Yes I agree. Will check out public transportation options as well but I suspect in this case it might not allow timely access to the birding sites from the lodging area (very early morning and return after dusk). I will be using it for all inter-site transfers though.
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Kinabatangan: Bilit, Sukau or Abai? (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter madpitta
- Start date
Yes I agree. Will check out public transportation options as well but I suspect in this case it might not allow timely access to the birding sites from the lodging area (very early morning and return after dusk). I will be using it for all inter-site transfers though.
jurek
Well-known member
Hi,
Crocker Range is away from any public transport or accommodation. In Kinabalu National Park you can use taxis, but check if it is any help because you are limited by accommodation - what you save on car hire, you may spend on hotel and taxis with extra wasted time and hassle.
In any case, I recommend spending 4-6 days in Mt Kinabalu itself to get all the endemics, which are thin on the ground.
Crocker Range is away from any public transport or accommodation. In Kinabalu National Park you can use taxis, but check if it is any help because you are limited by accommodation - what you save on car hire, you may spend on hotel and taxis with extra wasted time and hassle.
In any case, I recommend spending 4-6 days in Mt Kinabalu itself to get all the endemics, which are thin on the ground.
Larry Sweetland
Formerly 'Larry Wheatland'
Here's how to get to Crocker range HQ from KK by bus: http://www.birdforum.net/showpost.php?p=1710152&postcount=900 (unless things have drastically changed recently). We just turned up and they let us stay for £10 a double room.
From there you can do a loop back to Mt Kinabalu on a bus via Rafflesia reserve if you like (which has cheap accommodation c4km uphill of great roadside birding for eg reliable Bornean and Mountain Barbets, Bornean Bulbul, and prob better chance of Whitehead's Spiderhunter and Mountain Serpent Eagle than at Mt K).
I'd also say you don't need transport at all to bird Mt kinabalu, unless a 1-2 hour uphill walk from the cheap accom just outside the gate is a problem.
Agree with Jurek that you want to spend as long as you can at Mt K to stand a good chance of a decent proportion of the endemics, they're a nightmare!
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spend 4days at tabin... guides were not specialised as stated at their website, both wang kong and the herp guide stopped working there 
luckily CK Leong turned up with a couple of guests and they let me join them for two days of birding.
Sukau, Bilit, Abai: I have stayed in all three areas...I cannot say that I favor bilit over sukau or the other way around - both are great, mind you I managed 7hornbill species twice in Sukau.
I one do a one night stop at Abai comming back to Sandakan...
A couple of pics from last visit...
luckily CK Leong turned up with a couple of guests and they let me join them for two days of birding.Sukau, Bilit, Abai: I have stayed in all three areas...I cannot say that I favor bilit over sukau or the other way around - both are great, mind you I managed 7hornbill species twice in Sukau.
I one do a one night stop at Abai comming back to Sandakan...
A couple of pics from last visit...
Attachments
jurek
Well-known member
I hope not to spread the confusion. By Crocker Range I mean headquarters of Rafflesia reserve, and the asphalt road to the small fenced temple with a waterfall (roughly south and downhill).
I saw there no buses, no accomodation, and traffic (possible hitchhike or taxi) was not frequent. Or I did not look well?
I would find this walk very stenuous.
Also weather at Mt Kinabalu is characterized by clear mornings followed by mist and rain spreading downhill from the mountain top. Afternoon was usually unbirdable due to the thick fog or rain or both, flowing downhill. This makes it important to be at dawn on the topmost driveable point, the Timpohon Gate. Everett's Thrush, which I missed, is also seen on paths around the gate only at daybreak. Later birding is pleasant walking downhill on one of several good trails, which are mercifully free of tourists.
If my memory from last year is playing tricks please correct me. I hope future birders find it useful. Borneo is great place!
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Larry Sweetland
Formerly 'Larry Wheatland'
At Mt K It's (I think) c4km uphill walk on the road from outside the park gate, to as far as you can go by car in the park (the Timpohon Gate), so if that's a struggle predawn, then yes get a car. Reckon it's even doable in under an hour if you're fit and/or desperate for the thrush!
Definitely worth trying to get recent gen from Alim (the birder who works at Mt K) as to where he's seen the thrush (and other stuff) recently, as the best spot at the time of your visit might actually be lower down. I tried a few places at dawn over the several days we spent there on our visits, traditional hotspots and spots where recently reported, and still missed the stupid thing, so you're not alone Jurek!
