Reef and Rainforest Tour
Why not spend a week diving the world's top dive sites from your water bungalow, then add a week exploring the rainforest for wild orangutans and proboscis monkeys? We have put together the "Reef and Rainforest" tour as a suggested itinerary based on customer requests and feedback. We feel that it is the best way to see the most popular sites that Borneo has to offer both underwater and on land.
All of our holidays are tailor-made to your specification, so please just use this tour as a guide. Please contact our Dive Travel Consultants for availability, single supplements, or changes to this itinerary so that we can put together the perfect bespoke holiday to the wilds of Borneo for you. The Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak are situated in the northwest coast of the island of Borneo. Together, these states are larger than the whole of Peninsular Malaysia and the people of Borneo have roots that stretch back 40,000 years and have a language entirely different to that of mainland Malaysia. Today's inhabitants of Borneo are a diverse mixture of 32 ethnic groups, 70% of which are Christian. Sabah and Sarawak are both becoming extremely popular holiday destinations, but they have still preserved their original charm.
There is a remarkable array of wildlife, culture, and scenery to explore, but the most popular attraction is undoubtedly the wild orang utans, who continually charm visitors with their big personalities and silly antics. Sabah gives visitors the opportunity to experience the "wilds of Borneo" and offers something for everyone: the world's oldest rainforest, dramatic mountain scenery, jungle cruises, sandy beaches, unique flora and fauna, and of course, those mischievous orang utans!
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Days 1 - 6
MabulHotel: 4* Sipadan Water Village, Borneo Full Board
Fly from London Heathrow to Tawau, with a brief layover in Kuala Lumpur.
Upon arrival in Tawau, you will be met by a member of the hotel staff who will take you to their office in the airport where you will be introduced you to your driver. You will then be driven by private, air-conditioned vehicle to the Semporna Jetty, JalanKastan (45 minutes). At the jetty, you will board the hotels speedboat that will take you past the stilt villages where the locals live to Sipadan Water Village (SWV) (45 minutes). You will receive a warm welcome from the staff at the resort, who will check you in and show you to your water bungalow where you will spend the next 5 nights. After settling in, you will be taken to the dive centre, where you will be fitted for equipment, if necessary (please note: equipment hire not included). Enjoy an afternoon dive if time permits.
While at SWV, 3 boat dives will be provided daily (with the exception of the day of your arrival and the day of your departure), with one dive per day to Mabul, Kapalai, and Sipadan Islands, as well as un guests per day according to government regulations.) Meals will be provided at the hotel's restaurant at set times.
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Days 7 - 8
Sepilok and SadakanHotel: 3* Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge, Sandakan Full Board
After breakfast and checkout, you will be taken by speedboat to the jetty at Semporna (1 hour) where you will be met by your private driver and English speaking guide who will drive you to Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre. Trek ten minutes through the rainforest on wooden plank walks to witness the feeding of the Orangutans. After that, continue to Sandakan jetty for an estimated 2 and a half hours boat journey to the lodge along Sabah's longest river, the Kinabatangan, with opportunities to view birds and wildlife in virgin mangroves, wetlands and rainforest habitats. Your guides will point out wild Proboscis Monkeys, Macaques, and Hornbills. En route, lunch at Abai Jungle Lounge. Late afternoon take a river cruise in search of some of the 10 primate species as they settle down on treetops along the Kinabatangan River. Return for hot shower and dinner.
Wake up to the calls of Gibbons and Hornbills. Early morning, take a river trip to the Ox-Bow Lake to observe wildlife experience and the early morning river ambience of the longest river of Sabah. Return to lodge for breakfast. Then proceed to Gomantong Caves to explore one of the fascinating caves, nests of the swiftlets are collected for the famous Chinese delicacy, the bird's nest soup. Continue journey by land to Sandakan and drive up to Puh Jih Syh Chinese Buddhist Temple for a panoramic view of Sandakan Bay. Lunch at local restaurant. Return to the lodge and late afternoon, another river cruise to search for more wildlife.
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Days 9 - 11
Kota Kinabalu and Kinabalu ParkHotel: 5* Shangri La Tanjung Aru, Kota Kinabalu Bed & Breakfast
After breakfast, cruise down by boat back to Sandakan. Upon arrival at jetty, drive uphill to Puh Jih Syh Chinese Buddhist temple for a panoramic view of Sandakan city. Lunch, and then proceed to the airport in Sandakan for your flight to KotaKinabalu (1 hour 45 minutes). You will be met by our local representative who will introduce you to your driver, then take you by private, air-conditioned vehicle to the Shangri-La Tanjung Aru (20 minutes) where you will spend the next three nights.
Spend the day at leisure on the beach at the hotel, enjoy a spa treatment, go shopping in town, or make your way over to the jetty in Kota Kinabalu where you can catch a ferry over to Tunku Abdul Rahman Park where you can take a nature walk, sunbathe on the beach, or go snorkelling off shore.
The driver will pick you up at about 7:30 am to depart for Poring Hot Spring (3 hours) driving past remote villages with great scenery of the valleys. Upon arrival, take a quick dip in the hot spring pool (optional charge) which most people believed to possess medicinal effect. Walk through the rainforest up to the Poring canopy walkway to enjoy the view from above tree tops.After that, head to Kinabalu Park, where you will eat lunch at the restaurant there. After lunch, you can opt to hike the many trails or just relax & enjoy the cool weather at the park. There are over 1000 species of flowers and plants found at KinabaluPark. Pitcher plants and orchids abound. You may even see a Rafflesia if you are lucky. Visit the botanical gardens or do some nature walks. Relax until it is time to return to your hotel in the afternoon. -
Day 12
Return to UKHotel: * ,
After breakfast, check out of the hotel where your driver will be waiting for you to take you to the airport (20 minutes). Fly from Kota Kinabalu to the UK with a brief layover in Kuala Lumpur
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4* SIPADAN WATER VILLAGE, BORNEO
Sipadan Water Village is a resort beautifully constructed with Bajau architectural design. Part of the Mabul Island is also home to groups of Bajau fishermen who have built their traditional palm thatched houses. The entire resort is built over water on stilts. In its design, Sipadan Water Village has achieved near utopia in its over-the-water l... -
3* KINABATANGAN RIVERSIDE LODGE, SANDAKAN
Situated in the village of Sukau on Borneo's famous Kinabatangan River lies the Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge. The lodge can be reached by boat or by road and although there are twelve other lodges in the neighboring area around Sukau village, staying here gives you the most comprehensive wildlife experience in the area. ... -
5* SHANGRI LA TANJUNG ARU, KOTA KINABALU
Shangri La’s Tanjung Rau Shangri-La’s Tanjung Aru Resort and Spa is located in Kota Kinabalu, capital city of the Malaysian state of Sabah. The award winning 492 room seaside resort is just 10 minutes away from the airport, city, coral islands and is surrounded by 25 acres of lush gardens. The resort offers a wealth of recreational fa...
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