14 Days Sabah Borneo Birding and Bird Photography Tour with Jason Bugay Reyes
A private 14-day Sabah birding and photography journey from Kota Kinabalu's coastal sites to montane forests, the Kinabatangan River and lowland rainforest reserves.
About this tour
This private 14-day journey links Sabah's coastal, montane and lowland rainforest birding. It begins around Kota Kinabalu before moving to the hides and upland habitats of Mount Trusmadi and Mount Alab. Kinabalu Park follows, with early starts on montane trails for Borneo's high-elevation endemics and the three Whitehead's specialties.
The route then crosses to Telupid and Sepilok. A hide visit near Telupid focuses on difficult forest birds before the itinerary continues to the Rainforest Discovery Centre and Sepilok Forest Reserve. From there, the tour reaches the Kinabatangan River for cruises along the main river and smaller tributaries, combining hornbills, kingfishers, raptors and storks with Sabah's wider lowland wildlife.
The final sector uses one of three lowland options: Sungai Kapur Forest Reserve, Tabin Wildlife Reserve or Danum Valley. These forests offer pittas, wren-babblers, Bornean Bristlehead and nocturnal wildlife, with the precise reserve and lodge determining the last four days. The published package includes private transport, river cruises, the Lahad Datu–Kota Kinabalu domestic flight, an English-speaking bird guide, twin-share accommodation, stated meals, entrance fees and bird-hide fees. The listed two-person price is MYR 56,710 with Tabin Wildlife Resort or MYR 65,062 with Danum Valley Borneo Rainforest Lodge; current availability and the final reserve choice remain subject to enquiry.
Planning a wider trip? Read our birdwatching guide to Malaysia.
Birds you can spot
Alcedo meninting
target
Lophura bulweri
target
Haematortyx sanguiniceps
target
Icthyophaga humilis
target
Anhinga melanogaster
target
Buceros rhinoceros
target
Pelargopsis capensis
target
Ciconia stormi
target
Aethopyga temminckii
target
Microhierax latifrons
target
Calyptomena whiteheadi
target
Harpactes whiteheadi
target
Guides
Itinerary
Day 1
Kota Kinabalu arrival and local birding
Arrive in Kota Kinabalu, check in and begin with coastal, wetland and open-country birding. Tanjung Aru Beach, Likas Lagoon and the Penampang rice fields provide opportunities for Malaysian Sand Plover and Collared Kingfisher, together with Blue-naped Parrot and Dusky Munia.
Day 2
Mount Trusmadi and Mount Alab bird hides
Leave early for the bird hides at Mount Trusmadi and the Mount Alab area. The published searches include Bulwer's Pheasant, Bornean Banded Pitta, Crested Partridge and other upland specialties.
Day 3
Mount Trusmadi and Mount Alab continued
Continue birding the hides and montane habitats around Trusmadi and Alab. The additional time allows for weather, hide activity and photography while maintaining the focus on pheasants, partridges and Bornean forest birds.
Day 4
Kinabalu Park montane birding
Travel onward to Kinabalu Park and begin exploring its montane forest. Whitehead's Trogon, Whitehead's Broadbill and Whitehead's Spiderhunter are central targets, together with other highland endemics.
Day 5
Kinabalu Park Power Station and trails
Make an early start around the Power Station and park trails. Bornean Treepie and Grey-chinned Minivet share this high-elevation forest with Pale-faced Bulbul and Mountain Blackeye.
Day 6
Kinabalu Park to Telupid and Sepilok
Drive toward Telupid for the walk to hides used in searches for Bornean Peacock-Pheasant and Blue-banded Pitta. Continue later to Sepilok and begin birding around the Rainforest Discovery Centre as time permits.
Day 7
Sepilok and Rainforest Discovery Centre
Spend the day in Sepilok Forest Reserve and at the Rainforest Discovery Centre. Canopy and forest searches include White-bellied Woodpecker and Rufous-collared Kingfisher, as well as Black-crowned Pitta, Bornean Bristlehead, trogons and babblers.
