12 days tour

Borneo Family Wildlife Adventure

Borneo Family Wildlife Adventure

This tour includes:

Flights

1 internal flight included. *** All other flights are not included.

Others

Stay at a Kinabatangan jungle lodge - jungle walks and wildlife river cruises Visit Kota Kinabalu National Park - trekking and bathing in hot springs See orang-utans of Sepilok and Proboscis monkeys of Labuk Bay Relax on a tropical island with white sand beaches and spectacular snorkelling

Accommodation

We spend nine nights in hotels and lodges, one night in a homestay, and one night in a longhouse (with shared bathroom facilities). In Kota Kinabalu, we stay in a hotel with private bathrooms. In the Mount Kinabalu region, we experience rural life with a night in a village homestay on Day 2; the following day is in a comfortable resort lodge, then we spend one night on Day 4 in a traditional longhouse at Sabah Tea Gardens with spectacular views. In Kinabatangan and Sepilok, we stay in jungle lodges with air-conditioning and private bathrooms. On the last three nights of the tour, we stay in a nice hotel resort in Kota Kinabalu, also with air conditioning, private bathrooms and a rooftop swimming pool. Triple-share accommodation is rare in Borneo, but in these instances foldout beds are commonly used. Worth knowing While we do our best to ensure families are roomed close together (in some cases, we can arrange adjoining rooms), we canโ€™t guarantee this. Most family trips occur during peak season and we sometimes have little control over where you are put.

Guide

Tour leader throughout

Meals

All breakfasts, four lunches and four dinners are included. Malaysia is renowned for its culinary excellence; however, food can often be relatively unexciting and limited in the lodges and for hotel breakfasts. Meals will be more varied for everyone in cities and seafood is widely available on the coast. Most meals are basic, based around rice and noodles although most accommodation does offer a Western breakfast of beans, toast and eggs. In the bigger hotels and cities, the full range of Western and local foods are available. You can generally avoid the spicier food if you wish. Allow at least 70-140 ringgits (US$15-US$30) per day for lunch and dinner. You can eat out very cheaply in Borneo, but if you go to the more expensive restaurants most of the time, you will spend more than the suggested amount. Vegetarians can be catered for but will find the food choice limited. Please inform us before departure of any special dietary requests. Please note, in Borneo the availability of certain products is minimal or non-existent, for example wheat- or dairy-free, please be prepared for this, you may need to bring such items from home.

Transport

We use several modes of transport. Most transfers are in private minibuses, although we also travel by local buses. We use several different boats, including speedboats and traditional longboats. There is one internal flight. Airport transfers are included for those on the group flights. Please note that transfers are not included for clients arriving on any other flight, even if Exodus has booked it. If you require airport transfers, you may (by prior arrangement only) be able to join the group transfer. Transfers are arranged to coincide with the arrival time of the group flight โ€ please check the group flight details 2 weeks before departure. If you do not take this transfer, or miss it, you must make your own way to the joining point at your own expense.

Not included:

Optional

The following optional excursions may be available to you during the tour - please note that although prices are correct at the time of writing, prices may fluctuate and are given as a guideline only. Kinabalu Park Kundasang War Memorial- 20 MYR Botanical garden- 5 MYR Kota Kinabalu Sabah Museum, Kota Kinabalu - MYR 15 Poring Hot Springs Rafflesia viewing- 20-30 MYR (if in bloom, costs can vary) Orchid Conservation Centre- 10 MYR Sepilok Rainforest Discovery Centre, Sepilok - MYR 15 Sun bear Conservation Centre - 30 MYR

Insurance

Insurance is not included. It is a condition of joining any of our holidays that you must be fully insured against medical and personal accident risks (to include repatriation costs and air ambulance or helicopter rescue services where appropriate). On arrival in destination for your trip, you will be asked to present details to your leader or local representative of your policy. If you are resident in the UK we strongly recommend the Exodus travel insurance policy, this is specifically designed to cover all activities on your trip. If arranging your own policy please ensure that you are covered for all activities that are part of the trip, optional activities that you intend to take part in and/or on high altitude itineraries, that you are covered up to the maximum altitude of the trip.

