Festival of Wildlife Join a group of expert naturalists in Borneo’s Danum Valley that include television wildlife presenters Nick Baker and Nigel Marven, acclaimed wildlife photographers Nick Garbutt and Alex Hyde, and award-winning sculptor Nick Mackman – plus the Wildlife Worldwide team – for this unique wildlife event!

The concept Since its inception in 2004, the Festival of Wildlife concept has evolved to become a week-long event packed with a rich variety of activities. The original concept was devised by Wildlife Worldwide founder Chris Breen, whose vision was to “celebrate all aspects of an area’s flora and fauna”.

Such was the success of the first Festival in Kenya’s Masai Mara, that the Festival concept grew and developed. Subsequent Festivals took place in the Galapagos Islands in 2005, Ranthambhore National Park in India in 2006, the Great Bear Rainforest, British Columbia in 2007, Madagascar in 2008, the legendary Serengeti in Tanzania in 2009, and Brazil’s Pantanal in 2010. Mexico’s Baja California has been home to the Festival of Whales since 2014, and we are returning to the Great Bear Rainforest in 2015 for the first Festival of Bears.

Many participants have returned regularly to enjoy the celebrations. And the wildlife focus has turned on iconic species such as lions, tigers, jaguars, lemurs, grey whales, grizzly bears, as well as those which led the young Charles Darwin to formulate his ground-breaking theory of evolution.

To celebrate 25 years of Wildlife Worldwide, the Festival of Wildlife returns – this time to Borneo’s Danum Valley.

The location The 2017 Festival of Wildlife visits Borneo, the third-largest island in the world and Asia’s largest. Lying north of Java, west of Sulawesi, east of Sumatra and close to the northernmost islands of the Philippines, it stands at the geographical heart of the widely-scattered archipelago of Southeast Asia.

Borneo is divided between three countries: Malaysia and the tiny, oil-rich, sovereign state of Brunei in the north, while to the south Indonesia occupies roughly 73% of the island’s territory. The Malaysian portion consists of the states of Sabah and Sarawak, plus the federal territory of Labuan on a small island just off the northern coast. The highest point is Mount Kinabalu in Sabah, which rises to an elevation of 4,095 metres overlooking the South China Sea.

Home to the world’s oldest rainforests – more than 130 million years old! – Borneo possesses around 15,000 species of flowering plants and 3,000 tree species. This exceptional biodiversity is yet further enriched by the presence of more than 200 species of terrestrial mammal and 420 species of resident bird, making the island an evolutionary hotspot and a centre for distribution of endemic plant and animal species.

Borneo’s rainforests are one of the few remaining natural habitats for the endangered orangutan, and a vital refuge for other endemic forest dwellers such as the Asian elephant, the Sumatran rhinoceros, the Bornean clouded leopard, Hose's civet and the Dayak fruit bat. Since the "Heart of Borneo" agreement was signed in 2007, to safeguard the island’s rainforest, some 123 new species have been discovered here – a testament to the importance of conservation for future generations.

The venue In 2017 the Festival of Wildlife will take place at the remarkable Borneo Rainforest Lodge in Danum Valley Conservation Area. Located some two hours drive inland from the town of Lahad Datu in eastern Sabah, this lodge lies in pristine jungle at the heart of a major conservation area, and the drive in along the well-maintained but unsurfaced access road offers unparalleled views of virtually untouched rainforest. Considering the remoteness of its location, this unique, award-winning property offers an extremely high standard of accommodation in a wonderful setting beside the Danum River, and blends in discreetly with the surrounding rainforest.

Wildlife abounds in the surrounding pristine 43,800-hectare conservation area – more than 340 bird species have been recorded here, along with 124 species of mammals, 72 species of reptiles, 56 species of amphibians, and there is a staggering biodiversity of 200 plant species per hectare! Much of the fauna is nocturnal, however, and is most likely to be seen during a night safari or jungle trek, however individual wild orangutans frequently nest in the vicinity of the lodge.

