Borneo: Red Ape Encounter
With Houston Zoological Society
12 days and 11 nights
July 18 - 29, 2009

Well known as the Land Below the Wind and also Land of the Sacred Mountain, Sabah on the island of Borneo, is a land of varied landscapes and natural wonders. Borneo is also the home of many National Parks and an abundance of tropical widllife and nature. Our itineraries take us on a journey covering local cultures, a World Heritage Site, the base of the highest mountain in Southeast Asia, and a trip upon the Kinabatangan River ; one of Borneo's longest and most majestic rivers. The river and its surrounding rainforest wetlands make up one of the richest ecosystems on the planet. We end with a few days on Lankayan Island, where Sea Turtles share the beach with us and the waters are teeming with tropical life. From our beginnings on Mount Kinabalu, to the Kinabatangan River to the Sulu Sea, we will travel across the north-eastern region of Malysian Borneo. Our trip will offer us an opportunity to visit the Sepilok Orangutan Centre where these primates are rehabilitated for future release programs, and from there on to the village of Sukau, home of the Kinabatangan Orangutan and Elephant Conservation Programs. While in Sukau, we will travel with local staff to look for Elephants and view Orag-utans, Proboscis Monkeys, Hornbills and many other widllife species using the river as our highway.

This is an Ecotour that will make a difference to you, and to the areas we visit.
We will make a contribution to the Red Ape Encounters Community-based Ecotourism Project.
We will employ local people.
We will use locally owned and operated lodges and outfitters.
We will use local goods and services.

Detailed Itinerary for Houston Zoo sponsored trip

Day 1: Saturday 18th July. Departure from USA
Today you fly from home to Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia crossing the International Dateline en route.
(D)

Day 2: Sunday 19th July. In flight
We crossed the International Dateline and continue our flight into Kota Kinabalu. All meals in flight.
(B,L,D)

Day 3: Monday 20th July. Kota Kinabalu
Today we arrive into Kota Kinabalu. Upon arrival into Kota Kinabalu we are met by our guide from Red Ape Encounters, a community-based Orang-utan ecotourism project. We drive just ten minutes to our luxury lodgings at the Shangri-La Tanjung Aru Resort Hotel located directly on the South China Sea for an overnight stay. Guestrooms are decorated in traditional Borneo textures and colors and offer balconies with views of the gardens, sea and outlying islands. Resort amenities include seven restaurants and bars, health club, spa, nine-hole pitch and putt golf course, tennis and two swimming pools. The afternoon and evening is at leisure to recover from jetlag.
Overnight at Shangri-La Tanjung Aru Resort Hotel (B,L,D)

Day 4: Tuesday 21st July. Kota Kinabalu / Sepilok
After breakfast we will begin our drive across the northern portion of the island to Sepilok in Sandakan district, located on the east coast of Sabah. We will stop for lunch along the way at the base of Mount Kinabalu and take some time to stretch our legs on a guided trail. Mount Kinabalu is the highest mountain in Southeast Asia and is famous for its diversity of pitcher plants and orchids. After our walk we will continue our trip to Sandakan, gateway to Sabah's amazing wildlife. We will be staying within walking distance of the Sepilok Orang-utan Rehabilitation Centre at the Sepilok Nature Resort. After dinner we will go on a guided night walk in the Sepilok forest.
Overnight at Sepilok Nature Resort (B,L,D)

Day 5: Wednesday 22nd July. Sepilok Orang-utan Rehabilitation Centre
After breakfast, we proceed for Sepilok Orang-utan Rehabilitation Centre. The centre is an initiative of the Sabah Wildlife Department to rehabilitate and train young Orang-utans to survive again in the wild. Visitors view these red apes during their feeding time from an observation platform followed by audio visual presentation of the rehabilitation initiatives. Observe the difference of rehabilitated Orang-utans and wild ones in the lower Kinabatangan forest. We plan to attend both the morning and afternoon feedings here at the Centre. Immediately after the afternoon feeding we will depart for the Kinabatangan River, a two-hour drive, and then transfer by boat to our lodge on the banks of the Kinabatangan River
Overnight at Kinabatangan River Lodge (B,L,D)

Day 6: Thursday 23rd July. Sukau, Kinabatangan River
Sukau is a village situated along the lower reaches of Sabah's longest river, the Kinabatangan River. The lower Kinabatangan is the last remaining large tract of wetlands in Malaysia which has enormous wildlife diversity including a number of species endemic to the island of Borneo such as the Orang-utan, Proboscis monkey and Bornean "Pygmy" elephant. During our stay in Sukau, we will be visiting the recently protected 26,000 hectare Lower Kinabatangan Conservation Area, a region where both the Houston Zoo and Cleveland Zoo are working closely with local conservation organizations to protect orang-utans and elephants. Our program in Sukau will be learning about conservation initiatives on orang-utans and becoming part of the conservation effort.

