Gaya Island Resort is offering its new Wildlife Wonders package—a four-day, three-night adventure designed for nature enthusiasts eager to discover the island’s rich biodiversity. Nestled on the tranquil shores of Pulau Gaya, the largest island in Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park just off Kota Kinabalu, Gaya Island Resort is the perfect destination to explore Borneo's natural marvels.
This package is designed for avid birders and wildlife lovers seeking an immersive journey into Pulau Gaya’s vibrant ecosystem. The resort’s location within the protected marine park, spanning approximately 12,100 acres, with two-thirds of it covered by water, offers a haven for both indigenous and transient species.
With the Wildlife Wonders package, guests will be greeted each morning by breathtaking views of Mount Kinabalu and embark on guided explorations led by the resort’s resident naturalist. They’ll have the opportunity to kayak through majestic mangrove forests, witness twilight bird-watching sessions that reveal the island’s nocturnal avian residents, and delight in a dawn bird-watching experience. The itinerary allows guests to uncover the island’s seven natural wonders, including the possible sightings of Proboscis Monkeys, Red Giant Flying Squirrels, Fireflies, Philippine Megapodes, the nocturnal Boobook Owl and Sunda Pangolin, as well as the Elephant Foot Yam and Mangroves.
The experience is enhanced with a personal copy of the resort’s in-house publication, Wildlife Wonders at Gaya Island Resort: A Guide to Its Feathered Friends and Indigenous Fauna, by YTL Hotels’ Director of Conservation, Justin Juhun. Featuring stunning photography by Cheryl Miller-Yell, Charmain Ang, and Ng Siew Hian, along with insightful narratives by Tan Beng Hui and Cheryl Miller-Yell, this guide offers a deep understanding of the quirks and habits of nearly 40 avian species, helping guests identify unique traits in their plumage, calls, and behaviors.
Throughout their stay, guests can engage in Gaya Island Resort’s conservation efforts, including turtle rescuing and coral reef rehabilitation, enhancing their connection to the natural world. The package, starting from $265 USD for two people per night with a minimum three-night stay, includes accommodations in a Bayu Villa with panoramic forest views and a telescope for bird-watching from your own 'nature window.' It also covers full board and scheduled return boat transfers between Jesselton Point Ferry Terminal in Kota Kinabalu and the resort.
Situated on Pulau Gaya within the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park in Borneo, Gaya Island Resort is a natural sanctuary nestled in the hillside of an ancient rainforest. The 121 villas respect Sabahan elements and blend harmoniously with the natural environment while interiors are designed with a contemporary elegance. Integrated within the mangroves is Spa Village Gaya Island offering programmes that reflect the region's healing practices, from the specialised rice scrubs and masques of the Kadazandusun to the age-old practices of the Bajau sea nomads. Discoveries and authentic experiences with nature all prevail across the YTL Luxury Resort’s land and seascape, offering travellers an escape that is all distinctively Borneo.
The new package may be booked here.
