9-Day Borneo Birdwatching And Birds Photoghraphy Tour
Tours to Best Birding places For Birdwatching And Birdlife Photography in Sabah Borneo
Sabah is widely recognised as one of the most productive birding destinations in South-East Asia and boasts an amazing avifauna which includes Bornean Frogmouth (rare and scarce resident of endemic to Borneo) , Bornean Bristlehead (in its own endemic family) sumptuous Pittas (including the endemic Blue-headed and Black-crowned Pitta), several species of Broadbills and Trogons, the endangered Storm’s Stork (at one of its few remaining strongholds), amazing Rhinoceros Hornbills (and up to seven other Hornbill species), raptors such as Wallaces’s Hawk Eagle, Bat Hawk and endemic White-fronted Falconet (now namely Bornean Falcanet) plus Buffy Fish Owls and a wealth of other rainforest birds. This semi-autonomous region in the north-east corner of Borneo is familiar territory for BORNEO NATURE TOURS AND PHOTOGRAPHY and we are dedicated as birdwatching and birds photography tours specialist with the reasons as following :
- Expert-help from professional birdlife photographers on composition, equipment & more.
Tour to picturesque regions, lead by experiences birds photography guide to those strategic birds photography spot. - Focus on key species such as the endemic birds of Borneo, and those species have special activities ie. nesting and rearing the young.
- Dawn-to-dusk birding with limited time for rest, relaxation and outside interest.
- Provide birds guide and photography guide expert in Chinese and English.
Itinerary Outline
Day 1-4 RDC ( Sepilok Sandakan )
Day 4-6 Kinabatangan River
Day 6-8 Kinabalu National Park
Day 9 Poring
Day 1-4 RDC ( Sepilok Sandakan )
Day 4-6 Kinabatangan River
Day 6-8 Kinabalu National Park
Day 9 Poring
Tour Included:
a) Foods and accommodation
b) Birds/Photography guides
c) Destination/Operation Management
d) Entrance, and mics fees
e) Transportation
*1 way domestic flight
*2 birding tour per day at RDC (land transfer)
*3 birding tour per day at Kinabatangan River (boat transfer)
*2 birding tour per day at Kinabalu National Park (land transfer)
*1 birding tour at Poring (land transfer)
a) Foods and accommodation
b) Birds/Photography guides
c) Destination/Operation Management
d) Entrance, and mics fees
e) Transportation
*1 way domestic flight
*2 birding tour per day at RDC (land transfer)
*3 birding tour per day at Kinabatangan River (boat transfer)
*2 birding tour per day at Kinabalu National Park (land transfer)
*1 birding tour at Poring (land transfer)
9-Day Birdwatching And Birdlife Photography Activities In The Most Strategic Birding LocationDay 1-4 RDC ( Sepilok Sandakan ) 
At Sepilok, lowland primary rainforest can be accessed at the Rainforest Discovery Centre with impressive (solid) canopy walkway and forest trails. Highlights may include Bornean Bristlehead, Black-crowned Pitta ( known as Black-and-crimson Pitta ), Rufous-collared Kingfisher, Rufous-backed Kingfisher, Blue-throated Bee-eater, up to eight species of Hornbill, Diard’s, Red-naped and Scarlet-rumped Trogons, White-bellied, Buff-rumped and Buff-necked Woodpeckers, Black-and-red and Black-and-yellow Broadbills, Rufous-bellied Eagle, Grey-rumped Treeswift, Silver-rumped Spinetail, lots of flowerpeckers, bulbuls, minivets and spiderhunters.
Day 4-6 Kinabatangan River
Along the way to Kinabatangan jetty, we will stop-by at Gomantong Cave. Here there are two massive cathedral-like cave systems that penetrate deep inside two huge limestone outcrops concealed amongst an area of lowland rainforest not far from the Kinabatangan River. Perhaps we can find the Crested Serpent Eagle, Asian Paradised-flycatcher, Broadbills and other birdlife along the way to the entrance. When near-by the entrance of Gomantong Cave, we can witness the huge quantity of Bat Hawks prey on the bats.
