September 8, 2025 - September 22, 2025
Wild Borneo! *FULL*
Join Bird Alliance of Oregon on this very special tour to one of the world’s most coveted birding and wildlife destinations! On this 14-night adventure we’ll explore the astonishing biological diversity of this beautiful island, via jungle hikes, canopy walks, quiet riverboat cruises and even a night safari as we visit the four most productive birding and wildlife regions in Malaysian Borneo. Kinabalu National Park boasts the highest peak in Borneo and is a hotbed of endemism and incredible plant and animal diversity. With over 320 bird species, it is also a dream for birders, and we’ll seek Whitehead’s Trogon, Golden-faced Barbet, Fruithunter, Kinabalu Serpent Eagle and many others here, along with a suite of fascinating reptiles and amphibians endemic to this cool and green mountain region.
In Sepilok on the east side of Borneo, we’ll hike at the Rainforest Discovery Center, enjoying so many new birds including Rhinoceros Hornbill, Black-headed Pitta, Red-naped Trogon, Greater Racket-tailed Drongo and Bushy-crested Hornbill plus a wide variety of broadbills, spiderhunters, flowerpeckers and sunbirds. We may also encounter the beautiful Paradise Tree Snake and Sumatran Cobra! We’ll also spend time at the Orangutan Rehabilitation Center and the Borneo Sun Bear Conservation center, meeting these unique mammals and learning about the threats and conservation measures being taken to help them survive.
We’ll spend three nights along the famed Kinabatangan River, where iconic wildlife like Proboscis Monkeys, Silver Langurs, Pygmy Elephants, Macaques and Orangutans are often seen! We’ll explore via quiet riverboat cruises looking for Storm Stork, Black-headed Pitta, Stork-billed Kingfisher, Blue-eared Kingfisher, Bornean Falconet, Black-and-red Broadbill and Diard’s Trogon, and we’ll enjoy both a night hike and a night cruise by riverboat here. We’ll also keep our eyes peeled for more cool reptiles, including Reticulated Python, Mangrove Cat Snake, 7-lined Kukri Snake and King Cobra.
Our final destination will be the unbelievable Danum Valley, an ecosystem that evolved over 130 million years ago and one of the most important nature reserves in all of Asia. The Danum Valley holds the most pristine tracts of lowland forest remaining in southeast Asia, and we’ll explore on foot for Leopard Cat, Red Leaf Langurs, Gibbons, and of course, many amazing birds! The trip includes a guided night safari to spot nocturnal creatures including possible civets, flying squirrels, colugos, cats, and more great reptiles and amphibians. There are about 30 orangutans that live in the forest surrounding the lodge area, and we’ll attempt to hike to a good viewing spot on one afternoon. Some of the amazing birds we’ll be looking for include all the hornbills, Blue-headed and Banded Pittas, various trogons, kingfishers, Crested Fireback Pheasant and Bornean Bristlehead. Please join us for an unforgettable trip!
Wildlife Treks! Riverboat birding! Night Safaris! Don't miss out on exploring Borneo!
Join Bird Alliance of Oregon on this very special tour to one of the world’s most coveted birding and wildlife destinations! On this 14-night adventure we'll explore the astonishing biological diversity of this beautiful island, via jungle hikes, canopy walks, quiet riverboat cruises and even a night safari as we visit the four most productive birding and wildlife regions in Malaysian Borneo.
Join the Waitlist
Bornean Banded Pitta, photo by Ross Tsai
Black-and-Yellow Broadbill, photo by Brendan Ryan
Stork-billed Kingfisher, photo by Hari K. Patibanda
Leopard Cat, photo by Mark Louis Benedict
Mount Kinabalu, photo by Hassan Humayun
Proboscis Monkey, photo by Paul Williams
Pygmy Elephants, photo by Mark Louis Benedict
Black-and-red Broadbill, photo by Mark Louis Benedict
Rhinoceros Hornbill, photo by Mark Louis Benedict
Accessibility
Distance: Distance walked will vary every day, but you can expect to walk 3-5 miles per day in some locations. Many of our treks will be in a jungle setting, with high temps and humidity, which can make even shorter walks feel somewhat strenuous.
Elevation changes: Varies by location. Usually not steep, but some days will include mountain walks with moderate elevation gain. Steeper hikes will be optional.
Trail: A wide variety of roads and trails, including packed earth single track. Trails can be muddy if it has rained recently (and it often has!)
Pacing: Our trips are generally slow and travel at a naturalist’s pace, though on longer hikes there may be some walking at a moderate pace in order to reach our destination (and get back!)
Notes on Pace and Conditions
Borneo is a wildlife watcher’s paradise and we will be traveling at a pace that allows us to enjoy all the wonderful sights and sounds around us. Some of our exploring will be via quiet, electric-motored riverboat. Much of our wildlife-watching will happen on foot. Terrain will be a mix of sealed roads, dirt roads and single-track trails. The most rigorous part of the trip will be in the Danum Valley where it may be very hot and the terrain is steeper and more uneven; even here, we will move at a “birder’s pace.”
Expect pre-dawn departures on most of our full days in the field. We may walk up to 5 miles on some days. Do note that Borneo is a hot and humid country, so even short wildlife walks can feel somewhat strenuous: daytime temperatures range from about 70-90 degrees fahrenheit and humidity averages about 80% year-round. Rainfall can be expected at any time in brief, heavy downpours. During the middle of the afternoon, when there is a lull in birding activity, we will often schedule a midday break. And you will be given ample opportunities to take a morning or afternoon off as you desire.
Trip Details
- Trip Leaders: Brodie Cass Talbott and Candace Larson
- Trip Fee: $8,645 members / $9,490 non-members
- Deposit: $4,000
- Single supplement: $1200 (Limited Single Supplements available, please consider sharing a room.)
- Group size: Limited to 12 participants
- Fee Includes: All accommodation and meals starting with dinner on Day 1 and ending with breakfast on Day 15. Ground transportation within Borneo, and one internal flight on Day 14. All local guide fees, park entrance fees, excursions, and the services of your skilled leaders. A portion of your fee is a tax-deductible contribution to Bird Alliance of Oregon.
- Fee Does Not Include: International airfares, Visa fees, alcoholic or carbonated beverages, travel insurance or personal expenses.
