Borneo, the world’s third-largest island, is one of our planet’s most biodiverse avian areas with over 50 island endemics found across pristine dipterocarp forests, montane cloud forests, riverine habitats, and also mangrove swamps. On this small-group Bird-Photo-Tour to the East Malaysian State of Sabah on the Island of Borneo, we will aim to setup close photographic encounters with some stunning families of birds including Pittas / Trogons / Kingfishers / Pheasants / Partridges / Hornbills / Broadbills / Bee-eaters / Owls / Frogmouths / Thrushes / Sunbirds / Barbets / Woodpeckers and Bulbuls.
Broadbills: Whitehead’s Broadbill / Black-and-Yellow Broadbill / Black-and-Red Broadbill
Kingfishers: Borneo Banded Kingfisher / Blue-eared Kingfisher / Stork-billed Kingfisher / Rufous-collar Kingfisher
Partridges: Crimson-headed Partridge / Red-breasted Partridge / Crested Partridge
Pheasants: Bulwer's Pheasant / Borneo Peacock Pheasant / Bornean Crested Fireback
Hornbills & Frogmouths: Large Frogmouth / Bornean Frogmouth / Blyth's Frogmouth / Rhinoceros Hornbill / White-crowned Hornbill / Wrinkled Hornbill
Pittas & Trogons: Blue-banded Pitta / Blue-headed Pitta / Black-crowned Pitta / Whitehead’s Trogon / Diard’s Trogon / Red-naped Trogon
Guiding Fees / Ground Transportation / Accommodation / Meals / Entrance Fees / Tipping for Drivers, Boatsmen, Hotel and Restaurant Staff.
International Flights / VISA Fees / Travel Insurance / Tips for Local Guide / Alcohol / Laundry / Items of a Personal Nature
Day 1 Kota Kinabalu District [1N / 0D, 1S]. Arrive in Kota Kinabalu for one afternoon photo session. Photographic Targets: Blue-naped Parrot / Javan Sparrow / Western Hooded Pitta.
Days 2-4 Tambunan District [2N / 1D / 4S]. Drive 2-hours to Tambunan District. Photographic targets: Crimson-headed Partridge / Red-breasted Partridge / Bulwer’s Pheasant / Orange-headed Thrush / Bornean Banded Pitta / Crested Partridge.
Day 4-7 Ranau District [3N / 2D / 6S]. Drive 2-hours to Ranau District. Photographic Targets: Whitehead’s Trogon / Whitehead’s Broadbill / Whitehead’s Spiderhunter / Bornean Treepie / Everett’s Thrush / Mountain Black-eye / Fruit-hunter / Golden-naped Barbet / Pale-faced Bulbul / Bornean Green Magpie / Indigo Flycatcher.
Days 7-9 Beluran District [2N / 1D / 4S]. Drive 2-hours to Beluran District. Photographic Targets: Bornean Peacock-Pheasant / Bornean Crested Fireback.
Days 9-12 Sandakan District [3N / 2D / 6S]. Drive 2-hours to Sandakan District. Photographic Targets: Black-and-Yellow Broadbill / Diard’s Trogon / Red-naped Trogon / Rufous-collar Kingfisher / Rufous-backed Kingfisher / Black-crowned Pitta.
Days 12-14 Kinabatangan District [2N / 1D / 4S]. Drive 2-hours to Kinabatangan District. Photographic Targets: Rhinoceros Hornbill / White-crowned Hornbill / Wrinkled Hornbill / Storm’s Stork / Large Frogmouth / Oriental Bay Owl / Blue-eared Kingfisher / Stork-billed Kingfisher.
Days 14-16 Tawau District [2N / 1D / 3S]. Drive 4-hours to Tawau District. Photographic Targets: Blue-banded Pitta / Blue-headed Pitta / Banded Kingfisher.
Day 17 Kota Kinabalu District [0N / 0D / 0S]. Depart Tawau Airport for flight to Kota Kinabalu or Kuala Lumpur.
[Key: N: Night / D: Full Day / Session: Half-Day]
Originally from Madagascar, Nicolas "Nico" has been based in Australia for the past 15 years, where he studied Ecology and Conservation Biology while developing a diverse career in wildlife and bird photography. Nico has extensive experience photographing birds in regions such as Borneo (Sabah) and Sri Lanka and loves travelling to new places to capture their avian diversity. He enjoys sharing his decades of knowledge with fellow photographers and nature enthusiasts, whether technical, field or editing skills. His nature and conservation photographs have been featured in various media outlets and magazines, further showcasing his expertise. In 2022, Nico was accepted as an Associate Fellow of the International League of Conservation Photographers (iLCP) for his conservation photography and film-making work. Recently, he filmed wildlife sequences for National Geographic and has contributed to numerous productions over the past decade. His dedication to bird photography, conservation, and visual storytelling remains central to his work.
(i) The guesthouses are all in close proximity to the bird photography locations (ii) Walking is at a light pace (iii) There is no requirement to hike nor climb. (iv) None of the locations are at altitude (v) There is no camping.