Next dates

Day 1: Arrivals at Kota Kinabalu International Airport in Sabah for an overnight stay near the airport.

Day 2-3: Leaving early we will head towards Trus Madi where new feeding hides for the mythical Bulwer’s Pheasant has now been reliable for more than three years! Several individuals attend multiple times each day, and we expect to see at least some of the males in exquisite plumage! The hides are also regularly visited by Crested Partridge, Dayak Blue-Flycatcher, and  a few very friendly Bornean Banded Pittas! Maybe with some exceptional luck Jambu Fruit-Dove could even appear amongst many more widespread Bornean specialties known from the lodge grounds – it is quite regular in a particular fruiting tree each July! Other endemics here include Bornean Barbet, Mountain Barbet, Bornean Brown Barbet, Black-throated Wren Babbler, “Bornean” Black-capped Babbler, and the scarce Bornean subspecies of White-necked Babbler. The hides are also attended by an exceptional diversity of treeshrews and squirrels, while civets and a resident Barred Eagle-Owl can often be seen at close range feeding around the awe-inspiring moth traps each night. Binturong is another likely mammal for those who wish to put in some time at night staking out any fruiting fig trees.

Day 4: After a final morning of birding at Trus Madi we will return to the coast for an overnight stay at Beaufort, arriving in time for some initial afternoon birding at Klias targeting restricted peat-swamp species like Hook-billed Bulbul, Red-crowned Barbet and Scarlet-breasted Flowerpecker. Night in Beaufort.

‍Day 5: After a morning birding at Klias we continue into Sarawak, heading inland to Ba’Kelalan deep in the Kelabit Highlands. This evening we go in search of one of the most little-known endemics of Borneo, the amazing Dulit Frogmouth. We will have at least six chances for this species between our pre-dawn and post-dusk sessions over the coming days, as well as our first opportunities to try for Bornean Frogmouth. Nights at a simple but comfortable guesthouse.

‍Day 6-7: There is plenty of birding to be done in this rich area, and we will certainly come across a wide range of lovely Malaysian species whilst dedicating most of our time to some major specialties. We will focus on Hose’s Broadbill and Blue-banded Pitta, whilst the monotypic Crested Jayshrike, scarce Mountain Serpent-Eagle, and beautiful Whitehead’s Spiderhunter will also be high on our agenda. There is also a real chance to encounter the magnificent Rail-babbler. More widespread species across Borneo and the Greater Sundas might include Sunda Owlet, Orange-breasted Trogon, Pygmy Ibon, Cream-eyed Bulbul, and Black-thighed Falconet. Nights at a simple but comfortable guesthouse.

‍Day 8: Today we will transfer to a pleasant hotel in the hills of Long Tuyo, which will be our base for the next three nights.

‍Day 9-10: Rather than camping at Paya Maga like most tours, we will instead be slowly walking the old logging track each day in search of specialties before returning to our comfortable accommodation each night. There will be plenty of time to go all the way up the the camp (approximately a three hour walk each way at birding pace) to see Black Oriole, which is common enough around the clearing. We should see this range-restricted species on the first day, after which we will focus on the lower stretch of track which is always very birdy. Possibilities include Rail-babbler, Scaly-breasted Bulbul, Dark Hawk-Cuckoo, and Black-throated Wren Babbler. There will be more chances for Blue-banded Pitta, Bornean Banded Pitta and Hose’s Broadbill, several other more common Bornean endemics are likely including Bornean Leafbird, Bornean Bulbul, Black-sided Flowerpecker, along with Grey-headed and Temminck’s Babbler, Banded and Rufous-collared Kingfisher, and Black-bellied Malkoha. In the evening we can again go in search of the elusive and seldom-seen Bornean Frogmouth if we did not already see it near Ba’Kelalan. Nights at a nearby pleasant hotel.

‍Day 11: We depart after a final morning of birding and return to Kota Kinabalu. We may stop at Klias again if we missed anything on our earlier visit, other otherwise visit a secondary Bulwer’s Pheasant hide and/or add some bonus birding at Gunung Alab for extra highland endemics.

Day 12: The tour ends this morning with transfers to the airport.

Most birders who have visited Borneo in the past will have missed one or two endemics somewhere between Mount Kinabalu and Danum Valley, so do let us know if there is anything you wish to try for and we will try to coordinate a plan between participants! 

BORNEAN PEACOCK-PHEASANT EXTENSION

Day 1: After dropping the main tour group back in Kota Kinabalu, we will transfer east to Telupid for overnight. Note that to reduce the cost of this extension, participants will be going with a local guide, not the Ornis tour leader.

Day 2-3: At the time of writing, a male Bornean Peacock-Pheasant is reliably visiting a new feeding hide. If he is still regular, this extension will run with anybody who wishes to spend the required minimum of two days in the hide in order to see this fabulous and previously near-mythical species! This extension will be run at-cost, but is reliant on whatever the fee is for the hide. Currently the going-rate is about $1000 for the whole four days. At sunset on Day 3, we will drive back to Kota Kinabalu.

Day 4: The extension ends this morning with transfers to the airport.

Tour details