Borneo Festival of Wildlife Itinerary PDF

Festival of Wildlife
Join a group of expert naturalists in Borneo’s Danum Valley that include television wildlife presenters
Nick Baker and Nigel Marven, acclaimed wildlife photographers Nick Garbutt and Alex Hyde, and
award-winning sculptor Nick Mackman – plus the Wildlife Worldwide team – for this unique wildlife
event!
The concept
Since its inception in 2004, the Festival of Wildlife concept has evolved to become a week-long event
packed with a rich variety of activities. The original concept was devised by Wildlife Worldwide
founder Chris Breen, whose vision was to “celebrate all aspects of an area’s flora and fauna”.
Such was the success of the first Festival in Kenya’s Masai Mara, that the Festival concept grew and
developed. Subsequent Festivals took place in the Galapagos Islands in 2005, Ranthambhore
National Park in India in 2006, the Great Bear Rainforest, British Columbia in 2007, Madagascar in
2008, the legendary Serengeti in Tanzania in 2009, and Brazil’s Pantanal in 2010. Mexico’s Baja
California has been home to the Festival of Whales since 2014, and we are returning to the Great
Bear Rainforest in 2015 for the first Festival of Bears.
Many participants have returned regularly to enjoy the celebrations. And the wildlife focus has
turned on iconic species such as lions, tigers, jaguars, lemurs, grey whales, grizzly bears, as well as
those which led the young Charles Darwin to formulate his ground-breaking theory of evolution.
To celebrate 25 years of Wildlife Worldwide, the Festival of Wildlife returns – this time to Borneo’s
Danum Valley.
The location
The 2017 Festival of Wildlife visits Borneo, the third-largest island in the world and Asia’s largest.
Lying north of Java, west of Sulawesi, east of Sumatra and close to the northernmost islands of the
Philippines, it stands at the geographical heart of the widely-scattered archipelago of Southeast Asia.
Borneo is divided between three countries: Malaysia and the tiny, oil-rich, sovereign state of Brunei
in the north, while to the south Indonesia occupies roughly 73% of the island’s territory. The
Malaysian portion consists of the states of Sabah and Sarawak, plus the federal territory of Labuan
on a small island just off the northern coast. The highest point is Mount Kinabalu in Sabah, which
rises to an elevation of 4,095 metres overlooking the South China Sea.
Home to the world’s oldest rainforests – more than 130 million years old! – Borneo possesses
around 15,000 species of flowering plants and 3,000 tree species. This exceptional biodiversity is yet
further enriched by the presence of more than 200 species of terrestrial mammal and 420 species of
resident bird, making the island an evolutionary hotspot and a centre for distribution of endemic
plant and animal species.
Borneo’s rainforests are one of the few remaining natural habitats for the endangered orangutan,
and a vital refuge for other endemic forest dwellers such as the Asian elephant, the Sumatran
rhinoceros, the Bornean clouded leopard, Hose's civet and the Dayak fruit bat. Since the "Heart of
Borneo" agreement was signed in 2007, to safeguard the island’s rainforest, some 123 new species
have been discovered here – a testament to the importance of conservation for future generations.
The venue
In 2017 the Festival of Wildlife will take place at the remarkable Borneo Rainforest Lodge in Danum
Valley Conservation Area. Located some two hours drive inland from the town of Lahad Datu in
eastern Sabah, this lodge lies in pristine jungle at the heart of a major conservation area, and the
drive in along the well-maintained but unsurfaced access road offers unparalleled views of virtually
untouched rainforest. Considering the remoteness of its location, this unique, award-winning
property offers an extremely high standard of accommodation in a wonderful setting beside the
Danum River, and blends in discreetly with the surrounding rainforest.
Wildlife abounds in the surrounding pristine
43,800-hectare conservation area – more than 340
bird species have been recorded here, along with
124 species of mammals, 72 species of reptiles, 56
species of amphibians, and there is a staggering
biodiversity of 200 plant species per hectare!
Much of the fauna is nocturnal, however, and is
most likely to be seen during a night safari or
jungle trek, however individual wild orangutans
frequently nest in the vicinity of the lodge.
The nearby canopy walkway provides unimpeded and safe viewing of the 130-million-year-old forest
from a maximum height of 26 metres i.e. at eye level with the tree-tops. With a total length of some
300 metres, the walkway has five sturdy platforms that are perfect for watching canopy-dwelling
birds at dawn or dusk, or simply experiencing the splendour of the forest. An extensive network of
marked trails allows you to encounter the area’s birdlife and mammals in small break-out groups in
