Sabah is a state located in the northern part of the island of Borneo. Sabah combines incredible nature with a rich cultural history. Surrounded by the South China Sea to the west and the Celebes Sea to the east, this state is known for its majestic rainforests, rich marine ecosystems, and impressive mountains. Sabah is home to some of the most unique and endangered species on Earth.

THE KINABATANGAN RIVER

The Kinabatangan River is one of the most biologically rich places in the world. It is the longest river in Sabah and one of the most diverse ecosystems in Malaysia. The 560-kilometer-long river flows from the mist-covered Crocker Range mountains all the way to the Sulu Sea. Along its banks, dense rainforests and shimmering wetlands grow, making the area a unique home for a wide range of animals, and one of the best places in the world to spot rare species. The river’s biodiversity is best experienced by boat, either at dawn or dusk.

TABIN WILDLIFE RESERVE

Tabin Wildlife Reserve is a peaceful paradise for nature lovers and photographers, and one of the most important sites for wildlife and nature conservation in Malaysia. This 120,500-hectare reserve is primarily made up of lowland rainforest and provides a home for many rare and endangered species. The wildlife in Tabin Wildlife Reserve is both rich and diverse. The dense, lush rainforest is home to some of the most unique and threatened species on the planet.

DANUM VALLEY

Danum Valley is one of the world’s most pristine and biologically rich natural areas and is considered the crown jewel of Borneo in terms of both nature and wildlife. It was Mattias Klum, through various epic National Geographic assignments and the widespread attention they received, who made Danum Valley known worldwide. This 438-square-kilometer protected rainforest is one of the last remaining lowland rainforests in the world and offers an unparalleled chance to experience Borneo’s untamed wilderness. Danum Valley is an untouched world where the raw forces of nature still reign. The trees in the dense rainforest tower into the sky, with massive canopies forming a green roof that filters the sunlight, creating a cool, almost magical atmosphere that has allowed the wildlife and nature to evolve freely for millions of years.

WILDLIFE IN SABAH

The wildlife in Sabah and around the Kinabatangan River, in Tabin Wildlife Reserve, and in Danum Valley offers an unbeatable mix of unique, endemic species and endangered animals, all within one of the world’s most biologically diverse regions. Among the species that you have a great chance to capture on camera are:

MAMALS
Orangutan – Borneo is home to the iconic orangutans. These intelligent and charismatic primates are one of Borneo’s most recognizable species and are critically endangered due to habitat loss.
Pygmy Elephant – Borneo’s pygmy elephant is one of the smallest elephant subspecies in the world. With their rounder bodies and calmer temperament, these elephants often move in family groups through the reserve. Proboscis Monkey – Another fascinating primate is the peculiar proboscis monkey, known for its distinctive large nose and rounded belly. Sun Bear – The small but powerful sun bear can sometimes be seen climbing trees or foraging on the ground. Civets and Leopard Cats – These nocturnal predators contribute to the region’s biodiversity, though they usually only appear after nightfall. Bornean Clouded Leopard – This elusive and magnificent predator is one of Borneo’s most endangered species. Though difficult to spot, the mere knowledge of their presence is enough to spark the imagination.

SNAKES
Borneo’s tropical rainforests are home to many different snake species, both venomous and non-venomous. Some of the snake species found here include: King Cobra – The world’s longest venomous snake, highly poisonous.
Malaysian Krait – A very venomous snake often found near water bodies and moist forest areas. Tree Pit Vipers – These venomous vipers are often green and live in the trees. Reticulated Python – One of the world’s longest snakes. Despite its size, it is non-venomous and kills its prey by constriction.

BIRDS
There are over 300 bird species here, making the area a paradise for those looking to capture exotic birds on camera. Some of the most sought-after birds include: Hornbills – Several species of hornbills can be found here, whose distinctive beaks and large wingspans make them an impressive sight. Kingfishers – These colorful, fast birds are often seen near water, where they dive swiftly to catch small fish.

MARCH 9-18  2026

Throughout the trip, Mattias Klum will be available for photography advice, tips, and assistance with photo editing and critique. Having spent many months in these rainforests, Mattias will also give lectures and talk about the challenges of photographing in such environments. Exact times for these activities will be scheduled based on the photography sessions and what happens during the boat tours and rainforest walks.

