Borneo Tours & Trips
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Table of contents
- The best Borneo tour packages
- What people love about Borneo Tours
- Travel Borneo your way
- Best tour companies for Borneo tours
- Best places to start your Borneo tour
- Borneo tours for every type of group
- Top Borneo travel itineraries to fit your plans
- Demographics
- Best time to visit Borneo
- Contact our Borneo travel experts
- What our customers ask about Borneo Tours & Trips
The best Borneo tour packages
Compiled by
MelissaBorneo travel expert at TourRadar
Sandakan Orangutan Experience 4D/3N
7 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“From start to finish we had the best time. The orangutans were amazing as well as everything else we saw.”
Brett, traveled in March
Borneo's biodiversity comes alive at Sepilok Orangutan Centre and sun bear sanctuary. Bilit Adventure Lodge provides a riverside base for Kinabatangan's wildlife cruises. The trip features jungle treks, canopy walks, and visits to Sandakan's War Memorial Park.
Duration 4 days Destinations Sandakan Age Range up to 99 year olds Operator Bamba Travel From
- NZ$1,123
Highlights of Sabah & Mt Kinabalu
16 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The additional activities exceeded expectations; tubing in Tambatuon village was fun for the range of ages.”
Mel, traveled in July
Wildlife encounters at Sepilok Orangutan Centre and Kinabatangan River complement Mt Kinabalu's summit challenge (4,095m). Accommodation varies from jungle lodges to Tambatuon village homestays, while Turtle Island's conservation center educates visitors. River safaris, guided hikes, and internal flights included.
Duration 11 days Destinations Kota Kinabalu, Kundasang, Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary, Sandakan, Pulau Libaran, Mount Kinabalu National Park Age Range up to 90 year olds Operator G Adventures From $3,919
25% Off- NZ$2,939You save $980
Journeys: Best of Borneo National Geographic Journeys
4 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Great tour, well organized.”
Ross, traveled in May
The vast cave networks of UNESCO-listed Gunung Mulu house millions of bats emerging from Deer Cave. Wildlife viewing along Kinabatangan River pairs with orangutan observation at Sepilok Rehabilitation Centre. Jungle lodges at Kampung Bilit and Tabin Wildlife Reserve offer prime wildlife watching locations.
Duration 12 days Destinations Kuching, Gunung Mulu National Park, Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan, Sukau, Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary Age Range up to 99 year olds Operator National Geographic Journeys with G Adventures From $6,439
25% Off- NZ$4,829You save $1,610
Duration 11 days Destinations Kuala Lumpur, Sandakan, Sepilok, Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary, Kota Kinabalu Age Range up to 99 year olds Operator On The Go Tours From
25% Off- NZ$3,785
Duration 14 days Destinations Kuala Lumpur, Kuching, Batang Ai National Park, Sandakan, Kota Kinabalu, Mount Kinabalu National Park Age Range 35 to 70 year olds Operator Tweet World Travel From
25% Off- NZ$6,669
What people love about Borneo Tours
Elod was an amazing guide who was clearly focussed on making our time in Borneo the best adventure experience. Insightful, knowledgeable and attentive, Elod made the experience all the more better. We had an excellent time and made memories that lasted a lifetime. The Sepilok lodge was basic accommodation in need of an upgrade. The Bilit Adventure Lodge was much better with staff who were friendly and helpful. Overall a fantastic trip. Thank you
Sandakan Orangutan Experience 4D/3N
The itinerary did exactly as expected, showcased the highlights of Sabah. The additional activities exceeded expectations; tubing in Tambatuon village was fun for the range of ages amongst out group, on the night jungle walk in kinabatangan, we had the pleasure of strolling across an endangered tarsier. Our well-connected guide (Jerry) was actively involved in all activities and shared a wealth of knowledge, as a local. The connections Jerry has with the communities made us feel at home in Borneo. His professionalism and experience in mountain climbing made the Mt Kinabalu hike a personal highlight for me. A well-passed, humbling and spectacular adventure well worth taking.
Highlights of Sabah & Mt Kinabalu
- Journeys: Best of Borneo National Geographic Journeys
Great trip - loads of beautiful nature with like minded people - great explanations, information and discussion.
Travel Borneo your way
Our Borneo wildlife tours really deliver on close-up animal encounters. There's a fantastic route that takes you through Kiulu's quiet countryside and up to the northern beaches, with some excellent guided walks in Kinabalu National Park - you'll spot plants that don't grow anywhere else in the world. Many of our travelers love combining a Kinabatangan River cruise with time at Sepilok Orangutan Centre, where you get remarkably close to orangutans learning how to survive in the wild. The full explorer packages include both Bako and Mulu National Parks, perfect for watching proboscis monkeys in their natural home and seeing millions of bats fly out of Deer Cave at sunset - our customers often tell us this moment stays with them forever.