the company of the lodge’s experienced and knowledgeable naturalist guides and our very own
team of expert.
The activities
As well as opportunities to explore the Danum
Valley’s pristine rainforest accompanied by
naturalist guides, there will be workshops, masterclasses, lectures, presentations and wildlife-related
discussions delivered throughout the week by our
guest speakers and wildlife experts.
Our final evening’s gala dinner will feature an
auction in aid of wildlife charities. Past auctions
have made a major contribution towards the
development of local conservation programmes.
As a Festival of Wildlife participant you can expect to meet like-minded
fellow enthusiasts, while gaining and sharing valuable insights into the
fragility of the natural world, and helping with the conservation of local
wildlife.
I sincerely hope that you can join us for this inspirational stay in Borneo’s
magical rainforest.
We will issue a full daily programme of events closer to the time.
The Experts
Nick Baker – naturalist and television presenter
Naturalist and television wildlife presenter Nick Baker is known to many as host of BBC
Autumnwatch Unsprung and Springwatch Unsprung, as well as presenting the highly popular longrunning Weird Creatures series (C5 / Animal Planet). Nick is an edgy, exciting broadcaster with
incredible drive and passion, whose experience includes expeditions to the wildest parts of the
planet - including Borneo - in search of weird, bizarre and incredible creatures.
His career encompasses the wild in its broadest sense: serious natural
history and science, explorations of land and ocean, conservation, and
extinction. He appears regularly in a variety of TV programmes in both
the UK and the USA that range from Harry Hill’s TV Burp and Loose
Women to Tomorrow’s World. In the US Nick was one of National
Geographic’s Ultimate Explorers (National Geographic US / MSNBC),
covering topics such as anti-poaching patrols in Cambodia, natural
areas from Yellowstone to Yukon, the ebola outbreak in the Congo,
and emergent zoonotic viruses.
Nigel Marven – naturalist and television presenter
Nigel Marven is widely known as the presenter of Ten Deadliest Snakes. On finishing school, Nigel
spent a year travelling throughout America before returning to read Botany and Zoology at
university in Bristol - the world capital of wildlife filmmaking. While researching for an MSc, Nigel got
his first break in television on a BBC wildlife programme, where he learned about film-making. His
first full-time television job was as a researcher on his hero David Attenborough's First Eden series
about the Mediterranean.
Because of his experience with Mediterranean wildlife, the BBC
Drama Department asked Nigel to be an Assistant Producer on a tenpart serialisation based on Gerald Durrell's book My Family and Other
Animals, filming for over five months on the Greek island of Corfu.
Nigel remained at the BBC for well over a decade, producing many
primetime wildlife films including Incredible Journeys and Life of Birds.
He eventually left to join Granada Television, where he continued to
produce cutting-edge wildlife films but also found a new role in front
of the camera. Five years later, Nigel now runs his own production
company and makes films that are screened all over the world. He too has previously worked and
filmed in Malaysian Borneo.
Nick Garbutt – photographer
An award-winning photographer and author, with a background in zoology, Nick has forged a career
by combining these skills with leading tours and lecturing. His travels have taken him all over the
world, but he has worked extensively in Malaysian Borneo.
Nick has written and photographed several critically acclaimed books, including: ‘100 Animals to See
Before They Die’, ‘Mammals of Madagascar: A Complete Guide’, ‘Wild Borneo’, and ‘Chameleons’.
He is a regular contributor to a wide range of international magazines
such as National Geographic, Terra Mater, BBC Wildlife, Africa
Geographic and Geographical.
Nick has twice been a winner in the BBC Wildlife Photographer of the
Year Competition. In 2000, he won the prestigious Gerald Durrell
Award for Endangered Wildlife, and in 1996 won the Urban & Garden
Wildlife category in the same competition. Over the years, several of
his images have been awarded Specially Commended or Highly
Commended status.
His photographs also appear widely in books, calendars, promotional material and other publications
worldwide. He is a Special Lecturer on the MSc course in the Wildlife Photography and Imaging at
Nottingham University, where he studied.
Nick leads the Wildlife Worldwide Photography trip series that covers the world and has been on our
expert panel for six Festivals of Wildlife.
Nick Mackman - artist and sculptor
Nick is an award-winning ceramic sculptor, who gains inspiration from the full breadth of the animal
