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Borneo – East Sabah Adventure

8 days
Start and end in Kota Kinabalu
4.7
79 traveler reviews
From
$2,519
-15%
NZ $2,141 per person

Price based on Cheapest Room

Price based on Shared Room

Price based on Private Single Room

Price based on Private Double Room

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2025

Jan
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2026

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Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2027

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
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1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Who is travelling?

AdultsAges 18 or above

2

ChildrenUnder 18

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Plan your adventure:
Active
Thrilling adventures designed to keep you moving
Fully Guided
An experienced guide will be with you for the entire tour
Low Intensity
Travelers can expect some light physical activities
Guided in English
Group Size 10 - 15
Ages 12+
Image of a map showing the route of the tour

Itinerary

  1. Day 1

    Arrival

    You'll arrive in Sabah whenever works for your flight. Your CEO meets you along with the other travelers for a welcome orientation to kick things off.

    Accommodation
    Hotel (Hotel Shangri-La)

    Included Activities

    • Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
  2. Day 2

    Kota Kinabalu to Tambatuon

    A private vehicle takes you out to Tambatuon village where you'll meet locals and walk through the surrounding landscape to reach a river. You stop at a local farm to pick fresh ingredients, then spend time learning how to cook traditional recipes with your host before sitting down for dinner together.

    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Dinner prepared with locally gathered ingredients and traditional recipes learned during cooking demonstration)
    Accommodation
    Home-stay (D'Danau Homestay)

    Included Activities

    • D'Danau Homestay
    • Local Farms and Cooking Demonstration
    Landmarks/POIs
    Tambatuon Village
    Itinerary Image 1Itinerary Image 2Itinerary Image 3
  3. Day 3

    Tambatuon to Kinabatangan River

    You travel to Sandakan and continue on to a jungle lodge right on the Kinabatangan River, which is Sabah's longest river. After getting settled, an evening river cruise takes you out looking for birds, monkeys, and crocodiles. Dinner happens back at the lodge, and if you're interested, there's a guided night walk through the jungle available as an add-on.

    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Accommodation
    Resort (Borneo Natural Sukau Bilit Resort)

    Included Activities

    • Kinabatangan River Evening Cruise

    Optional Activities

    • Guided Jungle Night Walk
    Landmarks/POIs
    Kinabatangan River
    Itinerary Image 1Itinerary Image 2Itinerary Image 3
  4. Day 4

    Kinabatangan River

    This morning starts early with a river safari to look for wildlife. Breakfast follows, then a guide takes you to an oxbow lake nearby where you search for proboscis monkeys, pygmy elephants, macaques, and gibbons. Another river cruise happens in the afternoon for more wildlife spotting before you head back to the lodge for dinner.

    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Accommodation
    Resort (Borneo Natural Sukau Bilit Resort)

    Included Activities

    • Kinabatangan River Wildlife Cruise
    • Guided Oxbow Lake Walk and Wildlife Spotting
    • Kinabatangan River Evening Cruise
    Landmarks/POIs
    Kinabatangan River
    Kinabatangan Oxbow Lake
    Itinerary Image 1Itinerary Image 2Itinerary Image 3
  5. Day 5

    Kinabatangan to Sepilok

    You depart in the morning and travel to Sepilok, a wildlife area tucked into the jungle. The day includes a visit to the orangutan rehabilitation centre and the sun bear conservation centre next to it, where you learn about how animals are rehabilitated and what conservation work happens there.

    Meals
    Breakfast
    Accommodation
    Resort (Borneo Sepilok Rainforest Resort)

    Included Activities

    • Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre Visit
    • Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre Visit

    Optional Activities

    • Guided Jungle Night Walk (50MYR per person)
    Landmarks/POIs
    Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre
    Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre
    Itinerary Image 1Itinerary Image 2Itinerary Image 3Itinerary Image 4
  6. Day 6

    Sepilok to Libaran Island

    A speedboat takes you from Sandakan out to Libaran Island, also called Turtle Island because thousands of sea turtles come to nest there each year. You take a guided tour of the turtle hatchery and get information about conservation efforts happening on the island. After exploring the local village, you have free time to either snorkel or kayak.

    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Accommodation
    Resort (Walai Penyu Resort)

    Included Activities

    • Turtle Experience
    • Libaran Island Village Walk

    Optional Activities

    • Snorkelling
    • Kayaking
    Landmarks/POIs
    Libaran Island
    Turtle Hatchery
    Itinerary Image 1Itinerary Image 2
  7. Day 7

    Libaran Island to Kota Kinabalu

    After breakfast, you leave Libaran Island and take the speedboat back to Sandakan jetty. From there, a transfer gets you to Sandakan airport for a domestic flight to Kota Kinabalu. Once you arrive, the afternoon is free for you to explore and shop at Jesselton Point waterfront district, which has shops and street food vendors. The Filipino market is another option if you want to check it out.

