Welcome to a journey where every click captures the essence of Borneo’s breathtaking landscapes, vibrant wildlife, and diverse cultures. Join us in 2026 for an immersive photography tour that goes beyond the ordinary, offering you a chance to frame the extraordinary.
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 Oct 2, 2025 Arrival at Sandakan International Airport – Transfer to Borneo Sepilok Resort (D)
Upon arrival our guides will transport you to the Borneo Sepilok Resort
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 Rainforest Resort
Day 2 Oct 3 Sandakan (B,L,D)
We will start off our day with a hearty breakfast then head out into the field for photo opportunities at the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Center and the Borneo Sun Bear Conservation Center. This will give everyone a guaranteed opportunity to see and photograph these animals. Plus since it will be the first photo session of the trip, it is a good time to re-familiarize yourself with the camera.
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 Rainforest Resort
Day 3 Oct 4 Sandakan – Kinabatangan (B,L,D)
After breakfast the group will be transported over land to Kinabatangan.
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.
A river cruise along the river at dawn or dusk is the best opportunity to see the wildlife. There are small hikes and Night walks that can be arranged on special request.
After getting settled into the lodge the group will head out for an afternoon river cruise photo session.
Overnight at Bilit Adventure Lodge
Day 4 Oct 5 Kinabatangan (B,L,D)
This day will be spent photographing on the water. We will have a morning river cruise, return to the lodge for lunch and downloading images. After that we will head out again for an afternoon river cruise.
Overnight at Bilit Adventure Lodge
Day 5 Oct 6 Kinabatangan – Lahad Datu (B,L,D)
Following breakfast the group will be transported to our next destination, the Tabin Wildlife Resort. We will arrive just before lunch and enjoy a nice meal after we get settled into the lodge. Following that we will head out into the field for a birding and wildlife photo session. Specific highlights will be: Munias, Hornbills, Variety of Owls, Frogmouths, Pitts babblers, and Flycatchers.
Tabin Wildlife Reserve – Tabin Wildlife Reserve is located in the eastern part of Sabah, Malaysia, on the island of Borneo. Considered to be the largest wildlife reserve in Malaysia, Tabin has a mix of walking safaris, night drives, dusk drives to explore the Lowland forest.
Overnight at Tabin Wildlife Resort
Day 6 Oct 7 Lahad Datu (B,L,D)
This day will be spent exploring more of the Tabin Wildlife Reserve. Since the previous day was spent photographing and looking for birds we will focus this day on looking for mammals and reptiles. Target species being: Leopard cat, Marbled cat, Clouded Leopard, Orangutans, Civets, Porcupines, North Bornean Gibbons, Ref Leaf Monkey, Silver Leaf Monkey, Wild Pigs etc.
Overnight at Tabin Wildlife Resort
Day 7 Oct 8 Lahad Datu – Danum Valley (B,L,D)
Private transfer to Borneo Rainforest Lodge
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!
On arrival at Borneo Rainforest Lodge, check in during the late afternoon and take the option to relax or a 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 8 Oct 9 Danum Valley Experience Tour (B,L,D)
Wake up to the jungle’s cacophony of sounds ranging from birds to primates, such as the gibbons. Taking a packed breakfast, travel to a 200-year-old Kadazandusun Burial Site, known as “Coffin Cliff”, along the 2.6km Viewpoint Trail. At the end of the trail, be rewarded with spectacular views over an ocean-like million-year-old jungle – a truly spectacular sight.
The return journey includes a trip to the waterfalls! Return to the resort for lunch. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure; however, there is a range of optional activities available, such as private trekking, tubing on the Danum River and specialized guided tours. There is also a series of tracks leading around the Canopy Walk which you are free to discover at will. This evening, venture into the jungle on foot with a local guide. Quietly entering the jungle reveals a stunning array of wildlife, not to mention the variety and size of the many insects that flourish in the evening hours. (B, L, D)
Day 9 Oct 10 Danum Valley – Lahad Datu – Sandakan (B,L,D)
Have breakfast and spend the morning at leisure. After lunch you’ll check out and continue your onward journey.
Private transfer from Lahad Datu to Sandakan and our lodging at the Sabah Hotel
Day 10 Oct 11 Private transfer to Sandakan airport (B)
You will be collected and privately transferred to Sandakan airport.
-End of Tour-