DAY 1 (March 9) – ARRIVAL IN SEPILOK
Arrival in Sepilok, Borneo, during the day. You will be greeted at the airport by a local guide for a short transfer to the nearby Sepilok Nature Resort, where Mattias Klum and a host from Zoom Fotoresor will welcome you. After check-in, there will be time to relax, or perhaps visit the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, where orphaned and injured orangutans are rehabilitated before being released back into the wild.

In the evening, a welcome drink will be served, and Mattias will share more about what to expect in the coming days from both wildlife and photography perspectives. We will then enjoy a welcome dinner together while getting to know each other. (D)

DAY 2 (March 10) – SEPILOK – KINABATANGAN
We will start the day with an early morning walk around the hotel, looking for birds and mammals. After breakfast, we will depart for the Kinabatangan River, the longest river in Sabah, renowned for its high concentration of primates in northern Borneo. The focus here will be photography from the boat during boat tours along the river. The lighting is ideal, and the wildlife is abundant. Commonly seen species include orangutans, proboscis monkeys, langurs, pygmy elephants, hornbills, macaques, and more.

Upon arrival, we will check in at Hornbill Lodge. At dusk, we will take our first boat tour to look for wildlife. Dinner will be served back at the lodge, and for those who are up for it, we will take a night walk to look for nocturnal animals such as tarsiers, flying lemurs, civets, owls, flying squirrels, and other nocturnal creatures. (B, L, D)

DAY 3 (March 11) – KINABATANGAN
We begin the day with an early morning river tour. Coffee will be served at 5:30 AM before we board the boats to search for orangutans, langurs, proboscis monkeys, hornbills, and other animals in the beautiful morning light.

Breakfast will be served upon returning to the lodge. Afterward, we will work on photo editing, and Mattias will review your photos and provide feedback. In the afternoon, we will take another boat tour on the river to look for wildlife.

Dinner will be served back at the lodge. Like the previous evening, we will take a night tour along the riverbanks to look for nocturnal animals. (B, L, D)

DAY 4 (March 12) – KINABATANGAN
This morning, we will once again explore the river in the early morning light, this time venturing into the smaller tributaries and waterways of the Kinabatangan River.

After breakfast, we will go on a jungle trek along the forest trails near the lodge to search for small animals and snakes, providing a unique insight into the area’s incredible biodiversity.

After lunch, we will take a short boat trip to the Gomantong Caves. We will spend the afternoon walking through the rainforest and visiting the bat caves, which are home to an estimated millions of bats. At dusk, we will witness the bat exodus as over a million bats leave the caves to search for food during the night. If the weather is clear, it’s a spectacular sight to photograph, with long “ropes” of tens of thousands of bats emerging at once, while birds of prey wait to hunt them in the air. There are also many other species to photograph around the caves, including orangutans and red leaf monkeys. Dinner will be followed by more photo editing. (B, L, D)

DAY 5 (March 13) – KINABATANGAN – TABIN
Early in the morning, we will leave the lodge for a short boat ride to Lepit Jetty, followed by a transfer to the town of Lahad Datu for a brief stop. We will then continue for another 1.5 hours to Tabin Wildlife Reserve, a nature reserve established in 1984 to protect Sabah’s dwindling wildlife and their habitats.

The reserve occupies a large part of the peninsula forming the northern tip of Darvel Bay and is located 48 kilometers east of Lahad Datu. Tabin is Sabah’s largest wildlife reserve, covering 120 km², including 90 km² of primary untouched forest. All eight species of Borneo’s hornbills have been recorded here, and it’s likely you will see at least three – the white-crowned, bushy-crested, and wrinkled hornbills.

Upon arrival at Tabin Wildlife Resort, we will settle into our rooms, followed by lunch. In the afternoon, we will visit the active Lipad Mud Volcano, which releases a salt mix that attracts animals to lick it.

After dinner, we will embark on a night walk. Armed with flashlights and led by a nature guide, we will walk through the pitch-dark rainforest trails. There is a good chance of seeing nocturnal animals such as flying squirrels, civets, various frogs, snakes, bats, insects, and spiders. (B, L, D)

DAY 6 (March 14) – TABIN
Gibbons are often active during the early morning hours and can be heard before they are seen. We will therefore head out on a morning tour to capture these and other animals and birds. We will then hike through the lush rainforest to Lipad Waterfall, where you can take a dip in the natural pool and enjoy a refreshing shower under the waterfall.

