Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary
We started our adventure in Borneo visiting the Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary. It's a great sanctuary and very easy to see the Orangutans. We got lucky and also spotted a viper perched on a branch just off the path as well.
There was more than only Orangutans to be seen
Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary
We had a great visit to the Kinabatangan sanctuary, while staying in the Proboscis Lodge (Bukit Melapi). We stayed there for several nights, doing boat trips during the day and night on the Kinabitangan river. The lodge also had a pathway out back where we could explore when we weren't out on the river. We got extremely lucky one night to be out on a walk behind the lodge and end up face to face with a Malayan civet!
Hidden in the darkness
Gomantong Caves
The Gomantong caves was next on the agenda were we walked through the caves seeing the many bats fly around. As a big bonus we saw an Orangutan mother with her child high up in the trees close to the entry of the cave.
Danum Valley Conservation Area
We also visited Danum Valley and stayed in the very luxorious Borneo Rainforest Lodge. Normally I'd prefer more basic options, but seeing as this is the only option when you want to visit Danum Valley we didn't have much of a choice. We spent two nights there and did several hikes in the valley which was absolutely stunning!
Highlights included seeing an Orangutan up close, Red Leaf Monkeys, an East Bornean Grey Gibbon, a pair Rhinocerous Hornbills, and some close-ups with a Lantern Bug, and just the overall setting with the jungle itself.
I screwed up my photo of the Orangutan as I still had my camera in manual mode. Whoops!
Everybody's favorite jungle friends... leeches
A dreadful quality photo, but proof that we got to see a Bornean Elephant during our evening/night hike.
A beautiful lantern bug
Red Leaf Monkeys
Red Leaf Monkeys
Red Leaf Monkeys
Red Leaf Monkeys
Yes, they got us!
Mount Kinabalu
We also decided that we wanted to hike to the top of Mount Kinabalu. It was a 2-day/1-night hike, so we would reach the top in the early morning. The hike was slightly taxing but absolutely worth it. The morning ended on the pinnacle with beautiful sights all around.
Gunung Mulu National Park
We stayed in the government lodgings in Mulu NP. It was a great setting with a lot of optional walks to do, both during day as well as night. One of the highlights was watching the bats leave the cave for feeding with the hawks swooping around trying to catch them. The hike to Mount Mulu was also very worthwhile.
Bako National Park
Just before our final stop in Kuching we decided to conclude with a final outing to Bako National Park. It started off great, seeing the Irrawaddy Dolphins, Proboscis monkeys, and several wetlands species.
Kuching
We rounded off our holiday in Kuching, exploring the city and enjoying the last few days before heading back to India.
