Borneo, the world’s third-largest island, is one of our planet’s most biodiverse avian areas with over 50 island endemics found across pristine dipterocarp forests, montane cloud forests, riverine habitats, and also mangrove swamps. On this small-group Bird-Photo-Tour to the East Malaysian State of Sabah on the Island of Borneo, we will aim to setup close photographic encounters with some stunning families of birds including Pittas / Trogons / Kingfishers / Pheasants / Partridges / Hornbills / Broadbills / Bee-eaters / Owls / Frogmouths / Thrushes / Sunbirds / Barbets / Woodpeckers and Bulbuls.
Broadbills: Whitehead’s Broadbill / Black-and-Yellow Broadbill / Black-and-Red Broadbill
Kingfishers: Banded Kingfisher / Blue-eared Kingfisher / Stork-billed Kingfisher / Rufous-collar Kingfisher
Partridges: Crimson-headed Partridge / Red-breasted Partridge / Crested Partridge
Pheasants: Bulwer's Pheasant / Borneo Peacock Pheasant / Bornean Crested Fireback
Hornbills / Frogmouths: Large Frogmouth / Bornean Frogmouth / Blyth's Frogmouth / Rhinoceros Hornbill / White-crowned Hornbill / Wrinkled Hornbill
Pittas / Trogons: Blue-banded Pitta / Blue-headed Pitta / Black-crowned Pitta / Whitehead’s Trogon / Diard’s Trogon / Red-naped Trogon
Guiding Fees / Ground Transportation / Accommodation / Meals / Entrance Fees / Tipping for Drivers, Boatsmen, Hotel and Restaurant Staff.
International Flights / VISA Fees / Travel Insurance / Tips for Local Guide / Alcohol / Laundry / Items of a Personal Nature
Days 1-2 Kota Kinabalu District [1N / 0D, 1S]. Arrive in Kota Kinabalu for one afternoon photo session. Photographic Targets: Blue-naped Parrot / Javan Sparrow / Western Hooded Pitta.
Days 2-4 Tambunan District [2N / 1D / 4S]. Drive 2-hours to Tambunan District. Photographic targets: Crimson-headed Partridge / Red-breasted Partridge / Bulwer’s Pheasant / Orange-headed Thrush / Borneo Banded Pitta / Crested Partridge.
Day 4-7 Ranau District [3N / 2D / 6S]. Drive 2-hours to Ranau District. Photographic Targets: Whitehead’s Trogon / Whitehead’s Broadbill / Whitehead’s Spiderhunter / Borneo Treepie / Everett’s Thrush / Mountain Black-eye / Fruit-hunter / Golden-naped Barbet / Pale-faced Bulbul / Borneo Green Magpie / Indigo Flycatcher.
Days 7-9 Telupid District [2N / 1D / 4S]. Drive 2-hours to Telupid District. Photographic Targets: Borneo Peacock-Pheasant / Bornean Crested Fireback.
Days 9-11 Kinabatangan District [2N / 1D / 4S]. Drive 2-hours to Kinabatangan District. Photographic Targets: Rhinoceros Hornbill / White-crowned Hornbill / Wrinkled Hornbill / Storm’s Stork / Large Frogmouth / Oriental Bay Owl / Blue-eared Kingfisher / Stork-billed Kingfisher.
Days 11-12 Kota Kinabalu District [1N / 0D / 1S]. Depart to Kota Kinabalu for international departures [ END].
[Key: N: Night / D: Full Day / Session: Half-Day].
Nick Ludovic Green has spent much of his life travelling and photographing birds across Asia and Oceania, developing a depth of field experience that few bird photographers achieve. Over more than 15 years in the region, Nick has led 150+ bird photography tours in 35 countries, carefully designing each itinerary to give photographers the best possible access to light, behaviour and habitat.
Through extensive long-term travel, Nick has photographed 2,500 bird species across Asia and Oceania, many at portrait-quality standard. In China alone he has documented over 1,200 species, working in every province and returning repeatedly to key locations to refine photographic opportunities, an experience that directly benefits photographers travelling with him.
His longer bird photography expeditions include a four-month journey across Melanesia, a three-month traverse of Xinjiang Autonomous Region in China's western frontier, and a four-month Himalayan journey from Kashmir, Ladakh and Bhutan to Arunachal Pradesh and Assam. These extended field projects have helped build deep regional knowledge and trusted local relationships.
Nick’s images have been published internationally, and his methods reflects a long-term commitment to careful, respectful bird photography. On tour, he is known for his organized, supportive approach and practical in-field guidance, helping bird photographers of all levels improve their work whilst enjoying unhurried time amongst the region’s most sought-after species.
(i) The guesthouses are all in close proximity to the bird photography locations (ii) Walking is at a light pace (iii) There is no requirement to hike nor climb. (iv) None of the locations are at altitude (v) There is no camping.
