River Junkie

Elephants playing in the water before they cross the Kinabatangan River! 😍😍 If you are an animal lover, this place should be on your list. 😉

Maliau Basin is so hard to describe in words. It is one of those places that you have to see to believe. The rainforest here is some of the most pristine anywhere in Borneo which is why Maliau is referred to as Sabah's Lost World.

Trips here are special and if you decide to do it, you can count on the fact you will not run into many other tourists. Check out more info on Maliau at the link below.
www.river-junkie.com/maliau-basin

Include climbing Mount Kinabalu in your travel plans if you're already mapping out your upcoming trip to Sabah. A remarkable adventure in Sabah awaits you. Standing at an impressive height of 4095 meters, Mount Kinabalu is the highest summit between the Himalayas and New Guinea.

Climbers will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the mountain's chilly climate while witnessing the awe-inspiring sunrise from the peak, surrounded by a captivating blanket of clouds.

River cruises along the Kinabatangan river are a great way to discover Borneo's incredible wildlife! If you'd like to see more of Borneo's bird species up close, don't forget to bring or rent a pair of binoculars. It's better to spend that extra RM100 to rent a pair for 3 days at Hornbill Lodge than to miss out on spectacular sightings that are just a touch too far away for the naked eye!

Explore Borneo in comfort at Hornbill Lodge! Beautiful new River Chalets, incredible wildlife, and tasty local food 😍

Today signifies the end of Sabah’s month-long cultural celebration, Tadau Kaamatan, also known as the Harvest Festival.

What’s the plan for today? Are you off to Hongkod Koisaan in Penampang or just chilling at home?😊

Pictured here are some of Sabah’s diverse tribes: Murut, taken at Mari Mari Cultural Village, about 40 minutes away from Kota Kinabalu.

Last up in our series of wildlife illustrations is the bird behind our name, the Rhinoceros Hornbill. Their distinctive wings beats passing overhead is a familiar sound for guests relaxing on their balcony at Hornbill Lodge. It isn't easy to "tick off" all 8 species of hornbill during a 2 night stay but for avid birdwatchers it can certainly be an interesting challenge to see how far through the list they can make it!

Perfectly illustrated by for .lodge

The "man of the forest" requires little introduction and our series of endemic species illustrations would not be complete without this robust looking, yet endangered, species. For some visitors, an encounter with a Bornean orangutan can be the main driving force behind their entire trip to Borneo, especially a wild encounter at dawn along the misty Kinabatangan river.

Wildlife illustration by especially for .lodge

Many visitors come to the Kinabatagan river in the hope of spotting a Borneo pygmy elephant. The lucky ones will return home with tales and photos of mother elephants gently encouraging their young to cross the river, supporting them as they finally take the plunge and ensuring their safe passage to the opposite river bank.

Pygmy elephant illustration by especially for .lodge

First up, the social proboscis monkey, one of the Kinabatangan river's easiest to spot inhabitants and a firm favourite amongst our guests. Watch from the boat in the late afternoon and you will see them converge in the trees right on the river bank, ready to settle down for the night. The river front trees provide an escape route to the river below in case a clouded leopard should show the group some unwanted attention.

Wildlife illustrations by especially for .lodge

Incredible new artwork coming soon to Hornbill Lodge 😍

Over the next week we will be sharing with you the creative process behind 4 fantastic drawings commissioned especially for Hornbill Lodge and brought to life by the very talented . These 4 endemic species reflect our guests favourite sightings at the Kinabatangan river and will soon grace the walls of our beautiful River Chalets. Immerse yourself in Borneo's wildlife, not only on the river but also in your room!


junkie

Turtle Island is a breathtaking island off the coast of Sandakan in Sabah, Malaysia. A big shout out to the dedicated team working to conserve the ocean turtles!

Check out a Turtle Island trip here:
www.river-junkie.com/turtle-island

📣 𝐖𝐞'𝐫𝐞 𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠! 📣

Fantastic opportunity for the right person to join our team at Hornbill Lodge in Bilit village and take the next step in their tourism career!



Borneo Travellers Group

Join our amazing team and be part of something great! All details can be found in the picture! Good luck and see you soon? 😆

Caves are an enigma with their unusual jagged structures and beautiful unique landscapes, and there’s really no need to be a geologist or a daring cave explorer to appreciate the wonders that any cave has to offer. All you need is a curious mind and an open heart, and you’re all set!

Within the World Heritage Site of Mulu National Park in Sarawak, are four show caves that are incredibly unique in their own mysterious way. Each cave has its own story to tell!

Join us to discover the show caves of Gunung Mulu National Park in Sarawak on our 3 days 2 nights trip.

