Wildlife Tours & Trips in Borneo
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10 best wildlife Borneo tours
Compiled by
MelissaBorneo travel expert at TourRadar
- Best of Borneo
- Classic Borneo (from Sandakan to Kota Kinabalu)
- Indonesia: Borneo Orangutans of Tanjung Puting National Park
- Real Borneo (6 destinations)
- Classic Borneo (including Sepilok)
- Small Borneo round trip (5 nights)
- Small Borneo round trip incl. Mulu (9 nights)
- Classic Borneo (including Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary)
- Wild Sarawak (from Kuching to Kota Kinabalu) (14 destinations)
- Best of Borneo (from Kuching to Sepilok)
Wildlife viewing spans from orangutans at Semenggoh to proboscis monkeys in Bako National Park. Pygmy elephants frequent Kinabatangan River cruises, turtle conservation thrives on Turtle Island, and Sepilok's rehabilitation center nurtures wildlife. Strategic locations from jungle lodges to park accommodations enhance viewing.
Duration 20 days Destinations Kuching, Bako National Park, Gunung Mulu National Park, Limbang, Labuan Island, Kota Kinabalu, Mount Kinabalu National Park, Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary, Sepilok, Turtle IslandsSee all destinations Age Range 15 to 99 year olds Operator Intrepid Travel From $6,660
10% Off- NZ$5,994You save $666
Track Borneo's unique wildlife at Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary and spot proboscis monkeys on Kinabatangan River. Visit the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre and explore Gomantong Cave's ecosystem. Search for marine life while snorkeling Manukan Island's reefs.
Duration 10 days Destinations Sandakan, Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary, Kundasang, Kota Kinabalu, Manukan Island Age Range 15 to 99 year olds Operator Intrepid Travel From $4,090
10% Off- NZ$3,681You save $409
Duration 7 days Destinations Jakarta, Tanjung Harapan, Tanjung Puting National Park, Kumai, Pangkalan Bun Age Range 15 to 90 year olds Operator G Adventures From
10% Off- NZ$2,579
Real Borneo (6 destinations)
14 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The mountain climb was stunning. Great itinerary and awesome guide.”
Michael, traveled in February
Wildlife flourishes at Sepilok Orangutan Centre and during Kinabatangan River cruises. Pygmy elephants, proboscis monkeys, and flying foxes emerge during night walks at Rainforest Discovery Centre. Sun Bear Conservation Centre and pristine jungle habitats round out the adventure.
No departure dates availableDuration 10 days Destinations Kota Kinabalu, Kundasang, Sepilok, Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary Age Range 18 to 35 year olds Operator Intrepid Travel 
From orangutans at Sepilok Centre to proboscis monkeys along Kinabatangan River, Borneo's wildlife awaits. Spot sun bears, venture into Gomantong Cave's bat colonies, and snorkel among tropical fish at Manukan Island. Expert guides ensure optimal wildlife viewing throughout the 10-day adventure.
No departure dates availableDuration 10 days Destinations Kota Kinabalu, Kundasang, Sandakan, Sepilok, Manukan Island Age Range 15 to 99 year olds Operator Intrepid Travel 
Borneo's unique wildlife flourishes at Semenggok's orangutan sanctuary and Bako National Park's proboscis monkey habitat. Nature walks led by expert guides showcase diverse ecosystems, from coastal mangroves to dense jungle. Wildlife-focused boat trips complement the experience.
Duration 6 days Destinations Kuching, Bako National Park Age Range 12 to 99 year olds Operator MEIERS WELTREISEN From
10% Off- NZ$1,995
Remarkable wildlife awaits on this Borneo expedition, featuring orangutans at Semenggok, proboscis monkeys at Bako National Park, and bat colonies at Deer Cave. The journey spans from Mulu's limestone caves to Kinabalu Park's botanical wonders.
Duration 10 days Destinations Kuching, Bako National Park, Gunung Mulu National Park, Kota Kinabalu Age Range 12 to 99 year olds Operator MEIERS WELTREISEN From
10% Off- NZ$3,817
Classic Borneo (including Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary)
22 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The 10 day Classic Borneo trip was everything I had hoped for. Very happy and would definitely recommend.”
