0%
Baby Orangutan swinging in the jungle, Borneo, Malaysia

Borneo Holidays


asia
Borneo holidays offer incredible wildlife, lush tropical rainforests, beautiful beaches and a rich cultural heritage.

Journey deep into Borneo's jungle and cruise along the Kinabatangan River in search of pygmy elephants, Sumatran rhinos, proboscis monkeys and colourful birdlife or visit the renowned Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre to observe these adorable primates up close.

Aside from wildlife, Borneo boasts stunning scenery across its national parks, intriguing culture with indigenous local tribes and charming historic cities. If you’re looking to get stuck into a real outdoors adventure, Mount Kinabalu National Park offers a host of scenic walking trails and the chance to scale Malaysia’s highest peak! After all that excitement head to the beautiful unspoilt beaches and fabulous luxury resorts along the northern coast, ideal for complete rest and relaxation at the end of your Borneo holiday.

Trailfinders offers a range of Borneo holidays and we have a dedicated team of destination specialists who are a mine of information about what to do here, often with first-hand travel experience. Whether you want to explore Borneo with your own private guide and driver, on a sociable small group tour, as an exciting multi centre holiday or a luxury beach break – they are the perfect people to ask.
Speak to a Borneo Holidays Expert
01 881 4977
Expert Travel Consultants

Order your Asia brochure

order a brochure
3

Sorry no address found, click here to enter manually

newsletter signup TF's Bulletin

Sign up for TF's Special Offers & Travel Articles

HOW TO GET AROUND BORNEO

With lush tropical jungles, spectacular wildlife and historic cities, Borneo is the perfect destination to be explored by private tour. Follow one of our classic itineraries or ask our expert travel consultants to tailormake your perfect Borneo holiday.

Alternatively, why not join a sociable guided group tour or slow the pace and enjoy a relaxing beach holiday at a luxury resort. It's also easy to combine a trip to Borneo with a stay in vibrant Kuala Lumpur on the Malaysian Peninsula to create an exciting multi centre holiday.

OUR HOLIDAYS TO BORNEO

Nobody offers more ways to explore Borneo than Trailfinders.

Here's a snapshot of some of our most popular Borneo holidays. If you don’t see what you’re looking for, click on the link below them to see our complete range of holidays and tours in the destination.
Sabah Nature Trails
Borneo
Private Tour
5 days / 4 nights

Explore the wildlife packed waterways of the Kinabatangan River before enjoying the beautiful scenery of Kinabalu National Park on this fantastic private tour of Sabah’s highlights.

Guide Price: €1,705 pp

Guide Price: £1,445 pp

VIEW MORE ❯
Journey Through Sarawak
Borneo
Private Tour
7 days / 6 nights

See the orangutans at Semenggoh before heading deep into the jungle to learn about life in a traditional Iban longhouse on this fascinating private tour.

Guide Price: €1,465 pp

Guide Price: £1,235 pp

VIEW MORE ❯
Marvels of Malaysia
Malaysia
Multi Centre Holiday
14 days / 13 nights

Experience the bright lights of Kuala Lumpur and the fascinating diverse culture in this dynamic capital city.

Guide Price: €2,249 pp

Guide Price: £1,929 pp

VIEW MORE ❯
Sabah Wildlife Discovery
Borneo
Private Tour
9 days / 8 nights

Discover Sabah’s wonderful wildlife and natural beauty by visiting all three of the state’s most important wildlife reserves.

Guide Price: €3,925 pp

Guide Price: £3,325 pp

VIEW MORE ❯
Highlights of Borneo
Borneo
Multi Centre Holiday
13 days / 12 nights

This in depth tour showcases the very best of Borneo’s incredible wildlife and culture.

Guide Price: €3,215 pp

Guide Price: £2,569 pp

VIEW MORE ❯
Climbing Mount Kinabalu
Borneo
Group
3 days / 2 nights

Two days of challenging trekking brings you to the summit of Borneo’s highest peak. On clear mornings, the stunning sunrise views will live on in the memory long after the muscle aches have gone!

