Bird photography is undoubtedly the fastest growing branch of the birdwatching hobby today. And Sabah is one of the best places to pursue this hobby. There are many bird photography locations in Sabah that allow visitors to photograph various beautiful species, especially the highly sought-after Bornean endemics. 

These locations offer a variety of experiences that range from safari-styled adventures to comfortable, well-appointed  bird observation hides.  Photographers truly are spoilt for choices when it comes to photographing birds in Sabah.

Bird Photography Locations in Sabah

Obviously, most visiting photographers don’t have an unlimited budget or time to explore Sabah. Therefore, the aim of this article is to help photographers choose which destinations to prioritise first, according to their budget or a particular species they’re chasing.

For this purpose, I’ve organised the bird photography locations in Sabah according to major towns or ‘hubs’ where they’re most easily accessed from. These ‘hubs’ are Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan and Lahad Datu. All three hubs have airports with regular domestic connections, and in the case of Kota Kinabalu, international flights as well. 

1. Kota Kinabalu
   • Kinabalu Park HQ
   • Gunung Alab Substation
   • Trusmadi
   • Mantanani Island
2. Sandakan
   • RDC
   • Telupid
   • Kinabatangan River
3. Lahad Datu
   • Tabin Wildlife Reserve

There are other bird photography locations in Sabah that are well-known, for example Danum Valley and Maliau Basin. However, these locations are not part of this article because we haven’t visited them yet. I will write about these other locations whenever I have the chance to visit them.

For more detail on visiting the locations, links to their corresponding articles will be included in each entry (if available).

Explainer

• All ratings are out of 5
• Species diversity:  The total possible number of bird species that you may encounter at the location. As a general rule of thumb, lowland forests have more diversity than montane forests.
• Endemism: The number of Bornean endemics you might encounter at the location. Generally, the higher you go, the higher the proportion of the birds are endemic.
• Photography rating: Ease of getting good photographs of the birds there.

Disclaimer: These ratings are subjective, and are my own opinions based on my own personal experience.

Bird Photography Locations in Sabah – Kota Kinabalu Hub

1) Kinabalu Park HQ

Kinabalu Park HQ is world-famous for its unique biodiversity, especially birds. This location is excellent for montane Bornean endemics, especially the highly sought-after Whitehead’s Trio. Kinabalu Park is only 90 km away from Kota Kinabalu (2 hours drive), thus it’s easily done on a daytrip. Nevertheless, there’s plenty of accommodation options nearby for those wishing to stay longer.

Species diversity: ★★★
Endemism: ★★★★★
Photography rating: ★★★★

Pros:

The first 2 km of the Power Station Road is excellent for photographers, since this is where the Whitehead’s Trogon and Broadbill are usually seen. Indeed, the Trogon and Broadbill are often seen loafing on the trees just next to the road. The Broadbill also frequently nests in plain view, providing fantastic photography opportunities. 

Timpohon Gate is  particularly noteworthy, because it provides a chance to photograph higher-altitude species not typically seen at the HQ area.

Challenges:

Lighting levels can be quite poor, especially early in the morning. Hence, tripods and/or fast lenses are very beneficial here. Also, there are no bird hides or feeding stations here.

Photography target species:

1. Whitehead’s Trogon
2. Whitehead’s Broadbill
3. Bornean Green Magpie
4. Whitehead’s Spiderhunter 
5. Bornean Forktail
6. Bornean Whistling-Thrush

More information: Birdwatching at Kinabalu Park HQ

2) Gunung Alab Substation

Montane location similar to Kinabalu Park HQ, but the elevation is even higher – around 2000m. Unlike Kinabalu Park HQ, there are two bird hides here. Easily visited on a daytrip, because Gunung Alab is only a 1.5 hour drive from Kota Kinabalu. Overnighting at Alab is also possible, since there are accommodations present within the park itself.

Species diversity: ★★
Endemism: ★★★★
Photography rating: ★★★★

Pros:

The hides are free-of-charge (although there’s an entrance fee for the park). The partridge hide allows good views of the two montane partridge species, but which species that visit depends on your luck! Photographing the small, montane songbirds is also relatively easy at the ‘TV tower hide’. 

Challenges:

You’ll have to bring your own bird feed/mealworms, as well as use your own call playback. Mountain weather is rather fickle, and thick fog may roll in at any time, inhibiting photography. 

