear. More common species include Bearded Pig, Lesser, and Greater Mouse-deer, the endemic Bornean Yellow, and Bornean Red Muntjac, and Sambar.

 

Itinerary

Listen to the sounds of monkeys and orangutans making their way through the forests. Watch turtles lay their eggs on the beach, then release some of the new hatchlings into the wild. Delve into lush rainforest and mangrove swamps and travel like the locals aboard a traditional longboat. All these exciting adventures and more await you on the exotic island of Borneo.


Highlights of this particular holiday itinerary include:

• Bako National Park
• Serian Town Market & Pepper Garden
• Longboat Trip & Iban Village
• Introductory Tour of Kuching
• Turtle Island Experience
• Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary
• Cruises Along the Kinabatangan River
• Gomantong Caves
• Puh Jih Syh Chinese Buddhist Temple

Please find details below of the day-to-day itinerary for our 'Borneo Longboats and Orangutans' escorted tour holiday.

Borneo Longboats and Orangutans

Day 1 - 2 : Travelling

Fly via Kuala Lumpur to Kuching, Borneo, arriving the next day. With their insider knowledge of this fascinating country, your Tour Guide will be an invaluable aide to your discoveries. They will introduce you to the various culinary delights, including various seafood and rice dishes, as well as pointing you in the direction of bazaars and the best places to find handicrafts. Overnight Kuching.

Day 3 : From Mangroves to Monkeys

By stepping into the Bako National Park, you are stepping into the one place in Borneo you can see the widest variety of wildlife and the most impressive range of landscapes. Reachable only by boat, Bako is special in that unlike many other landlocked national parks, it boasts a coastline dotted with rocky outcrops and picture-perfect white sandy beaches, all sitting harmoniously against the backdrop of lush rainforest and mangrove swamps. For such a small national park, Bako is home to an impressive range of flora and fauna and as you venture into the heart of it, you’ll most likely come across some of the endangered proboscis monkeys that reside here, or maybe some long-tailed macaques, silvered langur monkeys, monitor lizards or plantain squirrels. Keep your eyes and ears open at all times and you’re sure to be rewarded with some wonderful sights, sounds and photo opportunities. This afternoon, we will be joined by a representative from the Kuching State Government Wildlife Department for an exclusive, informal talk. Overnight Kuching.

Day 4 : Beautiful Batang Ai

Sometimes the journey can be just as thrilling as the destination, and that could certainly be said for the journey to Batang Ai. You’ll travel through stunning landscapes, passing cocoa and rubber plantations, stopping at a pepper garden and visiting a local market selling a variety of jungle produce before arriving at the reservoir. Although this is an artificial lake, created by flooding a valley back in the 1980s, you would be forgiven for thinking it had always been here, as its green waters tend to blend effortlessly into the dense jungle vegetation. Overnight Batang Ai.

Day 5 : Travelling Like The Locals

One of the first things you’ll notice about Batang Ai Reservoir is the amount of traditional longboats that travel up and down it, taking both people and produce between the villages that line its shores. No visit is complete without a trip on one, so sit back as you are escorted across the reservoir and along the Engkari River to a local Iban community where you’ll have the opportunity to try the local rice wine or ‘tuak’. Overnight Batang Ai.

Day 6 : Exploring the Cat City

Divided by the Sarawak River and a melting pot of Chinese and Malay culture, Kuching is a vibrant and fascinating city. Kuching means cat in Malay and you’ll see symbols of this throughout the city, there’s even a cat museum you can visit in your own time! Look out for the traditional kampong houses and don’t miss the charming waterfront, which is a hive of activity. Overnight Kuching.

Day 7 : Travelling

Fly to Sandakan via Kota Kinabalu. Then kick back, relax and enjoy the hotel facilities, or maybe wander into the town. Overnight Sandakan.

Day 8 : On The Trail of Turtles in Selingan

There are only seven species of turtle in the world, and all of them are endangered. Two of those seven, the green and hawksbill turtles, frequent the shores of Selingan Island – no wonder the island has become more commonly known as Turtle Island. Being one of the privileged visitors to stay overnight on the island, you will be able to witness the turtles laying their eggs on the beaches under the cover of darkness. Quietly watching these jurassic creatures without disturbing them, you will not only be invited to witness the turtles lay their eggs in the sand, but also to release some of the turtle hatchlings back into the wild. Stephen Fry visited the turtles of Selingan for his programme ‘Last Chance to See’ which was televised in 2009, and as he watched them speed across the sand towards the sea, he said: “I’ve never seen anything quite so magical in all my life.” The turtle lodge where you will be staying is simple yet comfortable and just adds to the experience. Overnight Selingan Island.

