Borneo Wildlife Photography Expedition

Malaysia, Borneo
August 2024

10 day trip / 8 days wildlife viewing
5 SPOTS AVAILABLE
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“Orangutans, Pygmy Elephants, Sun Bears, Clouded Leopards.”


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“We are heading to Malaysia for an opportunity to photograph
the BIG FIVE”


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The focus of this trip is on the iconic animals of the region - Orangutans, Pygmy Elephants, Clouded Leopards, Sun Bears, and the Rhinoceros Hornbill.

This trip is a custom off-the-beaten path adventure searching for the fantastic wildlife this region has to offers.

We will also seek other wildlife while on safari, such as; endemic proboscis monkeys, extremely rare pangolins, slow loris, saltwater crocodiles, frogs and the hundreds of colorful bird species that pepper this region.


“We will be visiting some of the region's best locations for encounters with these unique wild animals.”



“The trip is a 10-day adventure, with eight long days of wildlife viewing.”


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“We will experience both day and night safaris.”


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Space is limited, we bring only 5 guests with us on these adventures.

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Space is limited, we bring only 5 guests with us on these adventures. 〰️


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TRIP COST is $4,550.00 per person

with an $1,200 deposit to secure your space. 

PRICE INCLUDE;

  • Airport Transfer ( R/T )

  • 9 Days Lodging ( DBL. OCC. )

  • All meals on safari days
    (breakfast, lunch and dinners)

  • Transfers to our different lodges

  • 5 days driving wildlife safaris ( Dermakot Rainforest )

  • 3 days on the river wildlife safaris ( Kinabatangan River )

  • All wildlife permits

  • Licensed guides

  • Photo coaching throughout trip

Add $650 for single Occupancy

PRICE EXCLUDES;

  • Airfare

  • Meals on Travel Days

  • Alcoholic Beverages

  • Crew and Hotel Staff Gratuities

  • Trip Insurance / Travel Health Insurance

  • Lodging on Travel Days


YOUR NEXT MOVE…
Let us know you are interested in joining us.


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TRIP ITINERARY

*Please note; we will be changing locations several times for this adventure.


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Day 1
ARRIVAL DAY

  • Pick up at 1:30PM from the Sandakan Airport (SDK). Driver will take us to our lodge.

  • Visit the Sepilok orangutan rehabilitation center for the afternoon feeding. The orangutans roam free but are habituated to seeing people.

  • Head out for a dusk canopy walk at the Rainforest Discovery Center to see the giant flying squirrels wake up from their slumber, and begin their nightly hunt for food. Afterwards, we will hike the forest trails to seek out nocturnal wildlife.


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Day 2 -
WILDLIFE DAYS

  • Eat breakfast then visit the sun bear rescue center for the 9am feeding.

  • Check out from our hotel at 11, then drive for the next 5 hours to Dermakot Rainforest and lodge. (we will stop for lunch along the way).

  • After check in, we will head out for our first night safari to search for nocturnal wildlife; deer, leopard cats, civets, sun bears, pangolins and the main reason for our visit is to find the rare and elusive clouded leopards.


Day 3 - 6
WILDLIFE DAYS

- We will remain at Dermakot rain forest for the next four days. For this part of the trip, we will be flexible with our schedule. We will spend eight hours seeking out wildlife in safari trucks (with some light walking). Our local wildlife guides will plan our days for us based on animal activity. There are also some hiking trails that we will visit when we are not out on the safari vehicles.


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Day 7
TRAVEL DAY AND WILDLIFE DAY

- We will wake up to pack up for the next part of our trip. (7am departure).
- We will be visiting the Kinabatangan River. We will drive for 3 hours to get to the marina, from there it is a 1 1/2 hour boat ride to arrive at our lodge.

After we settle into our lodge, we will prep to head out for a 4PM safari to seek out wildlife that lives along the rivers edge; from the endemic proboscis monkeys, to pygmy elephants and the amazingly wonderful rhinoceros hornbills, along with the countless birds, crocodiles, and monkeys that we might encounter.


