Borneo - Extraordinary Tropics

An extraordinary assemblage of tropical flora awaits in the forests of Borneo, where giant parasitic Rafflesia rub shoulders with outlandish carnivorous Nepenthes, a rich orchid flora, ancient conifers, stately tree ferns, fiery rhododendrons and giant buttressed rain forest giants strung with immense lianas. This tour has a botanical focus, but we will not ignore Borneo's wonderful wildlife and we will take the opportunity to watch majestic hornbills, orang utans, laughingthrushes or extraordinary angle-headed lizards when they appear during our walks. The two full days of the Kinabatangan, where wildlife is especially abundant are aimed at getting the chance to see some of this richness.

Day 1.    To Kota Kinabalu (1 October)

If we arrive in time we will visit the Kota Kinabalu Wetland site to look at the mangrove forest there. Overnight KK.

Day 2.    KLIAS

The peat swamp forest here has a trio of standout lowland pitcher plants, with easy access along a boardwalk to see jumbles of Nepenthes ampullaria, the double-fanged N. bicalcarata and robust N. rafflesiana. Overnight KK.

Day 3.    To Tambunan via Crocker Range & Rafflesia centre

The highlands of the extensive Crocker Range national park cover a large area of mountain ridges. Access is limited, but a convenient road takes us higher to where we can find an array of orchids and rhododendron such scarlet R. crassifolia, together with both Nepenthes chaniana and N. tentaculata. Following this we will take a short forest hike to look for the amazing Rafflesia pricei at the nearby Rafflesia reserve. Overnight Tambunan.

Day 4.    Mount Trus Madi

The upper reaches of this mountain are the realm of jungle trekkers, so we will spend time on the lower slopes of the summit trail to look for orchids and pitcher plants in mid-level montane forests. For something different in the evening the insect lamps will be switch on and an incredible variety of moths can be seen. Overnight Trus Madi entomology camp. 

Day 5.    To Kinabalu National Park via Nepenthes rajah

Travelling to the botanically rich Mount Kinabalu, we will take a side road to look for the extra large pitchers of Nepenthes rajah, a species confined to specialist serpentine habitats. Overnight KNP.

Days.    6 & 7 Kinabalu National Park (KNP)

Two full days exploring the mid-level forests of KNP, where everything from the conifer Dacrydium gibbsaei, celery pine, Nepenthes fascia, various orchids including Coelogyne, Dendrochilium and the exsquisite foliage of the jewel orchid Anoectochilus monicae, Calanthe kinabaluensis, streamsides coloured by C. pulchra, Lobelia borneesis, the endemic Impatiens platyphylla, a wealth of ferns, rhododendrons and more. Fabulous tree ferns such as Angiopteris ferox line idyllic forest streams with the smooth trunks of Tristaniopsis bilocularis standing out from the moss clad interior. The botanic garden is also worth seeing, housing plants from across the park. Overnight KNP. 

Day 8.    To Poring Hot Springs

Our journey to Poring will go via wherever has the impressive Rafflesia keithii in flower. This is different every season, since flowering is erratic, but there are almost always plants in flower. In the afternoon we will walk up to the nearby orchid collection, which offers the chance to sample the richness of the national park. With luck Paphiopedilum rothchildsianum will be in flower. Overnight Poring.

Day 9.    To Kinabatangan via Imbak road for Nepenthes spp.

Moving to the riverine forests that flank the wildlife-rich Kinabatangan, we will detour along a road which has thriving colonies of four species of Nepenthes with N. mirabilis growing with N. gracilis, then the impressive N. stenophylla with N. reinwardtiana. We will arrive in time to visit Gomantong Cave to watch the spectacle of millions of bats emerging at dusk. Overnight Sukau Rainforest Lodge.

Days.    10 & 11 Kinabatangan for wildlife

Morning and afternoon boat rides along the river and its tributaries which throng with wildlife from rhinoceros hornbills and long-tailed macaques to orang utans, monitor lizards and with luck Bornean elephant. Huge figs stand on the banks and the lovely yellow flowers of Dillenia exaltata are reflected in the water of the calmer channels. After lunch we will transfer to Sandakan for a flight back to Kota Kinabalu. Or for those on the extension we will transfer to Tabin. Overnight KK or Tabin.

Day 12.     Flights

After a night in Kota Kinabalu we will take our return flights home.

Days 12 & 13.    Tabin

A mix of wildlife and plants with time to explore lowland rainforests combined with whatever wildlife. 

Day 14.    Flights (14 October)

After a final morning enjoying the lowland forest we will transfer to Lahad Datu for the flight to KK and onward flights.