Day 8
Sepilok birding and transfer to Kinabatangan
Use the morning for additional Sepilok birding before driving to the Kinabatangan River. The landscape changes to a riverine lowland system known for both birds and a wide range of Bornean mammals.
Day 9
Kinabatangan River cruises
Explore the Kinabatangan and its smaller tributaries by private river cruise. Hornbills, kingfishers, raptors, waterbirds and Storm's Stork are among the possibilities, alongside orangutans, proboscis monkeys and other wildlife.
Day 10
Kinabatangan River and cave-area birding
Continue river and forest-edge birding in the Kinabatangan area. The programme can include evening activity near the Simud Puteh platform for the bat exodus and Bat Hawk, according to the final local arrangement.
Day 11
Transfer to Danum, Tabin or Sungai Kapur
Leave the Kinabatangan for the selected lowland forest reserve: Danum Valley, Tabin Wildlife Reserve or Sungai Kapur. The transfer and lodge choice determine the exact trail system and birding programme for the final sector.
Day 12
Lowland rainforest birding
Spend a full day in mature lowland rainforest, searching for pittas, Black-throated Wren-Babbler, Bornean Bristlehead and Bornean Ground-Cuckoo. Night walks or drives add a chance to look for nocturnal species where the selected reserve offers them.
Day 13
Second rainforest birding day
Continue birding and photography within the chosen reserve or lodge trail network. This second full day provides more time for difficult forest targets and for adjusting the search to recent sightings and conditions.
Day 14
Final birding and return to Kota Kinabalu
Bird during the morning before transferring to Lahad Datu Airport after lunch. Fly back to Kota Kinabalu, transfer to the hotel and conclude the tour.
Locations & map
- Kota Kinabalu - Sabah Malaysia (Arrival city and local coastal/wetland birding sites.)
- Mt. Trusmadi - Sabah Malaysia (Bird hides and montane/foothill birding.)
- Mt. Alab - Sabah Malaysia (Crocker Range birding station area.)
- Kinabalu Park - Sabah Malaysia (Montane forest birding around Mount Kinabalu.)
- Sepilok Forest Reserve / Rainforest Discovery Centre - Sabah Malaysia (Lowland forest birding and canopy/skywalk birding.)
- Kinabatangan River / Sukau - Sabah Malaysia (River cruises and lowland wildlife/birding.)
- Tabin Wildlife Reserve - Sabah Malaysia (Lowland rainforest birding option.)
- Danum Valley Forest Reserve - Sabah Malaysia (Lowland rainforest birding option.)
8 stops in itinerary order. Select a marker for its name.
Availability & pricing
Availability: Available on request · Season: Flexible private departures; best timing and availability will be confirmed after enquiry.
Included
- Private bird guiding by Jason Bugay Reyes - Exact guiding scope is confirmed after inquiry.
- Birding route planning - Route is adjusted to target birds, weather and current site access.
Not included
- International airfares and travel insurance - Not included in the published listed price.
- Unspecified meals, drinks and personal expenses - Confirmed in the final quotation.
- Camera/video fees where required - Confirmed according to current site rules.
Transport & stays
- Private vehicle, domestic flight, river cruise or Transport details are confirmed after inquiry. | Meet: Kota Kinabalu | Pickup: Pickup details confirmed after inquiry through BirdWatch.info.
Policies & FAQ
Cancellation Policy
Payment Terms
Insurance & Safety
Are dates and prices fixed?
No. Dates, current price, currency, lodging standard and site access are confirmed by Jason after inquiry.
Can the itinerary be adjusted for target birds or photography?
Yes. Jason's tour information states that custom-made birding itineraries are available upon request.
Send inquiry
Ask about this tour before booking. Your preferred date is optional and availability will be confirmed after your inquiry.