Chris Weston Wildlife Photography

The pristine rainforests of northern Borneo provide the backdrop for this exciting wildlife photography adventure, taking in the rich biodiversities of Danum Valley and the Kinabatangan Wetlands. Our tour centers on Borneo’s unique and endangered wildlife - wild orang-utan, forest elephants, proboscis monkeys and other primates, as well as the Island’s vibrant and plentiful birds and amphibians. We will trek into Borneo’s wildlife-rich interior and explore the jungle canopy along 100’ high walkways. By boat we traverse the mighty Kinabatangan River and at night seek out elusive nocturnal mammals and colourful amphibians. There is also an opportunity to get close to orang-utans at the Sepilok Sanctuary - perfect for portraits of the species’ expressive faces. A real rainforest adventure.

Highlights

Description

The pristine rainforests of northern Borneo provide photographers with rich and colourful biodiversity and some of the most spectacular wildlife imagery on the planet. Quite simply, it is a nature photographer’s paradise.

After an internal transfer, your jungle wildlife adventure begins in Danum Valley. Covering 43 sq. km, the Danum Valley Conservation Area has an isolated beauty all of its own. From the viewpoints along the treetop canopy, dense jungle foliage and dramatic mountains stretch for miles on every side and it is easy to forget the hustle and bustle of everyday life. The area is known for its huge variety of mammals, birds and other wildlife. It’s possible to spot orang-utans, wild cats, macaques, gibbons, red leaf monkeys, pygmy elephants and, if you are very, very lucky, the rare clouded leopard. Over the course of the next four days, we will explore a number of jungle trails, and the canopy walkway is a great way to experience life in the treetops where much of the wildlife is found.

After dark, there is an opportunity to head out in open-top 4WD safari vehicles on a night safari. Using a powerful spotlight our guide will point out insects, birds and mammals in the trees and shrubs lining the road. There is a chance of spotting sambar deer, giant squirrels, nesting orang-utans and sleeping proboscis monkeys and other primates, as well as some birds.

From Danum Valley we transfer to the Kinabatangan wetlands for the next four days of our adventure. Home to the richest concentration of wildlife in Borneo, including ten species of primate, the Kinabatangan Wetlands is an important conservation area for a large number of animals. Centered on the mighty Kinabatangan River, the region is home to orang-utans, clouded leopards, Asian forest elephants, civet cats, otters, and hundreds of species of birds. We explore the area along the river on specialist boats taking occasional treks inland. Again, there are opportunities for night safaris, along the river.

Our photographic adventure ends with a visit to the Gomantong Caves, the largest cave system in Sabah, home to over one million swiftlets. The swiftlets’ neighbours are bats, more than a million of them, living above an enormous guano pile. The sighting of bats, swiftlets, birds and butterflies is virtually guaranteed, with the occasional bonus of small mammals, including orang-utans. From the Caves we head to Sepilok Orang-utan Sanctuary where, positioned at the feeding station, you will have a chance to watch and photograph at close quarters the behaviour and variety of facial expressions of this most human-like great ape.

After a final group dinner, an opportunity to share stories and photographs, the following morning we transfer back to Kota Kinabalu airport in time to catch your return flight home.