Dates: March 13 - April 1, 2026

Leader: Scott Baker

E-bird

Total Species: 292 birds

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Overall Summary

The 2026 chapter of the VENT Borneo tour series has demonstrated, once again, why Borneo ranks as 1 of the premier nature-tour destinations on the planet. A lush wild tropical landscape teeming with strange (at least to our eyes) and wonderful wildlife, including Orangutans, carnivorous plants and flying frogs - much of which is unique and endemic to Borneo and/or the surrounding region. Our 17-day circuit of the NE state of Sabah showcased some of the best habitats (both montane environments and the lowland forests), whilst also enjoying some of the best luxury eco-lodges in SE Asia.

Kicking-off our journey in the state capital of Kota Kinabalu, with a visit to the lowland coastal wetlands in vicinity of Kota Belud. Next 5 days however was focussed on the endemic-rich montane environments. These included the Crocker Range, Mount Trus Madi (including morning and afternoon sessions at the Trus Madi Bird Station) and of course , most famous of them all - Mount Kinabalu, SE Asia’s highest mountain.

And following this, pushing further east, to the ancient pristine rainforests of Sepilok (Rainforest Discovery Centre), plus 3 memorable days/ nights on the Kinabatangan River, which provided an entirely different suite of birds (and some great mammals). And, eventually, concluding our journey at the superbly appointed : Borneo Rainforest Lodge – set deep within the Danum Valley, 1 of the most important lowland forest reserves in Borneo.

An action-packed itinerary! In this time we recorded almost 300 bird species and (importantly) around 70% of the sought-after avian endemics. A summary of highlights would include the notorious 'Whitehead's Trio' (Broadbill, Trogon and Spiderhunter) , Mountain Serpent Eagle, Everett’s Thrush, Bornean Bristlehead, Sabah Partridge, 4 Pittas (Bornean Banded, Black-capped, Blue-headed & Western Hooded). Storm’s Stork, Great Argus, Bornean Crested Fireback and Reddish Scops-Owl.

And not just the birds! We also enjoyed encounters the iconic Bornean Orangutan (on 6 separate occasions), Proboscis Monkey, Maroon Leaf Monkey and the elegant Silvered Leaf Monkey, in addition to sightings of Philippine Slow Loris, Sunda Colugo , and (a personal favourite) the tiny goggle-eyed nocturnal primate : the Horsfield’s Tarsier.

Countless unforgettable moments punctuated the journey. I think watching 2 million bats emerge, in formation, from their subterranean roost at Gomantong Cave, would feature on the highlights reel. So would the terrifying cannibalistic croc on croc predation event (that is 1 consuming the other) that we witnessed - and for which words seem inadequate. Perhaps best of all, however, was a herd of 25 Bornean (Pygmy) Elephants swimming the Kinabatangan River, in the late afternoon light, with trunks extended. We just sat and watched in awe.

And with that, completing the circuit and returning to Kota Kinabalu for a final farewell dinner and chance to reflect on 17 day journey in what is literally a wildlife lovers paradise.

Day-by-Day Summary

March 16 - Kota Kinabalu - Tempasuk Plain. Drive to Kota Belu/Tempasuk Plain, returning to KK with stops at Likas Lagoon & Port Philip Park.

March 17 - Kota Kinabalu - Tambunan. Departing KK driving to Tambunan via Crocker Range. Afternoon session at Trusmadi Bird Station.

March 18 - Trusmadi Bird Station - Mount Kinabalu. Full morning at Trusmadi Bird Station. Later driving to Mt Kinabalu.

March 19 - Mount Kinabalu - Poring Hot Springs. Full morning on Mt Kinabalu & afternoon visit to Poring Hot Spring.

March 20 - Mt Kinabalu. Full day birding Power Station Road, Mt Kinabalu.

March 21 - Mount Kinabalu - Sepilok. Morning birding on Mt Kinabalu then drive to Sepilok Nature Lodge.

March 22 - Sepilok - Rainforest Discovery Center. Full day in Sepilok. Birding the Rainforest Discovery Center (RDC)

March 23 - Sepilok - RDC & Sun Bear rehab. Full day in Sepilok, with focus on the RDC and Sun Bear rehab center.

March 24 - Sepilok - Kinabatangan River. Morning birding the RDC. Afternoon drive to Hornbill Lodge - Kinabatangan River.

March 25 - Kinabatangan River. Full day on the Kinabatangan River, morning and afternoon boat safaris.

March 26 - Kinabatangan River - Gomantong Caves. Morning boat safari on the Kinabatangan River, afternoon drive to the Gomantong Cave and Forest Reserve.

March 27 - Hornbill Lodge - Borneo Rainforest Lodge, via Lahad Datu. Essentially day of travel. Lunch in Lahad Datu then driving to Borneo Rainforest Lodge, Danum Valley.

