Discover Birdwatching in Borneo Ahead of International Day of Forests on 21st March

It’s no secret that birdwatching holidays are popular with UK travellers, particularly to the Southeast Asia region. One such avian hotspot is Sabah in Malaysian Borneo, which is home to 688 different species of bird.

Twitchers can set their sights on 11% of these species within the compact 64-acre Rasa Ria Reserve, a tropical forest that’s part of the luxurious Shangri-La Rasa Ria hotel, situated on the Sabah coast.

Ahead of International Day of Forests on 21st March, Shangri-La Rasa Ria is shining a spotlight on the Rasa Ria Reserve and how it is a must-visit for travellers with an interest in birdwatching.

Nesteled at the foot of Sabah’s iconic Mount Kinabalu, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Rasa Ria Reserve is home to several bird species including the Tabon Scrubfowl, Yellow-vented Bulbul, Pied Fantail, Ashy Tailorbird, Greater Coucal and many more.

Guests at Shangri-La Rasa Ria are able to participate in guided nature walks and wildlife spotting excursions led by the reserves team of Resident Naturalists, so they can learn more about the different bird species with a local expert.

The Resident Naturalists are local experts who track birds through their calls, size, and shape, as well as observe their colours and determine their location within the forest.

For those new to birdwatching and wanting a taster, the ‘Avian Exploration: Borneo Birds’ (approx. £15 per adult/ free for children aged 12 and under) experience takes guests out into the Rasa Ria Reserve and within resort vicinity, where they’re shown the best birdwatching spots. Armed with a checklist and binoculars, guests are fully immersed in the Reserve, spotting bright feathers flit through the green vegetation and hearing calls ring out through the air as the birds announce their presence.

For twitchers who’d like to explore at their own pace, the Rasa Ria Reserve has several accessible guided walking trails and a 10-metre viewing platform with far reaching views of the forest below, providing plenty of chances to see the birds at home.