Clare, traveled in March
Wildlife flourishes at three Sepilok sanctuaries, while wild orangutans and proboscis monkeys inhabit Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary. River cruises reveal hornbills and macaques. Expert naturalist guides (5+ reviews) lead the way through jungle lodge accommodations.
No departure dates availableDuration 10 days Destinations Kota Kinabalu, Kundasang, Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary, Sandakan, Manukan Island Age Range 15 to 99 year olds Operator Intrepid Travel Wild Sarawak (from Kuching to Kota Kinabalu) (14 destinations)
10 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The trip was amazing, just what I was expecting – from the location, the people, the overall experience.”
Gloria, traveled in December
The incredible wildlife of Borneo awaits at Semenggoh Orangutan Sanctuary and Bako National Park, home to proboscis monkeys and silver leaf monkeys. Watch millions of bats emerge from Deer Cave at dusk and spot unique species along the Headhunters' Trail. Rest at jungle camps and comfortable hotels.
No departure dates availableDuration 10 days Destinations Kuching, Bako National Park, Gunung Mulu National Park, Limbang, Labuan Island, Kota Kinabalu Age Range 15 to 99 year olds Operator Intrepid Travel Best of Borneo (from Kuching to Sepilok)
7 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“I have always had experiences that I would not have had without the knowledge and support of the Intrpid guides.”
Borneo's remarkable wildlife ranges from orangutans at Sepilok to proboscis monkeys in Bako. Take dawn cruises along Kinabatangan River spotting pygmy elephants, visit the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Center, and witness turtle nesting. Night walks and wilderness lodges complete the adventure.
No departure dates availableDuration 20 days Destinations Kuching, Bako National Park, Gunung Mulu National Park, Limbang, Labuan Island, Kota Kinabalu, Mount Kinabalu National Park, Poring, Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary, SandakanSee all destinations Age Range 15 to 99 year olds Operator Intrepid Travel
What people love about Wildlife Tours in Borneo
- Real Borneo (6 destinations)
This trip was so much fun! It was really well coordinated with the right amount of free time. The first hotel in kota kinabalu is extremely nice but there are heaps of other cheaper hotels quite close if you're staying an extra day. If you want to see the city, stay an extra day or two as you don't get much time included in the tour. 1-2 days in KK would be enough as it's pretty small. Sepilok is really cool and there are heaps of things to do, however a lot of them are guided tours and they cost quite a bit. If you're trying to save, you could just opt to stay at the hotel as it has a pool and a restaurant. Wifi is only in the restaurant area and rooms have fans, no air con. Next is the eco camp which is really cool as it's right in the middle of the jungle. There are SO many mosquitos so don't think you can get away without repellant. Bring snacks as there's no where to get food outside of meal times. You'll probably also want lots of loose, long clothes to avoid sunburn. The tree planting you do here was pretty average but I guess cool to see. At lunch we got to do a cooking class which was pretty cool. The Batu Tulug caves were nice and worth a visit. The homestay depends a lot on your family but it's great to see how locals live. There's no wifi here or on the river at the eco camp, so if you need to check more than once every couple of days, get a local sim (they're pretty cheap anyway). Next you stay in the Kinabalu national park, which was bloody great for us because we got upgraded to this really fancy room. Once again there's no wifi and you have to buy something at a really expensive restaurant to use it. Food is all buffet here which is really fun. The hike was awesome and you can read reviews on it elsewhere, but some things specific to geckos might put some people off this tour. Firstly, we had some people on our group who had chronic medical conditions such as asthma. They were only told the day before the climb that they wouldn't be covered by insurance and if they wanted to climb it would be at their own risk. If you have something like this, it would be worth getting more comprehensive insurance and clarifying what this means for you with geckos before you go, as only learning about this the day before doesn't allow much time for decision making. Secondly, our group leader decided that we wouldn't go all the way to the summit as the weather was really bad. This was fine as we still got to base camp and got to do another smaller walk, and it's totally understandable of our group leader to put our safety first. However, a lot of other people went to the summit