From  £3825
per person
Tour Highlights
  • Enjoy a hands-on turtle volunteer program
  • Witness the feeding of the orangutans
  • Search for riverside wildlife
  • Relax on Manukan Island
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Borneo Turtle & Wildlife Encounter

14 Day Tour, from £3825 per person

Discover Borneo on this once-in-a-lifetime adventure that seamlessly blends conservation, wildlife and relaxation. This tailor made holiday is a unique fusion of hands-on turtle volunteering, mesmerising wildlife river cruises, a fascinating visit to an elephant sanctuary and relaxing beach time to wrap up an incredible journey. Take in Kuching city and the Talang-Talang islands, an important turtle nesting site, before travelling to Sabah for the chance to "meet" the old man of the forest, the charming orangutans. Continue to the Kinabatangan River, discover the riverside wildlife including the pygmy elephants before ending the adventure on picturesque Manukan Island. 

 

 

Tour Itinerary

DAY 1
DEPARTURE

Fly to Kuching. 

DAY 2
KUCHING
KUCHING

Land Kuching and transfer to the hotel. Enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure. Why not visit the interesting Borneo Culture Museum which offers 5 floors of interactive exhibitions showcasing the highlights of Sarawak.  

Accommodation
The Waterfront Hotel
DAY 3
KUCHING
KUCHING

This morning, depart from the city and explore the Semenggoh Wildlife Centre, a facility committed to the rescue and rehabilitation of endangered orangutans. Head back to the city for lunch and embark on a guided tour to uncover the allure of this pristine and verdant riverine city. Traditional Chinese temples and vibrant markets grace nearly every corner. Return to the hotel and relish the evening at your leisure. (B,L)

DAY 4
KUCHING TO TALANG TALANG ISLANDS
KUCHING TO TALANG TALANG ISLANDS

Depart Kuching and travel by road (approximately 2 hours) to the quaint coastal town of Sematan. Enjoy an early lunch at a local restaurant before taking a 40-minute boat ride to the Talang Talang Islands, which form part of the Talang Satang National Park. Start your day with a hotel pick-up in Kuching and travel by road (approximately 2 hours) to the quaint coastal town of Sematan. Enjoy an early lunch at a local restaurant or coffee shop before heading to the boat jetty. Take a 40-minute boat ride to the Talang Talang Islands, a part of the Talang Satang National Park. Enjoy the remainder of the day free to unwind, swim, or snorkel.
Late afternoon attend a briefing conducted by a park ranger about the program and receive assignments or areas of responsibility. Also take part in nightly beach patrols to monitor turtle landings. Spend the night at the ranger station. (B,L,D)

 

Please note the turtle project has a minimum age requirement of 18 years old. 

DAY 5
TALANG TALANG ISLANDS
TALANG TALANG ISLANDS

Today undertake turtle volunteer tasks as instructed by the park rangers, including conducting beach patrols to identify turtle arrivals, monitoring turtle nesting activity, tagging and measuring turtles, transferring eggs to the hatchery, releasing hatchlings, engaging in data recording, and participating in other on-site conservation activities. Stay overnight at the ranger station. (B,L,D)

DAY 6
TALANG TALANG ISLANDS TO KUCHING
TALANG TALANG ISLANDS TO KUCHING

Following breakfast, enjoy a leisurely and relaxed time on the beach or take a swim. Board a boat late morning and return to Sematan. Return to Kuching, arriving in the late afternoon. (B,L)

Accommodation
The Waterfront Hotel
DAY 7
KUCHING TO SEPILOK
KUCHING TO SEPILOK

Return to Kuching and take a flight to Sandakan, with a stopover in Kota Kinabalu. Upon landing, drive to Sepilok and enjoy a leisurely afternoon. Consider visiting the nearby Rainforest Discovery Centre (RDC), which has transformed from a small environmental education centre in 1996 into one of Sabah's premier educational resources. Nestled within the renowned Kabili-Sepilok Forest Reserve, the RDC is situated in the habitat of the orangutans at the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre. Explore the rainforest through a 347-metre-long canopy walkway and a network of trails and paths, offering a unique perspective from both the treetops and ground level. (B,D)

Accommodation
MY Nature Resort
DAY 8
SEPILOK REHABILITATION CENTRE
SEPILOK REHABILITATION CENTRE

This morning, embark on a visit to the Sepilok Rehabilitation Centre to witness the orangutan feeding. Take the chance to observe the juveniles in the nursery before proceeding to the outdoor feeding platform to await the arrival of the adult orangutans. Afterward, explore the Borneo Sun Bear Conservation Centre, dedicated to promoting sun bear conservation in Borneo through initiatives focused on animal welfare, conservation, rehabilitation, research, and education.