Guide Price: €1,069 pp

Guide Price: £1,029 pp

VIEW MORE ❯

WHERE TO GO IN BORNEO

Each state of Borneo boasts its own attractions and it’s no exaggeration to say each merits a holiday in its own right. It would be just as easy to spend all your time exploring Sabah’s cities, beaches and hot springs as it would be to discover the history, shophouses and traditional tribes in Sarawak. In both you can admire the fascinating wildlife in one of Borneo's many national parks!

Click on the tiles below the Borneo map for more details on each destination. Alternatively, if you are looking for some inspiration for your Borneo holiday, give us a call and speak to one of our expert travel consultants.
Borneo Holiday Highlights Map
Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
Kota Kinabalu, or ‘KK’ as it is often called, is the capital of the state of Sabah.
Kinabalu National Park, Sabah
With its stunning landscapes, scenic walking trails and exotic tropical gardens, Kinabalu National Park offers a host of natural attractions.
Sandakan, Sabah
Sabah’s second city is home to a bustling harbour, a handful of WWII historical sites and haunting cemeteries.
Kinabatangan River, Sabah
Sabah’s longest river is one of the best places to experience Borneo’s incredible wildlife.
Tabin Wildlife Reserve, Sabah
Covering over 300,000 acres of lowland rainforest in Eastern Sabah, Tabin Wildlife Reserve is home to the endangered Sumatran rhino, pygmy elephants, 9 species of primates and over 220 types of birds.
Danum Valley, Sabah
Located in the southeast of Sabah, the remote and off the beaten track Danum Valley is recognised as one of the world’s most complex eco-systems.
Kuching, Sarawak
Situated on the banks of the Sarawak River, the state’s capital was formerly the seat of power of the famed ‘White Rajahs’ who founded and ruled the Kingdom of Sarawak until 1946.
Batang Ai National Park,Sarawak
110 miles southeast of Kuching, this remote national park is home to a variety of wildlife including hornbills, orangutans and gibbons.
Bako National Park, Sarawak
The oldest of Sarawak’s national parks, and just over 20 miles from Kuching, few places pack so much wildlife into such a small space as Bako National Park.

OUR RECOMMENDED HOTELS IN BORNEO

We feature a great range of accommodation in Borneo, with something to suit all budgets. Maybe you’re looking for a rustic lodge in the heart of the rainforest or a central city hotel with a river view? Or perhaps it’s a luxurious hideaway on the beach or a family friendly resort.

What you won’t find here are thousands of Borneo hotels to wade through. We have done the hard work for you and selected the best places to stay and our travel consultants are on hand to help you plan your Borneo holiday, often with first-hand experience.
Shangri-La Rasa Ria, Kota Kinabalu
5 star

Borneo Beach

This fabulous beachfront resort enjoys a great location overlooking the sweeping white sands of Dalit Bay.
Gaya Island Resort, Pulau Gaya
5 star

Borneo Beach

Set on the tropical island of Pulau Gaya in a protected marine conservation area, this lovely resort offers a rainforest retreat just 15 minutes by speedboat from Kota Kinabalu.
Sukau Rainforest Lodge
3 plus star

Kinabatangan River

This lovely lodge was one of the first ecotourism properties to be built in Borneo and remains one of the best places from which to observe the Kinabatangan River’s abundant wildlife.
Sepilok Nature Lodge
3 star

Sepilok

Situated within lush tropical rainforest and built around a lake, the Sepilok Nature Reserve has a fantastic location, next door to both the Orangutan Sanctuary and Sun Bear Conservation Centre.
Borneo Rainforest Lodge
3 plus star

Danum Valley

Borneo Rainforest Lodge is a must visit, spectacular place for wildlife enthusiasts and avid birdwatchers.
Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge
3 star

Kinabatangan River

Set on the banks of the Kinabatangan River, this lodge is perfectly located for exploring the rich biodiversity of the surrounding jungle.

