From steamy jungles to blissful mountains, balmy beaches and peaceful villages, travelers love Borneo’s bounty of natural treasures seemingly tailor-made for fun, relaxation, exploration and adventure. This trip is specially hand-picked for you where there will be a great mix of forest trails, boat safaris, moderate hiking, encounters with wild orangutans and other creatures of the rainforest.

Reserve your spot today for an unforgettable journey into the heart of Borneo, where every capture tells a story, and every story is a masterpiece.

Some interesting facts about Borneo!

• Borneo is the third largest Island in the world, behind New Guinea and Greenland.
• The Borneo rainforest is the oldest rainforest in the world and has been aged at 130 million years old.
• You are likely to see a lot of endemic and rare Wildlife on this trip, highlights of which are Orangutans, Pygmy Elephants, Proboscis Monkey, 10 species of Primates, over 600+ species of Birds that include 8 species of Hornbills, 12 species Kingfishers, the list is endless!
• Borneo as a whole is conservatively estimated to contain 15,000 plant species, and may well have the highest plant diversity of any region on Earth.
• Beyond the Malay-dominated town and cities, life still revolves around the longhouse and the river. For the visitor, it is the legendary hospitality of Borneo’s tribal people, as much as the magnificent rainforests themselves, that make the island such a magical place to encounter.

Why has the trip been designed this way?

• The trip is designed in a way that you explore the rainforest by foot (moderate walking), Off-Road drives and Boat safaris.
• This way you are able to see forests and species with different perspectives at different times of the day and night maximizing your chances of getting the best photographs.
• Each place chosen has a purpose and a target to visit. Some species are best seen on night walks, some can only be seen by accessing those areas by boat and some by drives. While most species are distributed everywhere across the region, certain places are better for certain species.
• For example, while you can see pygmy elephants at multiple locations, sighting them by the river is your best chance and also your best chance to get great photographs. Western Tarsiers are sighted everywhere, but sighting them in Sepilok has its advantages.

We are in the process of finalizing the itinerary now. If you are interested in receiving additional details about this tour and for a first opportunity to sign up once it has been announced please fill out the form below. (By filling out the form you are in no way obligated to sign up.)

Led by Art Wolfe

Assisted by Gavriel Jecan

Limited to 10 participants

Transportation and Accommodation

Meals, lodging, and transportation specified on the itinerary are included. You will be responsible for your flight to and from Borneo.

Itinerary

Shooting schedules have the ability to be altered to effectively cater to the photographic desires of the group, as well as to adapt to changeable weather conditions.

Day 1 Sept 18, 2026 Arrival at Sandakan International Airport – Transfer to Borneo Sepilok Resort (D)

Welcome to Borneo! Upon arrival, meet our friendly guide and transfer to your hotel in Sepilok
(30-minute drive). Check into your accommodation and settle in. Enjoy dinner and overnight.

At Sepilok Forest Reserve, we’ll walk among free-roaming orangutans, watching their upside-down vine-dangling prowess.

Sepilok Forest Edge Resort comprises of Stylish Malay Design Chalets and a Longhouse around lush green surroundings and hills as a backdrop which further embraces an incredible view. 

Sepilok is located just 45 minutes from the city of Sandakan and is a primary lowland rainforest that is best explored by foot and holds many secrets if you are accompanied by knowledgeable guides. The famous Sepilok Orangutan Rehab center and the Sun Bear center are also located in Sepilok.

This evening there will be a welcome dinner with Art Wolfe, Gavriel Jecan.

Overnight at Borneo Sepilok My Nature Resort

Day 2 Sept 19, Sandakan (B,L,D)

Wake up very early in the morning for a visit to the Rainforest Discovery Centre and explore the canopy in search of wildlife. Proceed to the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Center to visit the world’s smallest bear. Then, visit the next door’s Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre (SORC) and explore the boardwalk through the forest and observe the orangutan feeding. After feeding you will visit the nursery where young orangutans play and learn behaviors vital for their rehabilitation.

After returning to the lodge for lunch the group will head out again for a birding photo session at the Rainforest Discovery Center. There will be an opportunity for one more night photo session after dinner as well.

Overnight at Borneo Sepilok My Nature Resort

Day 3 Sept 20, Sandakan – Kinabatangan (B,L,D)

After breakfast, free at leisure in the morning. Enjoy lunch before we depart for Sandakan Yacht Club Jetty for your 2.5-hour boat ride to Sukau. The boat transfer will offer opportunities to observe wildlife on your way to the lodge as the transfer will follow the river from the coastal mangroves around Sandakan, through nipa lined river banks and eventually into the upper reaches of the Kinabatangan River.

Once you reach, take a moment to refresh before embarking on an afternoon river cruise in search of the iconic wildlife along the Kinabatangan. Each boat is equipped with an electric motor in order to provide a more peaceful experience not just for you but for the wildlife also. Finish the day enjoying a candlelight dinner overlooking the riverbank followed by slide presentation and interpretation by one of the naturalist guides.

There are small hikes and Night walks that can be arranged on special request.

Kinabatangan – The mighty Lower-Kinabatangan River sustains one of the world’s richest ecosystems. This is Malaysia’s second-longest river with a massive length of 560 km from its source in Southwest Sabah to its outlet at the Sulu Sea, on the East Coast.