The nearby canopy walkway provides unimpeded and safe viewing of the 130-million-year-old forest from a maximum height of 26 metres i.e. at eye level with the tree-tops. With a total length of some 300 metres, the walkway has five sturdy platforms that are perfect for watching canopy-dwelling birds at dawn or dusk, or simply experiencing the splendour of the forest. An extensive network of marked trails allows you to encounter the area’s birdlife and mammals in small break-out groups in the company of the lodge’s experienced and knowledgeable naturalist guides and our very own team of expert.

The activities As well as opportunities to explore the Danum Valley’s pristine rainforest accompanied by naturalist guides, there will be workshops, master- classes, lectures, presentations and wildlife-related discussions delivered throughout the week by our guest speakers and wildlife experts.

Our final evening’s gala dinner will feature an auction in aid of wildlife charities. Past auctions have made a major contribution towards the development of local conservation programmes.

As a Festival of Wildlife participant you can expect to meet like-minded fellow enthusiasts, while gaining and sharing valuable insights into the fragility of the natural world, and helping with the conservation of local wildlife.

I sincerely hope that you can join us for this inspirational stay in Borneo’s magical rainforest.

We will issue a full daily programme of events closer to the time.

The Experts

Nick Baker – naturalist and television presenter Naturalist and television wildlife presenter Nick Baker is known to many as host of BBC Autumnwatch Unsprung and Springwatch Unsprung, as well as presenting the highly popular long- running Weird Creatures series (C5 / Animal Planet). Nick is an edgy, exciting broadcaster with incredible drive and passion, whose experience includes expeditions to the wildest parts of the planet - including Borneo - in search of weird, bizarre and incredible creatures.

His career encompasses the wild in its broadest sense: serious natural history and science, explorations of land and ocean, conservation, and extinction. He appears regularly in a variety of TV programmes in both the UK and the USA that range from Harry Hill’s TV Burp and Loose Women to Tomorrow’s World. In the US Nick was one of National Geographic’s Ultimate Explorers (National Geographic US / MSNBC), covering topics such as anti-poaching patrols in Cambodia, natural areas from Yellowstone to Yukon, the ebola outbreak in the Congo, and emergent zoonotic viruses.

Nigel Marven – naturalist and television presenter Nigel Marven is widely known as the presenter of Ten Deadliest Snakes. On finishing school, Nigel spent a year travelling throughout America before returning to read Botany and Zoology at university in - the world capital of wildlife filmmaking. While researching for an MSc, Nigel got his first break in television on a BBC wildlife programme, where he learned about film-making. His first full-time television job was as a researcher on his hero 's First Eden series about the Mediterranean.

Because of his experience with Mediterranean wildlife, the BBC Drama Department asked Nigel to be an Assistant Producer on a ten- part serialisation based on Gerald Durrell's book My Family and Other Animals, filming for over five months on the Greek island of Corfu. Nigel remained at the BBC for well over a decade, producing many primetime wildlife films including Incredible Journeys and Life of Birds. He eventually left to join Granada Television, where he continued to produce cutting-edge wildlife films but also found a new role in front of the camera. Five years later, Nigel now runs his own production company and makes films that are screened all over the world. He too has previously worked and filmed in Malaysian Borneo.

Nick Garbutt – photographer An award-winning photographer and author, with a background in zoology, Nick has forged a career by combining these skills with leading tours and lecturing. His travels have taken him all over the world, but he has worked extensively in Malaysian Borneo.

Nick has written and photographed several critically acclaimed books, including: ‘100 Animals to See Before They Die’, ‘Mammals of Madagascar: A Complete Guide’, ‘Wild Borneo’, and ‘Chameleons’.

He is a regular contributor to a wide range of international magazines such as National Geographic, Terra Mater, BBC Wildlife, Africa Geographic and Geographical.

Nick has twice been a winner in the BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year Competition. In 2000, he won the prestigious Gerald Durrell Award for Endangered Wildlife, and in 1996 won the Urban & Garden Wildlife category in the same competition. Over the years, several of his images have been awarded Specially Commended or Highly Commended status.

His photographs also appear widely in books, calendars, promotional material and other publications worldwide. He is a Special Lecturer on the MSc course in the Wildlife Photography and Imaging at Nottingham University, where he studied.