We plan to go on boat cruises up and down the Kinabatangan River looking for wildlife including Orang-utans, Proboscis Monkeys and much more. In the evening we will present a slideshow on the orang-utan research, conservation, community involvement and overview of Kinabatangan ecology.
Overnight at Kinabatangan River Lodge (B,L,D)

Day 7: Friday 24th July. Full day at Orang-utan study site with Red Ape Encounters
Today we depart early on a boat to the Orang-utan study site. Off-limits to regular tourists, our support of Red Ape Encounters assures us of a behind-the-scenes visit, it provides unprecedented access to forest where only researchers are normally allowed. Orang-utans are endemic to Borneo and Sumatra and this is one of the few remaining study sites of wild Orang-utans. The site is situated in the Lower Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary. Meet with Research Officers in the field, join their research activities to understand and observe the behavior of these wild red apes. You will also learn more conservation initiatives underway to protect and conserve the species and their habitat. We will return to lodge for lunch.

Late this afternoon we will drive to Gomantong Cave, which is famous for it's large colonies of insectivorous bats and swiftlets. For centuries, the caves have been renowned for their valuable edible swiftlet nests which are harvested for bird's nest soup. The bird's nest collection is an ancient tradition and the trading of these nests has been done since at least 500AD. Twice a year, from February to April and July to September, locals with licenses climb to the roof of the caves, using only rattan ladders, ropes and bamboo poles, and collect the nests. The first collection takes place early in the breeding season before the swiftlets lay their eggs. The birds then make another nest in which they lay their eggs. If we are lucky our visit should coincide with the daily exodus of bats from within the cave out to feed over the forest and river system - a truly incredible spectacle. After dinner, we go on a night cruise to look for nocturnal animals, along the banks of the Kinbatangan River.
Overnight at Kinabatangan River Lodge (B,L,D)

Day 8: Saturday 25th July. Sukau - Kinabatangan River
We will cruise in the morning to an oxbow lake. An oxbow lake is like a crescent shaped lake lying alongside the Kinabatangan River. This lake was created over time and separated from the main river as erosion and deposits of soil changed the river's course. This lake is one of the best places to go bird watching and sometimes, wild orang utans are spotted in this quiet and serene lake. The lake is also important as a breeding ground for fresh water fish.

Later in the morning, we tour the village of Sukau - this is an opportunity to learn about the culture of the "Orang Sungai" (River People) of Kinabatangan. In the late afternoon, we will go on a river cruise until sunset. This is the time when wildlife is at its most active behavior. Aboard your river boat, you will cruise with your nature guide to search for the proboscis monkeys, snakes, birds and many others. This is an awesome encounter, we simply dock at the rivers edge to watch their peculiar behavior. On a fine weather, the day is usually complimented with a beautiful sunset.

Tonight there will be a BBQ dinner (if weather permits) and cultural performance.
Overnight at Kinabatangan River Lodge (B,L,D)

Day 9: Sunday 26th July. Kinabatangan River to Lankayan Island
At 7am after breakfast we leave for Sandakan to catch a boat to Lankayan Island. Lankayan Island is a much acclaimed tropical island offering everything from great beaches to fantastic snorkel and dive sites - indeed the island boasts more than 30 dive sites including two wrecks! Lankayan Island has been declared part of an immense Marine Protected Area, and is situated within the "Sea Turtle Corridor" - indeed Lankayan is a nesting and foraging ground for several species of Sea Turtles including most commonly the Green Sea Turtle and the Hawksbill Sea Turtle. We spend a couple of days here to explore the island, swim, dive or snorkel.
Overnight at Lankayan Island Resort(B,L,D)

Day 10: Monday 27th July. Lankayan Island
We have a whole day to explore the island, look for Sea Turtles, swim, dive snorkel or just relax!
Overnight at Lankayan Island (B,L,D)

Day 11: Tuesday 28th July. Lankayan Island to Kota Kinabalu
This morning we must leave our tropical paradise, and take a boat back to Sandakan. We have time for a short city tour of Sandakan before our flight back to Kota Kinabalu. At Kota Kinabalu we transfer back to the Shangri-La Tanjung Aru Resort where we began our trip and which sits on 25 acres of lushly landscaped gardens, 10 minutes away from the airport and city centre. We enjoy our Farewell Dinner this evening in the hotel.
Overnight at Shangri-La's Tanjung Aru Resort (B,L,D)

