Journey Through the Kimberley

Selamat datang – welcome to Malaysia! Your family adventure starts in Kota Kinabalu, the vibrant capital of Sabah, set between lush Borneo rainforest and the sparkling South China Sea. Meet your local leader and fellow travellers at a welcome meeting at 5 pm at the hotel. Afterwards, you might like to visit the lively waterfront market, where the aroma of freshly grilled seafood and local dishes fills the air. Arriving early? Discover Sabah’s rich heritage at the Sabah State Museum or take a trip to the nearby islands, perfect for swimming, snorkelling and soaking up the tropical scenery.

1. It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information for each member of your family. If you are going to be late, please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.

This morning, head to Tanjung Aru Beach for a stand-up paddleboarding adventure. Glide across the calm waters, discover hidden corners of the coastline and take in the stunning scenery while your guide shares insights into the area’s colourful marine life. Afterwards, enjoy free time with your family to explore Kota Kinabalu however you like. You could browse the lively local markets or visit the picturesque waterfront Kota Kinabalu City Mosque.

After breakfast, journey to Poring Hot Springs and enjoy a scenic walk through the rainforest canopy. Along the way, admire towering bamboo groves and learn about the sulphur hot springs, originally developed by the Japanese during World War II. Once at the springs, cool off in the natural rock pools, race down the slippery rockslides – a hit with kids – or relax in the warm mineral-rich waters flowing into tiled bathing pools. This evening, settle into your unique accommodation – a reconstructed longhouse nestled within a peaceful tea plantation.

Poring Hot Springs & Canopy Walkway – Entry to the hot spring pools is optional, with several different pools available to suit all ages. Parents and older children may prefer relaxing in the warm mineral pools, while younger travellers often love the slide pool. You can decide which experience suits you best on the day.

Slide Pool Maintenance – Please note that the slide pools at Poring Hot Springs are closed every Monday for routine cleaning and maintenance.

Canopy Walkway Closure – The Poring Canopy Walkway has been closed for major maintenance since 30 July 2025 and will remain closed until further notice.
If travelling on a Monday or during periods when the Canopy Walkway is unavailable, your tour leader will arrange alternative activities. Options may include visiting Kipungit Waterfall, exploring the Butterfly Garden or unwinding in the open-air hot spring pools for up to three hours.

Tonight’s accommodation is in traditional longhouse-style twin or triple-share rooms, equipped with fans and shared bathroom facilities.

Travel by private bus to Kampung Batu Puteh, a small riverside village along the Kinabatangan River. Here, you’ll be welcomed by the team from KOPEL – a community-led conservation organisation dedicated to creating sustainable livelihoods through rainforest protection and reforestation projects. Learn about their inspiring work restoring degraded forest areas before boarding a boat and travelling upriver to your jungle accommodation. Later this afternoon, set out on a relaxing sunset river cruise in search of local wildlife, including macaques, proboscis monkeys and perhaps even wild orangutans. Afterwards, return to your jungle camp beside a peaceful oxbow lake, enjoy dinner and drift off to the sounds of the rainforest and singing cicadas.

Today’s travel time will be approximately five hours.
You’ll pack a small overnight bag for your two-night stay at the jungle camp, while your main luggage will be securely stored at the KOPEL office.
For selected departures throughout the year, accommodation arrangements may vary due to availability, with one night spent at the Eco Camp and one night in the village in rooms with private bathrooms.

Tonight, experience life deep in the rainforest in a simple jungle hut with basic facilities, including mosquito nets and cold-water bathing. To minimise disturbance to the surrounding wildlife, the camp operates using solar-powered electricity only. A torch, insect repellent and rain jacket are highly recommended. Boots and leech socks are also available to rent for the optional jungle night walk.

Wake up to the sounds of the rainforest and enjoy breakfast surrounded by nature. This morning, travel upriver to the local village, where you’ll learn more about the traditions and daily life of the community. Later, roll up your sleeves for a hands-on traditional cooking class and enjoy the delicious dishes you help prepare for lunch. Spend the afternoon at leisure – relax at camp, play board games or continue spotting wildlife around the jungle surroundings. Later, head back onto the river for another scenic wildlife cruise. After dinner, grab your headtorches and venture into the jungle on a night walk in search of fascinating nocturnal creatures hidden within the rainforest.

Say goodbye to your Eco Camp and drive to Sandakan and visit the Sandakan War Memorial. When you arrive, you’ll notice the strong Cantonese influence, seen in the lively harborside market, the many Chinese temples and the local cuisine. You’ll have some free time to catch up on laundry, bank runs, lunch – or just go and explore at your own pace! This afternoon, why not just chill out at the pool?

Leave your main luggage at the hotel before boarding a speedboat to Turtle Island. Cruise past traditional fishing villages and bamboo fish traps as you make your way to Turtle Island Marine Park. Once there, enjoy free time to embrace island life – relax on the beach, swim in the crystal-clear waters or explore the vibrant underwater world beneath the surface.

Later tonight, experience one of Borneo’s most unforgettable wildlife encounters as giant green turtles emerge from the sea to lay their eggs beneath the moonlight. You may also witness local conservation researchers releasing protected hatchlings as they make their first journey towards the ocean. This is a truly special experience for the whole family, but it’s important to remember that the island is a fragile environment, so all instructions from your leader and park rangers must be carefully followed to help protect the turtles.

Tonight, stay on the island in simple accommodation, adding to the authenticity and magic of this unique experience.

Please note that tonight could be a late one for younger travellers, as the turtles sometimes don’t come ashore until after 10 pm. While waiting for the rangers to call your group, families will stay together in the dining hall. Bringing cards, games, drawing materials or other quiet activities is recommended to help keep children entertained.
Artificial light can affect the natural behaviour of nesting turtles and newly hatched babies. To help protect this delicate environment, all visitors are asked to carefully follow the guidance provided by the park rangers throughout the experience.

Borneo’s monsoon season runs from November to February, and sea conditions during the journey to Turtle Island can occasionally become rough. In rare cases, the itinerary may need to change if weather conditions make the boat transfer unsafe or if departures are cancelled.

This morning, return to the mainland and get ready to meet one of Borneo’s most iconic residents – the orangutans. Travel by minibus to the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, established to help orphaned and previously domesticated orangutans return to life in the wild. From the viewing platform, watch these incredible animals swing through the trees as they arrive for their supplementary feeding of fruit, vegetables and milk, provided twice daily. You’ll also visit the nursery area, where young orangutans learn essential climbing skills on a specially designed jungle playground.
Afterwards, continue to the Sun Bear Conservation Centre to see rescued sun bears and learn more about the efforts being made to protect them. Later, return to your accommodation for some free time.

Tonight, you may like to gather the family and enjoy a final dinner with your group – the perfect way to celebrate an unforgettable Borneo adventure together.

With no activities planned for today, you and your family are free to depart the accommodation at any time following check-out. If you’d like to extend your stay, just get in touch with your booking agent ahead of time.