Borneo Rainforest Tour, Sabah, Malaysia

Wild Borneo Rainforest Tour in Malaysia

This 4-day Borneo Rainforest Tour is a leisurely-paced trip available on request and combines two nights in our authentic Borneo jungle lodges at Tabin Wildlife Resort and one night at the Mud Volcano Observation Tower.

Considered to be the largest wildlife reserve in Malaysia, the lowland dipterocarp rainforest at Tabin is home to an extraordinary biodiversity and is a dedicated ground for breeding of animals and birds, including the highly endangered Sumatran Rhinoceros, Borneo Pygmy Elephant and Tembadau.

The fauna you can expect to encounter on this Borneo rainforest tour ranges from mammals and birds to reptiles, amphibians and insects. There's a healthy population of Borneo Pygmy Elephants that can sometimes be seen strolling along the resort road. Orang-utans are plentiful and their nests can be frequently sighted. There is a large variety of carnivores, including the rare Clouded Leopard, as well as Bearded Pigs, Red Leaf Monkeys, Pigtail and Long-tail Macaques, Binturongs and herds of deer. The reserve is also a bird-watching paradise, with more than 300 species of birds including the majestic Rhinoceros Hornbill and 13 species endemic to Borneo. It is home to approximately 26 species of unique frogs and toads, including 12 species that are endemic to Borneo, one of which – the Bornean Horned Frog – is exclusive to Sabah. There are also dozens of species of lizards, skinks, geckos and snakes, along with abundant insects.

The guides on your Borneo rainforest tour can advise on the best times of day to observe specific species and take you to a variety of habitats, including the Lipad river and nearby waterfall. They can also organise special dusk and night excursions into the rainforest for you to experience the nocturnal habits of the wildlife population.

Tabin's mud volcanoes are visited daily by a huge number of animals and birds, serving as ‘salt-licks’ for them to ingest essential minerals. The experience of overnighting at the Observation Tower and watching wildlife to come and drink water in the deep of the night is unforgettable.

Wild orchids, lianas, jungle vines, towering strangler figs and rare ferns are amongst the interesting collections of vegetation at Tabin. Flowers and fruits in the rainforest often carry an exotic contrast of colours with unique shapes and scents to attracts wildlife, birds, and insects to maximise pollination.

Following your jungle adventures on this Borneo rainforest tour you can look forward to returning to one of our charming timber lodges and enjoy the exotic sounds of the rainforest, the soothing flow of the river, the cool rhythms of waterfalls and the gentle caress of the breeze in Tabin.

Borneo Rainforest Tour highlights include:

The opportunity to observe more than 70 species of mammals, 300 types of birds and numerous reptiles, amphibians and insects, many of them unique to Sabah
A night spent in the Mud Volcano Observation Tower watching the wildlife coming to drink from the mineral-rich waters
Excursions to the Lipad river and nearby waterfall
Enjoy the dusk and night safaris to look out for nocturnal wildlife and birds

Like the look of this tour but want to enjoy a shorter stay? Check out our 3-day Malaysia Wildlife Safari Tour

Alternative Tour Name: 4D3N Overnight @ Mud Volcano

Day 1

Day 1 - Arrival | Tabin Wildlife Reserve

Drive from Lahad Datu to Tabin Wildlife Reserve on a gravel road for about one and a half-hour. After registration, you will be briefed to pack the items needed for your night out at Lipad mud volcano. Check into an attractive timber lodge at Tabin Wildlife Resort, which comes complete with private balcony, air conditioner, ceiling fan and hot water shower, a welcome luxury in the forest.

Nestled within the rainforest beside the Lipad river, this lovely setting is home to a surprising variety of birds, insects and small mammals, even right beside the buildings of the resort. Discover the rich variety of jungle herbs, some endemic, used for generations by local folks for the treatment of various ailments. Spend the rest of the day at leisure or stroll in the resort’s vicinity to enjoy nature at its best.

Visit Trogon Hall gallery for information about the conservation of Tabin Wildlife Reserve and briefing on birds, insects and animals that are found in this area. (For guest check-in before 11:00 am)

In the evening, dusk drives to look out for more nocturnal wildlife & birds coming out to look for food during this time of the day.

After dinner, enjoy a CD/Slide presentation on Tabin’s natural wonders (L,D).

