Borneo Tours for Solo Travelers
10 best Borneo solo travel packages
Compiled by
NinaBorneo travel expert at TourRadar
- Tabin Wildlife Experience
- Borneo Adventure
- Best of Borneo (11 destinations)
- Discover Borneo and Malaysia - Orangutans & More
- Indonesia: Borneo Orangutans of Tanjung Puting National Park
- Borneo Sabah Wildlife Highlights
- IN-DEPTH BORNEO & MALAYSIA TOUR
- ESCORTED BORNEO ADVENTURE - PREMIUM TOUR
- BORNEO MALAYSIA DISCOVERY TOUR
- Wild Borneo - Kota Kinabalu
Solo travelers aged 6+ stay in private timber bungalows at Tabin Wildlife Resort on Borneo with scheduled transfers from Lahad Datu at 8am or noon. Trek to Lipad Waterfall and mud volcano independently, then join small groups of 2-10 for night walks spotting orangutans and elephants. Try the herbal Tabin Rainforest Foot Soak and climb the Birdwatching Tower with English-speaking guides.
Duration 3 days Destinations Lahad Datu, Tabin Wildlife Reserve Age Range Ages 6+ Group Size Max Group Size 10 Group Type Group Room Type Singles, Shared Operator Asian Overland Services Tours & Travel From
- US$1,020
Solo adventurers join groups aged 18-45 exploring Borneo's wildlife from Kuching to Sandakan. Share experiences at Semenggoh Centre, Bako National Park, and during Kinabatangan River safaris. Perfect for independent travelers seeking social wildlife encounters.
Duration 9 days Destinations Kuching, Bako National Park, Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan, Pulau Selangan, Sepilok, Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary Age Range Ages 18-45 Group Size Max Group Size 18 Group Type Group Room Type Singles, Shared Operator Contiki From $2,575
10% Off- US$2,318+$275 upfront costsYou save $258
Duration 20 days Destinations Kuching, Bako National Park, Gunung Mulu National Park, Limbang, Labuan Island, Kota Kinabalu, Mount Kinabalu National Park, Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary, Sepilok, Sandakan Age Range Ages 15+ Group Size Max Group Size 16 Group Type Group Room Type Singles, Shared Operator Intrepid Travel From
10% Off- US$4,395
Solo travelers ages 35+ find community on this Borneo adventure, with options for private or shared rooms at Bilit Adventure Lodge and beachfront properties. Small groups of up to 25 visit the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Center together, participate in tree-planting projects with locals, and share sunset river cruises searching for pygmy elephants on the Kinabatangan River. Bond over wildlife spotting at the Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary and night walks through Abai Forest Reserve's tropical boardwalks.
Duration 10 days Destinations Kuala Lumpur, Penang Island, Sandakan, Abai Forest Reserve, Sukau Age Range Ages 35+ Group Size Max Group Size 25 Room Type Singles, Shared Operator Best Single Travel From
10% Off- US$3,785
Solo travelers aged 15+ can pick between private or shared room options, with shared deck sleeping aboard the rustic Klotok boat helping wildlife enthusiasts connect quickly. A CEO (Chief Experience Officer) guides the full trip and helps bring the group together during activities like the Tanjung Harapan night trek and Camp Leakey feeding sessions. Watch rehabilitated orangutans alongside other travelers who share your interests. Free time in Pangkalan Bun and Jakarta lets you do your own thing, from kayaking through Taman Wisata Alam's mangroves to browsing Jalan Surabaya's thrift markets.
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 Room Type Singles, Shared Operator G Adventures From $1,449
25% Off- US$1,087You save $362
Duration 10 days Destinations Kota Kinabalu, Mount Kinabalu National Park, Sepilok, Sukau, Tabin Wildlife Reserve, Sandakan Age Range Ages 16+ Group Size Max Group Size 16 Group Type GroupPersonalized Room Type Singles, Shared Operator Explore! From $3,940
20% Off- US$3,150You save $790
Solo travelers aged 35+ can book private rooms throughout this 14-day Borneo trip, with guaranteed departures for just 2 guests so you won't travel alone. The small group size creates camaraderie during shared activities like the traditional Malaysian dinner show in Kota Kinabalu and sunset cruise on the Sarawak River in Kuching. Connect with fellow travelers while trekking Mount Kinabalu's rainforest trails, visiting the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre, and watching cultural demonstrations at Mari Mari Cultural Village in the Sabah jungle.