Overnight at Sakau Rainforest Lodge

Day 4 Sept 21, Kinabatangan (B,L,D)

As day dawns, go on an early river cruise and watch as the river comes to life. Keep an eye out for bird life including Borneo’s endemic hornbills and have another chance to spot multiple species 1 of primates. Return to the lodge for breakfast, later proceeding to an educational tour along the lodge’s Hornbill Boardwalk with the in-house naturalist to learn more about the Kinabatangan Ecosystem.

After lunch, embark on a 27 km overland journey to the vicinity of Gomantong Cave. Gomontong Cave is ecologically important for the swifts and bats that occupy its cavern and economically important to local bird nest harvesters. Traverse deep into the forest along a trail in search of orangutans which are often seen feeding nearby. Witness the exodus of over two million bats as birds of prey eye off a meal. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Overnight at Sakau Rainforest Lodge

Day 5 Sept 22, Kinabatangan – Danum Valley (B,L,D)

After breakfast, check out and take a 5-minute boat ride to Lepit Jetty, before continuing on a 2-hour overland journey to Lahad Datu.

From Lahad Datu, depart for a private transfer by 4WD into the thick virgin rainforest area of Danum Valley – one of the world’s most complex ecosystems. Around 30km of this 85km journey is on sealed roads, and the last two hours are along a gravel road – so expect a bumpy but interesting ride!

Enjoy the changing landscape of the regenerating forests to virgin rainforests millions of years old. Check into the lodge and settle in and enjoy lunch. After a short rest, head out on foot to search for orangutans, red leaf langurs, gibbons, and birds. There is a wonderful option to walk along the trails and the 130-metre-tall, 300-metre-long canopy walk, high up in the 130-million-year-old rainforest which is literally humming with jungle sounds.

After dinner, board one of the open-top 4WD vehicles for an exhilarating night spotlighting tour. Accompanied by a local guide who shines a light into the jungle looking for nocturnal animals, spot a range of nocturnal animals that inhabit the reserve, from samba deer to civet cats, leopards, and a stunning array of insects and frogs.

This award-winning luxury lodge nestled deep in the Danum Valley’s pristine lowland rainforest setting is a truly wondrous wildlife experience undertaken in fine comfort. Thirty-one wooden chalets sit beside the Danum River and right in the heart of Orang-utan and Asian Elephant territory. Each come with private veranda as your own lookout point, en suite bathrooms, hot water and fan.

Due to its impressive location, Borneo Rainforest Lodge offers exceptional wildlife activities and the small number of guests here make these more personal too. Explore the pristine flora and fauna on guided treks, trails and safari drives. The lodge, which is a two hour drive from Lahad Datu, carries out important conservation projects alongside a green policy to help protect its incredible surrounds.

Overnight at Borneo Rainforest Lodge

Day 6 Sept 23, Danum Valley (B,L,D)

Spend the day trekking with your guide through virgin rainforest in search of wildlife such as
orangutans, gibbons, red leaf langurs, hornbills, and more. In the evening, go for a night walk.

Overnight at Borneo Rainforest Lodge

Day 7 Sept 24,  Danum Valley – Tabin Reserve (B,L,D)

Enjoy an early breakfast before checking out for your journey back to Lahad Datu. Register at Tabin Office before we proceed for another 1.5 hours (30 minutes sealed road, 1 hour dirt road) to Tabin Wildlife Resort. Check in to the lodge and enjoy lunch.

In the afternoon, trekking from the Elephant trail to the active Lipad mud volcano which provides a mineral salt lick for wildlife, arrive at the elevated bare area of the mud volcano which is frequented by wildlife and birds. Try to identify the multitude of animal footprints here. The adventurous can try the effects of the volcanic mud, said to be responsible for a fine complexion. Trek from the mud volcano back to the main road. After dinner, go on a night safari in search of wildlife.

Day 8 Sept 25, Tabin Reserve (B,L,D)

Go for the early morning bird walk to discover some of Tabin’s rich collection of almost 300 bird species. Continue on a safari drive to the core area before trekking to the Lipad Waterfall through the lush green rainforest known for its rich diversity of plants and animals. Take a dip in the natural pool and enjoy a natural and refreshing shower under the waterfall.

Alternatively explore the surrounding vegetation or just relax. In the afternoon, try out the Tabin Rainforest Foot Soak made with a natural blend of herbs, to relax tired muscles after long jungle treks. In the evening, 2 a dusk drive to look out for more nocturnal wildlife & birds coming out to look for food during this time of the day. After dinner, go for a night walk along the trail nearby the resort in search of sleeping birds, frogs and nocturnal wildlife.

Overnight at Tabin Wildlife Resort

Day 9 Sept 26, Tabin Reserve – Sandakan (B,L,D)

After breakfast, free and easy until check out. Transfer out to Lahad Datu is at 1:30 PM after lunch. Proceed to Sandakan for another 3 hours. Upon arrival, check in and enjoy a farewell dinner with your group.

Overnight at the Sabah Hotel

Day 10 Sept 27, Private transfer to Sandakan airport (B)

You will be collected and privately transferred to Sandakan airport.

-End of Tour-