Day 1 Sandakan / Trusan Sugust Forest Reserve / Frederick Kugan Base Camp / Night Safari Drive Begin your adventure with a warm welcome at Sandakan Airport or hotel, followed by your chosen route into the remote northeast of Sabah, either: Option 1: Overland + Boat Travel 1.5 hours by road to the quiet riverside town of Beluran, then switch to a motorised longboat for a scenic 1-hour cruise along the Sugut River. This serene journey offers your first glimpses of riverine wildlife and lush forest scenery. Option 2: Overland Only Take a 2-hour drive from Sandakan to Botitian R&R in Paitan, followed by an adventurous 3.5-hour 4x4 off-road journey deep into the wild interior—passing remote forest edges and oil palm estates rarely seen by visitors. Both options bring you to Frederick Kugan Base Camp, the heart of Trusan Sugut Forest Reserve, a protected Class I rainforest and one of Sabah’s most ecologically rich and strictly preserved lowland forests, certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). After check-in and a welcome lunch, your guide will deliver a comprehensive orientation, sharing insights into the reserve’s remarkable biodiversity. As the sun sets, venture out on a 2-hour 4x4 night safari, your first chance to encounter Trusan Sugut’s nocturnal residents, from flying squirrels and civets to possibly a clouded leopard on the prowl. Lunch / Dinner Frederick Kugan Base Camp
Day 2 Morning Safari Drive / Afternoon Safari Drive / Tree Planting (Optional) / Night Safari Drive Rise early for your first morning 4x4 safari, timed to catch the forest as it awakens. These early hours offer peak chances of spotting orangutans, Bornean gibbons, and exotic birdlife such as the Helmeted Hornbill and Great Argus pheasant. After a hearty lunch back at camp and time to rest, head out again on an afternoon safari, covering new trails in search of saltwater crocodiles, proboscis monkeys, or perhaps the powerful yet shy Bornean banteng. With over 330 bird species recorded, including 7 of Borneo’s 8 hornbills, this area is a magnet for birdwatchers and photographers alike. Later in the day, you’ll have the opportunity to join an optional tree planting activity, a meaningful way to contribute directly to the forest’s long-term restoration, supported by WWF-Malaysia and the Sabah Forestry Department. Your tree will be geo-tagged, and you’ll receive an e-certificate showing its exact coordinates – a legacy you leave in the wild. Note: The tree planting activity is available at RM100 per person/tree, payable on the spot. The price is subject to change and provided for reference only. Cap off the day with a guided night safari, your second chance to witness the forest’s nocturnal drama unfold. Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner Frederick Kugan Base Camp
Day 3 Morning Safari Drive / Evening Safari Drive / Fidelis Tip Viewpoint / Night Safari Drive (Optional) Another early start sees you back on the trails for a morning safari, where changing light and fresh tracks create new wildlife possibilities. Your guide’s knowledge helps decode animal behaviour, bird calls, and movement patterns. Return to camp for lunch and downtime before heading out once more in the late afternoon, when golden-hour lighting enhances the experience. The day culminates with a stop at Fidelis Tip, a high vantage point offering sweeping views over the canopy. On a clear day, you might spot Mount Kinabalu on the horizon as cotton-candy clouds drift through the treetops. After dinner, choose between a relaxing night in camp or another nocturnal exploration by 4x4, depending on your energy and curiosity. Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner Frederick Kugan Base Camp
Day 4 Early Morning Safari Drive OR Sunrise Viewpoint / Check Out / Sandakan Start your final day with an early morning safari or sunrise viewpoint (weather permitting), taking one last opportunity to encounter Trusan Sugut’s rare wildlife. After breakfast, take time to reflect, relax, and pack before departing back to Sandakan around midday. You’ll leave not just with wildlife sightings and memorable photos, but with the satisfaction of having supported a forest in recovery—and having experienced a quieter, lesser-seen side of Borneo that few ever explore. Breakfast