Primate Photo Tour
A Bespoke Primate Photography Journey Through Borneo
Locations
Sepilok
Sepilok Forest Reserve
Sepilok Forest Reserve offers an immersive introduction to the ancient rainforests of Borneo, where towering trees, dense vegetation and forest streams create a haven for remarkable wildlife. The reserve is renowned for its orangutans, alongside Bornean pygmy elephants, proboscis monkeys, gibbons and an extraordinary diversity of birdlife. Explore on guided forest walks and wildlife excursions, discovering the rich biodiversity of one of Borneo’s most important rainforest sanctuaries.
Kinabatangan River
Kinabatangan River
The Kinabatangan River winds through the wild lowland forests of Malaysian Borneo, creating one of the region’s richest habitats for wildlife. Its surrounding wetlands and dense rainforest support orangutans, proboscis monkeys, Bornean pygmy elephants, crocodiles and an extraordinary diversity of birdlife. Explore by boat and on guided walks, following the river through ancient forests and discovering the remarkable wildlife that thrives along its banks.
Danum Valley
Danum Valley
Danum Valley offers an extraordinary immersion into the ancient rainforests of Malaysian Borneo, where towering dipterocarp trees, winding rivers and dense jungle create a sanctuary for remarkable wildlife. The valley is home to orangutans, Bornean pygmy elephants, clouded leopards, gibbons and an exceptional diversity of birds and insects. Explore on guided forest walks and night excursions, discovering the hidden life of one of Borneo’s most pristine and biodiverse wildernesses.
Itinerary Highlights:
Borneo is one of the world’s last great rainforest frontiers, home to an extraordinary diversity of primates. Designed for wildlife photographers and naturalists, this expedition explores Sabah’s iconic rainforest ecosystems, from Sepilok and the wildlife-rich Kinabatangan River to the pristine forests of Danum Valley. Encounter orangutans, proboscis monkeys, gibbons, macaques and elusive nocturnal species while discovering the remarkable biodiversity of Borneo’s ancient rainforests.
- A curated primate photography expedition across Sabah’s three celebrated rainforest ecosystems.
- Photograph wild orangutans in the Kinabatangan floodplains and ancient forests of Danum Valley.
- Encounter remarkable primate diversity, including proboscis monkeys, gibbons, macaques, tarsiers and the elusive slow loris.
- Discover orangutan conservation at the renowned Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre.
- Explore the wildlife-rich Kinabatangan River on expertly guided river safaris.
- Immerse yourself in the pristine rainforest of Danum Valley, one of Borneo’s great biodiversity hotspots.
- Combine luxury rainforest lodges, expert naturalist guides and exceptional wildlife photography opportunities.
Inclusions and Exclusions
Inclusions
- All accommodation as specified in the itinerary
- All meals, tea, coffee and evening refreshments at the wildlife lodges
- Services of an expert private guide throughout the journey
- All private airport, road and boat transfers between lodges
- Entry to the Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre and Rainforest Discovery Centre
- Guided night walk at the Rainforest Discovery Centre
- All private Kinabatangan River boat excursions, including sunrise and sunset wildlife cruises
- Guided nocturnal excursions in Kinabatangan
- All guided rainforest walks and wildlife activities in Danum Valley Conservation Area
- All park entrance fees, conservation fees and permits as applicable
- 5% Ameliya Conservation Commitment Levy
Exclusions
- Flights, visa fees, laundry, packed beverages, and alcoholic drinks
- Camera fees, if levied by the government
- Any additional activities or personal expenses, including tips
- Any increase in National Park fees or government taxes, payable by the guest
- Anything not specifically mentioned in the inclusions
Accommodation- Sepilok
Classic- Sepilok Forest Edge Resort
Sepilok Forest Edge Resort
Hidden within the rainforest surrounding Sepilok, Sepilok Forest Edge Resort places guests at the doorstep of one of Borneo’s most celebrated wildlife regions. Designed to blend seamlessly with its natural surroundings, the resort offers a peaceful escape where the sounds of the forest replace the bustle of the city. Its intimate setting and proximity to the Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, Rainforest Discovery Centre and Sun Bear Conservation Centre make it an ideal base for discovering Sabah’s extraordinary biodiversity while enjoying genuine Bornean hospitality.