Day 12: Wednesday 29th July. Kota Kinabalu to Houston
This morning we board our flights back to Houston and cross the International Dateline enroute home.
(B,L,D)

Price Includes:

• Activities and excursions as stated
• Specialised nature guide
• 2 nights at Shangri-La's Tanjung Aru Resort, Kota Kinabalu - first and last night.
• 1 nights accommodation at Sepilok Nature Lodge.
• 4 nights accommodation at a lodge in Sukau.
• 2 nights accommodation on Lankayan Island.
• Entrance fees to Kinabalu National Park, Gomantong Cave, Sepilok Orang-Utan Rehabilitation Centre, Lower Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary.
• Conservation fee for the Orang-utan study site.
• Transportation (land, river).
• Meals as indicated.

Not included:

• International airfare
• Camera fees where required
• Anything else not stated above

International Air Travel - International air is not included in the price of your trip, but we would be happy to have you work with AirTreks, our preferred preferred provider of international air arrangements. We recommend our customers work directly with AirTreks as they coordinate your international flights directly with Ecotours and enable you to arrive at your destination at the times specified for your tour. Please contact AirTreks at ecotours@airtreks.com for more information on international air travel, a no obligation cost estimate of your international flights and complete international air itinerary planning.
“Make sure to mention Terra Incognita Ecotours when you contact AirTreks to receive preferred pricing, and recommended travel itineraries specifically developed for your tour.”

Travel Information

Thanks for choosing Borneo with Terra Incognita Ecotours, Inc. It is our pleasure to help you plan for your upcoming ecotour. To ensure that your travel arrangements are made to your satisfaction, please take a few minutes to read through this information.

What you need to have with you on your trip:
Passport: If you are a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you will need a passport, valid for six months from the date of completion of your trip.

It is always a good idea to make a photocopy of your airline tickets and of the pages of your passport that have the number, your photograph and other pertinent information. Keep the copies separate from the originals.

Visas: Please consult the Borneo consulate or embassy nearest you for visa requirements to enter Borneo. If a visa is required, you are responsible for obtaining it.

Documents for children under the age of 18, not traveling with both parents: The U.S. government is increasingly requiring that minors under 18 years of age traveling alone, with grandparents, or with one parent/legal guardian only, carry a notarized document signed by both parents or by the parent/legal guardian not traveling with the child. We suggest you obtain such a document (noting the age of the child, relationship to traveling adult(s), dates of travel, and destination) to avoid potential problems. For example, in the case of divorce, the parent with legal custody must sign the permit, and the accompanying adult must carry proof of this fact. In addition, if the child’s surname differs from that of either parent, you may want to carry the child’s birth certificate.

Emergency Contact number while on your ecotour:
Call COLLECT (813) 476-2810

Practical Information

Borneo (administratively divided between Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei) is the third largest island in the World. It has an area of 743,330 km² (287,000 square miles), and is located at the centre of the Malay archipelago and Indonesia. Borneo is considered to be part of the geographic region of Southeast Asia. Borneo is in fact only a western reference and the term is rarely used locally; the name Borneo itself was only given by the Dutch during their colonial period. In Indonesia, the island is always referred to as Kalimantan while in Malaysia the northern section is referred to as East Malaysia, as opposed to western reference of Malaysian Borneo.

Currency: The currency of Borneo, where we will be visiting is the Malaysia Ringitt (MYR). The exchange rate as of January 2007 was 1 US$ = 3.51 MYR. Major credit cards are generally accepted at hotels and larger stores. U.S. dollars are accepted in Borneo, so we suggest you carry U.S. currency in small denominations for smaller purchases such as taxis, refreshments or miscellaneous expenses.

Health: All information we obtain regarding health precautions is received from the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta at 404.332.4559 or www.cdc.gov.

Please note that Terra Incognita Ecotours, Inc., as a travel company, is in no way authorized to prescribe any inoculations or medications. We recommend that you consult your personal physician for medical advice, showing him or her the brochure that indicates the places you will be visiting. Your physician is most familiar with your personal medical history and is best qualified to determine your particular needs. It is always advisable to have physical and dental check-ups before you leave.

