Malaysia is a very modern and efficient Asian country that makes a perfect birding destination. First class facilities exist within the extensive network of national parks and nature reserves, throughout the Malaysian Peninsula and the two Malaysian provinces of Borneo. Habitats range from vast lowland and montane rainforests to rich mangrove swamps and extensive coastal mudflats.

On this fantastic Malaysia and Borneo birdwatching and wildlife tour we visit some of the world’s most famous birding sites including Fraser’s Hill, venue of the legendary annual Bird Race, the grand Taman Negara National Park, Danum Valley, which protects the largest pristine lowland rainforests in South East Asia and fabled Mt Kinabalu. A rich mix of typical South East Asian birds, peninsular Malaysian specialties and Bornean endemics combine to create superb birding. We expect to see several species of fabulous pittas, trogons, kingfishers, woodpeckers and broadbills, as well as leafbirds, ioras, pheasants and a plethora of babblers and bulbuls among many others.

The mammal-watching opportunities are surprisingly good and we have never failed to find the old man of the forest, the Orangutan, as well as the anomalous Proboscis Monkey and numerous species of gibbons and leaf-monkeys. Other animals we are likely to encounter include several civet species, Leopard Cat, the bizarre Colugo and some very impressive squirrels, including the nocturnal Giant Flying Squirrels. Chances exist for Asian Elephant and Clouded Leopard. Tiger, Sumatran Rhinoceros, Sun Bear and Malaysian Tapir also occur but are seldom observed.

Some of the star birds of this tour include the impressive Great Argus, huge Helmeted & Rhinoceros Hornbills, Malayan Whistling Thrush, Rail-babbler, Long-tailed & Green Broadbill, Sultan Tit, Garnet, Malayan Banded, Blue-headed and seven other possible species of pitta, the Whitehead’s trio consisting of a Bornean endemic broadbill, trogon and spiderhunter, Fruithunter, Everett's Thrush, Crested Fireback, Storm's Stork, Blue Nuthatch, Blyth's & Gould's Frogmouths, Great Slaty Woodpecker, Bornean & Black-throated Wren-Babbler, the highly sought-after Bornean Bristlehead (the latter in its own monotypic family) and even the mythical Bornean Ground Cuckoo!

We will bird along forest trails, from rainforest canopy walkways, boardwalks through mangrove forests and from boats as we cruise along jungle rivers. Join us for this memorable experience as we explore the fantastic riches of tropical Southeast Asia.

A Rockjumper tour leader will not accompany this tour unless a minimum of 8 guests have joined the tour. In the case of insufficient sign-ups, a professional and very experienced local guide will lead the tour.

Top Birds

Bornean Bristlehead, Mountain and Malayan Peacock-Pheasants, Crested Fireback, Malaysian, Crimson-headed and Red-breasted Partridges, Storm's Stork, Helmeted, White-crowned, Wrinkled and Rhinoceros Hornbills, Wallace's & Blyth's Hawk-Eagles, Large Green Pigeon, Chestnut-bellied Malkoha, Buffy Fish Owl, Blyth's & Gould's Frogmouths, Malaysian Eared Nightjar, Whitehead's, Diard's, Red-naped & Orange-breasted Trogons, Garnet, Malayan Banded, Bornean Banded, Giant, Blue-headed and Black-crowned Pittas, Whitehead's, Long-tailed, Silver-breasted, Dusky, Green and Banded Broadbills, Banded Kingfisher, Red-bearded Bee-eater, Fire-tufted, Brown, Golden-naped, Mountain, Bornean and Black-browed Barbets, Great Slaty, White-bellied, Olive-backed & Orange-backed Woodpeckers, White-fronted & Black-thighed Falconets, Mangrove & Bornean Whistlers, Crested Jay, Rail-babbler, Straw-headed, Bornean and Finsch's Bulbuls, Pygmy Wren-babbler (Cupwing), Bornean Stubtail, Large & Chestnut-backed Scimitar Babblers, Bornean & Black-throated Wren-Babblers, Chestnut-hooded, Chestnut-capped, Malayan, Bare-faced, Black and Sunda Laughingthrushes, Chestnut-crested Yuhina, Pygmy White-eye (Ibon), Mountain Blackeye, Everett's Thrush, Fruithunter, Malayan and Bornean Whistling Thrushes, Rufous-browed, Sunda Blue and Bornean Blue Flycatchers, Eyebrowed Jungle Flycatcher, Bornean Forktail, Bornean Leafbird, Yellow-rumped and Black-sided Flowerpeckers, Bornean and Whitehead's Spiderhunters, White-headed and Dusky Munias, Bornean Treepie, Sultan Tit, Collared Babbler, Bornean Green Magpie & Whiskered Treeswift

