simmojunior
Well-known member
After my big trip to New Zealand, the Subantarctic and the Philippines at Christmas, I had planned to save my little remaining leave for something (probably in Europe) in the summer.
However, I found it impossible to resist the opportunity of taking advantage of already being in Singapore on a week's work trip and took the week off after to visit Borneo. After seeking and receiving very helpful advice, I decided on 2 nights in Sepilok, 2 in the Kinabatangan and 3 in Mount Kinabalu National Park as the best way of using my limited time.
The trip was hugely successful as I managed 189 species in the week and 89 lifers. I managed a further five lifers in the week before in Singapore, all species which I later saw again in Borneo.
I did not use guides, except at the Kinabatangan Jungle Camp where I was fortunate to be able to use the superb Romzi for half my stay due to their being few other guests. However, I would not recommend staying there despite the birding due to their determination to charge extra for seemingly everything and the lack of things to do between the very spaced out boat trips (6.30-8am & 4-6pm). I stayed at Sepilok Forest Edge Resort, which was nice but a bit far from the excellent Rainforest Discovery Centre, and J Residence at Mount Kinabalu. The latter is highly recommended as is excellent value, clean, comfortable and well situated near the park entrance. I got around largely by taxi or walking but took a public bus from near KJC (I got dropped off at some junction) to Mount Kinabalu that worked quite well.
Day by day reports to follow.
However, I found it impossible to resist the opportunity of taking advantage of already being in Singapore on a week's work trip and took the week off after to visit Borneo. After seeking and receiving very helpful advice, I decided on 2 nights in Sepilok, 2 in the Kinabatangan and 3 in Mount Kinabalu National Park as the best way of using my limited time.
The trip was hugely successful as I managed 189 species in the week and 89 lifers. I managed a further five lifers in the week before in Singapore, all species which I later saw again in Borneo.
I did not use guides, except at the Kinabatangan Jungle Camp where I was fortunate to be able to use the superb Romzi for half my stay due to their being few other guests. However, I would not recommend staying there despite the birding due to their determination to charge extra for seemingly everything and the lack of things to do between the very spaced out boat trips (6.30-8am & 4-6pm). I stayed at Sepilok Forest Edge Resort, which was nice but a bit far from the excellent Rainforest Discovery Centre, and J Residence at Mount Kinabalu. The latter is highly recommended as is excellent value, clean, comfortable and well situated near the park entrance. I got around largely by taxi or walking but took a public bus from near KJC (I got dropped off at some junction) to Mount Kinabalu that worked quite well.
Day by day reports to follow.