At the present time, no specific immunizations are required for this ecotour, although the CDC recommends the following:

• Hepatitis A or immune globulin (IG). Transmission of hepatitis A virus can occur through direct person-to-person contact; through exposure to contaminated water, ice, or shellfish harvested in contaminated water; or from fruits, vegetables, or other foods that are eaten uncooked and that were contaminated during harvesting or subsequent handling.
• Hepatitis B, especially if you might be exposed to blood or body fluids (for example, health-care workers), have sexual contact with the local population, or be exposed through medical treatment. Hepatitis B vaccine is now recommended for all infants and for children ages 11-12 years who did not receive the series as infants.
• Malaria: your risk of malaria may be high in Borneo. See your health care provider for a prescription antimalarial drug. For details concerning risk and preventive medications, see Malaria Information for Travelers to South-east Asia.
• Meningococcal (meningitis) if you plan to visit countries in this region that experience epidemics of meningococcal disease during December through June.
• Rabies, pre-exposure vaccination, if you might have extensive unprotected outdoor exposure in rural areas, such as might occur during camping, hiking, or bicycling, or engaging in certain occupational activities.
• Typhoid vaccine. Typhoid fever can be contracted through contaminated drinking water or food, or by eating food or drinking beverages that have been handled by a person who is infected. Large outbreaks are most often related to fecal contamination of water supplies or foods sold by street vendors
• As needed, booster doses for tetanus-diphtheria, measles, and a one-time dose of polio vaccine for adults.

Please also note

• A certificate of yellow fever vaccination may be required for entry into certain countries in South-east Asia. For detailed information, see Yellow Fever Vaccine Requirements and Information on Malaria Risk and Prophylaxis, by Country. Also, find the nearest authorized U.S. yellow fever vaccine center.

Swimming There may be several opportunities to swim during the ecotour. You should bring a couple of swimsuits. Since you will have time to swim, for added protection from the sun you may wish to wear a T-shirt while swimming.

Time Difference: Borneo is eight hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time.

Weather: Borneo enjoys a sunny tropical climate year-round with temperatures generally between 75° and 85°. However, it is certainly an equatorial country and because of the consistent high humidity it feels hot year-round. The rainy season is November to February, but is somewhat unpredictable as tropical showers rarely last for any length of time.

Please remember that the sun’s rays are more vertical than you may be used to, so you can sunburn more easily. Be careful of the midday sun.

What to pack for your ecotour

Your travel wardrobe should be informal, comfortable and carefree. Clothing which can be layered is the most suitable, for example, a T-shirt, sweater or sweatshirt, and windbreaker or jacket. The emphasis is on casual attire.

Recommended items:

• Hiking boots as they provide good traction for walks on sometimes-slippery terrain.
• Comfortable "closed" walking shoes with rubber soles and good support. Tennis shoes would be a good choice.
• T-shirts, polo shirts, and/or other comfortable short-sleeved shirts.
• Shorts.
• 1 or 2 bathing suits.
• Long-sleeved shirts for protection from the sun and insects.
• Cotton or other lightweight long pants.
• Windbreaker or light sweater.
• Sunhat.
• Sunglasses.
• Waterproof sunblock (30 SPF minimum).
• Waterproof insect repellent.
• A small backpack or rucksack.
• Waterproof bags to protect your camera and binoculars.
• Binoculars.
• Camera, lenses and plenty of film.
• Extra camera batteries.
• Prescription medicines. If certain medicines are part of your daily health regimen and are vital to your health, make sure you bring an adequate supply for the duration of your ecotour.
• Travel Alarm Clock.

Binocular guidelines

Good binoculars and their proper use can add immeasurably to enjoying wildlife. Each traveler with Terra Incognita Ecotours should decide well before a trip begins whether the binoculars you own are adequate and, if not, what kind of binoculars should be acquired.

Recommendation
Binoculars are rated with two numbers, e.g. 7 x 35. The first number is the magnification and the second is the diameter of the objective (the larger ones) lenses in millimeters. The first tells how much an object is enlarged and the second number is a measure of how much light-gathering power a lens has. As the second number increases so usually does the weight of a pair of binoculars. If one divides the first number into the second, the closer the result is to 5 the better the balance between weight, magnification and resolution.

Binoculars that are rated at 7x35, 8x40 or 10x40, are among the best for wildlife viewing. Binoculars with a center focus are much preferable over ones in which you have to focus each eyepiece separately. For some, image stabilized binoculars are an asset. Now it is a matter to decide on price and style.

The following is a checklist of things to do to make sure that you have the best binoculars and know how to use them.

Binocular cups
Binoculars usually are constructed so that you can raise and lower the cups that surround the eyepieces. If you are going to wear eyeglasses when using binoculars, roll or push the cups down. This will bring the lenses of the eyepiece the proper distance from your eye. If you do not use glasses then leave the cups unrolled or the eyepiece frames elevated.

