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Orangutan in the Borneo jungle top travel experience

Best Things to Do in Borneo

Iconic Attractions & Hidden Gem Travel Experiences

Borneo

The world’s third largest island, Borneo harbors half of the world’s known animal and plant species in its abundant rainforests, on its mountains and along its beach-rich shorelines Split among East Malaysia, Indonesia and the country of Brunei, Borneo is home to orangutans, tropical birds, pygmy elephants, sea turtles, and an abundance of flowering vegetation. Mt. Kinabula, the island’s highest peak and popular with climbers, is in East Malaysia’s Sabah province.

Top Borneo Experiences

The delight in seeing baby sea turtles make their way to the ocean at Turtle Island Marine Park.

The pride in reaching the summit of Mount Kinabalu.

The feeling of awe, inspired by the architecture of the Kota Kinabalu City Mosque.

The surprise of coming face-to-face with tropical fish in the waters near Sipadan Island.

The joy in catching a glimpse of the rare pygmy elephant on the shores of the Kinabatangan River.

The excitement in seeing orangutan families make their homes at the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre.

The exhilaration of zip-lining between islands at Tunku Abdul Rahman Park.

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Things to do in Borneo - Expert’s guide

1. Kinabalu National Park

Arguably the most famous location in Borneo, Kinabalu National Park boasts more than its status as the first UNESCO World Heritage Site in Malaysia.

Home to various rare plants, such as carnivorous pitcher plants and corpse-flowers, Kinabalu Park also hosts the mountain for which it is named. Standing at 4095.2 meters (13435.7 feet), Mount Kinabalu is the highest peak in Malaysia. When travelers are not climbing its summit, they can visit the refreshing waters of Poring Hot Springs, located conveniently near the mountainside. 

2. Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre

Located in Sabah, Malaysia, the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre protects between 60 and 80 orangutan families. At the same time as they make their homes in the surrounding rainforest, the orangutans are observed by researchers and travelers alike.

From convenient walkways, travelers may (safely) view the orangutans in their natural habitats and know that they are contributing to their continued existence in a peaceful environment. If they are lucky, travelers may also see pygmy elephants being housed at the sanctuary, an event that is rare to occur anywhere beyond shorelines.

3. Kota Kinabalu City Mosque

The Kota Kinabalu City Mosque is a spectacular architectural marvel located in the Sabah region of Malaysia. With space to accommodate between 9,000 and 12,000 people, it is no surprise that the landmark is frequented by other individuals besides worshipers.

Built to float atop the lagoon it is located on, the image of the Kota Kinabalu City Mosque that is reflected in the surrounding water makes for iconic photo opportunities. Access to the site is free after registration with Kota Kinabalu City Mosque Tourism Management.

4. Sipadan Island

Near Sabah, Malaysia, Sipadan Island is a hidden gem for travelers looking for aquatic

Adventures. As it is the only oceanic island in Malaysia, it is a prime habitat for sea creatures of all sizes that nestle among the nearby coral reef. This reef, while smaller in comparison with other tropical reefs, makes up for its size difference by hosting a large sea-turtle population. Book your tours to Sipadan Island in advance, as the spot is a popular one and only a few diving permits are handed out per day!

5. Tunku Abdul Rahman Park

Tunku Abdul Rahman Park is a Malaysian national park that is unique for more than its ideal location off the coast of Sabah. Instead of being built on one, contiguous area of land, Tunku Abdul Rahman Park is actually comprised of five different islands: Pulau Gaya, Pulau Sapi, Pulau Manukan, Pulau Mamutik and Pulau Sulug.

Since each of these islands is beautiful in their own rights, many guided tours of Borneo include them all. To facilitate this, there are a handful of resorts in the park and even an above-water zipline that extends between Pulau Gaya and Pulau Sapi islands.

6. Gunung Mulu National Park

While the karst topography that Gunung Mulu National Park is known for attracts researchers, it also brings a significant number of tourists. The heavy limestone deposits in the area have made for astounding valleys, caves, and sinkholes that travelers may safely explore on guided tours in Borneo.

