Borneo Small Group Tours
Borneo and nature go together like perfection. Head to Kuala Lumpur and soak up the vibe before heading to UNESCO's Mulu National Park with massive caves and orangutans in the wild, if you're lucky. Malaysian Borneo is less visited than the beaches, the rainforest's dense, and the cultural experiences with different tribes are fascinating. It’s a bucket-list entry, for sure.
10 best Borneo small group tours
Compiled by
MelissaBorneo travel expert at TourRadar
- Wild Sarawak
- Premium Borneo in Depth
- IN-DEPTH BORNEO & MALAYSIA TOUR
- Tabin Wildlife Experience
- Sandakan Explorer Safari
- Splendours of Borneo: Kota Kinabalu to Kuching
- Splendours of Borneo: Kuching to Kota Kinabalu
- Indonesia: Borneo Orangutans of Tanjung Puting National Park
- The Island of the Forest People
- Enchanting Borneo
Wild Sarawak
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“Fantástic experience. Definitely recommended.”
Lídia, traveled in November
Duration 10 days Destinations Kuching, Bako National Park, Gunung Mulu National Park, Limbang, Labuan Island, Kota Kinabalu Age Range Ages 15+ Group Size Max Group Size 12 Group Type Group Operator Intrepid Travel From
- NZ$2,970
Groups of 12-15 travelers immerse in Borneo's wilderness, perfect for wildlife viewing at Kinabatangan River and Sepilok Orangutan Centre. The setting ensures serene nature encounters at Mulu National Park's caves and genuine cultural experiences at Iban longhouses. Accommodations include premium Nanga Sumpa Lodge and Kinabatangan Wetlands Resort.
Duration 12 days Destinations Kuching, Batang Ai National Park, Gunung Mulu National Park, Kota Kinabalu, Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary, Sandakan Age Range Ages 15+ Group Size Max Group Size 12 Group Type Group Operator Intrepid Premium From $6,830
15% Off- NZ$5,806You save $1,025
Duration 14 days Destinations Kuala Lumpur, Kuching, Batang Ai National Park, Sandakan, Kota Kinabalu, Mount Kinabalu National Park Age Range Ages 35+ Group Size Max Group Size 15 Group Type Group Operator Tweet World Travel From
15% Off- NZ$7,494
Duration 3 days Destinations Lahad Datu, Tabin Wildlife Reserve Age Range Ages 6+ Group Size Max Group Size 10 Group Type Group Operator Asian Overland Services Tours & Travel From
15% Off- NZ$1,464
Duration 3 days Destinations Sandakan, Pulau Selangan, Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary Age Range All Ages Welcome Group Size Max Group Size 10 Group Type Group Operator Asian Overland Services Tours & Travel From
15% Off- NZ$1,483
Duration 7 days Destinations Kota Kinabalu, Mount Kinabalu National Park, Gunung Mulu National Park, Kuching Age Range All Ages Welcome Group Size Max Group Size 10 Group Type Group Operator Asian Overland Services Tours & Travel From
15% Off- NZ$2,153
Duration 7 days Destinations Kuching, Gunung Mulu National Park, Kota Kinabalu, Mount Kinabalu National Park Age Range All Ages Welcome Group Size Max Group Size 10 Group Type Group Operator Asian Overland Services Tours & Travel From
15% Off- NZ$2,153
Duration 7 days Destinations Jakarta, Tanjung Harapan, Tanjung Puting National Park, Kumai, Pangkalan Bun Age Range Ages 15+ Group Size Max Group Size 14 Group Type Group Operator G Adventures From $2,779
35% Off- NZ$1,806You save $973
A small group ventures through Borneo's treasures, perfectly sized for wildlife viewing at Sepilok Orangutan Center and Kinabatangan River safaris. Intimate numbers allow quality time with Iban tribes in traditional longhouses and detailed exploration of Mulu's magnificent cave systems. German-speaking expert guides accompany throughout.
Duration 16 days Destinations Kuching, Bako National Park, Gunung Mulu National Park, Kota Kinabalu, Kundasang, Sepilok, Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary, Sandakan, Kuala Lumpur Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in Only: German Group Size Max Group Size 10 Group Type Group Operator DIAMIR Erlebnisreisen From
35% Off- NZ$8,392
Duration 9 days Destinations Kuching, Bako National Park, Gunung Mulu National Park, Kota Kinabalu, Kudat, Mount Kinabalu National Park Age Range All Ages Welcome Group Size Max Group Size 10 Group Type Group Operator Asian Overland Services Tours & Travel From
35% Off- NZ$3,028
Reviews of Small Group tours to Borneo
- Borneo – East Sabah Adventure
Really enjoyable trip. Great CEO who knew his stuff and had boundless enthusiasm for Borneo and its wildlife. Homestay was a great experience. We were lucky enough to see Orangutans and proboscis monkeys in the wild and had the pleasure of seeing baby turtles released into the sea on Turtle Island. Only suggestion is that the trip maybe could have been a day longer to take in the Gomantong Caves as they were fairly close to where we were anyway.
What our customers ask about Borneo Small Group Tours
What is the ideal duration for a small group tour in Borneo?
The sweet spot for exploring Borneo in a small group falls between 8 and 16 days. East Sabah can be explored well in 8 days while combining both Sarawak and Sabah states needs about 15 days. The Premium Borneo in Depth tour takes 12 days which gives travelers enough time at key spots like Sepilok Kinabatangan River and Danum Valley. A TourRadar traveler shared: "Our 12-day small group tour was perfect - enough time to really experience each location without feeling rushed."
What are the accommodation options for small group tours in Borneo?
Borneo's small group tours offer diverse places to stay from comfortable lodges to local homestays. The Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge puts you right where wildlife spotting happens while the Borneo Rainforest Lodge in Danum Valley offers 31 private chalets for a more upscale experience. Some itineraries include nights with local families in traditional longhouses such as in Tambunan Village. A TourRadar traveler noted: "The variety of accommodations really enhanced the experience - from jungle lodges to the Shangri-La Rasa Ria Resort each place offered something special for our small group."
What cultural experiences are available on small group tours in Borneo?
Small groups can get close to local life through homestays in traditional Tambunan longhouses local market visits in Kota Kinabalu and meetings with indigenous communities. The D'Danau Homestay lets visitors cook with locals and join in cultural activities. A TourRadar traveler noted: "The small group size made our cultural experiences more authentic and personal especially during our homestay where we really got to know our host family."
What areas of Borneo are best suited for small group travel?
The most rewarding spots for small groups include the Danum Valley Conservation Area Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary and Sepilok. These locations work well with intimate lodges like the Borneo Rainforest Lodge and Nature Lodge Kinabatangan. The Mulu National Park caves are also better explored in smaller numbers. As one TourRadar traveler noted: "Our small group could move quietly through Danum Valley allowing us to spot more wildlife than larger groups."
How do small group tours handle transportation in Borneo?
Getting around happens in mini-vans that can reach remote spots like Kinabalu National Park and Sepilok. Smaller boats take groups along the Kinabatangan River making it easier to spot wildlife. Places like Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary are more accessible with smaller vehicles on narrow roads. A TourRadar traveler mentioned: "The small group size meant we could use more nimble boats on the river getting us closer to wildlife without disturbing them."
How much does a small group tour in Borneo typically cost?
Daily costs run between USD 230 and 558 depending on where you stay and what activities are included. A 10-day Classic Borneo tour costs about USD 2680 covering accommodations guided activities and some meals. TourRadar travelers often mention that "the higher cost of small group tours is justified by the quality of experience and personal attention received."