Select from our extensive range of 66 fully guided tours to enjoy a worry-free experience through Borneo with our expert guides leading the way.
Best tour companies for Borneo tours
Looking at the main tour operators in Borneo, Intrepid Travel comes out particularly strong with their family tours. Our travelers consistently mention their guide Sheila, who brings deep local knowledge and keeps everything running smoothly. The Borneo Family Comfort tour seems to hit all the right notes for both parents and kids. Exodus Travels delivers solid experiences too, especially on their Wildlife Discoverer program where guide Lee gets lots of praise for sharing detailed insights about Borneo's ecosystems and wildlife. That said, a few of our customers noted some hiccups with local partners and occasional schedule changes that weren't communicated well. Bamba Experience sits somewhere in the middle - their guide Nostalia earns good marks for knowing her stuff and crafting interesting routes. But we've heard from several travelers about communication gaps, rooms that didn't quite match expectations and guides that varied quite a bit in quality from trip to trip. For better odds of a smooth trip, I'd lean toward Intrepid or Exodus as your main options. They've built up reliable local networks over the years, and their guides really understand how to adapt the pace and content for different groups. Just keep in mind that even with these operators, Borneo's remote nature means some flexibility is good to have when plans need adjusting.
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Best places to start your Borneo tour
Most people kick off their Borneo trip from Kota Kinabalu - we've launched 23 tours from there lately, while Kuching saw 18 departures and Kuala Lumpur handled another 6 tours. We've learned that booking around 51 days ahead works really well; it gives you time to lock in good dates and grab spots at the better wildlife lodges and homestays. Our travelers consistently tell us that morning river cruises give you the best shots at seeing wildlife, though evening tours are great for spotting nocturnal creatures. If you want to really get to know Borneo, think about exploring both Sabah, Sarawak and also both regions - our guests find that 10-14 days hits the sweet spot for seeing everything from orangutan sanctuaries to traditional longhouses.
Borneo tours for every type of group
Who are you traveling with?
Group
65 tours in BorneoExplore a wide diversity of group tours through Borneo. We have 64 adventures that vary from 3 days to 20 days. With the greatest number of departures in October, this is also the most popular time of the year.
Small Group
32 tours in BorneoThe best way to explore Borneo combines wildlife encounters and cultural immersion, with tours starting from Kota Kinabalu. From there, groups head to Sepilok's orangutan sanctuary and the Kinabatangan River, where our travelers spot wild orangutans, proboscis monkeys and also pygmy elephants from their boat excursions. The more extensive routes cover both Sabah and Sarawak, letting you explore Danum Valley's rainforest with expert naturalists - one of our guests had a remarkable encounter when a clouded leopard and cubs passed near their accommodation. Full-circuit tours include time at the Borneo Rainforest Lodge, where elevated walkways give you unique viewing perspectives, plus exploration of Mulu's cave networks to see millions of bats emerge into the evening sky. The cultural side features traditional longhouse stays and Dusun village visits, where locals teach you to make dishes like linopot. Our guests find that 10-14 days gives them the perfect balance to experience both the wildlife sanctuaries and local communities, with guides who know exactly where to find creatures most visitors never expect to encounter.
Private / Personalized
12 tours in BorneoFor those seeking a more tailored experience, our private Borneo tours offer maximum flexibility. These customizable itineraries often start in Kota Kinabalu with guided treks through Kinabalu National Park before heading to Sepilok's orangutan sanctuary. Many include extended stays in the Danum Valley, where private guides help track wildlife through pristine rainforest. Our travelers appreciate the freedom to adjust daily activities - whether that's extra time photographing hornbills from canopy walkways or additional river cruises when wildlife spotting is particularly good. These tours typically finish with a few days at luxury beach resorts near the Rasa Ria Reserve, perfect for combining jungle adventures with coastal relaxation.
Top Borneo travel itineraries to fit your plans
The 3-day tours give you two distinct ways to experience Borneo quickly but thoroughly. Our mountain trek starts at the local buzz of Nabalu Market before taking you up Mount Kinabalu through layers of changing forest - you'll walk past oak trees, bright rhododendrons and tall conifers as you climb. Most of our travelers say the pre-dawn final ascent is worth every step when they see that sunrise from the peak. Over in Tanjung Puting, you'll live aboard traditional wooden boats, drifting deep into orangutan country. The nights are special here - you can spot proboscis monkeys in the mangroves, visit several feeding stations including Camp Leakey and also watch fireflies dance around the Nipah Palms after dark.