We will continue our journey to Kinabatangan River with using boat transfer. 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.
Along the way to Kinabatangan jetty, we will stop-by at Gomantong Cave. Here there are two massive cathedral-like cave systems that penetrate deep inside two huge limestone outcrops concealed amongst an area of lowland rainforest not far from the Kinabatangan River. Perhaps we can find the Crested Serpent Eagle, Asian Paradised-flycatcher, Broadbills and other birdlife along the way to the entrance. When near-by the entrance of Gomantong Cave, we can witness the huge quantity of Bat Hawks prey on the bats.
We will continue our journey to Kinabatangan River with using boat transfer. 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.
Day 6-8 Kinabalu National Park
In year 2000, Kinabalu National Park has been recognized as one of the UNESCO World Natural Heritage site. Located at the higher ground of the southwest coast in Sabah, the rainforest in the lower ground, the boreal forests, the shrub and grass plateau habitat located at the altitude of 4000 meters, are rich in exotic plants like oaks, orchids, azaleas, and pitcher plants. This lush vegetation has attracted numerous wild animals and birds to build their habitats here. Therefore, Borneo is definitely the best place for bird-watching activities and Kinabalu National Park has been dedicated as one of the top birding destination in Asia.
In year 2000, Kinabalu National Park has been recognized as one of the UNESCO World Natural Heritage site. Located at the higher ground of the southwest coast in Sabah, the rainforest in the lower ground, the boreal forests, the shrub and grass plateau habitat located at the altitude of 4000 meters, are rich in exotic plants like oaks, orchids, azaleas, and pitcher plants. This lush vegetation has attracted numerous wild animals and birds to build their habitats here. Therefore, Borneo is definitely the best place for bird-watching activities and Kinabalu National Park has been dedicated as one of the top birding destination in Asia.
There are over 300 different species of birds have been recorded in the Kinabalu National Park. In the hill forest around Poring many of Borneo’s lowland forest birds as well as submontane endemics such as Hose’s Broadbill and Blue-banded Pitta may be found.
WHITEHEAD’S TROGON scarce montane endemic Birds Of Borneo
From 900m above sea level upwards the specialist montane endemic birds appear such as Whitehead’s Broadbill, Whitehead’s Trogon, Whitehead’s Spiderhunter, Bornean Laughing Thrush, Bornean Treepie, Sunda Laughing Thrush, Chestnut-hooded Laughing Thrush, Chestnut-crested Yuhina, Mountain Barbet and Kinabalu Serpent Eagle. These birds may be seen in the mountain forest around Park HQ.
On the Kinabalu summit trail the bird life changes once again and specialist higher montane species such as Golden-naped Barbet, Fruithunter, Eyebrowed Jungle Flycatcher, Bornean Stubtail, Bornean Whistling Thrush, Bornean Whistler, Bornean Swiftlet, Mountain Black-eye, Mountain Wren Babbler, Pale-faced Bulbul, Friendly Bush Warbler, Crimson-headed Partrige and Red-breasted Hill Partridge occur.
Day 9 Poring
The last destination is to visit Poring searching of sub montane and lowland jungle bird species such as Gold-whiskered Barbet, Red-throated Barbet, Rufous Kingfisher, Black And Yellow Broadbill, Banded Broadbill, Green Broadbill, Scaly-breasted Bulbul, Greater Leafbird, Rufous Piculet and many others jungle flycatchers, flowerpeckers, malkohas, hawk-cuckoos and woodpeckers. The most friendly birds we can see in the very early morning are Orange-bellied Flowerpecker, Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker and the Borneo endemic White-crowned Shama. 
SCARLET-BACKED FLOWERPECKER ; ORANGE-BELLIED FLOWERPECKER
WHITE-CROWNED SHAMA ; RUFOUS-BACKED WOODPECKER
BANDED BROADBILL ; SCALY-BREASTED BULBU
CHESTNUT-BACKED SCIMITAR-BABBLER ; RUFOUS WOODPECKER ; CRIMSON-WINGED WOODPECKER
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