Join us on a journey to the humming sounds of an ancient canopy and the privilege of encounters with the world’s most elusive creatures. We invite you to experience two of Borneo’s most iconic locations to meet Orangutans, proboscis monkeys, Bornean elephants and hornbills (among many other species)—Sepilok and the Kinabatangan River—on a bespoke expedition designed for those who seek nature immersion and truly authentic accommodations. This is a trip defined by ethical integrity, where your presence supports the preservation of the very species you have come to admire.
Borneo Expedition 2027
Join us to Borneo.
Our journey begins at the edge of the Kabili-Sepilok Forest Reserve. While most see Sepilok as a brief stop, we treat it as an intimate introduction to the island’s soul. This is where we will see our first Orangutans in an ethical sanctuary, but we will also get the chance to spend time with Bornean sunbears and many more species. From Sepilok, we transition to the lifeblood of Sabah. Navigating the serpentine bends of the Kinabatangan River, we will reside in an award-winning eco lodge that balances refined comfort with sustainability and community impact.
Travel Dates: September 17-24, 2027.
Why should you consider this journey?
This expedition is born from a desire to move beyond traditional tourism and into the realm of responsible wildlife immersion. As a photographer, I have dedicated my career to capturing the fragile beauty of our natural world and how we can use the power of tourism for regeneration and conservation. If you are interested in photography I will be by your side to help you translate the raw emotion of the rainforest into compelling, professional-grade imagery. Joining us is my husband, Raffael Payr, who will provide coaching on the art of videography.
7 nights / 8 days in Borneo — deep in the jungle.
What truly sets this journey apart, is our commitment to total nature immersion. We have intentionally stripped away the distractions of the modern world, bypassing “cheap” transit stays and bustling towns to ensure every moment is spent where it matters: under the ancient canopy. This is a rare, uninterrupted escape designed for those who want to wake up to the call of the gibbons and fall asleep to the pulse of the river, surrounded only by nature’s elements.
Staying under the canopy of Borneo's jungle
To ensure your comfort never comes at the cost of your immersion, we have curated a stay at two of Borneo’s most prestigious eco-lodges. We begin with three nights at Sepilok Nature Lodge, where your private chalet sits at the very threshold of the orangutan sanctuary, offering a chance to see orangutans from the lodge deck. We then journey deep into the wetlands for four nights at the award-winning Sukau Rainforest Lodge—handpicked by National Geographic and David Attenborough and the likes. By choosing these premier locations, we bypass the noise of local towns entirely, keeping you anchored in the wild while supporting the highest standards of sustainable, high-end hospitality.
What's special about this trip?
- English & German speaking photographic and film guiding by Marion and Raffael Payr together with local expert naturalists and guides.
- Small group of 6 guests allowing for personalised tuition.
- Accommodations in Villa category in both lodges.
- Included activities:
- 1x visit of Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre
- 1x visit of Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre
- 2x visits of Rainforest Discovery Centre (early morning + evening)
- 6x morning and evening private boat cruises for our group at Kinabatangan River
- 1x visit of Gomatong Caves
- Photography & film making tuition in lunch breaks and out in the field.
- Hosted by Borneo specialist Roxy’s Travel Plan.
Our itinerary
- September 17, 2027: Arrival in Sandakan. Meet & Greet at airport and transfer to lodge.
- September 17-20, 2027: Three nights stay at Sepilok Nature Lodge. Program: 1x visit of Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, 1x visit of Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre, 2x visits of Rainforest Discovery Centre (early morning + evening).
- September 20, 2027: Road and boat transfer to Sukau Rainforest Lodge.
- September 20-24, 2027: Four nights stay at Sukau Rainforest Lodge. Program: 6x morning and evening private boat cruises for our group at Kinabatangan River, 1x visit of Gomatong Caves.
- September 24, 2027: Overland transfer to Sandakan.
Our home in Sepilok.
Sepilok Nature Lodge:
- Premier Proximity: Strategically located at the very gates of the Orangutan and Sun Bear sanctuaries and at the edge of the forest reserve, the lodge allows for waking up to wildlife visitors in the morning mist.
- Thatched Chalets: Each private chalet is set amidst lush, curated gardens and natural lake-side scenery, offering a tranquil retreat that keeps you fully immersed in the sights and sounds of the jungle rather than the noise of the city.
- Sustainable Sophistication: The lodge focuses on an eco-conscious operation paired with great access to Sepilok’s main wildlife sanctuaries, providing an ideal basecamp that’s perfect for nature enthusiasts.
3 nights. September 17-20.
Our home at the Kinabatangan River.
Sukau Rainforest Lodge:
- World-Class Sustainability: As a National Geographic Unique Lodge of the World, Sukau is a Bornean benchmark for nature enthusiasts.
- The Hornbill Boardwalk: The lodge features a unique 1,500-foot boardwalk through the ancient forest floor directly accessible from the villas, complete with viewing decks that allow for all-day wildlife watching and photography (with and without guides).
- Immersive Riverside Location: Positioned directly on the banks of the Kinabatangan River, we start our daily morning and afternoon cruises right from the lodge’s deck. Wildlife—including orangutans and sneaky macaques—frequently visits the lodge grounds itself.
