Borneo 116 Mt. Kinabalu stands like a citadel above the lowlands of northern Borneo. The park, which is easily reached from Kota Kinabalu in about two hour's drive, harbours remarkable botanical diversity, perhaps as many as 6,000 plant species occur on the mountain. These include more than 1,000 species of orchid and more than one third of all the islands' pitcher plants ( genus nepenthes). Superlatives aren't restricted to plants; there are over 600 species of butterfl ies and some 320 species of birds. Diversity of species is greatest on the lower slopes, whereas the greatest numbers of endemic species are found high on the mountain. Nepenthes Villas MID Located close to the park headquarters, Nepenthes Villas are a convenient base from which to explore the network of trails leading through the forest on the middle slopes. The villas offer all the comforts you could require and are adjacent to the park restaurant. Sepilok Forest Reserve & Orang- utan Sanctuary Sepilok Orang- utan Sanctuary, about 30 minutes by road from Sandakan, is renowned the world over for its work in rehabilitating orphaned orang- utans. Visitors can enjoy close encounters with these charismatic apes at the twice- daily feeding sessions in the forest, where individuals not fully capable of self-suffi ciency return for a free meal. However, set amongst 43 square kilometres of primary lowland rainforest, the reserve has much more to offer besides. Boardwalks through the forest are excellent places to wander at leisure - the birdwatching here is superb and there is also a variety of snakes and frogs to look out for. Sepilok Nature Lodge MID The lodge is situated by the park entrance and next to the forest, offering spacious and comfortable accommodation. The air- conditioned wooden chalets are well appointed and connected by boardwalks to the main lodge and restaurant area that is set beside an artificial lake. Borneo has long fed the imagination of naturalists and travellers alike. The diversity of habitats supports a tremendous array of endearing and intriguing species - there are mammals, lizards and snakes, frogs that ' fl y', fi sh that ' walk' on mud, monkeys that ' dive', plants that eat insects and fl owers the size of dustbin lids. Borneo is a centre of biological richness for the Indo- Malayan region and a hot spot of world biodiversity. Ten hectares of rainforest in Borneo can support a greater number of tree species than occur in the whole of North America. The island is home to more bird species than are found in Europe and as many mammals as live on the island continent of Australia. Without question Sabah has some of the richest and most diverse parks and reserves in Borneo, which are easy to access with quality tourist facilities - it's an easy window for those wishing to experience Borneo's natural wonders, and recommended by Wildlife Worldwide. Kinabalu National Park Talk to an expert 0845 130 6982

Turtle Islands Marine Park Part of the Turtle Islands Marine Park, Selingan is a tiny sandy island 40 kilometres off the north- east coast of Sabah. It constitutes one of the region's major turtle breeding sites. Throughout the year, particularly between April and October, large numbers of green turtles and to a lesser extent, Hawksbill Turtles, haul themselves ashore most nights to dig nests on the beach and lay their eggs. Each night wardens patrol the beaches and collect all the eggs that are laid. These are then incubated in enclosures free from the risk of predation. Each night newly hatched baby turtles are then released back into the sea. Visitors staying on the island for a night have the opportunity to watch ( by torchlight) turtles excavating their nests and laying their clutches, and to observe the hatchlings being released. Park Chalets MID The park chalets on the island provide simple but comfortable accommodation and are perfectly adequate for a single night stay. Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary The Kinabatangan River snakes its way through the interior and coastal lowlands for 560 kilometres, until it reaches the Sulu Sea. A mosaic of riparian forest, oxbow lakes, nipah swamp and mangroves support the most diverse concentrations of wildlife in Sabah, including orang- utans, proboscis monkeys, Bornean pygmy elephants and a vast array of birds, including several species of hornbill, reptiles and amphibians. Sukau, about 80 kilometres up river from the coast, is the centre for wildlife tourism. Here the wildlife experiences are amongst the most memorable in Borneo. The majority of watching is done from boats and it is so good because most of the wildlife has become so tolerant. Boat journeys up a small tributary, the Mananggol River, are particularly intimate as the river narrows and forest encroaches. It is possible to peer into the tangled vegetation at the margins where water monitors bask on half- sunken trunks and mangrove snakes, young reticulated pythons and wagler's pit vipers lay concealed and motionless. The most enjoyable way to reach the area is on a four- hour boat journey from Sandakan, travelling up the Kinabatangan River from its estuary. Sukau River Lodge MID Situated in a prime location at the confluence of between the Kinabatangan and smaller Menanggol River, the lodge provides a convenient base from which to explore the area. There is much wildlife to see in the lodge grounds, including long- tailed macaques, water monitors, buffy fi sh owls and smaller reptiles. ASIA | BORNEO 117 Fact! The Raffl esia is the world's largest fl ower, and also parasitic - it grows from the stems and roots of a climbing vine. You can see it at the Tambunan Raffl esia Reserve, two hours from Kota Kinabalu. From loveable orang- utans to tiny tree frogs, if you love wildlife you will love Borneo. Ranging from the majestic Mt. Kinabalu to the pristine rainforest of the Danum Valley, it is a place I will never forget. Chris Osborn, senior travel consultant and Borneo expert SUGGESTED ITINERARY Day 1 Depart London for Kota Kinabalu via Kuala Lumpur Day 2 Kota Kinabalu, 1- night, Shangri- la Tanjung- Aru Day 3 Kinabalu National Park, 1- night, Nepenthes Villas ( BLD) Day 4 Kota Kinabalu, 1- night, Shangri- la Tanjung- Aru ( BL) Day 5 Sepilok Orang- utan Sanctuary, 1- night, Sepilok Nature Resort. Close encounters with the apes ( BLD) Day 6 Kinabatangan River, 3- nights, Sukau River Lodge. River journeys and wildlife spotting ( BLD) Day 9 Danum Valley, 3- nights, Borneo Rainforest Lodge. Explore by canopy walkway ( BLD) Day 12 Kota Kinabalu, 1- night, Shangri- la Tanjung- Aru ( BL) Day 13 Return to the UK via Kuala Lumpur ( B) Day 14 Arrive UK Departure dates Daily, throughout the year Cost per person From £ 2749 ( Jan - June, Aug - Nov), £ 2949 ( July), £ 3049 ( Dec) What's included Flights, transfers, meals as indicated, eleven nights hotel/ lodge accommodation, guided activities SABAH WILDLIFE SPECIAL A two- week holiday to Borneo, including the best of Sabah - Mt. Kinabalu, Sepilok Orang- utan Sanctuary, Kinabatangan River and a stay at the wonderful Borneo Rainforest Lodge in the Danum Valley, one of our favourites. Sabah offers the visitor a fi rst- class wildlife experience, with the added benefi ts of good infrastructure, easy access and quality accommodation. TAILOR- MADE Or visit us on the web www. wildlifeworldwide. com