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 Room Type Singles, Shared Operator Tweet World Travel From
20% Off- US$4,622
Solo travelers ages 35+ move through Borneo in groups capped at 16 guests with private accommodations at Kinabatangan Wetlands Resort and the Hyatt Regency Kota Kinabalu. Twice-daily river safaris on the Kinabatangan take you searching for wild orangutans at Danau Pitas ox-bow lake, visiting fishing village Kampung Abai to meet Orang Sungai tribes, and seeing the Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre. Mari Mari Cultural Village's five ethnic groups and Kampung Kiau village near Mount Kinabalu come with your dedicated English-speaking guide, with guaranteed departures for just two solo guests.
Duration 10 days Destinations Sandakan, Sukau, Kota Kinabalu, Kuching Age Range Ages 35+ Group Size Max Group Size 16 Group Type Group Room Type Singles, Shared Operator Tweet World Travel From
20% Off- US$3,285
Duration 10 days Destinations Sandakan, Sepilok, Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary, Sukau, Kota Kinabalu, Kuching Age Range Ages 35+ Group Size Max Group Size 16 Group Type Group Room Type Singles, Shared Operator Tweet World Travel From
20% Off- US$3,349
Private rooms at Abai Jungle Lodge and Sukau Riverside Lodge welcome solo travelers. Wildlife moments unfold at Sepilok Orangutan Centre and during evening firefly cruises. Cultural immersion awaits at Tombung Village with traditional Rungus meals.
Duration 10 days Destinations Kota Kinabalu, Mount Kinabalu National Park, Ranau, Poring, Sandakan, Kundasang, Sepilok, Sukau Age Range Ages 18+ Group Size Max Group Size 40 Group Type Group Room Type Singles, Shared Operator Just You From $4,806
6% Off- US$4,539You save $267
What people love about touring Borneo solo
Thank you TourRadar and G Adventures for a great tour! I have seen a lot of wilde life, such as elephants, proboscis monkies and orangutans! If your guide is Albert, you are very lucky! Very friendly, organised and most importantly a local guide with a huge knowledge of Borneo.
Borneo – East Sabah Adventure
What our customers ask about Borneo Tours for Solo Travelers
What's the typical group size and solo traveler ratio on Borneo guided tours?
Most Borneo guided tours keep groups small with 8-16 people. Data shows that solo travelers make up about 40-60% of participants. Looking at specific numbers from Intrepid Travel's Borneo tours 43% of guests travel alone. The smaller groups work well for activities like visiting the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre and taking river cruises on the Kinabatangan. This creates a more social setting where people can get to know each other. A TourRadar reviewer noted: "Being a solo traveler I never felt left out as the small group size made it easy to get to know everyone."
What type of accommodation can solo travelers expect on Borneo tours?
Accommodations range from city hotels to jungle eco-lodges. You'll find places like the 4-star Grandis Hotel in Kota Kinabalu the riverside Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge and upscale options like Shangri-La's Rasa Ria. Most properties charge single supplements but some tour operators like Intrepid offer room-sharing to avoid extra costs. The Borneo Rainforest Lodge gets particularly good feedback from solo guests who like how it combines comfort with a genuine rainforest setting.
What are the best areas in Borneo for solo travelers to visit on guided tours?
The most popular spots for solo travelers include Kota Kinabalu with its markets and nearby islands the wildlife-rich Kinabatangan River and Sepilok's orangutan sanctuary. Guided treks through Danum Valley and Mount Kinabalu National Park also attract many independent travelers. These places naturally bring people together. As one TourRadar reviewer put it: "The Kinabatangan River experience was perfect for meeting other travelers while spotting wildlife together and Sepilok's orangutan sanctuary created amazing shared moments."
How much free time do solo travelers get on Borneo guided tours?
Tours mix guided activities with independent time. In Kota Kinabalu you often get 1-2 free afternoons to check out local markets or join optional activities. Nature spots like Sepilok and Kinabatangan River schedule breaks between wildlife viewings. According to one TourRadar traveler: "The schedule was well-planned with enough free time to either join others for extra activities or relax independently at places like Shangri-La's Rasa Ria Resort beach."
What are the best times of year for solo travelers to visit Borneo Islands?
The best window is March to October with July through September being the busiest time when most tours run. These months offer good wildlife viewing along the Kinabatangan River. The Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre tends to be less crowded in the shoulder season from March to June. A past visitor shared on TourRadar: "I went in September as a solo traveler and found lots of other independent travelers during this busy period - perfect for making friends while spotting orangutans!"
How safe is it for solo travelers to explore during free time in Borneo?
The main cities like Kota Kinabalu and Kuching are generally safe with busy well-lit areas that welcome tourists. Popular spots include the Kuching Waterfront and Gaya Street Sunday Market. Most accommodations including the Promenade Hotel in Kota Kinabalu sit in secure central locations. A TourRadar reviewer shared their experience: "I felt completely safe exploring the night markets and local restaurants alone when not with the group - the locals were always friendly and helpful."