4 nights. September 20-24.
What's included?
- Accommodations as advertised
- Meet & greet service at Sandakan airport
- All activities as advertised
- 1x guided visit of Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre
- 1x guided visit of Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre
- 2x guided visits of Rainforest Discovery Centre (early morning + evening)
- 6x morning and evening private guided boat cruises at Kinabatangan River
- 1x guided Gomatong Caves excursion
- All transfers
- All meals as outlined (drinks are excluded)
Price: 6,990 Euros
What’s excluded?
International flights, medical and travel insurance, personal expenses, tips, Malaysian Tax RM 10 per room per night (to be paid directly at the lodges), camera fees, beverages. Price for extension on request. Single rooms on request. Please also note there could be unforeseen expenses due to weather or delays.
A few facts about the trip.
- The price of EUR 6,990 is valid for one person staying in rooms shared by two. We have a maximum of 3 rooms available in each lodge that can be set up as twins or doubles.
- 6 participants are necessary for the trip to happen. This will also be the maximum of participants who can join this trip.
- Given that we only have a maximum of 3 rooms available per lodge we will arrange shared rooms for singles traveling. This prevents us from charging a singles surcharge. If you prefer a single room we will have to inquire about availability.
- The price includes all 7 nights in the lodges as stated above, transfers, full board in all lodges (all meals excl. beverages) and the activities as stated above.
- The price is calculated on basis of 2026 prices including an estimated 15% price increase for 2027. As soon as the local providers publish their 2027 rates we will adjust the price accordingly. If the price increase is less than 15% the trip price will decrease accordingly, should it be higher than 15% we have to adjust our rate as well. We will communicate the final price as soon as we have it.
- We will have a private boat for all our cruises on the Kinabatangan River. This guarantees a maximum of space in the boat and that you can fully enjoy wildlife sightings and also have the chance for proper wildlife photography. The boats are motor powered, but the guides will switch off the motor from time to time to allow for listening to animals.
- In Sepilok we will visit the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre and the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre during the regular opening hours, where it can get busy. Please be aware that this is not available as private experience, but we will do our best to make this as enjoyable as possible – the centres are important for wildlife conservation in the area and therefore we love supporting them.
- Our visits at the Rainforest Discovery Centre in Sepolik will be guided visits by local naturalists and entail some walking on elevated boardwalks and climbing up staircases on lookout towers. If you are afraid of heights, please bear in mind, that you will be somewhat exposed on these structures, although they are built quite steadily and are made of metal. The visits happen during regular opening hours, so we will not be alone there, but it usually doesn’t get too busy. Here we have the chance to see orangutans, hornbills, gibbons, flying squirrels and much more.
- Food will be shared at a communal table together every day, if you have any allergies or dietary restrictions please let us know (vegan and vegetarian food is no problem).
- If you’d like to extend your stay in Borneo we have an optional extension available to Borneo’s most luxurious eco lodge in Danum Valley for 3 extra nights. Please let us know if you’re interested in this and we will send you a personal offer.
- If you’d like to extend your stay with other experiences like Borneo’s beaches or other parts of Malaysia (or the wider region) our travel partners Roxy’s Travel Plan can gladly help you find incredible options from island resorts and beach stays, to diving excursions and much more. Just let us know and we will connect you with them!
This trip wouldn’t be possible without the expertise of my partners Roxy’s Travel Plan.
Stephan and Roxy have both travelled Borneo extensively and know the area well. They are based between South East Asia and Germany and are organising this trip for us. All bookings will go through them.
Your guides: Marion & Raffael
A few facts (that we can hardly believe ourselves): We are a couple since 22 years, married since 17 years and work together since 12 years (And yes, we still like each other, haha)! Raffael usually works with. Marion behind the scenes and creates all the videos, that Marion shares on her Instagram. He will not only join as moral support, but also to film the trip and teach videography to those of you interested in expanding their horizon to the world of moving images (not mandatory ;-)).
Frequently asked questions
- How do I get to Sandakan?
- >>> There's daily flight connections with AirAsia from Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia's capital city) or Kota Kinabalu (at Sabah's West coast) to Sandakan (located at Sabah's East Coast).
- Do I need to be a photographer to join?
- >>> No, you don't need to be a photographer or own photography equipment - you can also just bring your binoculars (highly recommended for wildlife watching) and take photos or videos with your phone if you prefer.
- Which photography equipment would you recommend?
- >>> We would recommend a good all-round lens like a 24-70 or a 24-105mm lens for the scenery and a proper tele lens for the wildlife. We had a 180-600mm tele zoom lens which was ideal as sometimes wildlife can be at quite a distance (especially the Orangutans).
- >>> Please note that the Orangutan sanctuary in Sepilok charges a camera fee, that is around 2-3 USD for all camera equipment up to 400mm zoom, anything beyond that costs 200 USD, so it's worth bringing something below 400mm for Sepilok (for example a 70-200mm or 100-400mm tele zoom lens).
“Is the wilds of Borneo calling you? If you crave a deep wildlife immersion that prioritizes ethical conservation and refined exclusivity, make this your landmark journey of 2027.”