kingdom. The majority of her pieces are based on observations of animals in the field.
Most of Nick’s sculptures are Raku-fired, giving a rich but natural
looking crackle glaze. She aims to get under the skin of the animal,
giving each sculpture its own personality. Many of her subjects are
highly endangered and, in depicting them, she seeks to enlighten the
viewer to their beauty, humour and tenderness.
Her work is widely exhibited in international collections, and in 2010
she won the Wildlife Artist of the Year Open Category. In 2012 was
again a category winner and overall runner-up. Each year she makes
the trophies for the Wildlife Photographer of the Year Competition
This nine-piece work depicting a litter of African wild
dog pups, was recently judged to be the overall runnerup in the Wildlife Artist of the Year Competition 2012.
In 2015 she won the David Shepherd Wildlife
Foundation 2015 Artist of the Year award with her
fantastic collection of ceramic warthogs.
Nick co-leads our annual ‘South Luangwa Art and Photo Workshop’ with Nick Garbutt. This will be
Nick’s first Festival of Wildlife.
Alex Hyde - photographer
Often working with moving creatures smaller than a grain of rice, Alex has established himself as an
expert in macro photography. By understanding the behaviour of his subjects, he is able to capture
intimate portraits of spiders, insects and other invertebrates in their natural habitats.
Although his photography takes him all around the world, the Austrian
Alps are a particularly special place for Alex. Visiting the alpine
meadows as a child helped inspire him to forge a career in wildlife
photography. He continues to return annually to these favoured
haunts to photograph the incredible insect and plant life. Over many
years he has acquired a deep understanding of the region and shares
his passion and knowledge for the area and its wildlife.
An experienced tutor, Alex regularly delivers workshops and seminars
on macro photography and has taught at venues such as the
University of Nottingham and the Wild Photo photography festival in London.
Alex supplies major international agencies and his
photographs appear worldwide in newspapers, books and
magazines including The Times, The Daily Telegraph, BBC
Wildlife and New Scientist.
Alex co-leads our annual ‘Close up on Alpine Nature’ and
‘Focus on the Danube Delta’ trips with Nick Garbutt. This will
be Alex’s first Festival of Wildlife.
The price
There are 10 standard rooms, 17 deluxe rooms and 3 premium villas. Six deluxe rooms are available
for single occupancy.
Based on
Economy class flights:
Standard room
Deluxe room
Villa
Cost per person
(on twin share basis)
£5,195
£5,495
£6,795
Single room
supplement
not available
£300
not available
The above prices are based on Economy class flights with Malaysia Airlines from London Heathrow
via Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu. We are also able to offer an alternative routing to Kota Kinabalu
on Singapore Airlines via Singapore. Please ask for details.
Business class flights
There is a supplement of £2095 per person if you wish to book Business class flights on Malaysia
Airlines through to Kota Kinabalu.
Note: if you are travelling alone, it may be possible to share a room with another single traveller of
the same sex, to avoid having to pay a single supplement.
Festival of Wildlife 2017 price includes
 International and domestic flights with Malaysia Airlines including airport taxes
 All road transport and transfers
 Accommodation on full board basis at Borneo Rainforest Lodge, Danum Valley
 Accommodation on full board basis at Hotel Tanjung Aru, Kota Kinabalu
 All guided wildlife excursions and the full programme of Festival of Wildlife activities
 Local conservation fees
 Assistance by Wildlife Worldwide and local staff
Festival of Wildlife 2017 price excludes
 Items of a personal nature, laundry, tips, most drinks, and telephone calls
 Any optional activities
 Gratuities
 Travel, medical and baggage insurance
ITINERARY
Day 1 Depart London
London Heathrow on an overnight flight direct to Kuala Lumpur, with a connecting flight to Kota
Kinabalu.
Day 2 Kota Kinabalu
On arrival at Kota Kinabalu international airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel on
the edge of the city (a short drive of around 10 kilometres i.e. 20 minutes). Once you have checked
in, the remainder of the day is free to relax by the beach or pool after the journey; alternatively you
could catch the hotel shuttle bus into the centre to see something of the city.
There will be a Festival of Wildlife welcome dinner with drinks this evening.
Kota Kinabalu
Kota Kinabalu (known to all as ‘KK’) is the capital city of the Malaysian state of Sabah, on the north
coast of Borneo. It is a relatively modern city with some large high-end resort-style, conference
hotels spread along the waterfront. There are no beaches in the city, but most hotels offer boat