    Meals
    Breakfast
    Accommodation
    Hotel (Hotel Shangri-La)

    Optional Activities

    • Filipino Market visit
    Landmarks/POIs
    Jesselton Point
    Filipino Market
  8. Day 8

    Departure

    You can depart at any time that suits your travel plans. Grab breakfast before heading to the airport for your onward journey home.

    Meals
    Breakfast

    Included Activities

    • Departure Day
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What's Included

Expand All
  • Accommodation
  • Guide
  • Meals
  • Additional Services
  • Transport
  • Free eSIM
    TourRadar offers the lead traveler (the person who booked) a free 1GB eSIM for the trip. The eSIM is redeemable only through the TourRadar app 72 hours before departure.

What's Not Included

  • Flights
  • Insurance
  • Optional
  • Additional Services

Where You'll Stay

All accommodations are subject to change

Customer Photos

Operated by

G Adventures

Number of tours

1,012

Age Range

12 to 90 years old

Response time

2 hours

Response rate

88%

G Adventures gives you the opportunity to explore interesting and unusual...

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Sustainability Initiatives

Animal Welfare

Supporting Destinations

Sustainability Programs

Awards Received

2019 Tour of the Year Winner
Malaysia

Your Peace of Mind Options

Cancellation Policy

A transparent overview of applicable fees.

Travel Insurance

Be covered for any unforseen circumstances.

Customer Reviews

  • Overall Rating
    Excellent
    4.7
  • Itinerary
    Excellent
    4.4
  • Guide
    Excellent
    4.8
  • Transport
    Excellent
    4.4
  • Accommodation
    Excellent
    4.1
  • Food
    Good
    4.0
  • 4.7
  • Most Recent
  • Most Popular
  • Highest First
  • Lowest First
  • JK
    · October 15th, 2025
    Automatically translated. View in EnglishRate this translation
    Automatic translation available in English. View in English
    We saw all the Borneo Big 5 and Liparan Island was unforgettable. In addition, Kirstey was a world-class tour guide.
    Show more
    G Adventures commented on this review
    Thank you so much for sharing your experience with us, Joern! This sounds like such a special trip to Borneo!
    Trip date: August 2025
  • Borneo – East Sabah Adventure reviewer 2
    · September 7th, 2025
    Automatically translated. View in EnglishRate this translation
    Automatic translation available in English. View in English
    Very nice international group, Kirstey is a super tour guide and we were just very lucky to see the Borneo Big 5, with the ???? and with the weather
    Show more
    G Adventures commented on this review
    Thanks so much for sharing your review with us, Jörn! Our world deserves more you!
    Trip date: August 2025
  • CK
    · April 9th, 2025
    Great tour with a brilliant ceo but you lose 2 days travelling
    Show more
    G Adventures commented on this review
    Thanks so much for your feedback, Cliff!
    Trip date: March 2025
  • B
    · March 26th, 2025
    It was a great trip although I would like to have seen Orangutans outside the rehab centre. Also the cultural offerings felt weak. Watching a Mancala game without. Explaining the rules was actually pretty boring.
    Show more
    G Adventures commented on this review
    Thanks so much for your review!
    Trip date: March 2025
  • E
    · January 9th, 2025
    I believe that it was too much free time and not enough activities. 3 days were wasted on arrival, departure and flight from Sandakan, which happened in the morning. There were a few interesting places to visit in Sandakan, but we were in a great hurry to go to airport. The day with 7
    Show more
    G Adventures commented on this review
    Thank you for sharing your experience with us, Eleonora. We will pass your feedback on to the appropriate teams for their review.
    Trip date: December 2024
  • LE
    · December 8th, 2024
    Great Tour, loved every part of it. Esrael (EJ) was the best Guide ever!!
    Show more
    G Adventures commented on this review
    Thank you so much for your review, Lydia! We are so glad that your enjoyed your time in Borneo with EJ. We hope to welcome you on another adventure in the near future!
    Trip date: November 2024
  • DJ
    · November 2nd, 2024
    Great trip , had a really good CEO
    Show more
    G Adventures commented on this review
    Thank you for your review, Dean! We are so glad you enjoyed Borneo and the CEO. The world deserves more you!
    Trip date: October 2024
  • Borneo – East Sabah Adventure reviewer 8
    · October 26th, 2024
    G Adventures does a fabulous job of going to the jungle. Our guides were all so knowledgeable and engaged, and we saw some rare sights, such as pygmy elephants and orangutan mom and baby in the wild. Our 15 member group was pretty easy to travel with, not much drinking or whining either. This is the 4th or 5th G Tour we've been on, and we look forward to more.
    Show more
    G Adventures commented on this review
    Thank you for your review and beautiful photos, Gladys! This sounds like a beautiful trip and we hope to welcome you back in the near future!
    Borneo – East Sabah Adventure customer review photo 1Borneo – East Sabah Adventure customer review photo 2Borneo – East Sabah Adventure customer review photo 3Borneo – East Sabah Adventure customer review photo 4Borneo – East Sabah Adventure customer review photo 5Borneo – East Sabah Adventure customer review photo 6
    Trip date: October 2024
  • Borneo – East Sabah Adventure reviewer 9
    · September 7th, 2024
    The tour is well organised by G Adventures. We had a great group of people on our trip - they really made the trip! We saw the wildlife we'd hoped to see, though I'd hoped they'd tell us more information about what we were seeing and about Borneo itself. The accommodation is basic for the most part, perhaps more so than people were expecting. My top tip? Take water shoes with you as the beach is very rocky when you're visting Walai Penyu Resort.
    Show more
    G Adventures commented on this review
    Thank you for sharing your feedback, Cheri! We are glads you had a great time but we appreciate the constructive feedback. We'll pass that along to our operations and product management teams.
    Trip date: August 2024
  • MR
    · August 14th, 2024
    It was really nice experience The guide was so good he is knowledgeable and very organised and made the tour really useful The group of travelers were very good and we enlarge company of each other.
    Show more
    G Adventures commented on this review
    Thank you for your review and beautiful photos, Mohamed! We are delighted to know that you enjoyed your Borneo adventure with us. The world deserves more you!
    Borneo – East Sabah Adventure customer review photo 1Borneo – East Sabah Adventure customer review photo 2Borneo – East Sabah Adventure customer review photo 3Borneo – East Sabah Adventure customer review photo 4Borneo – East Sabah Adventure customer review photo 5Borneo – East Sabah Adventure customer review photo 6
    Trip date: August 2024

