What is the best time of year to start a tour from Kota Kinabalu?

Plan your Kota Kinabalu tour between March and October when weather conditions are most favorable. During these months rainfall is minimal and wildlife viewing conditions are clear. The summer months of July and August draw the largest crowds and provide reliable conditions for both jungle exploration and river excursions. A TourRadar traveler noted: "We went in July and had perfect weather for our river safaris at Kinabatangan and our visit to the Sepilok Orangutan Centre. The morning mists over Mount Kinabalu were spectacular."

What type of accommodation can I expect on tours starting from Kota Kinabalu?

Your accommodation options range from urban comfort to wilderness immersion. City stays include properties like the Grandis Hotel and Shangri-La's Rasa Ria Resort in Kota Kinabalu while nature-focused stays feature spots like Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge and My Nature Resort in Sepilok. Some itineraries include nights in traditional longhouses or forest camps. A TourRadar traveler mentioned: "The accommodation ranged from basic to luxurious but was always clean and comfortable. The Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge offered an amazing jungle experience with great wildlife viewing opportunities right from our doorstep."

What cultural experiences are available on tours starting from Kota Kinabalu?

Discover local life through visits to Dusun villages local markets and cultural centers. Hands-on activities include cooking classes farm visits and learning about indigenous customs. A TourRadar traveler mentioned: "The homestay experience in the Dusun village was a highlight - we learned traditional cooking methods tried rubber tapping and the locals were incredibly welcoming. The Mari Mari Cultural Village near Kota Kinabalu was also fascinating."

What wildlife viewing opportunities are there in Kota Kinabalu itself?

Though Kota Kinabalu primarily serves as a launching point for wildlife excursions the city offers several nature encounters. The Kota Kinabalu Wetland Centre welcomes bird enthusiasts while the neighboring islands provide marine life viewing. A TourRadar traveler shared: "Before heading to the jungle we spent time exploring the wetlands near Kota Kinabalu and visited the beautiful islands of Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park - it was a great introduction to Borneo's biodiversity."

What food options are available on tours starting from Kota Kinabalu?

The food scene blends Malay Chinese and indigenous flavors. Kota Kinabalu's seafood restaurants and night markets offer local delicacies while wilderness lodges like Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge serve set menus featuring regional dishes. A TourRadar traveler commented: "The food variety was excellent from fresh seafood in Kota Kinabalu to traditional Bornean dishes at our jungle lodge. The local food markets were a highlight especially the night market near the waterfront in KK."

What wildlife can I expect to see on tours starting from Kota Kinabalu?

Wildlife encounters often include orangutans at Sepilok Rehabilitation Centre proboscis monkeys at Labuk Bay Sanctuary and pygmy elephants along Kinabatangan River. Hornbill species frequent the area with viewing bases at Zen Garden Resort and Bilit Adventure Lodge. As one TourRadar traveler remarked: "Rounding a bend in the Kinabatangan river to come across a whole herd of pygmy elephants including mothers with their calves was simply unforgettable."

Borneo Tours from Kota Kinabalu

An adventure starting in Kota Kinabalu is a great way to see Borneo. We have 23 tours that range from 3 days up to 16 days. The most popular time for tours from Kota Kinabalu is December, which has the most tour departures.

