A 10-Day Sabah Wildlife & Beach Adventure

After a replenishing breakfast at the hotel, you’ll reconvene with your driver and transfer to the airport for your scheduled flight to Lahad Datu, which takes approximately 1 hr.

Arriving at Lahad Datu, you’ll register at the Tabin Wildlife Reserve’s office before transferring to the reserve by road, a scenic journey of approximately 1 hr 30 mins, passing through Borneo’s thriving rainforest landscapes. You’ll check into your charming timber lodge within the Tabin Wildlife Reserve (complete with modern amenities such as air conditioning, private balcony and hot-water shower), which lies nestled on a bend of the Lipad River.

You’ll visit the Tabin Visitor Centre to learn about the conservation efforts undertaken within the reserve and will be briefed about the vast number of species you might spot during your stay, as well as the variety of jungle herbs – many of which are endemic – that have been used for generations by locals for their medicinal properties.

In the afternoon, you’ll learn about the sustainability and recycling system within the reserve which converts compost into fertiliser for the plants before proceeding to the active Lipad Mud Volcano, which serves as a mineral salt lick for wildlife. Here you can try and identify the footprints of numerous species before having the option to sample the effects of the volcanic mud yourself, which is said to help with skin health and complexion.

You’ll then trek from the mud volcano back to the main road before transferring back to the resort. In the evening, after dinner, you’ll embark on an immersive night safari and go in search of the reserve’s fascinating nocturnal species.


Accommodation: Tabin Wildlife Resort (or alternative hotel of equal standard).

After breakfast, you’ll depart the Tabin Wildlife Reserve and head to the jetty in Sukau Lipit, a scenic road journey of approximately 3hrs 30 mins. Here you’ll board a boat that will take you to the Lower Kinabatangan-Segama Wetlands, a sprawling wetlands ecosystem that is home to creatures including Bornean pygmy elephants, proboscis monkeys, orangutans and saltwater crocodiles, along with bird species such as hornbills, kingfishers and eagles.

The boat journey to the Lower Kinabatangan-Segama Wetlands and your next accommodation will take approximately 1 hr 30 mins. On arrival in the early afternoon, you’ll enjoy a delicious lunch followed by a briefing on the upcoming activities you’ll experience, before being able to spend some time at leisure.

Enjoy afternoon refreshments such as tea, coffee and a local favourite, pisang goreng (fried banana fritters) before you embark on a river cruise along the Kinabatangan River in search of the wetlands’ wildlife. Following this captivating river cruise, you’ll return to the lodge for dinner before setting out on a night walk to look for some of the interesting insects and other species which emerge at night.


Accommodation: Kinabatangan Wetlands Resort (or alternative hotel of equal standard).

Enjoy breakfast and some free time to explore the nature boardwalk before checking out and transferring back to Sandakan by boat, a journey of approximately 1 hr 30 mins.

After disembarking onto the jetty, you’ll transfer by road to the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, where you can observe one of man’s closest relatives being rehabilitated and ‘rewilded’ to survive in their natural habitat. From here, you can walk through the tropical lowland forest to reach the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre, where sun bears are houses and rehabilitated within a 2.5-hectare enclosed forest before being released back into the wild.

After visiting these two memorable rehabilitation centres housing two of Borneo’s most iconic species, you’ll continue on towards your next accommodation where you’ll be able to spend the remainder of the day at leisure.


Accommodation: Sepilok Nature Lodge (or alternative hotel of equal standard).

The next two days are yours to enjoy at leisure amid the stunning tropical surrounds of Gaya Island, giving you opportunity to unwind following your Bornean wildlife adventure.

Enjoy your luxury resort's wealth of facilities and activities, soak up the sun on a pristine beach, explore the island's rainforest-coated interior or snorkel in the dazzlingly clear waters to admire flourishing coral reefs and abundant marine life.


Accommodation: Gaya Island Resort (or alternative hotel of equal standard).