Nick leads the Wildlife Worldwide Photography trip series that covers the world and has been on our expert panel for six Festivals of Wildlife.

Nick Mackman - artist and sculptor Nick is an award-winning ceramic sculptor, who gains inspiration from the full breadth of the animal kingdom. The majority of her pieces are based on observations of animals in the field.

Most of Nick’s sculptures are Raku-fired, giving a rich but natural looking crackle glaze. She aims to get under the skin of the animal, giving each sculpture its own personality. Many of her subjects are highly endangered and, in depicting them, she seeks to enlighten the viewer to their beauty, humour and tenderness.

Her work is widely exhibited in international collections, and in 2010 she won the Wildlife Artist of the Year Open Category. In 2012 was again a category winner and overall runner-up. Each year she makes the trophies for the Wildlife Photographer of the Year Competition

This nine-piece work depicting a litter of African wild dog pups, was recently judged to be the overall runner- up in the Wildlife Artist of the Year Competition 2012.

In 2015 she won the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation 2015 Artist of the Year award with her fantastic collection of ceramic warthogs.

Nick co-leads our annual ‘South Luangwa Art and Photo Workshop’ with Nick Garbutt. This will be Nick’s first Festival of Wildlife.

Alex Hyde - photographer Often working with moving creatures smaller than a grain of rice, Alex has established himself as an expert in macro photography. By understanding the behaviour of his subjects, he is able to capture intimate portraits of spiders, insects and other invertebrates in their natural habitats.

Although his photography takes him all around the world, the Austrian Alps are a particularly special place for Alex. Visiting the alpine meadows as a child helped inspire him to forge a career in wildlife photography. He continues to return annually to these favoured haunts to photograph the incredible insect and plant life. Over many years he has acquired a deep understanding of the region and shares his passion and knowledge for the area and its wildlife.

An experienced tutor, Alex regularly delivers workshops and seminars on macro photography and has taught at venues such as the University of Nottingham and the Wild Photo photography festival in .

Alex supplies major international agencies and his photographs appear worldwide in newspapers, books and magazines including The Times, The Daily Telegraph, BBC Wildlife and New Scientist.

Alex co-leads our annual ‘Close up on Alpine Nature’ and ‘Focus on the Danube Delta’ trips with Nick Garbutt. This will be Alex’s first Festival of Wildlife.

The price There are 10 standard rooms, 17 deluxe rooms and 3 premium villas. Six deluxe rooms are available for single occupancy.

Based on Cost per person Single room Economy class flights: (on twin share basis) supplement Standard room £5,195 not available Deluxe room £5,495 £300 Villa £6,795 not available

The above prices are based on Economy class flights with Malaysia Airlines from London Heathrow via Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu. We are also able to offer an alternative routing to Kota Kinabalu on Singapore Airlines via Singapore. Please ask for details.

Business class flights There is a supplement of £2095 per person if you wish to book Business class flights on Malaysia Airlines through to Kota Kinabalu.

Note: if you are travelling alone, it may be possible to share a room with another single traveller of the same sex, to avoid having to pay a single supplement. Festival of Wildlife 2017 price includes  International and domestic flights with Malaysia Airlines including airport taxes  All road transport and transfers  Accommodation on full board basis at Borneo Rainforest Lodge, Danum Valley  Accommodation on full board basis at Hotel Tanjung Aru, Kota Kinabalu  All guided wildlife excursions and the full programme of Festival of Wildlife activities  Local conservation fees  Assistance by Wildlife Worldwide and local staff

Festival of Wildlife 2017 price excludes  Items of a personal nature, laundry, tips, most drinks, and telephone calls  Any optional activities  Gratuities  Travel, medical and baggage insurance

ITINERARY

Day 1 Depart London London Heathrow on an overnight flight direct to Kuala Lumpur, with a connecting flight to Kota Kinabalu.

Day 2 Kota Kinabalu On arrival at Kota Kinabalu international airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel on the edge of the city (a short drive of around 10 kilometres i.e. 20 minutes). Once you have checked in, the remainder of the day is free to relax by the beach or pool after the journey; alternatively you could catch the hotel shuttle bus into the centre to see something of the city.

