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

Gomantong Caves & Forest Reserve This is the largest cave system in Sabah and provides a home for tens of thousands of bats and cave swiftlets. The swiftlet nests are sustainably harvested three times each year for the Chinese soup trade, and the nest collectors live permanently on site to protect their valuable quarry. It is fascinating to see the lengths and intricacy these people go to when collecting this valuable commodity. There is a board walk inside and around the most accessible cave that allows for easy exploration. The forests around the caves are home to a wide variety of wildlife, and macaques, langurs and orang- utans are regularly seen. The caves are easily reached by road and are usually visited when driving to or from Sukau. Danum Valley The Danum Valley is arguably Borneo's premier wildlife location. Wildlife here includes Sabah's ten species of primate ( including orang- utan), Asian elephant, banteng, Sumatran rhinoceros, clouded leopard, marbled cat, fl at- headed cat and Malay sun bear. More common species include bearded pig, lesser and greater mouse- deer, the endemic Bornean yellow, and Bornean red muntjac, and sambar. Early mornings are the best time to enjoy the canopy walkway. Here a tree- top view of the forest provides a spectacular alternative perspective and great birdwatching opportunities: various hornbills, barbets and broadbills may be seen as well as the enigmatic and endemic Bornean bristlehead. And, importantly, Danum offers perhaps the best chance of seeing a wild orang- utan, especially when one of the large wild durian trees is in fruit. After dark, night walks and vehicle rides offer a window into the secretive world of the forests nocturnal creatures - greater mouse deer, giant flying squirrels and culugo are often seen. Borneo Rainforest Lodge HIGH OUR CHOICE The lodge lies at the heart of the Danum Valley on the banks of the Danum River, and facing the lodge on the opposite bank is a huge swathe of pristine forest. This is one of the best rainforest vistas you could wish for. The main lodge and its very comfortable chalets, with balconies, are built on stilts and connected by raised board walks. Trails surround the lodge. The lodge has a spectacular walkway with multiple viewing platforms, spanning approximately 300 metres in length. As it is high in the trees, 26 metres at the highest point, it's a great way to view wildlife from a different perspective. 118 BORNEAN WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY - WITH NICK GARBUTT Highlights . Team up with award- winning photographer, Nick Garbutt . Photograph orang- utans and other animals . Learn the tricks of the trade amidst Bornean wilderness Wildlife Worldwide has teamed up with award- winning wildlife photographer, Nick Garbutt, to launch a photography tour to Borneo. Nick is an expert on Borneo, and knows the best places for wildlife photography - it was between us that we came up with the fantastic itinerary we've designed visiting the Danum Valley. During the fi ve days you'll spend time out and about capturing great wildlife shots, under the expert tuition of Nick, before going back to the lodge and spending time learning how to work with your images on photo editing software and cataloguing them. The tours will run at both beginner and advanced level, so you can choose according to your ability. The dates are designed to run one after the other, so if you've completed the beginner course you can go and take the advanced lessons, too. GROUP TOUR ITINERARY Day 1 Depart UK for Kota Kinabalu Day 2 Arrive and transfer to the Danum Valley ( D) Day 3 You will spend six nights ( fi ve full days) photographing in the Danum Valley Conservation Area. The pristine lowland rainforest of Danum Valley is arguably Borneo's premier wildlife location. Our base, Borneo Rainforest Lodge, is located on the banks of the Danum River. Within the vicinity of the lodge there is a network of well laid out trails that allow easy access to most of the valley and provide ample opportunity to begin to discover and photograph some of the forest's amazing biodiversity, including orang- utan ( BLD) Day 8 Depart Borneo for London, via Kota Kinabalu ( B) Day 9 Arrive UK Departure dates 1 May - 9 May 2010 ( beginner/ intermediate), 7 May - 15 May 2010 ( intermediate/ advanced) Flight inclusive cost per person From £ 2949 Land only cost per person From £ 2045 Single room supplement From £ 185 What's included Flights ( fl ight inclusive package only), transfers, meals as indicated, six nights lodge accommodation Max. group size 8 Tour code WPBD Ask for our full tour dossier BORNEO Sabah BORNEO Kalimantan KOTA KINABALU BORNEO RAINFOREST LODGE Danum Valley Conservation Area Talk to an expert 0845 130 6982