Borneo Rainforest Expedition
"Going up the river arms was like traveling back to the earliest beginnings of the world, when vegetation rioted on the earth and the big trees were kings"
- Joseph Conrad
Few places on the planet evoke such a sense of biological exuberance, unbridled discovery, and nature at her most spectacular, as do the rainforests of Borneo. Though Joseph Conrad said this about the Congo, he may as well have been talking about Borneo. When one is in the heart of a Bornean dipterocarp forest, it's as though one has slipped back in time to a world where plants and animals went about their business undisturbed by human beings and the giant trees ruled them all.
Lonely Planet describes Borneo as "the result of a grand experiment. It answers the question of what would happen if you put a giant island right on the equator, sprinkled it with a vast amount of genetic material, soaked it with heaping quantities of sunlight and water, and then waited a few million years. The result is an explosion of life in exuberant abundance - Mother Nature's wildest fantasy."
Borneo's forests are some of the most biodiverse on the planet and is home to more than 15,000 species of plants. You will come across towering dipterocarp trees crowded with epiphytes and and a myriad things in the rich forest leaf-litter to distract you. According to WWF, the island is estimated to have at least 222 species of mammals (44 of which are endemic), 420 resident birds (37 endemic), 100 amphibians, 394 fish (19 endemic), and 15,000 plants (6,000 endemic). Surveys have found more than 700 species of trees in a 10 hectare plot - a number equal to the total number of trees in North America combined. The rainforests of Borneo are home to amazing rainforest birds such as Rhinoceros Hornbill, Bornean Bristlehead, and Argus Pheasant, and an array of primates from the curious proboscis monkey and maroon langur, to Asia's only great ape, the endangered orangutan.
Features of the Expedition :
- 7 days/6 nights exploration in the oldest and the most magnificent rainforests on earth
- Explore Danum Valley - One of the least disturbed and biologically rich rainforests on the planet
- Stay at Danum Valley Field Center, which is given out only for wildlife scientists, researchers, and special interest groups
- Only 8 people on the expedition, guided by a wildlife photographer and a tropical biologist
The Schedule
Expedition dates : Sept 03 - 9th, 2012
Day 1
Leave early morning from Bangalore/Chennai to Kota Kinabalu (via Kuala Lumpur). From there, take the connecting flight to Lahad Datu in the afternoon and reach Danum Valley Field Center by evening.
Days 2/3/4
During the next three days, you will enjoy Danum Valley. Set up to protect the area from logging, Danum Valley is a 430 sq km pristine, unlogged rainforest. The conservation area has a variety of wildlife including, orangutans, clouded leopard, elephants, and Malayan sun bear. Danum Valley also i is one of the places with the highest number of hornbill species (8) in southeast Asia. With both canopy walkways and viewpoints which look out over the jungle canopy and the dramatic mountains, this area is the best place on earth to see and photograph wildlife and landscapes.
We will be staying at the Danum Valley Field center where we may have a chance to interact with biologists and naturalists working in the region and know the place very well. The 3 days will be packed with canopy walks, night safaris, and rainforest explorations with a biologist, wildlife and macro photography and a visit to the Borneo Rainforest Lodge where we will be spending the whole day on the other side of the forest. We will also plant native species of trees to at least partly sequester the carbon foot print of our travel.
Day 5
Visit the highest view point in the morning at Danum Vallery and then leave for Sukau, which is rainforest along the Kinabatangan River. We reach in time for the evening boat ride along the river. This is a great chance to see the Bornean elephants, hornbills, many species of primates, and spectacular sunsets.
Day 6
You will be taking a boat cruise along the Kinabatangan River in the morning and in the evening, which has one of the greatest concentrations of wildlife in Borneo, to search for the odd-nosed monkeys of Borneo, the Proboscis Monkeys, and a host of other wildlife and many species of birds.
Day 7
Leave Sukau early in the morning and reach the Rainforest Discovery Center at Sepilok. Here, along the canopy walkway, one can photograph many species of birds, including the elusive Bornean Bristlehead. We reach Sandakan by lunch and catch the afternoon flight to Kota Kinabalu and then the connecting flights to India.
It's about rainforest exploration and photography - Lots of it!
This expedition will be informal and fun. Kalyan Varma and Divya Mudappa will be alongside you at all times. We will have discussions and assistance on specialized topics such as long lens techniques, action shooting, macro photography, wildlife observation, animal behaviour, field craft and conservation. Advanced techniques will be constantly discussed, demonstrated and put into practice.
This expedition is also about photographing in the field, along with s few classroom and review sessions. It is not the place for absolute beginners as there will be no basic photographic instruction per se. Participants and the group leader will work side by side, sharing their knowledge, vision, philosophy and experience. This is a unique opportunity to travel and shoot with an experienced professional photographer and a biologist. They know the forests intimately and can take you to the best photography locations at the right time -- when optimal light shines.
Is this expedition for you ?
Here are some key points to help you decide:
1. Photographers and wildlifers of ALL levels but for beginners are welcome. This expedition will be conducive to learning from one another and include instruction that will suit everyone's photographic needs. No question is off limits, no inquiry too basic.
2. Photographing in the field is KEY. Most of our time and effort will be spent in the jungle. We do meet daily to review images, discuss techniques, and have informal lectures on many topics related to wildlife photography. This is intended for those who wish to increase the quality of their photography as well as learn about the fascinating rainforests.
3. Non-photographer or videographer spouses / travel companions will love this expedition.
What's Included?
- All the stay, jungle treks, jeep drops, night safari.
- All park fees
- Accommodation, based on double occupancy
- All 3 meals inclusive with morning and evening tea
What is Not Included?
- Your travel charges to and back to your hometown from Borneo
- Tips for staff such as guides and camp staff
- Fees for passport, visas, immunizations, insurance and airport taxes
- Alcoholic beverages and sodas
- Laundry, phone and other items of a personal nature
Accommodation
The stay will be at The Danum Valley Field Centre in Danum Valley. This is a research station which may give us an oppurtinity to meet with the scientists who are working in the area. This is normally not open for regular tourists.
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Reviews of past safaris
The Cost
The cost of all-inclusive expedition to Borneo is Rs 1,24,000 per person (but not inclusive of air travel). The same rate applies for each participant regardless of whether they are doing photography and participating in the expedition, or not.
Accommodation is two persons to a room.
What people have said
And so it was in the week in Borneo. there was no "destination" to reach-- the journey was it everyday. and what a journey it was. i felt every second. aware. awake. wide-eyed, open-armed (and open-mouthed too!). in the now. it was an intensely personal experience that touched me deeply and has left me replete.
- Arati Rao
This trip has been quite enriching in multiple ways. Not only am I now more confident about my photography skills, thanks to all the guidance, but my awareness and knowledge about rain-forests and wildlife too has increased many fold.
- Aroj
Personally for me a combination of multi level; multi dimensional sensory exploration of the pristine jungle + sightings of the rainforest inhabitants + sharing of profound knowledge + capturing special moments through photography tips & insights, the trip was memorable & an extremely wonderful experiential holiday.
- Vivek
What Do I Do Next?
If you're excited by the thought of becoming a member of this photography expedition, then now is the time to register. Kindly email kalyan@rtns.org to register for the expedition, or if you have any questions:
Further reading
Borneo's Moment of Truth
Treasure Island at Risk - WWF report
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