When to go
March and April, and July and August
Price
From £3,179 pp (including flights)
Flight time
14hrs 28mins
Introduction
Featuring ancient rainforests, primate species like orang-outans and probiscis monkeys, and relaxing hot springs, Borneo is the ultimate paradise for nature and wildlife lovers wanting to experience Southeast Asia. Starting in Kota Kinabalu, you’ll hike through a rubber and fruit plantation, spend the night in a traditional tea garden, and visit the Sepilok Orangutan sanctuary, which has monkeys that are endemic to Borneo.
At a Glance
Duration
13 days & 12 nights
Guide price
Group: £3,179pp (including flights)
Cities/Destinations (in order)
Kota Kinabalu – Tanak Nabulu Village – Kanabalu Park – Sabah Tea Gardens – Poring Hot Springs – Tea Factory – Kinabatangan – Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary – Kota Kinabalu – Manukan Island – Tunku Andul Marine Park – Kota Kanabalu
Tour Type
Experienced local tour manager and guided sightseeing
Tour Theme
Group Tour
Activity Level
3 out of 7 - Moderate
Age Range
9+
Star Rating of Tour
Superior
Accommodation
Dreamtel Hotel | Tanak Nabulu Homestay | Zen Garden Resort | Sabah Tea Longhouse | Bilit Adventure Lodge | Sepilok Jungle Resort | Manukan Island Resort | Dreamtel Hotel
Board Basis
Varied - please see the sample itinerary for details
Min|Max Group Size
Average 7 people with a maximum of 16
Start/Finish
Kota Kinabalu – Kota Kinabalu
Highlights
Stay at a Kinabatangan Jungle Lodge
While visiting the Kinabatangan River, you’ll stay in one of the many adventure lodges. The most popular is the Bilit Adventure Lodge, which has 2 queen-size beds in each room and is situated on the riverbank. You’ll also be closely situated near jungle walk routes and wildlife river cruises.
Visit the Kota Kinabalu National Park
Established in 1964, Kota Kinabalu National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site and covers about 754 square kilometers. The main highlight of the park is Mount Kinabalu, which has the tallest peak between New Guinea and the Himalayas. There is also a diverse range of plant species and wildlife, with 711 species of orchids and more than 1,000 moth varieties.
Visit the Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary
In 1963, the Forest Department of Sabah established a Game Branch, with the aim of conserving wild animals in the region. This led to the establishment of the Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary, a center dedicated to the rehabilitation of orangutans. While visiting Borneo, you will learn about the sanctuary, which provides medical care and support to orphaned and confiscated orangutans as well as other wildlife.
Recommended Hotels
Dreamtel Hotel | Tanak Nabalu Homestay | Zen Garden Resort | Sabah Tea Longhouse | Bilit Adventure Lodge | Sepilok Jungle Resort | Manukan Island Resort | Dreamtel Hotel
Sample Itinerary
Family Wildlife Holiday in Borneo
Take your family on a memorable journey to Borneo. During this 13-day sample itinerary, you’ll get up close and personal with orangutans, go snorkeling among the tropical fish and turtles, and unwind in a hot spring with cool pools and hot tubs. If you’ve ever wanted to visit Southeast Asia, or find another excuse to return, then this is the perfect trip for you.
Day 1: London
Begin your flight from London to Kota Kinabalu.
(N)
Day 2: Kota Kinabalu
Arrive in Kota Kinabalu and transfer to your hotel. Meet your fellow travelers and enjoy a day of free leisure in the town.
There are many optional activities on offer. You can visit the Mari Mari Cultural village, an open-air museum where you’ll learn about Borneo culture, and the Sabah State Museum, which houses varies galleries, ceramics, and other artworks by the indigenous people of Sabah.
In the evening, greet your tour leader and participate in a welcome meeting.
Stay overnight at Dreamtel Hotel or similar.
(N)
Day 3: Rubber and Fruit Plantation – Tanak Nabulu Village
Leave Kota Kinabalu and make your way to Mt. Kinabalu, which’ll take about 2.5 hours.
