Depart on a flight to Malaysia.
Most suited for
Couples, Families
Ideal time to visit
May - October
This holiday showcases Malaysia at its most diverse and rewarding.
Begin in Kuala Lumpur, a city of gleaming towers and hidden heritage, before heading into Borneo’s rainforest for encounters with orangutans and river life. Round off your adventure with time to unwind on the beaches of Langkawi. With expert guides and seamless travel throughout, it’s the perfect balance of culture, nature and relaxation.
The Contrasts of Malaysia
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
Malacca
You’ll be met in Kuala Lumpur for the drive to Malacca, a colourful UNESCO World Heritage site. After an evening to recover from the flight, you’ll have a full day to explore. You’ll enjoy a morning bike ride through scenic countryside tailored to your ability. Whiz past rubber plantations and watch Malay village life.
Spend the remainder of your time in Malacca exploring this cultural melting pot at your leisure: marvel at the Dutch, Indian, British and Portuguese legacies that permeate the architecture and street life of the vibrant historic centre.
Days 4 - 5
Kuala Lumpur
You’ll transfer to Kuala Lumpur for a two-night stay. During your stay in this incredible city, you’ll take in the sweeping contemporary buildings, colonial charm and age-old mosques and religious centres. There will be a fascinating and comprehensive guided tour of some well-known and unexpected highlights: the morning market, the old centre, the grand old Indian mosque, the colonial centre and of course, Chinatown.
Leave plenty of time for sampling Malay, Chinese and Indian culinary specialities – there is no shortage of fabulous food here.
Days 6 - 7
Penang
Transfer to the airport for the short flight to Penang, a thriving hub for culture, art, architecture and food. The Evening Street Food tour is a real highlight: an al fresco dining experience under the stars in the balmy evening among locals and visitors and a trip to the market for a run-down on the best snacks and dishes Penang has to offer.
Early on Day 7, embark on a half-day “Dim Sum and Street Art” adventure in Georgetown before visiting the Chow Rasta morning Wet Market and marvelling at the interactive street art murals commissioned by the city.
Days 8 - 9
Kuching
Depart Peninsular Malaysia on a direct flight to Kuching in Malaysian Borneo’s Sarawak state. On arrival, your guide and driver will transfer you to your hotel for a two-night stay. Explore Kuching itself and taking a thrilling trip to Bako National Park, with a stop at a quintessential Malaysian fishing village on the way. Complete the journey to Bako National Park by boat.
Right at the top of the Muara Tebas Peninsula, this large and verdant forest area is home to fascinating carnivorous plant life and cheeky (yet elusive) proboscis monkeys.
Days 10 - 11
Mulu National Park
It’s a short flight from Kuching to Mulu, and within minutes you’ll be in your resort near the Mulu National Park headquarters. Highlights of a visit here include a sensational Tree Top Walk, beautiful Nature Heritage Trails, Pukau Waterfall, and of course, the caves. Wait for the thrill of seeing thousands of bats emerge from the caves at dusk, and experience nocturnal life in the forest by torchlight in the evening.
Day 11 is a day for detailed cave exploration, with the two most famous caves, Wind Cave and Clearwater Cave, at the top of the list.
Days 12 - 14
Sepilok & Kinabatangan
Today you’ll fly to Sandakan to begin your adventures in Borneo’s rainforest.
Over three days you’ll explore Kabili-Sepilok Forest, renowned for its orchids, ancient trees, and of course, it’s orangutan community before heading to the Kinabatangan River where you’ll pass mangroves, wetlands and lush rainforests with plenty of opportunities for wildlife spotting. Your stay is split between two lodges, both of which have boardwalks extending into the jungle interiors, offering a way to explore this fantastic part of the world with ease.
You’ll enjoy guided nature walks, a river-boat cruise to Pitas oxbow lake to look out for pygmy elephants and a lunch prepared by local Abai villagers.
Days 15 - 18
Gaya Island
Head back to Kota Kinabalu and take a short speedboat to glorious Gaya Island for a refreshing four-night stay. Your time here is to free to spend at your leisure: spot sea turtles and spectacular coral on snorkelling expeditions, wander with a guide through the rainforest, take a cooking course, soak up the sun or indulge in a spa treatment.
Day 19
Fly home
Today you take the speedboat back to Kota Kinabalu for your flight 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.
“Experience Malaysia in all its variety: bustling cities, wild jungles and idyllic islands — a journey of vivid contrasts and effortless discovery.”
Chione
Regional Expert
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.