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Explorer
Wild Borneo - Kota Kinabalu
Duration
10 days
Destinations
Kota Kinabalu, Mount Kinabalu National Park, Ranau,Poring,Sandakan,Kundasang,Sepilok,Sukau+5 more
Age Range
Ages 18+
Regions
Mount KinabaluBorneoSabah+2 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Just You
6% Off
From $8,148
NZ$7,695per person
Price based on Private Single Room
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Explorer
Splendours of Borneo: Kota Kinabalu to Kuching
Duration
7 days
Destinations
Kota Kinabalu, Mount Kinabalu National Park,Gunung Mulu National Park,Kuching+2 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Regions
Mount KinabaluBorneo+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Asian Overland Services Tours & Travel
6% Off
From
NZ$2,149per person
Price based on Private Double Room
- Booking needs min. 2 travelers
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Explorer
Borneo Sabah Wildlife Highlights
Duration
10 days
Destinations
Kota Kinabalu, Mount Kinabalu National Park, Sepilok,Sukau,Tabin Wildlife Reserve,Sandakan+3 more
Age Range
Ages 16+
Regions
Mount KinabaluBorneoSabah+2 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Explore!
6% Off
From
NZ$6,690per person
Price based on Shared Room
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Explorer
Sabah Adventure (including Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary)
5.0 (1 traveler review)
Duration
11 days
Destinations
Kota Kinabalu, Mount Kinabalu National Park,Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary,Sepilok,Turtle Islands,Sandakan+4 more
Age Range
Ages 15+
Regions
Borneo Sabah
Operated in
English
Operator
Intrepid Travel
10% Off
From $4,095
NZ$3,686per person
Price based on Shared Room
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Explorer
Borneo Family Holiday Comfort (5 destinations)
4.5 (1 traveler review)
Duration
10 days
Destinations
Kota Kinabalu, Sepilok, Sandakan, Dinawan Island
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Regions
Mount KinabaluBorneoSabah+2 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Intrepid Travel
10% Off
From
NZ$3,440per person
Price based on Shared Room
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Explorer
Wild Borneo -
Duration
10 days
Destinations
Kota Kinabalu, Mount Kinabalu National Park, Ranau,Sandakan,Abai Forest Reserve,Sukau+3 more
Age Range
Ages 18+
Regions
Mount KinabaluBorneoSabah+2 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Just You
10% Off
From
NZ$9,232per person
Price based on Private Single Room
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Explorer
Borneo bokeh: On a photo Safari in The forests of Sarawak and Sabah
Duration
16 days
Destinations
Kota Kinabalu, Gunung Mulu National Park, Sandakan,Sepilok,Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary,Deramakot Forest Reserve,Tabin Wildlife Reserve+4 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Regions
Borneo Sabah
Operated in
Only: German
Operator
DIAMIR Erlebnisreisen
10% Off
From
NZ$13,928per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Active
Borneo – East Sabah Adventure
4.7 (80 traveler reviews) award winner
"Seeing the wildlife - elephants, orang-utans, crocodiles, turtle hatchlings, proboscis monkeys etc was amazing."
Susan, traveled in February
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Kota Kinabalu, Kundasang,Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary,Sandakan,Pulau Libaran+3 more
Age Range
Ages 12+
Regions
Borneo SabahEastern Malaysia+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
G Adventures
35% Off
From $2,519
NZ$1,637per person
Price based on Shared Room
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Hiking & Trekking
Sabah Adventure (including Kundasang)
5.0 (1 traveler review)
"Excellent value for money given that mountain climb/accomodation nd turtle island Sabah parks fees included."
DaveHutchinson, traveled in October
Duration
11 days
Destinations
Kota Kinabalu, Mount Kinabalu National Park, Kundasang,Poring,Sepilok,Sandakan+3 more
Age Range
Ages 15+
Regions
Mount KinabaluBorneoSabah+2 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Intrepid Travel
10% Off
From $4,090
NZ$3,681per person
Price based on Shared Room
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Explorer
Borneo Family Holiday
4.3 (10 traveler reviews)
"His local knowledge and experience is first rate. What we really liked was his interaction with the children."
Chris, traveled in December
Duration
9 days
Destinations
Kota Kinabalu, Poring, Sandakan, Sepilok
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Regions
Mount KinabaluBorneoSabah+2 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Intrepid Travel
10% Off
From
NZ$2,795per person
Price based on Shared Room
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Active
Highlights of Sabah & Mt Kinabalu
4.8 (17 traveler reviews)
"Excellent tour, well paced."
Luke, traveled in September
Duration
11 days
Destinations
Kota Kinabalu, Kundasang,Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary,Sandakan,Pulau Libaran,Mount Kinabalu National Park+4 more
Age Range
Ages 12+
Regions
Borneo Sabah
Operated in
English
Operator
G Adventures
30% Off
From $3,919
NZ$2,743per person
Price based on Shared Room
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Explorer
Orou Sapulot 3 Days
Duration
3 days
Destinations
Kota Kinabalu, Keningau, Sapulut
Age Range
Ages 12+
Regions
Borneo Sabah
Operated in
English
Operator
Asian Overland Services Tours & Travel
30% Off
From
NZ$971per person
+$10 local payments
Price based on Private Double Room
- Booking needs min. 2 travelers
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Hiking & Trekking
Mount Kinabalu Climbing
Duration
3 days
Destinations
Kota Kinabalu, Mount Kinabalu National Park
Age Range
Ages 10+
Regions
Mount KinabaluBorneoSabah+2 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Asian Overland Services Tours & Travel
30% Off
From
NZ$2,167per person
+$10 local payments
Price based on Private Double Room
- Booking needs min. 2 travelers
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Explorer
Borneo Sarawak and Sabah Discovery
4.7 (9 traveler reviews)
"Incredible wildlife. The rainforests were... rainy, no disappointment there."
Elsa, traveled in September
Duration
16 days
Destinations
Kota Kinabalu, Mount Kinabalu National Park, Poring,Sepilok+1 more
Age Range
Ages 16+
Regions
Mount KinabaluBorneoSabah+2 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Explore!
30% Off
From
NZ$9,390per person
Price based on Shared Room
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Active
Customized 10 Days Malaysia Borneo Wildlife Adventure, Daily Start & Private Guide
Duration
10 days
Destinations
Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan, Sepilok, Sukau, Lahad Datu,Danum Valley Conservation Area+1 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Regions
Borneo Sabah
Operated in
English
Operator
Agate Travel
30% Off
From
NZ$11,821per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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