Borneo Birding
BIRDING BORNEO’S SABAH: KINABALU, SEPILOK, KINABATANGAN RIVER, AND THE DANUM VALLEY
Borneo is one of the last true wild areas of the world and holds some of the highest biodiversity on Earth. Its rainforests are teeming with life, including the region’s most famous resident —the Orangutan— along with some of the most unique birds on Earth. Spectacular species like Whitehead’s Trogon, Whitehead’s Broadbill, Bornean Bristlehead, Diard’s Trogon, 8 Hornbill species including the magnificent Rhinoceros Hornbill, Blue-headed Pitta, Bornean Banded Pitta, Giant Pitta, Blue-banded Pitta, Crested Fireback, Great Argus and nearly 700 total bird species inhabit our world’s third largest island. In addition, Pygmy Elephants, Tarsiers, Slow Loris, five species of cats, Binturongs (bearcats), and the critically endangered Sun Bear also call these forests home. Mount Kinabalu alone boasts over 2,000 flowering plant species, including 850 orchids!
Our birding route takes us across the Malaysian state of Sabah, located on the northern end of Borneo. This region is renowned for its incredible wildlife and vast protected land. We will visit several world-famous reserves that are havens for their diverse bird populations, offering us unforgettable encounters with Borneo’s other unique fauna. From the awe-inspiring Mount Kinabalu to the mystical Kinabatangan River, our itinerary covers some of the most enchanting landscapes imaginable. Boat trips and nocturnal safaris will maximize our chances of spotting the unique, elusive, and rare bird and wildlife species inhabiting these dense rainforests.
Join us on this extraordinary Borneo Birding Tour, where adventure, breathtaking landscapes, and remarkable avian encounters await you.
HighlightS and target BIRDS AND wildlife
A stunning selection of endemic birds, including Whitehead’s Trogon, Blyth’s Hawk-Eagle, Black-crowned Pitta, Whitehead’s Broadbill, and Bornean Bristlehead.
Other spectacular birds, including Great Argus, Storm’s Stork, Blyth’s Frogmouth, and Red-bearded Bee-Eater.
8 species of impressive and iconic hornbills.
The critically endangered Bornean Orangutan.
Unique primates including gibbons, proboscis monkeys, langurs, macaques, and tarsiers
A wide range of unique mammals, including endangered Borneo pygmy elephants, giant flying squirrels, colugos, leopard cat, mousedeer, Bornean bearded pig.
Key Locations
Kinabalu National Park, Sepilok Rainforest Reserve, Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre and Borneo Sun Bear Conservation Centre, the Kinabatangan River, and the awe-inspiring Danum Valley.
Experience Highlights
A night walk in search for birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians in Kinabalu National Park.
Up-close encounters with rehabilitated Bornean Orangutans and Sun Bears at the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre and Borneo Sun Bear Conservation Centre.
Eye-level views of rainforest birds and wildlife along a steel canopy walk at Sabah’s Rainforest Discovery Centre.
Numerous boat trips along Sabah’s many rivers in search of elusive birds and wildlife, including a nocturnal boat safari along the Kinabatangan River.
Three days in the epic Danum Valley, the world’s oldest rainforest with birding from the Borneo Rainforest Lodge’s unforgettable canopy walkway.
More Details
Accommodations
Kota Kinabalu Hyatt Centric (first and last nights), Mountain Valley Resort (2 nights), Sepilok Nature Resort (2 nights), Hornbill Lodge (2 nights), Borneo Rainforest Lodge (3 nights).
Weather and climate
The weather across much of Sabah is generally extremely hot and humid, with heavy rain possible at any time. At higher elevations (Kinabalu National Park headquarters sits at ~5,000 ft above sea level), the temperatures may be significantly lower, and the weather is generally very wet.
Tour Details
2026 price: $9,580.
2026 single supplement: $1,640.
Included: In-country accommodations,
ground transportation, tours,
meals, guide and
entrance fees.
Not Included: Personal items such as alcoholic beverages, gift shop, laundry, etc.
are not included.
From: Kota, Kinabalu (BKI)
Minimum Participants: 6
Participant Limit: 10
Activity Level: Moderate
Deposit: $1,000 per person is required to hold your spot on this tour (with your registration form).
Tour Leaders: Wesley Homoya and local guides.
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Natural Selections Tours thanks Zeiss Optics in partnering with us to advance birding, ecotourism, and conservation. Zeiss Optics is a world leader in quality optics products and service, and we are proud to work together making our world a better place by seeing beyond, together!