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Seven days gives you time to really get to know Borneo's different sides. We start in Kota Kinabalu, where you'll snorkel at Sapi Island and explore the forests of Gaya Island before heading to Kinabalu Park and the welcome warmth of Poring Hot Springs. The journey then takes you east to meet the orangutans at Sepilok and the rescued bears at the Bornean Sun Bear sanctuary. One route our travelers particularly love takes you cycling through the Headhunter's Heartland - you'll pedal past longhouses where families still live traditionally, cross rivers by sampan and explore Maludam Park by boat. The local guides make these trips come alive; they know just where to spot wildlife and share stories about growing up in these communities.
Our 10-day tours let you sink into Borneo's natural rhythms properly. You'll start in Sandakan - try the seafood market for dinner - before exploring several key wildlife spots including Sepilok and the massive limestone chambers of Gomantong Cave. The heart of the trip is several nights along the Kinabatangan River, with morning and afternoon cruises when the animals are most active. You get proper time at each stop - enough to trek different trails near Bilit, visit local villages and take night walks to spot sleeping birds, active civets and also gliding colugos. The final days on Manukan Island mix snorkeling with sea turtles and quiet time on white sand beaches.
See all toursDemographics
Solo travelers have great options for exploring Borneo's highlights while meeting like-minded people. The most popular solo tours combine time in Sepilok's orangutan sanctuary with river cruises along the Kinabatangan, where shared wildlife viewing creates natural conversation starters. Many include guided walks through Kinabalu National Park and visits to the Batu Caves - our solo travelers often mention how the small group size lets them really connect with their guide and learn about local culture. Several itineraries extend into Peninsula Malaysia, taking in Malacca's colonial streets, Kuala Lumpur's food markets and also Langkawi's tropical beaches. The best solo tours include a mix of organized activities and free time, letting you explore at your own pace while having built-in companionship for meals and excursions.
The private wildlife tours along the Kinabatangan blend river safaris with guided jungle treks, giving young travelers direct encounters with Borneo's diverse wildlife. Our groups cycle through rural backroads past longhouses and rubber plantations, making their way to heritage sites like Fort Lily. More challenging routes take you across the Crocker Range to Dusun villages, where locals share their traditional cooking methods and coffee production. Dawn and dusk river cruises navigate small tributaries like the Menanggul River, which is perfect for spotting orangutans, pygmy elephants and also proboscis monkeys in their natural habitat. The night walks reveal glowing fireflies and secretive nocturnal wildlife, while stays in traditional longhouses provide genuine community connections. Many of our younger travelers opt for packages that combine Sepilok's orangutan sanctuary with private river cruises, enhanced by guided walks through Tabin Wildlife Reserve and also visits to the Sun Bear centre.
Borneo offers excellent senior-friendly tours where you can watch wildlife in comfort and move at an unhurried pace. The Sepilok Orangutan Centre welcomes visitors for morning and afternoon sessions, letting you observe these fascinating primates from well-designed viewing areas. River cruises along the Kinabatangan prove particularly popular, as you'll spot proboscis monkeys, hornbills, wild orangutans and other creatures right from your boat seat. Walking tours through Kinabalu National Park include thoughtful rest stops, and our naturalist guides are known for adapting the pace to match each group's preferences. Many travelers enjoy the cultural dimension too, with trips to Dusun villages for cooking lessons and family visits. The lodges in Danum Valley get top marks from our guests, offering elevated walkways for easy wildlife viewing, excellent amenities and a solid base for exploration. Most successful itineraries spend 2-3 nights at each spot, which cuts down on constant moving while giving you proper time to experience Borneo's wildlife, culture and natural spaces.
Families looking to explore Borneo will find some excellent options focused on wildlife and cultural experiences. The top-rated family tours include visits to the Sepilok Orangutan Centre, where kids get amazingly close views of young orangutans learning to climb at the nursery. Many tours incorporate stays near Kinabatangan River - our travelers with children particularly love the morning river cruises when you can spot proboscis monkeys swinging through trees while hornbills soar overhead. Several itineraries include time in Dusun villages where families learn to cook local dishes like linopot and see how coffee is produced. The best family tours balance wildlife viewing with fun activities like snorkeling at Dinawan Island, where marine biologists teach kids about coral reef ecosystems and conservation.
Solo Travelers44 tours All tours for Solo Travelers- Couples18 tours
- Young Adults (18 - 39)5 tours All tours for Young Adults
- Seniors (50+)22 tours All tours for Seniors
Best time to visit Borneo
- Summer 2025
In summer, you get longer daylight hours which really helps with spotting wildlife. Our most popular trips combine Sepilok Orangutan Centre visits with several days along the Kinabatangan River, and travelers consistently tell us they see lots of wild orangutans and pygmy elephants. For active types, we've got guided walks through Tabin Wildlife Reserve and visits to the Sun Bear centre. Summer's perfect for our bigger tours covering both Sabah and Sarawak - you'll stay in a mix of comfy lodges and traditional longhouses while hitting all the main spots. Many people like finishing up on Langkawi or Borneo's beaches, which makes sense after all that wildlife watching.
