trip a deal borneo

Best Time to Visit

Weather & Climate

Airports in Borneo

Best Hotels in Borneo

Staying at an Iban Longhouse

Driving in Borneo

One Week in Borneo

Top Destinations in Malaysian Borneo

Sarawak vs. Sabah

Guide to Kuching

Visiting Kalimantan

Guide to the Derawan Islands

Brunei Travel Guide

Top Things to Do in Malaysian Borneo

Museums to Visit

Best Beaches

Where to Go Scuba Diving

Best Hiking in Borneo

National Parks

Where to See Orangutans

Events & Festivals

Food to Try

Your Trip to Borneo: The Complete Guide

Borneo, the third largest island in the world , is divided between three countries: Indonesia (73 percent), Malaysia (26 percent), and Brunei (one percent). Your trip to Borneo will probably be centered around taking advantage of the natural biodiversity. The reefs are home to some of the best diving in the world , and Borneo is one of only two places left where wild orangutans still roam the rainforest. Opportunities for adventure abound within Borneo’s rugged interior of almost 289,000 square miles!

You’re going to need time to explore all the big island has to offer. Use our guide for planning your trip to Borneo and enjoying one of the most adventurous places on earth.

Planning Your Trip

• Best Time to Visit : Overall, Borneo is hot, humid, and receives plenty of rain throughout the year. Sarawak is generally driest from March to September  , while Sabah tends to be driest between January and May. East Kalimantan, Balikpapan, and the Derawan Islands receive less rain between July and October.
• Language: Bahasa Malaysia is spoken in Malaysian Borneo . Bahasa Indonesia is the national language in Kalimantan, but an estimated 74 languages are spoken daily among different sub-ethnic groups! Bahasa Melayu is the official language in Brunei  ; though, Melayu Brunei—Brunei’s variant of the Malay language—is used daily.
• Currency: Malaysian ringgit (MYR) in Malaysian Borneo; Indonesian rupiah (IDR) in Kalimantan; Brunei dollar (BND) in Brunei.
• Getting Around: Borneo requires time to move around. Plan on using regional flights for crossing long distances. Traveling by boat is sometimes the best option for going overland. Taxis and ojek (motorcycle taxis) are common for getting around in cities. Grab is a popular rideshare service in Malaysian Borneo.
• Travel Tip: Doing research before the trip is prudent, but you’ll find that many independent guesthouses and small airlines don’t have an online presence. You’ll have more options for making arrangements once on the ground. When possible, book local tours and guides to directly help communities.

Things to Do

Despite damage from heavy deforestation, Borneo is one of the most biodiverse places in the world—see as much of it as you can. With mountains, rivers, thriving reefs, and a rainforest canopy that’s home to endangered species, finding memorable adventure in Borneo is easy.

• See Wildlife in East Sabah : Although you can see orangutans and proboscis monkeys in rehabilitation centers and national parks throughout Sarawak and Kalimantan, the Sandakan area in East Sabah is home to three destinations that really provide a sample of the rainforest: the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, Rainforest Discovery Centre, and Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary .
• Learn About Dayak Culture : The best way to learn about the indigenous peoples’ way of life is to let them show you. Iban longhouse visits or overnight stays can be arranged in Sarawak, Sabah, and parts of Kalimantan. Contacting the Sarawak Tourism Board is the best way to find remote longhouse communities willing to host foreigners. If time is too short to reach the most authentic experiences, the Sarawak Cultural Village outside of Kuching is a “living” museum with model longhouses and cultural displays   spread over beautiful grounds.
• Visit the Derawan Islands: Getting to the Derawan Islands in East Kalimantan isn’t easy, but once there you’ll enjoy a wonderland of marine life. The islands are a major nesting site for hawksbill turtles and green sea turtles  . The snorkeling and diving are superb, plus visitors can swim with millions of harmless jellyfish in lakes. Some of the smaller islands are such perfect examples of paradise that friends may not believe you took the photos!
• Enjoy the National Parks : No matter which part of Borneo you choose to visit, you’ll have access to impressive national parks. Some are easier to access than others. Bako National Park is less than an hour from Kuching, but getting to Tanjung Puting in Central Kalimantan requires flying in and traveling by boat. You can see hornbills, giant butterflies, carnivorous pitcher plants, and plenty of monkeys even on relatively short hikes .

Explore more activities in Borneo with our full-length articles on attractions in Kota Kinabalu , things to do in Kuching , and climbing Mount Kinabalu .

Tyler Cave / Getty Images

What to Eat and Drink

With so many miles of coastline and rivers, Borneo is a great place to indulge in fresh, inexpensive seafood. Patrons cram into cavernous food courts and seafood restaurants built on the water. Be on the lookout for a live empurau , the fruit-eating fish from Sarawak that’s one of the most expensive edible fish in the world. Midin, a jungle fern that stays crunchy after cooked, is a healthy green not easily found outside of Borneo. Sarawak laksa is a filling, addictive variant of laksa , the noodle soup enjoyed throughout Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore.

Have fun trying the many unique fruits found in Borneo, especially the ones that won’t be easy to find fresh at home. Be on the lookout for mangosteens, rambutans, red dragon fruit, longans, salak (snake fruit), and langsat in markets. If you’re brave enough to sample durian —you should!—the season is roughly from June to August.

Learn more about delicious Malaysian street food, eating in Indonesia, and interesting fruit to try in Southeast Asia .

Where to Stay

Finding hotels in major cities such as Kuching, Kota Kinabalu, and Bandar Seri Begawan is easy enough. But you may need to be a little more creative in remote, smaller places. Homestays and eco-lodges are popular options in Sukau on the Kinabatangan River, in the Derawan Islands, and other settings where there are fewer choices for eateries. Dive operators usually have accommodation for guests in places such as Mabul Island. You can sometimes reserve simple huts and longhouses within the national parks.

Many options for bungalows and small guesthouses aren’t listed online—you’ll need to book them in person or through an agent.

Getting There

Flights from Kuala Lumpur to Malaysian Borneo are surprisingly inexpensive; choosing where to start your trip to Borneo is key. For the most accessible orangutan and rainforest experiences, consider flying into Sandakan in East Sabah. Jakarta is best for connecting to points throughout Kalimantan.

• Kuching (KCH): The pleasant city of Kuching is the best starting place for exploring Sarawak, but you’ll want to fly into Miri (MYY) if Mulu National Park is your first objective.
• Kota Kinabalu (BKI): Kota Kinabalu is often the busiest airport in Borneo and puts you in the heart of Sabah. It’s the best choice for getting to Mount Kinabalu or connecting to other points throughout Borneo.
• Sandakan (SDK): Fly into Sandakan in East Sabah for quicker access to orangutans, rainforest, and the Kinabantan River.
• Bandar Seri Begawan (BWN): Flying into Brunei’s capital is the obvious choice for exploring the sultanate and impressive Ulu Temburong National Park.
• Balikpapan (BPN): Balikpapan is a vibrant city in Kalimantan and hub for taking smaller planes to remote places.
• Tanjung Redeb (BEJ): Flying into Kalimarau Airport in Berau, East Kalimantan, is usually the best for accessing the Derawan Islands.

Get help choosing the best airport in Borneo for beginning your trip.

Culture and Customs

• The collective term “Dayak” is used for the more than 200 groups of indigenous peoples who call Borneo home. When you know the specific name of an ethnic group (e.g., “Iban”), use that instead.
• Visiting a longhouse is an interesting way to learn about indigenous culture, but avoid contact when not feeling well. Many communities live in close quarters far from medical help, and even a case of the sniffles could cause problems. If staying overnight, you’ll need to bring a gift for the chief and practical gifts that can be divided equally among the residents. Consumables are usually best; your guide can provide advice about what to bring.
• The left hand is generally considered unclean in local culture. Opt to pay, accept items, and eat with your right hand only. Eating with the hands is common in longhouses and some homestays.
• Shaking hands (with a looser grip than in the West) is common when meeting someone of the same sex. After the handshake, briefly touch your heart to show extra respect.
• Brunei is considered the most devout of Islamic nations in Southeast Asia. Dress conservatively when exploring Bandar Seri Begawan.
• Read about the concept of saving face to have a better understanding of culture in Borneo. Avoid public displays of anger or frustration. When possible, defer to elders and people of higher status. Pointing out that someone is wrong could cause them to lose face, so always correct people privately rather than in front of their peers. Public displays of affection with your significant other could cause strangers to feel embarrassment.

Money Saving Tips

• Check the dates for national and regional holidays before booking your trip. Big events such as Chinese New Year, Independence Day for both Malaysia and Indonesia, Gawai Dayak , Hari Raya (the end of Ramadan), the Rainforest World Music Festival in Kuching, the Jazz Festival in Miri, and the Erau Festival in Kalimantan can drastically affect prices for flights and hotels.
• For overnight stays in national parks in Sarawak, get in touch with the Sarawak Tourism Board in Kuching. The hostel-style accommodation is typically inexpensive and simple. Ask if there is a shared kitchen for cooking your own meals. Nighttime and early morning access to the park provides an extra memorable experience and costs little.
• Like elsewhere in Asia, tipping isn’t the norm in Borneo. You can round up fares for drivers and leave a small tip for guides and porters to show your appreciation for a good experience.
• Prices for many items are negotiable, especially in markets or when you’ll be purchasing a lot from one merchant. A little good-natured haggling is expected but never for common items with fixed prices (e.g., a bottle of water).

Read more about saving money on the duty-free island of Labuan in Sabah during your trip to Borneo.

Sarawak Tourism Board. " Travel Tips ." September 11, 2019.

CIA World Factbook. " Brunei ." November 4, 2020.

Sarawak Tourism Board. " Sarawak Cultural Village ." 2020.

Ministry of Tourism, Republic of Indonesia. " Derawan Islands ." 2020.

A Guide to Airports in Borneo

9 Top Destinations in Malaysian Borneo

How to Find Cheap Flights to Borneo

Where to Go in Malaysian Borneo: Sarawak or Sabah?

One Week in Borneo: The Ultimate Itinerary

The Top 8 Things to Do in Malaysian Borneo

The 10 Best Places to Scuba Dive in Borneo

Guide to Kalimantan: Planning Your Trip

The Best Time to Visit Borneo

The 12 Best National Parks in Borneo

Weather in Borneo: Climate, Seasons, and Average Monthly Temperature

5 Places to See Orangutans in Borneo

The 10 Best Hikes in Borneo

The 11 Best Hotels in Borneo

The Top 9 Museums to Visit in Borneo

• Destinations
• Trip Styles
• Customize Trip

South-East Asia

Travel Guide

Trip Styles Including

Get more useful information

Login to your account

Register an account.

10 Day Best of Borneo

7-day Change Of Mind

Domestic Flight Included

Australian Company Owned

Fully escorted by English-speaking local tour guide

Day by day itinerary.

Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan, Selingan Island, Sukau

• Offer add-on returned flights from $1,100 per person.
• Domestic flight included
• Domestic flight from Kota Kinabula to Sandakan
• Soft trek through the jungle trail and swimming on Gaya Island, the biggest island of Tunku Abdul Rahman Park.
• Soak in the rejuvenating hot Sulphur public pools in Kipungit Waterfall
• Visit some of the most eminent centres including Sepilok Orang Rehabilitation Centre, Borneo Sun Bear Conservation Centre and Rainforest Discovery Centre
• View unique birds and wildlife along the Kinabatangan River, the Sabah’s longest river
• Dedicated transportation in comfortable, air-conditioned vehicles
• Daily Breakfast Buffet
• Fully escorted by English-speaking local guides
• In-depth sightseeing and all entry fees as per the itinerary

Arrival in Kota Kinabalu (Borneo Island - Malaysia)

Welcome to Malaysia. Arrive in Kota Kinabalu this morning, where your friendly tour guide will be waiting at the airport. Transfer to the hotel for check-in, freshen up and spend the rest of the day at leisure exploring around town. Meal : In-flight meals Accommodation : Promenade Hotel Kota Kinabalu 4* or similar

Some flights may depart the night before and fly overnight, to arrive on Day.

Kota Kinabalu Gaya Island Kota Kinabalu

After breakfast, you will be picked up at your hotel then take a 30-minute speed boat to Gaya Island, a Borneo’s biodiverse treasure-house of jungle and marine life. On arrival, start your adventure on a jungle trail and explore the unique tropical plants. Enjoy lunch (picnic packed lunch box) by the beach then spend the afternoon at your leisure to go swimming, snorkel or just relax at the beautiful beach before returning to Kota Kinabalu. Meal : Breakfast, Lunch. Accommodation : Promenade Hotel Kota Kinabalu 4* or similar

Kota Kinabalu Mount Kinabalu Kota Kinabalu

After breakfast, you will take a 2-hour drive to the foothills of Mt.Kinabalu in the UNESCO World Heritage Kinabalu Park, one of the world’s most important biological sites with more than 4,500 species of flora and fauna. Stop en route by Pekan Nabalu Market to enjoy the various seasonal tropical fruits. On arrival at the foothills, get ready to stand astounded by the astounding view of Mt.Kinabalu, the highest mountain in the Malay Archipelago (4,095m). Later, head to Kinabalu Natural History Gallery and Mountain Garden. If weather permits, go on a guided tour to explore the verdant forest laced with cool montane air. Continue to Poring Treetop Canopy Walk where suspension bridges constructed with ropes, steel cables and a series of aluminum ladders bolted together at 41m high offer a different view of the jungle. Meals : Breakfast, Lunch Accommodation : Promenade Hotel Kota Kinabalu 4* or similar

Kota Kinabalu Sandakan

After breakfast, you will take a flight to Sandakan in the morning. Arrival Sandakan transfer to the hotel drop off. Rest of the day free and easy. Overnight in Sandakan Meal : Breakfast Accommodation : Sabah Hotel 4* or similar

Sandakan Selingan Island

After breakfast, check out hotel after breakfast and transfer to Jetty for Selingan Turtle Island. Spend today at your leisure to go swimming or just relax at the beautiful beach. After dinner you will have a chance to observe Green Turtles lay eggs. Overnight in Selingan Island. Meals: Lunch & Dinner at Selingan Island.’ Meal : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation : Selingan Turtle Island Chalet

Selingan Island Sandakan City Tour

Return to Sandakan. Stroll through a town market selling local fishes, assorted snacks and seasonal tropical fruits. Visit Puu Jih Shih Buddhist Temple located on the top of the hill, St. Michael’s and All Angels Church, then visit Agnes Keith House. Continue Sim Sim Floating Village and Sandakan War Memorial Park. Lunch then headed to the Rainforest Discovery Centre. Overnight at hotel in Sandakan. Meals : Breakfast, Lunch Accommodation : Sabah Hotel 4* or similar

Sandakan Sepilok Sukau.

After breakfast, transfer to Sepilok Orang Rehabilitation Centre and afterwards, to the Borneo Sun Bear Conservation Centre. Later, embark to Sandakan and check in the fascinating Borneo Nature Lodge (or equivalent) nested on banks of Borneo’s Kinabatangan River. In the evening, you will hop on a short River Safari Cruise. Meals : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Accommodation : Borneo Nature Lodge or similar

Sukau Kanabatangan River Oxbow Lake Sukau.

In the morning, take a Safari River Cruise on Kanabatangan River to Oxbow Lake to explore the Borneo’s diverse wildlife. Continue to Hornbill Boardwalk for an educational tour. In the afternoon, spend your free & easy before continuing your cruise trip to discover the wildlife. Meal : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation : Borneo Nature Lodge or similar

Sukau Sandakan Home

Return to Sandakan by land, transfer to Sandakan airport for flight back home. Meal : Breakfast. Accommodation : On Plane

Arrive home today and we hope you enjoy your trip with Asia Vacation Group.

