Day 1 Fly to Sandakan-stay Sepilok Forest Edge-Night Walk

Day 2 Deramakot

Morning visit to Sepilok Orang Utan – Bornean Sun Bear –Transfer to Deramakot after lunch at local seafood restaurant. It a 2 hours drive to Deramakot Forest Reserve through oil palm plantations and then the forest reserves. The road can be wet and muddy. Except to arrive around 4.30 p.m to check in depending on wildlife sightings enroute.

Deramakot is the jewel in the Sabah Forestry Departments crown and spans an area of over 100,00 hectares with its adjacent Tangkulap reserve. It was the first tropical forest reserve to be recognised by the Forest Stewardship Council for good forest governance and has pioneered nature tourism in the reserve. Dermakot has rapidly become justifiably famous for its astonishing mammal and bird diversity and is touted as one of the best in South East Asia.

The exact program for the next 2 days will depend on weather and recent animal sightings. Your guide will discuss fully with you after check in.

Deramakot has simple rooms split into two chalets on a small hill of 3 bedrooms in each. Although they have air con and hot water ensuite bathrooms these are by no means considered ‘luxury’. Meals are cooked by our in house cook so can be varied to suit requirements, and these are served in the restaurant area, consisting of local Asian dishes and fruits.

After dinner a two hour 4X4 night safari.

Meals Included: D 

 

Day 3: Deramakot

A full day in the reserve. Exact itinerary will be discussed with your guide but you will have dawn and night walking and 4*4 safaris each day, 7 hours are included each 24 hours which can be extended for an extra 125 myr per hour, cash payment.

Due to the distance and time to reach Deramakot a 3rd night is highly recommended.

Meals Included: B,L,D

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Day 4: Kinabatangan River

Time for morning birding before breakfast and check out by 9am and return to the main highway and onwards to the river village of Sukau. Sukau was the first village on the mighty Kinabatangan River to develop nature tourism and is now a busy hub of lodges and homestays.

Upon arrival at Borneo Nature Lodge (or similar) check in and lunch will be served. 2 hours to relax or do some birding before the first 4.00 pm river cruise. Numerous bird species will hopefully be spotted as well as the enigmatic and endemic Proboscis Monkey as they prepare for the night in the tree-tops. The river has a significant Orangutan population as well as the Pygmy Elephant who migrate up and down the river.

After the cruise, return for dinner, an optional night walk is available after.

Meal Included (B,L,D)

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Day 5: Kinabatangan River

Rise early with the dawn chorus for a 06.00 river cruise to the nearby ox-bow lake. This is usually the best time to see the animals at their liveliest part of the day. Weather permitting there will be a short jungle walk to experience the forest on foot, expect to get muddy. Return for a late breakfast and relax.

After lunch included is a 2nd p.m river safari offering further opportunities to spot targets previously missed. It is also possible to visit the nearby Gomantong Caves as an additional activity or in place of 2nd p.m river cruise for a small additional charge.

After dinner a river night safari where sometimes crocodiles, snakes and sleeping birds can be seen. Very rarely the elusive Flat Headed Cat has been spotted here, if this is of interest please let us know and we can inform the lodge accordingly for a special cruise, with surcharge.

Meal Included (B,L,D)

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Day 6: Depart

Following breakfast, your transfer to Sandakan is included or to other destinations such as Danum or Tabin.

Meals Included: B,-,-

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****Tour includes the first night @ Sepilok where it is based on the family room at Sepilok Forest Edge

 

Then onto Deramakot, but Kun Kun with the river might be a better base for the two nights.

Our guide can do a mini jungle survival course there, along with walks and the 4*4 safaris.

 

Then finally two nights @ Borneo Nature Lodge - with one child in each room you will qualify for the % 50 rates.

This is on a shared basis with other guests.

 

Finally a transfer back to Sandakan airport.

 

If you are happy with a more rustic river location check out this excellent place, which now has private rooms Bulat Jungle Camp 

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If you stay at Jungle Camp the tour cost would reduce by $300 per adult.

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