Escape to Sapulot's secluded jungles for an authentic Bornean adventure. At the border of Sabah and Kalimantan, the Murut tribe will take you on a journey back to a simpler time, living in harmony with nature.

Experience the thrill of a riverboat ride or hike Batu Punggul's 600-meter limestone to explore the extensive caverns of Pungiton Cave. Savor traditional performances and local cuisine by the Murut tribe at night.

Escape the bright lights of Kuching and enjoy a two-night stay at Nanga Sumpa Lodge.

During this trip you will travel upriver by traditional longboat, have a swim at a waterfall, visit the Nanga Sumpa longhouse and surrounding farms, participate in the daily activities of the Iban people, and trek through the surrounding jungle on trails along streams and through farmlands to primary rainforest.

Book this trip with us:
Whatsapp: +60 11-1265 8581
Email: [email protected]

🌍💚Happy Birthday, Dear Earth! 💚🌍 ⁠
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Today, we celebrate Earth Day 🌱 – it's all about loving our planet and making it a better place. Let's take a moment to appreciate and send our gratitude to Mother Nature. Let’s set an intention to protect our beautiful planet. Together, we can make a difference and ensure a thriving future for nature and earthlings alike 💚

Stunning sunrise at Mount Kinabalu! 🌄

Check out our guide on top of the world! Such a gorgeous sunrise makes every inch of the climb worth it!

📸 photo credit:

Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri to all those celebrating around the world! Have a great holiday & enjoy this festival with cheer & joy ❤️❤️

📸 IG:

🐵Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre 🐵

If you happen to be travelling through Sandakan, a must-see attraction is the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre. Here, you can witness the feeding time of these gentle creatures, which is a truly unique and awe-inspiring experience. Get up close and personal with the orangutans as they swing from tree to tree and feast on their food. Don't miss the opportunity to witness these intelligent and majestic creatures in their natural habitat!

𝐇𝐨𝐫𝐧𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐋𝐨𝐝𝐠𝐞, Kinabatangan river 💚

Nestled amongst mature fruit trees in a quiet bend of the Kinabatangan river, Hornbill Lodge offers nature lovers a chance to discover this region's incredible wildlife both by boat and on foot.

Join our daily cruises, walks & night walks in search of orangutans, proboscis monkeys, pygmy elephants, estuarine crocodiles and more! Book now: [email protected]

Photo credit to Syed Hafiz
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I'm pretty sure most people who climb Mount Kinabalu had an encounter with the naughty squirrel 😆😆

Whilst large mammals (other than sweaty climbers) are not commonly spotted, there is plenty of of smaller wildlife to keep you entertained! 😉

Ahh look at their happy faces after reaching the peak of the Pinnacles! 😍

The hike to Pinnacles Mulu, towering at an impressive height of 1200m, is a challenging yet breathtaking experience. The journey through rugged terrain may not be easy, but the reward at the end of the trail is truly awe-inspiring. The stunning views of the surrounding landscape from the top of the Pinnacles are worth every step of the journey.

Some incredible pygmy elephant sightings at the Kinabatangan recently!

Once believed to be remnants of a domesticated herd given to the Sultan of Sulu in the 17th century, Bornean elephants were determined by WWF to be genetically different from other Asian elephants. DNA evidence proved that these elephants were naturally isolated about 300,000 years ago from their cousins on mainland Asia and Sumatra, possibly by traveling across land bridges from mainland Asia.

Photo credit to Max Guntas Macaulay 🐘

💚Green vibes only 💚
Deramakot is a unique destination offering exciting experiences that include morning walks, dawn jungle drives, bird watching, and jungle trekking. The 4WD night safari and spotlighting offer the best opportunities to spot the nocturnal wildlife. It's like your own National Geographic experience.

Escape your busy life with our 3D2N adventure package! Limited spots are available on 21st - 23rd February 2024. Book now to recharge in a tranquil setting.

Exciting news from our sister company Scuba Ju**ie 🤩 We can't wait to head over to Komodo, swop our jungle gear for dive gear and try out their new liveaboard ourselves!

We have VERY exciting news!
Our brand new Scuba Ju**ie liveaboard phinisi boat, KLM Eliya, will have its maiden voyage in the Komodo National Park on April 24th!!
Our website is now live ( https://www.scubajunkieliveaboards.com/)
So please email us at [email protected] to receive our incredible special opening discount.

The maiden voyage is almost full but there is a promo still for -
May - 30% off
June - 20% off

Book now to get an amazing discount on our stunning liveaboard- spaces are filling up incredibly fast- so what are you waiting for?!

Solo travellers & budget backpackers in search of wildlife, this one is for you 💚

Hornbill Lodge on the banks of the Kinabatangan offers the most comfortable dorms on the river with modern ensuite bathrooms, air-conditioning, sweeping river views and super single sized beds for extra comfort!