Day 17, Thu, 13 November 2014 & Day 18, Fri, 14 November 2014
Being in Borneo meant looking forward to see Proboscis Monkey in Sabah. As one of the most iconic wildlife in the Southeast Asia of Borneo, one should not miss the chance of getting up close with them. Therefore, I have booked a 2D1N Wildlife Nature in Kinabatangan River with Mr Aji Expedition who have worked with Sir David Attenborough twice! His 2D1N package includes:
Accommodation at Sukau Evergreen Lodge
Transport Pick Up to Sukau Evergreen Lodge
Afternoon Boat Cruise
Night Walk
Morning Jungle Trekking
Small Group Tour
You can view his blog here. Important things to note before booking for this trip is that:
No tours can confirm that you get to see everything that you would like to see. Since this wildlife sanctuary is an open concept where the animals are free to come and go or move to any locations, there are times when some of this animals will not appear. Also, weather and timing plays a part. On another note, being in a small tour group is much better as it is best to keep noise to a minimal so that the wildlife does not feel threatened. So book with an open mind and nonetheless, please do your review and research as much as you can before booking with a specific tour group / guide or company.
Mr Aji came to pick me up at Sepilok B&B with a couple whom I would join for the tour group. We had a pit stop for lunch and it was the first time that Danutka and partner try the roti canai of which they loved it eventhough it was a little spicy for them till their faces turned red with every bite. It was hilarious seeing them trying to endure the hotness in between laughter.
The journey to Sukau takes about 1 hour plus through winding roads.
Road to Kinabatangan from Sepilok
Winding Road to Kinabatangan from Sepilok
Reaching Sukau Evergreen Lodge
Sukau Evergreen Lodge
We arrived at Sukau Evergreen Lodge in Kinabatangan at about 2pm. I was given a spacious room which I have it all for myself. The fan room is decent and clean with a private toilet. There are 1 single and 1 queen bed in the room, perfect for a small family. You can store your items in the display shelf provided in the room. Blanket, towel and soap are provided.
Sukau Evergreen Lodge Room A03 in Kinabatangan
Sukau Evergreen Lodge A03 Fan Room Kinabatangan
Sukau Evergreen Lodge A03 Bedroom in Kinabatangan
Sukau Evergreen Lodge A03 Bed in Kinabatangan
Sukau Evergreen Lodge A03 Toilet Kinabatangan
Sukau Evergreen Lodge Guest Area in Kinabatangan
Sukau Evergreen Lodge Front Porch in Kinabatangan
Kinabatangan River Wildlife Sanctuary
Mr Aji would signed to his boat assistant to shut the engine as we begin to searched for the wild animals. If I remembered correctly, he pointed out to us a crocodile hideout of which I wasn’t able to see it clearly. As we moved on, we saw redhead primate on a branch slacking and looking back at us. Then slowly we saw a small family of mummy and baby monkey followed by the long tailed macaque who pooped infront of us. Yeah, exactly right infront of our boat. Luckily it wasn’t on the boat nor on any of our heads. It was funny how we all get excited like a small child! Do check out the video below for that scene.
As we go forward, sightings of proboscis monkeys gets closer and closer! Yay! Checklist done! They really do look very unique with their long nose. Sadly, we didn’t get to see any orang utans, snakes or pygmy elephants. We spent about 3 hours wandering in the sanctuary before heading back to the lodge in time for dinner.
