Trip
Information
Tour
Dates: August 9-23, 2007, Optional Sarawak pre-tour August
5-9
Duration: 15
days
plus optional 5 day pre-tour
Limit: 12
people
Cost: $3995
USD, $4795 CDN, Single supplement $695 USD, $840 CDN
Optional pre-tour: $750 USD, $895 CDN, Single supplement $95 USD,
$115 CDN
From: Kota
Kinabalu, Borneo
Tour
Leaders: Richard Knapton & local
guide
Highlights:
• Wonderful rich and varied birding!
• Lots of very special and unique birds and wildlife, including astounding
mammals, from Orang-utans to Proboscis Monkeys
• Excellent reserves and birding areas at Mount Kinabalu, lowland rainforests,and
along marvelous rivers
Featured Birds & Other Wildlife:
• Bristlehead
•
Friendly Bush Warbler
•
Whitehead’s Trogon
•
Rhinoceros Hornbill
•
Bornean Wren-Babbler
•
Great Argus Pheasant
•
Whitehead’s Spiderhunter
•
Black-breasted Fruit-hunter
•
Buffy Fish-Owl
•
Orang-utan
•
Proboscis Monkey
Tour
Summary:
• Two internal flights included
•
Excellent high-quality hotels and lodges
•
6 to 12 participants with two leaders
•
All meals included
•
At low altitudes, hot, humid and sunny, with frequent rain. Cool
on Mount Kinabalu.
•
Generally easy to moderate walking; fairly arduous optional walk
at Mount Kinabalu
•
Boatrides along Kinabatangan River
|
The
island of Borneo, once a land of the mythical and mystical, has rapidly
become one of the most exciting and richest destinations for wildlife.
There are still vast tracts of forest remaining, in spite of widespread
logging and clearings, supporting a wonderful and truly exotic array
of animals and plants. Broadbills and barbets, hornbills and trogons,
bee-eaters and bristleheads, as well as flying foxes, tree shrews and
monkeys including the bizarre Proboscis Monkey and, of course, Orang-utan.
Rising out of the lowland rainforests is the superb and spectacular
Mount Kinabalu, rising over 4000 metres to its bare granite summit,
the highest peak between the Himalayas and New Guinea, and an area
of a high degree of endemism – birds with names like wren-babblers,
stubtails, blackeyes and the appropriately named Friendly Bush Warbler.
We start our journey
in the modern city of Kota Kinabalu, where we encounter lowland coastal
species, and then travel to the superb Danum Valley Conservation Area,
one of the most diverse and rich wildlife areas on the planet. We will
see a huge number of species! We then move to Sukau for boatrides along
the Kinabatangan River for kingfishers, darters, storks and Proboscis
Monkeys. A trip to Sepilok for Orang-utans and a surprisingly rich
avifauna is followed by several days at Mount Kinabalu, with its unique
and exciting fauna and flora. A visit to Borneo is a marvelous and
unforgettable experience.
See detailed itinerary
below
Click
here to download a registration form
Click
here to download a list of birds and mammals seen on the 2007 Borneo
tour (179 KB PDF)
2005 Borneo tour
species list (134 kb pdf) |
Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrive Kota Kinabalu
Arrive in Kota Kinabalu where our tour starts with a welcome dinner.
Kota
Kinabalu is the new name of Jesselton, named after Sir Charles Jessel,
a director
of the British North Borneo Chartered Company. The
town was established in 1897 when the small British settlement was
moved from Gaya Island to the mainland after it was razed by Mat
Salleh, the local native chief. Jesselton was almost completely destroyed
during
World War II save for three buildings. Today, this city of over 200,000
people of various ethnic groups is completely transformed. Kota Kinabalu
(KK) is the entry point to the state of Sabah, known as the “Land
Below the Wind” (actually below the typhoon belt). KK’s
coastal location and mountain backdrop make this one of the most spectacularly
set cities in the region. When skies are clear the most prominent feature
is the massive Mount Kinabalu, the highest mountain between the Himalayas
and New Guinea. Time
permitting, we may check mudflats at a wetland near the airport where
Greater and Lesser Sandplovers, Gray-tailed
Tattler and Red-necked Stint, and possibly
wintering (and globally threatened) Chinese Egrets occur. Around our hotel,
we sample some commom Bornean birds - Spotted and Zebra Doves, Glossy
Swiftlet,
House Swift, Pacific Swallow, Yellow-vented Bulbul, White-breasted Wood Swallow,
Asian Glossy Starling and Eurasian Tree Sparrow. Night at Kota Kinabalu Hotel
Day 2 - Kota Kinabalu to Danum
Valley and the Borneo Rainforest Lodge
Today we fly to Lahad Datu and transfer to the Borneo Rainforest Lodge;
the 2 hour journey passes through logging roads; occasional sightings
of feral elephants en route are not uncommon. The Danum Valley Conservation
Area spans 438 sq kilometers of primary and secondary rainforest west
of Lahad Datu and lies within the forest concession of the Sabah Foundation.