Definitely worth trying to get recent gen from Alim (the birder who works at Mt K) as to where he's seen the thrush (and other stuff) recently, as the best spot at the time of your visit might actually be lower down. I tried a few places at dawn over the several days we spent there on our visits, traditional hotspots and spots where recently reported, and still missed the stupid thing, so you're not alone Jurek
!
temmie
Well-known member
I saw Everett's Thrush twice, once at dusk and once at dawn, trying to collect worms in true Antpitta style:
http://observado.org/waarneming/view/81479391
So I woulnd't discount the last light at dusk.
One way to tackle the climb to Timpohon without a car, is:
1. be mentally prepared to walk and start 1 hour before first light;
2. the moment the first car is going up (usually some cars go up around 5.30-6), try to hitch a ride. This was usually no problem.
3. walk down the road, or hang around at Timpohon untill approx. 15-20 minutes after first light.
4. go down Bukit Ular, and go down more on other trails
5. Once down, hitch a ride back up.
Repeat the whole day, and around 5PM, hang around at Timpohon. When it is getting a bit dark, start walking down. Enjoy your beer in one of the cheap restaurants outside the main gate and listen to the Mountain Scops owls along the road ;-)
http://observado.org/waarneming/view/81479391
So I woulnd't discount the last light at dusk.
One way to tackle the climb to Timpohon without a car, is:
1. be mentally prepared to walk and start 1 hour before first light;
2. the moment the first car is going up (usually some cars go up around 5.30-6), try to hitch a ride. This was usually no problem.
3. walk down the road, or hang around at Timpohon untill approx. 15-20 minutes after first light.
4. go down Bukit Ular, and go down more on other trails
5. Once down, hitch a ride back up.
Repeat the whole day, and around 5PM, hang around at Timpohon. When it is getting a bit dark, start walking down. Enjoy your beer in one of the cheap restaurants outside the main gate and listen to the Mountain Scops owls along the road ;-)
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Larry Sweetland
Formerly 'Larry Wheatland'
Jens Thalund
Well-known member
I was at Kinabalu NP in early April this year, and stayed just outside the entrance gate at Mountain Resort (25 R/night shared room), whih is just a few hundred meters further along the road, comming from KK. There is a very good and cheap restaurant across the road from the entrance, with a guesthouse attached, so absolutely no need to stay in the expensive hotels inside the park.
I walked/hiked/birded the trails for 4½ days, doing the summit trail up to 2600 m once, and alos visited Kundasang a 10 minutes drive further downhill from the NP entrance (buses/huítchhiking) to see Bornean Ibon as well as Dusky Munia and Blue-breasted Quail.
There is no need in my mind to rush up to Bukit Ular every morning, as the trails lower down are also very birdy, and wind their way uphill anyway, and I found birds like Whitehead's Broadbill and Trogon on Bukit Ular in the afternoon as well. But then again, I was blessed with mostly dry weather during my stay, with a few afternoon thundershowers, that could be waited out in one of the many shelters.
I think it would probably be a good thing to try out different trails at different times of the day, to get a good range of birds.
Jens
I walked/hiked/birded the trails for 4½ days, doing the summit trail up to 2600 m once, and alos visited Kundasang a 10 minutes drive further downhill from the NP entrance (buses/huítchhiking) to see Bornean Ibon as well as Dusky Munia and Blue-breasted Quail.
There is no need in my mind to rush up to Bukit Ular every morning, as the trails lower down are also very birdy, and wind their way uphill anyway, and I found birds like Whitehead's Broadbill and Trogon on Bukit Ular in the afternoon as well. But then again, I was blessed with mostly dry weather during my stay, with a few afternoon thundershowers, that could be waited out in one of the many shelters.
I think it would probably be a good thing to try out different trails at different times of the day, to get a good range of birds.
Jens
temmie
Well-known member
I agree that all trails can be rewarding. Early morning and late afternoon, when daylight is fading, trails are very dark anyway so no need to rush early morning and access the trails as quickly as possible. Timpohon gate only opens at 7AM, when I was there.
The only good reason to go back up with a vehicle, is that walking a trail downhill is a bit more comfortable. In hindsight however, walking uphill makes you go slower and this way you probably don't rush too much, as patience is key. I also found the trogon in mid-afternoon, by sheer coincidence as I was looking at some Mountain Wren-babblers, when I suddenly saw a flash of red, high up and quite far behind the babblers. If it wasn't for the one species, I would have just walked passed the other...
The only good reason to go back up with a vehicle, is that walking a trail downhill is a bit more comfortable. In hindsight however, walking uphill makes you go slower and this way you probably don't rush too much, as patience is key. I also found the trogon in mid-afternoon, by sheer coincidence as I was looking at some Mountain Wren-babblers, when I suddenly saw a flash of red, high up and quite far behind the babblers. If it wasn't for the one species, I would have just walked passed the other...
