Borneo Tours & Trips
Ever dreamed of going to the Sepilok Rehabilitation Center to see orangutans swing through the trees or exploring the huge limestone cathedral in Gomantung Cave? Take a boat ride down the Kinabatangan River, where pygmy elephants come to drink, or hike through the jungles near Bilit, where hornbills call overhead. Borneo is another world, and it’s calling you.
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Mandy • traveled in June
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 - S
Sharon • traveled in April
Borneo was a fabulous trip. Our guide, Nostalia, was knowledgeable, organized, funny, intuitive about our (wonderful) group and made every day and every excursion interesting and fun. I was very pleased by all the flora and fauna we saw, the hikes we took and the lodges we stayed in. Thank you!!!
Borneo Wildlife Discoverer - R
Rhonda • traveled in October
Great trip - loads of beautiful nature with like minded people - great explanations, information and discussion.
Journeys: Best of Borneo National Geographic Journeys
Table of contents
- The best Borneo tour packages
- 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
9 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The bilit ecolodge was fabulous on the river. The air conditioning worked great.”
maria, traveled in June
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 Ages 10+ Operator Bamba Travel From
- NZ$1,201
Journeys: Best of Borneo National Geographic Journeys
5 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Great trip - loads of beautiful nature with like minded people. Great explanations, information and discussion.”
Rhonda, traveled in October
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 Ages 12+ Operator National Geographic Journeys with G Adventures From $6,539
30% Off- NZ$4,577You save $1,962
Borneo & the Malaysian Peninsula
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Great sights, great food, and cultural immersion in distinct cities make for an unforgettable experience.”
Philip, traveled in April
Wildlife viewing peaks at Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary and along Kinabatangan River, home to pygmy elephants. Borneo Sepilok Rainforest Resort and Borneo Natural Sukau Bilit Resort host guests for dawn cruises and night walks.
Duration 14 days Destinations Sepilok, Sandakan, Sukau, Pulau Langkawi Age Range Ages 16+ Operator Exodus Adventure Travels From
30% Off- NZ$6,110
Highlights of Sabah & Mt Kinabalu
17 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“fun trip with many different activities to do from jungle adventures over visiting orang utans and turtles in the wildness.”
Deborah, traveled in August
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 Ages 12+ Operator G Adventures From $3,919
30% Off- NZ$2,743You save $1,176
Borneo Wildlife Discoverer
18 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Borneo was a fabulous trip. I was very pleased by all the flora and fauna we saw, the hikes we took and the lodges we stayed in.”
Sharon, traveled in March
The award-winning Borneo Rainforest Lodge and Nature Lodge Kinabatangan welcome nature enthusiasts. Highlights include Sepilok Orangutan Centre, Mulu National Park's caves, and Mount Kinabalu. River safaris at Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary and authentic longhouse visits complete the adventure.
Duration 15 days Destinations Kuching, Bako National Park, Gunung Mulu National Park, Miri, Kota Kinabalu, Mount Kinabalu National Park, Sandakan, Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary Age Range Ages 16+ Operator Exodus Adventure Travels From
30% Off- NZ$8,827
Borneo Sarawak and Sabah Discovery
9 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The night rides and walks and the river trips. The night market.”
Julia, traveled in October
Remarkable wildlife encounters await at Sepilok Orang-utan Sanctuary, along Kinabatangan River, and throughout Tabin Wildlife Reserve. Comfortable lodges including Tabin Wildlife Resort provide perfect bases for spotting endemic species during guided night walks and river safaris.
Duration 16 days Destinations Kota Kinabalu, Mount Kinabalu National Park, Poring, Sepilok Age Range Ages 16+ Operator Explore! From
30% Off- NZ$9,390
Sepilok Orangutan Centre and Mulu National Park's bat caves showcase Borneo's natural diversity. Premium Kinabatangan Wetlands Resort and Nanga Sumpa Lodge offer wildlife viewing and Iban cultural experiences. Internal flights connect Kuching's vibrant markets with Sandakan's conservation centers.
Duration 12 days Destinations Kuching, Batang Ai National Park, Gunung Mulu National Park, Kota Kinabalu, Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary, Sandakan Age Range Ages 15+ Operator Intrepid Premium From $6,830
20% Off- NZ$5,464You save $1,366
Tanjung Puting National Park reveals its secrets over 3 days aboard a traditional riverboat. Orangutans gather at Camp Leakey and Pondok Tanggui, while Sekonyer River teems with wildlife. Forest treks and firefly-lit evenings in the Nipah Palm Area create lasting memories.
Duration 3 days Destinations Tanjung Puting National Park Age Range Ages 15+ Operator Pesona Indo From
20% Off- NZ$594
Duration 3 days Destinations Kota Kinabalu, Mount Kinabalu National Park Age Range Ages 10+ Operator Asian Overland Services Tours & Travel From
20% Off- NZ$2,133+$10 local payments
Duration 3 days Destinations Kota Kinabalu, Keningau, Sapulut Age Range Ages 12+ Operator Asian Overland Services Tours & Travel From
20% Off- NZ$956+$10 local payments
Travel Borneo your 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.
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?
Top Borneo travel itineraries to fit your plans
Demographics
Solo Travelers48 tours- Couples37 tours
- Young Adults (18 - 39)5 tours
- Seniors (50+)28 tours
Best time to visit Borneo
- 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 33 tours
- popular 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 46 tours
- 36 tours
- 38 tours
- Summer 2026
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.
- 36 tours
- 34 tours
- popular 37 tours
- Fall / Autumn 2026
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.
- 33 tours
- popular 36 tours
- 24 tours
Contact our Borneo travel experts
Claire
Expert in Borneo at TourRadar
Claire is one of our seasoned Borneo Travel Experts. Reach out to us to get all your questions about Borneo tours answered!
- Choose from 74+ Borneo tours
- 205 verified reviews by TourRadar customers
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Call us
+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.