Start of Kinabatangan River Wildlife Sanctuary
Hoping to see crocodile in Kinabatangan River Wildlife Sanctuary
Sightings of the Redhead Primate in Kinabatangan River Wildlife Sanctuary
Sightings of the Redhead Primate Monkey Front in Kinabatangan River Wildlife Sanctuary
Sightings of the Orang Utans Bed in Kinabatangan River Wildlife Sanctuary
Sightings of the Proboscis Monkeys in Kinabatangan River Wildlife Sanctuary
Proboscis Monkeys in Kinabatangan River Wildlife Sanctuary
Sexy Ass of the Proboscis Monkeys in Kinabatangan River Wildlife Sanctuary
Long tailed Macaque in Kinabatangan River Wildlife Sanctuary
Long tailed Macaque Crossing over on a rope in Kinabatangan River Wildlife Sanctuary
Sightings of the Proboscis Monkey Chilling in Kinabatangan River Wildlife Sanctuary
Proboscis Monkey Looking at Us in Kinabatangan River Wildlife Sanctuary
Proboscis Monkey Frontview in Kinabatangan River Wildlife Sanctuary
Proboscis Monkey Closeup in Kinabatangan River Wildlife Sanctuary
Night Jungle Trekking in Kampung Sukau Forest
After dinner at about 8 pm, we head off for our night jungle trekking in Kampung Sukau which is right next to the Lodge. We were given a pair of boots for the trek. This is the perfect timing to get up close with all the wonderful music makers at night. We spent about 2 hours in the forest. I was hoping to see Owls but none is spotted. Here are some of the insects found during the walk.
Lantern Bug in Sukau Forest Kinabatangan
Stick Insect in Sukau Forest Kinabatangan
2 Stick Insect in Sukau Forest Kinabatangan
Orange Grasshopper in Sukau Forest Kinabatangan
Orange Grasshopper Backview in Sukau Forest Kinabatangan
Orange Grasshopper Sideview in Sukau Forest Kinabatangan
Orangy Yellow Grasshopper Sideview in Sukau Forest Kinabatangan
Stick Insect Sideview in Sukau Forest Kinabatangan
Me Enjoying the Night Walk in Sukau Forest Kinabatangan
Hairy Spider on Mud in Sukau Forest Kinabatangan
Skinny Spider on Leaf in Sukau Forest Kinabatangan
Skinny Spider Eye on Leaf in Sukau Forest Kinabatangan
Insect Mating? in Sukau Forest Kinabatangan
Stick Like Spider in Sukau Forest Kinabatangan
Insect in Sukau Forest Kinabatangan
Snail in Sukau Forest Kinabatangan
Hairy Spider on Leaf in Sukau Forest Kinabatangan
Beautiful Butterfly on Leaf in Sukau Forest Kinabatangan
Brown Spider on Leaf in Sukau Forest Kinabatangan
Brown Grasshopper on Branch in Sukau Forest Kinabatangan
Green Grasshopper on Branch in Sukau Forest Kinabatangan
Spider in Sukau Forest Kinabatangan
Red Ants on Stem in Sukau Forest Kinabatangan
Boots Provided by Sukau Evergreen Lodge for Night Walk in Kampung Sukau Forest Kinabatangan
Amazing Stick Insect in Sukau Forest Kinabatangan
Sightings of the Orang Utan Bed during Night Walk in Kampung Sukau Forest Kinabatangan
Morning Jungle Trekking in Kampung Sukau Forest
Morning jungle trekking begins at about 7.30 am and it took us 2 hours of exploration. I was hoping to see Orang Utans but to no avail. We only get to see about 4 of their nest. It makes me wonder where do they go eh? We came across teakwood trees and the oldest tree in the forest. It is really big, mind you. We also spotted sunbear marks on one of the trees.
