Luxury Jungle and Beach

Fly overnight from London via Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu.

Upon arrival on day 2, you will be met and transferred to Shangri-La Tanjung Aru where you will stay for 2 nights with breakfast included. This is an idyllic beachfront retreat with sweeping sea views and a celebrated spa, only minutes from the city’s vibrant waterfront.

Day 3 is a full day to spend at leisure. Relax by the pool or explore the colourful markets which are close by. If you’re tempted, we can arrange a day trip to Mount Kinabalu, a countryside cycling tour or even white-water rafting.

Want to start with a few nights in Kuala Lumpur or Singapore instead? Or start with a more secluded beach stay? We can tailor this holiday idea to you.

After breakfast this morning, take a short flight to Lahad Datu, gateway to the remote and extraordinary Danum Valley. From here, it’s a 2-hour overland journey into one of the planet’s most untouched equatorial rainforests—a 430 sq km reserve of pristine primary jungle that has never been logged or settled.

Your destination is the renowned Borneo Rainforest Lodge, an eco-luxury retreat set on the banks of the Danum River. You’ll spend 3 nights here (Full Board) in a stylish rainforest chalet—some with outdoor bathtubs and views into the jungle canopy—where hornbills swoop between the trees and the mist hangs low over emerald-green ridgelines.

Danum is one of the most biodiverse places on Earth, home to over 120 mammal species, including orangutans, clouded leopards, pygmy elephants, and red leaf monkeys. This afternoon, stretch your legs on a guided trail walk through the forest to spot wildlife and get your bearings, then experience the incredible canopy walkway—a series of safe, elevated bridges that bring you eye-to-eye with the jungle’s aerial life. After dark, head out on an open-top night safari to spot rare nocturnal creatures as the forest comes alive.

Wake to the sound of gibbons calling across the valley before setting out on the Viewpoint Trail, which winds through the forest to a remote Kadazandusun burial site. Along the way, your guide will reveal medicinal plants, tell stories of tribal traditions, and help you spot wildlife hiding in the undergrowth. The final climb rewards you with sweeping jungle views, followed by a refreshing swim beneath a hidden waterfall—a magical moment in this dense, steamy forest.

Afternoons are tailored to your interests. Go birdwatching—Danum is a haven for rare species like the giant pitta and blue-headed pitta—or float gently down the river on a tubing excursion, keeping an eye out for kingfishers and monitor lizards. Join further guided hikes into lesser-travelled forest trails, or simply relax at the lodge and soak up the extraordinary setting from your private terrace.

Want to add in boat safaris? We can combine Danum Valley with the Kinabatangan River. Ask us to tailor this holiday to you.

After a guided dawn walk, you will be transferred to Lahad Datu airport for your onward flight to Kota Kinabalu. On arrival you will be met and taken to the jetty for your boat across to Bungaraya Island Resort on Gaya Island to spend your last 7 nights with breakfast included. Traditional timber villas with private plunge pools are surrounded by the rainforest, sitting above a crescent of white sand.

The next 6 days here are blissfully unhurried. Snorkel over coral gardens, kayak through quiet coves, paddleboard across glassy water, or join guided nature walks. Indulge at the award-winning spa or simply lounge by your private pool as hornbills glide overhead.

On day 14 you will enjoy a final swim or lazy breakfast before your boat and car transfer to Kota Kinabalu airport for your overnight flight to London.

Call 01273 923100 to start planning your holiday