BORNEO WILDLIFE PHOTO TOUR - INFORMATION & ITINERARY

NEXT DATES: JULY 19 - JULY 29, 2025

1 spots left

(11 days / 10 nights)

THE TOUR

This unique small group tour is dedicated to putting you in the best spots to photograph and observe Borneo’s unique wildlife. Join Nicolas Rakotopare for 11 days of visiting incredible wildlife locations in the Malaysian part of Borneo, Sabah. 

This tour is designed for photographers of all levels. Nico will assist you in improving your skills while viewing and photographing some of the planet’s most iconic and unique species. The tour is also educational — you will soak up many interesting facts about the wildlife we find and photograph. During the tour, we will have time to review and process some of your images, and Nico will help you improve your skills in this area.

The wildlife highlights on this tour will include orangutans, gibbons, proboscis monkeys, frogs, reptiles and dozens of beautiful and unique birds.

Supported by experienced local wildlife guides, Nico will put you in position to shoot some stunning images while providing advice to improve your camera skills (photo and video). Nico has spent over a year of his life in Borneo, sharing his time between amphibian research and documenting the natural wonders the island has to offer. He loves taking people through the Malaysian part of the island, whether it’s their first visit or people looking to experience a place they know with better camera knowledge.

Are you a wildlife photographer, but your better half isn’t? 

No worries—nobody’s perfect! Nico has welcomed plenty of adventurous duos over the years, and guess what? Wildlife watchers have just as much fun as the photographers. Whether you’re snapping away or just soaking it all in with your binoculars, we’re always looking for the best views of these magical moments.

Local Guides

We collaborate with local guides who possess exceptional field skills and deep knowledge of the region’s flora and fauna. Their expertise is invaluable in locating elusive wildlife, such as orangutans, proboscis monkeys, and rare birds. These guides not only assist with navigation through dense rainforests and remote areas but also enhance the tour experience by sharing insights into local culture, conservation efforts, and ecosystem dynamics. Their familiarity with the terrain and wildlife behaviour allows for a more immersive and responsible wildlife photography experience.

  • TOUR DATES: 19th July - 29th July

  • NUMBERS OF PARTICIPANTS: 5 guests max.

  • LOCATION: Sepilok, Kinabatangan River, Deramakot, Mt Kinabalu National Park.

  • PRICE: AUD 9550 (All pricing on a twin/double share basis)

  • Single Supplement: AUD 600.

  • PAYMENT: Payment is via EFT transfer via online banking.

  • RESERVE A PLACE: Deposits of AUD 1500 per person are accepted to reserve a place (non-refundable within 90 days of the tour commencing date). The total fee is non-refundable within 60 days of the tour commencing date. Details and terms and conditions will be provided and discussed during the booking process.

INCLUSIONS:
The tour price includes expert local guiding and daily photography instruction by Nico, travel within Sabah for the duration of the tour, all accommodation and supplied meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner), all transport within Sabah for the duration of the tour, and all entry fees to national parks and forest reserves included in the tour itinerary.

EXCLUSIONS:
The tour price does not include international flights to and from Sabah, accommodation in Sabah before or after the tour program begins (Nico can assist with organising these), entrance fee to the rescue and conservation centres in Sepilok, extra meals other than those included in the tour, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages such as soft drinks, or personal expenses (e.g., snacks, internet, laundry, travel insurance, tips, etc.). 

THE PHOTO LEAD AND TUTOR

Nicolas Rakotopare

Originally from Madagascar, Nico brings a background in Ecology and Conservation Biology. He currently works in science communication and engagement as well as photo and video nature documentary assignments in Australia. With decades of experience as a professional wildlife photographer and filmmaker based in Southeast Queensland, Nico has filmed wildlife across Southeast Asia and the Indian subcontinent, including Borneo and Sri Lanka. His recent work has been featured in series produced by National Geographic, Love Nature, and more.

Nico is known for his ability to connect with others and loves sharing his extensive knowledge of nature photography and filmmaking. He has been leading photo tours in Sri Lanka and Borneo for several years, helping guests capture incredible moments in nature.

As an associate fellow of the International League of Conservation Photographers, Nico is deeply committed to promoting conservation efforts for endangered species and using his work to make a positive impact on the natural world.

You can visit his Borneo photo gallery here: BORNEO and follow him on social media: LERAKO.

ITINERARY OUTLINE

  • 19 July (Day 1). Transfer from the airport or your accommodation to Sepilok. Today, we visit Sepilok Forest Reserve and its famous Rainforest Discovery Centre trails and tree-top walk. Here, we aim to photograph a wide range of bird species, including Banded, Collared, Ruddy, Rufous-collared and Oriental Dwarf Kingfishers, to name a few. Various Hornbills and other iconic Bornean rainforest species are also present. Potential mammal species include Orangutans, Macaques, flying-squirrels, and more.

  • Accommodation: Sepilok Forest Edge Resort. Meals: Lunch (L), Dinner (D).

  • 20 July (Day 2). Today, we will continue to explore the Sepilok Forest Trails, searching for and photographing more of this region’s abundant wildlife. We also have the option of visiting the two rescue and conservation centres nearby before dinner and then a nocturnal walk in search of the local “nightlife”.

    Accommodation: Sepilok Forest Edge Resort. Meals: Breakfast (B), L, D.

  • 21 July (Day 3). This morning, we will make the two-hour trip to our accommodation at the Kinabatangan River. The Kinabatangan is a hotspot for various primate species, including unique Proboscis Monkeys, Orangutans, Long-tailed Macaques, Silvered Langurs, Pygmy Elephants, and more. The Kinabatangan River also provides habitat for a vast number of bird species, including Oriental Pied Hornbill, Rhinoceros Hornbill, Helmeted Hornbill, Black Hornbill, Bushy-crested Hornbill, Wreathed Hornbill, White-crowned Hornbill, Wrinkled Hornbill, Black-crowned Pitta, Hooded Pitta, Grey-headed Fish-Eagle, Crested Serpent-Eagle, Oriental Bay-Owl, Yellow-vented Bulbul, Velvet-fronted Nuthatch, Greater Coucal, Asian Palm Swiftlet, Edible-nest Swiftlet, Mangrove Whistler, Mangrove Blue Flycatcher, Sunda Frogmouth, Bornean Falconet, and various Kingfishers.

    Accommodation: Sukau Greenview. Meals: B, L, D.

  • 22 July (Day 4). Morning boat safari searching for the elephants and other wildlife, afternoon at the Gomantong cave for more wildlife photography and the incredible bat-fly out at sunset.

    Accommodation: Sukau Greenview. Meals: B, L, D.

  • 23 July (Day 5). While Borneo is home to hundreds of incredible bird species, it is also an internationally recognised hotspot for unique mammals. Today, our tour will continue to Deramakot Forest Reserve, where day and night 4x4 safaris will take us on forest tracks to target some of these species. The jewel in the crown of this area is the secretive yet iconic Sunda Clouded Leopard. Other targets include the Bornean Orangutan, Pangolin, Bornean Pygmy Elephant, North Bornean Gibbon, Maroon Langur, Slow Loris, Malaysian Sun Bear, Otter Civet, Marbled Cat, and more. Deramakot is also an excellent place for birdwatching, with a record of more than a hundred lowland bird species in the reserve, including babblers, bulbuls, and all eight species of hornbills. Banded Pitta and the endemic Bornean Bristlehead are also present.

    Accommodation: Deramakot Chalets. Meals: B, L, D.

  • 24 July (Day 6). Today, we will have time to bird around the accommodation before we take more 4x4 safaris in this incredible forest in search of more birds and mammals to photograph both in the daytime and at nighttime. As it gets hot, we often take a break in the middle of the day to rest and look at photos / do an editing tutoring session.

    Accommodation: Deramakot Chalets. Meals: B, L, D.

  • 25 July (Day 7). Today, we will photograph more great forest species in Deramakot, with a daytime break open to activities like editing tutorials, updating species lists, and more.

    Accommodation: Deramakot Chalets. Meals: B, L, D.

  • 26 July (Day 8). Our last day exploring the trails of Deramakot, searching for mammals and birds during the day and night. The option for an editing and species list session during the midday break is still possible.

    Accommodation: Deramakot Chalets. Meals: B, L, D.

  • 27 July (Day 9): Today, we go to Kinabalu National Park, another location with abundant bird species to see and photograph. Situated at a higher altitude and in a different ecosystem, you will be experiencing a different part of Sabah. Some of the new species we are likely to encounter include Ashy Drongo, Chestnut-hooded Laughingthrush, Indigo Flycatcher, Golden-naped Barbet, Whitehead’s Broadbill and several Trogon species and more. We will do an afternoon walk followed by dinner and a night walk spotlighting for wildlife, there are fantastic frog species calling this place home.

    Accommodation: Hill Lodge. Meals: B, L, D.

  • 28 July (Day 10). Today, we spent more time finding and photographing the endemic species of Kinabalu NP both during the day time and during a second and final night walk.

    Accommodation: Hill Lodge. Meals: B, L, D.

  • 29 July (Day 11). Early morning bird photo walk followed by breakfast before your pickup for departing and travelling to Kota Kinabalu for your flights onwards (or ongoing travels in Borneo if you wish).

    Meals: B.

GALLERY: PREVIOUS BORNEO WILDLIFE PHOTO TOURS

(Click to see full images) - A range of memories from the 2023 and 2024 tours.