Borneo, the world's third-largest island, harbors some of the oldest and tallest rainforests on Earth. And they hold a trove of fascinating wildlife species that will delight nature photographers. Sheltered beneath their dense canopies are jungle rivers, waterfalls and a host of unique creatures that leap, dart and crawl in the emerald depths. Endangered orangutans thrive in the lush vegetation, sharing branches and vines with leaf monkeys, wild gibbons, flying lemurs and more than 300 vibrant bird species. Rare proboscis monkeys are at home in coastal mangroves where hornbills and sea eagles soar above. In the forest beneath Mount Kinabalu's prominent peaks, pygmy elephants lumber through the underbrush while monitor lizards sunbathe on the banks of the Kinabatangan River. Alongside our Expedition Leader, learn to spot wildlife and get expert personalized coaching on how to capture memorable shots in the tropical forest.
Trip Highlights
Close-Up Orangutan Photography
Photograph wild orangutans living freely in the rainforest, and get close shots on visits to two different orangutan conservation and rehabilitation centers
Private Tour of Sun Bear Rehabilitation Center
With a guided look behind the scenes, hear the inspiring success story of how the world’s smallest bear was brought back from the brink of extinction
Photograph Tropical Rainforest Wildlife
In the depths of the Danum Valley, seek photos of proboscis monkeys, gibbons and the rare slow loris, plus pygmy elephants along the Kinabatangan River
Borneo's Best Wildlife Photo Safari—Here's Why!
Our multifaceted itinerary maximizes your chances to capture exciting images of Borneo's diverse and endangered wildlife. Read about what makes this experience so distinctive:
More Diverse Wildlife Viewing in Widely Varied Settings
This is a comprehensive nature survey of Borneo, encompassing diverse ecosystems: the lowland jungle sanctuaries of Sepilok, Semenggoh and Kinabatangan, mangroves in Bako National Park, and virgin rainforest in the Danum Valley. We explore from sunrise to nightfall in these contrasting locales, searching for the endangered orangutan, pygmy elephant, Bornean bearded pig, smooth-coated otter, long- and pig-tailed macaques, monitor lizard, proboscis monkey, rhinoceros hornbill, silvered leaf monkey, numerous tropical bird species, and an array of nocturnal creatures.Photograph Orangutans at Two Different Sanctuaries & in the Wild
A chance to photograph orangutans is a big reason for coming to Borneo. In addition to opportunities to capture images of them in the wild along the Kinabatangan River and from our remote ecolodges, we ensure you get shots at the Sepilok and Semenggoh nature reserves. Semenggoh focuses on the study of orangutan biology and behavior while providing a safe and natural haven for dozens of semi-wild orangutans that are graduates of its original rehabilitation program.Private Guided Tour of the Bornean Sun Bear Center
An inspiring conservation success story, the center provides care, rehabilitation and release of orphaned and captive Malayan sun bears. Its mission is also to increase awareness about the plight of this little-known endangered bear, the world's smallest. We have a private tour of the center either with founder Dr. Wong Siew Te or one of his close conservation colleagues.Photography Within One of the World's Oldest & Tallest Rainforests
The Danum Valley is a special inclusion on our adventure—to truly experience the primeval biodiversity of Borneo's deepest rainforest recesses, the Danum Valley is an essential stop—and not all itineraries include it. It's home to a stunning array of unique creatures, which we look for with our expert naturalist guide.Capture Images of Bats Emerging rom Gomantong Caves
Not included on typical Borneo itineraries, Gomantong Caves beckons the nature photographer with its resident orangutan troop and nightly mass exodus of bats at dusk, accompanied by the feeding frenzy of birds of prey from eye level as the bats take flight.A Small Group Ensures Better Photo Prospects
Wildlife encounters happen most meaningfully in an intimate context. Our Photo Expeditions are limited to just nine guests, facilitating a quiet, low-impact experience.Internal Flights Enhance Comfort & Offer More Time with Wildlife
Rather than subject you to long, winding, often bumpy drives, we use air transfers for comfort and efficiency. Two internal flights get you between destinations faster, giving you more time to photograph nature and wildlife.From Riverside to Rainforest, Stay Closer to Borneo's Wildlife
Our accommodations are selected for their quality, atmosphere and secluded locations, getting you as close as possible to nature in the most comfortable settings. From our eco-resort near an orangutan sanctuary to a remote ecolodge on the Kinabatangan River and our lodge in Danum Valley that overlooks primary growth rainforest, you are immersed in wild Borneo.Travel with a Top Photo Expedition Leader Plus Local Guides
Benefit from the experience of our professional photographer Expedition Leader, an expert naturalist guide and wildlife tracker who helps you spot elusive animals in the dense rainforest—and get the best possible photos of them! No matter your ability level, you'll get personalized photography tips and techniques for challenging rainforest conditions as you shoot alongside your expert guide. Our Nat Hab Expedition Leaders also receive special training and resources provided by WWF scientists. They are assisted by Borneo’s best local guides during each segment of our trip. See Expedition Leader bios and traveler comments regarding the quality of our leaders.Our Quality-Value Guarantee Ensures You’ll Have an Outstanding Photo Safari
With Natural Habitat Adventures, you receive our exclusive guarantee, which clearly states that we will meet the high expectations we set forth in our promotional materials. To our knowledge, this is the most ambitious guarantee made by any adventure travel company. Read our important promise.Feel Good About Your Carbon-Neutral Journey
We care deeply about our planet, as we know you do. When you travel with us, the carbon emissions from your trip are 100% offset—including your round-trip flights from home. Natural Habitat Adventures has been the world’s first carbon-neutral travel company since 2007.Natural Habitat Adventures is WWF’s Travel Partner
Because of our commitment to environmentally friendly travel, as well as the exceptional quality of our small-group nature adventures, World Wildlife Fund, the world’s leading environmental conservation organization, has named Natural Habitat Adventures its worldwide travel partner—a designation that makes us exceedingly proud!
