16D15N Wings & Wonder: Sabah Bird Watching Tour at Kinabalu Park, Deramakot, Sepilok, Kinabatangan, and Danum Valley

Pick-up from Kota Kinabalu International Airport and drive 2½ hours to Kinabalu National Park, Malaysia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

Settle into accommodation in Kundasang and explore nature trails in the late afternoon. 

Welcome dinner at a local restaurant. 

Early morning birding at Kinabalu National Park, home to 326 bird species. 

Guided trails exploring the base of the park, ideal for bird enthusiasts. 

Species of Interest: Whitehead’s Trogon, Whitehead’s Broadbill, Whitehead’s Spiderhunter, Bornean Treepie, Bornean Green Magpie, Bornean Whistler, Bornean Swiftlet, Bornean Stubtail, Bornean Forktail, Bornean Whistling-Thrush, Bornean Bald Laughing-Thrush, Everett’s Thrush, Chestnut-Hooded Laughing Thrush, Sunda Laughingthrush, Red-Breasted Hill Partridge, Crimson-Headed Partridge, Golden-Naped Barbet, Fruit Hunter, Temminck’s Sunbird, Black-Sided Flowerpecker, Mountain Wren-Babbler, Penan Bulbul, Cinereous Bulbul, Mountain Leaf Warbler, Yellow-breasted Warbler 

Another day spent bird watching in and around Kinabalu National Park! 

Today will be spent targeting some of the more challenging bird species to spot. 

Morning birding at Kinabalu National Park followed by checkout. 

Scenic 3-hour drive to Telupid and transition to 4WD for Deramakot Forest Reserve. 

Night drive for owl, frogmouth, and mammal spotting. 

Species of Interest: Frogmouth species, Owl species, Bornean Bristlehead, Black-Crowned Pitta, Red-Naped Trogon, Diard’s Trogon, White-crowned Shama, Rufous-Tailed Shama, Brown-Throated Sunbird, Black-and-Red Broadbill, Black-and-Yellow Broadbill, Wallace’s Hawk Eagle, Copper-Throated Sunbird, Blue-eared Barbet, All eight species of Hornbills (Rhinoceros, Wreathed, Wrinkled, Asian Black, White-crowned, Oriental Pied, Bushy-Crested & Helmeted), Bornean Banded Kingfisher, Rufous-collared Kingfisher, Green Broadbill, Wern Babbler Species, Babbler Species, Blue-throated Bee Eater, Red-Bearded Bee Eater, Brown-Throated Sunbird, Temminck’s Sunbird, Malaysian-Blue Flycatcher, Vertiter Flycatcher 

Dedicated safari drives for birding, totalling 7 hours per day. 

Consult with your guide on the optimal times for birding and plan out your itinerary together. Safari drives are flexibly planned to optimise birding opportunities, tailored to individual preferences. 

Another day of safari drives at Deramakot! Enjoy the opportunities to unwind or embark on short walks between safaris. 

After breakfast, check out and drive 4 to 5 hours to Sepilok with a lunch stop along the way. 

Option to visit Rainforest Discovery Centre for birding and wildlife encounters, time permitting. 

Dinner and overnight stay in Sepilok. 

Canopy walk at Rainforest Discovery Centre followed by a visit to Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre. 

Stroll to nearby Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre to see the world’s smallest bears. 

Afternoon trek after lunch in Kabili-Sepilok Forest Reserve. 

Dusk walk in search of giant red flying squirrels and night walk for nocturnal wildlife. 

Species of Interest: Bornean Bristlehead, Black-Crowned Pitta, Black-snd-Red Broadbill, Black-and-Yellow Broadbill, Green Broadbill, Red-Naped Trogon, Scarlet-Rumped Trogon, Diard’s Trogon, Wallace’s Hawk Eagle, Crested Serpent Eagle, Bornean Banded Kingfisher, Rufous Collared Kingfisher, Rhinoceros Hornbill, Asian Black Hornbill, Bushy-Crested Hornbill, Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher, Rufous-Collared Kingfisher, Bornean Spiderhunter, White-Crowned Shama, Copper-Throated Sunbird, Blue-Eared Barbet, Bornean Black-Capped Babbler, Red-Bearded Bee-Eater, Dusky Mania 

Scenic 2-hour drive to Bilit along Kinabatangan River, renowned for its rich biodiversity. 