Dates & Availability

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Jan
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Jul
Aug
Sep
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Dec

2027

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
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1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Who is travelling?

AdultsAges 18 or above

2

ChildrenUnder 18

0
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What our customers ask about this tour

The content in our FAQ section is subject to change.
All questions
  • S

    Stacey

    Asked on September 5th, 2025

    When arriving what is the best way to get to the shangri la? How much should I expect to spend and do they take foreign credit cards?

    Accommodation
    Payments
    Transport
    • G AdventuresOperatorWritten September 2025

      The easiest way to get to the hotel is via local taxi from the airport. Its around 10-15 minutes and will cost around 7-10 USD

  • L

    Lori

    Asked on September 4th, 2025

    Could you please confirm if single occupancy is available for this trip?

    Accommodation
    Single supplement
    • G AdventuresOperatorWritten September 2025

      You can opt for a single supplement for this tour if you do not wish to share a room with another traveller. This would be an extra 439 EUR. However, please note that if you have booked the "My Own Room" option for this tour, you will receive your own single accommodation for all night stops, with the following exceptions: Night 2 (homestay)

  • M

    Monica

    Asked on August 11th, 2025

    Is it possible for me to book this trip for a single traveller on 31.10.2025? If yes, then how much would it cost?

    Price / Availability
    Single supplement
    • G AdventuresOperatorWritten August 2025

      My own room is an option on this tour it will be USD 459.00 to add it, or you can room with another traveller of the same gender for no extra cost.

  • S

    Scott

    Asked on July 8th, 2025

    I am looking at your 9/7 tour date. I'm a single traveler in need of a private room. What would be the cost?

    Price / Availability
    Single supplement
    • G AdventuresOperatorWritten July 2025

      The 7th September departure would be 1349 USD plus an extra 459 USD for the single room. Please note that if you have booked the "My Own Room" option for this tour, you will receive your own single accommodation for all night stops, with the following exceptions: Night 2 (homestay)

  • S

    Sally

    Asked on April 7th, 2025

    Would you please be able to give me an idea of the mix of people booked onto this tour? I am travelling alone for the first time and just a bit worried about being lonely etc.

    Group size
    Travel Support
    • G AdventuresOperatorWritten April 2025

      Total travellers: 14. Ages: Born in the 1950s through 1990s (majority born in the 1980s and 1990s). Nationalities: European and Oceania. Female/Male: 70/30 female & male travellers. Solo/Group: about 2/3 of the travellers are travelling in pairs/groups and some are traveling solo.

  • A

    Alan

    Asked on April 4th, 2025

    I would like to speak with someone about this tour as I would be traveling solo.

