Skip to content
0207 924 7133
START PLANNING
START PLANNING
0207 924 7133 START PLANNING
0207 924 7133
batang ai
Compact
15 Days Borneo Itineraries

Slow Paced Borneo

Most suited for
Couples, Families
Ideal time to visit
May - October

If you want to immerse yourself in the incredible wildlife and beaches of Borneo but don’t fancy too much road travel or rushing around, then a holiday like this one could be ideal.

This suggested itinerary takes in Sepilok, the Kinabatangan River and Danum Valley. With astonishing biodiversity, these are the best places to see most of Borneo’s native species, including the iconic orangutan, pygmy elephants and many lesser-known exotic creatures. You’ll explore the jungle with an expert nature guide from whom you’ll learn untold tales about the rainforest and get the best possible wildlife sightings – a memorable experience.

After exploring the jungle, you’ll head to Gaya Island, where you can enjoy five days in idyllic surroundings at the beach. Here you have the chance to relax, explore jungle trails or swim and snorkel in crystal-clear waters inhabited by a wealth of marine life.

 

      

Trip Highlights

Borneo orangutans

Wonder at the incredible rainforest teeming with wildlife in the company of your expert nature guide

Aerial Photo of Snaking River

Drift down the Kinabatangan River, keeping watch for pygmy elephants, rare bird species and primates

Relax by the beach at Gaya Island Resort

Slow Paced Borneo

As with all our holidays, this itinerary is just a starting point. We will create a bespoke package which will be completely unique for you. 

Skip
Day 1

Your adventure begins

Depart your home country on your flight to Sandakan.

Days 2 - 3

Sepilok

On arrival at Sandakan Airport, meet your expert nature guide for the 30-minute road transfer to Sepilok Nature Resort – a hidden gem within walking distance of the Sepilok Flower Reserve. Spend the first evening relaxing after the flight.

The area is renowned for its orchids, ancient trees, and of course, its orangutan community. During your time here, there will be an opportunity to visit the Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary, where a highlight is the daily feeding of the orangutans.

Days 4 - 6

Kinabatangan River

Transfer to Sandakan Jetty, where you’ll board a cruise into the Lower c You’ll arrive in time to have lunch and then settle in, relax, and explore the boardwalk paths. Take a late afternoon cruise on the river with your guide to search for wildlife while the sun sets. Look out for the magical twinkling of fireflies in the mangroves before returning to the lodge for dinner.

Spend two days here exploring the area with your guide. Take in the Oxbow lake and surrounding forest – always with eyes peeled for wildlife! Early morning starts give you a high chance of seeing animals and birds along the river.

You could also choose to take an overland journey to the area around Gomantong Cave – ecologically important for the swifts and bats that occupy its cavern. Follow a trail deep into the forest, keeping an eye out for orangutans often seen feeding nearby. Then witness the dramatic departure of over two million bats as they head out of the cave to feed.

kinabatangan, borneo
Days 7 - 9

Danum Valley

Transfer by boat and by road to Lahad Datu, the gateway to Danum Valley This is one of the richest areas of biodiversity in the whole of Southeast Asia,  home to a wide range of creatures, including pygmy elephants, proboscis monkeys, and wild orangutans, as well as over 240 bird species.

Danum Valley is a dense rainforest full of fascinating wildlife that you will explore along canopy walkways, on more challenging guided trails (the “Coffin Cliff” trek is 2.6km)  and on 4WD drive night safaris. As you listen to the hum of the ancient jungle and pass waterfalls, you’ll keep watch for orangutans, gibbons, and nocturnal animals such as sambar deer, civet cats, and leopards, not to mention plenty of insects and frogs.

Flat-headed cat (Prionailurus planiceps) hunting by night in swamp forest. Taken in near Abai Village, Lower Kinabatangan River, Malaysian Borneo. Photo taken in April, late at night. Listed as Endangered by IUCN.
Days 10 - 14

Gaya Island

Transfer to Lahad Datu to board the short flight to Kota Kinabalu. On arrival, you’ll transfer to the jetty for the short boat ride across to Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park. Check-in at Gaya Island Resort. The next few days are to spend at your leisure, reflecting on your Borneo adventure: explore the island, snorkel, dive, spot wildlife, or relax by the pool.

Gaya Island Resort view
Day 15

Fly home

Depart Kota Kinabalu for your flight back home.

An Epic Adventure Across Southeast Asia

There were moments while I was out and about where I thought that everyone should experience this kind of mindful travel that Experience Travel organises, as it's not backpacking where you tick off the standard party hotspots, and it's not the typical cruise for tourists to visit the standard sightseeing destinations, but an experience where I really felt I got to know the countries, meet great people and do fun stuff that most people miss.
Sven
3 March 2025

Excellent850 Reviews

Read Reviews

What’s included:

With ETG, what’s included goes well beyond the basics. From the moment your trip begins to your final farewell, the essentials are already taken care of, leaving you free to immerse, explore and enjoy without the hassle of hidden extras.

