Day 1 Arrival in Kota Kinabalu & Sunset Dinner Cruise
Morning: Warm greetings at Kota Kinabalu Airport, then a transfer to your city hotel.
Afternoon: After checking in at the Hotel, spend your afternoon exploring Kota Kinabalu's rustic charm. Visit local cafes, shop for souvenirs, or relax at your hotel.
Evening: At 4:45 PM, transfer to Sutera Marina Jetty for the North Borneo Cruises - Sunset Dinner Cruise. Enjoy a serene evening on the South China Sea as you cruise past islands and water villages along Sabah’s west coast. Wander around the vessel, soaking in panoramic ocean views while being serenaded by a live band in the restaurant below.
Overnight: Stay at a Hotel in Kota Kinabalu.
Day 2 Island Hopping Adventure
After breakfast, head to a fantastic island-hopping adventure.
Depart from your hotel and transfer to the jetty.
Embark on a 20-minute boat ride to Sapi Island, where you can relax on the beach, swim in crystal-clear waters, and soak up the sun.
Then, hop on a speedboat to Manukan Island for more beach fun and a delicious buffet lunch.
Spend the afternoon enjoying various sea sports activities or exploring the island before returning to your hotel.
Overnight stay at the hotel
Day 3 Scenic Journey to Kundasang via Tamparuli & Kinabalu Park
Morning: After breakfast, embark on a scenic journey into the heart of Sabah’s lush countryside. Your first stop is Tamparuli Town, where you can stroll across the iconic suspension bridge and experience the local charm.
Afternoon: Continue to Nabalu Handicraft Market, perched on a hillside with stunning views of Mount Kinabalu. Explore the market’s local produce, fruits, and handcrafted souvenirs. Then, visit Kinabalu National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, home to Southeast Asia’s highest peak, Mount Kinabalu. Explore the park’s Botanical Garden, teeming with unique plant species, birds, and butterflies.
Evening: After visiting the Kundasang Market, check into the Hotel at Kinabalu Park. Before dinner, take some time to relax and enjoy the serene surroundings.
Overnight: Stay at Kundasang Lodge.
Day 4 Desa Cow Farm, Alpaca Club & Kundasang Farm Ville
Morning: Wake up to the cool mountain air and breathtaking views of Mount Kinabalu. After breakfast, visit Desa Cow Farm, located on the foothills of Mount Kinabalu. Enjoy the stunning landscape, get close to the cattle, and sample fresh dairy products like milk, yogurt, and gelato.
Afternoon: Next, visit the Alpaca Club to meet and hand-feed the adorable alpacas. Continue to Kundasang Farm Ville, a new attraction offering an aquaponic farm, selfie garden, ice cream bus, and cozy café.
Evening: Check into your hotel in Kota Kinabalu City and relax after a day of exploration.
Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 5 Departure
Morning: After breakfast, enjoy your last few hours in Kota Kinabalu at leisure. Depending on your flight schedule, you may have time for some last-minute shopping or a stroll along the waterfront.
Afternoon: Transfer to Kota Kinabalu International Airport for your flight home, or extend your stay to explore more of Sabah.
Just went for 8 day safari with James and Wild Portraits Safaris...it was spot o (Read More)n perfect.
Reasons
1.Clear communication and replies always comes very quickly on WhatsApp.
2. Very genuine with suggestions and doesn't do things as a job or formality.
3. James is very knowledgeable.
4. The enthusiasm and passion shown by James was just so infectious.
5. The planning of itinerary takes care of all the finer details.
6. They really take care of your focus and they don't try to sell anything you are not interested in. For example we skipped the village visit because we didn't see value in it.
7. Quite flexible and adjusts as things progress.
Agent: Scope Safaris
Abhishek • 3 months ago
Justus and his team made all arrangements for us. We are a family of 4 with 2 yo (Read More)ung children. He was always by our side and made sure we enjoyed our vacation. Highly recommended for families who need extra care.
Agent: Javiva Adventures
Mamta • 3 months ago
The entire trip was handled with extreme professionalism by both Janet and our g (Read More)uide Bonnie.
We got to see the Big5 within 3 days of our itenary and more on the next days. Janet was very thorough with our itenary and helped us throughout and Bonnie knew all the best spots on all of our game drives. We didn't feel rushed throughout our tour, because it is designed very well to accomodate enough rest. 10/10 recommend
We didn't expect Kenya to be so cold, so at some places we missed warm water for (Read More) wash
Agent: Wild Portraits Safaris
Anirudh • 5 months ago
I reached out to Wild Portraits via a safari service website that featured numer (Read More)ous tour operators. Among the competition, James stood out due to his exceptional patience, politeness, and genuine curiosity displayed during our initial phone calls.
James swiftly emerged as the singular operator I wished to proceed with, and here’s why:
- Having substantial on-ground experience from spending extensive time on the safaris himself, he adeptly crafted a honeymoon package that perfectly suited my wife and me.
- He adeptly navigated our budget flexibilities and constraints to arrange an impressive array of delightful lodges and activities, focusing on maximising our day-to-day adventures, ensuring each day on safari and at the lodges offered a unique experience.
- A skilled photographer himself, James's comprehensive knowledge of various reserves and animal behaviours provided him with a distinct advantage in predicting animal locations and optimal times for photography, whether capturing sunrises, sunsets, or other moments.
- Our priority was to maximise game time and reserve experiences. James made certain our vehicle was ready, complete with packed hot breakfast boxes, for a prompt 6 AM departure every morning of the trip.
- Remarkably patient, he addressed all my queries, irrespective of whether they seemed 'silly' or insightful—from 'what to wear' at safaris, potential places to explore, to the animals we might encounter.
In summary, my wife and I enjoyed an extraordinary experience in Kenya, with Wild Portraits Safaris significantly enhancing the quality of that journey. We are eagerly anticipating more safaris and look forward to embarking on them with James and his team!