Day 2

Day 2 - Wildlife | Photo Session | Mud Volcano

You may opt to take up a dawn drive to look out for wildlife that is active at this time of the day (not included in package/RM80.00 per person) or join the early morning bird walk to discover some of Tabin’s rich collection of almost 300 bird species.

After breakfast, a drive to the core area for animal spotting and for a photo session before trekking through the lush green rainforest known for its rich diversity of plants and animal species to visit Lipad Waterfall. Take a dip in the natural pool and enjoy a natural and refreshing shower under the waterfall. Alternatively, explore the surrounding vegetation or just relax.

Lunch followed by a short break. Embark on your journey to the mud volcano.

After trekking through the jungle for 20 minutes, arrive at the elevated bare area of the mud volcano. Try to identify the multitude of animal footprints belonging to different wildlife. The adventurous can try the effects of the volcanic mud, said to be responsible for a fine complexion. Walk up the observation tower and admire the contrasting landscape of the bare area and its surrounding thick forest where birds are commonly sighted. Our guides will set up camp for the night at the observation tower. Stay quiet in order not to disturb wildlife which is more active in the cooler hours of the evening and early morning. Stay alert during the night to observe any visits by wildlife to feed on minerals at the mud volcano. (B, L, D).

Day 3

Day 3 - Rock Pool | Tabin Rainforest Foot Soak | Night Safari

Early in the morning, pack and return to Tabin Wildlife Resort. After breakfast, stroll to the nearby Rock Pool or wander along the river where groups of macaques and other small mammals can sometimes be seen. Choose to take a dip in the river or simply listen to the sound of nature, or spend the morning at leisure.

In the afternoon you may wish to try out the Tabin Rainforest Foot Soak made with a natural blend of tropical herbs that help relax tired muscles after jungle treks.

Dinner followed by a night safari to look out for nocturnal wildlife and birds. Remember to look up at the clear, dark sky of Tabin, identify the constellations above you and make a wish or two. (B,L,D).

Day 4

While enjoying your breakfast, you can enjoy the serene environment at the Cafe and observe birds, small mammals and insects that are active in the vicinity and free at leisure before saying good bye to Tabin. (B,L)

Wildlife species expected to see:

