| Wildlife
Tour and Stay at Uncle Tan’s Wildlife Camp with
Camping add-on Module
(starting August 2003)
Many of our visitors want to spend a little bit more
time in the jungle and have suggested that we develop
a camping add-on module to offer a slightly tougher
experience to rough it out in the jungle.
Our “long-termers” (visitors who stayed with
us for many weeks and have become great friends) have
provided us with valuable feedbacks and suggestions
in developing this module. They have also been very
kind in helping us test out the programme. We thank
them immensely for their contributions.
Initially, we had wanted to emulate the survival techniques
of the SAS, SEAL and other special forces and incorporate
them into the package but it occurred to us that it
would be most silly of us to show you what your special
forces do – these are things you can easily find
in the many survival handbooks available. So, instead,
we now offer something more local and authentic and
have adopted the sustenance skills and techniques employed
by the local “Orang Sungai” (people of the
river) inhabitants as a part of our camping programme.
The reasoning for this is simple - if the local inhabitants
can make a living with their techniques, we can learn
their traditional ways to help us survive in the wilderness
for a few days.
Phew! Sorry for the long-winded introduction –
but that’s our style!
Some local skills and methods incorporated into the
camping programme:
- using the “parang” (local machete) effectively.
You will each be provided a parang for use while camping
and you get to keep it as a souvenir
- building your own sleeping places and camp in the
jungle. Don’t worry – if it does not work
out we will have tents on standby
- cooking rice in the wild – sounds simple. But
if not properly done, you’ll be eating crunchy
half-cooked rice or at the other extreme, rice porridge!
Where materials are available, learn to cook rice
without a pot or mess tin.
- recognizing and gathering edible wild ferns, plants
and fruits – your supply of vegetable in the
jungle
- learn to “rawai” (hook and line fishing),
set a “bubu” (fish trap), and try out the
“rambat” (cast net).
- prepare your catch and grill it over a fire using
wild ginger leaves (for spice and fragrance) instead
of the tasteless aluminum foils
Interested? Okay… would be hunter-gatherer, check
out the itinerary and other info.
5D/4N Itinerary: Wildlife Tour and Stay at Uncle
Tan’s Wildlife Camp with Camping add-on Module
Day One:
Those who are staying at Uncle Tan’s Bed and Breakfast
will be transferred to the Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation
Centre after breakfast.
9:00 a.m. - Transfer to the Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation
Centre. Register and buy your entrance ticket (RM 10.00
for locals and RM 30.00 for foreigners w.e.f. 01 Jan
2002). Register at the counter of the Forest Research
Centre and then visit the Entomology Section to a see
a big exhibition of insects. You will be at Orang Utan
Centre on your own.
12:30 pm - Pick up for lunch at Uncle Tan’s (please
be at the Bus Stand near the Car Park) Those who are
not staying at Uncle Tan’s Bed and Breakfast will
have to find their way to our Operation Base/ B&B
at Gum Gum.
1:00 p.m. - Lunch. Set Menu – Local recipes.
Relax and rest. We do not leave for the Kinabatangan
River till about 2:30 p.m. It is better to wait at the
B&B and have a cup of tea than to wait by the river
side for it to be cooler.
4.30pm - Arrive at the old ferry site at the Kinabatangan
River and prepare for the boat ride to Camp.
The cruise to the Camp is in itself a River Safari.
The boatman will zigzag about to show you the wildlife.
When the boat changes directions, look towards that
direction. The boatman could have seen something interesting.
The guides will point out to you what they have seen.
During the Safari, remember not to tease or shout at
the animals. We do not want to frighten them and make
them shy of future safari boats.
ETA at Camp is at 6:30 p.m. Check-in and get ready
for dinner. Dinner is served at 7.00pm.
Where weather permits and the river conditions are
right, a night safari will be organised on the Lakes
or on the main river after dinner. There will be a spot
light on board the safari boats and the guides will
do the spot lighting for wildlife. You will see many
sleepy PROBOSCIS MONKEYS, Owls, Herons and Crocodiles.
During the fruit season (July – September) when
you go out on the Night Safari, look up and watch the
sky a bit. You may see many giant Flying Foxes flying
in formation above you.
By about 10:00 p.m., you should be back in the Camp.
Do not go straight to bed. Try to keep awake a bit longer
and sit quietly in the dining area without lights. You
will almost certainly see a few CIVET CATS roaming around
the dining area and jumping on the dining table. Sometimes,
a LEOPARD CAT may also turn up. You will also, very
likely, see BEARDED PIGS. A female bearded Pig, "KUM
KUM" (pronounced as 'come come') and a big male,
"AH WEE" are regular visitors.
Day Two:
At about 6:00 a.m., get to the dining shed for a cup
of coffee and biscuits before starting the Morning Safari.
Try not to miss this. Plenty of wildlife are seen during
the Morning Safari. It is just so beautiful to see the
sun rising above the misty river. The Morning Safari
begins at about 7.00 a.m.
