First time travellers to Borneo


Our Borneo Holidays
Borneo orangutan holiday
Trekking, wildlife and beach adventure holiday to Borneo
Borneo tour, Great Apes and Beach escapes
Explore bustling cities, lush jungles and paradise beaches.
Borneo tailor made holidays, wildlife & beaches
A luxury tour of the best wildlife & beaches of Sabah
Borneo tailor made tour on a shoestring
The Best of Borneo: Wildlife, Adventure, Idyllic Beaches
Luxury beach holiday in Borneo & Orangutans
Relaxation in one of nature's most picturesque settings
Family holiday in Sabah
Discover the best of Borneo in just under 2 weeks
Sarawak family holiday
An action-packed holiday got the whole family to enjoy!
Borneo 8 day tour, the wild heart of Borneo
A unique experience in the untouched, beautiful Sarawak.
Borneo Mount Kinabalu climb holiday
Adventure holiday to see wildlife and climb Mt Kinabalu
Orangutan photography in Borneo
Develop your photography skills in Borneo
Sarawak wildlife & beach holiday
Encounter an orangutan & hike through virgin rainforest
Borneo wildlife tour
Orangutans, Sumatran rhinos, elephants & bat exodus
Borneo family volunteering holiday
Encounter orangutans and meet local tribes in magical Borneo
Borneo wildlife holiday
Showcasing the best of Borneo - wildlife, rainforests and tropical beaches
Borneo orangutan conservation volunteering
Care for rescued orangutans in beautiful Borneo
Orangutan conservation holiday in Borneo
Meet Iban tribes and encounter orangutans in Borneo
Orangutan conservation in East Kalimantan, Indonesia
Work with orangutans & sun bears in stunning East Kalimantan
Wild Borneo holiday, private departure
Highlights of Malaysian Borneo including Deramakot
Borneo wildlife holiday, Sarawak
A light trekking and jungle adventure holiday in Sarawak
Borneo tour, Sarawak, Sabah & Brunei
Exotic Trans-Borneo Overland from Rainforest to Beach
Sabah holiday, land beneath the wind
Wildlife & culture in Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur and Sabah wildlife tour
Wildlife adventure in the heart of Borneo
Sarawak and Sabah tour, Orangutans & Ibans
Explore Borneo's unique culture, heritage and wildlife
Borneo holiday, Land below the wind
9-day tour of Malaysia's spectacular Sabah State
Borneo family tour
A fabulous family holiday including the best of Borneo
Borneo holiday, Highlights of Borneo
The highlights of Sabah, from Orangutans to Mt Kinabalu
Malaysia and Borneo 15 day tour
Discover the highlights of Malaysia and Borneo
Borneo wildlife holiday with Mt. Kinabalu climb
Adventurous Borneo Wildlife & Mt. Kinabalu Climb trek
Singapore and Sarawak holidays
A wildlife and Cultural Holiday to Singapore and Sarawak
What to expect
Wildlife
Language & culture


Travel requirements
Travelling to Borneo & getting around
Our top Borneo Holiday
Borneo orangutan holiday
Trekking, wildlife and beach adventure holiday to Borneo
This trip can be tailor made throughout the year to suit your requirements
Highlights not to miss
Bako National Park
Kinabatangan river cruise
Sungai Kinabatangan is a long and serpentine river that winds its way through the state of Sabah. The swamps and lakes and lowland forest areas are filled with wildlife, but it’s the pygmy elephant that attracts the most attention. These little pachyderms can be spotted bathing in the shallow waters – boat tours are best for sneaking up quietly without disturbing the herd.Kota Kinabalu
Borneo’s culture is often overshadowed by its wildlife and that’s a shame, because there’s lots worth seeing. Kota Kinabalu, the state capital of Sabah, is a wonderful clash of different cultures, from its Filipino markets and old world architecture, to its mosques and Chinese restaurants. Its modern waterfront isn’t worth a visit, but don’t miss out on its culinary scene, from street food to sophisticated restaurants.Kinabalu National Park
Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary
Sepilok sanctuary isn’t the only place to see orangutans, but some will argue it’s the best. As the world’s largest animal refuge, at 43km squared, it’s an unparalleled place for orphaned and injured orangutans to learn how to live in the wild. We recommend arriving in the morning for feeding time, before seeing the other wildlife cared for here, such as sun bears and Sumatran rhinos....and what not to do
Best time to go
The best time to visit Borneo is from April to September. In spring and early summer, when rainfall has slowed, the flowers and foliage are at their finest. Midsummer to autumn is much drier, although you should always pack for showers. Any activities, like cycling or hiking, will be made harder by the humidity here, something to bear in mind when choosing what to do. October to December sees an increase in rain, but it might be worth it for the benefits of travelling in Borneo’s low season.
How long is needed to see Borneo?
In a week
It’s such a large island, and such a long way to go, that most travellers will choose to spend more than a week in Borneo. But if you are constrained by time, money or school holidays, there are shorter tours that you can do in seven days or less. It is possible to do Borneo on a budget, or to take younger kids, if you choose an itinerary that’s designed for it. Family volunteering holidays can be full-on, often involving tasks like tree-planting and working with local communities, so you’ll make the most of your limited time.In two weeks
Two weeks is a good amount of time to start to get to know Borneo, although there’s still a chance you’ll wish you’d stayed longer. Most tours offer an overview of the main highlights: beaches, national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and some culture, such as a visit to the capital, Kota Kinabalu. Lots of tours are tailor made, so they can be adapted to only include the sights and activities you really want – making your holiday, or honeymoon, more special.Activities can often be added on as optional extras, but if that’s not enough, try a multi activity tour with an emphasis on adventure – you might be white water rafter down raging rivers one day and tackling a via ferrata the next. Trekking holidays will guide you through ancient jungle, home to Malayan tigers and crab-eating macaques, and up into the island’s highlands. Multi-day treks will take you to the summit of Mount Kinabalu, Borneo’s tallest mountain.
It’s unlikely you’ll go to Borneo without seeing some of the wildlife, but conservation holidays, especially ones that work with local indigenous communities, are the best way to see animals that are often scarce in the wild – plus, by helping the local people to look after them, you can learn more about their culture.