• Domestic flights from Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan  as the itinerary
• Accommodation and breakfast in the category chosen or similar (subject to availability)
• Meals as mentioned in the program
• All local boat rentals as mentioned in the program
• Water bottles during tours
• All land Transportations based on Private basis except the boat ride in Sukau on SIC basis.
• All entrance and sightseeing fees as mentioned in the program
• Local English speaking guides in Malaysia
• International Flights (Remark: We offer add-on flights from $1,100 per person)
• Meals and drinks are not mentioned in the program
• Visa fees on arrival in Malaysia
• Tipping for driver and tour guide (suggestion: 10AUD/pp/day)
• Personal expenses
• Travel insurance (we strongly recommend you hold a valid travel insurance policy for all domestic and overseas travel)
• Trip delay or interruption by airline schedule change
• Extra cost or missing tour caused by flight delay or cancel
• Any service not clearly mentioned in the program
• Malaysia Tourism Tax: MYR 10.00 per room per night for each destination will be collected directly by hotels 

How to book and Payments

Asia Vacation Group offers you a  “3 Instalment Payment Plan” , you will be required to settle a small deposit followed by a series of installments when you select to book your departure tour.

• First payment: You will be required to settle $ 200pp  deposit online through our website link.
• Second payment: You will be required to settle the second payment  $1,000pp  after 7 days when you receive our company invoice.
• Final payment: Final payment will be collected 120 days before your departure.

However, you will have 7-day cooling off period. Please refer to  “Flexible Cancellation”  section.

Flexible Cancellation If you change your mind within 7 days of making your booking online, you can request a refund of your initial deposit payment. Once your purchase date falls outside of the 7-day period, our standard terms and conditions will apply.

Please ensure that any request to cancel your booking is received via email to  [email protected] , including the reason for cancellation .

Flight Information

This package excludes international flights and we offer an add-on flight from $1,100 for any flight from Sydney/Melbourne and $1,400 for flights from Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth. Other city if requested when selecting your departure city.

In this packages, we will use some different airlines such as: Malaysia Airlines or similar (20/23kg for checked baggage per passenger and 7kg hand luggage per passenger, 01-piece check-in baggage).

• Some flights will require a minimum of 1 transit (maximum 2).
• All tickets will include 23 kilos checked baggage per person, along with 7 kilos of hand luggage.
• Despite the airlines baggage allowance, we recommend travelling with 20 kilos per person due to restrictions with internal flights (where applicable), as well as coach and train transportation. Also, you will be responsible for handling your luggage at all times as the services of porters is not included. If travelling over this amount, you will be liable for any excess baggage fees enforced by the airline, payable direct.
• Once ticketed, flights are non-refundable. Any changes will be subject to the airline rules, Airline change fees and an Asia Vacation Group change fee of $250 per person.
• Full names as per passport (including all middle names) are required. Any error in the names submitted will be subject to an Asia Vacation Group name change fee of $150 plus any applicable fees charged by the airline, or the ticket may be non-refundable with the purchase of a new ticket required.
• Any airline schedule changes or cancellations are beyond our control. It is important that you, as the customer, stay up-to-date with the latest airline schedule information prior to your departure. If a schedule change results in extended transits or an earlier/later departure from your destination, any additional accommodation or alternative arrangements will be at the traveler’s expense.
• Any airline ‘extras’ such as pre-allocated seating is at your own arrangement (additional charges apply)
• After booking, the price payable may be subject to change as a result of factors beyond the control of Asia Vacation Group. Asia Vacation Group reserves the right to increase the price payable and this will be reflected on the customer’s invoice. Increases may be in relation to, but not limited to, currency fluctuations, airline taxes, airfare increases and fuel surcharges.
• Internal airfares (where applicable and included in the itinerary) will be using a local carrier and may include low-cost carriers without meals or entertainment. Checked baggage will still be included for each passenger. Any additional baggage required is payable at time of check-in.
• If you are travelling with another party on a separate booking, we cannot guarantee that the same flights will be booked for all parties, as this strictly depends on availability.
• You will be responsible for handling your luggage at all times as the services of porters are not included. If travelling over the recommended amount, you will be liable for any excess baggage fees enforced by the airline, payable directly.

In the event of that you no-show on your scheduled flight, please be aware the airline will require you to pay a no show fee, Airline reissue fee plus any additional airfare and taxes. Asia Vacation Group will also charge a $250 admin fee to assist re accommodating you on the next available flight. Please note that depending on the airline’s policy, purchasing a new ticket may be required.

Flight requests, amendments or preferences We understand customers may wish to request changes to their included airfares. If you wish to fly with a certain airline, land at a certain time or change your flight in other ways we will gladly provide you with a personalized quote tailored to your specific requirements. We would be more than happy to provide you with a quote for the following requests: Airline Preferences – You may wish to fly with a particular airline Cabin Preferences – These include upgrading to premium economy or business class Extensions (start and end cities must remain the same) – You may request to extend your stay pre or post tour. Meal Requests – You may request a specific meal for dietary requirements. Seat Requests – If you would like to request particular seating. However please note, not all airlines allow the selection of pre-purchased seat arrangements.

Important Information

COVID-19 Due to COVID there maybe disruptions to standard operating schedules of particular components of this itinerary. Should a component be effected a substitute will be confirmed prior to departure .

Physical Requirements A reasonable level of fitness is required but it’s more about spending time on your feet rather than covering large distances. You’ll be getting on and off coaches and boats, walking around the sights and climbing some steps.

Tipping A friendly reminder that tipping is not included in your package. Please be advised that tipping for tour guides, drivers and bellmen are required and will be collected by your travel consultant 7 days before you depart. A gratuity of 10AUD per person/day can make a big difference to locals employed in the tourism industry as they have done an impeccable job to serve you through your holiday.

Accommodation The accommodation listed is subject to change. Any changes will be of an equal or higher standard. Bedding configurations (double or twin) are requests only. All efforts will be made to meet your preferences however any changes are beyond our control.

Single Supplement Single supplement is $608 per person in addition to the twin share price.

Paired Solo Traveler Not available.

Group size: 4-15 pax

Triple Share Upon your request except for cruises

Travel Insurance Travel insurance is required to protect yourself against the unexpected. We have partnered with SureSave to offer you competitive rates for your travel insurance. You can book comprehensive or budget cover simply to arrange your policy.

Visa & Passport information It is the traveler’s responsibility to ensure they have a valid passport. The passport must be valid for a minimum of six months from the intended date of return and must have more than 2 blank pages. For Malaysia, Australian passport holders can get a 90-day tourism visa on arrival. Please note that these details are subject to change without notice. We recommend visiting https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/asia/malaysia for up to date information in terms of entry requirements.

Tour Documentation Final documentation, including e-tickets and hotel details, will be provided approximately 30 days prior to travel.

Children Children must be 2 years old or over and share a room with parents at all times. Children are the same price as adults.

Tour Length The total length of the tour in days includes time spent in flight and is subject to change depending on the flight schedule, please refer to the day by day itinerary for the time spent on land.

SPECIAL REMARK: Compulsory Taxes – collected and pay directly to hotel Malaysia Tourism Tax: MYR 10.00 per room per night for each staying hotel/ destination  

How to extend your stay You can enhance your holiday by arriving or departing before or after the tour. On this tour you can pay extra for arriving early or extension your trip.

Arriving early | Extension your trip: AU$100 pp for trip extension or early arrivals. If you wish to extend your trip, please note in your Booking Form then we will provide quotations for you. The fee above is just administrative only, no service included.

How to Extend Your Stay

This is availbale upon your request. Please select number of night for pre or post tour and our travel consultant will get back to you.

Dates & Prices

Real Travelers Reviews

Wide variety of well priced tours of asia. i found the tours available to choose.

Our holiday was an amazing experience we enjoyed the scheduled tours all were very interesting.

We were very happy and had no problem at all when booking

This is the 2nd time that I have booked with Asia Vacation

A Hanoi Interlude with Asia Vacation Group

14 Day Vietnam and Cambodia tour.

Latest Travel Guides

THINGS TO DO IN BORNEO

September 4, 2023

Unveiling Gaya Island: A Tropical Haven In Borneo

June 29, 2023

Let’s planning your vacation

RESERVE YOUR SEAT NOW

Reserved your seat with a small deposit and you can change your mind in 7 days.

Remember Me

Forgot your password?

Sign in with Facebook

Sign in with Google

ASIA ON SALE

Sign up to get 10% OFF this season ! Using code ASIA10 at check out. Save big for your travel

No Spam. Plus, unsubscribe anytime.

• Why Choose Us
• Meet Our Team
• Our Specialist Guides
• Giving Back
• Travel Advisory
• Top Attractions
• Things To Do
• Holiday Packages

• Sukau Rainforest Lodge
• Utan Rainforest Lodge
• Borneo Rainforest Lodge

Embark on unforgettable escapes at irresistible prices. Your Passport to the breathtaking wonders of Borneo awaits!

Limited-time deals up for grabs.

Dive into our limited-time deals and seize the opportunity to explore Borneo's incredible biodiversity. Discover the perfect blend of adventure and conservation, making unforgettable memories with Borneo Eco Tours. Your adventure begins here!

Borneo Wildlife Safari

The best 5D4N, featuring a combination of Sukau Rainforest Lodge and Tabin Rainforest Lodge to ...

Rainforest Wildlife Experience

Spend three days full of adventure exploring a true Bornean rainforest in the hidden gem of Sungai ...

Sabah Rainforest Safari

Embark on a 8-day ultimate Borneo Wildlife experience, blending Kota Kinabalu's urban charm, the ...

Subscribe to Our Mailing List

Please fill in your information.

Item has been added to cart successfully. You may choose to continue shopping or proceed to checkout now.

BROWSE BY INTERESTS

• River Safari
• Dayak Tribes
• Floating Markets

BROWSE BY DURATION

• Up to 3 Days
• Up to 6 Days
• Up to 9 Days
• More than 9 Days

Browse by Location

• Tours Central Borneo
• Tours East Borneo
• Tours South Borneo
• Tours West Borneo

Best Borneo Orangutan Experience Tour (3D/2N)

Open Trip Borneo Orangutan Adventure (3D/2N)

Best Borneo Orangutan Tour Experience (4D/3N)

Central Kalimantan

From exploring the vibrant city of Palangkaraya to venturing into the depths of Tanjung Puting National Park to meet the orangutans and engaging with the indigenous Dayak communities.

East Kalimantan

Explore the Derawan Archipelago's paradise islands, venture into the rainforests of Kutai National Park, and experience the traditional Dayak culture that defines the region.

South Kalimantan

From exploring the vibrant floating markets of Banjarmasin to immersing yourself in the tranquil beauty of Loksado and experiencing the diamond mining heritage of Martapura.

West Kalimantan

From the vibrant markets of Pontianak to the tranquil river cruises along the Kapuas River, and from the lush rainforests of Gunung Palung National Park to the cultural melting pot of Singkawang

Central Borneo

Tanjung Puting National Park

Encounter remarkable wildlife, from orangutans to proboscis monkeys, in a privileged boat experience.

Sebangau National Park

Discover the rich biodiversity, witness wildlife wonders, and immerse in a vital peat swamp forest.

East Borneo

Derawan Archipelago

A Tropical Haven of Marine Wonders.

Kutai National Park

Wildlife encounters, rainforest treks, and river cruises.

Mahakam River

Encounter Dayak communities and captivating wildlife.

Samboja Lestari Reserve

An Ethical Encounter with Orangutans and Sun Bears.

South Borneo

Banjarmasin Floating Market

Immerse in the morning market, interact with friendly vendors, and savor local flavors.

Immerse in outdoor adventures, embrace Dayak heritage, and savor scenic tranquility.

West Borneo

Betung Kerihun National Park

Immerse in nature through trekking, river exploration, and wildlife observation.

Gunung Palung National Park

Trek through the park's trails, listen to the sounds of nature, and marvel at the wonders that unfold at every step.

• Who we are?

Come2Borneo’s Essence: Crafting Unforgettable, Sustainable, and Culturally Immersive Adventures

• Sustainability

Explore Eco-Conscious Borneo Tours: Ethical Travel Experiences with a Sustainable Paradigm

• Our Klotoks

Unveiling Borneo’s Wooden Houseboats: Authentic Jungle Adventures on Klotok Boats.

• Travel Information

Frequently Asked Questions from our Travelers (FAQs): Your Common Questions Answered.

• Get in touch

Get in touch to discover the wonders of Borneo and embark yourself on an unforgettable adventure.

What kind of adventure are you interested in?

Explore our best tours in borneo, banjarmasin floating market adventure (2d/1n).

schedule 3 Days - 2 Nights flight Bajarmasin (BDJ)

Experience the vibrant heart of Borneo with a visit to the renowned Banjarmasin Floating Market.

schedule 3 Days - 2 Nights flight Pangkalan Bun (PKN)

Sail on a private klotok to encounter majestic orangutans in Borneo wilderness.

schedule 4 Days - 3 Nights flight Pangkalan Bun (PKN)

Experience the Cultural Richness of Dayak Tribe Village (3D/2N)

schedule 3 Days - 2Nights flight Pangkalan Bun (PKN)

Immerse yourself in the captivating culture of the Dayak people.

Explore the Enigmatic Mahakam River (4D/3N)

schedule 4 Days - 3 Nights flight Balikpapan (BPN)

Discover the hidden treasures of Borneo sailing this epic river.

Exploring Mahakam River & Kutai National Park (5D/4N)

schedule 5 Days - 4 Nights flight Balikpapan (BPN)

Experience Dayak tribal culture and encounter orangutans and diverse wildlife.

Leave Nothing but Footprints!

Exploring nature's treasures responsibly.

Are you interested in exploring Borneo while making a positive impact on the environment and local communities? Look no further! Come2Borneo specializes in sustainable tours that offer ethical travel experiences. 

Discover the Diversity of Borneo's Regions

Designed for you, dayak tribes experiences, river safari tours, discover floating markets, meet our team, our wooden houseboats.

Borneo Traveler Information

Frequently asked questions from our travelers (faqs) your common questions answered..

Passionate Service

We’re devoted to creating an unforgettable Borneo experience, going the extra mile to make your trip special.

Best Price Guarantee

Come2Borneo ensures unbeatable value without compromising quality.

Handpicked Deals

Enjoy Borneo’s finest with our carefully curated selection of deals and experiences.

Detailed Descriptions

Make informed adventure choices with our comprehensive trip and destination descriptions.

Secure Booking

Even though we’re based in Indonesia, your payments are securely handled, ensuring your peace of mind and protecting your information.

• Skip to primary navigation
• Skip to main content
• Skip to primary sidebar

Two weeks in Borneo: Your adventurous Borneo itinerary for the best things to do in Borneo

March 1, 2018 by Karen Turner 9 Comments

Visiting Borneo was a dream of mine ever since I was a child watching National Geographic video series about the biodiversity in Borneo.  Planning my trip to Borneo took quite a bit of time as Borneo is one of the world’s largest islands with three countries.

As I only had two weeks for Borneo, I had to choose carefully what to do in Borneo.  This was my itinerary for two weeks in Borneo, focusing on Malaysia and Brunei.  I tried to include the best things to do in Borneo, which makes it easy to stretch this Borneo itinerary to four weeks in Borneo depending on your interests.

