We understand that every traveler is unique, which is why we offer fully customizable itineraries designed to match your interests, schedule, and comfort level. Whether you’re seeking a relaxed nature escape, an in-depth wildlife expedition, or a mix of adventure and culture, our expert team will craft a personalized journey that perfectly fits your preferences. From selecting the best destinations and accommodations to arranging private guides, special activities, and flexible travel options, we ensure every detail is thoughtfully tailored. Our goal is to create a seamless, meaningful, and unforgettable experience that reflects exactly what you want from your time in Borneo.
Bornean Primates
Borneo is home to an incredible diversity of primates, many of which are found nowhere else on Earth. The island’s most iconic primate is the Bornean orangutan, a critically endangered great ape known for its intelligence, reddish fur, and solitary nature. Sharing the forests are the proboscis monkeys, easily recognized by their large noses and potbellies, which live in mangrove and riverine habitats. The Bornean gibbon, with its haunting calls and acrobatic swings, is a symbol of the island’s lush canopy. Several species of leaf monkeys and macaques, including the endemic Maroon langur and pig-tailed macaques, also roam the forest layers. At night, tiny western tarsiers and slow lorises emerge, adding to Borneo’s primate diversity. These species play vital ecological roles and are key indicators of the rainforest’s health, making their conservation a top priority.
This itinerary is designed to give you the best chances to see all 10 species of primate found in Sabah, Malaysian Borneo.
Finding Felines
Borneo is home to five elusive species of wild cats, each adapted to the island’s dense tropical rainforests. The most iconic is the Sunda clouded leopard, Borneo’s top predator, known for its distinctive cloud-like markings and arboreal agility. Rarer still is the Bornean bay cat, an endemic species cloaked in mystery and seldom seen in the wild. The marbled cat, with its beautifully mottled coat, is similarly tree-dwelling and secretive. The flat-headed cat, adapted for wetland hunting with webbed feet and a long, narrow head, is a specialist fish-eater. Lastly, the leopard cat is the most widespread and adaptable, often found even near human settlements.
This itinerary is designed to search for all five of these rare and elusive wild cats: Each species presents its own unique challenge to find, requiring patience, luck, and access to remote, pristine habitats across the island. The journey will take you through some of Borneo’s most biodiverse forests, where night drives, boat safaris and expert local guides increase the chances of sightings.
Nocturnal Creatures
Borneo’s rainforests come alive at night with a fascinating array of nocturnal mammals, many of which are rarely seen during the day. These include secretive predators like the Sunda clouded leopard and the flat-headed cat, as well as smaller carnivores such as civets, leopard cats, and the endemic Bornean ferret-badger. Arboreal species are especially active after dark, including flying squirrels, colugos (also known as flying lemurs), and slow lorises, which move silently through the canopy in search of fruit, insects, or small prey. Nocturnal primates like the western tarsier, with their enormous eyes and incredible leaping ability, add to the rainforest’s night-time magic. Exploring Borneo’s forests after sunset reveals an entirely different world, filled with sound, movement, and mystery.
Ultimate Birding
Borneo is a true paradise for bird lovers, boasting over 600 species, including many that are found nowhere else on Earth. Its rich rainforests, misty highlands, and coastal mangroves provide diverse habitats for a dazzling array of avian life—from the iconic Rhinoceros Hornbill, with its striking casque and loud calls, to the elusive Bornean Bristlehead, a species so unique it belongs to its own bird family. Colorful pittas, broadbills, and kingfishers add flashes of brilliance to the dense jungle, while highland areas shelter rare endemics like the Whitehead’s Trogon and Mountain Blackeye. Whether deep in the Danum Valley, cruising along the Kinabatangan River, or exploring the cool slopes of Mount Kinabalu, birdwatchers in Borneo are treated to one of the most remarkable birding experiences in Southeast Asia.
