Bako National Park Bako, which is only 40 kilometres from Kuching, offers an intoxicating mixture of stunning coastal scenery, teeming rainforests and abundant wildlife. It's Sarawak's premiere wildlife location for the fi rst- time visitor. This is one of the best places in Borneo to see proboscis monkeys and they are regularly encountered in the mangrove forests, often right by the raised boardwalks. Other monkeys frequently seen include long- tailed macaques and silvered langurs. Other mammals that may be seen on night walks include colugos, slow loris and mouse deer. With such a variety of habitats, the park's fl ora is correspondingly rich and diverse. Park Chalets MID Park Chalets provide modest but adequate facilities and there is an adjacent canteen serving tasty Malay food where all meals are taken. Gunung Mulu National Park Gunung Mulu is Sarawak's largest national park and is dominated by three mountains; Gunung Mulu, Gunung Api and Gunung Benarat, which are surrounded by rainforest. However, what lies beneath is the park's major claim to fame - one of the largest limestone cave systems in the world. The scale of these caves is bewildering. Visiting the mouth of Deer Cave at dusk is to witness one of the natural world's most amazing spectacles as in excess of three million bats pour out of the entrance like a giant plume of black smoke. The wildlife is diverse with around 75 species of mammals, over 260 species of birds, 170 species of wild orchids and 10 species of pitcher plants having been recorded. Many can be a challenge to see, but those who take the time to look carefully will be rewarded. Mulu is also the place to go for adventure activities and interaction with fascinating local people. Royal Mulu Resort HIGH Styled like an ethnic longhouse and built on stilts, Royal Mulu Resort offers high quality and comfort amidst natural splendour. All rooms are air- conditioned and have verandas with views to the rainforest or Melinau River. ASIA | BORNEO 119 Fact! The Mulu caves have the world's largest cave passage, the world's largest natural chamber ( capable of ' housing' 47 jumbo jets!) and, at 108 kilometres, the longest cave in South East Asia. To date over 300 kilometres of underground cave passages have been surveyed. SUGGESTED ITINERARY Day 1 Depart London for Kuching via Kuala Lumpur Day 2 Kuching, 1- night, Harbour View Hotel Day 3 Bako National Park, 2- nights, Park Chalets. Explore the park ( BLD) Day 5 Kota Kinabalu, 1- night, Shangri- la Tanjung- Aru ( BL) Day 6 Kinabalu National Park, 2- nights, Nepenthes Villas. Be dwarfed by Mt. Kinabalu ( BLD) Day 8 Kota Kinabalu, 1- night, Shangri- la Tanjung- Aru ( BL) Day 9 Sepilok Orang- utan Sanctuary & Turtle Islands Park, 1- night, Park Chalets. Help park rangers harvest turtle eggs ( BLD) Day 10 Kinabatangan River, 3- nights, Sukau River Lodge. A real wildlife experience - see orang- utan and Bornean gibbon ( BLD) Day 13 Danum Valley, 3- nights, Borneo Rainforest Lodge. Unparalleled views from the canopy walkway ( BLD) Day 16 Kota Kinabalu, 1- night, Shangri- la Tanjung- Aru ( BL) Day 17 Return to the UK via Kuala Lumpur ( B) Day 18 Arrive UK Departure dates Daily, throughout the year Cost per person From £ 3449 ( Jan - June, Aug - Nov), £ 3649 ( July), £ 3749 ( Dec) What's included Flights, transfers, meals as indicated, fi fteen nights hotel/ lodge accommodation, guided activities BEST OF BORNEO WILDLIFE A magnificent wildlife holiday in Borneo, including the best of both Sabah and Sarawak. During your holiday, you will - hopefully! - spot many of Borneo's intriguing inhabitants and travel through a variety of natural environments. We can of course tailor this holiday to your exact requirements so if you fancy, for example, including Mulu National Park, just let us know! TAILOR- MADE Or visit us on the web www. wildlifeworldwide. com

The Americas The Americas are a destination holding some of the best wildlife experiences on the planet. For many, a visit to the Galapagos, made so famous by Darwin many years ago, is an ideal introduction and one Wildlife Worldwide recommends. Our other favourites include bears in Canada and, for the intrepid wildlife enthusiast, Guyana. I'll never stop raving and reminiscing about my Wildlife Worldwide trip to the Galapagos Islands. There was one particular day when we hiked to one of the fi nest viewpoints in the archipelago, then transferred to a nearby beach and snorkelled with some Galapagos penguins before paddling with a friendly group of juvenile white- tipped reef sharks - all before breakfast. It doesn't get much better than that. Mark Carwardine. Author, photographer and BBC zoologist " cular hipelago, s hat. "