- 40 tours
- popular 44 tours
- 41 tours
- Fall / Autumn 2025
Autumn brings some nice conditions for exploring Borneo's different environments. The Kinabatangan River tours work really well because lower water levels mean more animals gather near the riverbanks - it's pretty normal for our travelers to spot several orangutan families during just one river cruise. Longer tours include both Sepilok and Semenggoh sanctuaries, giving you two different ways to learn about orangutan conservation. Our trekking tours in autumn combine walks in Kinabalu Park with visits to local villages and tea plantations, which active travelers really enjoy. Photographers particularly like this time of year; the morning light along the river is perfect for getting good shots of proboscis monkeys, hornbills and also other wildlife.
- 49 tours
- popular 50 tours
- 40 tours
- Winter 2025 / 2026
The winter river tours in Borneo really shine when water levels are just right. Our travelers love combining time at Sepilok's orangutan sanctuary with cruises on the Kinabatangan River - it's pretty common to spot wild orangutans, proboscis monkeys and also crocodiles right from the boat. For those wanting more, we've got tours that take you through Bako National Park's trails and into the massive Mulu caves, where the evening bat exodus looks extra special in the crisp winter air. If you're into photography, you'll get plenty of chances to capture hornbills, macaques and also gibbons in their natural habitat. Many guests tell us they didn't expect the traditional longhouse stays to be such a highlight of their wildlife trip, but they often end up being a favorite part.
- December 2025 popular 38 tours
- 35 tours
- 35 tours
- Spring 2026
Spring tours in Borneo mix nature and culture in really practical ways. Most trips start with some nice treks in Kinabalu National Park before heading over to Sepilok and the Kinabatangan area. The spring weather works perfectly for doing river safaris in the morning and rainforest walks later in the day - our guests love seeing wildlife from both angles. If you've got more time, the Sarawak tours are worth considering; you'll explore Santubong Peninsula's mangroves and join some pretty interesting night walks in Kubah National Park. The Bidayuh village stays add a genuine cultural element that fits naturally with all the nature experiences.
- popular 41 tours
- 26 tours
- 24 tours
Contact our Borneo travel experts
Joachim
Expert in Borneo at TourRadar
Joachim is one of our seasoned Borneo Travel Experts. Reach out to us to get all your questions about Borneo tours answered!
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+64 4888 0182What our customers ask about Borneo Tours & Trips
Looking to Spot Orangutans in Borneo?
You're in luck - Borneo's one of just two places worldwide where you can see these amazing creatures in their natural habitat. Most visitors head to Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre in Sabah it's really incredible watching them care for orphaned and injured orangutans before releasing them back to the wild. You can catch their feeding times twice daily and see the young ones learning to climb in the nursery area. Want to see truly wild orangutans? Danum Valley Conservation Area is your best bet our customers say it's absolutely tops for wild orangutan spotting in Malaysia. Check out the "Wild Borneo" tour that takes you to Sepilok plus you'll visit the Sun Bear centre and cruise the Kinabatangan River to see fireflies at night.
How Can You Best Experience Borneo's Rainforest?
The rainforests here are absolutely massive and ancient packed with unique wildlife and plants you won't find anywhere else. Kinabalu National Park's got these amazing vegetation zones from montane oak to rhododendrons and conifer forests perfect for trekking. Taking a river cruise along Kinabatangan River is incredible for wildlife spotting you'll see proboscis monkeys pygmy elephants and tons of birds. The Mulu Caves are pretty special too they're UNESCO listed with massive cave systems including Sarawak Chamber Deer Cave and Clearwater Cave. You can go caving do guided walks and watch thousands of bats fly out at sunset. The "Malaysia Sabah Eco" tour lets you experience Kinabatangan firsthand with a stay at Sukau Rainforest Lodge and some great orangutan talks.
What's it Like Climbing Mount Kinabalu?
It's definitely challenging but totally worth it when you reach the top of Southeast Asia's highest peak. Most people do it over two days first day's about 6 km taking 4-6 hours to reach Laban Rata at 3272m. Day two starts super early for the summit push taking 3-5 hours but that sunrise view is absolutely incredible. The "Best of Borneo" tour includes the whole climb starting from Timpohon Gate and you'll spend a night near Laban Rata.
What Sort of Cultural Experiences Can You Have?
Borneo's got this amazing mix of indigenous communities each with their own traditions. You can visit a Bidayuh longhouse in Sarawak see how they live watch traditional dancing and really get involved in daily life. The Dusun people in Sabah are great too you can enjoy home-cooked meals like linopot which is rice wrapped in leaves. There's hands-on stuff too like rubber tapping making traditional fish traps and learning blowpipe skills. The "Cycling The Headhunter's Heartland" tour takes you right into a Bidayuh longhouse in Annah Rais where you'll get an authentic home-cooked lunch.