• 1 A note on choosing Malaysia and Brunei instead of Indonesia for my Borneo itinerary
• 2.1.1 Optional trip from Sandakan or Kota Kinabulu: Sipadan for diving (1-3 days)
• 2.2 Optional 2-7 days side trip: Danum Valley
• 2.3 Kota Kinabalu: Three Days, including Kota Kinabalu National Park
• 2.4 Optional day trip from Kota Kinabalu: Paragliding in Ranau
• 2.5 Optional trip from Kota Kinabalu: Mount Kinabalu Via Ferrata (1-3 days)
• 3.0.1 Bandar Seri Begawan (3 days)
• 3.0.2 Ulu Temburong National Park (1-2 days)
• 3.1.1 Optional side trip from Miri: Gunung Mulu National Park (2-5 days)
• 3.1.2 Optional day trip from Miri: Gua Pari fairy caves and wind caves (1 day)
• 3.1.3 Optional side trip from Miri: Kelabit Highlands / Bario (2-3 days)
• 4.1 Optional half day trip from Kuching: Sarawak Cultural Village
• 4.2.1 Day trip from Kuching (if you’re lucky enough) (1-2 days)
• 5.1 …And that’s it for my two week itinerary for Borneo!  
• 5.2 Have you been to Borneo? 

A note on choosing Malaysia and Brunei instead of Indonesia for my Borneo itinerary

I’m so excited to visit Indonesia, however I found that flights to/from the Indonesian part of Borneo were pricey.  SImilarly, I didn’t have the time to take slow boats around.

My friend Cherene had a fantastic experience after flying into Kalimantan seeing wild orangutans in Indonesia .  My aunt was able to take an in-depth tour to Kalimantan to learn about traditional weaving in the region and we met one person who had done some intensive jungle trekking in Indonesia. However, the Indonesian side has less infrastructure, which makes it more difficult to get around Borneo without a lot of time.

Borneo in two weeks itinerary

This itinerary can be easily flipped depending on where you fly into Borneo.  For me, it was cheaper to fly to Kuala Lumpur to start off my trip prior to taking an AirAsia flight to Sandakan rather than to fly into Kota Kinabalu, Kuching, or Bandar Seri Begawan (Brunei).

You’ll find international flights to/from Europe and Australia into BSB (Brunei) although you’ll also find flights into Kota Kinabalu with a transfer.  I leave this part of your Borneo itinerary up to you, but this was how I organized my personal trip to Borneo to minimize backtracking as well as flights.  You can read my packing list for Borneo . This itinerary is not strictly for two weeks in Borneo, so I hope it inspires your holiday to Borneo no matter the length.

I’ve included a bit of side trips that are easy to do from different cities, so depending on your interests, you should be able to add/cut different things.  It might not be avoidable to go to certain cities if you want to do specific activities.  I was very interested in a number of these side trips, but I ran out of time.

I hope that this information about Borneo helps anyone planning their trip to Borneo by highlighting the best things to do in the Malaysian and Bruneian parts of Borneo!  You could easily expand this itinerary for four weeks in Borneo, focused on travel in Sabah and Sarawak.

Beginning of your Borneo trip: Sandakan & the Kinabatangan Valley (3 days)

You can fly into Sandakan from Kuala Lumpur for as low as $20 USD.  After doing my research into where best to see wildlife in Borneo, I realized that the Kinabatangan region would be the best option given my limited time in Borneo. I was hoping to see wild pygmy elephants, but unfortunately we didn’t get lucky.

Most wildlife safaris that are mid-range to luxury will pick you up from the Sandakan airport as part of their package price.  I paid ~$300 (per person) for my three day two night excursion in the Kinabatangan region.

During this time, we saw hundreds of wild monkeys [including silver leaf and proboscis monkeys], spotted THREE wild orangutans, jungle trekked, and cruised along the river.

The whole experience was out of a dream and why I came to Borneo.  Some people stay longer, however I felt three days in the Kinabatangan Valley was enough time.   You can read more about my time in the Kinabatangan Valley, including where I stayed here.

Optional trip from Sandakan or Kota Kinabulu: Sipadan for diving (1-3 days)

I still don’t know how to dive, however diving in Sipadan is a must for divers.  Sipadan is routinely rated as one of the best places in the world to go scuba diving.

Be aware that they strictly limit the number of divers that can visit Sipadan each day, so you must apply in advance for a diving permit (they go quickly).  You can take a six hour bus to Somporna from Sandakan or fly from Kota Kinabalu to Tawau.   You might need to reorder your trip depending on whether you choose to take the bus to Sipadan or fly.

A related note: I skipped Sipadan as I do not know how to dive and depending on pirate activity, you might want to stay up to date on what’s going off the eastern coast of Borneo if you’ll be spending extra time in this region.

Optional 2-7 days side trip: Danum Valley

I did not include Danum Valley  in this Borneo itinerary as the prices were so exorbitant that I couldn’t justify paying it.  I heard incredible things about spending 3 days to a week hiking in Danum Valley, but it wasn’t in my budget unfortunately.  You can fly from Kota Kinabalu to Danum Valley.

Kota Kinabalu: Three Days, including Kota Kinabalu National Park

Kota Kinabalu is the largest city on Borneo and it has a lot to offer.  To see the main city sights, visit the spectacular Kota Kinabalu national park (which has its own ecosystem), learn about local culture, and snorkel/dive on Gaya Island, you’ll need about three days.

A must is going around the Kota Kinabalu night market, which is a great place to try local specialities, although I must say that I am taken with laksa.  You can read a good itinerary for three days in Kota Kinabalu here.

Optional day trip from Kota Kinabalu: Paragliding in Ranau

We spent a day going on a day trip to Ranau, which has a lot of tragic history from World War II relating to prisoners-of-war, with a day trip that we booked once we were in Kota Kinabalu.

I highly recommend stopping along the way to try fresh fruit and local indigenous specialities in the region.  Be sure to visit the memorial prior to going paragliding in the hills of Ranau.

Paragliding is one of those once in a lifetime experiences that I recommend that anyone should try out.  You’ll understand how it feels to soar in the air like a bird!

Optional trip from Kota Kinabalu: Mount Kinabalu Via Ferrata (1-3 days)

If you’re considering climbing Mount Kinabalu to do the via ferrata , you’ll need at least 2-3 day extra days and quite a bit of cash as it’s a fairly pricey activity.

I chose not to climb Kinabalu due to the cost, but it’s recommended that you take a 3D2N trip to Mount Kinabalu as your trip might be cancelled if the weather is not right and you’ll have an extra night to summit to the top if the weather is not great the first day.  Not going is a big regret of mine.

At minimum, consider visiting Kota Kinabalu National Park as a day trip. 

Brunei Darussalam (3-5 days total)

There’s a good flight connection between BSB Brunei and Kota Kinabalu as well as Kuala Lumpur. We flew Royal Brunei Airways.

I’m always shocked to hear that people spend so little time in Brunei when I found Brunei one of the most fascinating places that I’ve visited in the world.

Brunei is a great place for cultural travel as Brunei as they have their own rich culture and history in addition to a water village that deserves UNESCO recognition  The mosques are pretty spectacular too !    You can read travel tips for Brunei here.

Bandar Seri Begawan (3 days)

A lot of people rush through their time in Bandar Seri Begawan as they find it boring . (I disagree.) The capital city of Brunei Darussalam has free attractions, a UNESCO-worthy water village that is living history, friendly people, lively night markets, and delicious food .

You may not find alcohol in BSB, but Brunei is perfect for the traveler ready to immerse themselves in a different culture.   You can read the best things to do in Bandar Seri Begawan here .

Ulu Temburong National Park (1-2 days)

You’ll need to book an excursion from Bandar Seri Begawan to get to Ulu Temburong National Park, one of the most well-maintained virgin rainforests  in the world .

In order to get to Ulu Temburong National Park, you’ll take a stunning ferry ride through the rainforest prior to taking a traditional longboat.  The area around the park is home to the Iban people, who have their own culture and history.

If you’re interested in learning more about the Iban people, I recommend spending more than a day here as a day trip to Ulu Temburong National Park means that you won’t have time to properly learn about Iban culture!  Be sure to visit in time for the Harvest festival if possible.   You can read tips for visiting Ulu Temburong National Park here.

Miri (1 day)

You can take a bus from Brunei to Miri.  You’ll find the bus departing daily in the mornings.  Ask any tourist information desk for bus departure information or book your tickets online.

Thanks to Ying Ying for the fantastic tour of Miri.  I was lucky enough to have a local guide to Miri, which is where Shell was founded.  Oil is a key industry in Miri still and Shell still has a very strong presence in this city (as well as a private beach club).

Miri isn’t too large although a car is essential as the bus from Brunei comes in at an inconvenient place. Miri is a great base for various trips around Sarawak and a great place to try Sarawak laksa in case you haven’t yet…

Miri is one of the only places in the world where you can try the Bario pineapple outside of Bario as well as Kelabit food.  You’ll need to visit  The Summit Cafe  to try Kelabit food.

Optional side trip from Miri: Gunung Mulu National Park (2-5 days)

Although the flight from Miri to Mulu National Park is only thirty minutes, this flight is often canceled and delayed due to visibility.  As a result, you need at least 1-2 days built into your Borneo itinerary to ensure that you have enough time to visit Mulu with taking into account possible flight delays.  (Flights are inexpensive.) Be sure to bring enough cash to cover food and tours.

Gunung Mulu National Park is one of Borneo’s gems without question although you need to have a more flexible schedule to visit this national park.

Gunung Mulu National Park is most famous for its pinnacles, which can be seen via three days/two night trek.  Similarly, each night, you can see the bat migration out of the caves of over three million bats.

It should be noted that most of the tours require at least two people.  If you’re into caving, you must do one of the adventurous cave tours at Gunung Mulu National Park, which can be booked online in advance.  There’s also trekking that can be done from the park headquarters as well as a canopy walk.

Optional day trip from Miri: Gua Pari fairy caves and wind caves (1 day)

The Gua Pari fairy caves and the wind caves are an easy day trip from Miri. Many tours will include both caves on a day trip from Miri.   Be sure to wear good footwear as the caves have many bats (which usually means bat poop) as well as many steps. It’s possible to visit both caves independently.

Optional side trip from Miri: Kelabit Highlands / Bario (2-3 days)

For those interested in cultural travel, Bario needs to be on your list.  I was lucky enough to try Bario pineapple and rice while I was in Miri.

Bario is a remote community that can be reached by plane from Miri.  It is the main settlement for the Kelabit tribe.   It’s a great base for adventure travel if you’re interested in cultural travel as well as trekking.

We heard amazing things about Bario and I want to go to Bario on my next trip, not just for the pineapple (which was pretty delicious).  I tried Kelabit food while in Miri and it was delicious as well as quite different than what I was used to. Bario recently got electricity.

Kuching (2 days)

I was entranced by Kuching, which has a mix of ethnic groups.  I loved the blend of cultures, the architecture, the cats ( Kuching means cat in Malay ), and the food .

Kuching is the gateway to Sarawak and anyone interested in learning about the many indigenous tribes of Malaysia will be fascinated by Kuching.  You’ll also find a lot of fantastic food in Kuching!

If you intend to visit Bako National Park, you’re better off staying in the city of Kuching prior to your departure. Kuching is perfect for 1-2 days of relaxing, non-stop eating, and admiring the city’s adorable shops.

Although I’m not a fan of Uber, it was very easy getting around Kuching via Uber with lots of friendly drivers.  Take the shuttle bus to Bako National Park from Kuching!   You can easily find budget flights from Miri to Kuching.

Optional half day trip from Kuching: Sarawak Cultural Village

Sarawak Cultural Village, very close to Taman Negara Santubong, is a “living museum” where you can see traditional architecture via seven traditional houses and learn about life in the longhouses.  It’s certainly a must-see if you’re interested in cultural travel as it’s a great introduction to the rich culture and history of the region’s ethnic groups.

Optional trip from Kuching: Taman Negara Santubong (2-3 days)

We stayed outside of Kuching.  The mountain and rainforest close to Kuching (Santubong National Park) is relatively untouched and great for trekking (you need a guide), however it’s best noted that it’s expensive getting from this area to Bako National Park without a taxi.

It’s possible to hire a boat to take you from Taman Negara Santubong to Bako National Park via most of the resorts, but this is not a cheap option.   I’d recommend doing this as a day trip from Kuching instead of staying overnight.

Day trip from Kuching (if you’re lucky enough) (1-2 days)

In  Gunung Gading National Park , you can see one of the world’s largest and rarest flowers in bloom.  We were told that you need to need to ask around carefully beforehand to ensure that the rafflesia is in bloom prior to going there.  You don’t have that much time to see them if they’re in bloom, so keep an eye out.

Bako National Park (3 days)

Bako National Park is one of the gems of Borneo and you must put Bako on your Borneo itinerary.  A lot of people come here as part of a day trip from Kuching, however if you don’t stay overnight, you’ll miss out on the most incredible experience of all: 10 ringgit ($2.50 USD) wildlife night walks with the experienced rangers who will help you spot flying lemurs and other creatures of the night.

The trekking in Bako National Park is fantastic, so even if you have limited time (and can only do a day trip to Bako National Park), be sure to go hiking.

The more remote parts of the island and longest hikes on Bako National Park require taking a boat with one of the rangers to the starting point of the hikes, so be sure to bring extra money for the boat ride to/from the park as well as any additional boat rides that you intend to take.

I think that Bako National Park is one of the easiest ways to experience nature in Borneo even if you’re not a big hiker as some of the trails are easy enough (boardwalk only ) that even non-hikers can enjoy some of the unique ecosystems on the island.

Within Bako National Park, you’ll find seven distinct ecosystems, remote beaches, amazing views, and  not that many people considering that this is one of Borneo’s most famous national parks.

It’s still rainforest, but I loved that the park had such drastically different ecosystems compared to other parts of Borneo that I visited during my trip.   After visiting Bako National Park, it’s easy to fly to a number of cities in Malaysia from Kuching via AirAsia as well as continue your trip deeper into Sarawak. 

You can read my tips for visiting Bako National Park here.

…And that’s it for my two week itinerary for Borneo!  

• Click for my tips on a realistic guide to pack for Borneo.
• Tips for visiting Brunei

Have you been to Borneo? 

About Karen Turner

New Yorker–born and raised. Currently living in the Hague, the Netherlands after stints in Paris and Amsterdam. Lover of travel, adventure, nature, city, dresses, and cats.

Reader Interactions

March 10, 2018 at 10:44 am

Such an extensive list and research. I’m definitely saving this later. As I live in Thailand, I might actually be able to execute this in the not too distant future.

March 10, 2018 at 6:39 pm

Borneo looks incredible! Your photos capture the colors and vibe perfectly! Thanks for sharing.

March 10, 2018 at 6:50 pm

Borneo is so high on our bucket list! Dying to get there. Bako National Park looks insanely good – and the night walk sounds like a totally unique experience. Thanks for sharing!

March 10, 2018 at 11:30 pm

What an amazing collection of experiences, especially all the time with nature and animals. And the cultural village sounds like a great way to learn more about local history and perspectives. What an incredible way to explore Borneo!

