Malaysian Borneo is dense, remote, and needs proper time. We give it room to breathe: watch mist lift over Danum Valley, pygmy elephants and tarsiers on their own terms, and a rainforest 130 million years old.
Spend a few days on the rivers around Batang Ai with our jungle guide, Lemon (who was supposed to go by Raymond, but his name was lost in translation decades ago) and you’ll see why we design it this way. He’s been reading the rainforest here for forty years, machete always in hand, and knows the Iban families in the longhouses like neighbours.
Expect proper immersion in the rainforest, not two days squeezed between a flight and a beach resort like most travellers do. You’ll spend meaningful time in a select few ecosystems, staying in comfortable lodges. And, yes, you should spot orangutans, but with a naturalist beside you, you’ll understand their behaviour, too.
Made possible by expert guides who’ve spent their lives trekking the jungle, navigating rivers, and have a real sixth sense for wildlife. Backed, as always, with our own explorations of Malaysian Borneo, ten years and counting.
That’s how we design trips you wouldn’t have known to ask us for.
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to a Borneo specialist
In Our Travellers’ Words
ETG look outside the box
The best family holiday we have ever been on
With ETG, we have visited extraordinary places
Our Unique Holidays in Borneo
Relaxing, immersive, life-affirming adventures that show you the best of the destination. Packed with experiences that connect you to the country and are kind to its people and environment. Your holiday can be as adventurous or as luxurious as you choose, as every trip will be turned into your own bespoke package.
Here are some ideas to spark your curiosity…
How We Plan Borneo
We’ve made a conscious decision to stray from the ‘classic route’. Here are the regions we focus on:
Kuching & Sarawak opens the journey well. Historic, walkable Kuching leads into the interior: a longboat journey to an Iban longhouse community on the Batang Ai, where their distinct culture feels intact, and Mulu’s extraordinary cave systems before the journey shifts north.
Sepilok & The Kinabatangan River is where Borneo’s wildlife story properly begins. Pygmy elephants, proboscis monkeys, orangutans and exceptional birdlife, observed from river boats and jungle boardwalks with a specialist nature guide throughout.
Tabin Wildlife Reserve & Danum Valley are among the richest ecosystems on Earth. Rare endemic birdlife, 400 square kilometres of primary rainforest and night safaris that put you properly inside the jungle after dark. Remote community experiences such as Orou Sapulot are there for those who want to go further still.
The Islands bring the journey to a natural close. Gaya Island earns its place as a finale: snorkelling, jungle trails and a slower rhythm after days of serious thrills in the rainforest.
To see Borneo in the best light, explore our Wildlife Holidays.
Explore Experiences in Borneo
Immersive experiences sit at the heart of ETG. Each one is specially designed to confound preconceptions and share magical, memorable, and truly exceptional moments.
Meet Our Experts
“Best way to do Borneo? Mix it up. Spend a few thrilling days deep in the rainforest, where the wild things are, then head to the coast to unwind (Gaya Island is my top pick).”
Chione
Borneo Specialist
Borneo's Hotels, Chosen In-House
We’ve stayed in the rainforest lodges, the longhouses and the beach retreats; our collection is the shortlist. Each one has something special: a proper sense of place, a distinct atmosphere, or hosts who are genuinely glad you came. Here are the hotels we keep recommending, alongside a few off-the-beaten-path finds you’d be hard-pressed to find by yourself.
The Curious Traveller’s Expert Guide to Borneo
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Important FAQs about Borneo
The dry season runs from March to October: trekking trails are more accessible, wildlife sightings are more frequent, and the coast is at its best. November to February brings heavier rain, but the rainforest is at its greenest and the rivers are atmospheric, with fewer visitors. May and September sit in the sweet spot: good conditions, quieter, and more wildlife activity in the early mornings.
More than most travel companies will tell you. The standard Sandakan-Sepilok-beach circuit can be done in a week, but the trips that stay with people take at least two weeks, often three. The rainforest rewards patience, and the best wildlife encounters come to those who aren’t rushing to a flight. We’ll be direct with you about what’s possible in the time you have, and honest when it isn’t quite enough.
Not in the usual sense. Every Experience Travel Group trip to Borneo is private and designed for the person taking it, but we don’t do “tailor-made”, and that’s deliberate. Because “tailor-made” assembles a trip around what you asked for, from hotels and tours anyone can book. We design around why you’re travelling, using experiences we’ve built ourselves, hand-picked hotels we trust, and chauffeur-guides we’ve worked with for decades. That lets us reach parts of Borneo you wouldn’t have known to ask for.
We can’t guarantee any wildlife sighting, and we’d be suspicious of anyone who says otherwise. What we can do is design around the best conditions for encountering them in the wild: the right rivers, the right time of year, guides who have spent decades reading the forest. A naturalist beside you changes what a sighting means. You’ll understand the animal’s behaviour, not just photograph it.
Yes, with the right design. The rainforest is one of the most extraordinary environments on earth for children old enough to appreciate it, typically from about ten upwards. Younger children can find the heat and terrain tiring. We’ll be straightforward with you about what works for the ages you’re travelling with, and design accordingly.
- All your accommodation in hand-picked, characterful hotels
- Carefully chosen local guides, especially expert naturalists in the rainforest
- All activities and experiences (some secret!)
- Entrance fees to national parks and cultural sites
- Many meals and snacks throughout
- All regional transport
- International flights on request
- 24/7 in-country support from our team
Borneo is one of the world’s greatest wildlife destinations, home to ancient rainforests, wild orangutans, pygmy elephants, and vibrant indigenous cultures. With ETG, you’ll discover Borneo through the expertise of our naturalist guides, who know the forests and rivers like no one else. They’ll help you spot rare wildlife, explain the region’s unique ecosystems, and offer authentic cultural encounters, from longhouse visits to traditional river journeys. Every experience is designed to connect you with the true spirit of Borneo, while ensuring you travel with care and comfort.