Borneo Rainforests & Villages Family Adventure Tour

Your Guides

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The best people to immerse you in a destination are the ones who live there, which is why we feature local Adventure Guides on our trips. Here are a few that you might meet on this adventure.

Charlie Ryan

Charlie's passion for outdoor adventure, traveling, and nature has been strong his entire life. Hawaii's lush jungles first caught his attention, Central America's rainforests broadened his horizons and, finally, he found Borneo. Well-rounded in the ecology of the Bornean rainforest, he is experienced with species identification of mammals, birds, amphibians, and snakes. He has strong leadership abilities and is comfortable in any situation. He is also certified in Wilderness First Aid and has a good understanding of wilderness survival. Charlie lives in Borneo, speaks Bahasa Malay, and has strong connections with people working to save this beautiful region.

Dean Jais

Not many people can say they've introduced the royal couple to an orangutan and her baby, but Dean can! Fueled by a curious personality, with the jungle as his classroom, Dean started guiding in his late teens. From nature novice to jungle guru, Dean quickly excelled, which led him to win the esteemed Best Specialized Tour Guide award at The Sabah Tourism Awards in 2015. His knowledge and passion for the rainforest are contagious when traveling with him. Meet Dean on MT Sobek's Borneo adventures.

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Welcome to Borneo! Upon arrival in Kota Kinabalu International Airport, meet your MT Sobek guide and driver at the arrivals hall and transfer to the hotel. Spend the rest of the day relaxing or exploring Kota Kinabalu, a coastal city in Malaysian Borneo known for its bustling markets, modern boardwalks, beaches, and waterfront esplanade. Tonight you are treated to a sumptuous welcome dinner at a local restaurant.
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                    [Headline] => Experience Murut Hospitality in Orou Sapulot
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Transfer to Orou Sapulot and on to Labang village, where you are immersed in local culture with the Muruts, the last of the ethnic groups in Sabah to renounce headhunting. After lunch at Orou Sapulot, embark on a short walk to discover the virtually unexplored Tinahas Caves, with an underground stream and beautiful stalactite and stalagmite formations. Return to camp for a refreshing swim in the river. Enjoy a traditional Murut meal for dinner and admire the starry sky before falling asleep on a stretcher hammock to the sounds of the jungle.
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After an early breakfast, spend the morning swimming at the hidden, multi-tiered Kabulongou Waterfall, accessed via some easy jungle trekking. Later, continue to a modern village house at Romol Village. This longhouse sits high above a valley, overlooking the forest and surrounding areas. Spend the afternoon learning about local traditions and customs, and have the opportunity to participate in community work with villagers, such as planting trees on their farm or teaching English to the local children. Tonight, feast on traditional Murut food while enjoying cultural dance performances.
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After breakfast, say goodbye to your lovely Murut hosts and return to Kota Kinabalu, then transfer to the airport for a flight to Sandakan. Upon arrival, meet your driver, who transfers you to Sepilok Nature Resort. This quaint collection of wooden chalets surrounding a lake is set in an impressive landscaped area of manicured lawns and hills. After dinner, retire for the night. 
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Walk to the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre, a wildlife conservation and research center for the world\'s smallest bear. After a private tour, visit the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre to meet rescued orangutans being trained to survive again in the wild. Transfer to Sandakan for lunch, then boat to the Kinabatangan River, home to Borneo\'s highest concentration of fauna; look for orangutans, pygmy elephants, hornbills, and proboscis monkeys. After settling into your riverfront chalet, take a dusk wildlife-watching river cruise. Follow dinner at the lodge with an optional night walk in search of nocturnal forest residents!
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Spend today exploring the remarkably biodiverse, 340-mile-long Kinabatangan River, a haven for native wildlife. Start with an early-morning river safari cruise, and then visit a local village where you are treated to a home-cooked breakfast. Next, tour a local forest restoration project site and participate in tree planting while learning about the community\'s restoration efforts. After lunch and a rest, embark on another river cruise searching for wildlife just before a magical sunset. Seek even more critters on another night walk or river cruise after dinner at the resort.
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Rise early for breakfast and your journey to Gaya Island, via Sandakan and Kota Kinabalu. Spend the afternoon seaside, snorkeling, kayaking, or going for a jungle walk. Come evening, resort staff take the kids for fun activities while the parents have a romantic seaside dinner on their own!
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Relish an entire day on the remarkably biodiverse Gaya Island, a natural conservation area rife with jungle and marine life. Spend hours at your leisure, relaxing at the beach, lounging at the resort, or exploring the island. Tonight celebrate your memorable Borneo adventure with a group farewell dinner.
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After breakfast and a relaxing morning on Gaya Island, say goodbye to the group and depart to the Kota Kinabalu airport for your flight back home.
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Accommodations

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Remote and luxurious eco-lodges and rustic camps, allowing you to access some of the most rare and endangered wildlife on the planet.

Shangri-La’s Tanjung Aru Resort

Luxury Hotel

Just 10 minutes from Kota Kinabalu lies Shangri-La's Tanjung Aru Resort, a tranquil retreat and tropical getaway that doubles as a base for adventures in the area and beyond. Its nearly 500 rooms are decorated in the spirit of Borneo's natural colors and textures. Guests enjoy access to seven restaurants and bars, the CHI spa, free Wi-Fi, and unlimited natural beauty.

Kinabatangan Wetlands Resort

Comfortable Hotel

A boutique lodge situated on the banks of the wildlife-rich Kinabatangan River, this charming resort is an exclusive nature retreat surrounded by a forest reserve. Spacious deluxe chalets offer privacy, comfort, and direct access to the resort's raised boardwalk and jungle trails, perfect for getting up close and personal with the locals - native wildlife.

Bunga Raya Island Resort

Luxury Hotel

Where can you find top-notch accommodation on the edge of pristine rainforest, mangroves, and coral reefs? At Bunga Raya, a luxury resort on spectacular Gaya Island, a natural conservation area ten minutes from Kota Kinabalu. This secluded hideaway is the epitome of tropical paradise, with timber villas overlooking an empty white-sand beach, a hilltop spa, and an underground wine cellar.

MT Sobek Camp Pungiton Camp

Comfortable Camping

This is an open air jungle camp located deep in the jungle near a river bank. Each night, travelers enjoy nighttime jungle sleeping experience as the camp utilizes stretcher hammocks and mosquito nets. Delicious local produce and dishes are served at each meal. There are wonderful views of the jungle from all around the property, and the proximity of diverse range of wildlife makes this accommodation feel immersive and authentic. The service is consistently reviewed as very friendly and welcoming, which is highlighted by staff's passion and attention to detail. This is fully on display as they prepare local cuisine and drinks for the camp's guests on a daily basis, and even sometimes share dinnertime dance rituals

Modern Longhouse Orou Sapulot

Rustic Lodging

Orou Sapulot is a very comfortable traditional family home, equipped with Western toilet and showers. Sleeping is in a communal room with mattresses on the floor complete with full bedding. Purposefully built to blend in with the villagers' farms, your stay will be complimented with a grand feast prepared by the different families in the village.

My Nature Resort

Comfortable Hotel

My Nature Resort, a new eco-friendly destination, offers 24 comfortable rooms with balconies where you can wake up to the sounds of nature and soak in breathtaking rainforest views. Savor a delicious buffet breakfast at the on-site restaurant, or relax with a cocktail. The real highlight is the incredible scenery that awaits outside: walk the 1,000-foot boardwalk to explore the natural beauty of the Sepilok Protected Forest Reserve!

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