DIVE AND WILDLIFE

Tour Code: BTS DW1

Day 1

Arrive Kota Kinabalu. You will be met at the airport and transferred to your accommodation at the Sutera Harbour Resort - Magellan Wing.

Spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Day 2

Meet your guide in the hotel lobby for a morning tour (3 hours) of the city of Kota Kinabalu. The tour covers Signal Hill where you will get a bird's eye view of the city and the five offshore islands of the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park. Visit the Atkinson Clock Tower, the scenic Likas Wetland, Tun Mustapha (former Sabah Foundation) building, Kampong Likas, the University Malaysia Sabah, Sabah Museum and its unique ethno-botanical garden (closed Friday), Tanjung Aru beach, hawker stalls and Sembulan water village.

Drop off at your hotel prior to lunch. (Note that this tour could also be taken in the afternoon if you wish - please advise at the time of booking). Overnight at Sutera Harbour Resort - Magellan Wing. (B)

Day 3

Take the early morning flight from KK to Tawau. You will be met at the airport and transferred by coach to Semporna to connect with the boat transfer to the idyllic Kapalai Resort. You will arrive in time for lunch, and you should be able to get in at least one boat dive in the afternoon. There is no limit to the diving you can do around the resort (without a boat). (BLD)

Kapalai Dive Resort

Days 4 to 6

Enjoy three boat dives each day in the warm waters of the Celebes Sea (water temperature is constantly around 27 degrees C.) Dive areas include the famed Pulau Sipadan with its 600 metre sheer drop-off, the various dive areas around Kapalai itself, and also the variety of dive areas around nearby Mabul Island.

Includes full board and meals.

Chalet accommodation at Kapalai Dive Resort

DIVE PACKAGE INCLUDES

:

*Meet and land transfer from Tawau Airport to Private Jetty at Semporna (70 mins.) and return transfer.
*Boat transfer to Kapalai Island and return
*Accommodation on a twin/triple sharing basis on the Resort.
*3 boat dives daily except on arrival and departure days
*Unlimited dives in front of Kapalai dive centre
*Provide diving around Sipadan, Kapalai and Mabul.
*Fresh Food Cooked by Kapalai Chef in buffet style.
*Afternoon snacks served after 3rd dive.
*Tea/Coffee, Cold Water and Cordial served throughout the day.
*Tanks, Weight and Belt are provided.
*No extra charge for night dives in front of dive centre for advanced diver or diver with night dive experience
*Limited dive gear is available for rental.

Day 7

Morning transfer to Semporna and on to Tawau for your flight to Sandakan. On arrival in Sandakan you will be met at the airport and transferred to the Sabah Hotel. (BL)

Day 8

Morning transfer to Sandakan Jetty for 1 hour speedboat trip to Turtle Island (Pulau Selingan) which lies about 40km from Sandakan. Check into your chalet on arrival. You are then free at leisure to explore the idyllic island, swim and snorkel (Snorkelling gear is available for rent on the island). After dinner, wait for the signal from the Park Ranger, then proceed in small groups to watch the Green Turtles lay eggs on the beach. You will also be able to view the transplanting of eggs to hatchery and the release of the baby turtles to the sea. This island has been a Conservation area since 1977, and turtles are found nesting here every night throughout the year. Overnight in twin share chalet. (BLD)

Note that the photographing of turtles are strictly prohibited between 18.00 hours and 06.00 hours.

Day 9

Return to Sandakan by boat. Proceed to Sepilok Orang-Utan Rehabilitation Centre for an audio-visual presentation in the Centre's theatrette. Walk about ten minutes through the rainforest on timber board walks to witness the feeding of the orang-utans. Watch these famous apes arrive for the morning feed at 10.00 hours, and their antics as they interact with each other while taking their fill of bananas. Return to Sandakan for a light lunch then on to Sandakan jetty for a boat trip to Sukau Rainforest Lodge, travelling along Sabah's longest river, the Kinabatangan River, with opportunity to view birds and wildlife in virgin mangrove, wetland and rainforest habitats. In the late afternoon, take a river cruise using boats powered by electric motors, in search of some of the 10 primate species, including Proboscis monkeys, as they settle down on treetops along the Kinabatangan River and its tributaries.

Return to the Lodge for a solar heated hot shower, candle light dinner and a slide show conducted by a naturalist guide. Overnight at Sukau Rainforest Lodge. (BLD)

Please note that Sukau Rainforest Lodge will be undergoing extensive renovations to upgrade all its facilities from 01 January 2010 through to 31 March 2010. During this period, only half the rooms at Sukau will be operational, while all other sectors of operations will run as usual. We ask for your understanding during this period. Disturbance to guests will be limited as most building material will be prefabricated at the factory for easy assembly on site.

The new Sukau Rainforest Lodge will offer guests added facilities which will enhance their jungle experience

Birdlife is especially rich here including eight species of hornbills, kingfishers, egrets, darters, owls, kites, eagles, broadbills, doves, storm storks, herons, hawks, ospreys, falcon, pheasants, parakeets, bee eaters, woodpeckers, pittas, bulbuls, forktails, babblers, warblers, flycatchers, orioles, flowerpeckers, spiderhunters, among others.

Day 10

Wake up to the calls of gibbons and hornbills. A river cruise up the Kinabatangan River departs the lodge at 06.00hrs. View more birds including the Hornbill and Kingfishers, and other wildlife. The area is also known for its herd of Asian elephant. Proceed to the Kelenanap Ox-bow Lake for a short jungle walk (if weather permits). Experience the wilderness of Borneo.

In the afternoon, head off on another river cruise in search of the ubiquitous wildlife in the area. Orang-utan are often seen preparing their nests in the trees for the night. After dinner an optional (at a surcharge) night safari cruise spotting nocturnal animals, crocodiles and birds. Overnight at Sukau Rainforest Lodge. (BLD)

Day 11

After breakfast, return to Sandakan by boat journey. You will be served a light lunch before proceed on a short tour of Sandakan, including the Australian War Memorial at the World War II Prisoner of War Camp. Transfer to airport for late afternoon flight to Kota Kinabalu.

You will be met at the airport and transferred to Sutera Harbour Resort - Magellan Wing for the night.(BL)

Day 12

At leisure until your transfer to the airport for your departure flight to your next destination.(B)

Prices:

Tour Code	Itinerary	Duration	Inclusions	Joining Point	1 person	2 people	3 people
BTSDW1	Diving & Wildlife	12 days/11 nights	Transfers, internal flights, Accommodation, Diving, meals indicated	Kota Kinabalu	$5335	$3145	$3085

Prices per person in Australian Dollars and valid to 31 December 2010

Accommodation is based on resorts and lodges indicated in the itinerary. Other accommodation options are available in KK and Sandakan if required.

Tour prices based on twin share or triple share (in the case of three people). Single supplement will apply if separate rooms are required.

Note that Turtle Island is often booked out months in advance - particularly during the peak period of June to September. While every endeavour will be made to secure accommodation at Turtle Island, this cannot be guaranteed. Sukau Rainforest Lodge is similarly popular, and may also be booked out well in advance.

Note that a non-refundable deposit of $A100 per person (twin share) is required at the time of booking this trip.

High Season Rates apply to accommodation at Magellan Sutera Resort during Easter, July/August, first week of October, December/January and Chinese New Year, and Sukau Rainforest Lodge during July and August - please contact us for details. Additional photographs on this page are courtesy of Penny Favilla, Phil Youdale, Katie Seeger, Kapalai Resort and Sutera Harbour Resort.