Established in 1981, for the purpose of rain forest related conservation,
research, education and recreation, the Conservation Area attempts
to show that tourism can positively aid the protection of the rainforest.
Within the Danum domain, there are numerous treks and canopy walks
providing opportunities to experience the abundant wildlife to be found
there. Our lodge is situated near the banks of the Danum River and
is surrounded by forest and there is excellent birding right on the
grounds.
Night at Danum Rainforest Lodge.
Day 3 - 5 - Borneo Rainforest
Lodge
The Danum Valley Conservation Area contains some of the most accessible
untouched lowland rainforest in Sabah. Huge trees upto 80m tall create
the tallest canopy of any rainforest, and support a myriad of lianas
and epiphytes which in turn support a profusion of wildlife. Indeed,
these rainforests are among the richest habitat on earth; there are
more tree species here than other comparable areas, the Danum Valley
list includes more than 275 species of birds and 110 species of mammals,
and butterflies are numerous and prominent.
Over the next three days, we’ll enjoy this lush and verdant tropical
forest with its many unique flora and fauna reached via a fine network
of trails and canopy walks. We’ll look for Great Argus Pheasant,
the world’s largest and spectacularly plumaged pheasant which
has actually become easier to see in recent years. Chestnut-necklaced
Partridge is a shy reclusive bird which we hope to find, along with
Wallace’s Hawk-Eagle, up to three species of pittas including
the magnificent Blue-headed Pitta, well-named "Jewel-Thrush",
and a host of tit-babblers, broadbills, an array of woodpeckers, barbets,
minivets, fantails, cuckoos, trogons, and nearly all of Borneo’s
hornbills, including the loudly trumpeting Rhinoceros Hornbill. Endemics
here include the bizarre and still mysterious Bornean Bristlehead,
as well as White-crowned Shama, Pygmy White-eye, Bornean and Black-throated
Wren-Babblers, Yellow-rumped Flowerpecker and Bornean Ground-Cuckoo.
The region is also rich in mammals and we may see Bornean Gibbon, Red
Leaf Monkey, Malayan Flying Fox, several species of civet, flying squirrels
and possibly Asian Elephant. We may even chance upon a wild Orang-utan!
We have the opportunity for several nocturnal walks, for such prizes
as Buffy Fish Owl and Brown Wood Owl, Greater Mouse-Deer, Sambar Deer,
Slow Loris or a Leopard Cat.
Nights at Danum Rainforest Lodge.
Day 6 - Borneo Rainforest Lodge to
Sukau Jungle Lodge
After breakfast, we leave the lodge, and head toward Sandakan. We
have lunch at the Silam lodge before heading towards Sandakan and the
Sukau Jungle
Lodge for a three night stay. In the evening, we have take a trip to
the Menangul River to view wildlife there. Night at Sukau Jungle Lodge.
Days 7 - 8 - Sukau: Oxbow
Lake -Sukau Jungle Lodge
The Kinabatangan River at 560 km long and with a catchment area estimated
at 16,800 square kilometers is Sabah’s longest river. The greatest
concentration of wildlife in Malaysia, and all of Borneo, can be found
along the lower reaches of the Kinabatangan River. The main river is
lined with forest on fertile alluvial terraces. Behind these are extensive,
low-lying forested swamps which are usually water logged and flooded
during rainy periods. Within the swamps, scattered lakes and small
hills dot the landscape.
Various
wildlife species abound here, including elephants and orang-utans.
The proboscis monkey, a species confined
to Borneo, is most readily
seen and particularly abundant in the mangrove forests of the lower
Kinabatangan. They live in groups of up to twenty or more, and these
placid vegetarians can be found among the mangrove forests along
the river banks, late afternoon before they retire for the night,
or early
in the morning, before they move off in search of food.
On
one day, in the early morning, we travel upriver and visit one of
the oxbow
lakes teeming with bird life. Possibilities here include
Stork-billed and Blue-eared Kingfishers, huge Great Slaty Woodpeckers,
Black-and-red Broadbill, White-chested Babbler, the rare and sought-after
Storm’s Stork, Lesser and Gray-headed Fish-Eagles, Jerdon’s
Baza, three species of blue flycatchers, Oriental Darter, and several
barbets and hornbills. We trek the lush riverine forest along the lake
and then return to the lodge for breakfast. In the afternoon, we venture
on another river cruise down the Menanggul River and along the Kinabatangan
River, returning to the lodge at dusk.
