Why this
Matters.
2026 Dates: 12 - 24 April Fully booked 17 - 29 May Fully booked 4 - 16 September 29 Oct - 10 Nov
Make a Difference: Your participation supports ethical wildlife conservation, social care projects, and Indigenous-owned tourism initiatives
Travel with Purpose: Experience Borneo’s people, animals, and ecosystems in a way that uplifts and protects what makes them unique
Unforgettable Memories: From dawn jungle drives to riverside wildlife sightings, this journey is packed with powerful, perspective-shifting moments
Leaving a Lasting Legacy.
This trip embodies community-focused tourism, putting locals at the heart of the experience. It’s about working with the community, not just visiting. By listening to local needs and collaborating on sustainable projects like building clay stoves and helping with wildlife care, the trip ensures tourism benefits the people rather than exploiting them. Through immersive cultural exchange and impactful development work, this journey uses tourism as a force for good—empowering communities and fostering deep, meaningful connections that leave a lasting legacy for both travelers and locals.
The
Journey.
Arrival in Kota Kinabalu
Welcome to Sabah! Upon arrival at Kota Kinabalu International Airport, our team will be there to greet you and transfer you to the Grandis Hotel. Take some time to settle in and freshen up after your flight. In the late afternoon, we’ll gather at the Piano Lounge for refreshments and a chance to get to know your fellow travellers. We’ll be joined by our expert local guides, Albert and John, for a comprehensive briefing on Bornean culture and the days ahead. To kick off the journey, we head to the Kampung Nelayan Seafood Village for a traditional welcome dinner, complete with a cultural dance performance.
Day 1
Gaya Island & Snorkeling
Start your morning with a short boat ride to the Floating Club House at Gaya Island. Here, the day is yours to enjoy—choose from kayaking, paddle boarding, or simply soaking up the sun on the deck. After a delicious lunch served on a private yacht, we’ll cruise around the islands, keeping an eye out for diverse birdlife, mischievous proboscis monkeys, and the elusive red giant flying squirrels. As the sun sets, we return to the mainland for a dinner at a Chinese restaurant, where you’ll taste dishes influenced by local Bornean flavours.
Day 2
Mari Mari Cultural Village
Dive deep into Borneo’s heritage with a visit to the Mari Mari Cultural Village. This living museum showcases the traditional houses and lifestyles of the five main tribes of Sabah. You’ll learn about their history, culinary traditions, and survival skills as they preserve their unique heritage. Prepare to get involved—you might even be invited to join a traditional bamboo dance! After a shared lunch with our hosts, we’ll visit iconic local attractions like the stunning Likas Floating Mosque, a marvel of modern Islamic architecture sitting on a man-made lagoon.
Day 3
Aura Kindergarten & River Rafting
Today we head to the rural district of Kiulu to visit the Aura Kindergarten. Here, you’ll engage with the children and staff, learning about the local education system and community initiatives. Afterwards, it’s time for a bit of adventure as we head to the Kiulu River. Enjoy a fun, easy-going rafting experience (grade 1–2 rapids) that takes you through spectacular bamboo groves and lush forests. It’s the perfect mix of excitement and scenery. We’ll wrap up the morning with a hearty BBQ lunch by the riverbank before returning to Kota Kinabalu.
Day 4
Kinabalu National Park
We leave the coast behind and travel inland to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kinabalu National Park. En route, we’ll stop at "Pekan Nabalu" for a photo opportunity with the majestic Mount Kinabalu as our backdrop. We’ll also visit the Desa Cattle Farm, often called the "New Zealand of Sabah," and explore the traditional markets in Kundasang, where fresh produce and local crafts abound. Dinner tonight features local specialities in a cooler mountain climate.
Day 5
Poring Hot Springs & Deramakot
Explore the famous Poring Hot Springs, known for their therapeutic sulphur baths and the giant bamboo that grows in the area. Take a walk on the 43m tall canopy walkway for a bird’s-eye view of the rainforest. Later, we drive to the Deramakot Forest Reserve, a model for sustainable forest management. As we approach our lodge, keep your eyes peeled for wildlife at dusk. After settling in and having dinner, we’ll embark on our first night Wildlife Drive, searching for nocturnal creatures like civets, leopard cats, and maybe even a clouded leopard.
Day 6
Deramakot Dawn Drive
It’s a 4:00 AM wake-up call for the "early birds" to witness dawn breaking over the rainforest. The morning drive offers a unique chance to see the forest wake up and observe animals starting their day. After the drive, return to the lodge for a well-deserved breakfast and a nap. In the afternoon, we’ll trek the Domingo Trail, learning about the medicinal plants and diverse flora of the region. We round off the day with another thrilling night-time Wildlife Drive.
Day 7
Borneo Elephant Sanctuary
We check out of Deramakot and travel to Kinabatangan, one of Borneo’s premier wildlife regions. Our destination is the Borneo Elephant Sanctuary (BES), specifically dedicated to the conservation of the endangered Borneo pygmy elephant. Here, you will meet the team and learn about the critical challenges these gentle giants face, from habitat loss to human-elephant conflict. You’ll get an introduction to the sanctuary’s daily operations and the vital work being done to protect the species.
Day 8
Volunteering & Bat Exodus
Get hands-on with volunteering activities at the sanctuary. Tasks may include preparing food for the elephants, cleaning enclosures, or helping with maintenance projects that support the sanctuary’s infrastructure. Your efforts directly contribute to the elephants’ well-being. In the evening, we travel to Gomantong Caves to witness the incredible bat exodus. Watch in awe as millions of bats spiral out of the cave entrance at dusk, while bat hawks swoop in for their dinner—a natural spectacle that needs to be seen to be believed.
Day 9
Kinabatangan Wildlife Corridor
We travel to Ulu Melapi for a deep immersion into the Kinabatangan river system. This area is a biodiversity hotspot. An afternoon river cruise offers excellent chances to spot iconic wildlife such as proboscis monkeys, macaques, and hornbills along the riverbanks. After dinner, we’ll take a nocturnal jungle walk to see the forest come alive after dark, looking for sleeping birds, insects, and reptiles.
Day 10
River Immersion
Today is dedicated to the river. We’ll embark on early morning and late afternoon river cruises, the prime times for wildlife viewing. This is your best chance to capture stunning photographs of Borneo’s unique biodiversity in its natural habitat. Between cruises, relax at the lodge or take a guided walk to learn more about the riverine ecosystem.
Day 11
Sepilok & Flying Squirrels
We visit the Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary to see these unique primates up close during their feeding time. Afterwards, we travel to Sepilok and check into the Sepilok Jungle Resort. In the late afternoon, we visit the Rainforest Discovery Centre. We’ll walk along the steel canopy bridge at dusk, hoping to see the endemic red giant flying squirrels gliding between the trees—a magical end to the day.
Day 12
Orangutans & Sun Bears
Our final morning is spent visiting two world-famous conservation centres. First, the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, where we’ll watch young orangutans learning survival skills at the outdoor nursery. Then, we visit the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre to learn about the world’s smallest bear and the efforts to rescue and rehabilitate them. After these inspiring visits, we transfer to Sandakan Airport for your onward flight, carrying memories of an incredible journey.