Others

โ€” Travel insurance โ€” Single accommodation (available on request) โ€” Visas & vaccinations

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Borneo Family Wildlife Adventure

  • Day 1 Day 1: Start Kota Kinabalu
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 1: Start Kota Kinabalu

      The adventure starts at our hotel in Kota Kinabalu. Today is a free day but there is a welcome meeting in the evening with your tour leader; details of where and when this will take place will have been left at the hotel reception. Check-in is from 2pm. Kota Kinabalu, the capital of Sabah, is an intriguing city born between the Borneo jungle and the South China Sea. Having recovered from Second World War bombings, KK now possesses a gateway charm only found in frontier towns. If you have enough free time, immerse yourself in local history at the Sabah State Museum or visit the Mari Mari Cultural Village for a fun, interactive learning experience. Accommodation: Dreamtel Hotel (or similar)

  • Day 2 Day 2: Hike Through Rubber And Fruit Plantation; Spend The Night In A Homestay In Tanak Nabalu Village (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 2: Hike Through Rubber And Fruit Plantation; Spend The Night In A Homestay In Tanak Nabalu Village (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

      Leaving the city, we head towards Mount Kinabalu. After two hours to 2hr 30min, we arrive at the Dusun village of Tanak Nabalu (please note, the roads to the village are quite bad so we may have to use smaller minibuses for this journey). The Dusun people are the largest ethnic group in Sabah, the province of Borneo where we find ourselves. In the village, we are separated into different homestays and spend the rest of the day hiking through orchards and rubber plantations, going for a swim in the river, exploring the village and, possibly, if anyone is feeling energetic, playing football on the village pitch. This evening, we gather for a cultural show, which helps the Dusun people preserve their ancient, traditional dances. As not all families speak English, our tour leader hands out language sheets and assists with communication. Accommodation: Tanak Nabalu homestay

  • Day 3 Day 3: To Kinabalu National Park, Exploring The Lower Trails And Botanical Gardens; Overnight In Local Resort Lodge (Breakfast,Dinner)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 3: To Kinabalu National Park, Exploring The Lower Trails And Botanical Gardens; Overnight In Local Resort Lodge (Breakfast,Dinner)

      Following breakfast, this morning we transfer to Kinabalu National Park (approximately 30 minutes). Here we go for a one to two-hour hike along some of the lower trails and the Mountain Botanical Gardens, which has an excellent showcase of the mountainโ€™s diverse plant life. There is the option to visit the Kundasang War Memorial, which commemorates prisoners of war who died during the infamous death marches of the Second World War. The memorial is formed of four gardens: the Australian, English, Malaysian and the Contemplation Garden that represent the different nationalities. We then take a short transfer to the Zen Garden Resort, where we spend the night. Accommodation: Zen Garden Resort (or similar)

  • Day 4 Day 4: Transfer To Sabah Tea Gardens; Soak In Poring Hot Springs And Take To The Trees With A Canopy Walk (Breakfast)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 4: Transfer To Sabah Tea Gardens; Soak In Poring Hot Springs And Take To The Trees With A Canopy Walk (Breakfast)

      This morning, we transfer (one hour) to the Poring Hot Spring, where we have plenty of time to enjoy the cool pools and hot tubs (into which the steaming hot water is piped) plus the well-maintained, self-guided walking trails to a nearby waterfall. The hot springs can get quite busy, especially during school and public holidays, so you may wish to pay the additional charge to enjoy a private bath if you want a good soak. We later take to the trees as we head on a canopy walkway, which follows a trail including several suspension bridges hanging from the trees at canopy level, some up to 130ft (40m) above the ground. There is also a butterfly and orchid garden within the complex. We later take a short transfer to the Sabah Tea Gardens, where we spend the night in a traditional reconstructed longhouse with shared bathrooms. Accommodation: Sabah Tea Longhouse

  • Day 5 Day 5-6: Visit Tea Factory; Onto Kinabatangan; Enjoy Morning And Afternoon River Cruises; Explore The Jungle On Foot (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 5-6: Visit Tea Factory; Onto Kinabatangan; Enjoy Morning And Afternoon River Cruises; Explore The Jungle On Foot (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

      Waking to spectacular views over the mountain, we start with an early morning visit to the tea plantation, learning about tea production, before driving to Kinabatangan (approximately five to six hours). The Kinabatangan River is the longest in Sabah and the lower reaches are recognised as one of the best places in Southeast Asia for wildlife viewing. The forests are home to 10 primate species, including orangutans, proboscis monkeys and gibbons, plus hornbills, crocodiles and the elusive pygmy elephants, which drink at the river. We spend the next day and a half exploring the jungle. We go on river cruises, jungle hikes, a night walk and plant trees. Accommodation: Bilit Adventure Lodge (or similar)

  • Day 6 Day 7-8: Visit Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre And Optional Visit To The Rainforest Discovery Centre And Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (Breakfast)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 7-8: Visit Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre And Optional Visit To The Rainforest Discovery Centre And Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (Breakfast)