Top Mammals

Orangutan, Proboscis Monkey, Sunda Colugo, Red (Maroon) Leaf Monkey, Siamang, Greater Slow Loris, Borneo and Lar Gibbons, Leopard Cat, Bearded Pig, Asian (Bornean Pygmy) Elephant, Red and Thomas's Giant Flying Squirrels, distinct chances of Clouded Leopard, Flat-headed & Marbled Cat, Malayan Tapir, Binturong & Horsfield's Tarsier

Habitats Covered

lowland and montane rainforests, mangroves, rivers, wetlands, coastal mudflats

Expected Climate

generally hot and humid, cooler in highlands, some rain expected

Max Group Size

3-7 with 1 local guide / 8-10 with 1 Rockjumper leader and 1 local leader

Tour Pace & Walking

moderate pace, walking on forest trails can be undemanding, some longer hikes

Accommodation

comfortable to luxurious hotels and resorts

Ease of Birding

moderate with some challenging species

Number of Species Expected

330 - 360

Other Attractions

Giant Rafflesia (world’s largest flower), canopy walkways, river boat cruises, Mount Kinabalu, pristine lowland forest

Photographic Opportunities

worthwhile

What our clients say about us

Adam Walleyn
JB & CM, Malaysia & Borneo 2020

Our local leader and Adam Walleyn made a great team; we appreciated Adam’s great skill at spotting and identifying the mammals and herptofauna, which is an important part of any birding trip for us.

Richard Lindie
BM, Malaysia & Borneo 2018

The ability of our guide, Rich Lindie, to locate the birds from the faintest movement or call under difficult and trying conditions was outstanding.

Glen Valentine
SP, Malaysia & Borneo

Glen did a fantastic job on this tour. Birding in the lowland rainforest looking for Pittas was certainly a challenge! Glen was informative, patient and persistent, and did his best in making sure that the entire group saw these fascinating birds. The itinerary was comprehensive, the accommodations were great and the food was excellent. Overall, a wonderful trip.

Glen Valentine
JW & MW, Malaysia & Borneo

We felt that the trip was very well organised and efficient so we could spend as much time in the field as possible. Glen was a terrific guide - excellent birder as well as his concern that everyone was seeing the birds. Glen was very even in his manner at all times and with everyone.

Glen Valentine
CM, Malaysia & Borneo

Our tour was really exceptional, and our guide, Glen Valentine, was fabulous!!! Being in the jungle meant our views were narrowed, but Glen went out of his way to make sure everyone had a chance to see these exceptional birds.

Malaysia & Borneo - Rainforest Birds & Mammals I 2024

16 Feb 2024 - 05 Mar 2024 (19 days)

MYR39,495 - Spaces Available

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Tour Leader: Michael Meidlinger

Tour price (Per person): MYR39,495 * USD8,412 * GBP6,861 * EUR7,936 * AUD12,954

Single Supplement: MYR7,700 * USD1,640 * GBP1,338 * EUR1,547 * AUD2,526

Flight costs: MYR1,450 * USD309 * GBP252 * EUR291 * AUD476

Malaysia & Borneo - Rainforest Birds & Mammals II 2024

22 May 2024 - 09 Jun 2024 (19 days)

MYR39,495 - 4 Spaces Available

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Tour Leader: Nigel Redman

Tour price (Per person): MYR39,495 * USD8,412 * GBP6,861 * EUR7,936 * AUD12,954

Single Supplement: MYR7,700 * USD1,640 * GBP1,338 * EUR1,547 * AUD2,526

Flight costs: MYR1,450 * USD309 * GBP252 * EUR291 * AUD476

Malaysia & Borneo - Rainforest Birds & Mammals I 2025

14 Feb 2025 - 04 Mar 2025 (19 days)

MYR42,000 - Spaces Available

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Tour Leader: Stephan Lorenz

Pricing notes : *Prices are estimated and dates may change*

Tour price (Per person): MYR42,000 * USD8,945 * GBP7,297 * EUR8,439 * AUD13,776

Malaysia & Borneo - Rainforest Birds & Mammals II 2025

11 May 2025 - 29 May 2025 (19 days)

MYR42,000 - Spaces Available

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Tour Leader: Glen Valentine

Pricing notes : *Prices are estimated and dates may change*

Tour price (Per person): MYR42,000 * USD8,945 * GBP7,297 * EUR8,439 * AUD13,776

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