regardless (ie people not on our tour) and so if you're really really keen to get to the top, there's a risk you won't be able to with this tour. The poring hot springs were awesome as there are heaps of things to do there, but mostly the beds are comfortable which you'll need after the hike! The small waterfall (you'll find out when you get there) is awesome and definitely worth the 15 minute walk. The hot springs themselves are sort of gross, especially at the end of the day, as they get sort of dirty and you can see hair in them! So it's worth getting a private spa. There's also no wifi here but local cafes (ie across the road from the resort) have it. It's best to eat there too as the restaurant at the resort is really expensive. On the last day we didn't get back to KK until about 5pm and our guide organised a snorkelling trip for those of us who were still there for the next day which was really really good. Our tour guide, Felix, was absolutely awesome and was so passionate about Sabah and wildlife. This tour is a really comprehensive tour of Sabah and you get to see so much. It may seem expensive per day but we had a lot of transfers (including a flight) and got to climb Mt Kinabalu, and some of the hotels were a lot nicer than expected. One thing to keep in mind is that Malaysia is a Muslim country and for us they were celebrating ramadan at the time. This meant that a few restaurants were closed but we always found somewhere to go. We also got to experience the ramadan bazaars which were really cool! However it would have been marginally easier to go at a different time of year. This is also a great introduction into hiking and wildlife types of holidays if you haven't done that before. Sabah is a great place to travel and this tour makes it really easy and shows you the best bits.
- Classic Borneo (including Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary)
This trip was everything we expected and then some. Our guide was knowledgeable and very happy to share his extensive knowledge with us - especially about the flora and fauna. Accommodation was better than we anticipated and all the places we stayed were comfortable. We saw some beautiful countryside and lots of amazing animals. Would go again in a heartbeat.
- Borneo – East Sabah Adventure
On the 2. day of transportation from Kota Belud to Sungai Kinabatangen it was a 6 to 7 hour transport in a minibus. Roads are not the most smooth in the world. That is how it is, but it was no pleasure to be seaated on the last row in the bus. It would have been nice to be in a more compfortable verichle for this log trip
What our customers ask about Wildlife Tours & Trips in Borneo
When is the best time to go on a Wildlife tour in Borneo?
The dry season from March to October offers prime wildlife viewing in Borneo especially in the Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary and Danum Valley. Morning river safaris in Kinabatangan provide clear views of orangutans proboscis monkeys and pygmy elephants. A recent visitor at the Kinabatangan River Lodge shared their experience of "waking to the distant calls of gibbons and hornbills" which showcases the rich wildlife activity during these months.
What are the must-see wildlife highlights during a tour in Borneo?
Borneo's wildlife circuit centers around key locations. The Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre and Sun Bear Conservation Centre let visitors observe rescued animals up close. The Kinabatangan River system hosts 10 primate species including proboscis monkeys wild orangutans and pygmy elephants plus more than 200 bird species. A visitor recently shared: "Rounding a bend in the Kinabatangan river to come across a whole herd of pygmy elephants including mothers with their calves and all within a few feet from our boats was simply unforgettable."
What type of accommodation can I expect on a Wildlife tour in Borneo?
Lodging options range from standard hotels to riverside lodges and eco-resorts. The Bilit Adventure Lodge near Kinabatangan River provides air-conditioned rooms with private bathrooms right by the water. Near the orangutan sanctuary the Sepilok Jungle Resort offers convenient rooms just 5 minutes away. A recent guest noted: "The jungle lodges were surprisingly comfortable while still maintaining an authentic rainforest experience with the sounds of wildlife all around."
How many days should I plan for a comprehensive Wildlife tour in Borneo?
A thorough wildlife experience needs 10-15 days to explore the main sanctuaries and reserves. The Classic Borneo tour runs 10 days through Sepilok Kinabatangan and nearby areas. The Best of Borneo extends to 20 days for deeper exploration. A recent visitor observed: "The 15-day Wildlife Discoverer tour gave us enough time to really experience the diversity of Borneo's wildlife."