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Your tailor-made holiday will be as unique as you are. These itineraries are just a starting point, a bit of inspiration to show what’s possible. Your own trip all starts with a conversation with one of our Borneo experts, who’ll take the time to understand what matters most to you and design the perfect Borneo holiday to match.
If you are aiming to see as much endemic wildlife as possible during your two weeks in Borneo, then this Sabah-based itinerary could be the one for you. You’ll spend two weeks exploring ancient rainforests, cruising jungle rivers, and staying in remote lodges where orangutans, pygmy elephants and rare birdlife are never far away.
Start in Sepilok, home to Borneo’s best-known orangutan rehabilitation centre. It’s your first chance to see these curious, playful primates up close – and a powerful insight into the conservation efforts working hard to protect them.
From there, head to the Kinabatangan River, one of the best places in Southeast Asia for wildlife viewing. Cruise the river at sunrise and dusk with expert guides who can spot a proboscis monkey or hornbill from a mile away. If you're lucky, you might even catch sight of a herd of pygmy elephants along the banks.
Your next stop is Tabin Wildlife Reserve, a proper off-the-grid rainforest experience, where jungle trails and bubbling mud volcanoes offer something a little different. Then it’s on to Danum Valley, where some of the oldest rainforests on Earth stretch as far as the eye can see. Canopy walks, nature treks and early-morning wildlife sightings make this a real highlight.
End your adventure with a few days of downtime – either on Gaya Island or the beaches near Kota Kinabalu. You can do as much or as little as you like here. Snorkel over coral reefs, explore local markets or just kick back with a drink and enjoy the view.
Here's a summary of what you might get up to day-to-day on this Borneo holiday. As always, this is just an idea. Every single day of your holiday will be tailored to suit you.
You'll wave goodbye to the UK today as you board your overnight flight to Malaysia. A short layover in Kuala Lumpur is needed before jumping on your final flight to Sandakan in Borneo. If you'd like to break up the journey, you can add a few days in Malaysia’s capital before heading to the jungle. Chat to us if you think this might be of interest and we'll be sure to build it into the itinerary.
You'll touch down in Sandakan, Borneo this afternoon, where your private transfer will be waiting to whisk you off into the wilderness and your first jungle lodge in Sepilok. The afternoon is yours to enjoy at your own pace and recover from the long journey. If you've got a little energy, you could head into the city for shopping at the local markets. Or if not, simply unwind in a hammock, listening to the sounds of the rainforest.
Today, you'll take a private tour of the famous Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, where you'll have the chance to watch the orangutans at their daily feed. Explore the nursery, where young orangutans learn the skills needed to return to the wild. Then, visit the Sun Bear Conservation Centre, home to 36 rescued sun bears. After lunch at a local restaurant, you'll continue to Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary, where you'll meet Borneo’s unique and quirky long-nosed primates before returning to your Sepilok lodge for dinner.
You'll journey deeper into Sabah’s jungle today, heading to your next riverside lodge on the Kinabatangan River. This area is home to some of Borneo’s most iconic wildlife, and during your afternoon river cruise, you’ll have the chance to spot proboscis monkeys, orangutans, macaques, pygmy elephants, and a variety of birdlife.
Today, you'll have a full day to explore the Kinabatangan River, with activities like bird watching, boat cruising in search of crocodiles, and evening firefly watching. If relaxing is more your style, you can simply choose to soak up the sights and sounds of the rainforest from your lodge. Most lodges here don’t have swimming pools, so do let us know if this is something that's important to you and we'll do our best to make it happen!
Today it's time to leave the river behind and head inland for some more jungle adventures at Tabin Wildlife Reserve. Once you have arrived at Tabin, check in to your accommodation - basic, but private, clean and air conditioned - you can trek the Elephant trail up to the active Lipad mud volcano which draws in wildlife and birdlife with it's rich minerals.
Your full day at Tabin Wildlife Reserve can be spent as actively or as relaxed as you choose. We'd recommend braving an early morning wake-up to join a bird walk before breakfast – it's worth it! The afternoon can be spent trekking through the rainforest and learning about the flora and fauna and wildlife that's so special in the area. You can even take a swim and shower at the nearby Lipad waterfall. Alternatively, head to the massage hut and try out the Tabin Rainforest Foot Soak made with a natural blend of herbs, to relax tired muscles after long jungle treks.
You'll say goodbye to the guides in Tabin today and head deep into Borneo’s last area of primary rainforest – Danum Valley. This is one of the most exclusive and pristine nature reserves in the world, a must for wildlife lovers and nature enthusiasts. This Borneo holiday idea includes a 3-day, 2-night package at Borneo Rainforest Lodge, where you'll be surrounded by untouched jungle and incredible wildlife. It really is so special. Rooms at Borneo Rainforest Lodge are limited and can sell out a year in advance during high season (they're popular for a reason!), so do get in touch early if it's on your Borneo holiday wishlist.
When you check in to the Borneo Rainforest Lodge, their expert guides will discuss the best activities for you, making sure you get the most out of your stay from start to finish. Whatever the plan, you can bet it will be a wildlife extravaganza from start to finish. Expect to encounter orangutans, gibbons, and other rare species, as well as heading off on plenty of incredible nature excursions. Your time in Danum will be a highlight of your Borneo holiday for sure.
You'll enjoy a final breakfast, listening to the morning calls of gibbons, soaking up the magic of Danum and watching tropical birds from your balcony. Before too long it'll be time to travel by 4x4 back to Lahad Datu, where you'll hop on a quick domestic flight to Kota Kinabalu. This is the gateway to your beach break! There are a few stunning beachside options to choose from here, whether you decide to stay on one of the stunning mainland beaches or venture over the waters to the luxury Gaya Island, it's the perfect spot to end your Borneo holiday. Chat to us about what you'd like to get from your last few days and, as with every stop on your holiday, we'll tailor your itinerary to match.
We've left these days clear for you to spend however you like. You might prefer to relax on the beach and snorkel in the clear waters, or head off on some more adventures – or a bit of both! If you are feeling adventurous, explore the lively city of Kota Kinabalu, consider visiting the Poring Hot Springs, hiking around Mount Kinabalu, or taking a boat trip to a nearby island. There are plenty of cultural experiences on offer too if you fancy getting beneath the skin of Borneo and its people.
It's time to say goodbye to Borneo today as you head to the airport ready for your flight back to the UK. We hope you'll be flying home with a whole list of animal sightings ticked off, and a growing love for Borneo and all of the incredible wildlife and people that call it home.
We offer tailor-made holidays to suit a wide range of tastes. Our experts Erin and Ian are dedicated to all things Borneo and are here to help you plan your perfect trip.
Speak to one of our travel specialists today.
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Ian Lowbridge
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