Day 9 : Be Amazed at The Human Likeness of Orangutans

Think of Borneo and you’ll automatically think of orangutans. In fact, Borneo and Sumatra are the only places in the world that you find these amazing creatures in the wild. Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre is a sanctuary for orphaned and injured orangutans and a visit here gives you the opportunity to see them up close during one of their feeding times. You’ll be amazed by the intelligence and human-like qualities of these gentle red apes, and you’ll soon see why their name translates to ‘Man of the Forest.’ Originally set up to care for orphaned orangutans, the centre now rescues both adults and babies from logging sites, plantations and illegal hunting. And after being brought back to health and taught, or re-taught, basic skills such as foraging for food and climbing, they are released into the wild where they belong. The sanctuary is set amidst dense rainforest which gives the orangutans both a natural and a safe environment to live in and you are sure to come away with lasting memories from this special place and particularly of these loveable creatures. Your day ends with a relaxing river cruise through mangrove forests. Overnight Kinabatangan.

Day 10 : Birds and Crocodiles

Imagine drifting serenely along the Kinabatangan River, keeping your eyes peeled for crocodiles lurking just below the water’s surface, monkeys swinging high above or birds soaring overhead. This is one of Malaysia’s longest and most interesting rivers and as you cruise along it, you’ll come to the Ox Bow Lake. Once part of the river, it is now severed from the main flow forming a lake and a haven for wildlife. More amazing birdlife can also be found at the Gomantong limestone caves where millions of bats and swiflet birds nest. Look up and see if you can spot the nests. Overnight Kinabatangan.

Day 11 - 12 : Kota Kinabalu and Travelling

Before flying home, discover the colourful Puh Jih Syh Chinese Buddhist Temple, which sits some 300m above Sandakan Bay. The views from here are incredible. You will arrive back in the UK the following day.

Accommodation

• Kuching Hilton, Kuching (4-Star) – 3 Nights
• Batang Ai Longhouse Resort, Batang Ai (3.5-Star) – 2 Nights
• Sabah Hotel, Sandakan (3-Star) – 1 Night
• Park Chalets, Selingan (2-Star) – 1 Night
• Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge, Kinabatangan (3-Star) – 2 Nights

Pick & Mix

As well as suggested holiday itineraries, Medway Travel are delighted to be able to also create bespoke holiday experiences that are tailored to your exact wishes.

If you have particular places of interest in mind that you would like to incorporate within your next holiday to Malaysia, just contact one of our experienced travel consultants with your wishes and allow us to put together the ideal arrangements for you.

For inspiration of what Borneo has to offer, you may like to look over the details below. All of the following tours and excursions can be "picked and mixed", so once you have chosen which excursions/tours you most fancy, contact us and we will design the most time and cost effective itinerary for you.

Poring Hot Springs and Kinabalu Park

Visit Poring Hot Pprings, Kinabalu National Park and enjoy the tropical rainforest walk and the forest canopy walkway. Later take a trip to the Kinabalu Exhibition Centre and the mountain garden.

Sarawak Swamp and Dolphin Cruise

Observe reptiles, mud skippers, crabs, shellfish and monkeys in their natural habitat. See the Bako black and red mangrove trees, a Malay fishing village and hopefully Irriwaddy dolphins.

Wild Men of Borneo

A full day trip starting with an early morning flight from Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan and transfer to the Sepilok Orang-utan Sanctuary for a guided walk to the feeding platform. In the afternoon, visit a local market and a Chinese temple before your return flight to Kota Kinabalu. On occasions, subject to flight schedules, the afternoon programme may be substituted with a city tour of Kota Kinabalu on your return. Lunch is included.

Blue Lagoon Adventure

A chance to take a step back in time with an escorted visit to a Borneo Iban tribe. A thrilling river boat journey will take you to their traditional longhouse set in a stunning location. Truly an experience of a lifetime.

Brunei

A chance to visit the Sultan of Brunei’s homeland and its cultural heritage, graceful people, natural beauty and to experience the opulent Empire Hotel at an excellent price!

Mount Kinabalu Climb

For the more energetic, the challenging climb of Mount Kinabalu on this escorted tour will stay in your memory for years to come. Although demanding at times, this exhilarating climb is rewarded with some amazing and unforgettable views.

