Borneo, jungle and wildlife

Upon your arrival at the airport, your driver is waiting for you and will take you to your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to organize according to your preferences.

This first day in Kuching is an opportunity to rest from your journey and refresh yourself. Capital of Sarawak State, Kuching is considered one of the most attractive cities in Southeast Asia, with a history marked by sultans, merchants, warriors and white Rajahs, a rich architectural heritage and the warm welcome of its inhabitants. It is moreover easy to extend your stay as the city invites you to take your time.

With approximately 650,000 inhabitants, Kuching has modern facilities while maintaining a small town atmosphere with a relaxed charm. The residents enjoy meeting travelers and taking time to chat over a kopi o' (local coffee), a Sarawak laksa or a kolo mee at breakfast.

The city offers a varied choice of accommodations, from 5-star hotels to charming lodges. It also provides a practical base for exploring Sarawak, with several national parks and wildlife reserves located a short drive away, offering numerous day trip possibilities.

Upon arrival, you set out to explore the trails of Sarawak's oldest national park. Between sandstone cliffs, mangroves, tropical forest and wild beaches, you observe varied wildlife, notably the famous proboscis monkeys, macaques, bearded pigs and many bird species.

After breakfast, you leave Kuching heading towards the Batang Ai reservoir.

You board a speedboat and travel upriver to Nanga Sumpa, where the Borneo Adventure lodge is located.

After dinner, you have the opportunity to visit a longhouse at Nanga Sumpa. You can then relax on the ruai (the common veranda), spend time with the Iban and taste local rice wine.

After breakfast, you set off on foot along jungle trails that run alongside the river. You then continue your exploration by traveling upriver by boat, heading towards the picturesque Enseluai waterfall. Once there, take time to relax, swim and enjoy the tropical forest setting.

Your Iban hosts will prepare a barbecue lunch for you by the river.

In the afternoon, you return to the lodge.

After dinner, a visit to the Nanga Sumpa longhouse is on the agenda.

In the evening, you can choose to take a walk along the Sarawak River to end the day gently.

This rehabilitation center welcomes orphaned or rescued orangutans and helps them relearn how to survive in their natural environment. More than 20 orangutans live in the reserve forest and regularly return to the center at feeding times. Upon arrival, you join the briefing area. After a short presentation by the rangers, you take a trail to reach the feeding area and observe the orangutans climbing down from the trees to come and feed. You thus witness the feeding of individuals undergoing rehabilitation.

Upon arrival, you join your hotel.

The rest of the day is free: you can choose to take a walk and taste one of the local specialties.

Upon arrival, you take a guided nature walk with a park naturalist, then discover the botanical garden which showcases some of the many plant species found in the region.

Lunch is scheduled at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, you continue your visit with the gallery dedicated to the botanical diversity of the park.

The rest of the day is free. The resort is set on 25 acres of tropical forest, on the edge of the protected Sepilok Forest Reserve, rich in wildlife. You can relax, enjoy the pool or take the 1,050-metre-long wooden walkway through the heart of the complex.

Please note: giant red flying squirrels live within the MY Nature Resort grounds. They come out almost every evening, but their sighting cannot be guaranteed. They typically leave their nests between 6:30 pm and 7:00 pm. If you prefer a quieter time, you can choose to stay at the resort rather than visit the canopy walkway at the nearby Rainforest Discovery Centre.

You then continue towards the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC) 500 meters away, a center dedicated to Malayan bears, committed to conservation, rehabilitation and awareness raising. More than 30 bears live there, divided between the bear house and outdoor enclosures.

At 4:30 PM, you set off on a cruise along the Kinabatangan River to the Menanggul River, in search of proboscis monkeys, birds, reptiles and other wildlife.

Early wake-up today: at 06:30, you board for a boat trip on Ox Bow Lake. In the gentleness of the early hours of the day, you set out in search of the many bird species that inhabit the banks of the Kinabatangan. With a bit of luck, you may also observe monkeys, monitor lizards or even crocodiles. Return to the lodge in the morning.

You then peacefully enjoy the resort facilities.

In the late afternoon, you set off on a new boat excursion along the Menanggul river. As sunset approaches, the forest comes alive and offers wonderful opportunities to observe proboscis monkeys, hornbills, macaques, as well as many other emblematic species of Borneo.

In this complex located in the middle of the tropical rainforest, along the Lipad River, you will already be able to observe a wide variety of birds, insects and small mammals. You will also discover a rich diversity of jungle plants, some of which are endemic, used for generations by local populations for their medicinal properties.

In the afternoon, you will discover the Lipad mud volcano, a true source of mineral salts highly appreciated by wildlife. After a twenty-minute walk through the jungle, you will reach this natural clearing where it is often possible to identify the numerous footprints left by animals that come to feed there.

After dinner, you attend a presentation on the unique ecosystems of Tabin, before heading out on a night safari to search for animals and birds that become active once darkness falls.

If you wish, you can start the day at dawn by participating in a bird watching walk. The Tabin reserve is home to nearly 300 species, making this site a true paradise for ornithology enthusiasts.

After breakfast, you set off on a hike through the tropical rainforest, renowned for the extraordinary diversity of its flora and fauna, to the Lipad waterfall. You can swim in its natural pool, enjoy a moment of relaxation under the waterfall and take time to explore the surroundings.

Walking time: approximately 2 to 3 hours

In the afternoon, you have the option to try the Tabin Rainforest Foot Soak, a foot bath prepared from a natural mixture of herbs, ideal for easing muscles after walks in the jungle.

In the evening, you set out for a new vehicle excursion in search of wildlife awakening at dusk. A great opportunity to observe the discreet species that inhabit the reserve.

Free morning at the resort: take time to rest or peacefully enjoy the facilities.