Depart the UK on a flight via Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu.
Most suited for
Couples, Families
Ideal time to visit
May - October
An immersive holiday suggestion, ideal for families or couples who want to get away from the everyday without missing any of Borneo’s more well-known highlights.
This suggested itinerary takes you through Sepilok, the Kinabatangan River and Danum Valley: Borneo’s most extraordinary wildlife regions. You’ll have the chance to spot orangutans swinging through the canopy, pygmy elephants grazing by the river, and a host of lesser-known species found nowhere else on earth. With your expert naturalist guide, you’ll uncover the hidden life of the rainforest and enjoy unforgettable wildlife encounters in their natural habitat.
After your time in the jungle, you’ll unwind on Gaya Island. Swim and snorkel in clear waters rich with marine life, explore the island’s nature trails, or simply relax on the beach – the perfect end to your Borneo adventure.
Off The Beaten Track in 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.
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Day 1
Your adventure begins
Days 2 - 3
Kota Kinabalu
On arrival, your guide will meet you for the transfer to your hotel. There will be time to relax and recover from your flight and perhaps explore the local markets.
Days 4 - 6
Murut Tribe and Jungle Experience
On your journey from Kota Kinabalu, by 4-wheel drive and boat, you will travel deep into one of the most remote parts of Sabah state. You’ll travel through the homeland of the Murut people towards Batu Punggul, an 800 ft forest-clad limestone pinnacle that is home to a labyrinth of caves. On the first day, you’ll explore caves via underground streams and sleep overnight under the stars in a comfortable hammock camp.
Day 2 will take you to explore Batu Punggul itself, spend the night in a longhouse and enjoy an evening of Murut hospitality. On Day 3 you’ll enjoy a morning of light trekking and swimming in multi-levelled waterfalls, before journeying back to your Kota Kinabalu hotel for the evening.
While accommodation is basic for a couple of nights, the experience and hospitality on offer during these three days is fantastic.
Days 7 - 8
Sepilok and Kinabatangan
Depart Kota Kinabalu on a short flight to Sandakan. On arrival you’ll transfer to Kabili-Sepilok Forest, renowned for its orchids, ancient trees, and of course, its orangutan community. Visit the Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary where a highlight is the daily feeding of the orangutans. In the afternoon you’ll begin the river journey along the Lower Kinabatangan River Sanctuary towards your accommodation. 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 a great way to explore this fantastic part of the world with ease.
During your stay you can enjoy guided night walks and boating to Pita’s oxbow lake, looking out for pygmy elephants on the journey upstream.
Days 9 - 10
Danum Valley
Travel onward to Danum Valley Conservation Area, one of the world’s most complex ecosystems covering more than 400 square kilometres. You’ll enjoy a great program of trekking, night drives and night walks and one of the best wildlife viewing experiences in Borneo. With your dedicated guide on hand, keep watch for wild orangutan, slow loris, gibbons, red leaf langurs, western tarsiers, Bornean bearded pigs, deers, civet cats, hornbills, flying squirrels and – if you are super lucky – maybe even the elusive clouded leopard.
Day 11 - 14
Kudat
After an early morning transfer and quick flight back to Kota Kinabalu, you’ll head towards the sleepy beaches of Kudat. Relax and rejuvenate here for the next two days, and explore this beautiful part of the region dotted with stilted building and fishing boats.
Day 15
Fly home
After breakfast at the resort, transfer to Kota Kinabalu Airport for your flight back home.
Borneo Wildlife Adventure
Two weeks exploring areas of Sarawak & Sabah. Orangutans building nests, elephants swimming, hornbills flapping, insects galore and much more. Good food too. ETG listen to you and tailor a trip to your needs. Their on the ground support provided great communication and were so good when things don't quite go to plan.
Alison
14 September 2024Excellent
850 Reviews
850 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
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. Below are some examples of the different hotels we use.
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 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.
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.
