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Malaysia & Borneo - Sarawak & Sabah Endemics

© Helmeted Hornbill by Adam Riley

This exciting tour takes us deep into the vast and remote ocean of forest that cloaks the Sarawak and Sabah provinces of Borneo. There, using recently made logging tracks to gain access to these forests, we will endeavour to find several of the island's seldom-seen endemics, including the mythical Bornean Peacock-Pheasant, Bulwer’s Pheasant and Crested Partridge, as well as two of the most poorly known species on earth, namely Black Oriole and Dulit Frogmouth. Fortunately, many of the species we will search for live in relatively healthy numbers, and we have a very high chances of finding such desired specials as Whitehead’s Trogon, Bornean and Mountain Barbets, Bornean Bulbul, Blue-banded Pitta, Whitehead’s and Hose's Broadbills, Bornean Frogmouth, Whitehead's Spiderhunter, Pygmy White-eye, Mountain Serpent Eagle and Bornean Leafbird!

Whilst by no means guaranteed, we also have an excellent chance of finding both the oriole and the frogmouth, even though the former was only known from specimens until its recent discovery, while the latter has remained almost as poorly known since 1891! In fact, our previous departures have enjoyed a 100% success rate with these two species!

On its own, this tour offers a chance at seeing around half of the island's endemics, while as an add-on to our Malaysia & Borneo – Rainforest Mammals and Birds tour, the combination could add nearly 95% of the island's endemics to your list!

Top Birds

Black & Black-and-crimson Orioles; Dulit, Bornean & Sunda Frogmouths; Bornean Peacock-Pheasant; Bulwer's Pheasant; Crested Partridge; Crested Fireback; Dayak Blue Flycatcher; Bornean & Mountain Barbets; Bornean & Penan Bulbuls; Bornean Banded & Blue-banded Pittas; Whitehead’s & Hose's Broadbills; Whitehead’s, Scarlet-rumped & Diard’s Trogons; Whitehead's Spiderhunter; Pygmy White-eye; Mountain Serpent Eagle; Bornean Leafbird; Helmeted, Wreathed & Bushy-crested Hornbills; Maroon-breasted Philentoma; Bornean Treepie; Raffle’s Malkoha; White-crowned & Rufous-tailed Shamas.

Top Mammals

Hose’s Langur

Habitats Covered

montane and sub montane forest

Expected Climate

cool but comfortable in the higher areas, warmer and more humid lower down. Rain and mist is possible.

Max Group Size

8 with 1 Rockjumper leader

Tour Pace & Walking

Our Mega tours are very fast-paced birding adventures designed for the dedicated lister and serious birder. The focus of the tour is to see as many of the endemics and area specials as possible in our given time. In order to cover the necessary route to maximize the species list we tend to spend a single night at most sites and travel large distances. There is very little down time aside from that spent driving from one site to the next. These tours are not suitable for dedicated or avid photographers; inexperienced or new birders; as well as anyone with serious mobility or health challenges.

Accommodation

simple lodges and hotels

Ease of Birding

moderate with some very difficult species

Photographic Opportunities

average, some blinds/hides

What our clients say about us

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.

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.

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.

Adam Walleyn
BR, Malaysia 2023

The Rockjumper guide (Adam Walleyn) is fantastic. His vast knowledge, enthusiam and helpfulness are exceptional. He always made sure that all saw the animal, and explained the plans for the day in detail. I am less enthusiastic on some of the Malaysian guides. Lieuw (guide in Sabah) is an exceptional birder and helped us to find many specific birds, but his key interest is to present specific (endemic) birds to the customers. I can understand that most tourists that travel with him are listers that want to see as may endomic bird species as possible, but for somebody that wants to enjoy nature as a whole this is at times too much. Having said that,, Liew is a great guy that shared many pictures with us, is extremely enthusiastic and can explain very well how certain (closely related) species differ from each other.

Malaysia & Borneo - Sarawak & Sabah Endemics 2025

29 May 2025 - 09 Jun 2025 (12 days)

MYR30,000 - 1 Space Available

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Tour Leader: Glen Valentine

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

Tour price (Per person): MYR30,000 * USD6,272 * GBP5,053 * EUR5,900 * AUD9,806

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