excursions to beautiful tropical islands nearby. Of interest to some are the moving memorials to the
POWs who were held here by the Japanese during World War II. There are good flight connections
from here to the major air hubs of the region, including Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.
Shangri-La’s Tanjung Aru Resort, Kota Kinabulu
This award-winning, 25-acre seaside resort is a tropical paradise that boasts 492 modern, luxurious
rooms and suites. Its magnificent beach setting offers splendid views of the neighbouring islands and
mountains, and spectacular sunsets. Located just a short drive from the capital, it is close to local
attractions, the city centre and airport, and is thus a perfect place to relax at the start or end of your
Borneo adventure.
Luxury with a local touch provides the themes for the décor of the rooms, which all offer a high
degree of comfort. Every room has a minibar, safebox and television. There are five restaurants and
bars, and enough recreational activities to provide endless fun. There are two casual Asian and
continental restaurants, a smarter Italian restaurant, a bar for relaxing, and a night club with live
band and DJ every night.
The resort’s Chi spa offers a variety of treatments, and has a steam bath, jacuzzi and a gymnasium.
There are two large, free-form pools, a Kids’ Club, a 9-hole pitch-and-putt course, four floodlit tennis
courts, table tennis and bicycles. The watersports centre offers canoeing, deep sea fishing, jet skis,
para-sailing, snorkelling, diving, wind-surfing, water-skiing and more.
Day 3 Danum Valley
This morning you transfer back to Kota Kinabalu
airport to check in for the short flight to Lahad
Datu in the west of Sabah. On arrival at Lahad
Datu airport, you will be met and transferred to
Borneo Rainforest Lodge.
The Festival of Wildlife begins!
Danum Valley Conservation Area
This river valley, arguably Borneo’s premier wildlife location, boasts all ten of Sabah’s primate
species, plus the rare Bornean pygmy elephant, banteng, Sumatran rhino, clouded leopard, marbled
and flat-headed cats and Malay sun bear – although these can be hard to see. Common species
include bearded pig, mouse-deer, endemic Bornean yellow and red muntjacs, and sambar. Early
morning is the best time to enjoy the canopy walkway and watch hornbills, barbets and broadbills,
plus the endemic Bornean bristlehead. The Danum Valley offers maybe the best chance to see
orangutan in the wild, especially when the durian trees are in fruit – while a night safari offers a
window into the secretive world of Borneo’s nocturnal creatures.
Sunrise with early morning cloud and mist, Danum Valley. Nick Garbutt
Some two hours drive – around 80 kilometres, mainly on logging roads – from the town of Lahad
Datu, Danum Valley Conservation Area consists of 438 square kilometres of relatively undisturbed
lowland rainforest. Before it became a
conservation area there were no human
settlements, so hunting, logging and other human
interference was virtually non-existent. Danum
Valley Field Centre is a research establishment for
scientific and educational purposes, and there is
one lodge where visitors can stay to do guided
walks and drives on rainforest trails. Many people
come for bird watching, as it is the only place
where the spectacled flowerpecker has been
recorded.
Borneo Rainforest Lodge
This rustic lodge stands beside the Danum River, some two hours drive southwest of the town of
Lahad Datu, along an ungraded and - in parts - bumpy track. The 30 spacious, well-appointed chalet
rooms all have an en suite bathroom and are fan cooled (there is no air-conditioning) with stylish
modern furnishings. The chalets are connected to the main lodge by a series of raised walkways.
Ten standard rooms have an en suite bathroom
with hot shower, fan and outdoor deck; all bar
one have one queen-size bed and one single
bed, so can be used as either doubles or twins
(the exception has two single beds).
A further 17 spacious deluxe chalets boast a
private balcony area with an oversized tub that
looks out over either the river or the jungle; 12
of these have either a queen or king-size bed,
so are used as either double or single rooms,
while the remainder have one queen-size bed
and one single bed, so are used as either
doubles or twins.
Three Premium Villas – two single-storey and one two-storey – all are equipped with a single kingsize bed.
The recently refurbished common area is a large and airy building with a soaring thatched roof, built
of local materials and raised on columns of belian, Borneo's famous hardwood. It boasts a small but
well-stocked bar, an impressive open-plan dining room where an extensive high quality-buffet offers
a variety of delicious local and international cuisine, and a spacious verandah where you can relax
and enjoy the sounds and views of the jungle. There is also an air-conditioned meeting room that is
