In Sarawak, you’ll experience the bustle of historic Kuching City, the epic Mulu caves and an off-the-beaten-track adventure in a remote Iban community.
The focus in Sabah shifts to the island’s famous wildlife. Here, you’ll be joined by an expert nature guide to ensure the best possible sightings of an array of exotic creatures, including the iconic orangutan, of course. Before you depart, you’ll also have time to relax and reflect on your adventures in a lovely island beach resort.
Depart the UK on an overnight flight to Kuching.
On arrival in Kuching, your guide will meet you for the short transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to relax.
During your first full day, take a guided stroll or cycle to discover the city and its surrounds. Learn about Kuching’s history and taste some of the delicious and varied local food along the way.
Spend a further day exploring Bako National Park and the Kuching Wetlands. Travel by boat to the national park itself, a pristine rainforest just an hour away from the city with wildlife, diverse plant life, waterfalls, beaches, rock formations and hiking trails. The wetlands are home to a variety of birds, fish and crocodiles.
Travel deep into the Sarawak interior, then board a longboat for the journey towards the Ulu Ai Longhouse community. Your stay will be at Nanga Sumba Lodge on the banks of the Delok River. This lodge is one of the best places in Borneo to experience the lifestyle of the Iban tribes who have lived here for centuries. Learn first-hand about their culture and lifestyle while enjoying nature activities in the rainforest.
During your stay, a typical day will involve a jungle trail along the river followed by a boat journey towards the scenic Enseluai waterfall. Along the way (if conditions are suitable) your boatman may stop to demonstrate traditional fishing techniques. The waterfall is a lovely spot for a BBQ picnic lunch prepared by your hosts.
On day 7, travel back to Kuching by boat and car for a final night in the city.
A short flight will take you from Kuching to Mulu. From the airport it’s just a stone’s throw to the park HQ where you check in to your accommodation, visit the treetop tower for views across the national park or take a short stroll along the boardwalk.
During your time here, you’ll take a guided 3km walk to Lang Cave – the most extensive cave passage in the world. Explore the splendid stalactites and stalagmites, before continuing to Deer Cave, which is inhabited by a colony of thousands of bats. In the evening there is the chance to take a night-time trek through the jungle, keeping a lookout for nocturnal animals.
The second day in Mulu will include a short longboat ride to Wind Cave and Clearwater Cave, also part of the same cave system.
Today you’ll hop on the plane for the 50-minute flight to Kota Kinabalu. There is time to relax here after your Mulu adventure, enjoy a day trip to Mount Kinabalu National Park or a cycle tour weaving through the countryside around the Kiulu River via a network of rope bridges and easy road trails.
After breakfast, you will fly to Sandakan.
On arrival in Sandakan, transfer to the Sepilok Forest with your expert nature guide. 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.
From Sepilok, continue along the Lower Kinabatangan River Sanctuary to your jungle lodge. En route, you’ll pass mangroves, wetlands and lush rainforests with plenty of opportunities for wildlife spotting. The lodge has boardwalks extending into the jungle interior, offering an easy way to explore this fantastic part of the world.
Enjoy a guided nature walk at night and a river-boat cruise to take in the scenery of Pitas Oxbow Lake, keep your eyes peeled for a variety of bird species and pygmy elephants.
A two-hour drive after breakfast leads to Lahad Datu and the unique Tabin Wildlife Reserve. This sprawling region attracts many endangered species and a considerable number of rare and endemic birds. Hornbills, Storm’s Storks, and Yellow-Rumped Flowerpeckers are just some of the colourful birds you might spot! Enjoy an afternoon trek and a night safari. Head to the active volcano Lipad Mud, trek through the jungle and admire the view from the observation tower. A dusk drive gives more opportunities for nocturnal birdwatching.
Travel today to the Danum Valley Conservation Area, one of the world’s most complex ecosystems covering more than 400 square kilometres. Danum is a rich rainforest packed with fascinating wildlife. On arrival take a walk along the 300m long canopy walkway; up here, you can listen to the hum of the ancient jungle.
After dinner there is time for a thrilling 4WD night safari drive; if you’re lucky you’ll spot nocturnal animals such as sambar deer, civet cats and leopards, not to mention plenty of insects and frogs.
In the morning listen out for the call of the Bornean gibbons (you can’t miss the cacophony!) before trekking to “Coffin Cliff” along a 2.6km trail, with fantastic views over the rainforest as well as waterfalls and a natural pool. Optional afternoon activities include a guided jungle trek or water tubing down the river, and in the evening there is the chance to sneak back into the jungle on foot with a local guide to listening to the nocturnal animals.
It’s a short hop from Lahad Datu to Kota Kinabalu and a boat ride from there to Gaya Island. On the island, 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, and relax by the pool.
After breakfast at your hotel, transfer to Kota Kinabalu Airport for your flight home.
850 Reviews
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:
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:
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.
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. Below are some examples of the different hotels we use.
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 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.
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.
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.
Discover jungles, extraordinary wildlife, beaches and our tips and tricks in a handy 10 minute read.
