In the safe hands of an experienced guide, Borneo’s caves offer something genuinely eye-opening.
Wander by torchlight through gaping caverns decorated with intricate stalagmites and stalactites, observing the power of nature first-hand.
Mulu’s Great Caves are one of the biggest cave passages in the world, with incredible tours inside led by expert guides to show you exactly where to look.
If you’re lucky, you might even witness a thousand-strong swarm of bats as they plume from Deer Cave.
7. Drifting along Lazy Jungle Rivers
The water is a great way to spot some of Borneo’s incredible native animals as they emerge from the thick jungle for a drink.
Sitting comfortably on an inflatable tube, let the river take hold as you make your way downstream. Peaceful and quiet, you’re in for an incredible ride.
If your stay takes you near the Ulu Muda River, you can even enjoy entirely natural hot springs as one river meets a natural hot spring.
8. Visit Kuching
While the forests of Borneo could certainly be considered the main attraction, the island’s towns are also worth a trip.
Places to visit in Kuching, the capital of the State of Sarawak, include exquisite temples, traditional Malay houses, and white palaces.
On a tour of the city, make sure not to miss the Sarawak Museum, full of ancient treasures beyond comparison.
9. Stop by Kota Kinabalu
If your trip will be based in Sabah, you can’t miss the vibrant capital of Kota Kinabalu.
Buzzing streets and nearby adventure activities, not to mention Mount Kinabalu standing proudly next door.
This incredible city also acts as an excellent gateway to the Sabah rainforest, should you want the perfect mix of city and nature.
10. Learn about Borneo’s Indigenous People
Borneo has a rich culture, with influences from the neighbouring countries melting with those from native peoples.
The many distinct tribes, most of which fall under the term “Dayak”, while for the most part no longer nomadic, have vibrant cultures and traditions.
Visiting villages with guides, with local permission, is a great way to immerse yourself and meet members of these incredible tribes, such as the Penan and Rungus tribes.
Whether it’s for a night or just an hour, you’ll experience something truly special.
Rungus tribal homestay in Borneo
Borneo is an island bursting with potential. While we’ve shown you just 10 things to do in Borneo, there are endless possibilities. Browse our Borneo itineraries for more inspiration or get in touch with our travel experts to plan your perfect holiday.
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Learn more about holiday ideas for travelling to Borneo, call us on 0203 993 2566 or start your journey today.
Holly is a travel specialist for Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia. After completing university and gaining a job within marketing at a well-known travel company, Holly decided to exchange inspecting photographs of amazing destinations for being in them. Armed with a one-way ticket to Bangkok (and little else..!), Holly embarked on an incredible adventure around Southeast Asia. She’s now one of our travel experts in the ETG office, specialising in Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Vietnam, Cambodia & Borneo. Since joining ETG in 2016, her adventures have included wildlife-spotting in Sri Lanka, volcano-climbing in Indonesia and sailing the Tonle Sap at sunrise.