Thank you all. I was out for a bit so could not reply. Jurek, I believe Larry was referring to the Kinangau HQ in his mentions of "Crocker Range". Rafflesia Reserve is east of this entrance. Not sure if doing both are necessary - I was leaning on only Rafflesia Reserve because it is closer to KK and unless I'm mistaken, can be accessed from accommodations in Tambunan as well.
kurakura, I've booked Kinabatangan Jungle Camp because the owner is a birder and it is cheaper than the upscale options I had mentioned.
kurakura, I've booked Kinabatangan Jungle Camp because the owner is a birder and it is cheaper than the upscale options I had mentioned.
Thanks all. I was out for a bit so could not reply. Jurek, I believe Larry was referring to the Kinangau HQ in his mentions of "Crocker Range". Rafflesia Reserve is east of this entrance. Not sure if doing both are necessary - I was leaning on only Rafflesia Reserve because it is closer to KK and unless I'm mistaken, can be accessed from accommodations in Tambunan as well.
kurakura, I've booked Kinabatangan Jungle Camp because the owner is a birder and it is cheaper than the upscale options I had mentioned.
kurakura, I've booked Kinabatangan Jungle Camp because the owner is a birder and it is cheaper than the upscale options I had mentioned.
Jason Bugay Reyes
Well-known member
There is new built accommodation at Gunung Alab Sub-station opposite the Gunung Alab restaurant on the main road. Need to walk uphill for few km to get to the Park. Managed by Sabah Parks.
The restaurant now also put up sign Motel for rent. So I think, they have renovated the old rooms etc.
More info Google for Sabah Parks
The restaurant now also put up sign Motel for rent. So I think, they have renovated the old rooms etc.
More info Google for Sabah Parks
Final itinerary
My final itinerary for Aug. Would really appreciate comments. I know I could have used a few more days but I am constrained by other commitments.
(1) KUL-SDK, Sepilok late afternoon. Night walk.
(2) 5.30 am - 8 am Sepilok. Proceed to Turtle Islands NP (overnight).
(3) Back to Sepilok at 9.30 am. Remaining day at RDC. Evening at towers for Bristlehead. Night walk.
(4) 5.30 am - 9 am Sepilok. Proceed to Kinabatangan Jungle Camp.
(5) Kinabatangan Jungle Camp
(6) Kinabatangan Jungle Camp. Gomantong Cave (afternoon)
(7) Kinabatangan Jungle Camp. Late am KJC-Lahad Datu. LD-DVFC (shuttle).
(8) DVFC
(9) DVFC
(10) DVFC
(11) DVFC
(12) DVFC. Afternoon DVFC-LD ($$$ charter, yuck!). LDU-BKI 5.30 pm. Drive rental car to Gunung Alab.
(13) All day Crocker Range (near Rafflesia Reserve & Gunung Alab). To Kundasang.
(14) Kinabalu NP
(15) Kinabalu NP
(16) Kinabalu NP
(17) Kinabalu NP. Leave mid morning. BKI-KUL afternoon.
My final itinerary for Aug. Would really appreciate comments. I know I could have used a few more days but I am constrained by other commitments.
(1) KUL-SDK, Sepilok late afternoon. Night walk.
(2) 5.30 am - 8 am Sepilok. Proceed to Turtle Islands NP (overnight).
(3) Back to Sepilok at 9.30 am. Remaining day at RDC. Evening at towers for Bristlehead. Night walk.
(4) 5.30 am - 9 am Sepilok. Proceed to Kinabatangan Jungle Camp.
(5) Kinabatangan Jungle Camp
(6) Kinabatangan Jungle Camp. Gomantong Cave (afternoon)
(7) Kinabatangan Jungle Camp. Late am KJC-Lahad Datu. LD-DVFC (shuttle).
(8) DVFC
(9) DVFC
(10) DVFC
(11) DVFC
(12) DVFC. Afternoon DVFC-LD ($$$ charter, yuck!). LDU-BKI 5.30 pm. Drive rental car to Gunung Alab.
(13) All day Crocker Range (near Rafflesia Reserve & Gunung Alab). To Kundasang.
(14) Kinabalu NP
(15) Kinabalu NP
(16) Kinabalu NP
(17) Kinabalu NP. Leave mid morning. BKI-KUL afternoon.
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Jason Bugay Reyes
Well-known member
If you do Sabah & Sarawak, 3 weeks would be good. If including Balikpapan for the Bornean Peacock Pheasant, that would be 4 weeks...
Chlidonias
Well-known member
if it is of any help for some last-minute reading, here are a couple of links to my reports.
From 2009, posts #72 to 90: http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=180538&page=3
From 2014, posts #454 to 479 (only Mt. Kinabalu and Sepilok on this trip): http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=262468&page=19
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