Orang-utan-go (Family)

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Day to Day Itinerary

Day 1: Kota Kinabalu

Upon arrival in Kota Kinabalu, you are met and transferred to your hotel, where you meet your tour leader and participate in the pre-trip briefing. The rest of the day is free for you to relax after your flight. It may be a handy time to buy a ‘poncho’ (a cheap, local, lightweight rain-jacket). In the evening we get a chance to eat out local style and trying out some of the delicious Malaysian food, by enjoying dinner (optional) at nearby hawker food stalls or one of the local restaurants.

Day 2: Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park island - Kota Kinabalu

Meals included: 1 breakfast

We go down to the waterfront jetty, where we catch a boat for about 20 minutes to one of the five islands that make up Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park - a marine reserve named after Malaysia's first prime minister. Here, we have a chance to relax and swim in the warm tropical waters or do some snorkelling before returning mid-afternoon to Kota Kinabalu. Please note that snorkelling gear available for hire. However it is necessary that you bring along with you a towel, hat, walking shoes, insect repellent, water bottle, swim wear and sun block lotion.

Day 3: Rungus Longhouse - Kudat

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

We depart from Kota Kinabalu and drive for 2½ hours along the coast in a northerly direction to an area where we see the last original longhouses in Sabah. After checking into our longhouse, which is home to the Rungus people, we continue to the town of Kudat for lunch. We then set off our journey to the ‘Tip of Borneo', where we witness the picturesque vista of the place where the South China Sea meets the Sulu Sea. This is an exceptionally scenic area and there is time for us to swim or just relax on one of the finest beaches in Borneo. We return to the longhouse, where we are guest of the Rungus people for the night.(Mattress and mosquito nets provided)

Day 4: Mount Kinabalu (Base of Mountain)

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch

We wake up to the calls of roosters and enjoy the rural tranquillity of having spent a night in a village. After breakfast, we trek to a nearby rubber estate, where we may have the chance to test our skills at rubber tapping. We then travel through scenic villages and farms to the Mompilis Village longhouse. Here we can enjoy a fresh coconut drink, while mingling with the friendly local folks and playing with the children. After departing the longhouse we travel by road to Mount Kinabalu National Park, with lunch enroute. Our lodge is situated outside the park itself and you can spend time relaxing and admiring the scenic beauty of the surrounding valley.

Day 5: Mount Kinabalu (Base of Mountain)

Meals included: 1 breakfast

Today we spend our time in the area around the base of Mount Kinabalu. The park is a beautiful spot and many locals visit here to escape the heat and humidity of the lowlands. We proceed to the Poring Hot Springs and check out the canopy walk in the afternoon, which takes us over 40 metres above the ground. The springs consist of steaming sulphurous water channelled into pools, where you can have a swim or soak here if you wish. However please note that the place is somewhat in disrepair. The canopy walk consists of a series of walkways suspended from trees above the jungle floor and offers unique views of the surrounding forest. It’s great fun and a terrific way to spot birds and other wildlife.

Day 6: Sandakan

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch

After breakfast, we drive for five hours to Sandakan. On arrival, we enjoy a short tour of Sandakan town, which includes a visit to the water village, the local market, a Chinese temple and the Australian War Memorial. We then proceed to Sepilok, where we stay a night at a jungle lodge.

Day 7: Sepilok - Sukau

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

We spend a fascinating morning meeting the inhabitants of the Sepilok Orang-utan Rehabilitation Centre. At this centre we walk on wooden boardwalks for ten minutes through the rainforest, where we witness the morning feeding of the orang-utans. This is then followed by a video presentation that tells us about these amazing apes. We then travel to Sandakan jetty for a boat journey along Sabah's longest river, the Kinabatangan, to Sukau Rainforest Lodge. En route we have opportunities to spot birds and other wildlife in virgin mangrove, wetland and rainforest habitats. After settling in to our accommodation, we set off in the late afternoon by taking a river cruise on a motorised to look for some of the 10 primate species that live in this area. A highlight is spotting proboscis monkeys, as they settle down on the treetops along the river. Wild orang-utans, long-tailed and pig-tailed macaques, monitor lizards and various species of hornbills and kingfishers are also often sighted. If you are lucky, you may even see some wild Borneo elephants, recently identified as a unique sub-species of the Asian elephant. We return to our lodge for a solar heated hot shower, a candle lit dinner and a slide show conducted by our resident naturalist.

