Malaysia: Borneo

This beautiful nature-journey will take you to the highlights of Sabah, the northernmost part of Malaysian Borneo which is the ultimate setting for an unforgettable jungle adventure. After staying on one of the most beautiful sandy beaches of Sabah you will travel further to Sandakan with overnight stays in unique jungle lodges. During boat trips, you will become acquainted with a number of different animal species. In Sepilok a visit to an animal shelter is planned, and here you will experience how orang-utans are being re-educated so that they can once again live in the wild.

Program 15-day family trip Saba 
DAY 1: arrival in KUALA LUMPUR and flight to KOTA KINBALU
After arrival in Kota Kinabalu, the capital of Sabah, a transfer to Shangri-La’s Rasa Ria Resort. It is an excellent base for visits to Mount Kinabalu, the highest mountain in Southeast Asia.

DAY 2-6: KOTA KINABALU
Shangri-La’s Rasa Ria Resort is located on a wonderful sandy beach in a beautiful natural setting. It has it’s own private nature reserve with orang-utans. On the beach you can enjoy various water sports such as sailing, windsurfing, canoeing and fishing. There are bicycles available for hire and there is a shuttle service to Kota Kinabalu (about 40 minutes drive). During your stay, a day trip to Kinabalu Park is on the program. Designated by UNESCO as a world heritage site, the park has the highest mountain of Malaysia at 4095 m. It is a botanical paradise with more than a thousand species of wild orchids, rhododendrons, insectivorous plants and so much more.

DAY 7: KOTA KINABALU to SANDAKAN 
A flight from Kota Kinabalu will bring you to Sandakan, on the East side of Sabah. Sandakan is a rich historical town and a perfect base for ecotourism to the hinterland. The Sepilok Forrest Edge Lodge Half is just an hour’s drive from the airport and has small simple chalets spread across a lovely site with a jacuzzi.

DAY 8: SEPILOK FORREST EDGE LODGE 
The animal shelter where orang-utans are being re-educated for a life in the jungle, is a 10-minute walk from the lodge which has its own Jungle Trail with a canopy walk. There is also a farm where the animals live in a natural environment.

DAY 9: DEPARTURE to ABAI
Departure by boat along mangrove forests to Abai, looking for the unique Proboscis monkey. After an hour of sailing arrival at the Abai Jungle lodge located on the Kinabatangan River and which can only be reached by boat. There are 18 simple wooden chalets on stilts all with private bathroom. At dusk you can see thousands of fireflies above the water. Overnight stay at the Abai Jungle Lodge, in the middle of the jungle!

DAY 10: ABAI to SUKAU 
After waking up to the sounds of nature an early morning by boat ride on the Pita Lake, the perfect place to spot wildlife! Overnight stay in the Kinabatangan Lodge, simple and clean, the perfect place to see many different animals. You may even see elephants and the proboscis monkey that live here.

DAY 11: SUKAU to  SANDAKAN and LANKAYAN 
Return overland to Sandakan with a visit to Sabah’s largest Buddhist temple Jyh Shih, Puh on the way. The boat from Sandakan will take you to Lankayan, a paradise island, where you will stay for three nights in a family chalet.

DAY 12-14: LANKAYAN
From your chalet you can step directly on to the white sandy beach and the crystal clear sea waters are perfect for snorkelling.

DAY 15: Flights from SANDAKAN to KUALA LUMPUR and AMSTERDAM 
Return by boat to Sandakan and then fly via Kuala Lumpur to Amsterdam

 

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