Afternoon cruise along Kinabatangan River for birding and spotting wildlife like orang utans, proboscis monkeys, langurs, macaques, slow lorises, western tarsiers, and a colourful spectrum of tropical birds. 

Night walk after dinner in search of nocturnal wildlife. 

Immersive nature experience on your early morning river cruise, followed by breakfast at the lodge. 

Nature walk in the late morning to explore the lush riverine forest surroundings. 

Evening river cruise observing wildlife in a distinct part of the river. 

Species of Interest: Bornean Black Magpie, Black-Crowned Pitta, Hooded Pitta, Black-and-Red Broadbill, Black-and-Yellow Broadbill, Red-Naped Trogon, Scarlet-Rumped Trogon, Wallace’s Hawk Eagle, White-Bellied Sea Eagle, Lesser Fish Eagle, Grey-Headed Fish Eagle, all eight species of Hornbills (Rhinoceros, Wreathed, Wrinkled, Asian Black, White-Crowned, Oriental Pied, Bushy-Crested & Helmeted), Storm’s Stork, Stork-Billed Kingfisher, Blue-Eared Kingfisher, Banded Kingfisher, Collared Kingfisher, Rufous-Collared Kingfisher, Ruddy Kingfisher, Malaysian Blue Flycatcher, Bornean Ground Cuckoo, Blue-Eared Barbet 

Early morning river cruises followed by nature walks through the jungle. 

Later in the day, set out for an evening river cruise to explore a different section of the river. 

Retreat to your room after dinner or embark on a night walk. 

Check out and transfer 2 hours to Lahad Datu, followed by 2½ hour drive to Danum Valley Conservation Area. 

Register upon arrival at Danum Valley Field Centre and enjoy lunch at the dining hall as you consult with your guide on the programme for the next few days.  Your itinerary at Danum Valley can be tailored to suit your interests. 

Afternoon nature walk around the centre as an introduction to the tropical primary rainforest. 

After dinner, venture out on a night walk in the forest. 

Species of Interest: Bornean Bristlehead, Whiskered Treeswift, Large Frogmouth, Gould’s Frogmouth, Red-Naped Trogon, Scarlet-Rumped Trogon, Diard’s Trogon, Cinnamon-Rrumped Trogon, all eight species of Hornbills (Rhinoceros, Wreathed, Wrinkled, Asian Black, White-Crowned, Oriental Pied, Bushy-Crested & Helmeted), Bornean Crested Fireback, Blue Eared Barbet, Red-Throated Barbet, Brown Barbet, Great Slaty Woodpecker, Olive-Backed Woodpecker, Green Broadbill, Dusky Broadbill, all Bornean endemic Pittas, Black-Throated Wren Babbler, Bornean Wren Babbler, Greater Racket-Tailed Drongo, Asian Paradise Flycatcher, Bornean Blue Flycatcher, Great Argus, Bornean Black Magpie, Bornean Wren Babbler, Yellow Rumped Flowerpecker, Barred Eagle Owl, Brown Wood Owl, Bornean Banded Kingfisher, Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher, Crested Jayshrike, Chestnut-Naped Forktail, White-Crowned Forktail, Wallace’s Hawk-Eagle, Blyth’s Hawk Eagle, Rufous-Bellied Eagle 

Full-day birding along trails in Danum Valley Conservation Area. 

Night walks or safari drives (optional with fee) to spot nocturnal creatures. 

Full-day birding along trails in Danum Valley Conservation Area. 

Night walks or safari drives (optional with fee) to spot nocturnal creatures. 

Option to catch the sunrise with 4x4 drive up Bukit Atur, or final morning birding. 

Checkout and transfer to Lahad Datu Airport. 

Onward travel to Kota Kinabalu. 

Free time for leisure activities.

Enjoy hotel facilities before departure. 

Transfer to Kota Kinabalu International Airport. 

End of tour.