Borneo is the third largest island in the world and has about 620 recorded bird species of which 41 are endemic. Malaysian Borneo is made up two states, which are Sabah and Sarawak.
For most birders, the Malaysian state of Sabah is the gateway for the quest of the Borneo birds. Kota Kinabalu is the state capital, and most journeys begin from here. Sabah has montane forest, lowland rainforest, mangrove forest, river and estuarine environments thus satisfying any birder with a diverse range of birds.
Lesser known as a birding destination but most undeserving so is Sarawak, with a recoded 533 species of birds, of which 31 are endemic to the island of Borneo. In addition Borneo offers other endemic wildlife like Orangutans, Proboscis monkeys and the Borneo Pygmy elephants.
Habitat Type and Key Birding Sites
Montane birds
Lowland birds
Wetland birds
Island birds
Borneo (East Malaysia) Birding Routes
Sabah Route : Kota Kinabalu – Tambin – Kinabatangan – Sepilok – Mount Kinabalu + Layang-Layang Island
Sarawak Route: Mt. Mulu Park – Kelabit Highlands – Lambir Hills – Similanjau Park – Bruit Island
The Short Route **: Crocker Range – Poring Hotsprings – Mount Kinabalu
**This route is designed for those clients who have a shorter time for birding, we have tried to include as many life zones as possible during the time frame.