[…] Click for tips on things to do in Bandar Seri Begawan, visiting Ulu Temburong National Park, my complete Borneo itinerary, or an insider’s guide to […]

[…] in mind that my itinerary for Borneo was a diverse one, including a mix of cities as well as trekking.  I’d say that I spent most of […]

[…] in Brunei? Click for general tips on travel in Brunei (including what to wear in Brunei), my itinerary for Borneo, and non-boring guide to things to do in Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of Brunei with a unique […]

[…] Click for my complete itinerary for Borneo! […]

[…] if you can find the SAME item used online.  While looking for a larger 50L bag for my Borneo trip, I ended up searching on my local classified website to see if I could save money on my pricey […]

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

• The Netherlands
• New York State
• Other European destinations
• Work With Me
• Disclosure and Privacy Policy
• Jeju SEO Tool: Free SEO Writing Tool

You can unsubscribe anytime. For more details, review our Privacy Policy.

You have successfully joined our subscriber list.

TreasureHunter USA Inc. 251 Little Falls Drive Wilmington, Delaware 19808 +1 (915) 4632387 EIN 88-2174128

www.wanderlustingk.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. We also participate in other affiliate programs

www.wanderlustingk.com all rights reserved © 2023 | Privacy Policy | Cookie Policy |

• Skip to primary navigation
• Skip to main content
• Skip to footer

Drifting Pretty

A travel and lifestyle blog dedicated to the jet-setting, wander-lusting, road-trippin’ life

Borneo Itinerary: The Perfect 2 Week Adventure Guide

January 20, 2021

By Simone Shomaker.

I don’t know about you, but the social distancing and time spent home on the couch has me daydreaming about past travel, and feeling hopeful about travel in the future. In light of that, I wanted to write a blog post about one of my favorite trips I have taken to date…Borneo, Malaysia. Keep reading for my full Borneo itinerary, the ultimate 2 week adventure guide!

From the reefs to the jungles…

Sepilok orangutan conservation center & bornean sun bear conservation center, borneo, malaysia.

You can imagine how excited I was when my fiancé Jacob said he wanted to take a big trip to celebrate finishing his PhD and officially becoming a doctor! After lots of research, we landed on Borneo, a rugged island in Asia boasting immediate access to remote nature. Borneo is the largest island in Asia and the third largest world wide, spanning across three nations: Malaysia, Brunei, and Indonesia. Borneo is often featured on “Planet Earth” and is known for its pristine beaches, the oldest rainforests on the planet, extensive underground cave systems, and rare wildlife. It is home to rare species such as clouded leopards, pygmy elephants, orangutans and many more…. 

Borneo Travel Tips

Before I dive into the fun part, here are a few quick things to note about traveling to Borneo. This is not a trip I would recommend to anyone if you want luxury resorts or a “sipping tropical cocktails by the pool” vacation, this is very much a remote adventure travel destination…

SHOP OUR SUITCASE

1- You can not drink the water here. Bring a water filter or buy bottled water.

2- Bring insect repellent, and lots of it! Malaria and Dengue are a concern here, we stocked up on anti malarial prophylactics as a preventative measure.

3- Be careful what you eat, as with other countries lacking water purification capabilities, the food can also transmit waterborne bacteria, especially fresh fruit and vegetables. We recommend eating cooked veggies and fruit that has to be peeled.

4- People speak some English, but not everyone does and communication can be a bit tricky, especially if you are going off the grid as we did. 

5- Bring a rain jacket and tall socks to help prevent leeches when hiking in the rainforest. 

6- Time to unplug! Wifi is spotty. It does the soul good to disconnect for a while.

7- Borneo is a really huge island, traveling around takes time. Flights are the quickest way as buses can take 6+ hours or more in some cases. Also we were not able to make it to some of the places we wanted to because flights/boats/shuttles were only offered once a week. Plan accordingly!

9- Bring binoculars so you can see all the amazing wildlife- you will be happy you did!

Borneo Itinerary

While we were on Borneo we hopped around quite a bit. Here is our itinerary:

-Arrive at Tawau Airport, drive to Semporna, Sabah (1 hour drive)

-Go from Semporna to the water house by boat (30 min boat ride)

-Return to Tawau Airport and fly to Sandakan (spend 1-2 days in Sandakan)

-Sandakan to Kinabatangan Rainforest (stop along the way at Orangutan & Sun Bear Sanctuary)

-Kinabatangan River, in Bilit, spend 3-4 days

-Kinabatangan to Sandakan

-Sandakan to Selingan Turtle Island by boat (3 hour boat ride)

-Selingan Turtle Island Conservation Center, spend 2 days here

-Return from Turtle Island to Sandakan

-Sandakan to Mainland Malaysia stay tuned for another blog post about this!

Where to Stay in Semporna, Sabah, Borneo

Semporna was the highlight of our trip. We ventured off the beaten path and stayed in a traditional water house. This was a really unique experience, which I highly recommend to anyone who loves the ocean. You can see the water below your room through the cracks in the wood floor, and hear/feel the ocean rock you to sleep. The houses are built on stilts over the water off shore. Fair warning, it is a bit rugged, but you can’t beat jumping off your porch straight into the ocean on the middle of a beautiful coral reef. To get here, we were picked up by boat from the docks of Semporna by our  Airbnb host. It was about a 20 minute boat ride along the coast and out to the reef. We found this amazing Airbnb Maglami Lami Waterhouse which is owned by a lovely family who live there as well.  They cook three delicious meals a day for you which is included in the accommodation cost. They also can arrange to charter a boat for you for fun day trips! 

What to Do in Semporna, Borneo

Visit the bajau laut, sea gypsy community.

Each day we got picked up by boat  for various day trips. One of our highlights was getting to see the Bajau Laut, sometimes known as the sea gypsies or sea nomads. This was an amazing and humbling experience. These people are nomadic and live solely off of the ocean. They live in huts over the sea and have no connection to the modern world. They are highly skilled free divers who forage for their food underwater. The ocean is their sole source of food. Scientific studies have even shown that they have evolved larger spleens to help them more efficiently carry oxygen and hold their breath. They are said to potentially be the last generation of sea gypsies because of climate change, pollution and overfishing threatening their daily existence. Getting a glimpse of their world is a very touching reminder that our impacts span far across the globe to places and people most don’t even realize exist.

Bohey Dulang Hike

From the Bajau Laut, we took a short boat ride to the famous and picturesque Bohey Dulang hike. This was one of the views we looked forward to seeing the most. When we got there we were disappointed to see an overwhelming number of boats carrying tourists. The hike itself was extremely overcrowded and regimented, each group had a guide and it was a single file line all the way up. Despite the overcrowding, the views were absolutely insane and it is still worth a visit. After the hike, enjoy the day snorkeling and freediving around the beautiful island to cool off!

Island Hopping near Semporna, Borneo

Off the coast of Semporna, Sabah has no shortage of beautiful islands and great snorkeling/freediving. We highly recommend visiting as many as possible including Mataking Island, Pom Pom Island, Mabul Island, and our next favorite, Sipadan Island.

Scuba Diving in Sipadan Island

Widely touted as one of the top dives of the world, we had to go check it out. A little about me, I love scuba diving and my fiancé is a marine ecologist. We have dove all over the world, and have been lucky enough to dive at many highly regarded sites. Sipadan definitely lived up to the hype! You have to get a lottery permit to dive here, and the government only issues a limited number of permits per day. They do this in order to preserve the marine ecosystem. We were lucky enough to score a day-of permit at the last minute, but I recommend trying to book one well in advance through one of the local dive shops in Semporna, or on Mabul Island . It is a several hour boat ride from Semporna to get to Sipadan, however it was well worth it and you won’t be disappointed. It was a dive filled to the brim with huge megafauna! For those of you without a marine biology background, think of giant bumphead parrotfish, huge green sea turtles, underwater tornadoes of giant barracuda, and reef sharks galore, what a treat! In between dives we got to relax and explore the beautiful island above water. I recommend bringing your own dive computer if you have one, the resort has a very small supply!

What to Do in Sandakan, Sabah, Borneo

Sandakan is the second largest city in the state of Sabah, and is full of history. I recommend stopping over here for one full day to take in some of the sights. It is also the gateway to get to the Kinabatangan River and Selingan Turtle Island. This was not my favorite stop of the trip, but there are some worthwhile things to see and do, and the cutest street puppies live here! We hired a driver for the day through our Airbnb host who took us all around town. This was very convenient because there are many quick stops worth seeing, and we got a local tour! We stayed right in the downtown area along the river at a no frills Airbnb which was convenient to walk to restaurants and check out some of the vegetable and seafood local markets.

Visit the Sandakan Rainforest Discovery Center and Gomantong Cave

We visited the Sandakan Rainforest Discovery Center and Gomantong Cave. The cave was very breathtaking from the outside, but if you are anything like me (and are terrified of roaches) you won’t want to venture too far inside. We were lucky enough to spot wild Orangutans on the walk to the cave which was absolutely magical.

Sandakan Memorial Park

There is a lot of history from Word War II in Sandakan. Take a walk through the beautiful and eerie Sandakan Memorial Park, this is one of the locations where the infamous death marches took place when the Japanese invaded Sandakan. Nearby, is a historical house built before the war that has been converted into a museum, and after you stroll through there you can go visit the English Tea House and Restaurant for a lovely scone and the cutest street puppies roaming the grounds (I almost brought one home with me!). 

Sam Sing Kung Temple, Puu Jih Shih Buddhist Temple and the Buli Sim Sim Water Village

Our next stops on our Sandakan day tour were two temples that our guide recommended: Sam Sing Kung Temple and my personal favorite of the two, the Puu Jih Shih Buddhist Temple. Both temples are beautiful and worth seeing. Sing Kung is a small local temple with rustic charm, compared to Puu Jih Shih Temple, which is perfectly landscaped and quite extensive. There is a large Chinese population in Sandakan, and they live in the Buli Sim Sim water village which is built on stilts over the water. This was very interesting to visit, but hard to see in some ways due to the pollution they were living in. They have a famous Sim Sim Seafood Restaurant here that is popular with tourists from Asia because of the rare items on the menu. I felt quite uncomfortable inside this restaurant to be honest but it was eye opening to see some of the seafood that was being served and considered to be a delicacy.

Have a Drink at Balin Roof Garden

After our full day of adventuring, we found a wonderful rooftop bar called Balin Roof Garden , they also double as a pizza restaurant (a welcome change up after having noodles for every meal!). The bar turned out to be my favorite one of the whole trip and they had incredible espresso martinis in the cutest atmosphere!

On the way to the Kinabatangan River, we stopped at the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Center and Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Center . The Sepilok Orangutan Center was a wonderful experience. You can sit and watch orangutans up close and personal as they go about their daily life. We even got to see some wild ones out in the park as we walked around. Be sure to catch feeding time while you are there, it was quite a sight! Conveniently located across the street is the Sun Bear Conservation Center. The sun bear is the smallest bear on the planet, and quite adorable! They are the size of a large dog, and get their name for their love of lounging in the sun. Definitely a must see!

Kinabatangan River Cruise

Next up, we scheduled a multi day trip into the rainforest in search of monkeys, pygmy elephants, clouded leopards and crocodiles. We chose Bilit Rainforest Lodge for our accommodation, which was rustic and jungly but oh so cool, and built on stilts on the edge of the river (due to the high amount of rain/flooding the area experiences). It takes about 2 hours to get here from Sandakan by car, and then you cross the river by boat. The river is massive! Each day we went on several river cruises and even a nighttime cruise. As you boat down the river, your guide will point out all the magical wildlife. We never caught a glimpse of the rare pygmy elephant, but were blown away by so many different kinds of monkeys (orangutans & proboscis to name a few), crocodiles, pythons, many species of birds, and lush riverside landscapes. Be sure to pack your mossie repellent for this spot! During your down time there are many places to take a jungle stroll (don’t forget the leech socks!), or read a book while you sit in your private hammock!  

Selingan Turtle Island

This was one of my most favorite parts of the whole trip. We opted for a conservation based experience for our last few days on Borneo. This was quite fitting being that Jacob is a marine biologist/ecologist and my college degree was a Bachelors of Science in Marine Biology. The Selingan Turtle Island has been fully dedicated to turtle conservation. They offer packages for people to come learn about sea turtles and be a part of the conservation experience. While there, you can lounge on the beach while looking across the ocean at the neighboring islands of the Philippines. At night you are taken on guided and monitored missions to watch mama turtles lay their eggs using red lights that don’t disturb them. You then watch the process as they collect the eggs and take them to a protected hatchery. They have a guard who watches over the nursery 24/7 to make sure that no one poaches the eggs, and that no critters eat the eggs. When it’s time, they hatch into the cutest little babies and are released back into the wild. With all the threats that turtles face as a species, it was great to be a part of this and see locals who are so dedicated and invested in saving them.

Borneo Conservation

That concludes our wonderful time in Borneo. It was truly one of the coolest trips I have taken, so rugged, raw, and filled with rare wildlife. I hope that you get a chance to visit here someday! I want to take a moment to mention that deforestation is a huge concern here, and has decimated fifty percent of these ancient and biodiverse rainforests. Palm oil plantations and illegal logging are some of the biggest culprits. If you want to learn more and donate to the cause, check out World Wildlife Fund . Also consider donating to Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Center and the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Center . I can only imagine how much these facilities are hurting with the lack of tourism from COVID-19. Thank you and stay tuned for my next post on mainland Malaysia!

I wanted to also thank my love Jacob Eurich @jacobeurich for all of the amazing photos he is always taking for me. If you are interested in marine conservation and photography give him a follow and check out his website https://www.jacobeurich.com/ . He is doing amazing things to change the world!

Have you been to Borneo and have any additional recommendations for us? Comment below!

Danielle and Simone

WHAT WE PACKED

Pin now to save this post for your future travels!

Got the travel bug?

Sign up to receive news and updates.

Design by Sugar+Code

• 0800 092 4444

Explore destinations

• Indian Ocean
• South East Asia
• Australasia & Pacific
• Central America
• North America

Tailor-made holidays and safaris full of extraordinary experiences and the same personal service you'd expect from Kuoni.

• South Africa

Visit your local store or make an appointment to get face-to-face advice from our friendly team.

We’re here to tailor-make a beach holiday that’s right for you

All inclusive

Our hand-picked all-inclusive holidays include, boutique, family & wellness resorts.

Romantic honeymoon package you’ll remember for the rest of your lives.

Incredible Family holidays from Kuoni, adventures your family will always remember.

City breaks

Our hand-picked luxury city breaks in Europe, Asia, Africa, Middle East and the USA

Romantic retreats and group get-togethers on our adults-only holidays

Safari Holidays

Let us take you on safari in Africa for the best animal viewing on the planet.

LGBTQ+

Romantic retreats or special occasions on our LGBTQ+ holidays

Multi-centre

Combine different destinations, resorts and tours for a dream multi-centre.

Enjoy the best of both worlds: a luxurious and out-of-the-way villa holiday at a resort

Spa & wellness

Handpicked spa & wellness retreats, pampering or activity holidays all tailormade by Kuoni

Create a tailor-made self-drive itinerary for a trip to immerse yourself in outdoor life.

Sit back, relax and enjoy the view during one of our luxurious train journeys

Dubai: Jewel of the Emirates

Attitude hotels collection.

This portfolio of charming retreats in Mauritius is leading the way in with their collection eco-committed hotels, ranging from adult-only retreats to family-friendly havens.

Where to travel in 2024

Which is better: Mauritius or Maldives?