used for briefings, talks, slide shows and films about conservation in the area.
BRL, as it is known (due to Malaysia’s love for acronyms), offers an exotic wildlife experience in
remote primary rainforest, combining comfort, privacy and good food with high quality natural
history interpretation. You can explore the forest on foot via the many trails, in the company of
resident naturalist guides with broad field knowledge and with our Festival of Wildlife experts.
Other activities include: birdwatching with a guide, canopy walkways in the treetops, and night
safaris. The emphasis is on creating a deeper understanding of Borneo's primeval rainforest and the
realities of conservation initiatives by allowing visitors the freedom to explore the incredible
diversity and complexity of the surrounding area.
Days 4-8 Danum Valley
In addition to a daily schedule of wildlife activities that includes guided
walks and drives in smaller break-out groups, a full programme of
activities has been designed specifically for the Festival of Wildlife.
These will include such varied elements as sessions on painting, sculpture
and photography – all under the guidance of skilled tutors such as
acclaimed wildlife sculptor Nick Mackman and award-winning
photographer wildlife Nick Garbutt – with input from the local community
too.
Each evening one there will be an after-dinner presentation by one of the
Festival of Wildlife experts
Danum Valley is arguably one of the best rainforest locations anywhere in the world. Over 400
square kilometres are protected by the conservation area, and these forests are known to host some
of the most exuberant wildlife diversity anywhere on Borneo. The pace here is relaxing, as so much
wildlife is visible within easy walking distance of the lodge.
Within no more than a stone’s throw it is possible to encounter wild orangutans, red leaf monkeys
and Bornean gibbons. The bird watching is also excellent: the open areas around the lodge and
along the trails offer plenty of chances to see mixed feeding flocks, and if there is a fruiting tree in
the vicinity, noisy rhinoceros can be conspicuous.
If you wish to capture the true atmosphere of the rainforest, a hike up the Coffin Trail is
recommended. By setting off at first light and maintaining a reasonable pace, it is possible to reach
the viewpoint just before the sun peeks over the horizon. After a clear night, swathes of mist hang in
the valleys and cling to the crowns of trees; only the tallest emergents stand proud above their
white mantle. As the sun breaks through, the canopy is briefly lit up in a blaze of golden light beams.
With gibbons calling and hornbills flying by, there are few more evocative experiences.
Early morning mist hangs over the Segama River, Danum Valley. Nick Garbutt
Early mornings are also the best time to enjoy the added dimension offered by the canopy walkway.
Here tree-top views of the forest offer a spectacular alternative perspective: you can see and
photograph various hornbills, barbets and broadbills, as well as the enigmatic endemic Bornean
bristlehead.
After dark, night walks and drives offer a window onto the secretive world of the rainforest’s
nocturnal creatures – greater mouse deer, giant flying squirrels and culugo are often seen. There is
also a reasonable chance of seeing both slow loris and western tarsier. Frogs too are common, and
the resonant honk of the Bornean horned frog is invariably heard, though tracking one down is a
tough proposition.
Bird diversity is also high, with more than 270 species that include several species of hornbill, brightplumaged barbets, broadbills and spectacular crested firebacks. Less well known, but undoubtedly
rich and diverse are the reptile, amphibian and invertebrates faunas of the area; without any doubt
numerous as yet undiscovered species live here.
In combination, these locations offer a view of the varied natural splendour of Borneo’s hidden
secrets, and provide a wide range of opportunities to see the island’s spectacular wildlife.
Day 9 Departure
Today you transfer to Lahad Datu to check in for an afternoon flight direct to Kota Kinabalu. On
arrival at Kota Kinabalu Airport, you connect to an onward flight to Kuala Lumpur. On arrival at Kuala
Lumpur International Airport, you have a couple of hours at the most before the overnight flight
departs to London, arriving in the evening.
Day 10 Arrive UK
Pre- and Post-Festival Extensions
A programme of pre- and/or post-festival extensions will be announced at a later date, allowing you
to customize your trip. Full details and prices will be available in due course.
Alternatively, why not consider asking our experienced and knowledgeable consultants to help
design your own tailor-made extension?
Contribution to Conservation
At least £100 of each booking will go directly towards supporting local conservation projects within
Borneo.
FLIGHTS

