PRIMATES AND MAMMALS OF BORNEO NATURE TOUR - 7 - 19 October 2024 - Bookings now Open!

Bookings are now open for this exclusive, custom-designed nature tour by NatureArt Lab is for nature artists, photographers and naturalists to experience one of the world's best primate and mammal destinations. Experience the best of unspoilt nature and see the iconic wildlife of Borneo.

• Tour Dates: Monday 7 October - Saturday 19 October 2024
• Destination: Sarawak and Sabah, Malaysian Borneo
• Our team: Julia and Alan Landford, Guest photographer - Nicolas Rakotopare

Our tour begins with the World Heritage Gunung Mulu National Park with its panoramic views, geological wonders, and outstanding diversity of flora and fauna. Mulu is home to 116 mammals including 54 species of bats. Explore the world's largest cave systems in Sarawak including Deer and Lang caves, and enjoy a river boat cruise to the Wind and Clearwater caves. Walk amongst the tree tops along some of the world's longest suspended canopy walks. 

The next destination is Sabah with time to explore four supurb locations for sightings of mammals and primates at Sepilok, Deramakot, the Kinabatangan River and Tabin Nature Reserve. We will see many different species including Orang-utans, Pygmy Elephants and dozens of other mammal species in their natural habitat. Contribute to the conservation of the world's smallest bear through our visit to the Sunbear Conservation Centre at Sepilok. Meander gently along the Kinabatangan River and watch Proboscis monkeys and short-tailed macaques feeding, grooming each other or leaping through riverside trees. Our program includes extended night safaris at several locations with the opportunity to see nocturnal species.

Along the way watch the giant hornbills and listen to them calling across the forests, and see iridescent butterflies fluttering along river corridors. Explore Sabah’s unique vegetation including many species of fascinating pitcher plants, sprays of ferns and colourful orchids sprouting from towering rainforest trees. This tour will provide a spectacular program for photography or nature journaling inspired by nature. 

Nature journalers can enjoy relaxed sketching and afternoon sessions at each of our destinations. Photographers will have opportunities for mentoring, photo editing and mini-workshops throughout the tour with specialist photographer Nicolas Rakotapare. Partners and accompanying friends will be equally catered for throughout the trip. 

Sabah has excellent infrastructure and accommodation, and is well set up to cater for wildlife tourism. English is widely spoken, the food is excellent and the wildlife superb. Accommodation includes comfortable high-end lodges on a twin share basis.

Tour price: $9,650.00 (small group size with only 9 places available). Book early to avoid disappointment. A 25% deposit payment of $2,400 is due by the end of March 2024 to secure your place, along with a signed travel declaration form which will be provided on booking. EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT $400.00 applies for bookings received in December 2023. 

Limited single supplements are available at $2,100.00. Please contact us at info@natureartlab to confirm availability of single supplements prior to booking.  

Inclusions:

• breakfasts, lunches and dinners for 13 days
• accommodation at all locations, including high end accommodation at Sepilok and the Kinabatangan River
• all in-country land transport, including four-wheel drive access to Deramakot
• boat cruises on the Kinabatangan River
• guided walks - mornings, afternoons and night walks
• night drive safaris at Deramakot and Tabin Nature Reserves
• nature journaling workshops
• photography workshops and mentoring
• professional local guides
• expert guest photographer
• experienced team leaders
• airport transfers on arrival and departure

*Excludes flights to Borneo, and internal flights from Mulu to Sandakan, Lahad Datu to Kota Kinabalu and return to Australia. Flights can be arranged separately through Jamison Travel, our nominated travel agent. Return airfares are approximately $1,500.00 return depending on airlines and offers.

Insurance is required by all participants.

NatureArt Lab will host an information session for participants prior to departure.

Introducing our team: 

• Julia Landford - NatureArt Lab Founder and Director, artist and nature journaler, passionate naturalist and environmentalist, Julia has travelled extensively and has led many nature tours to Borneo, as well as to Costa Rica and South America.  
• Alan Landford - Zoologist and entomologist, Alan brings scientific expertise to this nature tour, along with experience with international nature tours to many destinations including Borneo over the past six years. 
• Nicolas Rakotapare - Guest photographer, originally from Madagascar, Nicolas has a background in ecology and conservation biology and has been based in Australia for 15 years. He has photographed and filmed wildlife including mammals and primates throughout Southeast Asia and the sub-continent, including Sri Lanka. Nicolas is an excellent communicator and enjoys sharing both his ecological and technical knowledge with others. Recently inducted into the International League of Conservation Photographers, Nicolas is passionate about promoting important conservation outcomes for endangered species.

Cancellation Policy:  

Comprehensive travel insurance is required against injury, illness, emergency medical evacuation, loss and damage to personal belongings, not being able to travel on a confirmed date of departure or tour cancellation due to unforeseen circumstances.  

If cancellation takes place up to 120 days before the trip the deposit payment is non-fundable, for cancellations 119 to 60 days before departure 50% of the cost of the tour will be forfeited. If cancellation takes place 59 days or less before the start date 100% of the tour cost will be forfeited. 

If NatureArt Lab has to cancel a nature tour due to undersubscription, you will receive a refund of all payments made for that tour.

Please contact us at info@natureartlab.com.au if you have any questions. 

Images: Julia and Alan Landford

Image: Orangutan adult, Leaf monkeys, Portrait- Nicolas Racotapare