Amenities
- Chalet-style rooms
- Outdoor swimming pool
- Restaurant serving local and international cuisine
- Tropical gardens and forest boardwalks
- Complimentary Wi-Fi
- Nature trails and easy access to Sepilok’s leading wildlife conservation centres
Premium- Sepilok Nature Lodge
Sepilok Nature Lodge
Set along the banks of the Kabili-Sepilok River, Sepilok Nature Lodge offers an elegant rainforest retreat in the heart of Borneo’s most celebrated wildlife sanctuary. Surrounded by ancient lowland forest and connected by charming wooden boardwalks, the lodge combines comfort with an immersive wilderness experience. Its privileged location, directly opposite the Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre and moments from the Rainforest Discovery Centre and Sun Bear Conservation Centre, makes it the preferred choice for travellers seeking a more refined stay amidst Sabah’s remarkable biodiversity.
Amenities
- Spacious timber chalets and deluxe rooms
- Private balconies overlooking the rainforest
- Riverside restaurant serving local and international cuisine
- Landscaped tropical gardens and wooden boardwalks
- Complimentary Wi-Fi
- Nature trails and immediate access to Sepilok’s leading wildlife conservation centres
Accommodation- Kinabatangan River
Premium- Sukau Rainforest Lodge
Sukau Rainforest Lodge
Named after the Malay words sungai (river) and kau (you), reflecting the community’s enduring connection with the Kinabatangan River, Sukau Rainforest Lodge is one of Borneo’s most celebrated wilderness retreats. Perched along the riverbank and surrounded by pristine rainforest, the lodge seamlessly blends understated luxury with exceptional wildlife experiences. Accessible only by boat, it offers an intimate gateway to one of Southeast Asia’s richest ecosystems and the perfect base for exploring the Kinabatangan’s extraordinary diversity of wildlife, from orangutans and pygmy elephants to hornbills and proboscis monkeys.
Amenities
- Elegant river front villas and spacious guest rooms
- Award-winning restaurant
- Open-air lounge and riverside boardwalks
- Spa treatments
- Observation decks
- Guided river cruises and nature walks
- Complimentary Wi-Fi and eco-conscious design throughout
Accommodation- Danum Valley
Luxury- Danum Valley Rainforest Lodge
Danum Valley Rainforest Lodge
Few places on Earth remain as untouched as Danum Valley, home to one of the world’s oldest and most biologically diverse rainforests. Nestled deep within this ancient wilderness, Borneo Rainforest Lodge offers an extraordinary blend of refined comfort and immersive wildlife experiences. Accessible only to a privileged few, the lodge provides unparalleled access to pristine rainforest where orangutans, clouded leopards, gibbons and more than 300 species of birds thrive. It is an exceptional base from which to experience one of Southeast Asia’s last great wildernesses without compromising on comfort.
Amenities
- Premium rainforest chalets and villas
- Private plunge pools in selected villas
- Riverside restaurant
- Spa and wellness centre
- Wildlife viewing platforms and canopy walkway access
- Complimentary Wi-Fi in the main lodge
- Sustainable eco-luxury design throughout
Day- Wise Itinerary
Day 1 - Sepilok
Arrive in Sepilok and enjoy a short drive to your rainforest lodge (20 minutes). Settle into your surroundings and spend the remainder of the day unwinding amidst the tranquil rainforest. Listen to the calls of tropical birds, stroll through the lush gardens or simply relax on your private veranda as you begin to immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of Borneo’s ancient wilderness
Day 2 - Sepilok's Wildlife Sanctuaries
This morning, visit the renowned Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre and the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre, where rescued orangutans and the world’s smallest bear are given a second chance in the wild. Beyond these iconic species, the surrounding rainforest offers excellent opportunities to photograph Southern Pig-tailed Macaques, Long-tailed Macaques, Silvered Leaf Monkeys and, with a little luck, the elusive Red Giant Flying Squirrel.
As darkness falls, venture into the Rainforest Discovery Centre for a guided night walk. Elevated boardwalks reveal an entirely different side of the rainforest, with the highlight being the chance to photograph the enchanting Western Tarsier—one of Borneo’s smallest and most charismatic nocturnal primates. Your guide will keep an eye out for flying squirrels, slow lorises, civets, owls and a fascinating array of nocturnal reptiles and insects that emerge after sunset.
Day 3 - Into the Kinabatangan
After breakfast, transfer to the jetty and journey by boat along the Kinabatangan River to your wilderness lodge (approximately 2.5 hours). As the river meanders through one of Southeast Asia’s richest wildlife corridors, the journey itself offers the first opportunities to encounter Borneo’s remarkable biodiversity. Upon arrival, settle into your lodge before setting out on a private afternoon river cruise.