March 28 - Danum Valley. Full day birding the BRL

March 29 - Danum Valley. Full day birding the BRL

March 30 - Danum Valley. Full day birding the BRL

March 31 - Danum Valley - Kota Kinabalu. Departing BRL driving to Lahad Datu and flight to Kota Kinabalu.

Wildlife Seen: 

MAMMALS

Treeshrews : Tupaiidae Mountain Treeshrew Tupaia montana : Single encounter – feeding on tree-trunk , Mt Kinabalu – allowing for extended scopes views.

Large Treeshrew Tupaia tana : leaping across track at the Hornbill Lodge (Kinabatangan River)

Colugos (Flying Lemurs) : Cynocephalidae Sunda Colugo Cynocephalus variegatus : several encounters (both diurnal and nocturnal observations). Observed in Sepilok (RDC) and Danum Valley (BRL). 2 of those were carrying young.

Old World Fruit Bats : Pteropidae

Lesser Short-nosed Fruit Bat Cynopterus brachyotis : individual roosting and photographed on the Kinabatangan R.

Horseshoe Bats : Rhinolophidae Trefoil Horseshoe Bat : single individual bat roosting on large leaf at the RDC was identified as this species.

Lorises, Pottos & Galagos : Lorisidae Philippine Slow Loris Nycticebus menangenis : nocturnal observation at the RDC. Picked up on eyeshine.

Tarsiers : Tarsiidae Horsfield’s Tarsier Cephalopachus bancanus : 2-3 animals observed whilst spotlighting in Sepilok (RDC), another at the BRL, provided some good viewing opportunities.

Old World Monkeys : Cercopithecidae Maroon Leaf Monkey Presbytis rubicunda : spotted at the Gomontong Cave Forest Reserve and Danum Valley (BRL) – incl family group.

Silvered Leaf Monkey Trachypithecus cristatus : Both days on the Kinabatangan incl family group with rare but previously documented Silver Leaf X Proboscis M hybrid.

Proboscis Monkey Nasalis larvatus : several troops encountered, daily, on the Kinabatangan R.

Long-tailed Macaque Macaca fascicularis : most days in lowlands , both forest and urban areas.

Southern Pig-tailed Macaque Macaca nemistrina : probably most common primate, sometimes forming large and intimidating troops. Several encounters on canopy walkway at the RDC, also recorded at the BRL.

Gibbons : Hylobatidae North Bornean

Gray Gibbon Hylobates funereus : On call fairly common (in lowlands) but rarely observed – twice briefly, both Sepilok (RDC) and Danum Valley (BRL).

Pongidae Bornean Orangutan Pongo pygmaeus : On everyone’s ‘must-see’ list. Iconic & endangered great ape of asia. Several encounters incl mother & young in Sepilok (both RDC & Orangutan Rehab centre) represent wild and rescued animals. Also recorded at Gomantong Caves and daily at the

BRL. Squirrels : Sciuridae Pale Giant Squirrel Ratufa affinus : Pairs & individuals, daily at the RDC. Prevost’s Squirrel Callosciurus prevostii : Daily at all the lowland sites, incl forest and urban areas from Sepilok (RDC) to Danum Valley.

Plantain Squirrel Callosciurus notatus : a couple of sighting in vicinity of Kinabatangan river, incl the Hornbill Lodge.

Bornean Black-banded Squirrel Callosciurus orestes : easily observed from Trus Madi Bird Station, several individuals frequenting the feeders. Also recorded from Mt Kinabalu.

Bornean Mountain Ground Squirrel Sundasciurus everetti : a common squirrel of the montane zone, recorded both Trus Madi and Mt Kinabalu.

Jentink’s Squirrel Sundasciurus jentinki : Recorded Crocker Range, Trus Madi and Mt Kinabalu.

Low’s Squirrel Sundasciurus lowi : Similar to Jentink’s but with fuller fluffy tail. Photographed at the Trus Madi Bird Station. Also recorded Mt Kinabalu.

Four-striped Ground Squirrel Lariscus hosei : Single distinctive individual was observed at the Trus Madi Bird Station.

Tufted Pygmy Squirrel Exilisciurus whiteheadi : Daily in the montane zone. Several nice observations from Mt Kinabalu.

Least Pygmy Squirrel Exilisciurus exilis : Common lowland variety. Eye-level views at Sepilok Sun Bear rehab centre and most days in Danum Valley (BRL).

Red Giant Flying Squirrel Petaurista petaurista : A real highlight watching animals emerge at the RDC from canopy walkway, incl an individual glide a distance of approx. 100 meters, directly overhead

Thomas’s Flying Squirrel Aeromys thomasi : whilst spotlighting at the RDC. Martens, Weasels, Badgers : Mustelidae Yellow-throated Marten Martes flavigula

Gallery