Flight: MH2710 Kuala Lumpur - Sandakan 10.35 - 13.20 

Meet & greet: Upon arrival at Sandakan airport, you will be welcomed to Borneo by your private English-speaking guide, and then transferred to your hotel in nearby Sepilok to check-in and relax for the rest of the day.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the MY Nature Resort (Standard Room)

Morning visit to the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre & Sun Bear Conservation Centre: This morning you will visit Sepilok, home to one of only four Orangutan sanctuaries in the world. Founded in 1964 the Centre helps once captive Orangutans learn to climb and fend for themselves in the wild with the hope that one day they may return to the forest. To start the tour there is a short film shown at the information centre giving some background on the history of the project, and the day to day work being carried out. Then proceed on foot along raised boardwalks through the rainforest to a series of platforms where milk and bananas are provided twice a day to the semi-wild Orangutans who are in the process of returning to the forest. There is an excellent chance that Orangutans and several species of monkeys will arrive in numbers, which is a spectacular sight and provides the opportunity to photograph these amazing creatures at close range.

After visiting the Orangutans, continue to the nearby Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC), where there are around 28 rescued bears.  Sun bears are the smallest and least known members of the bear species, and their populations are rapidly diminishing in Southeast Asia. Habitats are being destroyed by deforestation and sun bears are being brutally killed for commercial exploitation. Baby sun bears are one of the cutest young animals in the world, so after their mothers are killed they are captured as pets and are locked in tiny cages. The mission of the BSBCC is to rescue these captured Sun Bears, and promote conservation through animal welfare, conservation, rehabilitation, research and education.

Afternoon visit to the Rainforest Discovery Centre: This afternoon, you will be taken on a visit to the Rainforest Discovery Centre which has an information centre focusing on the flora and fauna of Sabah, and an impressive canopy walkway.  The exhibition covers a wide range of subjects, from various plant groups and adaptations to forest types. The section on animals covers the iconic mammals in Sabah, such as the Bornean pygmy elephant, primates, cats, deer, reptiles and the main groups of birds. The Canopy Walkway is about 343 m long and 25 m high at its highest point, with 2 towers (named Bristlehead and Trogon respectively) and a single-column shelter.  At dusk there is a very good chance of viewing the Borneo Giant Flying Squirrel gliding from tree to tree.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the MY Nature Resort (Standard Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Shared road and boat transfer to Sukau: After a leisurely breakfast this morning, you will be transferred to the jetty in Sandakan and board a shared boat for the journey to Sukau. Pass through pristine mangrove forests along the Kinabatangan River delta, with the chance to see proboscis monkeys, birds and reptiles en route. A stop for lunch will be made at the Abai Jungle Restaurant.

Afternoon river cruise: This afternoon, you will be taken on a cruise along the Kinabatangan River in search of the local wildlife which includes orang-utans, macaques, red and silver leaf monkeys, elephants, crocodiles, civet cats, otters and proboscis monkeys. The local bird life includes egret, kingfisher, oriental darter, bee-eater and hornbill.

Evening activity: Weather permitting, there will be a night walk to search for stick insects, frogs, beetles and other nocturnal creatures.

Please note: that all excursions on the Kinabatangan River are operated by expert local guides and all will be on a shared basis with other guests staying at your lodge. Private excursions can be arranged, please ask your consultant about the extra cost involved.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge (Basic Lodge Room)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Full day wildlife excursions on the Kinabatangan River: After breakfast you will set out on a full day's discovery of the local area and its wildlife. At 350 miles long, Kinabatangan is Sabah's longest river. In the extensive flood plains around Sukau this meandering river has created several ox-bow lakes, making it an ideal environment for viewing some of the most interesting wildlife and bird life found in Borneo. This sanctuary is one of the two known places in the world to be inhabited by ten species of primates, of which four are endemic to Borneo, and is thought to have the highest concentration of proboscis monkeys and orang-utans in Malaysia. Amongst the larger mammals known to inhabit the sanctuary are elephant and rhinoceros, and 200 bird species have been identified including 8 species of hornbill.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge (Basic Lodge Room)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Shared road journey to the Tabin Reserve: After breakfast, you will be transferred by road to Lahad Datu. This drive is approximately 2 ½ hrs. Upon arrival at Lahad Datu change vehicles for the overland transfer to Tabin Wildlife Reserve, a journey of approximately 1.5 hrs (depend on the road/weather condition). Arrive in time for lunch at the Resort.

Afternoon / evening activities: After settling into your resort, set out in the afternoon to visit the Lipad mud volcano which serves as a mineral salt lick for wildlife, a trip which lasts around 3-4 hours. After trekking through the jungle for twenty minutes, arrive at the elevated bare area of the mud volcano. Try to identify the multitude of animal footprints here. Walk around the forest clearing and admire the contrasting landscape of the bare area and its surrounding thick forest where birds are commonly sighted. After dinner, enjoy a slide presentation on Tabin's uniqueness, followed by a Night Safari walk to look out for nocturnal wildlife and birds.

Please note: that all excursions at the Tabin Wildlife Reserve are operated by expert local guides and all will be on a shared basis with other guests staying at the lodge. Private excursions can be arranged, please ask your consultant about the extra cost involved.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Tabin Wildlife Resort (Riverside Chalet)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Full day shared wildlife excursions: Early this morning you may opt to join the 2 hour early morning bird walk to discover some of Tabin's rich collection of almost 300 bird species. After breakfast there will be another guided trek through the lush green rainforest known for its rich diversity of plants and animal species to visit Lipad Waterfall. Take a dip in the natural pool and enjoy a natural and refreshing shower under the waterfall. Alternatively explore the surrounding vegetation or simply relax. In the afternoon you may wish to try out the Tabin Rainforest Foot Soak made with a natural blend of herbs, to relax tired muscles after long jungle treks. This afternoon there is also a "Dusk Drive", a great time to see wildlife, which lasts for around 2 hours.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Tabin Wildlife Resort (Riverside Chalet)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Morning at leisure: This morning, you have some time at leisure to explore the surrounding jungle and do some further wildlife viewing. Lunch is included at the resort before your depart.

Shared transfer to Lahad Datu airport: This afternoon, you will be transferred to Lahad Datu airport for your flight to Kota Kinabalu.

Flight: MH3023 Lahad Datu - Kota Kinabalu 17.30 - 18.25

Journey to Gaya Island: On arrival at Kota Kinabalu airport you will be met by staff from your resort on Gaya Island and transferred to Jesselton Point in the city. From Jesselton Point you will take the resort's speedboat to Gaya Island, a journey of just 20 minutes into the South China Sea.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Bunga Raya Island Resort & Spa (Superior Villa)

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Days at leisure: These days are at leisure to relax on the beach at the Bunga Raya Island Resort & Spa or arrange further excursions and activities locally.

Accommodation: Stay these nights at the Bunga Raya Island Resort & Spa (Superior Villa)

Meals: Breakfast

Journey to the airport: At the advised time today, join a speedboat to the mainland, then travel on to the airport in a private car.

Please note that you will have to check out of your hotel room in the morning but will be able to store your luggage and use the shared facilities until it is time to transfer to the airport. If you wish to book a late checkout from your room, please speak to your consultant at the time of enquiry.

Flight: MH81 Kota Kinabalu - Kuala Lumpur 19.50 - 22.15

Flight: MH2 Kuala Lumpur - London Heathrow 23.55 - 05.25 (overnight)

Meals: Breakfast