The golden hours of the afternoon provide exceptional conditions for wildlife photography. Search the riverbanks and towering fig trees for wild orangutans, endemic Proboscis Monkeys, Silvered Leaf Monkeys, Long-tailed and Southern Pig-tailed Macaques, as well as Bornean Pygmy Elephants if fortune favours. The Kinabatangan is also one of Asia’s finest birding destinations, offering opportunities to photograph Rhinoceros, Oriental Pied and Black Hornbills, kingfishers, eagles and a remarkable variety of wetland birds against the backdrop of the rainforest.
Day 4 & 5 - Private Photography on the Kinabatangan
Begin each day with a private sunrise boat safari, when soft morning light and calm river conditions provide the best opportunities for wildlife photography. Focus on photographing wild orangutans, endemic Proboscis Monkeys, Silvered Leaf Monkeys, Southern Pig-tailed and Long-tailed Macaques, Bornean Pygmy Elephants, hornbills, kingfishers, eagles and other riverine birds.
Return to the lodge for lunch before setting out once again on a private afternoon cruise. The golden light of late afternoon offers excellent conditions for dramatic wildlife images as primates descend to feed and birds become increasingly active along the riverbanks. After dinner, enjoy a guided night excursion dedicated to photographing the elusive Slow Loris, with opportunities to encounter Western Tarsiers, civets, flying squirrels and other nocturnal rainforest species.
Day 6 - Journey to Danum Valley
Enjoy a final sunrise boat excursion along the Kinabatangan before departing for Danum Valley. The overland journey to Borneo Rainforest Lodge takes approximately 4.5–5 hours, passing through Lahad Datu before entering the pristine Danum Valley Conservation Area.
Arrive at the lodge, settle into your rainforest chalet and spend the remainder of the day at leisure. Relax to the sounds of the ancient forest, explore the lodge’s surroundings or simply prepare for the exceptional wildlife experiences that await in one of the world’s oldest tropical rainforests.
Day 7 & 8 - Photographing the Primates of Danum Valley
Spend two full days exploring the pristine rainforest of Danum Valley, one of the oldest tropical rainforests on Earth and a sanctuary for an extraordinary diversity of wildlife. Accompanied by expert private guide, venture along forest trails and canopy viewpoints in search of Bornean Orangutans, Müller’s Gibbons, Red and Maroon Langurs, Southern Pig-tailed and Long-tailed Macaques, and the elusive Slow Loris.
Unlike river-based photography, Danum offers intimate rainforest settings where subjects are framed amongst towering dipterocarp trees, tangled lianas, moss-covered trunks and shafts of filtered light. The dense forest creates opportunities for atmospheric, habitat-rich images that showcase primates within their natural environment. Between excursions, return to the lodge before heading out again during the afternoon, when the soft forest light offers another rewarding window for photography.
Day 9 - Departure
After breakfast, bid farewell to the rainforest and enjoy a scenic drive to Lahad Datu Airport (approximately 2.5 hours). Arrive in time for your onward flight, taking with you unforgettable memories and a remarkable collection of images from the ancient rainforests of Borneo.
Activites
Photography
Nature Walk
River Cruise
Primate Viewing
Night Cruise
Enquire Now
Payment Terms & Cancellation Policy
Payment Terms
Payment Terms
- All tours operate on 100% advance payment.
- 50% need to be paid at the time of booking, 25% is due 120 days prior to the trip start date and 25% 90 days prior.
- The preferred mode of payment is Bank Wire. All card transactions will incur a 3.5% service fee.
- Rates are subject to change and are not applicable for Christmas/New Years. Rates are valid for 2024 only. Rates for 2025 will incur a 10% hike.
- Any changes in government taxes and park/conservancy fees have to be borne by the guests.
- We reserve the right to revise any published costs without prior notice. However, confirmed bookings will be honoured.
Cancellation Policy
Cancellation Policy
- 50% is non-refundable once the payment is done.
- The remaining amount will be refunded if cancellation is done 120 days prior to the tour start dates. Between 90-120 days, 35% is refunded.
- No refund if cancellation is done between 0 – 90 days of the trip start date. Amendment in dates within 90 days from arrival is treated as a cancellation.
- Please note that the date of written communication (e-mail) of intent to cancel will be the date considered for the calculation of the cancellation fees.
- The cancellation amount is calculated as per the total booking amount and not as per the advance deposited.
- No refunds in case of refusal to use a service/activity mentioned in the itinerary.
- All refunds are processed minus bank charges.