The best things to do in Borneo

The best beaches in Europe

Secrets to planning the ultimate Californian road trip

Turquoise dreams: A guide to the Indian Ocean islands

Offbeat gems: The Caribbean's hidden treasures

What to do in Canada: the ultimate bucket list

Speak to one of our experts now about this offer

Call us on - 0800 092 4444

Or drop into your local Kuoni store to find out more

Call us on - 0800 294 9710

Call us on - 0800 294 9728

Borneo Holidays

• Tours & Multi-centres
• Things to do
• Travel guide
• Best Time To Visit

Filled with ancient mist-drenched rainforest and some of the world’s rarest wildlife, Borneo is a tropical paradise of breathtaking biodiversity, golden beaches and chromatic coral reefs.

The sawing call of cicadas and rare tropical birds. Bornean orangutans swinging across primordial Danum Valley. Proboscis monkeys leaping from mangroves to water. Holidays to Borneo are to go where the wild things are.

The island, shared by the countries of Brunei, Indonesia and Malaysia, is home to some of the oldest rainforest in the world. Discover gliding lizards and jewel orchids in hot lowlands under the cloud-touching peaks of iconic Kinabalu Mountain. Cruise jungle waterways looking out for gibbons and pygmy elephants and cut across sky high hanging bridges with views guaranteed to thrill. Meet protected orangutans and sun bears in Sepilok’s conservation-savvy sanctuaries and snorkel the colourful underwater world within Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park.

Pair one of our handpicked Sabah hotels with a stay on the golden sands of Gaya Island Resort and combine inland wilderness adventure with an exotic beach holiday.

Borneo Hotels

Our recommendations for the best places to stay in Borneo

Shangri-La Rasa Ria, Kota Kinabalu

Backed by rainforest and overlooking a white sand bay, Shangri-La Rasa Ria is both escapist and a...

Shangri-La Tanjung Aru, Kota Kinabalu

This sophisticated resort has excellent facilities including one of Borneo’s finest spas and fun...

Gaya Island Resort

Where mangroves and endemic species meet, is an unspoiled hideaway connected with Borneo’s nature...

Holidays in Borneo

Backed by rainforest and overlooking a white sand bay, Shangri-La Rasa Ria is both escapist and adventurous.

This sophisticated resort has excellent facilities including one of Borneo’s finest spas and fun water play areas.

Where mangroves and endemic species meet, is an unspoiled hideaway connected with Borneo’s nature.

You may also like

Kuala Lumpur

Pangkor Laut

Discover the best things to do in Sabah: explore vibrant underwater worlds, spot fireflies on a river safari and trek through ancient rainforests home to extraordinary wildlife.

Experience exhilarating landscapes, wildlife encounters with semi-wild orangutans and thrilling cave adventures on a tour through Malaysian Borneo

For naturalists and wildlife enthusiasts, a tour is one of the most insightful ways to discover Borneo. Along with a small group of like-minded people and a local guide, you can cover Malaysian Borneo from west to east, experiencing exhilarating wildlife encounters with Bornean sun bears and semi-wild orangutans, thrilling adventures involving a swim in the clear waters of South-East Asia’s longest cave, and nights spent in cool lodges along the river and in the jungle. Additional tour highlights could include a pre-tour stopover in Malaysia’s bustling capital, Kuala Lumpur and a post-tour beach escape at The Shangri-La’s Rasa Ria Resort & Spa in Kota Kinabalu if you wish to tailor your trip to make it last longer.

Our recommended Borneo tours

• Kuoni recommended
• Rating (High to Low)
• Rating (Low to High)
• Price (High to Low)
• Price (Low to High)
• Show results

Three-Day Borneo Rainforest Experience

Head deep into Borneo’s pristine rainforest for outdoor adventures alongside orangutans, monkeys and Borneo pygmy elephants. In this protected paradise, you can take a dip in natural pools, go river tubing and set off on night walks in search of nocturnal wildlife. This is an authentic jungle experience, so we’ve included a stay at Borneo Rainforest Lodge, which combines sustainability with a splash of rustic luxury.

Highlights of Kuala Lumpur & Borneo Suggested Itinerary

This carefully designed itinerary takes you from Kuala Lumpur's cacophony to the rainforest's serenity and the oh-so-beautiful beaches of Kota Kinabalu. On a holiday of contrasts, begin with an urban adventure in Kuala Lumpur before flying to Malaysian Borneo for old-world charm and exceptional food in Kota Kinabalu. Then you’ll retreat to the rainforest where orangutans, monkeys, and Borneo elephants thrive before spending your final few days winding down in a luxury beach resort.

4-day Borneo Rainforest Experience

Explore Borneo's lush rainforest at Danum Valley Conservation Area, an ancient lowland dipterocarp forest. You’ll stay at the Borneo Rainforest Lodge, a comfortable and modern selection of chalets and villas where you’ll enjoy meals surrounded by a lush rainforest between your Bornean adventures. The experience includes plenty of wildlife walks, where you’ll venture through the tree canopy to spot colourful birdlife and search for creatures of the night during after-dark treks. A memorable tubing journey drifts you gently down the river to the rainforest soundtrack.

SUP Boarding & Snorkelling Adventure

Explore Boneo from on and underneath the water with a fun SUP and snorkelling adventure. The seas are typically calm in the morning, so you’ll have a gentle paddle around sand bars, coral bars or floating pontoons, depending on the tide. Then it’s time to dip under the waves with your snorkel and mask. The area is known for its clownfish colony, so you’ll spot brightly coloured fish darting through the waters. Your guide will also capture the best moments on a GoPro.

• Duration: 3 hours • Time: 8am to 11am • Daily departures • Operates year round • Private experience

Good to know You’ll need a good level of fitness. Children must be at least 6 years old to take part. Children aged 6-12 must be accompanied by a guardian.

Sunset SUP Boarding Adventure

Watch the sun sink into the ocean from your peaceful perch out on the water. Stand-up paddle boarding is a memorable experience at any time of day, but it’s particularly beautiful at sunset. You’ll paddle around sand bars, coral bars or floating pontoons, depending on the tide, and pause to appreciate the changing colours as the sky is reflected in the water. Your guide will also capture the best moments on a GoPro.

• Duration: 3 hours • Time: 4.30pm to 7.30pm • Daily departures • Operates year round • Private experience

Good to know You’ll need a good level of fitness. Children must be at least 6 years old to take part. Children age 6-12 must be accompanied by a guardian.

Malaysian Cooking Class in Kota Kinabalu

Cooking classes are a wonderful way to delve deeper into the local culture while learning new skills at the same time. Your host begins the experience with a stroll through the local market. Finding the freshest local ingredients and chatting with the stallholders, you’ll learn which spices to use and buy the groceries needed to whip up a Malaysian feast back in the kitchen. At your cooking station, you’ll learn how to prepare traditional home-cooked dishes and understand how food is such a big part of Malaysian heritage. After an insightful morning, you’ll get to tuck into your creations.

• Duration: half day • Time: 9am to 1.30pm • Departing daily from Kota Kinabalu • Operates year round • Group experience

Kota Kinabalu – Step Back in Time

Leave the buzz of the city behind and take a journey into the past to see, hear, taste and feel the identity of Sabah. Meeting some of the people of the remote Mari Mari Cultural Village, you’ll get to understand what traditional daily life is like in this rural region. We’ll be welcomed into the homes of various indigenous people, who’ll chat to us about how their houses were built by tribal descendants and what the different architectural styles represent. As we explore the village, we’ll also stop at demonstration huts to see traditional activities such as blow piping, fire lighting and tattooing.

• Duration: half day • Time: 9am to 1pm, 1.30pm to 5pm or 5pm to 9pm • Daily departures • Operates year round • Private experience

Kota Kinabalu Canopy Walks

The journey is part of the adventure on this full-day experience. A scenic two-hour drive will whisk us away from city life, as we pass villages and paddy fields and wind our way up the mountainous roads of the Crocker Range. A short stop at lively Nabalu Market will showcase local fruits, vegetables and handicraft souvenirs before reaching the main attraction: Kinabalu Park. The park has around 4,500 species of plant, including a whopping 1,500 species of orchid – 77 of which are endemic to Kinabalu. It also supports more than 280 species of birds and 290 different types of butterflies. You’ll notice the change in air temperature and enjoy the cool air as you set off on a walk along the botanical garden nature trails. On a clear day, you might spot majestic Mount Kinabalu in the distance. After lunch at a local restaurant, we’ll continue to the Poring Hot Spring for a canopy walk. Climb up to 41 metres above ground level and walk across the suspension bridges hanging in the tropical jungle treetops.

• Duration: full day • Time: 7.30am to 5.30pm • Departing daily from Kota Kinabalu • Operates year round • Private experience

Good to know There’s a small charge of MYR5 to use a camera and MYR3 to use a video camera at the canopy walkway (payable locally).

Kota Kinabalu Street Food

A delicious melting pot of heritage and culture, Kota Kinabalu has a top street food scene. The markets come alive after dark, so put on your walking shoes and taste your way around the various influences. Your expert guide will take you around the best spots in the night market and tell you about all the foods on offer. You’ll have time to chat with the stallholders and get to know the subtle differences in food between Sabah’s tribes before tucking into authentic dishes such as noodle soup, hinava (a raw fish dish similar to ceviche) and pinasakan (braised fish with turmeric and fruit).

• Duration: 2 hours • Time: 5.30pm to 7.30pm • Daily departures • Operates year round • Private experience

Mangroves & Fireflies of Kota Kinabalu

A scenic day awaits on this blissful back-to-nature escape. On a two-hour drive through the Klias Forest Reserve, we’ll pass coastal views and picturesque villages on the way to the Klias River Village Jetty. Tea, coffee and cakes will be waiting to refresh you ahead of your river cruise through the mangrove forests of the Klias River. Keep your eyes peeled for proboscis monkeys, abundant bird species, monitor lizards, crocodiles and other wildlife. We’ll return to the jetty for a traditional Malay buffet dinner. Then, as dusk sets, we’ll hop back on the boat for the best vantage point to watch flickering fireflies light up the riverbanks.

• Duration: half day • Time: 2pm to 9pm • Daily departures • Operates year round • Private experience

Orangutan Encounter

Your wildlife adventure begins with a flight from Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan Airport, where you’ll be picked up and whisked off to the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre. In this remarkable rehabilitation centre, which was set up in 1964 to help orphaned orangutans, you’ll be able to get up close with the orangutans and watch them being fed. Take a walk in Borneo’s lowland dipterocarp forest and visit the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre, which improves animal welfare and rehabilitates rescued sun bears. After lunch, the final stop is the Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary, where you can see hundreds of cheeky proboscis monkeys.

• Duration: full day • Time: 7.15am to 7.25pm • Departing daily from Kota Kinabalu, including return flights • Operates year round • Group experience

Kota Kinabalu, Your Way

Join a private guide for a tour of Kota Kinabalu tailored precisely to your specification. Decide how long you want the time to last and where you want to go, and the driver will take you from place to place and offer expert commentary.

• Daily departures • Operates year-round • Private experience

Get to know Borneo and those important practicalities when planning your perfect holiday.

GMT +8 hours

Malaysian Ringgit

15¾ hours (not including stopover time)

Majority Muslim; Buddhism, Hindu and Christianity

Malay (Bahasa Melayu)

Where is Malaysian Borneo? Sitting in South East Asia and part of the Indonesian archipelago, Borneo is surrounded by the South China Sea, the Java Sea and the Celebes Sea. It’s the world’s third largest island and the only one that’s shared by three countries: Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei. The island’s Malaysian states are Sabah and Sarawak and Kuala Lumpur is under three hours away by air.

Kota Kinabalu Known locally as KK, Kota Kinabalu is the coastal capital of Sabah and gateway to your inland wildlife adventures. Much of it was destroyed in the 1940s Japanese invasion and although there are a few colonial buildings left, it’s here you'll find glinting shopping malls and a sizzling street food and night market scene. Hip restaurants, cool coffee houses and sunset views from the beach make this a vibrant capital and a great place from which to boat hop across to the islands that make up Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park.

Gaya Island Located within Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, a 20 minute speedboat transfer from Kota Kinabalu, Gaya Island balances natural beauty and marine conservation with luxury touches and plenty of watersports. It’s a feet-in-the-sands escape fringed by crystal clear waters and thriving coral reef that are a paradise for snorkellers and divers. Stay at eco-friendly Gaya Island Resort and you can snorkel with resident marine biologists, follow naturalists out on the proboscis monkey jungle trail and dine with Mount Kinabalu views.

Kinabalu Park Shadowed by the revered Mount Kinabalu, one of South East Asia’s highest mountains, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kinabalu Park boasts an incredible bio-diversity. Here naturalists can attempt to spot thousands of varieties of flora and half of all Malaysia’s bird, mammal and amphibian species – it may take a while though. Adventure seekers descend on the park to climb Kinabalu, bathe in the Poring Hot Springs, explore the tropical rainforest, trek to the Langanan and Kipungit waterfalls and visit the nearby butterfly farm to witness just some of the 850 varieties that flutter throughout the forest.

Danum Valley Danum Valley is one of southern Sabah’s most spectacular attractions and comes with a spine-tingling diversity and abundance of wildlife. Its dense and steamy 130-million-year-old virgin rainforest is one of the best places to spot Bornean orangutans and the elusive clouded leopard. You’ll likely see red leaf monkeys, Asian paradise flycatchers and flying squirrels on morning treks and treetop canopy walks, keeping in mind this is their natural habitat and you never know when they’ll be making an appearance.

Wildlife The highly intelligent orangutan is Borneo’s most eminent species and, either on trek into the jungle or a visit to Borneo’s various sanctuaries and rehabilitation centres, you are sure to come eye to doleful eye with one of these endearing yet endangered creatures. In the past 50 years the number of orang-utans in the wild has declined alarmingly due to the loss of habitat caused by illegal logging and the conversion of land to agricultural use, hunting, and human conflict.

Borneo Weather

Borneo weather by month.

Our experts have curated a wide range of handpicked Borneo offers to make your next holiday extra special. Make the most of great-value savings, exclusive upgrades and bespoke touches. 

Sorry, your hotel is no longer available

Please check alternatives

Choose dates

{{store.searchDuration}} nights, {{formattedDate}}

Enter dates to check availability

{{ guestRollup || 'Enter guests' }}

{{ store.selectedAirport.text }}

{{ store.selectedClass.text }}

{{ store.selectedOccasion.text }}

Choose a departure date

{{store.searchDuration}} nights

Enter rooms & guests

• {{airport.text}}
• {{flightClass.text}}
• {{occasion.text}}

Checking prices & availability

{{term}}, {{formattedDate}} for {{searchDuration}} nights

• All ({{destinations.length + products.length + offers.length + inspiration.length}})
• 0" v-on:click="resultsTab=2" class="swiper-slide" :class="{active: resultsTab==2}">Destinations ({{destinations.length}})
• 0" v-on:click="resultsTab=3" class="swiper-slide" :class="{active: resultsTab==3}">Holidays ({{products.length}})
• 0" v-on:click="resultsTab=4" class="swiper-slide" :class="{active: resultsTab==4}">Offers ({{offers.length}})
• 0" v-on:click="resultsTab=5" class="swiper-slide" :class="{active: resultsTab==5}">Inspiration ({{inspiration.length}})

{{offer.savingText}}

{{offer.basedOn}}

{{article.title}}

{{article.description}}

{{availabilityProduct.length}} holidays in {{term}}

You may also like...