8:00 a.m. to 9:00am - You should be back in the Camp
for breakfast. We suggest that you have a proper breakfast
(your next meal is uncertain). The weather will be hot
and humid. Make sure you consume lots of water to prevent
getting dehydrated. After breakfast, gather at the dining
shed for a briefing by your guide, prepare for the camping
trip, double check equipment and supplies. This marks
the start of the camping programme. Pay attention to
the things your guide tells you and start to get involve
in this preparation stage. Double check the things you
want to bring with you. Remember also to take a full
bottle of drinking water in your pack. Make sure you
arrange that your other irrelevant belongings such as
passport and credit cards are properly handed to the
Camp Captain for safekeeping.
At about 11:30 a.m., you will proceed to the campsite.
When the water level is high, the boat will take you
very close to the campsite. During other times, the
boatman will drop you off at a suitable spot and you
will proceed by foot to get to the campsite.
You should arrive at your campsite within one hour
from the time you leave Uncle Tan’s Wildlife Camp.
A good idea would be to start to set up your camp and
sleeping places before proceeding with other things.
It gets dark by about 6:00 p.m. and you will be well
advised to finish setting up your camp while there is
still daylight.
You will be using your “parang” (machete)
a lot in preparing your camp. BE CAREFUL WITH YOUR PARANG
AND NEVER LEAVE IT LYING AROUND. REMEMBER – ALMOST
ALL CAMPING INJURIES ARE SELF INFLICTED OR AS A RESULT
OF CARELESSNESS. Imagine what will happen if someone
kicks a parang which has been carelessly left lying
around! Nobody needs to get injured as a result of recklessness
or lack of care!
After you have set up camp, it would be good to starting
looking for food in the jungle and try some hook and
line fishing. Your guide will show you. If you’re
lucky, you can look forward to having grilled fish for
dinner. Otherwise, don’t despair. We will have
some emergency ration consisting of instant noodles,
cereal and some biscuits.
After dinner, your guide will demonstrate how to get
baits using the “Rambat” and set up the “Rawai”.
After setting up your Rawai, rest and relax. Sleep well.
You would have had quite a full day. Re-energize yourself
for the next day.
Day Three:
Wake up at about 6:00 a.m., have breakfast and get ready
for the morning activity. Check the Rawai that you have
set last night.
The morning will be spent with your guide demonstrating
the various local fishing techniques using the “Bubu”
and “Rambat”. If you catch any fish, your
guide will explain the type of fish caught and how to
prepare them for lunch. If you catch nothing, well…
you’ll have instant noodles and cereal (again).
There are many types of fishes that can be found in
the river and lakes. The river catfish, known as “baung”
is the most common and is generally plentiful. There
is also the “Patin”, and “Tapah”
and the much sought after and expensive “Ikan Ubi”
or “Soon Hock” in Chinese. A “Soon Hock”
dish in a restaurant in the cities can costs up to a
few hundred Ringgits.
Learn how to recognize the type of fish and prawn and
how to best target them. Some species such as the baung
are widely distributed and found in most rivers in South-East-Asia.
They are the easiest to catch. They however have poisonous
spikes on the fins which can cause infection and lots
of pain and care must be taken not to get pierced.
In the afternoon, your guide will take you on a guided
trek in the jungle. Try not to skip this even if it
is raining. It is during this 3 to 4 hours trek that
your guide will show and explain the types of plants
and fruits in the jungle that are edible – a knowledge
very important to help you increase your survival chances
in the jungle. Your guide will also show you how to
obtain clean and safe drinking water from vines. Where
rattan is found, you will also be taught how to prepare
and use them as twines and material for various types
of implement to help you survive better in the jungle.
Don’t forget to bring back some ferns and leaves
for dinner. Or else … it would be instant noodles
and cereal for the third time in a row!
Check the bubu you have set and try to master the art
of using the rambat. Hopefully, you’ll be able
to get some fresh fish and some succulent “Udang
Galah” (giant freshwater prawns) for dinner.
If the weather is right, after dinner, your guide will
organise a night trek in the jungle and show you the
technique to spot wildlife at night. Spotting wildlife,
birds, insects, amphibians and snakes at night is different
from daytime. A night trek is highly recommended. It
is a chance to get really close to the creatures –
something difficult to do during the day. Have your
camera handy. You are likely to get a chance to capture
some spectacular close-up images of birds, frogs and
reptiles.
When the water level is high, you will have a boat
close by. Feel free to conduct your own night safari
in the lakes and streams.
Day Four:
Unless you decide to camp for extra day/s at your campsite,
you will break camp and return to Uncle Tan’s Wildlife
Camp. Have breakfast, and then take your time to pack
and clean up before you leave. Remember not to leave
any rubbish behind. Take them away with you. Ensure
that your campfire is properly doused.
