BIRDING EXPED | BORNEOTREK ECO TOUR

Borneo Birding

18 Days from

$9,950 USD

> Land and Cruise Tour

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Dates

02 - 17 August 2025

Available

Highlights

Wonderful rich and varied birding!
Lots of very special and unique birds and wildlife, including astounding mammals, from Orangutans to Proboscis Monkeys
Excellent reserves and birding areas at National Park, lowland rainforests, and along marvelous rivers

Tour Overview

Embark on an unforgettable birding journey through the heart of Borneo, exploring the rich avian diversity from South Kalimantan to Central Kalimantan. This tour will take you deep into the tropical rainforests, wetlands, and river systems that make this region a prime destination for bird enthusiasts.

Starting in South Kalimantan, you'll explore lush forest reserves and expansive peat swamps that provide a home to a variety of rare and endemic species. Here, you might spot the critically endangered Bornean Ground Cuckoo, the elusive White-crowned Shama, or the striking Black-winged Starling. South Kalimantan is also home to the vibrant Proboscis Monkey, which can often be seen alongside exotic bird species.

As you travel northward to Central Kalimantan, you’ll encounter even more remote and pristine habitats. This area is known for its vast tropical rainforests and the unique wetlands of the Tanjung Puting National Park, which is famous for its Orangutan sanctuaries. The region is rich in bird species like the Bornean Pitta, Storm’s Stork, and Rufous-crowned Babbler. The Central Kalimantan Rainforest, with its unique flora and fauna, offers excellent opportunities to catch sight of both migratory and endemic species.

The tour will also include scenic boat trips along rivers and lakes, where birdwatchers can enjoy sightings of waterfowl like Kingfishers, Herons, and Ibis while taking in the breathtaking landscape of Borneo’s rainforests. With each stop, you'll gain insights into the local conservation efforts and the importance of protecting these critical habitats for the future of the region’s birdlife.

This tour promises an unparalleled adventure through one of the world’s most biodiverse regions, where every moment spent in nature offers the thrill of discovering new species and appreciating the beauty of Kalimantan’s wildlife. Whether you're a seasoned birdwatcher or a beginner, this experience will immerse you in the splendor of Borneo’s natural treasures.

Included

Ground transportation
All meals and accommodation
Cruise boat
EET guide plus a local guide with 4 - 8 participants
All park, conservation and entrance fees
Gratuities to local guides and drivers
Excluded
Flights to and from start/end location
Travel Insurance
Items of a personal nature
Alcoholic beverages

What to Expect

Food

We usually have early breakfasts and some before-breakfast birding since it is best to begin birding at daybreak. Some lunches will be picnic style to maximize our time in the field. In the evenings, we eat at the hotel or lodge where we are staying and review the list of birds and other wildlife that we have encountered, as well as discuss the following day’s activities.

Accommodation

During the tour we stay in moderate to excellent accommodation.

Walking

Walking conditions will be generally easy to moderate. Time permitting, there may be an optional steeper walk to higher altitudes on the Mount Kinabalu trail for the friendly warbler. Trails anywhere may be muddy depending on how recently it has rained.

Boat trips

We will take boat trips along the Kinabatangan River.

Climate

Be prepared for hot, humid and sunny weather at low altitudes, with showers in the afternoon. It is recommended to take a light rain-jacket or poncho, although we try to avoid birding in any rain worse than a light drizzle. It will likely be cool at higher elevations on Mount Kinabalu.

Bring mosquito repellent or mosquito-proof clothing because bugs can be a problem, especially at low elevations in moist humid conditions. Leeches can be a nuisance, but can usually be deterred with insect repellant. You will need to bring a hat and sunblock, especially on the boat trips on the Kinabatangan River.

DAY 15. PANGKALAN BUN – KUMAI – TANJUNG HARAPAN

Upon arrival at Pangkalan Bun Airport you will be picked up by our local staff and transfer you to the port of Kumai to board on the Wow Borneo boat. Each boat is a renovated traditional Klotok, or wooden river boat, measuring about 18m by 3m, with a comfortable upper deck where you can view the rain forest as it glides by. The boats have 3 air conditioned ensuite cabins below deck. Your cabin is fully equipped with sheets, towels and toiletries. Delicious Asian fusion meals are eaten around the dining table on deck. The boat crew includes the boatman, a cook, assistant cook, and English speaking guide. En route to the Tanjung Puting National Park, we stop first at Tanjung Harapan, a rehabilitation center for orangutans. After a short walk in the forest to the platforms, we witness feeding time at 15.00. Later, in the peaceful late afternoon, we will slowly explore the quiet river to observe the proboscis monkeys and possibly fireflies in season among the nipa palms along the riverside. Dinner and overnight on the boat.

DAY 16. FOREST WALK – CAMP LEAKEY

After breakfast, the klotok slowly cruises up the river, spotting wildlife in the forested river sides. The klotok then turns off the muddy Sekonyer River as lunch is served. It slowly makes its way along the pure black waters of the side creek to access Camp Leakey. Dense vegetation is reflected perfectly in the tannin waters. Camp Leakey is where the older orangutans are reintroduced into the rainforest. On arrival, we take an easy forest walk to see the original research station and historical display and to see feeding time at 14.00pm. Overnight on board.

DAY 17. PONDOK TANGGUY - TANJUNG HARAPAN

During your early breakfast, the klotok cruises slowly downstream following the black water canal, spotting wildlife in the forested riversides and then turning into the muddy Sekonyer River. We are headed for Pondok Tangguy, the rehabiltiation centre for new ex-captive orangutans, to see feeding time at 9 o’clock.

In the afternoon we visit Tanjung Harapan rehabilitation centre, witness feeding time at 3pm and take the opportunity to hike further into the forest.

Overnight on the boat (B,L,D)

DAY 18. SEKONYER RIVER – KUMAI – PANGKALAN BUN AIRPORT

Enjoy breakfast on board. The boat slowly cruises along the Sekonyer River. This is the last opportunity for wildlife spotting along the mangrove riversides. We transfer to Kumai port then we will transfer you to the airport.

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DAY 1. Arrival - Loksado

Arrival at Syamsudinor airport, directly drive 4 hrs to Loksado village. Spend the night at the resort. (L,D)

DAY 2. Loksado

Full day trekking through the othe part of the forest, afternoon walk to reach the kapayang village again and walk down to Loksado, spend the night at the resort.

DAY 3. Loksado - Banjarmasin

Very early morning to have an unforgettable experience of white water bamboo raft for 3 hrs.and make some chances to see the birds along the Amandit river. Driving back to Banjarmasin at the afternoon, spend the night hotel. (Bf, L, D)

DAY 4. Loksado - Banjarmasin

Morning cruise by a slow motor boat to witness the birds on martapura and Barito rivers down stream. Back to hotel , free time on midday. The afternoon shoot is motor boating again to Bakut island to see the long nose monkeys.

DAY 5. Kapuas - Bataguh