We hold a group allocation on Malaysia Airlines flights. The deadline for booking these group
flights is 31 May 2016. If you book after this date, your ticket may have to be issued on an
individual basis (depending on availability and airline policy), at a different fare level. Note: we
hold a limited number of seats on a group basis in Economy Class which will be allocated on a
first-come, first-served basis.

Weight Restrictions: Smaller aircraft operate between Kota Kinabalu and Lahad Datu, and the
standard allowance is usually 20kg of checked baggage plus 5kg of hand luggage.

For any flight request outside the group option listed above, please speak to a Wildlife
Worldwide consultant.

We can arrange a Business Class upgrade, however these may be limited in availability and will
be booked on a first-come, first-served basis. First Class is also available – prices on request.

A group seating request will be sent to the airline for processing, however the airline is in charge
of allocating seats and unfortunately we are unable to guarantee certain seats (although we try
our best!).

Any amendment to a flight reservation will incur a minimum charge of £100 per person, plus any
surcharges or additional costs applicable as a result of the amendment(s).

Unfortunately we are unable to accept Air Miles/AVIOS to pay for or upgrade international
flights booked through us.

Hotel transfers in Kota Kinabalu and Lahad Datu are based on the arrival and departure times of
the group flight. If you travel on other flights you are welcome to share these transfers if your
flight times coincide, but the vehicles will not wait if your flight is delayed or you are held up in
immigration, etc.

We have created these flight options in good faith based on flight schedules published at the
time of writing. Should any flight schedule change we will, of course, rearrange flights where
necessary, but please note that the package prices may alter if any additional hotel nights are
required as a result.

We reserve the right to impose a surcharge should the airlines increase their prices substantially,
since at this stage no schedules or prices have been set for June 2017. However, we will only do
this reluctantly if we have no other choice and if, after discussion, we feel that no other option is
open to us.
BOOKING INFORMATION
FINANCIAL SECURITY
Wildlife Worldwide is a fully bonded Tour Operator. We hold an ATOL (Air Tour Operator’s Licence)
issued by the CAA which regulates the entire travel industry, providing you with complete financial
protection and a guarantee on all monies we receive from you.
HOW TO BOOK
Once you are happy to book your holiday, we will ask you to pay a 10% deposit, which we usually
take over the phone. If you choose to pay by credit card, a surcharge of between one and two per
cent will be applied to your final balance payment. This surcharge does not apply, however, to your
deposit payment, or if you pay by bank transfer, debit card or cheque. Please see our Booking
Conditions.
Once we receive your deposit, we will confirm the arrangements for your holiday and send you one
Booking Form for each person travelling, which you must complete and return to us (ideally within
one week of receipt).
Only when we have received the completed Booking Form/s from you, can we complete and send
your confirmation, which clarifies all the details of your booking, the reservations we have made for
you, and the preparations that you should begin to make for travel.
Make sure you are happy with the booking conditions that appear on our website at:
www.wildlifeworldwide.com/booking/terms
If you would like us to post or email you a copy, we will be happy to do this.
OPTIONAL TRAVEL INSURANCE POLICY
Comprehensive travel insurance is an essential component of your holiday, and it is a condition of
travelling with us that you have such cover before you depart
Many travel insurance companies can offer suitable cover, however we recommend specialist
insurance broker Campbell Irvine, a company that has insured many of our customers since we
began in 1992. The personal service they provide, and their thorough knowledge of our product and
the travel industry in general will guarantee the peace of mind you need to enjoy your holiday to the
full.
If you decide to book this holiday, we will provide a summary of the cover they offer, as well as their
contact details, so you can enquire directly about arranging cover for your holiday.