On
another day we visit the famous Gomantong Caves. This huge cave system
in a limestone outcrop
supports enormous numbers of swiftlets
and bats. The ecosystem here is one of constant darkness with the
various animals having adapted to such conditions. The main cave
is the nesting
area for four species of swiftlets, identifiable by their noticeably
differing nest structures. At dusk, huge numbers of bats emerge from
the caves and several Bat Hawks are usually here attempting to catch
them. The reserve for the caves is also rich in birdlife and we should
find a good selection of forest birds here.
Nights at Sukau Jungle Lodge.
Day 9 - Sukau : Boat down to
Sandakan then on to Sepilok
After breakfast we take a boat down to City, along the Kinabatang River,
and we cross Sandakan Bay to Sandakan City. The lower Kinabatangan
is excellent for birds, including egrets, several species of kingfishers,
Oriental Darter, swifts, bee-eaters, and hornbills. We transfer to
the Sepilok Nature Lodge located about 24 km from the city of Sandakan.
Night at Sepilok Nature Lodge.
Day 10 - Sepilok to Kota Kinabalu
National Park
We have an early morning bird walk followed by a morning visit to the
Sepilok Rehabilitation center. Sepilok is an old Forest Reserve, about
43 square kilometers in area, which served as a timber production area
in the early 1900s before it was gazetted as a forest reserve in 1931.
The area was used for highly selective logging until the mid-1950s,
when it was prohibited in 1956. Research on Orang-utan began in the
1930s, and the Orang-utan rehabilitation program started in 1964. The
centre is aimed at returning orphaned and captive Orang-utan to the
wild. Its rich tropical rainforest is a good example of lowland primary
forests with over 277 different species of birds and at least 300 types
of trees. After our visit to Sepilok, we fly back to Kota Kinabalu,
and on arrival, we transfer to Kinabalu National Park.
Covering
an area of 754 square kilometers, Kinabalu Park is one of the greatest
attractions of Sabah. At 4,101 m, Mount Kinabalu is Borneo's
highest peak. Vegetation types range from the rich lowland dipterocarp
zone through the montane oak, rhododendron, and conifer forests to
the alpine meadow plants and stunted bushes of the summit zone. There
are some 1,500 species of orchids, 26 species of rhododendrons, 9
species of pitcher plants, 60 species of oak and chestnut trees as
well as
2 species of Rafflesia. Around the Park Headquarters are several
easy, graded trails which lead through montane forests, follow valleys
and
ridges, and lead to scenic viewpoints and clear mountain streams.
The Mountain Garden, situated near the Park Administration Office,
has
an exotic collection of orchids and other mountain plants including
rhododendrons, pitcher plants and kerosene plants.
Night in Kinabalu National Park.
Days 11 - 13 - Kinabalu Park & Poring
We have three days to explore this marvelous area. The imposing granite
massif of Mount Kinabalu towers above the lowland rainforest and cultivated
areas. The summit is generally visible in the early morning, allowing
stunning views, but thereafter is frequently cloaked in mist. Mount Kinabalu
is a naturalist’s paradise, and the park is an excellent location
to view some of Borneo’s montane bird life. We will see a good
range of lowland and upland species confined to areas above 1500m. Many
of these montane species are endemic to Borneo. We look for Sunda Cuckoo-shrike,
Temminck’s Sunbird, Short-tailed Magpie, Gray-throated Babbler,
Snowy-browed Flycatcher, Ashy and Hair-crested Drongos, and Mountain
Leaf-Warbler, and we also target Kinabalu’s local specialties such
as Whitehead’s Broadbill, Black-breasted Fruit-hunter, Mountain
Serpent-Eagle, Red-breasted and Crimson-headed Partridges, Bornean Whistler,
Mountain Wren-Babbler, Black-sided Flowerpecker, and Bornean Stubtail.
In addition our walks may turn up mammals such as the remarkable Mountain
Treeshrew and several species of squirrels including pygmy-squirrels.
On
one morning we will start along the steep summit trail into the upper
montane zone. We will hopefully not have to go too far before we find
Friendly Bush Warbler, a bird which often lives up to its name as it
can be enticed to within a metre or so, as well as Flavescent Bulbul,
Sunda Bush Warbler and Mountain Black-eye. An excursion after dark
near our chalets should allow us to hear the reclusive Mountain Scops
Owl.