Me excited to see Kampung Sukau Forest in the Morning at Kinabatangan
Morning Jungle Trekking in Kampung Sukau Forest near Sukau Evergreen Lodge Kinabatangan
Sightings of Orang Utan Bed during Morning Jungle Trekking in Kampung Sukau Forest near Sukau Evergreen Lodge Kinabatangan
Getting Further In during Morning Jungle Trekking in Kampung Sukau Forest near Sukau Evergreen Lodge Kinabatangan
Fungi Growing on Log during Morning Jungle Trekking in Kampung Sukau Forest near Sukau Evergreen Lodge Kinabatangan
Mushroom on ground during Morning Jungle Trekking in Kampung Sukau Forest near Sukau Evergreen Lodge Kinabatangan
Mushroom on ground during Morning Jungle Trekking in Kampung Sukau Forest near Sukau Evergreen Lodge Kinabatangan
Millipede on tree during Morning Jungle Trekking in Kampung Sukau Forest near Sukau Evergreen Lodge Kinabatangan
Low branches during Morning Jungle Trekking in Kampung Sukau Forest near Sukau Evergreen Lodge Kinabatangan
Low branches during Morning Jungle Trekking in Kampung Sukau Forest near Sukau Evergreen Lodge Kinabatangan
Trees during Morning Jungle Trekking in Kampung Sukau Forest near Sukau Evergreen Lodge Kinabatangan
Mushrooms on Log during Morning Jungle Trekking in Kampung Sukau Forest near Sukau Evergreen Lodge Kinabatangan
Tiger Leech during Morning Jungle Trekking in Kampung Sukau Forest near Sukau Evergreen Lodge Kinabatangan
White Fungus during Morning Jungle Trekking in Kampung Sukau Forest near Sukau Evergreen Lodge Kinabatangan
Teakwood Tree during Morning Jungle Trekking in Kampung Sukau Forest near Sukau Evergreen Lodge Kinabatangan
Pointed Tree during Morning Jungle Trekking in Kampung Sukau Forest near Sukau Evergreen Lodge Kinabatangan
Another sightings of Orang Utan Nest during Morning Jungle Trekking in Kampung Sukau Forest near Sukau Evergreen Lodge Kinabatangan
Oldest and Biggest Tree during Morning Jungle Trekking in Kampung Sukau Forest near Sukau Evergreen Lodge Kinabatangan
Me with the Oldest and Biggest Tree during Morning Jungle Trekking in Kampung Sukau Forest near Sukau Evergreen Lodge Kinabatangan
Curly Trunk during Morning Jungle Trekking in Kampung Sukau Forest near Sukau Evergreen Lodge Kinabatangan
Unique sharp edges tree during Morning Jungle Trekking in Kampung Sukau Forest near Sukau Evergreen Lodge Kinabatangan
Flower during Morning Jungle Trekking in Kampung Sukau Forest near Sukau Evergreen Lodge Kinabatangan
3rd or 4th Orang Utan Nest Sightings during Morning Jungle Trekking in Kampung Sukau Forest near Sukau Evergreen Lodge Kinabatangan
Sun rays through Spider Websduring Morning Jungle Trekking in Kampung Sukau Forest near Sukau Evergreen Lodge Kinabatangan
Flower’s Fruit during Morning Jungle Trekking in Kampung Sukau Forest near Sukau Evergreen Lodge Kinabatangan
End of Morning Jungle Trekking
2D1N Wildlife Nature Mini Bridge while Walking Back to Sukau Evergreen Lodge Kinabatangan
2D1N Wildlife Nature Electric Gate while Walking Back to Sukau Evergreen Lodge Kinabatangan
2D1N Wildlife Nature Local Village’s Bird’s Eye Chilli while Walking Back to Sukau Evergreen Lodge Kinabatangan
2D1N Wildlife Nature Local Village while Walking Back to Sukau Evergreen Lodge Kinabatangan
2D1N Wildlife Nature Walking Back to Sukau Evergreen Lodge Kinabatangan
2D1N Wildlife Nature Group Member in Sukau Evergreen Lodge Kinabatangan
Photos By Mr Aji
After the expedition, Mr Aji was kind enough to share the photos he took using his professional camera during our tours. It was awesome.
Here’s a video of 2D1N Wildlife Nature in Kinabatangan River with Mr Aji Expedition:
Though we did not get to see much animals during this tour, Mr Aji had been great in trying to locate and point to us the animals. He seemed to be able to identify them through sounds even from a distance. It was a little disappointing but I truly enjoy the whole experience itself. Will I come back again? Maybe yes if I bring someone who is new to this activity. If you find that tours are expensive, why not diy? You can read this blog here for guidance.
If you are interested to book your stay with Sukau Evergreen Lodge, you can contact them at the number below.
Sukau Evergreen Lodge Kinabatangan
I hope you enjoy this post as much as I love sharing with you. Feel free to share this post if you like and don’t forget to like and subscribe. Till then,
