SANDAKAN, SABAH — The Borneo Bird Festival (BBF), one of Malaysia’s largest nature festivals, celebrates its 16th year on 7–8 November 2026 at the Rainforest Discovery Centre (RDC), Sandakan.
The festival has drawn an average of 5,000 visitors a year and has helped build Sabah’s bird and wildlife tourism.
BBF raises public awareness that protecting birds means protecting the forests and ecosystems we all depend on.
Talks, exhibitions and family activities help local visitors, students and foreign guests understand and value Borneo’s unique wildlife.
Through bird photography walks and talks by regional photographers and authors, the festival shows how a single image can inspire people to appreciate and protect nature.
Bird and nature tourism creates income for local guides, homestays, transport and food operators, giving communities a reason to protect their forests and wildlife.
RDC is home to Bornean endemics such as the Bornean Bristlehead, Bornean Falconet and Black-and-crimson Pitta, and its Rainforest Skywalk now extends 620 metres through the canopy.
The organisers thank the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment, Sabah (KePKAS), the Sabah Tourism Board and the Sabah Forestry Department for their support.
