Day 1 | Depart London Heathrow or Manchester on scheduled Malaysia Airlines flight non-stop to Kuala Lumpur.
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Day 2 | Arrive KL and connect to flight to Kota Kinabalu. Arrive KK and transfer to Tanjung Aru (Deluxe Seafacing Kinabalu Wing) for 2 nights on a room only basis.
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Day 3 | At leisure. Shangri-La's 5* Tanjung Aru Resort, on the shores of the South China Sea, has high standards and a beautiful outlook. Although there is only a small beach, the landscaped gardens and view to 5 islands of the Tuanku Abdul Rahman Marine Park more than compensate.
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Day 4 | Commence Wildlife of Sabah Tour (full board): depart KK for the 2-hour drive to Mt Kinabalu National Park. Take a walk with your guide along a nature trail, followed by a video presentation at the Park Headquarters. Enjoy a guided walk in the Mountain Garden in the afternoon. Overnight at Mountain Lodge.
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Day 5 | Drive to Poring Hot Springs, developed by the Japanese in WWII. Relax in steaming, sulphurous pools and explore the various nature trails. There is also a canopy walkway, some 30 metres above the jungle floor: fascinating but not for the faint-hearted! Return to Mountain Lodge for overnight.
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Day 6 | Depart overland for Sukau. En route visit Gomantong Caves and explore the largest bird's nest cave in Sabah. Arrive at the village of Sukau on the Kinabatangan River. Enjoy an afternoon boat ride in search of the proboscis monkey. Overnight Sukau River Lodge. |
Day 7 | An early boat ride to see the sunrise over the jungle and glimpse the abundant birdlife surrounding the ox-bow lakes. Take a walk through the riverine forest to spot more wildlife. In the afternoon, another boat trip along the Kinabatangan River. Overnight Sukau River Lodge.
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Day 8 | Depart Sukau for Sandakan and transfer to the jetty for a 30-minute boat ride to Libaran. Enjoy a river cruise in a mangrove forest before overnight in Libaran Island Lodge.
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Day 9 | In the morning, wander around a local village to observe the local rural lifestyles. Swimming or snorkelling at nearby island, before departing for Selingan Island, one of three where Green and Hawksbill turtles come ashore almost nightly throughout the year to lay their eggs. The rest of the day is free for snorkelling or to explore the island's jungle interior. Most activity is after dark, but flash photography is strictly forbidden. A Park Ranger will take you to see the turtles laying their eggs and the newly-hatched creatures making their way to the sea for the first time. Overnight in simple chalet style accommodation, with communal bathroom facilities.
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Day 10 | Return to Sandakan and drive to Sepilok Orang-utan Sanctuary, just 15 miles away. The Sanctuary, covering around 4,000 hectares, is one of only four orang-utan sanctuaries in the world. Orphaned orang-utan are taken here to be rehabilitated for return to the wild. You can visit at feeding time (currently 3 times daily) and see some of these magnificent creatures at close hand (although touching is not permitted): the feeding platform is around a 10 minute walk from the Centre. Other animals that you might spot include long-tail macaques, ground squirrel, butterflies and tree lizards. Fly Sandakan to Kota Kinabalu. Transfer to the Rasa Ria (Superior Rainforest view) for 4 nights on a room only basis.
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Day 11 | At leisure. Shangri-La's 4* Rasa Ria Resort - set on an unspoiled sandy beach surrounded by around 400 acres of lush tropical vegetation, provides consistently good standards.
Facilities include: free-form swimming pool; children's pool; children's club; 5 restaurants; 3 bars; fitness centre; mini-mart; 18-hole championship golf course; 64 acre Wildlife Nature Reserve with Orang-Utans and jungle trekking; wide-range of water-sports; tennis court; horse-back riding; massage and reflexology; three times daily shuttle to town (chargeable).
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Day 12 | At leisure. Shangri-La's 4* Rasa Ria Resort - set on an unspoiled sandy beach surrounded by around 400 acres of lush tropical vegetation, provides consistently good standards.
Facilities include: free-form swimming pool; children's pool; children's club; 5 restaurants; 3 bars; fitness centre; mini-mart; 18-hole championship golf course; 64 acre Wildlife Nature Reserve with Orang-Utans and jungle trekking; wide-range of water-sports; tennis court; horse-back riding; massage and reflexology; three times daily shuttle to town (chargeable).
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Day 13 | At leisure. Shangri-La's 4* Rasa Ria Resort - set on an unspoiled sandy beach surrounded by around 400 acres of lush tropical vegetation, provides consistently good standards.
Facilities include: free-form swimming pool; children's pool; children's club; 5 restaurants; 3 bars; fitness centre; mini-mart; 18-hole championship golf course; 64 acre Wildlife Nature Reserve with Orang-Utans and jungle trekking; wide-range of water-sports; tennis court; horse-back riding; massage and reflexology; three times daily shuttle to town (chargeable).
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Day 14 | Transfer to the airport for flight KK to KL to connect with non-stop flight to UK. Arrive same day. |
Sabah, Borneo is a destination with something for everyone: the World's oldest rainforests, beautiful sandy beaches, unique flora & fauna, breathtaking mountain scenery, world-class resorts, delicious food, fascinating river cruises, and of course the loveable orang-utans!
