Borneo Small Group Tours
Borneo and nature go together like perfection. Head to Kuala Lumpur and soak up the vibe before heading to UNESCO's Mulu National Park with massive caves and orangutans in the wild, if you're lucky. Malaysian Borneo is less visited than the beaches, the rainforest's dense, and the cultural experiences with different tribes are fascinating. It’s a bucket-list entry, for sure.
10 best Borneo small group tours
Compiled by

MelissaBorneo travel expert at TourRadar
- Premium Borneo in Depth
- Wildlife Trail Sabah
- IN-DEPTH BORNEO & MALAYSIA TOUR
- Tabin Wildlife Experience
- Splendours of Borneo: Kota Kinabalu to Kuching
- Splendours of Borneo: Kuching to Kota Kinabalu
- Indonesia: Borneo Orangutans of Tanjung Puting National Park
- Enchanting Borneo
- The Island of the Forest People
- Borneo bokeh: On a photo Safari in The forests of Sarawak and Sabah
Duration 6 days Destinations Kota Kinabalu, Kampung Kiau, Mount Kinabalu National Park, Poring, Sandakan, Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary, Pulau Selangan, Sepilok Age Range All Ages Welcome Group Size Max Group Size 10 Group Type Group Operator Asian Overland Services Tours & Travel From
10% Off- US$2,070
Groups max out at 15 guests and run with just 2 travelers, so you'll get personal attention throughout Borneo. Walk the rainforest trails of UNESCO-listed Mulu National Park and cruise the Melinau River to Wind Caves and Clearwater Cave with plenty of time for questions. Small group size means close-up encounters at the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre and genuine cultural exchanges at the Mengkak Longhouse with Iban villagers.
Duration 14 days Destinations Kuala Lumpur, Kuching, Batang Ai National Park, Sandakan, Kota Kinabalu, Mount Kinabalu National Park Age Range Ages 35+ Group Size Max Group Size 15 Group Type Group Operator Tweet World Travel From
10% Off- US$4,398
Groups of 2-10 travelers check out Tabin Wildlife Reserve with close-up wildlife spotting at Lipad mud volcano and Birdwatching Tower. Trek together to Lipad Waterfall, try the Tabin Rainforest Foot Soak herb treatment, and share guided night walks searching for sleeping birds and nocturnal animals. Limited group size means better viewing during dusk drives and personalized attention from English-speaking local guides.
Duration 3 days Destinations Lahad Datu, Tabin Wildlife Reserve Age Range Ages 6+ Group Size Max Group Size 10 Group Type Group Operator Asian Overland Services Tours & Travel From
10% Off- US$1,020
Groups max out at 10 travelers, allowing personalized interactions at the Iban Longhouse in Batang Ai where you'll learn the traditional Ngajat Warrior's Dance directly from the Headman. Small numbers mean everyone can swim in crystal-clear pools at Clearwater Cave and watch feeding times at Semenggok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre without crowding. Compact size helps create genuine cultural exchanges during the overnight longhouse stay, where guests sleep on individual mattresses in a shared common area.
Duration 7 days Destinations Kota Kinabalu, Mount Kinabalu National Park, Gunung Mulu National Park, Kuching Age Range All Ages Welcome Group Size Max Group Size 10 Group Type Group Operator Asian Overland Services Tours & Travel From
10% Off- US$1,298
Groups of 2-10 travelers move across Borneo, building connections during an overnight stay at an Iban longhouse in Batang Ai. The small number works well for boat trips to Clearwater Cave and lets everyone join in traditional Ngajat warrior dances at Batu Bungan Penan Settlement. Intimate numbers provide better wildlife encounters at Semenggok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre and easier movement through Mulu's cave systems.
Duration 7 days Destinations Kuching, Gunung Mulu National Park, Kota Kinabalu, Mount Kinabalu National Park Age Range All Ages Welcome Group Size Max Group Size 10 Group Type Group Operator Asian Overland Services Tours & Travel From
10% Off- US$1,298
Groups of 10-14 travelers move through Tanjung Puting National Park aboard a traditional Klotok boat. Smaller numbers mean personalized attention during orangutan feedings at Camp Leakey and Tanjung Harapan Orangutan Rehabilitation Center, with everyone getting good viewing spots. You'll sleep on the wooden deck quarters with fellow travelers, which helps build connections during night treks through the Bornean rainforest and visits to Tanjung Harapan village.