 

The rest of the afternoon is yours to enjoy at leisure, providing an opportunity to unwind amidst the natural beauty of the resort's jungle surroundings. (B,L,D)

DAY 9
SEPILOK TO KINABATANGAN RIVER
SEPILOK TO KINABATANGAN RIVER

Depart Sepilok and travel by boat to the Lower Kinabatangan River Sanctuary, navigating through the Mangrove Forest. This location provides numerous opportunities to observe the resident wildlife, so be sure to keep a keen eye out for the diverse species that inhabit this captivating environment. Arrive Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge and check in. Embark on a wildlife river cruise to search for proboscis monkeys, pygmy elephants, hornbills and other birdlife. (B,L,D)

Accommodation
Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge
DAY 10
KINABATANGAN RIVER
KINABATANGAN RIVER

This morning, embark on a boat trip to explore the early risers of the picturesque Oxbow Lake region of the river. This opportune time allows you to witness wildlife emerging in the cool morning air as they seek breakfast. After the boat trip, return to the lodge for your own breakfast before enjoying time at leisure. Lunch will be taken at Sukau village before an afternoon river cruise followed by dinner. (B,L,D)

DAY 11
KINABATANGAN RIVER TO MANUKAN ISLAND
KINABATANGAN RIVER TO MANUKAN ISLAND

This morning drive back to Sandakan and enjoy an early lunch before flying to Kota Kinabalu. Land and take the short boat crossing to Manukan Island and check in to the resort. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure to relax. (B,L)

Accommodation
Manukan Island Resort
DAY 12
MANUKAN ISLAND
MANUKAN ISLAND

Enjoy a free day to relax at the resort. (B)

DAY 13
MANUKAN ISLAND
MANUKAN ISLAND

Enjoy a free day to relax at the resort. There are a number of water sports you can enjoy including snorkelling, diving or maybe hike to Sunset View Point. (B)

DAY 14
DEPARTURE

Return to the mainland and transfer to the airport for your departure flight. (B)

Pricing Information

14 day tour, from £3825 per person

Price Includes

  • Return International flights as per the itinerary
  • All airport taxes & security charges
  • Accommodation and meals as specified
  • Transfers as specified
  • Activities and excursions as specified
  • All entrance fees on sightseeing tours as specified

Price Excludes

  • Travel Insurance
  • Any meals not specified in the itinerary
  • Tips and gratuities
  • Optional excursions

Price Notes

Note: This tour is available to over 18's only and operates from April to September. Tanjung Datu is not accessible during the monsoon months owing to high seas. Some activities are subject to weather conditions and may be re-organised to best meet operational situations.



Please note the turtle volunteer program only operates May to September. The itinerary needs to work around one of the following turtle placement dates:



05-07 May 2025

12-14 May 2025

19-21 May 2025

26-28 May 2025

09-11 June 2025

16-18 June 2025

23-25 June 2025

07-09 July 2025

14-16 July 2025

21-23 July 2025

28-30 July 2025

04-06 August 2025

11-13 August 2025

18-20 August 2025

25-27 August 2025

08-10 September 2025

17-19 September 2025

23-25 September 2025


Tour Route Map


  1. Borneo, Kuching
  2. Borneo, Talang Talang Islands
  3. Borneo, Kuching
  4. Borneo, Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre
  5. Borneo, Kinabatangan River
  6. Borneo, Manukan Island

Tour Accommodation

Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge
Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge
Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge The Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge is located on the riverbank near the village of Sukau and in the larger Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary which was established in 2002 to......
MY Nature Resort
MY Nature Resort
MY Nature Resort MY Nature Resort is a new resort located a 10-minute walk to the Sepilok Rehabilitation Centre and Sun Bear Conservation Centre and a 5-minute walk to the Rainforest Discovery......
The Waterfront Hotel
The Waterfront Hotel
The Waterfront Hotel ...
Manukan Island Resort
Manukan Island Resort
Manukan Island Resort Manukan Island Resort is a 15-minute boat ride from Sutera Harbour and boasts a private beach overlooking the South China Sea. Offering direct access to the beach, every unit is......

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