Photography target species:

1. Crimson-headed Partridge
2. Red-breasted Partridge
3. Snowy-browed Flycatcher
4. Bornean Treepie
5. Chestnut-hooded Laughingthrush

More information: Birdwatching at Gunung Alab Substation

3) Trusmadi

This relatively new birding destination has quickly become one of the most popular bird photography locations in Sabah. Two hides, with different owners, operate in the area, providing photographers with plenty of options. These hides are also undoubtedly the most well-appointed bird hides in Malaysia. Most visitors come to photograph the rarely seen Bulwer’s Pheasant, since it regularly visits both hides.

Trusmadi is a two hour drive from Kota Kinabalu, so most visitors come here on a daytrip. Additionally, staying overnight at nearby Tambunan is also possible.

Species diversity: ★★★★
Endemism: ★★★★★
Photography rating: ★★★★★

Pros:

The hides are especially well-appointed; therefore, spending an entire day here isn’t a problem. Furthermore, the hides are at an elevation of 1300m, which is the altitude where many lowland, sub-montane and lower montane species overlap. As a result, the bird diversity found here is excellent. Finally, the hides also attract several different types of small mammals, many of which are endemics.

Challenges:

You’ll need to pay quite a bit to access the hides. The hides are often poorly lit, so tripods, fast lenses and/or high ISO settings are usually necessary. Even though the Bulwer’s Pheasant are regulars here, they’re not guaranteed to show up.

Photography target species:

1. Bulwer’s Pheasant
2. Bornean Banded-Pitta
3. Malaysian Rail-Babbler
4. Crested Partridge/Roul-Roul
5. Crimson-headed Partridge
6. Red-breasted Partridge
7. White-crowned Shama
8. Dayak Blue Flycatcher

More information:

1. Trusmadi Bird Hide (KK Lee Hide)
2. Trusmadi Bird Station (CP Song Hide) – article coming soon!

4) Mantanani Island

The Mantanani Islands comprise two small islands on the north-west coast of Sabah, roughly 90 km from Kota Kinabalu. Access is via boat from the Kota Belud area. Plenty of accommodation available on Pulau Mantanani Besar, although these mainly cater to general tourists. These islands are one of the more interesting bird photography locations in Sabah, since it’s the only place in Malaysia to see the Mantanani Scops-Owl.

Peak birding season on these islands is during the southbound autumn migration, between September to November.

Species diversity: ★★
Endemism: N/A, since there are no endemics here.
Photography rating: ★★★

Pros:

The megapode and frigatebirds are numerous, and therefore quite easy to see. The number of birds on the island swells during the peak season, with a chance to  encounter rarities during this time. Finally, Pulau Mantanani Besar is small and flat, thus it’s easy to walk around.

Challenges:

At least an overnight stay at the island is necessary, and may be expensive. Locating the owls can be tricky, since they’re nocturnal. You’ll need to walk around at night, as well as utilise call playback, in order to locate them.

The island pigeons are skittish and are therefore difficult to photograph. These small islands harbour relatively few resident species, therefore, there’s not much to see outside of the migration season.

Photography target species:

1. Mantanani Scops-Owl
2. Frigatebirds (3 species – Christmas Island, Lesser and Great)
3. Island specialist pigeons, such as the Metallic Pigeon, Nicobar Pigeon and Grey Imperial-Pigeon.
4. Philippine Megapode
5. Various migratory birds, including the occasional rarity

More information: Birds of Mantanani Island

Bird Photography Locations in Sabah – Sandakan Hub

1) Rainforest Discovery Centre (RDC)

The ever-popular RDC is still one of the best bird photography locations in Sabah. The RDC is merely 30 minutes away from Sandakan Airport, thus it’s very easy to visit. Plenty of accommodation options nearby to suit any budget.

Species diversity: ★★★★★
Endemism: ★★★
Photography rating: ★★★

Pros:

The sturdy canopy walkway gives photographers eye-level photos of birds that typically live in the canopy, especially the highly sought-after Bornean Bristlehead. Public facilities within the park are excellent.

Challenges:

The  jungle trails are dimly lit; thus,  photography is more challenging there. However, this is where the pittas, trogons and partridges reside. Also, the Bristlehead is rather unpredictable,  and is often absent.

