World-Class Birding Spot And Nature Photography Destination@Sukau
Borneo, Malaysian Sabah, Sukau is one of the world-class birding spot and nature photography destination due to the abundance of food plants at fresh water riverine and swamp forest.
3D2N Tour in the dept of Sukau, Kinabatangan River
The floodplain of the Lower Kinabatangan River is a low-lying wilderness covered by a patchwork of natural rainforest and ever-encroaching oil-palm plantations. The whole area is dotted with oxbow lakes and limestone outcrops, and is home to a wealth of wildlife including, hopefully, our first wild Orang-utans and the remarkable Proboscis Monkey.
Our focus will however be on the birdlife and there is much to look for including Storm’s Stork (Kinabatangan River represents one of the most reliable sites for this endangered species anywhere). Bornean Ground Cuckoo, Hooded Pittas, Black-Crowned Pittas and with an outside chance of Giant Pitta ( rare and scarce resident ), Trogons, Stork-billed, Blue-eared and Oriental Dwarf Kingfishers, Moustached Hawk-cuckoo, Wallace’s Hawk-eagle, White-bellied Sea Eagle, Lesser Fish Eagle, Bat Hawk, Buffy Fish Owl, Whiskered Treeswift, up to four species of Malkoha, Chestnut-necklaced Partridge, Rhinoceros, Purple Heron, Helmeted, Asian Black, Oriental Pied, Bushy-crested, Wreathed and Wrinkled Hornbills. Of course there are many smaller birds as well, though photograph to these from the boats is not too easy. However, a boardwalk behind our lodge offers access to the jungle on foot and between boat trips we will explore this in hope of finding various babblers and bulbuls and other lowland forest species. Many birds can also be seen from the lodge veranda, while we can relax with a cold drink, especially if one or two of the adjacent trees are fruiting. It is also a great place for photographing dragonflies and butterflies. We will take early morning and afternoon and night boat trips along the river and its tributaries. Once off the main river channel the boatmen of our motorised canoes will turn off the noisy diesel engine motor, enabling us to really enjoy the sights and sounds of this rich wilderness. Here we hope to see wild Orang-utans making their way slowly through the canopy of riverside trees or, in late afternoon, watch them making their night-time nests. We can also watch troops of the bizarre Proboscis Monkey crashing through the branches, these comical creatures often sit in the trees and watch us float by, hands resting beside their huge pot bellies and the males with their extraordinary floppy nose. In addition we may see Long-tailed Macaques and occasional Silvered Langurs and there is always a chance of coming across a herd of Bornean Pygmy Elephants in this area.
Our focus will however be on the birdlife and there is much to look for including Storm’s Stork (Kinabatangan River represents one of the most reliable sites for this endangered species anywhere). Bornean Ground Cuckoo, Hooded Pittas, Black-Crowned Pittas and with an outside chance of Giant Pitta ( rare and scarce resident ), Trogons, Stork-billed, Blue-eared and Oriental Dwarf Kingfishers, Moustached Hawk-cuckoo, Wallace’s Hawk-eagle, White-bellied Sea Eagle, Lesser Fish Eagle, Bat Hawk, Buffy Fish Owl, Whiskered Treeswift, up to four species of Malkoha, Chestnut-necklaced Partridge, Rhinoceros, Purple Heron, Helmeted, Asian Black, Oriental Pied, Bushy-crested, Wreathed and Wrinkled Hornbills. Of course there are many smaller birds as well, though photograph to these from the boats is not too easy. However, a boardwalk behind our lodge offers access to the jungle on foot and between boat trips we will explore this in hope of finding various babblers and bulbuls and other lowland forest species. Many birds can also be seen from the lodge veranda, while we can relax with a cold drink, especially if one or two of the adjacent trees are fruiting. It is also a great place for photographing dragonflies and butterflies. We will take early morning and afternoon and night boat trips along the river and its tributaries. Once off the main river channel the boatmen of our motorised canoes will turn off the noisy diesel engine motor, enabling us to really enjoy the sights and sounds of this rich wilderness. Here we hope to see wild Orang-utans making their way slowly through the canopy of riverside trees or, in late afternoon, watch them making their night-time nests. We can also watch troops of the bizarre Proboscis Monkey crashing through the branches, these comical creatures often sit in the trees and watch us float by, hands resting beside their huge pot bellies and the males with their extraordinary floppy nose. In addition we may see Long-tailed Macaques and occasional Silvered Langurs and there is always a chance of coming across a herd of Bornean Pygmy Elephants in this area.
Tour Fee USD850 included:
a) Foods and accommodation
b) Birds/Photography guides
c) Destination/Operation Management
d) Transportation
*2 way domestic flight Kota Kinabalu-Sandakan-Kota Kinabalu
*Land transfer Sandakan-Sukau-Sandakan
*2-3 birding tour per day at Kinabatangan River (boat ride)
a) Foods and accommodation
b) Birds/Photography guides
c) Destination/Operation Management
d) Transportation
*2 way domestic flight Kota Kinabalu-Sandakan-Kota Kinabalu
*Land transfer Sandakan-Sukau-Sandakan
*2-3 birding tour per day at Kinabatangan River (boat ride)
