We began in the west and explored Koto Kinabalu and then the mighty mountain itself discovering a wealth of species in the misty jungle. It was a great introduction to the wildlife wealth of the country including endemic Whitehead’s Trogon, Broadbill and Spiderhunters. Moving east we made our way to the sinuous Kinabatangan River stopping at Poring Springs and a Rafflesia reserve on the way. We spent a whole day on the river with Hornbills, Proboscis Monkeys, Kingfishers and impressive raptors before continuing on to Sepilok via the echoing caves of Gomantong where we also found our first Orangutans. Sepilok was especially hot and sweaty and the trails delivered some fantastic wildlife with Giant
Red Flying Squirrels, Black-crowned Pittas, tiny Dwarf Kingfishers, whooping Gibbons, Sunbirds, Broadbills and Woodpeckers. Danum Valley beckoned and the last few days were a full on jungle experience with four species of Malkohas, the missing Helmeted Hornbill, Great Slaty Woodpeckers, Blue Headed Pittas, Bornean Banded Kingfisher, Trogons and more Barbets, Babblers and Bulbuls that we thought possible. Gibbons dangled and Orangutans clambered above the lodge and Bornean Crested Firebacks strutted along the track at dusk. Once back in KK we had one final treat and spent the final day in a mountain hide watching mythical Bulwer’s Pheasant, punky Crested Partridges and a bouncy Bornean Banded Pitta to round up a truly magical Asian adventure