There is a specific magic that happens when you step into the ancient forests of Sabah. From February 15th to the 21st, Gibbon Adventure hosted a private 7-day expedition through Borneo’s most iconic conservation areas. Despite the dramatic tropical rains, the jungle rewarded us with sightings that felt like they were pulled straight from a documentary.
Our journey began in the world-renowned sanctuaries of Sepilok. At the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre (SORC), we were privileged to observe 10 different orangutans, including a dominant Alpha Male.
We also visited the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC) to learn about the world’s smallest bears before heading to the Rainforest Discovery Centre (RDC). A highlight of the trip occurred on the RDC canopy walk: a rare, close-up encounter with a young orangutan swinging through the treetops—a reminder of why preserving this habitat is so vital.
Sightings: 10 Orangutans (including Alpha Male) • Young Orangutan at RDC • Red Giant Flying Squirrel • Oriental Pied Hornbill • Wallace’s Hawk-Eagle • Brown Barbet • Monitor Lizard • Stork-billed Kingfisher.
Deep in the Deramakot Forest Reserve, we transitioned into true “expedition mode.” Deramakot is a model for low-impact tourism in Sabah, limiting visitor numbers to ensure the habitat remains pristine and the wildlife undisturbed. This exclusivity is exactly why our sightings were so spectacular.
While the tropical rain added to the rugged feel of our wildlife safaris, it didn’t stop the “Hornbill Parade.” We spotted five species, including the magnificent Rhinoceros Hornbill.
As night fell, the low-impact approach paid off as we tracked the jungle’s most elusive, shy residents:
1. Malay, Masked, and Common Palm Civets
2. The wide-eyed Slow Loris and the ghostly Moonrat
3. The rare Yellow-throated Marten and Bornean Colugo
Sightings: Orangutan • Gibbon • Rhinoceros Hornbill • Wreathed Hornbill • Bushy-crested Hornbill • Asian Black Hornbill • Malay Civet • Common Palm Civet • Masked Palm Civet • Slow Loris • Moonrat • Yellow-throated Marten • Thomas’s Flying Squirrel • Bornean Colugo • Short-toed Coucal • Bornean Whiskered Treeswift • Collared Kingfisher • Brown Barbet • Bronzed Drongo • White-crowned Forktail • White-crowned Shama • Indian Cuckoo • Asian Fairy-bluebird • Red-eyed Bulbul • Cream-vented Bulbul • Pied Fantail • Crested Serpent Eagle • Red Leaf Monkey • Pig-tailed Macaque.
We concluded our 7-day expedition at the Borneo Nature Lodge in Sukau. Drifting down the Kinabatangan River is a stark contrast to the rugged “expedition mode” of Deramakot, offering a serene yet thrilling way to witness Borneo’s giants.
The undisputed highlight of our time on the water was an encounter with a mother and baby Bornean Pygmy Elephant. Watching them at the water’s edge was a profound reminder of why low-impact, sustainable tourism is so critical for the future of these gentle creatures.
The river continued to reward us with sightings of Proboscis Monkeys leaping through the canopy, Silvered Langurs, and the prehistoric silhouette of a Crocodile patrolling the banks. For the bird enthusiasts, spotting the rare and endangered Storm’s Stork was the perfect “cherry on top” of a truly remarkable week.
Sightings: Bornean Pygmy Elephant (Mother & Baby) • Proboscis Monkey • Silvered Langur • Pig-tailed Macaque • Long-tailed Macaque • Blue-eared Kingfisher • Black-and-red Broadbill • Crocodile • Storm’s Stork.
If you enjoyed reading about our encounters in Deramakot and Sukau, you can experience it for yourself. Our 8D7N Borneo Wildlife Expedition is our most comprehensive journey, designed for those who value exclusivity, rare wildlife photography, and deep conservation impact.