Wildlife & Beach

Having flown to Kuala Lumpur, you’ll fly on to Kota Kinabalu and have your first glimpse of Borneo’s crystal clear waters and pristine coral-enveloped islands. The exclusive Shangri La Tanjung Aru resort is the perfect place to relax and ease yourself in to your Borneo adventure. The real treat though, is hopping in a speedboat to Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine park and snorkelling off its stunning coral islands. The shallow reefs here and lack of currents make it perfect for beginners, and having swum amongst a kaleidoscope of colourful fish and blue-spotted rays, you can sunbathe on the beautiful white-sand beaches, and enjoy a barbecue beneath the stars on the island of Sapi.

You can’t come to Borneo without seeing the orangutans, so after a short flight to Sandakan, you’ll be driven into the rainforest to the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre. Here you’ll come face to face with the orangutans at feeding time, and take a relaxed nature cruise along the Kinabatangan River. Meandering past the tangled mangroves, you’ll have the chance to spot the rare pygmy elephant and the extraordinary proboscis monkey, and when night falls you'll see thousands of fireflies glowing on the banks. Fall asleep to the sounds of rustling leaves at your riverside hideaway, Abai Jungle Lodge, where you can get involved with the local tree planting project.

Fly back to Kota Kinabalu, and then transfer to Sutera Harbour, where you’ll take a boat out to beautiful Gaya Island Resort. Here you'll be treated to fabulous diving and snorkelling and a real castaway experience, staying in your own luxury rainforest hideaway with a stunning beach right on your doorstep and spectacular views across the bay to Mount Kinabalu. Try Gaya’s fantastic marine photography course to help you take spectacular marine snaps; follow the rainforest trails in search of the resident bearded pig; or just relax in the gorgeous spa which nestles in the mangroves. Transfer by boat back to Kinabalu airport and catch your return flight home.