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3 Days 2 Night Tabin Wildlife Observation & Nature
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Enjoy a 3 day 2 night adventure in the jungles of south east Sabah. Be entertained by wild bird songs and the calls of Borneon Gibbons when you visit the Tabin Wildlife Reserve!
Cherish the harmony of the rainforest ecosystem which provides clean air to our planet. Tabin Wildlife Reserve is made up of a rectangular area of approximately 122,539 hectares in the centre of the Dent Peninsula, north-east of Lahad Datu town, south of the lower reaches of the Segama River and north of the Silabukan Forest Reserve. It can be reached from Lahad Datu in about 90 minutes by land transport.
Tabin has been declared a Wildlife Reserve primarily on account of the large number of animals inhabiting it's forests, some of which are highly endangered. The three largest mammals of Sabah, namely the Borneo Pygmy Elephant, Sumatran Rhinoceros and Tembadau are found within the reserve. Nine species of primate are present including Silver Langur, Grey Langur, Banded Langur, Bornean Gibbon, Pig-tailed Macaque, Long-tailed Macaque, Western Tarsier, Slow Loris, and Orang-Utang as well as four species of cats; Leopard Cat, Flat-headed Cat, Marbled Cat and Bornean Clouded Leopard. In Tabin's forest, you see life as it truly should be: wild, variable, colourful, pure, and full of wonders.
What do I get to do?
Listen to sweet sounds of nature with a good dose of wildlife spotting including birdwatching - you might see pygmy elephants! Jungle treks to the Lipad mud volcano and waterfall.
Adventure rating and remarks
2 - break a sweat with some of the treks.
Rates (in Malaysian Ringgit and per person)
1 April 2015 to 31 March 2016
Rates do not have additional GST
Accommodations at Tabin Wildlife Reserve. Maximum 3 person a room.
Participants | Rate (RM) per person | Extension Night |
Single Traveler | 2920 | 960 per night |
Twin Share | 1920 | 600 per night per person |
Additional Adult (same room) |
1150 | 500 per night per person |
Child (same room) 5 to 12 years |
975 | 300 per night per person |
Itinerary
B-Breakfast, L-Lunch, D-Dinner
Day 1 (L,D)
0755 hours, you will be picked up in the east coast town of Lahad Datu and transferred by road to Tabin Wildlife Reserve (1:30 hrs). Check into an attractive timber lodge at Tabin Wildlife Resort, which comes complete with private balcony, ceiling fan and hot water shower, a welcome luxury in the forest. Nestled within the rainforest beside the Lipad river, this lovely setting is home to a surprising variety of birds, insects and small mammals, even right beside the buildings of the resort. Discover the rich variety of jungle herbs, some endemic, used for generations by local folks for the treatment of various ailments.
In the afternoon, visit the Lipad mud volcano which provides a mineral salt lick for wildlife. After trekking through the rainforest for 20 minutes, arrive at the elevated bare area of the mud volcano which is frequented by wildlife and birds. You can try identifying the multitude of animal footprints here. Climb the observation tower and admire the contrasting landscape of the bare mud volcano and its surrounding thick forest, where birds are commonly sighted.
After dinner, enjoy a slide presentation on Tabin’s natural wonders, followed by a trip to look out for nocturnal wildlife and birds. Remember to look up at the clear, dark sky of Tabin, identify the constellations above you and make a wish or two.
Day 02 (B,L,D)
Join the early morning bird walk to discover some of Tabin’s rich collection of almost 300 bird species. After breakfast, a drive to the core area for animal’s spotting and for photo session before trekking through the lush green rainforest known for its rich diversity of plants and animal species to visit Lipad Waterfall. Take a dip in the natural pool and enjoy a natural and refreshing shower under the waterfall. Alternatively explore the surrounding vegetation or just relax.
In the afternoon, try out the Tabin Rainforest Foot Soak made with a natural blend of herbs, to relax tired muscles after long jungle treks.
In the evening, a dusk drive to look out for more nocturnal wildlife & birds coming out to look for food during this time of the day.
After dinner, go for a night walk along the trail nearby the resort in search of sleeping birds, frog and nocturnal wildlife.
Day 3 (B,L)
After breakfast, free and easy until check out.
You may opt to take up a dawn drive or jungle walk (separate charges - rates here) to look out for wildlife that is active at this time of the day.
Note: Activities are subject to weather conditions, and may be re-organised to best meet operational situations
What to wear/bring?
Insect repellent, long sleeve shirts & long pants, raincoat, sun hat, swim wear, comfortable trekking shoes (good for mud terrain), torch light, water bottle & personal toiletries. Leech socks are available for sale at the resort’s shop.
What does it include?
Scheduled return transfer Lahad Datu/Tabin/Lahad Datu, meals as stated, guided tours and activities, accommodation, entry permit.
Scheduled transfers
Lahad Datu-Tabin: 0800 hrs & 1200hrs
Tabin-Lahad Datu: 1330hrs (Arrive Lahad Datu town at 1500hrs)
What does it exclude?
Flights, insurance, items not mentioned
Dawn Drive RM80 per person
Jungle Walk RM50 per person
Best time to visit
Tabin can be visited all year round.
Getting here
By Air:
Malaysia Airlines operate daily flights connecting Kota Kinabalu to Lahad Datu. Flight duration is about 1 hour. From Lahad Datu, a 1:15 hour drive, part of it on gravel road, will take you to Tabin.
Recommended Flights:
BKI-LDU MH3010 0620 /0715
BKI-LDU MH3014 0955/1050
LDU-BKI MH3023 1725/1820
By Road:
Kota Kinabalu to Lahad Datu (7 hours)
Sandakan to Lahad Datu (4 hours). This is an increasingly more popular way to visit Tabin whereby visitors take a flight to Sandakan where they visit the Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre, and perhaps the Selingan Turtle Island, then onward to Sukau in Kinabatangan for at least one night’s stay and then by road from Sukau to Tabin Widlife Resort. This journey enables one to see some of the top eco-nature destinations in Borneo.
Tawau to Lahad Datu (4 hours). Divers find Tabin a good destination to visit after their diving trip to Sipadan and Mabul islands, allowing them to break the non-flying-after diving rule and visiting Tabin for one or two nights’ stay. Journey from Semporna from Tabin is 3:15 hours.