Below ground, the Sarawak Chamber is the world’s largest cave chamber. Swiftlets and bats make their homes in its stony ceilings. Beyond the caves are some 3,500 different plant species and Gunung Mulu, a 2,377 meter (7,799 foot) sandstone pinnacle that overlooks the entire park.

7. Turtle Island Marine Park

Much like its counterpart, Tunku Abdul Rahman Park, Turtle Island Marine Park is not made of one island, but three. Selingan, Bakungan Kecil and Gulisaan are all a part of Malaysia’s portion of Turtle Island Marine Park, with another 10 islands being a part of the Phillipines.

Despite geographic differences, the two countries work together to protect the various species of wild sea-turtles that come to lay their eggs on the islands. In order to maintain this protection, Selingan (affectionately called “Turtle Island”) is the only one of the three that visitors can actually step foot on in order to watch the turtles hatch and make their way to the ocean.

8. Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary

Where Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre oversees the protection of orangutan families, the Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary watches over Proboscis monkeys. Located in dense mangrove forests near the coastline of Sabah, Malaysia,  the Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary is home to hundreds of the species that are its namesake.

Native to Borneo, Proboscis monkeys may be viewed by travelers in their natural existence from different tree-top platforms. For those who cannot get enough of the monkeys in one day, lodging accommodations are available at the sanctuary.

9. Kinabatangan River

A critical river that flows through Malaysia, the Kinabatangan River not only sustains the local populations of people that make their homes on its banks, but also the rare animals and plants. Travelers on guided cruises in Borneo will find themselves immersed in warm weather that is supplemented with the various calls of tropical birds.

Common sights along the way include pygmy elephants, Proboscis monkeys, orangutans, and crocodiles. Travelers can count themselves lucky if they also encounter rare monitor lizards, jaguars, and hornbills. 

10. Kuching

A charming, contemporary city with coastal views and nearby rainforests is hard to find, yet Kuching fits the bill. More than its colorful architecture and friendly citizens is its affinity for cats.

Known internationally as “the city of cats” (“kuching” is the Malay word for “cat), the city rivals Ancient Egypt in its treatment of felines. Travelers will notice cat-themed art, museums, and stores that all attest to the fact that Kuching is unlike any other city in the world.

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Borneo Tours Reviews & Ratings

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Robert
·
2019-08-31
Written on
Kalimantan Adventure by Explore!
A fascinating trip
A fascinating trip to a relatively little visited part of Asia with the bonus of seeing orang-utans in the wild
Show more
Robert
·
2019-08-31
Written on
Kalimantan Adventure by Explore!
A fascinating trip to a relatively little
A fascinating trip to a relatively little visited part of Asia with the bonus of seeing orang-utans in the wild
Show more
Anonymous
·
2018-10-22
Provided by Exodus Travels
Borneo Wildlife Family Holiday by Exodus Travels
feedback
Good main guides who knew their stuff. Reasonable accommodation.
See all types of monkeys and animals in the wild/boat trips


Group leaders both were excellent and went out of their way to help and
support and organised everything even when not part of inclusive package -
both brilliant.


Don't expect nice hot showers anywhere until KL


No real need for separate guide in KL on food tour and especially not two of
them, the girl did nothing really.
You arrive at Tea place after long drive, you then drive 45 min to national
park, for 30 min walk around garden and then 30 min walk in jungle. Drive
back another 45 min.
Next day do tea tasting, factory tour and then drive to KL, on the way you
pass the park - this is silly. Do the tea tasting and factory tour when
arrive at Long House, then on way to KL do park. Saves 1.5 hrs in transport
on previous day.
We had big bus for part, then small busses for rest. For long runs e.g. from
Tea house other group had a big bus, suggest use big busses far more
comfortable and keeps group together when 15 small buses not that
comfortable.
Frangipani hotel is nice but tired, you suggest it as an alternative and thus
imply recommendation of it. I would be careful of that as whilst it was okay
fans in restaurant did not work, no net out for safe swimming area, tiles
missing in swimming pool, fountain not working in pool etc just felt
tired/tatty.
In Malaysia Jeremy even on non inclusive nights organised things - GREAT,
worked really well but noticed we all had a beer, he had a juice when offered
he had a beer. Implies to me they are not given an allowance to have a beer
with us, sorry give them a kitty to spend on drink so they can enjoy a drink
with the rest of us. At 2.5k x 15 there is enough margin there to give him
£100 for drinks with us.
Maybe i did not read carefully enough, but certainly I did not realise the
number and thus added total cost of optional extras. I think a good summary
per day could be produced of optional extras and their cost so that if you do
everything, and most people did then you can see what the total extra amount
of money is you will need.
I missed the advice if it was there to bring binos, really feel to get the
best out of this trip you need binos if you are interested in wildlife.


