BORNEO – SABAH
NOVEMBER
This trip starts at Kota Kinabalu, where we explore Tambunan Rafflesia, Mt. Kinabalu for 4 days, move on to Rainforest Discovery Centre (RDC) at Sepilok for a day and a half, visit Gomantong caves for swiftlets and coucals, bird Kinabatang river for 2 and a half days, then 3 and half days in Danum Valley, before returning to Kota Kinabalu. Of course we are after the Bornean endemics as well as some damn fine overall birding. The itinerary is as follows:
Saturday 4th Nov – arrive Kota Kinabalu overnight KK hotel
Sunday 5th Nov – depart early am, drive to Tumbunan Rafflesia centre. Here the birding targets include endemics such as Black-sided Flowerpecker, Chestnut-crested Yuhina, Mountain Barbet, Chestnut-hooded Laughingthrush, Bornean Leafbird, Bornean Bulbul, Bornean Barbet & Fruithunter. Several other species will be seen including broadbills, minivets, drongos etc.
Thereafter we drive to Mount Kinabalu, bird mountain afternoon / early eve. Overnight Pines hotel
Monday 6th & 7th Nov – All day birding Mount Kinabalu: This renowned birding site will be bound to delight! Species we search for include Golden-naped Barbet, Bornean Green-Magpie, Bornean Treepie, Chestnut-hooded Laughingthrush, Tawny-breasted Parrotfinch, Black-sided Flowerpecker, Crimson-winged Woodpecker, Whitehead’s Broadbill, Bornean Whistler, Gray-throated Babbler, Bornean Stubtail, Javan Whistling-Thrush, Fruit-hunter, Mountain Wren-Babbler, Bornean Spiderhunter, Red-breasted Partridge, Crimson-headed Partridge, Borneo Forktail, Rufous-collared Kingfisher, Banded Broadbill, Black-and-yellow Broadbill, White-tailed Blue Flycatcher, Hairy-backed Bulbul, Rufous-tailed Tailorbird, Orange-bellied Flowerpecker, and Gray-breasted Spiderhunter. The Whitehead’s trio of the Trogon, Broadbill and Spiderhunter are also looked for at this site. Overnight Pines hotel
Wednesday 8th Nov – Morning birding Mount Kinabalu, drive to Sepilok, bird RDC late afternoon. Overnight Sepilok hotel
Thursday 9th Nov – All day birding RDC. Here the targets include Bornean Bristlehead, Black-headed Pitta, Wallace’s Hawk-Eagle, Rufous-bellied Eagle, Red-naped Trogon, Orange-backed and Buff-necked Woodpeckers, Black-and-yellow Broadbill, the bizarre Crested Jay, overnight Sepilok hotel
Friday 10th Nov – Morning birding RDC, drive to Gomantong caves, bird 2 hours for swiftlets and Short-toed Coucal. Drive to Sukau, overnight Kinabatangan river lodge
Saturday 11th & 12th Nov – All day Kinabatangan river. Target species include Storm’s Stork, Lesser Adjutant, Lesser Fish Eagle, Grey-headed Fish Eagle, Ruddy Kingfisher, Rhinoceros Hornbill , Red-naped , Scarlet-rumped and Diard’s Trogons, Black-and-yellow Broadbill, Black-crowned and Hooded Pittas, Bar-bellied Cuckooshrike, Rufous-tailed Tailorbird, Black-capped Babbler, and even a chance of Bornean Ground Cuckoo. In addition mammals are quite special, such as Silvered Langur, Long-tailed and Pig-tailed Macaques, Proboscis monkey and Borneaan Orangutan. Overnight Kinabatangan river lodge
Mon 13th Nov – Morning birding Kinabatangan, drive to Lahad Datu. Transfer to Danum Valley Field Centre, overnight Danum Valley Field Centre
Tuesday 14th to 16th Nov: All day Danum Valley. This location has fantasic birding with mouth watering species on offer, including Great Argus, Bornean Crested Fireback, Sabah Partridge, Changeable Hawk-Eagle, Buffy Fish Owl, several hornbills, Stork-billed Kingfisher, Red-bearded Bee-eater, Yellow-crowned Barbet, Dusky Broadbill, chances of the extremely tough Giant Pitta, Blue-headed * Bornean Banded Pitta, Dark-throated Oriole, Rufous-winged Philentoma, Bornean Blue Flycatcher, Bornean Bristlehead, Greater Rcket-tailed Drongo, Yellow-bellied Bulbul, Striped Wren-babbler, Bornean Wren-babbler, Yellow-rumped Flowerpecker, Crimson Sunbird & Bornean Spiderhunter, plus many many more! Overnight DVFC
Friday 17th Nov – Morning birding Danum Valley, noon transfer to Lahad Datu airport, MAS flight LDU 16.20 – KIN 17.15, overnight KK hotel
Saturday 18th Nov – early morning birding before onwards flights
Timing of trip: early November
Anticipated cost at time of publishing this itinerary: US$3,500pps
The price includes:
- Travel in an airconditioned vehicle
- Meals and accommodation
- Drinking water
- Entrance fees
Excluded are:
- Items of a personal nature
- Drinks
- Travel insurance
- International flights
- Return flight from Lahad Datu to Kota Kinabalu
- Visa costs
- Gratuities
Upcoming trips:
4 to 18 November 2023 – 3 places available
November 2024 – 6 places available