Photography target species:

1. Bornean Bristlehead
2. Bornean Banded Kingfisher
3. Black-crowned Pitta
4. Western Hooded Pitta
5. Red-naped Trogon
6. Diard’s Trogon
7. Sabah Partridge
8. White-bellied Woodpecker

More information: Birdwatching at Rainforest Discovery Centre

2) Telupid

The place to see the uber-rare Bornean Peacock-Pheasant. The Telupid Bornean Peacock-Pheasant hide has been operating for several years now, and offers a very good chance of seeing the star bird.  As a result, Telupid is one of the most visited bird photography locations in Sabah. Additionally, there are two other hides in the area, also under the management of Bestaria Eco-tourism.

Telupid can be reached either from Kota Kinabalu or Sandakan. You’ll have to overnight at Telupid in order to arrive at the hide early the following morning.

Species diversity: ★★
Endemism: ★★★
Photography rating: ★★★★★

Pros:

The hide allows good views and photos of the peacock-pheasant to be taken. At the time of writing, the chances of seeing the peacock-pheasants are very good.

Challenges:

You’ll have to pay a premium to access the hide, which is rather basic. Not only that, in order to reach the hide, a 30-40 minute trek up a hill is necessary. Thus, visiting the hide may not be possible for everyone.  

Photography target species:

1. Bornean Peacock-Pheasant
2. Straw-headed Bulbul
3. Blue-banded Pitta

More information: The Telupid Bornean Peacock-Pheasant hide

3) Kinabatangan River

This location provides a unique birdwatching experience, since birding here is mainly done on boats. Access is via Sukau or Bilit, both of which are about 2+ hours drive from Sandakan. Plenty of accommodation options, with more choices available at Sukau. Additionally, some hotels offer a night walk or night cruise option.

Species diversity: ★★★★★
Endemism: ★★★
Photography rating: ★★★

Pros:

The river cruises provide a birdwatching safari experience unlike anywhere else in Malaysia. The cruises are good to photograph hornbills, raptors, kingfishers, darters and storks. In addition to the birds, you might also encounter crocodiles, elephants and orangutans. 

Challenges:

The moving boats makes photographing small birds from the boats especially difficult. As a result, you’re unlikely to get photos of pittas, babblers or partridges from the boats. The Ground-Cuckoo is very elusive, consequently, you’ll need to be lucky to see one, let alone photograph it!

The moving boats means higher shutter speeds are necessary. Also, you’re exposed to the elements, as the boats are uncovered.

Photography target species:

1. Hornbills (8 species, with the Wrinkled Hornbill the main target here)
2. Storm’s Stork
3. Bornean Ground-Cuckoo
4. Stork-billed Kingfisher
5. Grey-headed Fish-Eagle
6. Oriental Darter

More information: Birdwatching at the Kinabatangan River

Bird Photography Locations in Sabah – Lahad Datu Hub

1) Tabin Wildlife Reserve

The largest wildlife reserve in Malaysia, with a total area larger than Singapore! There’s only one place to stay within the reserve, and that’s the well-appointed Tabin Wildlife Resort. Access is via a 1+ hour drive from Lahad Datu, on bumpy gravel/dirt roads. Birding here is by 4×4 vehicles as well as on foot.

Species diversity: ★★★★★
Endemism: ★★★
Photography rating: ★★★

Pros:

The 4×4 safari is good to photograph larger birds such as hornbills and raptors, especially bird-in-flight shots. Also, going on-foot while searching for the shy pittas and wren-babblers can be very exciting. The bird guides at Tabin are excellent, ensuring that you don’t miss much.

Challenges:

Small forest birds are difficult to photograph from the moving vehicles. The forest understory is dense and dimly lit; therefore, photographing understory birds is rather challenging. 

Photography target species:

1. Giant Pitta
2. Bornean Banded-Pitta
3. Blue-headed Pitta
4. Hornbills (8 species)
5. Black-throated Wren-Babbler
6. Bornean Wren-Babbler
7. Blyth’s Frogmouth

More information: Tabin Wildlife Reserve

Conclusion

Ultimately, each of the bird photography locations in Sabah are rewarding in their own way. Your chosen destination will likely depend on what type of experience you desire, and/or any particular species you’re chasing. The good thing about bird photography in Sabah is that, whichever location you end up going, you’re unlikely to go wrong. 

If you would like to visit these fantastic bird photography locations but don’t know how, we can assist you in this regard. Birdwatching Asia is currently working with a reputable licensed bird tour company in Sabah. Simply contact us, and we can liase with the bird tour company to arrange your trip.