      The next two days are spent in and around Sepilok. The drive to Labuk Bay and the proboscis monkey sanctuary takes about three to four hours. These monkeys, only found in Borneo, are very distinctive with their large noses and can often be seen jumping between trees with tremendous leaps through the air. After visiting the sanctuary, we continue to Sepilok (about 40 minutesโ€™ away) where we stay in a guesthouse with a pool just five minutes from the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre. The Kabili Sepilok Reserve, established in the 1960s, is home to between 60 and 80 rehabilitated orangutans, which roam freely in the forest. Additionally, the rehabilitation centre was established to care for the apes and is home to a further 25 young, orphaned orangutans who live in a nursery. The rehabilitation centre provides medical care for the orphaned and confiscated apes plus various other wild animals. While the semi-wild orangutans roam free in the reserve and forage for food, their diet is supplemented by milk and banana. There are two feedings a day, at 10am and 3pm, and we have the opportunity to witness both. There is also the opportunity to visit the nearby Borneo Sun Bear Conservation Centre. The smallest of all bears, sun bears were once widely found across much of Asia but have drastically decreased in numbers. The centre aims to protect and promote conservation to return these bears to the forest. The nearby Rainforest Discovery Centre is a centre for environmental education within the Kabili-Sepilok Forest Reserve. Its primary function is to create public awareness and appreciation of the importance of conserving forests, as well as the sustainable use of forest resources. The 482ft (147m) long, 92ft (28m) high steel canopy walkway gives spectacular views of beautiful rainforest giants, such as the mengaris tree, and there are 250 bird species to spot. Accommodation: Sepilok Jungle Resort (or similar)

  • Day 7 Day 9: Fly Back To Kota Kinabalu; Free Time To Relax Or Explore Kota Kinabalu (Breakfast)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 9: Fly Back To Kota Kinabalu; Free Time To Relax Or Explore Kota Kinabalu (Breakfast)

      Later this morning we head to Sandakan Airport (about 25 minutes) for our flight back to Kota Kinabalu (40 minutes). Please note, there is a 33lb (15kg) restriction on checked baggage for the domestic flight, but it is possible to pay for excess luggage at the airport or your leader can arrange this at the start of the tour. Upon arrival in Kota Kinabalu, we transfer to the Grandis Hotel & Resort, where we spend the last three nights of the trip. The hotelโ€™s prime location near the waterfront provides easy access to the markets and restaurants as well as the city jetty. The rest of the day is free to relax and enjoy the hotel swimming pool or wander through the markets at leisure. Accommodation: Grandis Hotel & Resort (or similar)

  • Day 8 Day 10: Spend The Day Snorkelling And Swimming In Tunku Abdul Marine Park (Breakfast,Lunch)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 10: Spend The Day Snorkelling And Swimming In Tunku Abdul Marine Park (Breakfast,Lunch)

      Today we explore Tunku Abdul Marine Park on a snorkelling trip to some of the best sites with vibrant coral and colourful fish! There will also be time for swimming and relaxing on white sand beaches on one on the islands within the marine park. Accommodation: Grandis Hotel & Resort (or similar)

  • Day 9 Day 11: Free Day And Optional Final Group Dinner (Breakfast)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 11: Free Day And Optional Final Group Dinner (Breakfast)

      Today is a free day for last-minute shopping, sightseeing or to enjoy optional activities on offer, including participating in a traditional cooking class or join a half day kayak on the Tembara river. Your leader can advise during the trip (additional cost, payable locally). There is also the option for families to take a short boat ride and go island hopping from the city jetty (located by the hotel) to the nearby islands for a day at the beach and snorkelling. Alternatively, you may wish to relax by the pool before our final evening together. Please note: The Tembara River kayaking optional excursion has been closed until further notice. Accommodation: Grandis Hotel & Resort (or similar)

  • Day 10 Day 12: End Kota Kinabalu (Breakfast)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 12: End Kota Kinabalu (Breakfast)

      The trip ends after breakfast in Kota Kinabalu. Of course, if youโ€™d like to explore a little longer, speak to your sales representative about booking post-tour nights.

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Experience Style

Experience Style

Mixed

There will be challenging activities such as hiking, biking, canyoning and trekking, but youโ€™re also going to have other means of transportation and relaxed moments to just chill.

Accomodation level

Accomodation level

Medium

This accommodation includes essential services like a hot shower, electricity, and a nice and comfy bed.

Experience Type

Experience Type

Small Group

Youโ€™ll be accompanied by a small group of travelers just like you.

Physical Rating

Physical Rating

Average

There are several physical activities that last from 2 to 6 hours in easy terrains, low altitude flats, or water experiences. Please ask if youโ€™re not sure this applies to you.

Age range

Age range

Min: 9 / Max: 99

Age range allowed for this experience.

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