TOUR CODE: | ABSK-TSFR01 |
DESCRIPTION: | 4D3N TRUSAN SUGUT WILDLIFE SAFARI – BORNEO'S RAINFOREST WILDERNESS |
REGION: | Sandakan / Trusan Sugut Forest Reserve |
DURATION: | 4 Days 3 Nights |
MINIMUM: | 1 Pax |
AVAILABILITY: | Pre-Book Needed |
PICK UP POINT: | Your Hotel in Sandakan / Sandakan Airport |
PICK UP TIME: | 08:00 Hrs (Overland) / 10:00 Hrs (Boat) |
DROP OFF POINT: | Your Hotel in Sandakan / Sandakan Airport |
DROP OFF TIME: | 12:30 Hrs (Boat) / 15:00 Hrs (Overland) |
Begin your adventure with a warm welcome at Sandakan Airport or hotel, followed by your chosen route into the remote northeast of Sabah, either:
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.
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.
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.
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.
Meals | 03 Breakfasts, 03 Lunches, and 03 Dinners |
Accommodation | 03-Night Stay at Frederick Kugan Base Camp |
Includes | 03 Nights Accommodation, Meals as Stated, Airport Pick-Up and Drop-Off, Boat/Overland Return Transfer, Entrance Fees, English-Speaking Licensed Specialist Guide, Daily Guided 4x4 Safari Drives (7 Hours/Day Except on Arrival & Departure Day), Travel Pack (Linen Bag, Leech Socks, 750ml Refillable Water Bottle) |
Excludes | Optional Activities, Domestic Airfares, Camera and Video Fees, Personal Expenses, Alcoholic Drinks, Personal Travel Insurance, Gratuities, Peak Season Surcharge (If Any), Tourism Tax (TTx), Any Items / Activities Not Mentioned |
CHECK-IN / CHECK-OUT TIME
Check-in Time: 13:30 Hrs
Check-out Time: 09:30 Hrs
ROOMS
Note: Frederick Kugan Base Camp offers basic amenities and operates as a conservation base, not a luxury lodge. No 24-hour front desk or on-demand guided activities unless pre-arranged in advance.
Three-Bedroom Chalet
Two-Bedroom Chalet
One-Bedroom Resthouse
Dormitory
DINING
Malaysian home-style buffet meals are served daily at the dining hall, featuring a mix of vegetables and meat dishes. Set meals are provided for groups under 10. Complimentary coffee and tea are available all day at the dining hall.
FACILITIES
GENERATOR SUPPLY (ELECTRICITY)
The Frederick Kugan Base Camp is currently powered by a diesel generator, which is paused during the day while guests are out on safari and restarted upon their return. In line with the Reserve’s sustainability goals, the camp is transitioning to solar energy through a phased installation of solar panels
MOBILE & INTERNET CONNECTIVITY
Frederick Kugan Base Camp is equipped with satellite-based Starlink internet, though connectivity may be affected by weather or signal interruptions. Mobile phone coverage is limited throughout the Reserve, with occasional signal access at higher elevations such as observation towers.