The beauty and ecological importance of birds and bird watching in Sarawak have been held in high esteem for generations here, as the indigenous Iban people have long worshipped the bird-god Sengalang Burong. And so when you see the exquisite carvings of the rhinoceros hornbill, crafted in wood by the Iban, they are far from the tacky world of trinkets. Known as kenyalang, they were traditionally carved as part of sacred rites before tribe members went on their notorious headhunting raids. Today, thankfully, they represent the reverence that is given to nature and humankind in Sarawak, not only by the Iban, but by people throughout this vast, biodiverse state.

The rhinoceros hornbill is both Sarawak’s state bird and the national bird of Malaysia, and they can grow to a huge size, sometimes as large as an adult swan. They are always high on the list of priorities of any ornithological odyssey, of course, but with 22 designated Important Bird Areas (IBAs) in Sarawak, you won’t be disappointed when it comes to finding other species throughout the state.

Overview

Itinerary

Cost

Overview

The island of Borneo is shared by the independent country of Brunei, four Indonesian provinces and two Malaysian states, Sarawak and Sabah.SarawakSarawak is one of two Malaysian states on the island of Borneo. Known as Bumi Kenyalang (‘Land of the Hornbills’), it is situated on the north-west of the island. It is the largest state in Malaysia; the second largest, Sabah, lies to the northeast. The administrative capital is Kuchin.

Having land area of 124,450 km² spreading between latitude 0° 50′ and 5°N and longitude 109° 36′ and 115° 40′ E, it makes up 37.5% of the land of Malaysia. Sarawak also contains large tracts of tropical rain forest home to an abundance of plant and animal species.

Sarawak features vast areas of both lowland and highland rainforest. However, Sarawak has been hit hard by the logging industry and the expansion of monoculture tree plantations and oil palm plantations. Malaysia’s deforestation rate is increasing faster than anywhere else in the world. Statistics estimate Sarawak’s primary forest has been depleted by around 90%. Malaysia’s rates of deforestation are among the highest in Asia, jumping almost 86 percent between the 1990-2000 period and 2000-2005. In total, Malaysia lost an average of 1,402 km² —0.65 percent of its forest area—per year since 2000. By comparison, South East Asian countries lost an average of 0.35% of their forest per annum during the 1990s.

Day 1 :

Airport - Kuching City Tour - Hotel

Arrive in the early morning in the city of Kuching. Be amazed by the tranquil lifestyle and the proud homage the locals pay to their roots, as well as the welcoming embrace of the morning tropical breeze. Proceed first to the hotel for check-in, and have the rest of the morning for free-and-easy.

After settling down, starting a short city tour from the Sarawak river bank. There will be some of the Malay vessels, or ‘sampan’ to bring you on a short but spectacular cruise along the Sarawak River bank. For a minimal fee, the tour includes the sights of various important architectural remains of the days of past. This includes two castles left during the British Colonial Days – Fort Margherita and the Astana. Both were strongholds of Charles Brooke and an important monument in Sarawak’s history. Marvel at the grandeur of the castles and their white walls, as well as their landscaped gardens.

Also, make a visit to the Square Tower, another heritage site and distinct building. The Orchid Gardens is also on the list, where one can see the marvelous state flower – the Normah Orchid. Take a walk along the Main Bazaar, which is filled to the brim with visitors, tourists and shoppers alike who are in for a good bargain. The markets sell all kinds of goods including souvenirs and foodstuff.

Day 2 :

Kuching - Kubah National Park

Pick up from chosen hotel then proceed for birding at Kubah National Park. The Park is situated on a sandstone plateau, mostly covered by mixed dipterocarp forest which interspersed with patches of scrub & unusually rich area of Kerangas forest, is the home of mammals, birds & many species of reptiles and amphibians. Upon arrival, aim to spot endemic species like Blue-banded pitta, Bornean blue-flycatcher, Bornean Banded kingfisher Yellow-rumped flowerpecker, Bornean Black-magpie & etc.

Meanwhile, aim to spot resident birds like Red-bearded bee-eater, Raffles’s malkoha, Red-naped trogan, Diard’s trogon, Scarlet-rumped trogon, Rufous-backed kingfisher, Rufous-collared kingfisher, , White-crowned hornbill, Red-throated barbet, Rufous piculet, Grey-&-buff woodpecker, Maroon woodpecker, Banded broadbill, Green Broadbill, Grey-bellied bulbul, Chestnut-naped Forktail, White-rumped shama, Grey-headed babbler, Rufous-crowned babbler, Scaly-crowned babbler, White-necked Babbler, Brown fulvetta, Large-billed blue-flycatcher, Spotted fantail, Asian paradise flycatcher, Grey-breasted jungle-flycatcher, Mangrove whistle, Scarlet-breasted flowerpecker, Crimson sunbird, Crested jay & etc.

Lunch is provided. After lunch, continue for birding in the National Park. ( Or ) transfer to Matang wildlife center & aim to spot endemic species like Bornean Bristlehead, Bornean Wren Babbler & etc. Dinner is provided. After dinner, proceed for night walk & aim to spot Blyth’s frogmouth, Reddish Scops-owl, Barred eagle-owl, Sunda scops-owl, Brown Hawk Owl & etc. Overnight stay at Kubah National Park.

Day 3 :

Kubah National Park - Borneo Highlands

After breakfast, continue for birding in the National Park and aim to spot more resident birds. After lunch transfer to Borneo Highlands for birding. Borneo highlands is sitting on the Penrissen Range, 1000 metres (3,300 feet) above sea level, offer a perfect blend of luxurious comfort and existing virgin rainforest, it spring like environment blessed with an astonishing varieties of flora and fauna, from the rich vegetation & lush sub-montane rainforest provides a great habitat for sub-montane species.

Aim to spot endemic species like Bornean barbet, Pygmy white-eye, Blue-banded Pitta, Bornean Banded Kingfisher, Bornean Brown Barbet, Bornean Balck Magpie, Chestnut -crested yuhina, Dusky munia & etc.Dinner is included. After dinner, proceed for night walk & aim to spot Bornean Frogmouth, Barred eagle-owl & etc. Overnight at Jungle Cabin.

Day 4 :

Borneo Highlands - Kuching

After breakfast, continue birding in the highland. aim to spot resident birds like Blyth’s hawk eagle, Crested serpent eagle, Black-thighed Falconet, Rail Babbler, White-necked babbler, Eye-browed wren-babbler, Thick-billed pigeon, Red-billed malkoha, Chestnut-breasted malkoha, White -crowned hornbill, Gold-whiskered barbet, Blue-eared barbet, Buff-rumped woodpecler, Large wood-shrike, Blue -winged leafbird, Cinereous bulbul, Ochraceous Bulbul, Black-headed bulbul, Scaly-breasted bulbul, Temminck’s babbler, Grey-throated babbler, Chestnut-backed scimitar babbler, Hill blue-flycatcher, Rufous-chested flycatcher, Verditer flycatcher, Maroon-breasted philentoma, Temminck’s sunbird, Grey-breasted spiderhunter, Spectacled spiderhunter, Everett’s white-eye, Ashy drongo & etc. Lunch is provided, After lunch, continue birding until late afternoon then transfer back to Kuching or Kuching International Airport for your departure flight.