Talk to an expert today

Your dream holiday is just a phone call away

Mon to Fri: 9am - 8pm

Saturday: 9am - 6pm

Sunday: 11am - 4pm

Visit your local Kuoni store

In-person, virtual or phone

Get face-to-face advice from our friendly team

Email enquiry

Tell us what you’re planning and let our experts help you with your holiday

Your travel plans

• I'm not sure yet
• China & Japan
• Ecuador & Galapagos
• La Réunion
• Malta & Gozo
• Myanmar (Burma)
• New Zealand
• Philippines
• Portugal, Madeira & The Azores
• South America
• South Korea
• The Grenadines

Tell us who is going with you, what airport you'd like to fly from and any other details we may find useful, such as if it's a special occasion.

Your details

We may need to call you to talk about your holiday plans. If we need to get in touch, when is the best time to give you a call about your holiday?

Kuoni will be sharing travel inspiration, offers and exclusive event invites with you. We take your privacy very seriously and you can unsubscribe at any time. Please read our Privacy Policy .

Your appointment

We're transferring you to our tailor-made specialists

From the multi-award-winning Kuoni

The site will be unavailable due to important maintenance on 28 th July 2023 from 7.00pm. We estimate the site will be back up and running in a few hours, however we ask for your patience during this time as we will be working to complete this as quickly as we can.

Open Monday — Friday

• 07 4721 6502

Borneo Tours

Visit Borneo; the home of exotic wildlife, dense jungles, tropical islands, bright  and colourful coral reefs, world class diving, delicious cuisine, friendly locals… the list goes on.

Choose from our wide selection of wildlife tours and see wild orangutans, Pygmy elephants, Proboscis monkeys, exotic birds and many more wonderful creatures. A holiday to Borneo is a holiday like no other.

BORNEO TOURS

2FOR1: 10 DAY WILD BORNEO TOUR WITH FLIGHTS

No Single Supplement: 8 Day Discover Borneo

ANZAC Dawn Service & Wildlife Tour with Flights

16 Day Best of Borneo: Sabah & Sarawak

13 Day Absolute Borneo Tour W/Flights

10 Day Sarawak Trail Blazer Tour

6 Day Sarawak Discovery Tour

10 Day Borneo Wildlife Adventure Tour

Borneo travel snapshot, best time to travel, capital city, approximate travel time, famous dish, visa required, fitness level.

Everybody loves a few travel facts and our Borneo Travel Snapshot gives you a brief idea of what to expect when planning a holiday to Borneo. Read on below as we expand on our travel bites…

Best Time To Travel – Borneo is hot and humid all year round with an average temperature of 30 degrees ~ Phew! You can actually visit Borneo at any time of year. The wet season runs from December to February but we do suggest avoiding travel to Borneo during January, the middle of the wet season. The best time to travel to Borneo would be from late February through to November.

Capital City – The capital of Sabah is Kota Kinabalu. It is a fun, modern city right on the water with quick access to the local islands national park. The city center is about 30 minute drive to the airport.

Currency – The national currency in Borneo is the Malaysian Rinngit. The approximate exchange is $1 = 3 Rinngits. Please make sure you have cash with you while on tour as not all hotels have eftpos – remember you are in the jungle! Our guides can help you source a money exchange or take you to an ATM while on tour in Borneo.

Approximate Travel Time – 14 hours. There are no direct flights to Borneo.  Most airlines fly into Kota Kinabalu via another hub in Asia such as Kuala Lumpur, Brunei or Singapore. The majority of our Borneo tours start in Sandakan, which is easy to access via Kota Kinabalu or direct flight from Kuala Lumpur on Malaysian Airlines.

Religion – 65% of people living in Sabah are muslim. The other main religion practised is Christianity. But don’t worry, even though Borneo is a muslim country, alcohol is still served in all of our hotels and in the bars and restaurants in cities. Travelling to Borneo during Ramadan does not affect any of food or beverage service either as our tours stick to main tourist areas.

Famous Dish – As a Malaysian country, Borneo has many influences for food from all over Asia. One of their most popular dishes is Satay, which consists of sticks of beef cooked with spices and lemongrass and then cooked on the BBQ. They are served with a delicious Satay sauce made of peanuts and coconut cream, which is the star of the dish. But please note, our Borneo tours also cater for all kinds of dietary requirements so just let us know at time of booking!

Visa Required – A 30 day tourist visa is granted free of charge on arrival for residents of Australia. If you would like to stay longer then you will need to obtain a visa. If you are not an Australian citizen please check the requirements.

Fitness Level – We rate our Borneo tours at a moderate fitness level as although there is not much strenuous activity, you will be walking through jungle, over boardwalks and climbing in and out of small boats (for river cruising). The terrain can get muddy and slippery when wet. Our guides are always available to give you a helping hand. We have many people asking if our Borneo holidays are suitable for older people and the answer is yes; as long as you have a decent level of fitness we have had travellers on our tours well into their 90’s.

PROUD TO BE

Featured in

Subscribe and

$200 travel voucher, we give away one a month.

• Holiday Rentals
• Restaurants
• Things to do
• Things to Do
• Travel Stories
• Rental Cars
• Add a Place
• Travel Forum
• Travellers' Choice
• Help Centre

Tripadeal Borneo - Never Again. - Bargain Travel Forum

• Tripadvisor Forums    
• Bargain Travel Forums

Tripadeal Borneo - Never Again.

• Australia Forums
• United States Forums
• Europe Forums
• Canada Forums
• Asia Forums
• Central America Forums
• Africa Forums
• Caribbean Forums
• Mexico Forums
• South Pacific Forums
• South America Forums
• Middle East Forums
• Honeymoons and Romance
• Business Travel
• Train Travel
• Traveling With Disabilities
• Tripadvisor Support
• Solo Travel
• Bargain Travel
• Timeshares / Holiday Rentals
• Bargain Travel forum

We recently returned from a TripaDeal “Discover Borneo” trip.

Some of our group purchased the upgrade. The upgrade turned out to be for only one of the five hotels we stayed at. Every hotel in the itinerary listed two grades, Standard Package - 3 star. Premium Package - 4 star.

We paid for an upgrade that was totally misrepresented and would not have bothered paying the extra had we known.

We contacted Tripadeal and their response was to read “The Fine Print”…. (?)

About the tour..

The country was lovely although the mile upon mile of palm oil tree plantations was disturbing. The people were friendly.

The inclusions were quite good and the tour guides were informative and attentive.

Camera fees were exorbitant, for example, $10 AUD to take a photo of a half dead rafflesia flower, $10 AUD when you’re hanging on for dear life on an extremely skinny, wobbly canopy rope bridge where you can’t take photos anyway, $10 AUD in a dark bat/swift cave.

The food included on the tour was buffet style, with a very average, basic and repetitive menu. It was a bit of a free for all as several times they actually ran out of food.

Tripadeal is the cheapest way to see Borneo and you get what you pay for.

Although if you pay for an upgrade you don’t even get that.

There are many existing topics with comments on TripaDeal on several forums here, so I hope people researching them before using them will find your topic and factor it into their decision-making.

Hi Avntheothers,

I am sorry to hear that you did not enjoy elements of your Borneo tour. You have evidently addressed these concerns directly with our team here at TripADeal, which we are very thankful for, as we do truly value our customer feedback.

The hotel upgrade was clearly outlined in the deal fine print, however I appreciate that this was disappointing for you. This feedback has been passed onto our Product Team for consideration with future deals.

We unfortunately do not have a great deal of control over the camera fees as these are regulated by local tourism bodies. However generally we find that Borneo is quite an affordable place to visit.

I am surprised to hear that there was not enough food provided at some meals and will certainly raise this concern with our Product Team as well. We receive a lot of positive feedback about our Borneo tour, it is one of our all time bestsellers with many travellers extremely satisfied with the meals as well as the tour itinerary, accommodation and transport.

Thank you again for your feedback, I am really pleased that you were satisfied with the itinerary and the tour guides even if some other elements did not live up to expectations.

Please feel free to call our team on 1300 00 8747 or email [email protected] if you would like to discuss further with one of our Travel Consultants.

Best wishes,

TripADeal Support

This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity.

• Go Splitty are they legit 23:40
• Anyone has booked through Traveluro website? 23:12
• Cartrawler - Big time scammer? 19:04
• Are Guest Reservations legit or a scam?? yesterday
• Is Travelup a legit site? yesterday
• Has anyone tried: Dollar Flight Club yesterday
• new scam? apartments on booking.com yesterday
• Hotels.com steals awards from its users yesterday
• Here is a trip planner considers your exact budget yesterday
• Anyone used Super.com to book a hotel? 24 April 2024
• Have you also been scammed by vio.com? 24 April 2024
• HolidayMax 24 April 2024
• Anyone use Way.com for Airport parking 23 April 2024
• algotels.com 22 April 2024
• Defining Bargain Travel & How Best to use this Forum
• What have you learned to make travel easier?
• Last Minute Hotel Bookings
• Monitoring your Hotel Bookings
• Hotels Overbooking
• Car Rentals
• Online Travel Agencies (OTA's)
• Your Travel Budget

TripADeal   Reviews

In the Travel Agency category

Visit this website

Company activity See all

Write a review

Reviews 2.8.

Most relevant

Vietnam & Cambodia Discovery 15 day tour

Having never used TripaDeal before, we were pleasantly surprised at how well everything went. There were no major issues, all connections went as planned and for the most part, the tour guides were great. The best of them all was Miss Lien who was with us for Da Nang and Hoi An, she was lovely. Really knowledgeable, kind, nothing was too much trouble and she looked after us really well. Anyone who gets Lien as the guide is very lucky. We also got very lucky with our group and enjoyed every day in the company of our 18 Australian travel buddies. The only negative was the bus they used for the transfer from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap which was awful - too small, AC did not work for half the bus, luggage didn't fit well and the seats were hard and uncomfortable. We nearly abandoned the bus halfway through we were so unhappy. Also it was never going to be a 6 hour drive (we did it on a public holiday and it was close to 8) so they needed to be honest about the travel time to set expectations.

Date of experience : 05 April 2024

Booked a trip to China-yeah great price…

Booked a trip to China-yeah great price but--- Chinese visa is time consuming and difficult. Tripadeal were less then helpful in the timely provision of documentation - 4weeks on the dot!! Numerous phone calls were met with constant stone walling. The flights were ticketed in January for a May trip!!! We live in regional NSW - everything takes a lot longer and costs a lot more! Spent more time and money getting the visa than on the trip! Poor as P***

Date of experience : 22 April 2024

Reply from TripADeal

Hi Mario, Thanks for getting in touch and we're sorry you were disappointed with the service and also the Visa process. It certainly has become a lot harder (we used to be able to handle all of this for our customers), so we can understand the frustration. In regards to the travel documents arriving, this is always between 4-6 weeks. We're terribly sorry for the stress this might have caused. We certainly hope you have a great time on your trip and we look forward to hearing from you when you return. Kind regards, TripADeal Team

Do we try again?

We took a 2for1 deal to China at the end of 2018 and had a variety of experiences. However in reading more recent reviews, there seems to be the same issues of remote/inconvenient hotel locations, obligatory 'tours' as you're already on the bus, and hurried tours/visits. We're exploring going on the 2for1 Italy & The Med. Should we chance it? (p.s. experience date listed is arbitrary as this 'review' is a question.

Date of experience : 01 January 2024

Hi Fiona, Thanks for your feedback. We can appreciate that you might have some hesitation if you believe there has been no changes to a deal you went on in 2018. As you can appreciate, China is a huge country and there is a lot to see and do. Our tours are like an appetiser, giving you a bit of a taste. If you want to get some feedback on the Italy and the Med tour you are considering, you could head to a Facebook page called TripADeal Travel Buddy. It has over 40,000 members all sharing tips, asking for advice and providing detailed feedback from trips they've been on. Personally, we think you should do it - but we're a bit biased :) Kind regards TripADeal Team

We are a very unhappy group of travellers

We are a very unhappy group of Australians. Don't be fooled by cheaper pricing. Wait until you see the hidden costs. Also they do not cover return transfers. On this trip from Princess Cruises to hotel and then to airport. All other travel companies include this. You want to travel knowing from the start of your journey until the end is taken care of. Also a number of shuttle cars did not arrive to pick us up as promised by TripADeal. Very expensive taxis in Japan ordered as we nearly missed out cruise embarkation. All 20 Australians on just this trip said they will NEVER travel Trip a Deal again.

Date of experience : 17 April 2024

Hi Jennifer Thanks for taking the time to share your feedback, and we're sorry to hear about the lack of transfer to and from the Cruise. If you haven't already sent more details about this, please do to [email protected] so we can investigate further. Kind regards TripADeal Team

TripADeal China The trip for 9 days

TripADeal China The trip for 9 days was good the Hotels were nice just a bit out of town which is expected for the price. The thing I did not like was they say it is recommended you give them $12.00aud a day tip which I think is a bit high and is mandatory. Now there were 31 of us on the bus that is $372.00 a day for tips that converts to 1674 in Chinese currency now times that by 8 is 13392 in tips for our tour. In response to your answer I just recently returned from the trip and the tip was mandatory NOT recommended the tour guides told us it's mandatory

Date of experience : 14 March 2024

Hi Wayne, Thank you for taking the time to share your review. We're glad to hear you found your China trip to be good, and the hotels to be nice. We're sorry to hear you felt disappointed with the recommended tips per day. We'd like to reiterate this is our recommendation provided prior to booking and is not mandatory. We do hope this has not deterred you from choosing to travel with us in the future. Kind regards, TripADeal Team

Buyer beware

We were given longest flight sydney to athens others in group had quicker flights. Arrived and no one there to meet us. Turns out they came 2hrs later to meet another plane and we were expected to find them. No effort was made to contact us. Given breakfast to go first morning. Not very nice. Booked on all slow ferries which reduced time on islands. Hotels always a long distance from main towns. Group either hired car/bike, took local bus or taxi. I did like the independent touring of islands as everyone was able to do what they liked. Going home our flight was about 8 hours after first flight. We were told there would be one only trip to airport. Either we went 8 hrs early or we paid to get there by taxi. Hotel was quite a distance from airport. No support given to us by trip a deal. Unable to put negative comments on facebook groups as trip a deal moderates them. If using them remember day 1 includes flights, as does last day. As it took about 40hrs to get to Greece, our time in Athens was brief.

Date of experience : 01 June 2023

Hi L, Thanks for taking the time to share your feedback. We are pleased you enjoyed the independent nature of the island touring, this has been a popular aspect of this deal for many customers. We are sorry however that you found other elements of the trip fell short. In regards to the flights, as you can appreciate we are not always able to get a whole group (often from different departure cities) on the same flight. Often we don't have enough room, or the allocations are accessible. We apologise your flights were longer than the others in the group, sometimes this is unavoidable. Indeed, the hotels are not always smack back in the middle of town, unfortunately in order to do this, we would need to significantly increase the cost of the deal. The taxi's and bikes are all very reliable in Europe, and tend to be far cheaper than what we are used to in Australia. We hope you were able to make the most of the night life. Overall, we hope you enjoyed the trip, and if you wanted to share more detailed feedback, please send it through to [email protected] Kind regards TripADeal Team

Good value and good communication from Trip A Deal.