There will be a Festival of Wildlife welcome dinner with drinks this evening.

Kota Kinabalu Kota Kinabalu (known to all as ‘KK’) is the capital city of the Malaysian state of Sabah, on the north coast of Borneo. It is a relatively modern city with some large high-end resort-style, conference hotels spread along the waterfront. There are no beaches in the city, but most hotels offer boat excursions to beautiful tropical islands nearby. Of interest to some are the moving memorials to the POWs who were held here by the Japanese during World War II. There are good flight connections from here to the major air hubs of the region, including Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.

Shangri-La’s Tanjung Aru Resort, Kota Kinabulu This award-winning, 25-acre seaside resort is a tropical paradise that boasts 492 modern, luxurious rooms and suites. Its magnificent beach setting offers splendid views of the neighbouring islands and mountains, and spectacular sunsets. Located just a short drive from the capital, it is close to local attractions, the city centre and airport, and is thus a perfect place to relax at the start or end of your Borneo adventure.

Luxury with a local touch provides the themes for the décor of the rooms, which all offer a high degree of comfort. Every room has a minibar, safebox and television. There are five restaurants and bars, and enough recreational activities to provide endless fun. There are two casual Asian and continental restaurants, a smarter Italian restaurant, a bar for relaxing, and a night club with live band and DJ every night.

The resort’s Chi spa offers a variety of treatments, and has a steam bath, jacuzzi and a gymnasium. There are two large, free-form pools, a Kids’ Club, a 9-hole pitch-and-putt course, four floodlit tennis courts, table tennis and bicycles. The watersports centre offers canoeing, deep sea fishing, jet skis, para-sailing, snorkelling, diving, wind-surfing, water-skiing and more.

Day 3 Danum Valley This morning you transfer back to Kota Kinabalu airport to check in for the short flight to Lahad Datu in the west of Sabah. On arrival at Lahad Datu airport, you will be met and transferred to Borneo Rainforest Lodge.

The Festival of Wildlife begins!

Danum Valley Conservation Area This river valley, arguably Borneo’s premier wildlife location, boasts all ten of Sabah’s primate species, plus the rare Bornean pygmy elephant, banteng, Sumatran rhino, clouded leopard, marbled and flat-headed cats and Malay sun bear – although these can be hard to see. Common species include bearded pig, mouse-deer, endemic Bornean yellow and red muntjacs, and sambar. Early morning is the best time to enjoy the canopy walkway and watch hornbills, barbets and broadbills, plus the endemic Bornean bristlehead. The Danum Valley offers maybe the best chance to see orangutan in the wild, especially when the durian trees are in fruit – while a night safari offers a window into the secretive world of Borneo’s nocturnal creatures.

Sunrise with early morning cloud and mist, Danum Valley. Nick Garbutt

Some two hours drive – around 80 kilometres, mainly on logging roads – from the town of Lahad Datu, Danum Valley Conservation Area consists of 438 square kilometres of relatively undisturbed lowland rainforest. Before it became a conservation area there were no human settlements, so hunting, logging and other human interference was virtually non-existent. Danum Valley Field Centre is a research establishment for scientific and educational purposes, and there is one lodge where visitors can stay to do guided walks and drives on rainforest trails. Many people come for bird watching, as it is the only place where the spectacled flowerpecker has been recorded.

Borneo Rainforest Lodge This rustic lodge stands beside the Danum River, some two hours drive southwest of the town of Lahad Datu, along an ungraded and - in parts - bumpy track. The 30 spacious, well-appointed chalet rooms all have an en suite bathroom and are fan cooled (there is no air-conditioning) with stylish modern furnishings. The chalets are connected to the main lodge by a series of raised walkways.

Ten standard rooms have an en suite bathroom with hot shower, fan and outdoor deck; all bar one have one queen-size bed and one single bed, so can be used as either doubles or twins (the exception has two single beds).

A further 17 spacious deluxe chalets boast a private balcony area with an oversized tub that looks out over either the river or the jungle; 12 of these have either a queen or king-size bed, so are used as either double or single rooms, while the remainder have one queen-size bed and one single bed, so are used as either doubles or twins.