Whilst based at Kinabalu we will also make an excursion to Poring Hot
Springs, situated at lower altitudes near the foot of the mountain.
The hot sulphur springs were developed by the Japanese in the Second
World
War and are now a popular tourist attraction. They are surrounded by
magnificent lowland rainforest which harbours a good range of birds
not found at higher altitudes on the mountain, including Rufous and
Maroon
Woodpeckers, Red-eyed, Black-headed, Scaly-breasted and Streaked Bulbuls,
Moustached Babbler, Oriental Magpie-Robin (of a distinctive, near-black
form), Everett’s White-eye, Orange-bellied Flowerpecker, Dusky
Munia and perhaps also the enigmatic Bornean Spiderhunter. Nights in
Kinabalu National Park.
Day 14 - Rafflesia Forest Reserve
and return to Kota Kinabalu
Today we make an early start and head off for the Rafflesia Forest Reserve
situated in the Crocker Range. This mid-elevation forested area holds
several species which are particularly difficult to find – the
endemic Bornean and Mountain Barbets, Bare-headed Laughingthrush, Blue-winged
Leafbird, Ashy and Black-crested Bulbuls, and Whitehead’s Spiderhunter.
We will also look for flowering Rafflesia, the largest flower on earth!
We then return to Kota Kinabalu.
Overnight in Kota Kinabalu.
Day 15 - Departure
Our tour ends after breakfast for our flights home, or you can connect
to our Papua New Guinea tour with a flight to Singapore and a direct
flight from there to Port Moresby.
Sarawak
Pre-tour
Day
1 -
Arrival in Kota Kinabalu
Our
tour begins in Kota Kinabalu. We meet in the evening for dinner and to
discuss our upcoming adventure.
Day
2 - Transfer to Mulu National Park, Sarawak
From
Kota Kinabalu, we catch two short flights to Mulu and transfer to
the Royal Mulu Resort for our
three night stay. We may have time to bird the area around Miri airport
where common lowland species occur. On arrival in Mulu, we will likely
have time to walk some of the trails and perhaps witness a “bat
flight” from one of the famous caves at the national park.
Night at Royal Mulu Resort
Days
3 - 4 -
Mulu National Park, Sarawak
Gunung
Mulu National Park attracts visitors because of its accessible caves,
among the largest
and longest in the world. Extensive, well-maintained
boardwalks link the riverside headquarters area to several caves, passing
through lowland and extensive swamp forest. During our two full days,
we cover the Deer Cave trail, Clearwater Cave trail, and the first
part of the Summit trail. The park boasts an impressive bird and mammal
list, and we should see quite an array of wildlife during our stay;
babblers, barbets, hornbills, kingfishers, leafbirds, bulbuls, woodpeckers,
perhaps a Black-thighed Falconet. We should do well for broadbills,
including Black-and-yellow and Black-and-red, and with exceptional
luck the rarely seen Hose’s Broadbill. If birding slows somewhat,
then the impressive numbers and species of butterflies will catch our
attention, including the spectacular Rajah Birdwings.
We
stay at the Royal Mulu Resort, a first class accommodation. Private
bungalows are linked with beautiful boardwalks among fruiting
trees. Guides are required
for those who wish to enter caves for an optional conducted walk.
Nights at Royal Mulu Resort Day
5 -
Leave Mulu for Kota Kinabalu
After
a final morning, we catch our flight to Miri and on to Kota Kinabalu
to connect with the main Borneo tour.
What to expect
Be prepared for hot, humid and sunny weather at low altitudes,
with showers in the afternoon so it is recommended to take a light
rain-jacket or poncho, although we try to avoid birding in any rain
worse than a light drizzle. It will likely be cool at higher elevations
on Mount Kinabalu. We usually have early breakfasts and some before-breakfast
birding since it is best to begin birding at daybreak. Some lunches
will be picnic style to maximize our time in the field.
Walking conditions
will be generally easy to moderate; there is a fairly arduous optional
walk on Mount Kinabalu, as we try for some
higher elevational species. Trails anywhere may be muddy depending
on how recently it has rained. Bring mosquito repellent and/or mosquito-proof
clothing because bugs can be a problem, especially at low elevations
in moist humid conditions. Leeches can be a nuisance, but can usually
be deterred with insect repellant.You will need to bring a hat and
sunblock, especially on the boat trips along the Kinabatangan River.
In the evenings we usually eat at the hotel or lodge where we are staying
and review the list of birds and other wildlife that we have encountered,
as well as discuss the following day’s activities. |
