Best of Sabah & Sarawak

Arrive Kuching

Kuching is the capital city of Sarawak, Malaysia, known for its charming blend of modernity and tradition. It boasts scenic riverfront views, vibrant markets, and a rich cultural history, making it a popular tourist destination. On arrival at the airport, you will be met by our tour executive, who will assist you with the transfer to the hotel. Stay two nights in Kuching.

Semenggoh Orangutan Centre & Sarawak River Sunset Cruise

You will be picked up from the hotel between 0745 and 0800 hours for a visit to the Semenggoh Wildlife Centre, located 24 kilometres from Kuching. This rehabilitation centre is home to over 20 semi-wild orangutans that return for supplemental feeding, offering visitors the chance to observe them in a natural setting. Rangers will provide a briefing about the centre’s conservation efforts before you return to your hotel. The mid-afternoon is free for leisure. At around 1700 hours, you will walk to the Kuching Waterfront promenade and board the MV Equatorial at 1730 hours for a 1.5-hour Sunset River Cruise on the Sarawak River. The cruise offers scenic views of Kuching and Mount Serapi, often accompanied by a picturesque sunset. After the cruise, you will walk back to your nearby hotel.

Drive to Batang Ai reservoir and travel upriver to Nanga Sumpa by longboat

After an early breakfast, travel to Batang Ai reservoir; on the way, stop for lunch and stroll around the shops at Lachau Bazaar. Board a local longboat and travel upriver to the Iban village.

Check-in & relax

On arrival relax at your lodge. After dinner visit Nanga Sumpa longhouse. Relax on the ruai (common verandah) and spend time with the Iban people. Interact with the community; learn about their culture and enjoy some local rice wine.

Visit to Enseluai Waterfall and a short Rainforest Trek Trail

After breakfast, begin a jungle hike along riverside trails to reach another local community before continuing upstream by longboat. Your destination is the picturesque Enseluai Waterfall, where you will have time to relax, swim, and take in the rainforest surroundings. A riverside BBQ lunch will be served by your Iban hosts. Between 1330 and 1400 hours, depart by boat (approximately 15 minutes) to the confluence of the Delok and Lalang Rivers. From there, embark on a 1–2 hour trek along a rainforest trail through orangutan habitat.

Check - in & relax

Arrive into Lubok Kasai and take time to unwind—swim in the river or simply soak in the peaceful rainforest atmosphere. This area is occasionally visited by orangutans, especially at dawn or dusk. After dinner, enjoy a quiet evening at the lodge surrounded by the serenity of the forest, or, weather permitting, join a short 30-minute night walk near the lodge.

Rainforest Trail Trekking

After breakfast, depart between 0830 and 0900 hours for a rainforest trek in search of orangutans and other wildlife such as pig-tailed macaques, hornbills, and various bird species. While sightings of orangutans are occasional, their nests are commonly seen along the trail. Return to Lubok Kasai around 1200–1300 hours for lunch at the camp. The afternoon is free for you to relax, take a swim in the river, or enjoy the peaceful rainforest surroundings. At 1600 hours, set out on another 1–2 hour walk along a trail that follows the Lalang River, continuing your search for orangutans.

Travel to Kuching

Enjoy breakfast at the camp, followed by departure at 0830 hours for a downriver journey to the Batang Ai Lake jetty, arriving between 1030 and 1100 hours. Continue with an overland transfer back to Kuching, with a lunch stop along the way.

Check - in & relax

Check into the hotel and evening free to relax or explore the town.

Transfer to airport

After breakfast, transfer to airport to board flight to Kota Kinabalu, the vibrant capital of Sabah, Malaysia, known for its stunning beaches, rich culture, and proximity to Mount Kinabalu. It’s a gateway for eco-tourism, offering diverse wildlife and natural beauty.

Check - in & relax

Upon arrival, you will be received and transfer to the hotel.

Poring Hot Spring & Kinabalu Park

At 0700 hours, depart from your city hotel in Kota Kinabalu for a scenic 3-hour drive to Poring Hot Spring, with a stop at Nabalu village to enjoy local fruits, browse handicrafts, and take in views of Mount Kinabalu. Upon arrival at Poring, experience the canopy walkway for a unique perspective of the rainforest, followed by a relaxing soak in the hot mineral springs. Visit the interpretive centre to learn about local flora and fauna before continuing to Kinabalu Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Explore its mountain gardens, home to diverse plant and animal life, before returning to Kota Kinabalu in the late afternoon.

Transfer to airport

Today after breakfast transfer to airport to board your flight to Sandakan.

Check - in & relax

On arrival in Sandakan you will be received and transfer to My Nature resort in Sepilok, set in 25 acres of rainforest bordering the Sepilok forest reserve, a protected area rich in wildlife. The afternoon is free at leisure. Relax, swim in the pool, go for a walk on the resort’s own 1,050 metre long boardwalk.

Visit Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary and Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre

After breakfast, check out from hotel. 0900 Hrs, visit the Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary where captive orangutans are reintroduced into the wild. You will be able to observe them at their feeding stations in the rainforest and at the nursery (if open). Watch the feeding session at 1000 hours. Then proceed to the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC). This centre rescues captured sun bears and is involved in sun bear conservation, welfare rehabilitation and education. Over 30 sun bears live at the centre in the bear house and outdoor enclosures. Afterwards, travel by road to Sukau.

Reach and explore the wildlife

Afternoon go on a river cruise up the Kinabatangan River to the Menanggul River in search of proboscis monkeys, birds and other wildlife. Return to the lodge for dinner and stay overnight in Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge (non-air conditioned).

Excursion to Ox Bow Lake & Menanggul River

Start the day with an early morning river cruise along the Kinabatangan River, exploring the nearby Ox Bow Lake in search of birds and wildlife. In the evening, embark on another cruise along the Menanggul River for more wildlife spotting before returning to the lodge at dusk.

Travel to Tabin

After breakfast depart the lodge at 0700 hours and travel overland to Lahad Datu (about 2 hours). On arrival in Lahad Datu change your vehicle and depart at 0930 hours for a un-scheduled transfer (2 hours) to Tabin Wildlife Reserve.

Check-in and late afternoon take a short trek

Check into the charming timber bungalow of Tabin Wildlife Resort, set in the rainforest alongside the Lipad River and a variety of birds, insects and even small mammals can be sighted quite easily in the vicinity. Discover the rich variety of jungle herbs, some endemic, used for generations by local folks for the treatment of various ailments. In the afternoon, embark on a short trek through the jungle for twenty minutes arriving at an elevated bare area - the Lipad mud volcano. This feature also serves as a mineral salt lick for wildlife as evidenced by the multitude of animal footprints here. After dinner, enjoy a slide presentation on Tabin’s uniqueness, followed by a Night Safari to look out for nocturnal wildlife and birds.

Trek and visit Lipad Waterfall

Begin the day with an early morning bird walk to spot some of Tabin’s impressive variety of nearly 300 bird species. After breakfast, set off on a trek through the lush rainforest, renowned for its rich biodiversity, to reach the scenic Lipad Waterfall. Enjoy a refreshing dip in the natural pool or a rejuvenating shower beneath the falls, followed by time to relax or explore the surrounding vegetation. In the afternoon, unwind with the Tabin Rainforest Foot Soak, a soothing herbal remedy for tired muscles. As evening falls, head out on a dusk drive in search of nocturnal wildlife.

Travel to Lahad Datu

After breakfast, the tour finishes with a direct transfer to the Lahad Datu airport for your flight to onward destination.