    Single supplement
    Travel Support
    • G AdventuresOperatorWritten April 2025

      Most of our tours are based on twin share rooming. Since you have an odd number of travellers in your party, let us know if you/someone would be happy sharing with another solo traveller of the same gender on the tour free of charge OR if you would prefer to add the "My Own Room" single supplement, we can do so for an additional $499.

  • B

    Bryan

    Asked on April 1st, 2025

    can you tell us the address of the Hotel Shangri-la in Kota kinabalu please? as your tour starts there and we intend to arrive the day before, would you be able to book a room for us so that we don't need to change rooms?

    Accommodation
    • G AdventuresOperatorWritten April 2025

      Hotel Shangri-La
      75, Bandaran Berjaya
      Sabah
      Kota Kinabalu

      We can add this for an additional 40 GBP per night.

  • R

    Raymond

    Asked on March 27th, 2025

    how much is a single private room option please

    Accommodation
    Single supplement
    • G AdventuresOperatorWritten March 2025

      Can you please advise which currency you would like us to quote for you

  • J

    Jacqueline

    Asked on February 22nd, 2025

    What kind of documents are required for the tour?

    Visa
    • G AdventuresOperatorWritten February 2025

      You need to be prepared with all required documents for entry/exit from the destination. Visas and other entry requirements are the responsibility of the traveler.

  • D

    Daniela

    Asked on December 19th, 2024

    I would like to know what time we should arrive on the departure day. Additionally, is it possible to store a piece of luggage with you during the trip?

    Tour Details
    Transport
    • G AdventuresOperatorWritten December 2024

      You can arrive at any time on Day 1 and depart at any time on the final day, Day 8. We recommend arriving in the morning/early afternoon so you can attend the welcome meeting on Day 1. Could you clarify what you mean by storing luggage? The hotel in Kota Kinabalu is the start and end point, and they may be able to store luggage over the 8 day tour but it would depend on their space and facilities.

Can’t find the answer to your question?
Reach out to the experts at G Adventures with your enquiry, they usually respond in less than 2 hours.
From
$2,519
-15%
NZ $2,141 per person

Price based on Cheapest Room

Price based on Shared Room

Price based on Private Single Room

Price based on Private Double Room

Select Date

Select departure month

2025

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2026

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2027

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Who is travelling?

AdultsAges 18 or above

2

ChildrenUnder 18

0
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Plan your adventure:

Good to Know

Tour ID: 93719

  • Currency
    RM
    Malaysian Ringgit
    Malaysia
  • Plugs & Adapters

    As a traveler from New Zealand you will need an adaptor for type G.

    Type G
    Malaysia
  • Vaccines
    • These are only indications, so please visit your doctor before you travel to be 100% sure.
    • Typhoid - Recommended for Malaysia. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.
    • Hepatitis A - Recommended for Malaysia. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.
    • Cholera - Recommended for Malaysia. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.
    • Tuberculosis - Recommended for Malaysia. Ideally 3 months before travel.
    • Hepatitis B - Recommended for Malaysia. Ideally 2 months before travel.
    • Yellow fever - Certificate of vaccination required if arriving from an area with a risk of yellow fever transmission for Malaysia. Ideally 10 days before travel.
    • Japanese B encephalitis - Recommended for Malaysia. Ideally 1 month before travel.
  • Visa
    • Unfortunately we cannot offer you a visa application service. Whether you need a visa or not depends on your nationality and where you wish to travel. Assuming your home country does not have a visa agreement with the country you're planning to visit, you will need to apply for a visa in advance of your scheduled departure.
    • Here is an indication for which countries you might need a visa. Please contact the local embassy for help applying for visas to these places.
  • Payment information
    • For any tour departing before December 26th, 2025 a full payment is necessary. For tours departing after December 26th, 2025, a minimum payment of 20% is required to confirm your booking with G Adventures. The final payment will be automatically charged to your credit card on the designated due date. The final payment of the remaining balance is required at least 45 days prior to the departure date of your tour. TourRadar never charges you a booking fee and will charge you in the stated currency.
    • Some departure dates and prices may vary and G Adventures will contact you with any discrepancies before your booking is confirmed.
    • The following cards are accepted for "G Adventures" tours: Visa, Maestro, Mastercard, American Express or PayPal. TourRadar does NOT charge you an extra fee for using any of these payment methods.
  • Cancellation Policy
  • Accessibility
    Some tours are not suitable for mobility-restricted traveler, however, some operators may be able to accommodate special requests. For any enquiries, you can contact our customer support team, who are ready and waiting to help you.

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Who is travelling?

AdultsAges 18 or above

2

ChildrenUnder 18

0

Select departure month

2025

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2026

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2027

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec