Details
10 DAYS FROM 8910 PP
Best time to go
OCTOBER 2025
Borneo is one of the world’s greatest wildlife-watching destinations. A faraway island blanketed with misty jungles and filled with a honeypot of weird and wonderful biodiversity; this unspoiled pristine pocket of life is a paradise waiting to be rediscovered. Join us on this photographic safari, specialist-led by a seasoned professional in the realm of photography, Charlie Ryan. Capturing the essence of Borneo’s wildlife through his lens, Charlie’s work has been published in National Geographic, BBC, and Netflix.
Day 01, 11 Oct - Arrive Sepilok
On arrival at Sandakan airport, you will be met by your guide and transferred to Sepilok; a nature haven and perfect base to visit the nearby animal sanctuaries and rehabilitation centres. After a welcome dinner, head out for an optional night walk in the forest to search for nocturnal wildlife.
Accommodation: Sepilok Nature Lodge
Nestled within a sprawling 20-acre expanse of rolling farmland, Sepilok Forest Edge Resort is perfectly situated on the fringes of the world-renowned Orangutan Forest Reserve. Here, you'll discover a harmonious blend of modern-day comforts infused with the rich traditions of life in Sandakan.
Read moreDay 02, 12 Oct - Exploring Sepilok
Wake up early for a dawn canopy walk to find birds and mammals. After breakfast you’ll visit the Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary where orangutans are being rehabilitated for reintroduction into the wild. In the afternoon, trek in Sepilok Forest Reserve and then continue to the canopy walk at dusk to capture an image of a giant red flying squirrels as they take an impressive leap between trees. Return for dinner, and then head out for a night walk to search for nocturnal wildlife.
Accommodation: Sepilok Nature Lodge
Best known for its groundbreaking work in protecting these much-loved primates.
Discover the SanctuaryDay 03, 13 Oct - Sepilok - Kinabatagan
Wake up for an optional dawn birdwatching walk behind the lodge. After breakfast, visit the nearby Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre. Set sail towards the Kinabatangan River, After you’ve settled into your lodge take a cruise at dusk to look for orangutans, pygmy elephants, silvered langurs, hornbills, and proboscis monkeys. On a night walk, you may see nocturnal fauna such as the slow loris, western tarsiers, civets, and more.
Accommodation: Hornbill Lodge
Day 04, 14 Oct - Exploring the Kinabatangan River
This morning take a packed breakfast and depart early for a visit to Gomantong, a large bird’s nest harvesting site in a limestone karst cave. This is a great wildlife spot due to the rich nutrients in the soil from the bat guano. After the visit, return to the lodge and join your guide for a jungle walk looking for orangutan building their nests. Enjoy lunch before your afternoon river cruise. After dinner, join your guide for a night walk in search of nocturnal wildlife along the river.
Accommodation: Hornbill Lodge
Named after the majestic hornbill birds that inhabit the area, accommodation at Hornbill Lodge blends comfort with rustic charm, featuring traditional wooden architecture quipped with modern amenities.
Read moreDays 5-6, 15 - 16 Oct - Kinabatagan River Cruises and Bat Exodus
Enjoy river cruises in the morning and afternoons searching for wildlife along the riverbanks and amongst the trees. On one of your days you’ll take an afternoon walk back to the Gomantong Cave, where you’ll wait for dusk when one million bats will fly out of the cave to feed in the darkness, a great chance for a unique photograph. After dinner take an optional night walk.
Accommodation: Hornbill Lodge
This is one of the best places to see orangutans in the wild.
Discover the KinabatanganDay 7, 17 Oct - Kinabatagan - Danum Valley
Today you’ll leave the hazel coloured waters of the Kinabatagan behind as you drive deep into the ancient rainforest. You’ll stop enroute at Lahad Datu to register before you drive into the breathtakingly beautiful primary rainforest.
Accommodation: Borneo Rainforest Lodge
A seasoned professional in the realm of photography, Charlie Ryan captures the essence of Borneo’s wildlife through his lens, while also contributing to the realm of tourism.
Read moreDays 8-9, 18-19 Oct - Exploring Danum Valley
Bring your tripod on hikes to help you photograph wildlife that may be high in the canopy. Keep an eye out for rare species, including the pygmy elephant, clouded leopard, Bornean gibbon, and maroon langur. Bird life is especially diverse, with some 275 recorded species. Take a guided night hike when the sound of the forest reverberates for miles. The hikes can be challenging but the views over these ancient trees are incredible.
Accommodation: Borneo Rainforest Lodge
One of the world’s best destinations for birding as well as seeing orangutans in the wild.
Explore Danum ValleyDay 10, 20 Oct - Depart Danum Valley
If you wish you may take one final walk in this unforgettable environment before you tear yourself away from your luxury jungle lodge. You’ll be transferred back to Lahad Datu where you can connect to international flights home.
Borneo Rainforest Lodge is set in the fauna and flora rich Danum Valley; this rustic lodge is the perfect place to stay on a selection of bespoke Borneo holidays. The spacious main building offers an open veranda where the traveller can sit back and enjoy the incredible diversity of this forest environment whilst wooden chalets and bungalows provide comfortable lodgings for guests. The mist shrouded treetops and babbling river lull one to sleep after a day's wildlife spotting.
Read more
In 2008, Charlie Ryan embarked on a trip to Borneo, initially working on community conservation projects. A seasoned professional in the realm of photography, Charlie Ryan captures the essence of Borneo’s wildlife through his lens, while also contributing to the realm of tourism. Amidst his profound affection for every facet of Borneo, it’s the enigmatic clouded leopard and its feline companions that truly pique his curiosity. Charlie’s work has been published in National Geographic, BBC, and Netflix.
Standard Chalet, 11 - 12 October 2025
Nestled within a tropical garden setting, Sepilok Forest Edge Resort is perfectly situated on the fringes of the world-renowned Orang-utan Forest Reserve. Here, you'll discover 12 charming rustic chalets hidden amongst the winding paths of the dense foliage.From your veranda look out for monkeys swinging in the trees and listen to the sound of birdsong. For those seeking privacy, opt for the Glamping Villa which features its own private plunge pool.
Dates: 13 - 16 October 2025
Located within close proximity to the renowned Kinabatangan River, this lodge serves as a gateway to one of the world's most biodiverse ecosystems. Named after the majestic hornbill birds that inhabit the area, accommodation at Hornbill Lodge blends comfort with rustic charm, featuring traditional wooden architecture quipped with modern amenities. Guests can embark on guided river safaris to observe Borneo's diverse fauna, including orangutans, pygmy elephants and proboscis monkeys. The lodge also offers night walks and has a great selection of forest trails, perfect for mid-day photography.
Deluxe Chalet, 17 - 20 October 2025
Set amongst the rich flora and fauna of the Danum Valley, this spacious and rustic lodge is the only lodge in the area. There is a swimming pool and open veranda at the main building, where you can sit back and enjoy the incredible diversity of the forest environment. The wooden chalets and bungalows are wonderfully welcoming, especially with the mist shrouded treetops and babbling river lulling you to sleep after a day wildlife spotting.
| Date | Guests | Trip Length | Trip Style | Prices from | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 - 20 Oct 2025 | 8 | 9 Days | Photographic Safari with Charles Ryan | 8910 |
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