A Rainforest OdysseyDay 1. Depart London
Depart London on the
overnight service to Kota Kinabalu, changing planes in Kuala
Lumpur en-route.
Day 2 to 4. Mount Kinabalu [B & L
(Days 3 & 4 only), D]
You will be met on arrival and taken to your rest house in
Mount Kinabalu National Park. Here you spend 3 nights at the
Twin Bed 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, you will have a unique
opportunity to walk in the forest in search of its numerous
plant, bird and mammal species - many of them endemic. In
the mixed bird flocks around the park headquarters you may
see the magnificent Whitehead’s Broadbill or Whitehead’s
Trogon. Large mammals are few, but you will see an
interesting range of small squirrels and a flora that is
simply remarkable, with literally hundreds of different
orchid species that will require the expertise of a national
park guide for identification! At higher altitudes the
vegetation changes and the number of bird species decreases.
However, many interesting species may be seen, including the
endemic Kinabalu Friendly Warbler and Mountain Blackbird. It
is at these higher altitudes that the diversity of pitcher
plants and rhododendrons is at its greatest, and if you are
really lucky you may see Blue Earthworms or the Giant
Kinabalu Red Leech.
A private guide will be arranged for your time in Mount Kinabalu National Park to make sure you get the most from your stay in this fascinating area.
Day 5. Poring Hot Springs [B]
From Mount Kinabalu National Park you continue by road to
Poring Hot Springs, where you spend a night at Rajawali
Chalet. This will allow you to enjoy some lowland rainforest
and the opportunity to sample treetop fauna (by day or
night) from a particularly good canopy boardwalk. Amongst
the many species you might see here are the endemic
Blue-banded Pitta, and Banded Kingfisher. The area is also
the best region in which to find the rare and gigantic
Rafflesia - the world’s largest flower.
Days 6 & 7. Kinabatangan River [B,
L, D]
Your next destination is the
Kinabatangan River, and Sukau Rainforest Lodge. At 560
kilometres, the Kinabatangan River is Sabah’s longest river.
Sukau Rainforest Lodge is situated within the Kinabatangan
Wildlife Sanctuary which covers much of the lower part of
the Kinabatangan River, offering peace and tranquility in an
eco-friendly environment.
The lodge accommodates 40 guests in 20 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, with public areas including dining and lounge area, open sundeck and hanging garden. Solar power provides the hot water and electricity, although there is a generator on site to help out on rainy days. Filtered rainwater is used, supplemented by treated and filtered river water during the dry season.
The floodplain of this waterway is a low-lying wilderness of dense forest and oxbow lakes. During your 2-day exploration of this area by boat and on foot, it will be important to wake early to catch a glimpse of the region’s two rarest birds - Storm’s Stork and Wrinkled Hornbill, as the mists rise from the river. Cruising the river and its narrow tributaries at dusk, you may encounter the remarkable Proboscis Monkeys (a bizarre Bornean endemic) as they relax in water-side trees. As darkness draws in, the crashings of the wild Asian Elephants close to the lodge may sometimes be heard.
Day 8. Gomantong Caves [B, L, D]
Today you transfer by road to
the Danum Valley, stopping at the Gomantong Caves en-route.
These are massive cathedral-like caverns that lie concealed
amongst fine lowland rainforest. Towering to great heights,
the caves are home to literally millions of swiftlets and
bats, and every three or four months attract local tribesmen
who come, for a week at a time, to gather the nests for the
favourite soup of the Chinese! Clinging precariously from
the cave ceilings on locally-made ropes and bamboo ladders,
the position of the harvesters looks terrifying and
incredible.
You must count yourself lucky if your visit coincides with one of the four weeks of harvest each year. On every visit, however, you should see all the? species of swiftlet that nest inside the cave: Black-nest, Mossy-nest, Edible-nest and White-bellied Swiftlet. In the forest outside you have a good chance of encountering the appealing Orang-utan. You will have a morning in this fascinating area, before driving on to the Danum Valley Conservation Area, where you arrive in the evening at Borneo Rainforest Lodge, where you will be based for 4 nights.
Borneo Rainforest Lodge accommodates up to 60 guests in 28 twin-bedded rooms in 23 chalets, each room having an en-suite bathroom and balcony. Public areas include a restaurant with well-stocked bar and library.
Days 9 to 11. Danum Valley [B, L,
D]
The Danum Valley Conservation
Area covers 438 square kilometres of lowland dipterocarp
rainforest - the best accessible primary rainforest in Asia.
An impressive 275 species of birds and 110 mammals have been
recorded here and you will have a good chance of seeing some
of them during your stay. The latter include Sabah’s 10
species of primate, including Orang-utan, as well as 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 Muntjac and Bornean Red Muntjac,
and Sambar. These are more often encountered on night
drives, when such common species as Red Giant Flying
Squirrel may be seen together with such bizarre denizens of
the night as Flying Lemur, Slow Loris and Western Tarsier.
This is undoubtedly the best place in the world to look for
that most elusive of all cats, the Clouded Leopard.
Based at Borneo Rainforest Lodge, in the
heart of the jungle, you will be able to explore the forest
on foot, via its many trails, in the company of a local
guide. Waterfalls, pools and rivers offer the occasional
welcome opportunity for a daytime dip or shower alfresco!
Day 12. Homeward [B]
Your trip ends with a morning drive to Lahad Datu
where you pick up a domestic flight to Kota Kinabalu and
Kuala Lumpur. From here you fly back to the UK on the
overnight flight.
Day 13. Arrive home
Costs...