I have been reading all the Trip A Deal reviews and I'm sorry to see so many that are bad, The trouble with many of them is that they didn't read the documentation with enough care. It is unreasonable to complain about spending many hours on a bus, when the detailed itinerary tells you how many hours it will be or how many kilometres you will drive. It is also unreasonable to expect a refund from a travel company if you have to cancel because of ill health. That's what travel insurance is for. It is no use complaining about the cost of optional activities when those descriptions and costs are clearly set out in the documentation. The same for paying the tips - you know about those in advance. I am booked on one of the super cheap China tours. I read all the information with care, so I know what happens each day, and how much extra things cost. I have checked the addresses of the accommodation, so I know how far they are from the centre of town and what is within walking distance of them. I know which meals are not included in the price. For the price I am paying, I expect to take part in the factory and shopping tours, and I can hold my own against hard sell techniques if I choose not to buy. I'm not expecting miracles or a luxury tour for the price I am paying. So far, Trip a Deal have done everything efficiently. As promised, I got the flight details and the detailed itinerary about 4.5 weeks before departure. I appreciated the extra sheet of hints on how to apply for the Chinese Visa, and that has been easy enough to follow correctly. I also appreciate that Trip A Deal has let us know in advance that tickets to the Forbidden City are in short supply and another venue may have to be substituted if they cannot get them for the tour group. They had no obligation to tell us that, so it was honest of them to do so. So far, everything has been handled efficiently. I will write another review when I get back from the China trip.

Date of experience : 23 April 2024

TAD Morocco Tour Great service experience

I booked 4 couples on a TAD Morocci tour. Without Margurete's persistence, we would not have been accommodated together. She was extremely courteous, responsive and 6 all my questions and requirements including extending our stay. Very thankful for all she has done

Date of experience : 29 March 2024

Hi Jerry Thanks for sharing your feedback, we are so lucky to have the wonderful Margurete on the team. We love that she's made the booking process easy for you and your travel companions! You are just going to love Morocco. Don't hesitate to let us (Margurete) know if there is anything we can do between now and your departure. Regards, TripADeal Team

Grand Japan

I am just on my way home from a tour of Japan (15 day Grand Japan). This is my fourth tour with Tripadeal and it didn't disappoint. It was a comprehensive tour visiting many places in this beautiful country, and it was so successful due to our tour guide (Rose) and driver (Captain). Rose was absolutely brilliant, giving detailed information about the places we visited. She was so helpful, energetic and approachable, and our driver kept us all safe with his expertise. Thank you both so much. I was very happy with the accommodation. I thought the rooms might be small but I was pleasantly surprised to find them roomier than expected and immaculately clean. The breakfasts were varied and the local dishes interesting. So, Tripadeal, you've done it again. You provide value for money and I will travel with you again.

Date of experience : 20 March 2024

Hi Jenny, We're thrilled another one of our amazing, value-packed deals has enticed you back for a fourth time! Japan is such a marvelous country, that tends to exceeds expectations in more ways than one. It's fantastic to know your guide, Rose and driver, Captain, made the trip so special. We look forward to welcoming you back for the fifth trip- the real question is, where to next?! Warm Regards, TripADeal Team

I wish I had read these reviews before…

I wish I had read these reviews before we booked a holiday. Has been a huge disappointment & we haven't even left yet! our trip of 22 days was supposed to be 18 days on cruise & 4 days in Honolulu turned out to be 15 nights on cruise 5 nights in Honolulu & 2 days travel time!!!! I have been in contact several times to try & get verification & itinerary..... different answers every time total confusion & frustration!!!! 5 nights in Honolulu not 1 meal included!!!!!

Date of experience : 07 March 2024

Hi Robin and Stephen Deaton, Thank you for reaching out. We apologise for any misunderstandings. However, we can confirm that the 22-day itinerary which you would have read prior to purchase, states that it includes a 15-night transpacific cruise, accommodation in Honolulu and a one-way international flight back to Australia - yours is a direct flight of approximately 10 hours. A copy of the itinerary was sent to you by email with your booking confirmation and is available for you to view and download anytime through your TripADeal account via our website and app. If you have any questions or further concerns, please give us a call on 1300 198 242 or send an email to [email protected]. Kind regards, TripADeal Team

Frastration + anxiety before trip

Frastration + anxiety before trip Keep ringing TripADeal about documentation for our trip as we were promised 6 to 4 weeks before cruise going on to 3 weeks now. We just hit a stone wall no one knows what the problem is. We can’t organise getting insurance getting ESTA or start preparing for our trip. We are having sleepless nights worrying if our dream 50th wedding anniversary will never happen. Just disappointed + will be sticking to Flight Centre in future.

Date of experience : 06 March 2024

Hi Zelda, Thank you for reaching out to share your concerns. We understand this is a very special holiday for you. We're pleased to confirm that today is 4 weeks to departure and you can rest assured that our team is actively working to promptly provide you with the necessary documentation. We will keep you updated if there are any delays. Kind regards, TripADeal Team

Stop complaining and enjoy

I have been reading all the negative reviews and thought I’d counteract these. In 2019, my husband and I did an India tour and the entire trip was AMAZING. Yes we had to wait for flights, we had to buy some meals and some of the accommodation was basic BUT for the price of these trips who cares. Recently Samantha from head office has helped us immensely with an upcoming trip in June. This particular tour was booked out and she magically made it happen for us. I can’t thank her enough. For all the people who complain, think about what you are actually getting for your money. I’m counting down the days until we go away again with TripADeal.

Date of experience : 22 March 2024

Hi Lee, Firstly, thank you so much for taking the time to leave your 5 star review. We appreciate your positivity and recognise the value of your attitude (we love the title!). We like to think our bucket list trips are high in value and easy to enjoy, and we’re glad you felt this way about your trip to India in 2019. We’re also very happy to hear that Samantha worked her magic for your upcoming trip, what a legend! Once again, thank you for sharing. We wish you all the best for your trip in June, and hope to take you on plenty more in the future. Best Regards, TripADeal Team

Vietnam and Cambodia 4559 293713

We booked our holiday with another couple last year to see Vietnam and Cambodia at the end of March 2024. We started off to Hanoi the first night then to Ha Long Bay to cruise for a night. The next day our companion had a stroke and ended up in The French Hospital, Hanoi. We stopped our trip to stay with his wife who was very upset with the circumstances and when we informed TripADeal, they gave us no other solutions. It was Easter and no family members could fly straight over as they needed to obtain visas into Vietnam. They showed no duty of care at all. The other couple could not attend a pre paid puppet show and dinner so our guide sold their tickets to another couple, They never were given the money for their missed show. We informed them of this and nothing was done. They wanted to know if we would be flying back with them, but unfortunately my partner became ill and was admitted to the same hospital with pneumonia, here we were two ladies stranded in a foreign country with no help from TripADeal. Their answer was "get in touch with your insurer"! Unfortunately they take your $7000 each couple for your trip and after that they don't want to know you. We pre paid for two other tours, which amounted to $580.00 per couple, they have not refunded any money back to us. There was no help with extending our visa as they stopped on the 9/4/2024, we went to the Australian embassy for help to see what we had to do. My partner and I were lucky enough to come home with twenty minutes left on our visas. The other couple children came over after my partner ended up in hospital to help organise their father to be medical lifted back to Australia with his wife, and to extend their visas to get out of Vietnam and fly home which they are finally happening today. I usually don't write reviews to hurt companies but this time I believe people should know what happens when you deal with TripADeal. We still have had no one from this company reach out to see if we arrived home or to see if our friends have been able to get back to Australia. I would call our holiday "a holiday from hell" .

Date of experience : 27 March 2024

Hi Rhonda, Thanks for taking the time to share your feedback here and we are terribly sorry for the stress that you experienced on this trip. We know this case has already been raised internally and if there is anything else we can do, please don't hesitate to send any additional information to [email protected] Kind regards TripADeal Team

Tait L. Consultant

Tait L. is our consultant at TripADeal, for our up and coming, fly to Singapore, cruise back to Australia. I have to say we have done a few trips through this company and others, BUT ! her attention to detail, taking that extra time to answer your needs and obtain documents is absolutely outstanding. Thank you Tait, you have made all 4 of us that are booked on this trip feel so much more confident with the finer details, removing all the worry that usually goes with these trips. If you get Tait L, you have got the best.

Date of experience : 15 March 2024

Hi Peter, Thank you for the glowing review! It's been Tait's absolute pleasure to assist you with planning this wonderful trip. Wishing you an amazing adventure ahead, and looking forward to hearing all about it! Best regards, TripADeal Team

India is a must! Put it on your bucket list!

Our first tour ever as usually go it alone. But for India thought we needed go be on a tour and we picked Trip a Deal. Definitely impressed with everything! Our main tour guide Nadim plus driver and assistant were all superb. Nadim gave practical and helpful information each day. His knowledge of political and cultural interests was exceptional. He dealt with everyone and their needs well, even though some travellers could be bit of a challenge at times. Our small group of 19 was a perfect size. Hotels were promoted as 5 star and they were certainly that. The tour made our trip to India unforgettable. Loved every minute. Would definitely look at future Trip a Deal tours again.

Hi Carolyn, Thank you for choosing TripADeal for your first tour experience! Your fabulous review has been an absolute pleasure to read. We're so delighted to hear that you loved every minute of your holiday exploring India with Nadim. We truly appreciate the time you've taken to share this feedback, and hope to have the opportunity to help make more of your travel dreams come true in the future! Best regards, TripADeal Team

No reservation …

Booked a deal in December for Thai romantic getaway for 9th April 2024 for 5 nights with inclusions - arrived at Karon beach beyond and they have no booking they told me to sort with trip a deal no one to chat with on their internet chat line found an emergency overseas no but waited 5 minutes while I had to listen to marketing. Finally got someone who sent email to the hotel without the name of the hotel on it bit hotel is completely booked out ! They have sent us to kata beach beyond for 3 nights and then have to pack up to go back to Karon beach beyond fir final two nights totally not a Thai romantic holiday when we’re packing in the middle of the stay - no contact from trip acdesl with any explanation or apology but this is not the holiday I paid for

Date of experience : 09 April 2024

Hi Linda, Thank you for reaching out. We're sorry to hear you're feeling disappointed with your recent trip to Thailand. So that we can investigate your concerns further, please contact us at [email protected]. Kind regards, TripADeal Team

Cheap for a reason

On a positive, the accommodate was excellent. The guides in Beijing and Shanghai - Lisa and Serena were very good. The negatives- hotels were out in the sticks with no access to transport apart from taxis. Food choices around hotels were very limited. Tipping was not optional. Guides were very insistent and ticked your name off a list. Those who didn't have cash were asked to borrow from others. The guides in Xian/ Zhengzhou wanted an extra half day tips. The optional tours were not optional because we had already checked out of hotel and were often on way to next destination. Take plenty of money because most of the sights are an excuse for shopping - Jade museum, silk factory, Chinese medicine, tea plantation. Even many of the optional tours were to shopping venues. Much of trip was spent on a bus or train or waiting for a bus or train. First and last TAD.

Date of experience : 28 February 2024

Hi Dee, Thank you for taking the time to share this valuable feedback with us. We always appreciate hearing about what we're doing well and what can be improved for the future to ensure our customers enjoy the best possible travel experience every time. We're sorry to hear that you've returned home feeling disappointed with your first trip to China with us. If you’d like to discuss anything in more detail, please send an email to [email protected] and we’ll be in touch. Kind regards, TripADeal Team

The worst experience with divorce is…

The worst experience with divorce is when I was an employee working in this non-recruiting institution, starting with HR Abanoub. Beware of him. He works only for the company and does not have any skill in communicating with people. He is one of the first reasons for not hiring highly qualified employees, and he is very good at escaping the rights of employees. Giving them rights, such as insurance, medical insurance, etc., is not explicit and is merely distorting the words for the benefit of the company and not for your benefit as an employee at all... The owner of the company dismisses the employees arbitrarily without giving anyone his financial dues, and they are not coming to comply with the Egyptian Labor Law. Therefore, be very careful not to enter this harmful environment that will cause corruption. You have your professional career and you waste a very large amount of time. You leave your previous job and see yourself in a place where no one, without exception, has only the soft skills to deal in a work environment that makes it easy for customers to book. Other than the reservation aspect, there are many problems that the customer encounters, so get a job at World Trip Deal Company. Name. The old Dusk Travel and the current World Trip Deal. This is a certificate before the machine that I hold accountable for, and it is not a distortion of the image of a company that does its work to the fullest extent, but they are not fit to work in the field of tourism and it is a disgrace to this field. --- اسواء تجربة على الطلاق اتحدث وانا كنت موظف ااعمل فى هذه المؤسسة الغير قادمية للعمل بدايتة من الاتش ار ابانوب احذرو منة يعمل فقط لصالح الشركة وليس لدية اي مهارة فى التواصل مع البشر هو من اول اسباب عدم تعين موظفين بكفاءة عالية وانة يجيد جيدا الهروب من حق الموظفين واعطاء الحقوق لهم مثل التامينات والميديكال وغيرة ليس صريح ويحور بالكلام لصالح الشركة فقط وليس لصالحك كا موظف نهائيا ... صاحب الشركة يرفد الموظفين رفد تعسفى بدون اعطاء احد مستحقاتة المالية وغير قادمين لتطيييق قانون العمل المصرى لذلك احذر كل الحذر من الدخول الى هذه البيئة الضارة تفسد لك مسيرتك العملية وتهدر وقت كبير جدا وتترك عملك السابق وترى نفسك فى مكان كلة لا يوجد احد بدون استثناء لدية فقط Soft skills للتعامل فى بيئة عمل تسهل على العملاء االحجز دا غير جانب الحجز مشاكل كثير يقع بها العميل لذلك احدزو العمل فى شركة ورلد تريب ديل الاسم القديم dusk travel والحالى World trip deal هذه شهادة امام االلة احاسب عليها وليس تشوية فى صورة شركة تقوم بعملها على اكمل وجة ولكن هم غير صالحين للعمل فى مجال السياحة وعار على هذا المجال

Date of experience : 04 April 2024

Hi Mohamed, It appears you may have inadvertently posted a review intended for another business. We are TripADeal, headquartered in Byron Bay, Australia. We kindly ask you to consider removing this review. Warm Regards, TripADeal Team

Nina Opened China up for us

We recently bought the super cheap package to China for 9 days. We took the Terra-cotta Warrior upgrade and glad we did. Our guide Nina in Beijing was one of the great travel people we have met in our life. She took every care, ensured we were accompanied every step of the way. The help desk prior to our trip was the most responsive help desk we have used. Quick responses and good information. This was obviously a cheap trip to get us to spend and we did but happy with all of our purchases. Accomodation was excellent and food was good. Our trip was made all the better by Nina who looked after every detail and kept us laughing on the bus trips. She deserves every yuan she earns.

Date of experience : 01 March 2024

Hi Mark, Thank you for the awesome review! It's fantastic to hear that Nina made your holiday so memorable and enjoyable, going above and beyond to ensure your comfort and satisfaction throughout the journey. She'll be overjoyed to receive your compliments. Thanks again for choosing TripADeal for your trip to China! We hope to welcome you back for another adventure soon! Best regards, TripADeal Team

Greedy Tripadeal

Greedy Tripadeal. Typical to squash in as many travellers as is possible when the holiday specifies 24 or less on a current tour of Northern Lights in Norway & Finland! There are 10 additional people ( one of which is myself and husband) so they threw us into another group. Us 10 were 2nd rated the whole trip even put into different igloo accommodation and not seeing the ice hotel what the other 24 saw. We didnt stay where they said we were staying in the itinerary despite paying the same $$$. We had to wait for the group of 24 to do all activities to which we were always ladt. We missed out on city tours as our guide was inept being thrown in to accommodate the additional 10 TAD greedily added on as 2nd class citizens. The whole trip has been a shambles and it has not been cheap. Buyer beware of this company

Date of experience : 02 March 2024

Hi Maria, Thank you for your feedback. We're looking into your concerns and will reach out to you directly. Kind regards, TripADeal Team

Borneo Tours & Holidays

Anthropologists, adventure-seekers and animal lovers alike are drawn to Borneo’s steamy jungles, blissful mountains, balmy beaches and peaceful villages.

