Borneo is home to five elusive species of wild cats, each adapted to the island’s dense tropical rainforests. The most iconic is the Sunda clouded leopard, Borneo’s top predator, known for its distinctive cloud-like markings and arboreal agility. Rarer still is the Bornean bay cat, an endemic species cloaked in mystery and seldom seen in the wild. The marbled cat, with its beautifully mottled coat, is similarly tree-dwelling and secretive. The flat-headed cat, adapted for wetland hunting with webbed feet and a long, narrow head, is a specialist fish-eater. Lastly, the leopard cat is the most widespread and adaptable, often found even near human settlements. 

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This itinerary is designed to search for all five of these rare and elusive wild cats:  Each species presents its own unique challenge to find, requiring patience, luck, and access to remote, pristine habitats across the island. The journey will take you through some of Borneo’s most biodiverse and least disturbed forests, where night drives, boat safaris and expert local trackers increase the chances of sightings. While encounters are never guaranteed, this focused expedition offers the best possible opportunity to glimpse these secretive felines in their natural environment.