Here’s what comes as standard in all of our holidays:

All flights (unless you’ve booked your own!)
Expert guides and drivers
All accommodation
Many meals and snacks
Immersive experiences throughout
All regional transfers
Tips
24/7 In-Country support
Personal travel consultant throughout

Pricing:

As every holiday is bespoke, prices vary depending on destination, flights, hotel choices, inclusions and travel dates. We aim to include as much as possible upfront, so you know exactly where you are. As an approximate guide:

Bespoke Holidays £4,500 - £8,500pp
Bespoke Luxury Holidays £8,500 - £14,500pp
Bespoke Family Holidays from £4,000 - £7,500pp

Meet Our Borneo Experts

Chione has a real passion for Borneo’s wild beauty. She knows how to bring its jungles, wildlife, and hidden corners to life, creating holidays that feel both adventurous and effortless.

“Travelling slowly through Borneo allows you to really soak up its natural beauty and incredible wildlife.”

 

Chione
Regional Expert
Arrange a Callback
0207 924 7133

Explore Our Hotels & Villas

Wherever you go, and whatever you do, at the end of every day you can always be sure of a comfortable rest. Every location on our list of hotels is handpicked, and in its own way, shares the history, the hospitality, and the soul of the destination.

Borneo - Eco/Adventure

Borneo Rainforest Lodge

Gaya Island Resort view

Borneo - Luxury

Gaya Island Resort

Borneo - Eco/Adventure

Sepilok Nature Resort

Borneo - Superior

Sukau Rainforest Lodge

The ETG Guarantee

We guarantee you an experience no one else has ever had. 

The travel magic you’ll remember won’t be found on a well-trodden – or over-Instagrammed – itinerary. It will be the surprises, discoveries and secrets that you’ll uncover along the way with us.

Do you ever feel like people aren’t listening to you?  

We get it. And we will – that’s a promise. Your holiday starts with with a proper, no-pressure call to understand what you want, what you don’t want, and what matters to you. From there, we create a completely unique adventure, inspired by our conversation together.

And because of our long-standing relationships with trusted partners across Asia, you’ll have access to experiences you can’t find on Google. The kind of special experiences that are literally impossible to find on your own.

Experiences in Borneo

Crafting bespoke packages is the heart of what we do. Each holiday is specially designed to confound preconceptions and share magical, memorable, and truly exceptional experiences.

Kinabatangan Wildlife Safari

Borneo

Kinabatangan Wildlife Safari

Borneo

Danum Valley Coffin Cliff Trek

Borneo Sun Bear

Borneo

Orangutan and Sun Bear Conservation Centre

Borneo wild cat

Borneo

Tabin Wildlife Night Walk

Mount Kinabalu

Bako National Park

Climb Mount Kinabalu

Bako National Park

Bako National Park Birdwatching

Borneo

Danum Valley Birdwatching

Important FAQs about Borneo

Borneo is one of the most extraordinary places on earth for wildlife encounters, from orangutans swinging through the treetops to pygmy elephants by the riverside. With ETG, you’ll explore this remarkable region with the insight of expert naturalist guides who know the rainforests intimately. They’ll help you spot rare wildlife, understand the intricate ecosystems, and uncover the cultural heritage of local communities. We focus on meaningful, well-organised experiences that bring you closer to the heart of Borneo, supported by handpicked eco-lodges and 24/7 on-the-ground assistance.

The dry season, March to October, is the best time to experience Borneo’s wildlife and landscapes. Trails are more accessible, and river levels are perfect for boat journeys, giving you the best chance to see orangutans, proboscis monkeys, and hornbills. The wetter months, November to February, bring heavier showers, but this is when the rainforest is at its greenest and most vibrant. For an ideal balance of good weather and fewer visitors, May and September are excellent months to travel.

 

Every ETG holiday to Borneo is designed to feel seamless, immersive and stress free. We’ll arrange international flights (if you’d like us to), your drivers and guides, and stays in characterful hotels we know and trust.

You’ll experience Borneo in a way that’s completely bespoke to you – from quiet moments to big adventures – all planned by our Borneo specialists. And while you’re away, our local team is on hand 24/7, so you’ll always feel well looked after.

The Curious Traveller’s Guide to Borneo

Discover jungles, extraordinary wildlife, beaches and our tips and tricks in a handy 10 minute read.

Download Now
Borneo Guide