Duration 7 days Destinations Jakarta, Tanjung Harapan, Tanjung Puting National Park, Kumai, Pangkalan Bun Age Range Ages 15+ Group Size Max Group Size 14 Group Type Group Operator G Adventures From $1,449
25% Off- US$1,087You save $362
Groups of 2-10 travelers get personalized attention from your English-speaking driver-guide as you travel through Borneo's remote areas. Small numbers make it easier to spot wildlife in Bako National Park's primary forests and navigate the 3 km raised plank walk to Deer and Lang Caves in UNESCO-listed Gunung Mulu National Park. At Bavanggazo Village, you'll have more time to connect with the Rungus community and learn about their beadwork traditions. The mangrove cruise to Klias Forest Reserve works better with fewer passengers - quieter boats mean better chances of spotting proboscis monkeys in their natural habitat.
Duration 9 days Destinations Kuching, Bako National Park, Gunung Mulu National Park, Kota Kinabalu, Kudat, Mount Kinabalu National Park Age Range All Ages Welcome Group Size Max Group Size 10 Group Type Group Operator Asian Overland Services Tours & Travel From
25% Off- US$1,938
A small group ventures through Borneo's treasures, perfectly sized for wildlife viewing at Sepilok Orangutan Center and Kinabatangan River safaris. Intimate numbers allow quality time with Iban tribes in traditional longhouses and detailed exploration of Mulu's magnificent cave systems. German-speaking expert guides accompany throughout.
Duration 16 days Destinations Kuching, Bako National Park, Gunung Mulu National Park, Kota Kinabalu, Kundasang, Sepilok, Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary, Sandakan, Kuala Lumpur Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in Only: German Group Size Max Group Size 10 Group Type Group Operator DIAMIR Erlebnisreisen From
25% Off- US$4,828
A maximum of 12 guests ensures optimal viewing at Borneo's premier wildlife locations. The intimate setting allows quiet approaches to orangutans in Sepilok and clouded leopards in Deramakot. Personalized guidance enhances photography at Kinabatangan River and Mulu Cave system.
Duration 16 days Destinations Kota Kinabalu, Gunung Mulu National Park, Sandakan, Sepilok, Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary, Deramakot Forest Reserve, Tabin Wildlife Reserve Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in Only: German Group Size Max Group Size 8 Group Type Group Operator DIAMIR Erlebnisreisen From
25% Off- US$8,031
Reviews of Small Group tours to Borneo
- Borneo – East Sabah Adventure
Fascinating animals. A fine guide. A lot in a short time. Great trip.
What our customers ask about Borneo Small Group Tours
What is the ideal duration for a small group tour in Borneo?
The sweet spot for exploring Borneo in a small group falls between 8 and 16 days. East Sabah can be explored well in 8 days while combining both Sarawak and Sabah states needs about 15 days. The Premium Borneo in Depth tour takes 12 days which gives travelers enough time at key spots like Sepilok Kinabatangan River and Danum Valley. A TourRadar traveler shared: "Our 12-day small group tour was perfect - enough time to really experience each location without feeling rushed."
What are the accommodation options for small group tours in Borneo?
Borneo's small group tours offer diverse places to stay from comfortable lodges to local homestays. The Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge puts you right where wildlife spotting happens while the Borneo Rainforest Lodge in Danum Valley offers 31 private chalets for a more upscale experience. Some itineraries include nights with local families in traditional longhouses such as in Tambunan Village. A TourRadar traveler noted: "The variety of accommodations really enhanced the experience - from jungle lodges to the Shangri-La Rasa Ria Resort each place offered something special for our small group."
What cultural experiences are available on small group tours in Borneo?
Small groups can get close to local life through homestays in traditional Tambunan longhouses local market visits in Kota Kinabalu and meetings with indigenous communities. The D'Danau Homestay lets visitors cook with locals and join in cultural activities. A TourRadar traveler noted: "The small group size made our cultural experiences more authentic and personal especially during our homestay where we really got to know our host family."
What areas of Borneo are best suited for small group travel?
The most rewarding spots for small groups include the Danum Valley Conservation Area Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary and Sepilok. These locations work well with intimate lodges like the Borneo Rainforest Lodge and Nature Lodge Kinabatangan. The Mulu National Park caves are also better explored in smaller numbers. As one TourRadar traveler noted: "Our small group could move quietly through Danum Valley allowing us to spot more wildlife than larger groups."
How do small group tours handle transportation in Borneo?
Getting around happens in mini-vans that can reach remote spots like Kinabalu National Park and Sepilok. Smaller boats take groups along the Kinabatangan River making it easier to spot wildlife. Places like Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary are more accessible with smaller vehicles on narrow roads. A TourRadar traveler mentioned: "The small group size meant we could use more nimble boats on the river getting us closer to wildlife without disturbing them."
How much does a small group tour in Borneo typically cost?
Daily costs run between USD 230 and 558 depending on where you stay and what activities are included. A 10-day Classic Borneo tour costs about USD 2680 covering accommodations guided activities and some meals. TourRadar travelers often mention that "the higher cost of small group tours is justified by the quality of experience and personal attention received."





