WHAT TO DO IN BORNEO

As well as awe-inspiring sights, Borneo is also home to unforgettable experiences. These provide an insight into the culture and a unique way to experience the areas natural splendour that sightseeing alone simply can't replace.
1 Night Orangutan & Sun Bear Discovery
2 days / 1 night
  • Watch orangutans enjoy their morning feeding
  • Spend a night at the Sepilok Nature Resort
  • Visit the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre
  • Lookout for the 250 bird species from a canopy walkway
Climbing Mount Kinabalu
3 days / 2 nights
    Conquer Borneo’s highest mountain.

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT BORNEO?

The best time to visit Borneo is generally between March and October when the island is at its driest and nature viewing at its optimum. Although Borneo enjoys a hot tropical year round climate November to February are usually the wettest months where the island sees heavy rainfall, particularly in Sarawak in the south.

See the graphs below or speak to one of our travel consultants for more information.

For more information take a look at our guide to the best time to visit Borneo.

JAN

29
6h  17cm

FEB

30
7h  10cm

MAR

31
8h  10cm

APR

31
8h  15cm

MAY

31
7h  26cm

JUN

31
7h  28cm

JUL

31
7h  25cm

AUG

31
6h  25cm

SEP

31
6h  29cm

OCT

30
6h  32cm

NOV

30
6h  29cm

DEC

30
6h  24cm

JAN

30
4h  70cm

FEB

30
4h  54cm

MAR

31
5h  36cm

APR

32
6h  27cm

MAY

33
6h  24cm

JUN

33
6h  20cm

JUL

32
6h  19cm

AUG

32
6h  22cm

SEP

32
5h  27cm

OCT

32
5h  33cm

NOV

32
5h  36cm

DEC

31
4h  49cm

JAN

29
5h  44cm

FEB

30
6h  28cm

MAR

31
7h  19cm

APR

32
8h  12cm

MAY

32
8h  15cm

JUN

32
7h  19cm

JUL

32
7h  18cm

AUG

32
7h  24cm

SEP

32
6h  23cm

OCT

32
6h  23cm

NOV

31
6h  30cm

DEC

30
5h  44cm

Borneo Top Tips From Our Travel Experts

Abbi Harris - Borneo expert
Abbi Harris

Looking for something active? Climbing Mount Kinabalu isn't easy but watching the sunrise from the top is definitely worth it!

Peter Duckworth - Borneo expert
Peter Duckworth

A cultural melting pot, Sabah's capital Kota Kinabalu boasts a fabulous night market, wonderful waterfront and an endless choice of restaurants

Michelle Tachon - Borneo expert
Michelle Tachon

With their round bellys and long noses, the Proboscis Monkeys stand out from the crowd. A two night lodge stay on the Kinabatangan River is the best way to see these unique primates in the wild.

Borneo Fast Facts

Time Zone: Borneo is 8 hours ahead of GMT and does not observe daylight savings

Flight Time to Borneo: Flight times to Borneo average at between 17 to 19 hours depending on the airline and route

Currency: Malaysian Ringgit (MYR). ATM's are available in towns and cities, and many restaurants and hotels accept credit/debit cards

Tipping: Tipping in Borneo is not expected but is appreciated

Language: Malay is the official language of Borneo. English is also widely spoken

Visa: For stays over 30 days only (Irish passport holders). Visit our visa pages for more information.


Tales from the Trail

Top tips and travel inspiration from the Trailfinders team

Speak to a Travel Expert

We believe booking online is no substitute for one-on-one service. Between them our expert travel consultants have travelled to over 96% of the world's countries. As a result the service and advice they offer is second to none.

headset_mic

Your travel plans on the go

Viewtrail phone example
  • View your up-to-date travel plans
  • Book online & manage your account
  • Flight details including baggage & seating
  • Update your contact information
  • Check visa & travel health requirements
  • Access to E-Vouchers
  • Trip Hub
Watch ViewTrail in Action viewtrail
ViewTrail - Your travel plans on the go

Additional Features in the App:

  • 365/24/7 emergency contact quick links
  • Location related features
  • Offline access to your travel plans
Order a Brochure

Our full range of 2024 - brochures and the latest edition of the Trailfinder magazine are out now - get ahead of the rest and start planning your next escape.

Order Now
Get In Touch
Contact Us
ie.destination.asia.south-east-asia.borneo