BORNEO - WILDLIFE PHOTO TOUR
Orangutans, Pygmy Elephants, Sun Bears, Proboscis Monkeys, Endemic Birds, Nocturnal Wildlife & Much More
Dates: 24th July to 5th August 2027
Introductory Price: £6,695 per person (single supplement of £1,495)
Deposit: A non-refundable £1,500 deposit required at time of booking.
Group size: Min. 5, Max. 6
Embark on an extraordinary journey through Sabah's premier wildlife corridors, from tropical rainforests to misty rivers, designed entirely around ethical encounters. Starting with canopy birding and night safaris in Sepilok, we move to the pristine riverbanks of Abai and Bilit on the Kinabatangan River for Pygmy Elephants and Proboscis Monkeys. We then track rare species across the remote Tabin Wildlife Reserve before spending four days in the ancient primary rainforest of Danum Valley to find wild Orangutans.
With small group sizes and expert guidance on everything from low-light jungle shooting to action tracking from boats, this tour is designed to build an extensive portfolio of Borneo's most spectacular wildlife.
This will be my very first expedition to Borneo, which is why I am offering this inaugural trip at a strictly limited, non-commercial rate. Rather than charging a standard professional markup, I want to keep this trip completely transparent and accessible for a small founding group of photographers. The tour is priced strictly at cost - meaning you pay exactly what the local Malayan operator charges, plus a modest fee per person to cover my time coordinating the logistics and my international flights. In return, we will be experiencing and exploring these incredible wild environments together for the very first time, and your hands-on feedback will play a vital role in shaping this tour's legacy.
What’s included?
Accommodation throughout the whole trip – I have prioritised premium eco-lodges and the deluxe resthouse at the Danum Valley Field Centre to keep us close to the trails.
All local travel in a comfortable, large 12-seater AC van to ensure plenty of room for heavy camera gear.
Private boat charters on the Kinabatangan River.
A brilliant local Bornean nature guide.
Full camera support.
Photo reviews.
A group call 1 month before the tour.
All park entry fees, standard camera permits, and enhanced night safari activities.
Specialist leech socks.
What you will need:
A lens with a focal length of 400mm or above – essential for capturing birds and mammals from the riverboats and forest trails.
A fast lens is highly advantageous for handling the challenging, low-light conditions beneath the dense rainforest canopy.
A macro lens for macro photography of unique frogs, reptiles, and insects during our night walks.
A speedlight flash and diffuser.
Spare batteries, plenty of high-capacity memory cards, and anything else you find useful for multi-day photography away from main hubs.
Optional: Laptop to review images and external hard drives to back up images.
Lightweight, highly breathable outdoor clothing. Borneo is tropical and incredibly humid, so lightweight layers are essential.
Sturdy, broken-in walking shoes or trail boots with good grip for muddy paths.
A reliable waterproof camera cover or dry bag, as tropical downpours can happen at any time.
What’s not included:
Flights to & from Sandakan / Lahad Datu airport.
Connecting domestic airfares within Sabah.
Soft & alcoholic drinks.
Tips - recommended around £10 per day per person.
Insurance.
Camera equipment.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Sandakan & transfer to Sepilok – check-in to our forest resort, evening dinner, and rest after long-haul transit.
Day 2 to 3: Sepilok – private excursions to the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre, the Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, and intensive sessions on the canopy walkways of the Rainforest Discovery Centre (RDC) followed by an atmospheric night walk.
Day 3 to 5: Kinabatangan River (Abai) – private boat transfer across the bay into secluded wetlands. We will execute misty dawn and golden hour dusk river cruises targeting wild Proboscis Monkeys, hornbills, and fireflies, alongside boardwalk safaris at night.
Day 5 to 7: Kinabatangan River (Bilit) – journeying upriver into prime Bornean Pygmy Elephant territory. Includes targeted boat tracking, night cruises, and two private afternoon excursions to the majestic Gomantong Caves to capture the dusk exodus of millions of bats.
Day 7 to 9: Tabin Wildlife Reserve – overland transition to a vast reserve. We focus on early morning bird walks, tracking wildlife at active mineral mud volcanoes, and dedicated evening dusk drives looking for hunting raptors and wild cats.
Day 9 to 13: Danum Valley Field Centre – deep immersion in a pristine, primary rainforest millions of years old. Staying in the deluxe resthouse, we spend four days on foot tracking completely wild, unhabituated Orangutans with specialist trackers, alongside private 4x4 night drives for flying squirrels and civets. Leave for UK on Day 13.
Further Information
Dates: 24th July to 5th August 2027.
Group Size: minimum of 5, maximum of 6.
Fitness Level Required: A moderate level of fitness is required. While walking distances are manageable, trekking through primary tropical rainforest involves high humidity, uneven forest trails, and potentially muddy slopes. You should be steady on your feet and comfortable carrying your own camera setup.
Cost: £6,695 per person (single supplement of £1,495)
Deposit: A non-refundable £1,500 deposit required at time of booking.