Three Premium Villas – two single-storey and one two-storey – all are equipped with a single king- size bed.

The recently refurbished common area is a large and airy building with a soaring thatched roof, built of local materials and raised on columns of belian, Borneo's famous hardwood. It boasts a small but well-stocked bar, an impressive open-plan dining room where an extensive high quality-buffet offers a variety of delicious local and international cuisine, and a spacious verandah where you can relax and enjoy the sounds and views of the jungle. There is also an air-conditioned meeting room that is used for briefings, talks, slide shows and films about conservation in the area.

BRL, as it is known (due to Malaysia’s love for acronyms), offers an exotic wildlife experience in remote primary rainforest, combining comfort, privacy and good food with high quality natural history interpretation. You can explore the forest on foot via the many trails, in the company of resident naturalist guides with broad field knowledge and with our Festival of Wildlife experts.

Other activities include: birdwatching with a guide, canopy walkways in the treetops, and night safaris. The emphasis is on creating a deeper understanding of Borneo's primeval rainforest and the realities of conservation initiatives by allowing visitors the freedom to explore the incredible diversity and complexity of the surrounding area.

Days 4-8 Danum Valley In addition to a daily schedule of wildlife activities that includes guided walks and drives in smaller break-out groups, a full programme of activities has been designed specifically for the Festival of Wildlife.

These will include such varied elements as sessions on painting, sculpture and photography – all under the guidance of skilled tutors such as acclaimed wildlife sculptor Nick Mackman and award-winning photographer wildlife Nick Garbutt – with input from the local community too.

Each evening one there will be an after-dinner presentation by one of the Festival of Wildlife experts

Danum Valley is arguably one of the best rainforest locations anywhere in the world. Over 400 square kilometres are protected by the conservation area, and these forests are known to host some of the most exuberant wildlife diversity anywhere on Borneo. The pace here is relaxing, as so much wildlife is visible within easy walking distance of the lodge.

Within no more than a stone’s throw it is possible to encounter wild orangutans, red leaf monkeys and Bornean gibbons. The bird watching is also excellent: the open areas around the lodge and along the trails offer plenty of chances to see mixed feeding flocks, and if there is a fruiting tree in the vicinity, noisy rhinoceros can be conspicuous.

If you wish to capture the true atmosphere of the rainforest, a hike up the Coffin Trail is recommended. By setting off at first light and maintaining a reasonable pace, it is possible to reach the viewpoint just before the sun peeks over the horizon. After a clear night, swathes of mist hang in the valleys and cling to the crowns of trees; only the tallest emergents stand proud above their white mantle. As the sun breaks through, the canopy is briefly lit up in a blaze of golden light beams. With gibbons calling and hornbills flying by, there are few more evocative experiences.

Early morning mist hangs over the Segama River, Danum Valley. Nick Garbutt

Early mornings are also the best time to enjoy the added dimension offered by the canopy walkway. Here tree-top views of the forest offer a spectacular alternative perspective: you can see and photograph various hornbills, barbets and broadbills, as well as the enigmatic endemic Bornean bristlehead.

After dark, night walks and drives offer a window onto the secretive world of the rainforest’s nocturnal creatures – greater mouse deer, giant flying squirrels and culugo are often seen. There is also a reasonable chance of seeing both slow loris and western tarsier. Frogs too are common, and the resonant honk of the Bornean horned frog is invariably heard, though tracking one down is a tough proposition.

Bird diversity is also high, with more than 270 species that include several species of hornbill, bright- plumaged barbets, broadbills and spectacular crested firebacks. Less well known, but undoubtedly rich and diverse are the reptile, amphibian and invertebrates faunas of the area; without any doubt numerous as yet undiscovered species live here.

In combination, these locations offer a view of the varied natural splendour of Borneo’s hidden secrets, and provide a wide range of opportunities to see the island’s spectacular wildlife.

Day 9 Departure Today you transfer to Lahad Datu to check in for an afternoon flight direct to Kota Kinabalu. On arrival at Kota Kinabalu Airport, you connect to an onward flight to Kuala Lumpur. On arrival at Kuala Lumpur International Airport, you have a couple of hours at the most before the overnight flight departs to London, arriving in the evening.

