Malaysian Borneo itinerary
 

Hi there,

I am planning on doing about 2 weeks in malaysian Borneo. I am doing a 4 day/3 night sipadan dive package and was wondering what to do with the rest of my time. I think I have ruled out the danum valley because it is too expensive. I would love something with a good jungle trek and overnight camp in the jungle if anyone knows of anything like that. Also, I am thinking about doing either tabin wildlife reserve or the kinabatangan wildlife sanctuary can anyone recommend which one is better?

I'm thinking my itinerary will look something like this:
1) Do my 4 day/ 3night sipdan dive with scuba junkies
2) stay an extra day to relax and enjoy
3) Travel from Semporna to either Tabin wildlife reserve or kinabatangan wildlife scantuary?
4) spend 2 -3 day at one of these places
5) Continue to Sandakan and do the Rainforest discovery center, Orangutan Rehabilatation centre and sun bear conservation centre (4 days) thinking of doing uncle tan's tour
6) fly to KK (also is there anything fun to do in KK that I could do?)
7) fly out of borneo

Please comment and let me know if this sounds good or if there are better things that I could be doing with my time.

Just back from a short trip to Sabah. This is my 2nd time there.More focused around Kota Kinabalu.Did the Weston Wetlands proboscis monkey and Firefly cruise.White water in the Padas river.Some golfing of course.North in Kudat region and the tip of Borneo.I did the Mt. Kinabalu climb last time and the stayed at Uncle Tans.Its a boot camp. Don't expect comfort.It suits the environment you are likely to be in.Its worth it.Got to see orangs in the wild.
The only thing I would have liked to do was the 'Lost World'or the Maliau Basin.Situated in south central Sabah,it is said to be the last true wilderness,where 90% of it is still to be discovered.Since you are 'n the area' and its about a 5hr drive from Tawau you clould think of it.There are tour operators there who could organise.A minimum of 3N/4Ds is said to be worth it.My 3rd visit will be to this place.

http://www.sabahtourism.com/destinat...ahs-lost-world

The area in and around Kinabalu national park is interesting,it holds some of the most unique flora and fauna.At an altitude of 1500mtrs the diversity of plants,birds and aminals are fascinating from lush rain forests to high altitude rhododendrons.Its famous for the endemic pitcher plants and the rare Rafflesia.Some of the resorts there have a superb view of Mt.Kinabalu.There is also the Poring hot springs,the canopy walk and a lot of trails to trek.

KK its is a nice city with a lot of nightlife,seafood restaurants,baristas,pubs/bars and good dining.Street markets,food markets and malls are many.Can comfortably spend a few days there.

Borneo has so much to offer, although sadly I have postponed my 2015 safari. The Danum Valley Field Centre offers less expensive accommodation than that available at Borneo Rainforest Lodge and I think it is booked through the BRL office. There are a couple of very useful trip reports on the safaritalk forum - here are the links:

http://safaritalk.net/topic/12548-bi...-sabah-borneo/

http://safaritalk.net/topic/10674-bo...life-trekking/


Happy planning,


Pol

Spent 12 days on Borneo at 4 different locales in May. If you are in Sandakan and looking for a jungle trip, look into S.I Tours stays on the Kinabatangan River. We went with the 2 night/3 day trip and stayed at 2 different properties. It was fabulous-we saw wild orang, pygmy elephant, lots of proboscis monkeys, lots of birds, etc. I would highly recommend them.

http://sitoursborneo.com/borneo/abai...nights-sia-10/

susiean, I'd love to hear more about your trip!

I spent several weeks in Borneo and have one suggestion if your movements make it possible (I don't recognize most of the names you mention). For a city visit I much preferred Kuching to KK. Much! I'd describe Kuching as a very civilized place, while KK is basic in that regard.

I was in Borneo in May, my trip report may help you get a sense of the Kinabatangan River. We did an overnight on Turtle Island, something you might want to consider if you plan to be in Sandakan. Here's a link to my TR:

http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...t-1-borneo.cfm

Kuching is a lovely city. Of course, it is in Sarawak rather than Sabah, where all of your other destinations are. But if you can take a side tip to Kuching, I think you would enjoy it.

Also, think seriously about how you want to see animals. Are you a purist who wants to see animals in the wild or are you just as happy seeing captive animals (which is what those in "rehab" centers are)? You can be guaranteed of seeing the animals at rehab centers, but not in the wild. If you opt for the wild, the place where you are most likely to see orangutans in the wild is in the Danum Valley.

We actually saw more orangutans in the wild on our Kinabatangan River cruises (3 times) than in the Danum Valley (0 times).

We spent a week in both KK and Kuching. The latter was head and shoulders above the former, but still only an average place.

Get out and about in either place and it's all change in the right direction.

Homework, homework, homework...

Kathie:

Our trip itinerary was:
arrive KK midnight, 3 nights Le Meridian
fly to Sandakan, visit Sepilok then 2 nights Kinabatangan with SI Tours
fly SAN-KUC for 1 night, Lime Tree Hotel
fly KUC-Mulu morning flight stay at Mulu 3 nights in bungalow
fly Mulu-KUC on afternoon non stop
3 nights KUC at Pullman

I made all the arrangements myself. Booked all the domestic flights on MH web site. Used points for LeMeridian. Booked other hotels/lodging direct with properties.

If you want to know about any part of the trip feel free to ask.