Arrive in Tanak Nabalu. Then spend most of the day hiking through the rubber plantations and orchards. You can also swim in a nearby river, wander through the feeling, and – if desired – play a game of local football.
In the evening, watch a live performance of traditional dances performed by the Dusan people.
Stay overnight at a Tanak Nabulu Homestay
(B, L, D)
Day 4: Kinabalu Park
In the morning, head to Mini Mount Kinabalu, a small rock formation that mimics the appearance of the actual Mt. Kinabalu. From there, proceed to Kinabalu National Park, and then go on a 1–2-hour hike through the Mountain Botanical Gardens.
There is an optional visit to the Kundasang War Memorial. Here you’ll learn about the Australian and British Prisoners of War (PoW) who died during the death marches to Ranau in World War II. The memorial also pays tribute to the North Bornean people who risked their lives to help the PoWs.
Stay overnight at the
(B, D)
Day 5: Sabah Tea Gardens – Poring Hot Springs
In the morning, drive to the Poring Hot Spring to relax in a hot tub or cool pool, and then follow one of the walking trails to a nearby waterfall. If the public baths are too busy, then you can pay extra (in local currency) for a private bath.
From there, go on a canopy walkway, walking across several suspension bridges hanging from trees.
Lastly, head to the Sabah Tea Gardens. Stay overnight at the Sabah Tea Longhouse.
(B)
Days 6 – 7: Tea Factory – Kinabatangan
In the early morning, walk to the tea plantation and learn about local tea production. Then go for a long drive (5-6 hours) to Kinabatangan.
Reach the Kinbabatangan River, the longest in Sabah, and enjoy wildlife viewing in the lower reaches. Here you may encounter orangutans, hornbills, crocodiles, and even Pygmy elephants.
On the second day, explore the jungle and surrounding region. You’ll go on river cruises, hike through the jungle, walk at night, and even plant trees.
Spend 2 nights at the Bilit Adventure Lodge or similar.
(B, L)
Days 8 – 9: Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary – Rainforest Discovery Center and Sun Bear Sanctuary (Optional)
Spend the next 2 days exploring Sepilok.
On the first day, go on a 3-4-hour drive to the Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary and Labuk Bay. At the sanctuary, you’ll encounter monkeys that are endemic to Borneo.
Upon reaching the Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary, learn about the history of the sanctuary, and the more than 50 years the team has spent protecting orphaned and confiscated orangutans. You can also witness 2 separate feeding sessions on the same day.
There is also an optional trip to the Borneo Sun Bear Conservation Center. The center helps preserve the once-flourishing Sun Bears from extinction through rehabilitation and re-releasing into the wild.
Another optional location is the Rainforest Discovery Center. Here you’ll learn about the importance of forest conservation and how to use forest resources in a more sustainable way.
Spend 2 nights at the Sepilok Jungle Resort or similar.
(B)
Day 10: Kota Kinabalu – Manukan Island
Go to Sandakan Airport and fly back to Kota Kinabalu. There is a checked baggage weight restriction of 15kg but you can pay for excess baggage if required.
Arrive in Kota Kinabalu. Then take a boat to Manukan Island. The island is popular for its long stretches of white beaches and snorkeling spots. There is also plenty of shade on the beaches, so it’s easy to cool off after baking in the hot sun.
Enjoy free leisure for both days.
Spend the next 2 nights at Manukan Island Resort or similar.
(B)
Day 11: Tunku Abdul Marine Park
Today, go to Tunku Abdul Marine Park and snorkel in the coral reefs among the fish.
(B, L)
Day 12: Kota Kinabalu
Enjoy free leisure in the morning and return to Kota Kinabalu. If you plan on catching an evening flight to Kuala Lumpur, then your journey will end here. Otherwise, spend one last night in Kota Kinabalu.
Stay overnight at the Dreamtel Hotel or similar.
(B)
Day 13: London
Fly back to London.
(B)