Day 8 - 9
WILDLIFE DAYS

Morning and afternoon sessions on the river seeking out wildlife. We again search for the river wildlife; Pygmy elephants, sun bears, orangutans, birds, crocodiles, gibbons, and the strange and wonderful endemic proboscis monkeys.


Day 10
DEPARTURE DAY

9:30 departure from the lodge, (the ride from the lodge to the airport is two hours.) We return you to the airport for your journey home.Please make your flights for after 1PM.


Big Red. A massive male we encountered at Dermakot Rainforest.

Big Red. A massive wild male we encountered at Dermakot Rainforest.


Dermakot Rainforest is the best place to find the Sunda clouded leopard.

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Dermakot Rainforest is the best place to find the Sunda clouded leopard. 〰️


Clouded Leopard

Clouded Leopard

DERMAKOT FOREST RESERVE
Located in the heart of Sabah, this natural forest reserve in Sandakan, Borneo, Malaysia, spans an area of 55,507 hectares. This area is rich with wildlife, over 75% of the mammals in Sabah can be found within this forest reserve.

This is the best place in the world for a shot at photographing the Sunda clouded leopard.

Our evenings will be spent trying to find this extremely rare cat. During our night drives we will also be seeking out, leopard cats, Malay civets, slow loris’s, flying frogs, owls, and other wildlife we are lucky enough to encounter on our drives.

During our afternoon drives we will be seeking out orangutans, sun bears, pygmy elephants, monkeys, and the variety of colorful bird species that decorate this forest.


You will be visiting some of the best locations for encounters with these Iconic Species.


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KINABATANGAN RIVER
This river in Sabah, Malaysia, is the second longest river in Malaysia, with a length of 560 km (350 mi); from its headwaters in the mountains of southwest Sabah, to its outlet at the Sulu Sea, east of Sandakan. It is known for remarkable wildlife and fascinating habitats.

The Kinabatagan river is one of the most easily accessible places to see wildlife in Asia as well. The population density of animals on this stretch of the river is second to none, including many of Sabah's most sought after wildlife; Orangutans, proboscis monkeys, birds, wild cats, crocodiles, and of course, the pygmy elephant.

Here we will head out on boats to seek out wildlife. We go out twice a day - Once in the early morning, then again in the late afternoon. Both are the perfect opportunities to find the wildlife we are hoping to encounter. We will also spend one evening on a night safari, searching out the nocturnal wildlife on the river.


Gallery from our 2020 expedition


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PAYMENT AND CANCELLATION POLICY 

PAYMENT POLICY

  • A non-refundable deposit of $800 USD is required to reserve a space on SDM adventures.

  • 50% of the expedition cost (balance) is due 180 days prior to departure.

  • 100% of the expedition cost (balance) is due 90 days prior to departure.

  • A 4% surcharge is applied to payments made via credit card.

  • A 3% paypal surcharge is applied to payments made using paypal.

  • Payments can also be made via wire transfer. Just let us know and we will send you the bank transfer info.
    Please add $40 to cover bank fees.

  • Payments can be made by mailing a U.S. Check, or U.S. Money Order Payable to:

  • SDM adventures
    332 East 15th St.
    San Juan, Texas 78589

    CANCELLATION POLICY 

    All cancellations made more than 120 days prior to departure will receive refund (less an administrative fee of $500 USD per person). This fee is non-refundable and non-transferable. However, if we manage to fill the trip after you cancel, we will apply the deposit towards any of our trips that you sign up for, during the following 12 months. If you cancel again during that period, you will lose the deposit.

  • Cancellations made (91 to 120), calendar days prior to departure, are assessed a cancellation fee of 50% of the entire trip price, (including extensions).

  • Cancellations made within 90 days of departure date will not be refunded, therefore we strongly recommend all guest purchase travel insurance.

  • All cancellations must be made in writing by mail or by email to sdm@sharkdivermag.com, - received and acknowledged by SDM Adventures.

  • We are not responsible for cancellations due to medical or other reasons.

  • No fees will be refunded if you withdraw after an expedition begins.

  • We are not responsible for any fees associated with non-refundable air travel, we highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance.