Borneo Explorer

8 days from £934 (was ~~£1,099~~)

Drone view of a boat travelling down the Kinabatangan River.

Overhead view of a boat travelling down the Kinabatangan river.

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Trip Photos

Baby turtles walking into the ocean of Libaran Island.

Women looking out at the temple in Kota Kinabalu.

Local couple posing with their arms out in traditional Malaysian clothes.

A young orangutan swinging through the jungle in Malaysia.

The wildlife in the trees along the side of the Kinabatangan river.

Landscape view of the Kinabalu Mountain at sunrise.

Immerse yourself in one of the most unique ecosystems on Earth

Mother Nature really outdid herself with Borneo. With mist shrouded mountains, sugar-white beaches, and lush equatorial rainforest, it’s as close to paradise as it gets. Add to that the most astonishing array of wildlife, and a rich cultural heritage, and you’ve got a dream travel destination on your hands. This group adventure takes you through the highlights of East Sabah, a compact treasure trove of a region that showcases Borneo’s raw beauty and biodiversity to perfection. Meet the majestic orangutans in Sepilok, go crocodile spotting at sunset on Kinabatangan River, stay with a local family in rural Sabah, see pygmy elephants on a wildlife walk, and watch baby turtles hatching on the shores of Libaran Island.

Highlights include

Sepilok Orangutan Centre

Traditional village homestay

Sea turtle hatchery

Sun Bear Centre

Sunset river safari

Guided wildlife trek

Local farm visits

Cooking class

Libaran Island

Internal flight

Jungle lodge stay

Itinerary

Boats coming into dock at sunset in Kota Kinabalu.

Day 1: Kota Kinabalu

Feel the rush of warm tropical air as you get off the plane in Kota Kinabalu. Make your way through streets lined with everything from gleaming malls and high-end condos to traditional wet markets and street food stalls. Meet your group at the hotel and head out for your first dinner in Borneo.

Farmer carrying crops over their head through the field.

Day 2: Tambatuon Homestay

Travel into rural Borneo to the traditional village of Tambatuon. Visit two local farms and pick fresh vegetables from the fields. Back at the village, you'll cook dinner with the villagers using the produce you've picked. Spend the night eating, drinking, and sharing stories with your hosts.

Day 3: Kinabatangan River

Journey to our jungle lodge on the banks of the Kinabatangan River. Deep in the rainforest, with rooms carved from Bornean wood, it's an idyllic base. Take an evening cruise on the muddy river, looking for monkeys, birds, and crocs with an expert boatman, before an optional jungle night walk.

Boat travelling down the Kinabatangan river.

Day 4: River Safari

Wake up to the sounds of the jungle and head out for a morning river safari looking for proboscis monkeys, pygmy elephants, gibbons and more. Then take a guided trek through lush forest to a local lake to look for more wildlife. Round off with a second river cruise before dinner back at the lodge.

Two orangutans swimming on ropes in a sanctuary.

Day 5: Orangutans & Bears

Travel to Sepilok. Set within dense rainforest teeming with wildlife, it's the ideal place to see the wonders of Borneo's ecosystem. Watch the island's most charismatic primates feeding and roaming at the Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre and meet the world's smallest bear at the Sun Bear Centre.

Day 6: Turtle Experience

Transfer to Sandakan and take the boat to Libaran Island, a tranquil paradise, and nesting ground for thousands of sea turtles. Take a guided tour of the hatchery where at certain times of year you may see turtles being released. Then visit a local village to see handicrafts and fishing nets being made.

The Kota Kinabalu mosque on a sunny day.

Day 7: Flight to Kota Kinabalu

Head to the jetty after breakfast for a ferry to Sandakan before a flight back to Kota Kinabalu. You'll have a free afternoon to explore the city before a final dinner and drinks with the group.

The sun setting over Kota Kinabalu skyline.

Day 8: Trip End

After a last breakfast, it's time to pack your things and say your goodbyes. See you again soon!

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Accommodation & Meals

Accommodation

We’ve handpicked a selection of unique accommodation for this trip. You’ll spend two nights in a modern hotel in Kota Kinabalu, one night in a beautiful homestay in Kota Belud, two nights in an eco-resort nestled on the banks of the Kinabatangan River, one night in a jungle lodge with a pool, deep in virgin rainforest, and a night glamping on Libaran Island. Rooms are on a twin or double basis, apart from the night in the homestay which is multi-share.

The above information is only intended to be used as a guide, giving you a flavour of some of our accommodation providers, and the style of accommodation you may be staying in. Please note that all nights are subject to change.

Lots of our travellers are solo travellers, so when you book with us, we’ll pair you up with a like-minded roommate of the same sex. Our trips are great for couples or friends as well - just let us know you’re together, so we can be sure to put you in the same room.

Meals

7 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 4 dinners are included on this trip. The rest of the time you’ll have the freedom to eat wherever and whenever you like.

Borneo’s cuisine draws from the island’s abundant natural resources, indigenous traditions, and migrant influences. The result is a mouth-watering variety of dishes and flavours that are sure to get your taste buds tingling. Fragrant laksa (spicy coconut milk broth with rice noodles) can be found on every menu from Sabah to Sarawak, nasi lemak (rice served with peanuts, eggs, anchovies, and sambal) is a street market classic, and sago worms (palm weevil larvae) make an interesting protein source for more adventurous eaters!

Dates & Prices

Flights

To get a flight quote use the buttons below or call our fantastic flights team on 01892 277037.

Extra information

The trip begins and ends in Kota Kinabalu. You’ll need to fly into Kota Kinabalu Airport (BKI) and to make your way to our starting accommodation. You can book a transfer through your travel advisor or pick up a taxi on arrival. Journey time is around 15 minutes depending on traffic. A welcome note will be left for you in reception with details of the welcome meeting (usually between 5pm and 7pm).

On the last day of the tour, you can leave any time after breakfast. Your tour guide can help with booking return airport transfers.

This is an open-aged trip, designed for travellers of any age with an enjoyment of adventure. You'll have the opportunity to meet people who are outside your own age group, and from different walks of life, adding depth and diversity to your travel experience.

The maximum group size is 15.