Over the years, there have been many locations around Sabah that are identified as bird watching sites, and currently, there are more than 10 sites specialising in bird watching here in North Borneo.
Bird Watching in Sabah Borneo
With the growth of bird watching and bird photography in Sabah, many trained professional bird guides are found all over Sabah.
At some of the birding destinations in Sabah, the resorts provide professional bird watching guides, making it extremely easy for bird watchers and photographers. Below is the list of places around Sabah where you can do this hobby.
Maliau Basin is one of the lesser-visited bird watching sites in Sabah |
1. Danum Valley
2. Tabin Wildlife Reserve
3. Maliau Basin
4. Kinabalu National Park
5. Crocker Range National Park
6. Kinabatangan River
7. Labuan Island
8. KK Wetlands
9. Imbak Canyon
10 Sepilok-Kabali Forest Reserve
The Sabah bird watching sites mentioned above are all random and have been personally visited by me over the years. And to be honest, each of them provides a different birding experience.
However, if there is one bird watching event to attend, I would highly recommend you visit Sandakan during the last quarter of the year, where the unique Borneo Bird Festival happens.
Part of the visitor engagement at the Borneo Bird Festival |
With the growth of birding around Sabah, a unique and dedicated event called the Borneo Bird Festival was created by a local bird club called the Sandakan Borneo Bird Club.
This special birding event is supported by the state government, the local council, and the Sabah Tourism Board to promote bird tourism in this part of Sabah.
After running for many years, this event has seen considerable growth in the birding industry, namely for bird watchers, photographers, and nature lovers.
Blue-throated Bee Eater |
Among the activities lined up yearly is a bird photography contest offering cash prizes, talks and workshops, exhibition booths, guided birdwatching walks, a bird race and more.
One of the main highlights of this event is to spot the famous and rare Bornean Bristlehead Bird, which is known to be around the RDC.
One of the main highlights of this event is to spot the famous and rare Bornean Bristlehead Bird, which is known to be around the RDC.
Considering that I am indeed an amateur in this field, I did attempt some bird photography at the Kinabatangan River in 2009. Do take a peek and let me know what you think.
That experience absolutely opened up my eyes to bird watching, so I have constantly been attending the Borneo Bird Festival to learn more about this unique and fascinating hobby.
Below are random photographs of the Borneo Bird Festival, the premier birdwatching event in Sabah.
That experience absolutely opened up my eyes to bird watching, so I have constantly been attending the Borneo Bird Festival to learn more about this unique and fascinating hobby.
Below are random photographs of the Borneo Bird Festival, the premier birdwatching event in Sabah.
Bird Race at the Borneo Bird Festival 2010
Little Spiderhunter
Oriental Darter, one of the much-sought birds to be photographed
Birdwatchers at the Tuaran Paddy Fields
All the pictures above are courtesy of Azahari Reyes, aka Jason. For more interesting pictures and information on birding around Sabah, visit his fantastic website on Birds of Sabah Borneo Island.
Jason is also one of the very active Birders in Sabah Borneo, and you will probably meet him at any of the Borneo Bird Festival events.
Jason is also one of the very active Birders in Sabah Borneo, and you will probably meet him at any of the Borneo Bird Festival events.
There are several other ways to get here for those planning to head to this event.
How to go to Sepilok in Sabah:
- Located just out of Sandakan town, RDC Sepilok is about 23 kilometres from town. Getting to RDC Sepilok is relatively simple as it takes about 30 to 40 minutes by car or van. (Self-drive or tour company)
- There is a public bus service from the Labuk Bus Company that departs from the Sandakan Town Council at RM2.10 one way, but the bus stops at the junction of the main road. You then need to walk about 1.5km.
- Taxi service from Sandakan is available with a return trip costing about RM100.00 (US$25). Do negotiate with your taxi about the prices.
- Getting to Sepilok from Kota Kinabalu (KK) is also possible. A bus ride would take about 7-8 hours from KK to Sandakan and would cost around RM30-50 one way. Visit this site for Kota Kinabalu-Sandakan bus fares and tickets.
- A better option is to fly to Sandakan as direct flights from Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu, and Kuching. AirAsia offers some cheap tickets if you book early. Malaysia Airlines also has reasonable ticket prices if you want to compare them.
Map of Sepilok, Sandakan |
- Drive along Jalan Labuk from Sandakan Town
- Turn left at the Mile 14 roundabout (with a giant Orangutan statue)
- Drive along until you see the large, pictorial RDC sign and turn right
- Drive for about 500 meters to the RDC car park
- There is a public bus service from the Labuk Bus Company that departs from the Sandakan Town Council at RM2.10 (US$0.50) one way, but the bus stops at the junction of the main road. You then need to walk in about 2km or thumb a ride.
A telephoto lens on one of the bird watchers camera |
For those active in birding, you can also visit my other site called Bird Watching Asia for more information on birding.
If you would like to find out a little more information, contact the Sabah Tourism Board below.
Borneo Bird Festival Organiser: Sabah Tourism Board
Contact Person: Noredah Othman (Sabah Tourism Board)
Telephone : +6088 212121
Fax : +6088 212075
Email Contact: noredah@sabahtourism.com
Conclusion
If you have an avid interest in this unique and exciting hobby, you are most welcome to join any of the birding events held here in Sandakan or around Sabah.
Travel agencies or professional birders can arrange for tours or packages if you want to do bird watching in Sabah. Prices also vary from one another, and you can also seek freelance licensed guides for this.
Please do ask below in the comment form, and I will try my best to help you. I hope this article on bird watching in Sabah has come in handy for you.
Telephone : +6088 212121
Fax : +6088 212075
Email Contact: noredah@sabahtourism.com
At one of the events during the Borneo Bird Festival |
If you have an avid interest in this unique and exciting hobby, you are most welcome to join any of the birding events held here in Sandakan or around Sabah.
Travel agencies or professional birders can arrange for tours or packages if you want to do bird watching in Sabah. Prices also vary from one another, and you can also seek freelance licensed guides for this.
Please do ask below in the comment form, and I will try my best to help you. I hope this article on bird watching in Sabah has come in handy for you.