Day 10 Arrive UK

Pre- and Post-Festival Extensions A programme of pre- and/or post-festival extensions will be announced at a later date, allowing you to customize your trip. Full details and prices will be available in due course.

Alternatively, why not consider asking our experienced and knowledgeable consultants to help design your own tailor-made extension?

Contribution to Conservation At least £100 of each booking will go directly towards supporting local conservation projects within Borneo.

FLIGHTS

 We hold a group allocation on Malaysia Airlines flights. The deadline for booking these group flights is 31 May 2016. If you book after this date, your ticket may have to be issued on an individual basis (depending on availability and airline policy), at a different fare level. Note: we hold a limited number of seats on a group basis in Economy Class which will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

 Weight Restrictions: Smaller aircraft operate between Kota Kinabalu and Lahad Datu, and the standard allowance is usually 20kg of checked baggage plus 5kg of hand luggage.

 For any flight request outside the group option listed above, please speak to a Wildlife Worldwide consultant.

 We can arrange a Business Class upgrade, however these may be limited in availability and will be booked on a first-come, first-served basis. First Class is also available – prices on request.

 A group seating request will be sent to the airline for processing, however the airline is in charge of allocating seats and unfortunately we are unable to guarantee certain seats (although we try our best!).

 Any amendment to a flight reservation will incur a minimum charge of £100 per person, plus any surcharges or additional costs applicable as a result of the amendment(s).

 Unfortunately we are unable to accept Air Miles/AVIOS to pay for or upgrade international flights booked through us.

 Hotel transfers in Kota Kinabalu and Lahad Datu are based on the arrival and departure times of the group flight. If you travel on other flights you are welcome to share these transfers if your flight times coincide, but the vehicles will not wait if your flight is delayed or you are held up in immigration, etc.

 We have created these flight options in good faith based on flight schedules published at the time of writing. Should any flight schedule change we will, of course, rearrange flights where necessary, but please note that the package prices may alter if any additional hotel nights are required as a result.

 We reserve the right to impose a surcharge should the airlines increase their prices substantially, since at this stage no schedules or prices have been set for June 2017. However, we will only do this reluctantly if we have no other choice and if, after discussion, we feel that no other option is open to us.

BOOKING INFORMATION

FINANCIAL SECURITY

Wildlife Worldwide is a fully bonded Tour Operator. We hold an ATOL (Air Tour Operator’s Licence) issued by the CAA which regulates the entire travel industry, providing you with complete financial protection and a guarantee on all monies we receive from you.

HOW TO BOOK

Once you are happy to book your holiday, we will ask you to pay a 10% deposit, which we usually take over the phone. If you choose to pay by credit card, a surcharge of between one and two per cent will be applied to your final balance payment. This surcharge does not apply, however, to your deposit payment, or if you pay by bank transfer, debit card or cheque. Please see our Booking Conditions.

Once we receive your deposit, we will confirm the arrangements for your holiday and send you one Booking Form for each person travelling, which you must complete and return to us (ideally within one week of receipt).

Only when we have received the completed Booking Form/s from you, can we complete and send your confirmation, which clarifies all the details of your booking, the reservations we have made for you, and the preparations that you should begin to make for travel.

Make sure you are happy with the booking conditions that appear on our website at: www.wildlifeworldwide.com/booking/terms

If you would like us to post or email you a copy, we will be happy to do this.

OPTIONAL TRAVEL INSURANCE POLICY

Comprehensive travel insurance is an essential component of your holiday, and it is a condition of travelling with us that you have such cover before you depart

Many travel insurance companies can offer suitable cover, however we recommend specialist insurance broker Campbell Irvine, a company that has insured many of our customers since we began in 1992. The personal service they provide, and their thorough knowledge of our product and the travel industry in general will guarantee the peace of mind you need to enjoy your holiday to the full.

If you decide to book this holiday, we will provide a summary of the cover they offer, as well as their contact details, so you can enquire directly about arranging cover for your holiday.