Distance between eyepieces
All binoculars can be adjusted so that the distance between the eyepieces varies. You should move the eyepieces apart as far as they go, look through the eyepieces and gradually move the eyepieces together until you see a single image.

Adjusting each lens to your eyes
Binoculars usually have two focus adjustments, one that is a center focus that moves both lenses at the same time and one, called the diopter, that adjusts only one lens, usually the right one. To adjust the lenses to your eyes look through the binoculars with your right eye closed. With the center focus wheel, focus on an object 20-40 feet away. Then, with the left eye closed, focus the eyepiece on the right eye while looking at the same object. Now using the center focus make sure you see a sharp image. Most diopters have a numerical scale so that after you have made the adjustment it can be easily reset if it is accidentally altered.

Practice
When viewing wildlife it is helpful if when you raise your binoculars that they are pointed at what you are looking at with your naked eyes. If you cannot do that consistently a little practice would be helpful. Try looking at a flying bird, without taking your eyes off it, raise your binoculars and look through them. If you see the bird immediately, good, if not, bring your binoculars down and put them back up again after re-spotting the bird. Do this enough so that you can immediately see in your binoculars what you were seeing without them.

Wearing binoculars
If the weight of binoculars around your neck is bothersome, there are two things you might consider. One is to buy a neck strap, made of a spongy material at least an inch or more wide. The second is to buy a harness that fits over the shoulders and distributes the weight more evenly.

Photography Notes

For many of us, photography is a natural and fun part of travel. No matter what your level of interest, or what kind of equipment you use, the following may help you prepare.

Equipment: Regardless of what camera you use - film or digital - be sure to check that it is working properly before you leave home. If you purchase a new camera, or have an old one that has not been used for a long time, try shooting some pictures and examine the results. Also, be sure read your camera manual and bring it with you to help address any unexpected problems you might encounter.

Batteries: Modern cameras will not operate without a functioning battery. For this reason, please bring extra camera batteries with you, even if the one in your camera is new. For digital cameras, and many film cameras as well, rechargeable batteries are a great option. Digital cameras can use up batteries fairly quickly, depending on the camera make and model and how often you review images in-camera. Bring at least one extra rechargeable battery - or battery set. Look for chargers with a fast recharge time.

Film: How much film should you bring? Consider bringing at least twice as much film as you expect to need, as stores are few and far between. And be forewarned - enthusiastic photographers sometimes shoot up to 5 rolls per day! Film speed (ASA or ISO) is also an important consideration - the higher the ISO the faster the film, meaning the more sensitive it is to light. For most situations, 200 ISO film is a good all-around choice. You may also want to bring along a supply of 400 ISO for overcast days and low-light situations. Professional photographers generally use 100 ISO because of its fine grain (good for making big enlargements and publishing), but the slow speed requires extra care and use of a tripod.

Digital Memory Cards: Memory cards are the digital equivalent of film and, like film, they come in different types (e.g., compact flash, smart media, memory stick) and sizes (e.g., 128MB, 256MB, 512MB). Be sure you know what kind of memory card your camera requires and bring as many memory cards as needed to hold all your images from your expedition. If you are new to digital, consult your camera manual to learn the different image resolution and JPEG compression settings on your camera. This will determine how many photos will fit on your memory cards and what quality of image is required for your end use (e.g., the higher the resolution the larger the print you can make). You might consider bringing a digital storage device for downloading images from your memory cards (see below).

Digital Storage Devices: Many digital photographers travel with a laptop computer or a specific type of portable digital storage device designed for downloading images from digital cameras. A laptop has the advantage of letting you view, edit, store, and share your images while you travel and many even have a built-in CD burner for backing up your image files. Options for smaller devices that do not require a laptop include portable digital storage hard drives, some available with viewing screens, and portable CD burners that work directly from the memory card. Whatever hardware you choose be sure to learn the workflow for downloading and storing your images before leaving home.

Digital Camera Cables: One of the greatest advantages of shooting digital is the ability to review and share your daily images with others. It is important to remember to bring along the cables that will allow your camera to connect with a computer (USB), or storage device.

Tripods: Many photographers use a tripod because they help keep the camera steady in low-light situations and when using long telephoto lenses.

Destination links
Galapagos :: Peru: Amazon to the Andes :: China Ecotour :: Costa Rica Ecotour :: Nicaragua Adventure :: Rwanda Gorilla Trek :: Belize Ecotour :: Madagascar Photo Expedition :: Borneo Ecotour

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