The Wilds of Borneo Photographic Tour 2025

As with all our tours, this private wildlife tour is designed for photographers by photographers. Our senior guide not only is very knowledgeable with all things animals and birds but is also a very good photographer so really understands what we value. We take our time, going out at times when the animals are more likely to be active and resting when the animals rest. 

We visit in May when there should be an abundance of fruit and flowers, which should increase our chances of seeing a variety of animals. We are intentionally visiting some remote jungle areas in the hope of seeing wildlife in their natural habitat and then we will visit some rehabilitation centres where will see orangutan, sun bears and proboscis monkeys so one way or another you will see these wonderful creatures. 
We arrive on the Saturday to start our 13 days of photography refreshed on the Sunday morning. 

Our locations are chosen for the flora and fauna known to be there which increases our chances of seeing some extraordinary wildlife. Borneo is a diverse Island, made up of 3 countries, Indonesia, Brunei and our destination, the state of Sabah in Malaysia. Sabah has much to offer a photographer from the deep steamy jungles to the long winding waterways and from the mysterious caves to the heights of Mount Kinabalu there are plentiful opportunities to get amazing photos. 

Sabah offers a varied amount of flora and fauna including the orangutan, proboscis monkey, hornbills,fireflies and over 5000 species of flowering plants found nowhere else in the world. 

We will begin in Kota Kinabalu where we will start by visiting a cultural village experience where locals in traditional dress bring alive tribal customs. After lunch we will drive South for our first private river cruise to see monkeys and birds along the river before we stop for dinner. After dark we return to our boat to explore the banks for masses of fireflies that light up the trees like fairy lights. Although it's very hard to photograph it is one of the most wonderful nature experiences you will ever have. 

Monday we take an early flight to Lahad Datu on the Eastern Coast where we will meet our driver and venture into the rain forest jungle to experience all that it has to offer. We will be staying within Tabin National Park for our first jungle adventure which are known for a huge variety of flora as well as insects, spiders, birds as well as the chance of the wild animals like orangutan, gibbon, macaque, otter and pygmy elephant.  Night drives or walks will give us the chance to see some of the nocturnal animals like the flying squirrels and the civet cat. Tabin National Park, is known as Sabah's greatest wildlife sanctuary. It was created in the year 1984, the 300000 acres reserve is the largest wildlife reserve in Malaysia. It has areas of mud 'volcanos' which ooze mineral salts that attract many different varieties of creatures to it, even sun bears are known to visit although we would be very luck if we saw one. We will stay in the heart of the jungle at a river resort.  We may see the 3 largest of Sabah’s mammals, the Borneo Pygmy Elephant, Sumatran Rhinoceros and Tembadau or Banten, which is like a wild buffalo. There are many mammals including otter,  nine species of primate, three species of cats all of which are on the protected wildlife list and more than 300 species bird. 

Our next destination is the Kinbanatang River which is the longest river in Sabah (560km) passes through many diverse habitats and eventually spreads out in to a huge fertile floodplain on which supports many animals, birds and water life. We will stay here for 3 nights so that we get the most of what the river has to offer. We will head out early each morning and late afternoon along the river to spot for macque and proboscis monkeys, gibbons and many other primates (including an orangutan if we are lucky), as well as crocodile, lizards and plentiful birdlife including hornbills and kingfisher. With luck we might see pygmy elephants coming down to for a drink or to bathe. The cruise back in the afternoon also provides a beautiful sunset along the river. There is an option to join a night walk when you can get up close with birds whilst they sleep and if you are fortunate see frogs and the tiny western Tarsier. The area was under threat from logging but now Sabah’s government have gazetted 27800 hectares creating the Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary. 
 As we head West we will stop in the car park of the Gomantong Cave which is a favourite haunt of wild orangutan. They are often spotted here quite close up and can be seen lazing in the canopies during the heat of the day along the edge of the car park! If you wish to visit the caves this is an optional extra as it is not for everyone. The cave itself is known for the swiftlets that create nests harvested for bird's nest soup. The caves main chamber is massive and with multiple openings which allows the light to filter through giving it a cathedral like atmosphere and great photo opportunities. However, the cave is also home to thousands of bats and insects which over the decades have produced mounds of guano so the smell is quite overpowering. As I said, it's not for everyone but if you wish to go in then Anna-Mair will accompany you. 

We are adding a new wilderness location to this tour, Deramakot Forest Reserve. Although this area is managed by the Forestry Department and is partly logged, large areas of jungle have been set aside to protect the rich wildlife that calls this area home. Deramakot Forest Reserve has 75% of Sabah’s mammal species found within its 55,507 hectares of forest including iconic species such as orangutan, pygmy elephants, Banteng (wild cattle), proboscis monkeys and the animals high on most people's list, the clouded leopards.  Whilst we can never guarantee seeing any particular animal it is particularly good for sighting cats. All five species of Bornean cats – Sunda Clouded Leopard, Marbled Cat, Bornean Bay Cat, Flat Headed Cat and Leopard Cat – live within Deramakot. The 4WD night safaris are the highlight of the trip to Deramakot. On a typical night we might photograph deer, flying squirrels, native cats, pygmy elephants, slow loris, owls and other birdlife. During the day we might see apes, monkeys, elephants plus many birds. 

Our final photographic destination is Sepilok where we will have 3 nights. Day one will be a bit of rest day after our hectic jungle experiences, with time to enjoy the pool and the beautiful garden setting around our hotel with a late afternoon visit to the nearby the Rainforest Discovery Centre with it's tree top walk which will bring us close to some amazing birds. The main reason for coming here is the Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre that works with orphaned, injured and stolen apes. If we haven't seen any orangutan yet that we certainly see them here. Although many of the apes here have come through the rehabilitation process it's location backing onto jungle means that wild apes will visit occasionally. We will visit the centre at least twice seeing the nursery and feeding sessions so you will get some great photos here. Next door is the Sun Bear Conservation Centre which does an incredible job at with 43 rescued ex-captive sun bears. The facility has large forest enclosures providing a natural environment facilitating their rehabilitation back into the wild. Sun Bears are the world's smallest bears and are on the vulnerable list. We will also visit Labuk Bay for a close up experience with the proboscis monkey.

• Internal flight from Kota Kinabalu - Lahad Datu


• All internal transport and accommodation


• 13 days/12 nights in Borneo -12 days of photography


• Entry fees


• All meals on Tour


• Highly experienced local guides and drivers


• Small group size


• Photographic support from Anna-Mair Francis

What's not included:

• Flights to/from Sabah and your home City Arriving Kota Kinabalu departing Sandakan


• Camera tax (local tax on photographers charged at some location approx total RM150)


• Tourism tax in hotels (RM10 per room/per night

• Entry into Gomantong Cave (RM30 plus RM30 camera tax)

• Alcohol/soft drinks with meals


• Photographic equipment


• Laundry, gratuities, etc


• Excess baggage


• Travel Insurance (we require a copy of your insurance with your final payment)