Chestnut-necklaced Partridge, Black Partridge, Crested Fireback, Great Argus, Wandering Whistling Duck, Storm’s Stork, Eastern Cattle Egret, Great Egret, Little Egret, Great-billed Heron, Purple Heron, Oriental Darter, White-fronted Falcone, Peregrine Falconet, Jerdon’s Baza, Bat Hawk, Black-shouldered Kite, Brahminy Kite, White-bellied Sea-eagle, Lesser Fish-eagle, Crested Serpent-eagle, Crested Goshawk, Black Eagle, Wallace’s Hawk-eagle, Blyth’s Hawk-eagle, Changeable Hawk-eagle, Rufous-bellied Eagle, Common Moorhen, White-breasted Waterhen, Common Sandpiper, Emerald Dove, Jambu Fruit-dove, Little Green-pigeon, Pink-necked Green-pigeon, Thick-billed Green-pigeon, Large Green-pigeon, Green Imperial-pigeon, Grey Imperial-pigeon, Blue-crowned Hanging-parrot, Long-tailed Parakeet, Moustached Hawk-cuckoo, Malaysian Hawk-cuckoo, Indian Cuckoo, Banded Bay Cuckoo, Plaintive Cuckoo, Violet Cuckoo, Little Bronze Cuckoo, Drongo Cuckoo, Bornean Ground-Cuckoo, Black-bellied Malkoha, Red-billed Malkoha, Raffle’s Malkoha, Chestnut-breasted Malkoha, Greated Coucal, Lesser Coucal, Sunda Scops-Owl, Barred Eagle-owl, Buffy Fish-owl, Brown Wood-owl, Bornean Frogmouth, Blyth’s Frogmouth, Glossy Swiftlet, Mossy-nest Swiftlet, Black-nest Swiflet, Edible-nest Swiftlet, Asian Palm-swift, Silver-rumped Needletail, Grey-rumped Treeswift, Whiskered Treeswift, Red-naped Trogon, Diard’s Trogon, Scarlet-rumped Trogon, Dollarbird, Rufous-collared Kingfisher, Banded Kingfisher, Ruddy Kingfisher, Stork-billed Kingfisher, Collared Kingfisher, Oriental Dwarf-kingfisher, Blue-banded Kingfisher, Blue-eared Kingfisher, Red-bearded Bee-eater, Blue-throated Bee-eater, Bushy-crested Hornbill, Oriental Pied Hornbill, Black Hornbill, Rhinoceros Hornbill, Helmeted Hornbill, White-crowned Hornbill, Wrinkled Hornbill, Wreathed Hornbill, Gold-whiskered Barbet, Red-crowned Barbet, Red-throated Barbet, Yellow-crowned Barbet, Blue-eared Barbet, Brown Barbet, Malaysian Honeyguide, Rufous Piculet, Speckled Piculet, Grey-capped Pygmy Woodpecker, White-bellied Woodpecker, Rufous Woodpecker, Sunda Pygmy Woodpecker, Banded Woodpecker, Checkered Throated Woodpecker, Crimson-winged Woodpecker, Olive-backed Woodpecker, Maroon Woodpecker, Orange-backed Woodpecker, Buff-rumped Woodpecker, Buff-necked Woodpecker, Grey-and-buff Woodpecker, Great Slaty Woodpecker, Green Broadbill, Dusky Broadbill, Black-and-red Broadbill, Banded Broadbill, Black-and-yellow Broadbill, Hooded Pitta, Blue-headed Pitta, Blue-banded Pitta, Black-and-crimson Pitta, Giant Pitta, Bornean Banded Pitta, White-bellied Erpornis, Golden-Bellied Gerygone, Lesser Cuckooshrike, Fiery Minivet, Scarlet Minivet, Dark-throated Oriole, Large Woodshrike, Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike, Black-winged Flycatcher-shrike, Rufous-winged Philentoma, Maroon-breasted Philentoma, White-breasted Woodswallow, Common Iora, Green Iora, Pied Fantail, Spotted Fantail, Black-naped Monarch, Asian Paradise-flycatcher, Crow-billed Drongo, Bronzed Drongo, Greater Racket-tailed Drongo, Slender-billed Crow, Bornean Black Magpie, Crested Jay, Tiger Shrike, Brown Shrike, Plain Sunbird, Brown-throated Sunbird, Ruby-cheeked Sunbird, Van Hasselt’s Sunbird, Olive-backed Sunbird, Crimson Sunbird, Temminck’s Sunbird, Purple-naped Sunbird, Little Spiderhunter, Thick-billed Spiderhunter, Long-billed Spiderhunter, Spectacled Spiderhunter, Yellow-eared Spiderhunter, Yellow-breasted Flowerpecker, Yellow-rumped Flowerpecker, Orange-bellied Flowerpecker, Yellow-vented Flowerpecker, Greater Green Leafbird, Lesser Green Leafbird, Asian Fairy-bluebird, Velvet-fronted Nuthatch, Dusky Munia, White-bellied Munia, Chestnut Munia, Eurasian Tree-sparrow, Grey Wagtail, Javan Myna, Common Hill-myna, Asian Glossy Starling, Chestnut-cheeked Starling, Oriental Magpie-robin, White-crowned Shama, Rufous-tailed Shama, White-crowned Forktail, Malaysian Blue-flycatcher, Bornean Blue-flycatcher, Verditer Flycatcher, Narcissus Flycatcher, Grey-streaked Flycatcher, Asian Brown Flycatcher, Rufous-tailed Jungle-flycatcher, Black-headed Bulbul, Black-and-white Bulbul, Grey-bellied Bulbul, Puff-backed Bulbul, Yellow-vented Bulbul, Olive-winged Bulbul, Cream-vented Bulbul, Red-eyed Bulbul, Spectacled Bulbul, Buff-vented Bulbul, Hairy-backed Bulbul, Finsch’s Bulbul, Yellow-bellied Bulbul, Grey-cheeked Bulbul, Streaked Bulbul, Barn Swallow, Pacific (House) Swallow, Arctic Warbler, Brown Fulvetta, Black-throated Babbler, Grey-headed Babbler, Chested-winged Babbler, Chested-rumped Babbler, Chestnut-backed Scimitar-babbler, Bold-striped Tit-babbler, Fluffy-backed Tit-babbler, Black-capped Babbler, Sooty-capped Babbler, Scaly-crowned Babbler, Rufous-crowned Babbler, White-chested Babbler, Short-tailed Babbler, Striped Wren-babbler, Black-throated Wren-babbler, Ashy Tailorbird, Rufous-tailed Tailorbird, Dark-necked Tailorbird, Yellow-bellied Prinia.

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Borneo Rainforest Tour, Sabah, Malaysia - 4 Days