Mulu Caves Experience

Enjoy possibly the largest caves in the world. Experience weird and wonderful rock formations and the thrill of witnessing thousands of bats flying from the caves as the sun slowly sets. The caves are said to be the largest in the world, even large enough to hold 37 jumbo jets! One of the natural wonders of Borneo and definitely not to be missed.

Sandakan Wildlife Adventure

Take a “walk on the wild side” during this escorted trip of a lifetime. Experience the river wildlife and see the orang-utans in the famous Sepilok orang-utan Sanctuary.

Turtles and Orang-utans

An escorted tour to witness turtles in their natural habitat, laying eggs and perhaps have the opportunity of releasing a newly hatched turtle. Then onwards to Sandakan to meet the “Wild men of Borneo”.


You may also like to consider a relaxing beach stay at the end of your holiday, for which we can provide you with many options.

Essential Information

Weather

The weather in Malaysia is t ropical without extremely high temperatures. Days are very warm and often humid, while nights are fairly cool. The main rainy season in the east runs between November and February, while August is the wettest period on the west coast. East Malaysia has heavy rains (November to February) in Sabah and in Sarawak. However, it is difficult to generalise about the country's climate, as rainfall differs on the east and west coasts according to the prevailing monsoon winds (northeast or southwest). Average daytime temperatures in Kuala Lumpur are around 27°C (82°F) year round.

Passports and Visas

British nationals do not need a visa to enter Malaysia as a visitor.  You will normally be given permission to stay for three months on arrival.

Visitors require a minimum of six months validity on their passports to visit Malaysia.

 

Health

You should seek medical advice from your GP before travelling to the Borneo and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date.

Insurance

We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel insurance before travelling.  You should check any exclusions from the policy, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake whilst on holiday. Medway Travel can provide you with a quote for this – please contact a member of the Leisure team for further details.

Testimonials

Hi Astra,

I meant to e-mail you when we got back, but we were busy moving house and I completely forgot, sorry!

We had an amazing honeymoon; everything ran so smoothly and was just as you promised! All the drivers were on time and we didn't have to think about what time to leave the hotel or how to get anywhere like we normally do, perfect!

The traders hotel in KL was just amazing, such a fantastic location and I think we had the best view in the entire city. The first night we were there we sat in our window and had room service partly due to jetlag and partly as the view was just so good. The first day we were there the hotel left us a chocolate fondue in the room with a congratulations, such a nice touch, and not the only one!

We had a lovely relaxing 7 days at the Nexus. Plenty of restaurants to choose from and a good price range. Other than wine nothing was particularly expensive. The staff were really helpful and friendly, and we felt that nothing was too much trouble. We had some lovely evenings at the beachfront restaurant, and a lovely evening where we had an individual BBQ and LOTS of food to cook! Although we had this as a completely relaxed 7 days due to doing things at the beginning and the end of the holiday we saw a few excursions etc if people wanted to do more than we did!

We would highly recommend the "Wonders of nature" tour to anyone, it was such an amazing tour to do, I will never forget those baby turtles running into the sea. Sepilok is an amazing place and seeing the orang-utans in their 'natural' environment was fantastic. All of the accommodation on the tour was much nicer than we expected, very basic obviously, but all clean and we obviously weren't in the room that often over those 3 days anyway! All of the guides were fab, very knowledgeable and friendly. The only negative here was that we were dropped of at Sandakan airport approximately 4 hours before our domestic flight; we only needed to be there around 1 hour before departure. (Unfortunately our flight was delayed by 40mins as well, making our airport wait even longer!) As it is a VERY small airport (1 giftshop, 1 newsagent type shop, and 1 cafe) this was a very long time to be left there. Also we did feel that this was wasted time and we could have seen something else or had longer at one of the stops that day (however, we didn't feel that we were rushed at any of the places we saw that day).

The Rasa-Ria on the last night looked lovely but we didn't get there until 10pm and had to leave at 3am. Looking back we should probably have stayed at a hotel close to the airport as there was no point in staying at a resort for that night. It is a shame we didn't get longer there though as it really did look a lovely place!

Thank you so much for all of your help arranging such a fantastic honeymoon, we had an amazing time. I would definitely book with you again, maybe when we have saved some money we can go away for an anniversary.....I'll let you know!!  

If you would like to know anything else just let me know!  

Thanks again,

Heather Beecham (!)