Few destinations are as shrouded in mystery as Borneo. Ever since the first colonists traipsed its steamy jungles, tales of narrow escapes, '”wild and woolly men” and the fearsome Dyaks, who brought the heads of their enemies back to their longhouses, have emanated from this island and filtered through to the west. The good news is that the head-hunting fad is long over, but in Borneo birders still might loose their minds! There is no doubt that Borneo supports some of the richest ecosystems on earth.Tropical rainforests once covered the entire island, and the tracts that remain support an exotic profusion of flora and fauna. The birdlife is rich and sensationally gaudy, with many endemic species ranging from trogons and broadbills to black-eyes and bristleheads. During this exhilarating trip we explore the island's most pristine recesses such as Mt. Kinabalu, the highest peak between the Himalayas and New Guinea, where many of the island’s most sought-after endemics await. While birding we also have a great chance of locating some outlandish wildlife such as the magnificent Black-faced Gibbon, Proboscis monkeys and the king of the Bornean jungle, Orang-utan.

Day 1: Kota Kinabalu. We arrive at Kota Kinabalu International Airport and transfer to a hotel in town.

Days 2-5: Kota Kinabalu - Danum Valley. Early AM flight to Lahad Datu and drive into the luxuriant Danum Valley conservation area. This is no doubt one of Borneo’s finest naturalist hideaways, nestled in lowland Dipterocarp forest. A mind numbing checklist looms, with the dazzling endemic Blue-headed Pitta the major headline. However, there are a further five pittas, including the substantial Giant and fiery-glowing Black-crowned. Backing up the merry pitta band is the endemic and eagerly sought Bornean Bristlehead, which will hopefully appear during one of the morning searches. While we look we will surely come across other fabulous species including Great Argus, Gould’s Frogmouth, Buffy Fish Owl, Rhinoceros, Helmeted, Bushy-crested, White-crowned and Wreathed Hornbills amongst a host of forest passerines that make Danum Valley one of the best birding sites in Asia. But birds are not the only attraction; this area is one of the best in the world to see the giant Orang-utan, as well as Bearded Pig, Leopard Cat, Flying Lemur, Red Giant Flying Squirrel and many other fantastic creatures.

Day 6: Danum Valley to Mt. Kinabalu National Park. After leaving Borneo Rainforest Lodge we fly back to Kota Kinabalu and head out to the magnificent Mount Kinabalu NP.

Days 7-10: Mt. Kinabalu National Park. The forests on this 13,500 ft (4100 m) mountain support most of Borneo’s montane endemics including the amazing trio of Whitehead’s Trogon, Whitehead’s Broadbill and Whitehead’s Spiderhunter hat-trick. For the next four nights we will be based at the headquarters, situated at 5300 ft (1620 m). We'll explore the wide diversity of trails that stem off from the headquarters in search of endemics such as Mountain and Golden-naped Barbets, Bornean Whistler, Eye-browed Jungle Flycatcher, Bornean Stubtail, Chestnut-crested Yuhina and Black-sided Flowerpecker. Some endemics such as Mountain Serpent Eagle, Bornean Fruit-hunter, Friendly Bush Warbler and Mountain Black-eye occur at higher elevations and a strenuous climb may be required. While searching for these we should encounter other special forest denizens such as Bornean Treepie, Indigo Flycatcher, Black-capped and Everett’s White-eyes, Sunda and Black Laughing-thrushes, Crimson-winged and Checker-throated Woodpeckers, Short-tailed Magpie, White-browed Shrike-babbler and Gray-breasted Spiderhunter. 

Day 11: Mt. Kinabalu NP to Poring Hot Springs. After the morning on Mt. Kinabalu, we drop down to Borneo’s lowland jungle. Although only a short distance away, Poring Hot Springs is 3300 ft (1000 m) lower in elevation and is dramatically different in nature. Here, a whole assembly of Bornean endemics is available including Bornean Blue Flycatcher, White-crowned Shama, Blue-banded Pitta and Bornean Spiderhunter, whilst other specials include Rufous-collared Kingfisher, Temminck’s Babbler and a horde of malkohas and trogons, woodpeckers and broadbills.

Day 12: Poring Hot Springs to Kota Kinabalu. Today we head back to Kota Kinabalu, where those who are leaving will be transferred to the airport for departure, and anyone joining the Kinabatangan extension will fly to Sandakan for the night.

Kinabatangan Extension (5 days)
This extension starts and finishes in Sandakan. En route to the Kinabatangan River we shall explore the Gomantong Caves where Mossy, Glossy and Edible nest swiftlets have bred for centuries. The Kinabatangan River is a magical wilderness where hornbill calls announce the dawn as we cruise up its still waters. Through morning mists and oxbow lakes a wealth of birds and wildlife such as Asian Elephant and Proboscis monkeys may be seen. Birding is stupendous, with Hooded Pitta accompanying the more commonly seen Bornean endemic pittas. Fig trees, when ripe, can lure in up to six hornbill species, including the seldom-seen White-crested and highly local Wrinkled Hornbill. Other specialties include the rare Storm's Stork, Crested Goshawk, Green Imperial Pigeon, Pink-necked Green Pigeon, Blue-eared and Stork-billed Kingfishers, the huge Great Slaty and White-bellied Woodpeckers, Black-and-red Broadbill and Straw-headed Bulbul. With luck, the scarce Lesser Adjutant, Jerdon's Baza, or Grey-headed Fish Eagle may bless us with a star appearance.

Tour info:

CLIMATE: Hot and humid, cooler at Mount Kinabalu.  

DIFFICULTY: Moderate, forest walks on trails are required.

ACCOMMODATION: Generally moderate, but superb in Danum. Private facilities throughout.