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Anonymous
·
2018-10-22
Provided by Exodus Travels
Borneo Wildlife Family Holiday by Exodus Travels
Fun trip to Malaysia
Our family thoroughly enjoyed this varied trip. The first week in Borneo was
great for seeing wildlife. We were lucky to watch a herd of pygmy elephants
on and in the river and a wild orangutan make his nest for the night. The
cities were fun and the food was good. The food tour of KL was particularly
good. Relaxing by the pool and beach at the end was a a good way to finish
Seeing wild orangutans


Both were excellent. They were fun, organised and knowlegable. Jeremy seemed
to have boundless energy and took us to so many different types of
restaurants for evening meals.


Wear a jumper and trousers for the train, it's cold. Try not to take too much
luggage - with a ferry, a train, a plane and lots of minibuses, you have to
move your bag a lot. Most of the time we all wore shorts. You will need long
trousers or smarter wear for the roof top cocktail bars. In religious places
any extra clothing was provided. Take binoculars for the wildlife. Extra
layer at night needed in longhouse, it was colder at night than anywhere else
and only a small cotton cover provided. Take an umbrella for downpours in
cities. If you like to make drinks in your room all places had a kettle but
not all provided tea bags/ coffee. Insect repellent is required but insects
are not as bad as other places we have been. Do take up the offer of wellies
and leech socks in the rainforest, leeches did try to get us!


Great trip and we enjoyed it, just a couple of niggles- some of the trip note
travelling times are quite inaccurate. Minibuses in West Malaysia cramped and
difficult to see out of.


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Anonymous
·
2018-10-22
Provided by Exodus Travels
Borneo Wildlife Family Holiday by Exodus Travels
A bit of everything
This is a trip of two halves - the first week the focus on the flora and
fauna of Borneo and the second week the multicultural nature of Malaysia in
the cities on the Peninsula. I enjoyed the variety of the trip and also the
chance to try out the different types of Malaysian cuisine.
In Borneo, seeing an orangutan in the wild and a heard of Pigmy elephants
from a boat on the Kinabatangan River. We had seen a number of the animals
in the sanctuary's and rehab centre in Sepilok but very special to see them
in their own habitat.
On the Peninsula I really enjoyed exploring Malacca and all the steet art and
the food tour in KL was great fun


We had two group leaders, one for Borneo and one for the Peninsula, Johmin
(J) and Jeremy respectively. Both were well organised and easy to get along
with and had good knowledge of their country as well as a good senses of
humour. This is the first time on a trip I have had 2 tour leaders but due
to the varied nature of the trip it worked very well in this case


I would recommend taking a sheet sleeping bag and lots of deet for the
longhouse as the blankets provided are very short. I took mine and felt
quite cosy and protected from the bugs!
take binoculars for the wild life - monkeys climb quite high up trees!
take light comfortable clothing for the humid weather


Show more
Anonymous
·
2018-10-22
Provided by Exodus Travels
Borneo Wildlife Family Holiday by Exodus Travels
2 holidays in one
A great holiday or rather two in one. The first week was getting close to
nature - basic accommodation but that's what you need if you want wildlife on
your doorstep. The second week was a good mix of different cities.
Seeing truly wild Orangutan that had never been in in a sanctuary as we
cruised from out river lodge.


Best ever - great sense of humour, totally committed to making our holiday
truly memorable.


Think twice before you sign up - we loved it but one of our trip didn't like
the idea of bugs and "roughing it" in slightly lower standard accommodation
near the nature parks. If you want to get close to nature expect nature to
get close to you!


One change I would make to the itinerary - our free half day in KL was a
Monday which is the day most museums close. Perhaps change the itinerary
slightly and have the free time on Sunday afternoon.


Show more

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