Day 8: Sukau

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

We wake up to the calls of gibbons and hornbills. A 6:00 am morning river cruise up the Kinabatangan River gives us a chance to view more birds and wildlife. We then proceed to the Kelenanap ox-bow lake for a short jungle walk (weather permitting). Here we really get to experience the wilderness of Borneo. You have the option to participate in our conservation project by planting trees on part of our 64 acres of adopted land. In the afternoon we proceed for another river cruise in search of more wildlife. After dinner there is an optional (additional cost) night safari cruise, which gives us a chance of spotting some of the many nocturnal species of animals.

Day 9: Beringgis Beach Resort

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch

After travelling back to Sandakan, we head to the airport and board a flight to Kota Kinabalu. On arrival at Kota Kinabalu Airport you are transferred to Beringgis Beach Resort. Beringgis Beach Resort is located close to Kota Kinabalu on a three-kilometre stretch of sandy beach along the scenic Kinarut coastline. The resort offers an assortment of relaxing and fun-filled recreational activities.

Day 10: Beringgis Beach Resort

Meals included: 1 breakfast

The tour ends after breakfast this morning. You can depart for home today; alternatively you can book an extension and stay on in this family friendly beach resort, enjoying more time in the tropical sun. At the end of your time in Beringgis you will be transferred to Kota Kinabalu Airport in time to meet your onward flight.

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Your Trip

What's Included

Local tour leader, arrival and departure transfers, transport, sightseeing and entrance fees.

Summary of accommodation, transport & meals

Accommodation

• 2 nights Comfortable hotel
• 3 nights Rainforest lodge
• 2 nights Park lodge
• 1 night Longhouse
• 1 night Beach resort

Meals

• 9 breakfasts
• 6 lunches
• 3 dinners

Not Included

Visa costs, international flights, departure taxes, insurance (obligatory on all trips), other meals, drinks, any optional additional tours and activities during free time, spending of a personal nature such as tips, laundry, drinks, souvenirs.

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Important Information

FLIGHT: SANDAKAN TO KOTA KINABALU
Your flight ticket will be given to you by your tour leader, before you board this flight.

LOCAL LEADERS
By employing and training local guides to lead our group holidays, there is a two-fold benefit. Firstly, we provide employment opportunities for the local community. Just as important, however, is the benefit to you, the traveller. Your tour leader’s friendship, humour, passion and intimate knowledge of the region will be key factors in making your holiday a success.

TIPPING
Tipping has become an accepted part of tourism in South East Asia. Your tour leader will be able to advise you in this area; however, as a guideline we would recommend 10% in restaurants, and a small tip to hotel bellboys for carrying your bags.

At you pre-tour briefing your tour leader will discuss with you the idea of running a tipping kitty, whereby everybody contributes an equal amount and then the tour leader pays the tips and keeps a record of all monies spent (except restaurant tips). The record can be checked at any time and any money remaining at the end of the tour is returned to group members. This is often the easiest way to avoid the hassles of needing small change and knowing what is an appropriate amount to tip.

It is customary to tip your tour leader, at the end of the trip, if you are happy with the service. A minimum tip of US$2 per day, from each member of the group, is the usual amount expected.

Age limits and responsibility for minors
Our family trips are not recommended for children under the age of six. There must be at least one parent/adult guardian for three minors. Parent/adult guardian must be fully responsible for their minors throughout the entire trip. If you have a question regarding age and suitability, please contact us for further advice.

About this Information

The information provided here is given in good faith and has been compiled with all reasonable care. However, things change and some of the information may become out of date. Please keep this in mind when you read it and check with us if you want to be sure about something. The document was correct at time of printing, but you can check online for the most up to date version.  If you have any queries, please contact your travel agent or our staff in Australia. We are here to help you!

Last Updated

17 March 2012

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