Borneo Small Group Tours
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10 best Borneo small group tours
Compiled by
MelissaBorneo travel expert at TourRadar
Ideal for groups aged 15-99, this Borneo adventure maintains intimate wildlife encounters at Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary and Kinabatangan River cruises. Small numbers ensure quality guide interaction during Gomantong Cave exploration and Manukan Island snorkeling, with comfortable stays at jungle lodges and resorts.
Duration 10 days Destinations Sandakan, Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary, Kundasang, Kota Kinabalu, Manukan Island Age Range Ages 15+ Group Size Max Group Size 12 Group Type Group Operator Intrepid Travel From $3,825
20% Off- NZ$3,060You save $765
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
20% Off- NZ$7,474
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
20% Off- NZ$2,895
Duration 6 days Destinations Kota Kinabalu, Kampung Kiau, Mount Kinabalu National Park, Poring, Sandakan, Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary, Pulau Selangan, Sepilok Age Range All Ages Welcome Group Size Max Group Size 10 Group Type Group Operator Asian Overland Services Tours & Travel From
20% Off- NZ$3,474
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
20% Off- NZ$1,481
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
20% Off- NZ$1,500
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
10% Off- NZ$2,501You save $278
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
10% Off- NZ$2,178
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
10% Off- NZ$2,178
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
10% Off- NZ$3,063
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."