When you arrive at Uncle Tan’s Wildlife Camp, have
lunch.
After lunch, have a nap and rest. In the heat of the
afternoon, not much wildlife will be seen. Make yourself
at home, play “shaolin soccer” (our version
of mini soccer) or organise a volleyball match or whatever.
After tea time, take a walk along the lake shores to
the point where the two lakes meet. This is where you
will have a good chance to see some otters.
Dinner is at 7:00 p.m. If there is extra room in the
boat, you may go out for the Night Safari.
Lights out at 11:00 p.m.
Day Five:
If there is spare room in the boat, you may go out on
the Morning Safari for another time. If space is limited,
please give the new arrivals a chance to go on their
first Morning Safari.
8:00 a.m. - 9:00a.m.: Breakfast
Unless you are staying on for extra days, departure
from the Camp will be at 10:00 a.m.
The cruise to the bridge will take about an hour. Some
of you may have planned to travel on to Semporna from
the bridge. Please tell the boatmen. They will put you
on a bus to Lahad Datu and then you can change bus at
Lahad Datu for Semporna. Try to avoid taking the Tawau
Express buses – they do not enter Semporna but
will drop you off at the Tawau/Semporna junction. At
that point, you will still be many miles from Semporna.
Getting connections to Semporna at this junction can
be difficult.
For those who are returning to our B&B premises,
the van will take you back to Gum Gum (ETA Gum Gum -
12.30 noon). Have your lunch at the B&B. If you
are planning to go to the Mountains or Kota Kinabalu,
get on the Tung Ma Express Bus at about 2:00 p.m. You
do not have to go to town to catch the bus. Ask our
staff to assist you to call the bus company to book
your seat. The bus will pass our place at Gum Gum. Stand
at the roadside and it will stop to pick you up.
NOTE:
- You take part in the package strictly AT YOUR OWN
RISK.
- Do not swim in the main river. Big crocodiles have
been spotted taking full grown pigs. You do not want
to be Mr. Croc’s meal for the day!
- Avoid bringing hard liquor to the camp – beer
is Okay. We have a small canteen which sells beer, bottled
water and soft drinks.
Remember: It is a Wildlife
Camp you are visiting - NOT A RESORT & SPA –
The camp is very basic – no running water, no electricity
– but plenty of wildlife to see.
The jungle is a green hell to some but a lost paradise
for many. Give due respect to the wildlife in the area
– they were there first and you are in their home
territory – be a good guest.
Important to note:
- our famous tagline applies: “We are not exactly
the Hilton!”; neither are we the garden of Eden!
- participants will be grouped in threes or fours.
This programme will require the mentioned group numbers
in order to proceed.
- Subject to availability, extended camping day/s
is possible. The additional costs for each camping
day extended is RM 50.00 per person. When started,
unanimous group decision is required for extension.
- bookings for this programme must be done at least
2 weeks before arrival. In order not to cause too
much impact to the environment, spaces are limited
and are offered on a first-come-first-serve basis
- no refund would be made if participant cut short
the programme once it has started
- your guide is your expedition leader. In case of
eventualities/natural disaster such as extreme bad
weather, flood, landslide, etc., the leader’s
decision to vary or completely cancel the remaining
programme is final. In case of cancellation, we will
refund RM 50.00 to each participant for each day not
proceeded.
- participants take part as a team and are expected
to involve themselves in the programme and activities
including driving the boat, setting up camp, cooking,
preparing meals and cleaning up. No nanny service
is available
- participants take part SRICTLY AT THEIR
OWN RISK
- the applicable rule is: “thou shall not whine
or complain”. 'Ally McBeal's should not participate.
The price for the 5D/4N itinerary incorporating the
camping add-on module is RM 500.00 (approx. USD 132)
per person. The cost for each day extended at Uncle
Tan’s Wildlife Camp is RM 20.00 per person. The
cost for each extra day’s camping is RM 50.00 per
person.
The price is ex Gum Gum and it covers transportation
by van to and from the Kinabatangan River, transportation
by boat to and from the Camp, all river safaris, jungle
treks, accommodation in camp huts and all meals when
at Uncle Tan’s Wildlife Camp, camping supplies
and preparation, provision of a guide and standby food
ration for camping. You also get to keep your “parang”
as a souvenir.
Please Note: The prices mentioned are valid
for visit dates until end of 2005.
Some things you may want to bring (Basic Checklist)
Long Sleeves Shirts, Long Pant, Walking Shoes/Boots,
Underwear, Socks, Towel, Shorts, T-Shirts, Sweater,
Swim Wear, Sandals, Swiss knife, Flashlight, Personal
Medication, Tooth Paste/Brush, Soap/Shampoo, Sun Block
Cream, Comb/Shaver, Poncho/Raincoat, Cap/Hat, Sunglasses,
Insect Repellent, Camera, Film, Battery, Lenses(SLR),
FLASH(SLR), Binoculars, Watch.
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