These tropical shores have a glorious diversity. Float down the Kinabatangan River, the most biologically diverse rainforest in the world; see the sun rise over Mt Kinabalu; meet mischievous orangutans in Sepilok; chow down on a tasty laksa or take in the incredible underwater scenery snorkelling in Tunku Abdul National Marine Park.  Borneo’s  wild bounty awaits.  

Our Borneo trips

Let's create an exclusive trip for your group.

Borneo highlights

Borneo tour reviews.

Filter by rating

Borneo Family Holiday

Real Borneo

Lessons learned on Intrepid’s Sabah Adventure

What to expect on an Intrepid Premium trip

10 awesome places to go for your 21st birthday

9 ways to make meaningful cultural connections through food in 2023

The top 7 destinations for travel in March 2024

Everything you need to know before climbing Mt Kinabalu

6 unique places you can stay on an Intrepid Premium trip

The top 10 destinations for travel in August 2024

Borneo at a glance

Capital city.

Malaysia: Kota Kinabalu (Sarawak) and Kuching (Sabeh), Indonesia: Pontianak (Kalimantan), Brunei: Bandar Seri Begawan

23.7 million

Malaysian Ringgit (RM), Brunei Dollar (B$), Indonesian Rupiah (Rp)

Bahasa Malaysia, Bahasa Indonesia, Chinese dialects, Dayak languages

(GMT+08:00)

CALLING CODE

Indonesia: +62, Malaysia: +60, Brunei: +673

ELECTRICITY

Malaysia and Brunei: Type G (Irish/British 3-pin), Indonesia: Type C (European 2-pin), Type F (German 2-pin, side clip earth)

Learn more about Borneo

Best time to visit borneo.

Borneo's climate is typical for a tropical region - generally hot and humid all year-round.

Temperatures are usually in the high 20 ° s for most of the year, dropping back to the low 20 ° s at night.

Rainfall tends to be in short, heavy bursts followed by sunshine. The 'wet season' runs from November through to February but it does rain throughout the year, although our itineraries are rarely affected.

The state of Sabah is known as the 'land below the wind' as it's below the monsoon belt.

Culture and customs

The cultures across Borneo can vary depending on what border you’re closest to – divided into Malaysian, Indonesia and Brunei regions.

Borneo’s population is largely made up of Malay with the predominant religion being Muslim. The remainder of Borneo’s population is Chinese, Indian or belong to indigenous populations.

You may hear the word ‘Dayak’ used by locals as a general term referring to the riverine and hill-dwelling ethnic subgroups in Borneo.

Historically, most indigenous communities in regional areas lived in longhouses, though many have moved for employment in urban areas. That being said, there is still a substantial number of Dayak tribes that maintain a strong spiritual tie to the rainforest and have retained their customs and speak local dialects.

Food and drink

Rice (nasi) and noodles (mee) are dietary staples across the island and accompany most meals. You’ll find varieties of white, red and brown rice grown throughout Borneo – prepared by steaming, frying, boiling into a breakfast porridge, or cooking with coconut milk in a hollowed bamboo stick to make lemang. 

Must-try foods in Borneo 

1. Sarawak laksa

This Malaysian-influenced staple is a spicy broth filled with vermicelli noodles, bean sprouts, chicken slices, shrimp and coriander. 

Skewers of meat (usually beef or chicken) are grilled to perfection over charcoal. 

3. Roti canai

Fried roti bread that is crispy, fluffy and soft all at the same time. It might be served with savoury or sweet fillings (from eggs and sardines to coconut jam and bananas), dipped into curry and lentil sauces, or enjoyed on its own. 

4. Bamboo chicken

Chicken marinated in chillies, lemongrass, garlic and ginger is stuffed into a bamboo stick with rice, sealed with turmeric leaves and cooked over an open flame until all the flavours merge together. 

Geography and environment

The South-East Asian island of Borneo sits just south of the South China Sea, with the Sulu Sea, Celebes Sea, Makassar Strait, Java Sea and Karimata Strait also surrounding the island.

Split up between three countries (Brunei, Indonesia , Malaysia ), the regions most visited by tourists (Sabah and Sarawak) belong to Malaysia.

Home to the oldest rainforest in the world, large cave and river systems and mountains, Borneo has an incredible range of biodiversity with hundreds of species of birds, bats, plants, flowers and insects living in this ecologically precious part of the world.

Sitting 4,095 m above sea level, Sabah's Mount Kinabalu is the third highest mountain in South-East Asia and a popular trekking spot for active travellers looking for a challenge.

History and government

Early history.

Early on, Borneo was used as a port for trade, with the Chinese and Indians stopping in on the coast as a part of their trade route from 500 to 1300 AD. The Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch and British were soon to follow. Because of this, Borneo now has a rich diversity of international influences to draw upon from these years of trade and interaction with other cultures.

With most of coastal Borneo falling under the rule of the Javanese Majapahit kingdom in the 14th century, the Sultanate of Brunei extended its rule in the north from the 15th to 17th century. By the 19th century, both the British and the Dutch had colonial interests in the area, with a dynasty led by James Brooke ruling Sarawak for many years. Brooke's interest in the area stemmed from his attempts at trade in the Far East and connections to the Sultanate of Brunei. Brooke's rule was fraught with controversy and battles with the Sea Dayak people, who interrupted trade and were labelled as pirates. James Brook was succeeded by his nephew, Charles, and then his son, Vyner, in this rule known as the 'White Rajahs' of Sarawak.

Recent history

Japan took control of Borneo during World War II, resulting in a high number of deaths for the local population. During the war, many British and Australian prisoners of war were sent to Borneo, with the most notorious spots being Sandakan where thousands of Allied soldiers perished due to disease, malnutrition and exhaustion.

By the conclusion of the war in 1945, Borneo was freed from the Japanese yet only two decades later, Borneo was the site of more conflict, this time between Indonesia and Malaysia. This conflict arose from the union of Sabah and Sarawak with Malaya in the Federation of Malaysia in 1963. More recently, the Sultanate of Brunei became an independent nation (in 1984).

Palm oil plantations have spread rapidly throughout Borneo in the last ten years, mainly due to the decline in the rubber industry. While these plantations have provided jobs and helped the economy in the short term, their proliferation has led to wide-scale deforestation, which surmounts to devastating habitat loss for many of Borneo's endangered species and displacement of indigenous people who rely on the forests and jungles to sustain their hunter-gatherer lifestyles.

Top 10 nature spots of Borneo

1. mount kinabalu.

Seeing sunrise from the top of Mount Kinabalu is a fine payoff for making it to the top. The climb, while strenuous, is filled with beautiful flora, interesting animals and beautiful vistas - making this majestic mountain a true natural highlight of Borneo.

2. Poring Hot Springs

Located within the Kinabalu National Park, these steaming hot pools of water provide a relaxing place to unwind after trekking Mount Kinabalu. Sliding into the open air baths is a therapeutic way to soothe your muscles - a nice outdoor reward for completing such a climb! 

3. Bako National Park

The oldest national park in Sarawak may be small, but with isolated beaches, jungles, waterfalls, rock formations and walking trails, visitors will be delighted in the perfect panoramas to photograph and range of wildlife viewing opportunities on offer.

4. Turtle Island

Lying just north of Sandakan, Turtle Island Park is a haven for endangered green and hawksbill turtles. Witnessing turtles landing onshore at dusk, or baby turtles hatching, is one of life's most unforgettable moments.

5. Kinabatangan

This district of Sabah is know for its incredible array of wildlife and diversity of habitat, with limestone caves, swamps, rivers, lakes, forests and mountains all contributing to the ecological diversity of the area. Home to such rare species as the Asian elephant, the proboscis monkey and the Sumatran rhinoceros, a visit to the jungle here will guarantee some wildlife viewing thrills.

Meeting the gentle orangutans of Sepilok is a must-do for visitors to Borneo. These orange-tinged creatures are captivating, entertaining and cheeky - and watching them play, eat and interact in the jungle of Sepilok is a privilege not to be missed.

7. Headhunters' Trail

Walking in the footsteps of one of the world's most mysterious, feared and intriguing people may not be for everyone, but walking along the famed Headhunter's Trail reveals a little bit of local history as well as many wondrous natural sights.

8. Mulu National Park

Visitors should overlook Mulu National Park at their own peril. Not visiting this World Heritage-listed area would mean missing out on canopy walks and treks that reveal exotic creatures, spectacular caves and stunning limestone karst formations.

9. Danum Valley

This area of pristine lowland rainforest is arguably one of Borneo's premier wildlife hot spots. Walk the trails and spot exotic birdlife, interesting plants, flying squirrels, vocal frogs and active gibbons.

10. Gaya Island

Get away from it all and revel in the seclusion of Gaya Island, located just off the coast of Kota Kinabalu. See tropical fish swimming through colourful reefs, learn to scuba dive, laze on the uncrowded beaches or grab a kayak and go exploring this slice of tropical beauty.

While Borneo's wild landscapes and beautiful beaches are definitely the true highlight of any visit, there are still treasures to found in Borneo's markets.

It's a good idea to check with your local customs officials to ensure that you are able to bring certain items back into your home country. Australia and New Zealand generally have strict quarantine laws.

Things to buy in Borneo

1. Ikat weaving 

​ This traditional weaving process results in coloured, patterned textiles that can be used as clothing, wall hangings and home furnishings.

2. Wood carvings

Sarawak boasts a population of talented wood carvers -wooden bowls, charms, masks and figurines are all wonderful souvenir choices.

3. Ceramics 

Sarawak also has a wide range of good-quality ceramics and pottery thanks to the local populations of Chinese and Iban tribal potters, each group possessing their own distinctive style.

Festival and events in Borneo

Rainforest world music festival.

The diversity of world music is celebrated over three days each July in the heart of the Borneo jungle. Hoards of eager festival-goers flock to Kuching, Sarawak (in Malaysian Borneo) for daytime music workshops, cultural and craft displays and evening concerts by indigenous performers from all over the globe. And like every good festival, there are always plenty of food stalls serving up yummy Malaysian and Asian foods. 

Borneo International Kite Festival

Each September, the seaside town of Bintulu shows us how cool kites can be. Kites of all shapes, colours and sizes fill the sky for stunning displays and kite flying competitions. Come and watch the others show off their skills, participate in a kite-making workshop or take in the cultural performances.

Gawai Dayak (Harvest Festival)

More than just a celebration of the rice harvest, Gawai Dayak is an important symbol of unity for the Dayak and is celebrated with gusto in cities and rural villages across Sarawak. Many longhouses open their doors to visitors, where they are treated to traditional costumes, ritual music and lots of locally brewed rice wine (tuak) and Dayak foods. Head to the Sarawak Cultural Village in Kuching for the liveliest celebrations, where parades and other festivities begin a week before the main event on May 31.

Borneo Cultural Festival

Hear, see and taste the best of Malay, Chinese and Dayak culture at this annual July festival. Lively music, traditional dances and other cultural performances take place on multiple stages over 10 days in the city of Sibu in Sarawak (Malaysian Borneo). Expect Dayak drums, Malay songs, Chinese dragon dances and lots of mouth-watering cultural eats.

Further reading

Borneo travel faqs, do i need a covid-19 vaccine to join an intrepid trip.

Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards

From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travellers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (excluding all Polar trips and select adventure cruises).

However, we continue to strongly recommend that all Intrepid travellers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and others.

Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.

Do I need a visa to visit Borneo?

Visas are your responsibility. Entry requirements can change anytime, so you must check for the latest information. Please visit the relevant consular website of the country or countries you visit for detailed and up-to-date visa information about your nationality. Check the Essential Trip Information section of the itinerary for more details.

Is tipping customary in Borneo?

Tipping isn’t customary in Borneo, but leaving a small token of appreciation is always welcome if you feel the service has been particularly good.

What is internet access like in Borneo?

Internet is easy to access in large cities and tourist areas, though it can be quite slow. Access is more limited in remote and rural areas.

Can I use my mobile phone while in Borneo?

Mobile phone coverage is good in major cities, but there is little to no coverage in the mountains and in remote areas. Ensure global roaming is activated with your service provider before leaving home.

What are the toilets like in Borneo?

Squat toilets are common in Borneo, though some hotels and tourist areas have Western-style, flushable toilets. Carrying your own toilet paper and hand sanitizer is a good idea, as these are not always provided.

What will it cost for a…?

The currencies of Borneo are the Indonesian rupiah, the Malaysian ringgit and the Brunei dollar in each of their respective countries. Below is how much everyday items will cost in AUD for ease of comparison:

• Bottle of beer = AUD 4.50
• Laksa from a food stall = AUD 1.50-3
• Simple meal at a local restaurant = AUD 7.50–18

Can I drink the tap water in Borneo?

Tap water is not considered safe to drink in Borneo. For environmental reasons, try to avoid buying bottled water. Instead, pack a reusable bottle that can be filled with filtered water. Your leader can tell you where to find filtered water or pack your own purification tablets.

Are credit cards widely accepted in Borneo?

Most places only accept cash, especially small businesses, though you might be able to use your credit card at larger hotels, shops and restaurants in tourist areas.

What is ATM access like in Borneo?

You’ll find ATMs in Borneo’s large cities and urban areas, though they are less easy to find in rural and remote parts.

What public holidays are celebrated in Borneo?

Since Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei all have claim to Borneo, different parts of the island celebrate different public holidays. The ones listed here are celebrated in all three nations:

• 1 Jan: New Year’s Day
• 5 Feb: Chinese New Year
• 5 Jun: Eid al-Fitr
• 11 Aug: Eid al-Adha
• 31 Aug: Islamic New Year
• 9 Nov: Prophet Muhammad's Birthday
• 25 Dec: Christmas Day

Please note, there are more public holidays in Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei.

Do I need any vaccinations before visiting Borneo?

No vaccines are required in order to enter Borneo but some are recommended for protection against disease. Always visit your doctor or travel clinic for up-to-date advice and make sure to schedule vaccinations 4-6 weeks before your departure date, as some require time to become effective.

Is Borneo a safe destination for LGBTQI+ travellers?

Discretion is highly advised for LGBTQI-travellers in Borneo. Homosexuality is illegal in both Malaysia and Brunei, where it can be punished with long prison sentences or even death.

While homosexuality is not illegal in Indonesia, few people are openly out. Regardless of which part of Borneo you are visiting, discretion is strongly suggested.

For more detailed and up-to-date advice, we recommend visiting  Equaldex  or  ILGA  before you travel.

Does my trip support the intrepid foundation.

Yes, all Intrepid trips support the Intrepid Foundation. Trips to this country directly support our global Intrepid Foundation partners Eden Reforestation Projects and World Bicycle Relief. Intrepid will double the impact by dollar-matching all post-trip donations made to The Intrepid Foundation.

Eden Reforestation Projects

Eden Reforestation Projects are helping to mitigate climate change by restoring forests worldwide; they also hire locally and create job opportunities within vulnerable communities. Donations from our trips support restoration across planting sites in 10 countries around the globe. Find out more or make a donation World Bicycle Relief

World Bicycle Relief provides people in low-income communities with bicycles to mobilise school kids, health workers, and farmers in far-out areas – giving them access to vital education, healthcare, and income. Donations help provide Buffalo Bicycles – specifically designed to withstand the rugged terrain and harsh environment of rural regions – to those who need them most. Find out more or make a donation