Destination
Borneo – Tours
Tours in Borneo
Welcome to Borneo, home to some of the world’s oldest rainforests, astounding wildlife, historic fortresses and blissful beaches whose waters teem with exotic marine life.
Wildlife lovers will be in their element on our four-day Sabah Wildlife Adventure tour. Beginning with a visit to the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, you’ll get to observe the morning feeding of these fascinating creatures, learning of the centre’s inspiring conservation efforts as the orphaned orangutans are slowly nursed back to health and reintroduced to their natural habitat. Embark on a relaxing wildlife cruise along the Kinabatangan River, as you spot crocodiles, macaques, proboscis monkeys and even elephants as they take mud baths in the shallows.
Glide along the Kelenanap Oxbox Lake, listening out for the whistles of black-breasted fruithunters and the chirping songs of crimson-headed partridges. Trek through the Sandakan rainforests, keeping a sharp look-out for the elusive Borneo bay cat, clouded leopards and sunbears – the world’s smallest species of bear. You’ll explore the mysterious Gomantong cave networks, before shopping for local souvenirs at Sandakan’s Central Market – host to a range of t-shirts, handmade jewellery, fresh fruit and vegetables, and food stalls. Sample the local favourite: kueh teow (thin rice noodles topped with deep-fried pork, spring onions and Chinese fritters). Taste the intense flavours of a laksa (a rich and spicy noodle curry soup, consisting of ginger, lime leaves, chilli and garlic).
We also recommend our five-day Borneo Explorer tour, which combines the wildlife adventure of the Sarawak jungles, the golden sands of palm-fringed Damai Beach, and the bustling streets of thriving Kuching. Immerse yourself in the history of Fort Margherita, discover the unusual Kuching Cat Museum, and visit a traditional stilted longhouse.
Borneo Explorer Tour
Guide Price £539 pp
Kuching is the capital of the Malaysian state of Sarawak on the island of Borneo . On this short tour explore the beautiful jungle landscapes with a longboat ride up the Lemanak River and embark on a city tour of...
Escorted tours
Nature of Borneo Tour
Guide Price £599 pp
During this short tour, you will take in some of the key highlights of Sandakan including the world famous Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre. Departing from Kota Kinabalu this is the ideal add-on to your Borneo holiday allowing you to get...
Wildlife holidays
Danum Valley Tour
Guide Price £949 pp
Spend a couple of days immersing yourself in the Borneo rainforest with canopy walks, nature trails and the chance to spot its famous orangutan residents.
Escorted tours
Sabah Wildlife Adventure Tour
Guide Price £489 pp
This three night tour is perfect for nature lovers. Begin with a visit to the world famous Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre where orphaned and injured orangutans are brought to be rehabilitated and eventually released back into the wild. Afterwards you...
Multi centre holidays
Seven Seas Voyager Asia Cruise
Guide Price £9,869 pp
Start in style with a city stay in Singapore, soak up the amazing city views from the Singapore Flyer or the SkyPark Observation Deck atop the iconic Marina Bay Sands before boarding the Seven Seas Voyager® and embarking on your...
Luxury holidays
Expert Tips
Christie
Destination Executive
“Visiting the bustling Sandakan Central Market provides a contrasting change of scenery to Borneo’s rainforest experiences. There’s a variety of food stalls serving Malay, Chinese and Indonesian food. Sample kolok mee (egg noodles in dark soy sauce, with garlic, pork and barbecued beef), and salted terubok fish and bird’s nest soup, which is a delicacy in Sarawak.”
Nick
Senior Destination Manager
“Be sure you visit the 19th century Fort Margherita to discover its influence upon Borneo’s extraordinary history, while also enjoying breath-taking views of the Sarawak River.”
Martyn
Destination Manager
“You’ll want to get your camera exposure settings right when you visit the Gomantong caves. Rays of light burst through the cracks and openings of this intricate network, illuminating unique rock formations and limestone stalactites.”
Frequently Asked Questions
As Borneo is an island shared by three different countries, there are three predominant currencies in use here. These are the Malaysian ringgit, the Bruneian dollar and the Indonesian rupiah. Our tours primarily focus on the Malaysian territories, so you’ll need to convert your cash to the Malaysian ringgit. We recommend you do this prior to your arrival, as airport conversion rates might not be favourable.
Cash machines are widely available in the city of Kuching and other large towns, but as our tours maintain a focus on jungle treks, river cruises and visiting the villages of local tribes, you may find it difficult to locate one. Both US dollars and Euros may be accepted (and even preferred to ringgits) in smaller denominations, but you should not expect this, and we suggest you enquire with vendors as to what currency they would like to be paid in.
The official language of Borneo is Bahasa Malaysia, though numerous Chinese dialects and indigenous languages are also prevalent, with some universities teaching English as a second language here. While visiting Borneo, we suggest bringing along a Malay phrasebook that specialises in Bahasa Malaysian, as this will ease communication with locals.
As with Africa, Borneo has its own Big Five, consisting of the pygmy elephant, the saltwater crocodile, the orangutan, the proboscis monkey and the rhinoceros hornbill. Embark on a trek of the jungles of Sandakan or a cruise along the Kinabatangan River and its tributaries for a chance to get close to these amazing creatures.
Borneo is a feast for the senses, offering lush green forests, shimmering blue waters, plus the addictive soundtrack of jungle activity. Whether you’re an intrepid explorer, an avid foodie, or you’re seeking sunshine and relaxation, a trip to Borneo is an unforgettable adventure.
Why you'll love Borneo...
• Witnessing the conservation programmes that protect orangutans at the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre
• Taking a boat cruise at sunset along the Kinabatangan River
• Encountering Borneo’s Big Five as you hike through the Sandakan rainforests
• Wandering through the bustling streets of the ancient trading post, Kuching
• Shopping for hand-crafted souvenirs at the Sandakan Central Market
• Exploring the expansive cave networks of Gomantong
• Cooling down with a delicious ais kacang dessert (a bowl of assorted jelly, ice cream, fruit, tapioca pearls and ice)
• Visiting a traditional Malay longhouse
• Admiring the majestic architecture of Puu Jih Syh Temple
Did you know?
• The city of Kuching is often referred to as Cat City, a nickname given in association with its feline attractions dotted around the city, including its Cat Museum.
• The Niah Caves in Sarawak are home to hundreds of cave paintings and fossils dating 40,000 years back to the Pleistocene Era.
• Borneo’s rainforests are said to be over 130 million years old.