After lunch, there will be time to explore the surroundings near the lodge on your own, or you can try the Tabin Rainforest Foot Soak, a foot treatment using natural ingredients from the rainforest to soothe tired feet after a day of jungle trekking.

In the evening, we will go on a night safari in four-wheel-drive jeeps with large spotlights to search for nocturnal animals. (B, L, D)

DAY 7 (March 15) – TABIN – DANUM VALLEY
Departure by boat to Lahad Datu, where we will transfer to a bus for a 2.5-hour drive to Danum Valley and the award-winning Borneo Rainforest Lodge, located deep within the conservation area. This lodge was made famous by Mattias Klum through his National Geographic assignments, which resulted in iconic images, films, and a major feature in the magazine that highlighted the unique ecosystem and rich biodiversity of the area. Danum Valley is renowned for its rainforest and is a paradise for photographers. Over 500 species of mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians can be found in the relatively untouched rainforest.

Upon arrival, we will check in and enjoy lunch. After a short rest, Mattias and a local guide will introduce us to Danum Valley and the trails surrounding the lodge. There is an extensive network of trails in Danum Valley, offering excellent photography opportunities. Over the next three days, we will explore these trails in search of rare species such as pygmy elephants, clouded leopards, Bornean gibbons, and maroon langurs, and of course, orangutans. Birdlife is particularly diverse, with around 275 recorded species. After dinner, we will go on a night safari in jeeps to search for nocturnal animals. (B, L, D)

DAY 8 (March 16) – DANUM VALLEY
In the morning, we will hike to the lookout point and the burial site at Coffin Cliff. Here, in the natural pool, you will have the chance to take a refreshing dip before returning to the lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, we will explore more trails around the lodge, including a treetop canopy walk. After dinner, we will embark on a night walk along the trails near the lodge. (B, L, D)

DAY 9 (March 17) – DANUM VALLEY
We will rise early to capture the sunrise at the GAW Tower. This observation tower offers a fantastic opportunity to experience and document the rainforest from above, with a panoramic view over the treetops in the morning mist, which provide stunning images.

The rest of the morning will be spent working on photo editing. After lunch, we will take a walk along the Segama River, offering an unforgettable nature experience through one of the world’s most pristine and biologically rich rainforests. We will hike along narrow trails, often close to the river, giving a great vantage point for spotting everything from orangutans and gibbons to smaller mammals like sambar deer. The Segama River is also a perfect area for bird photography, where you might spot various species of hornbills, kingfishers, and other exotic birds that live in the treetops along the river.

On this final evening together, we will enjoy a delicious farewell dinner. Afterward, Mattias will select the best photos of the trip, with the winner automatically advancing to the finals of the “Photo of the Year 2026” competition, competing for great prizes. (B, L, D)

DAY 10 (March 18) – DANUM VALLEY – LAHAD DATU
We will take one last morning walk around the lodge.The rest of the morning is free for relaxation until lunch. After lunch transfer to Lahad Datu Airport for your onward journey home. Alternatively, if you have booked the extension to the paradise island of Mataking Island, for relaxation with sunbathing, swimming, and snorkeling on a stunning coral reef. (B, L)

Extend your trip with a few days on the paradise island of Mataking Island.

End your Borneo adventure with a few relaxing days on the paradise island of Mataking Island. Mataking Island is a tropical paradise with white sandy beaches and turquoise waters. The island is surrounded by a sparkling, untouched coral reef and lush nature, teeming with fish.

At Mataking The Reef Dive Resort, the island’s only hotel, you can enjoy luxurious accommodations with amenities that make your stay carefree. Relax in a hammock under swaying palm trees, or take a stroll along the sandbank that connects Mataking Besar with the pristine island of Mataking Kecil – a magical walk.

Do you enjoy diving or snorkeling? Mataking is a paradise for these activities, with clear waters and vibrant marine ecosystems. Swim among a variety of tropical fish in all imaginable colors and patterns, and if you’re lucky, you might spot sea turtles, blue-spotted stingrays, and peaceful reef sharks patrolling the deeper areas near the reef.

Read more about Mataking Island and Mataking The Reef Dive Resort here.

MATTIAS KLUM – National Geographic photographer