Borneo Tours for Solo Travelers
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10 best Borneo solo travel packages
Compiled by
NinaBorneo travel expert at TourRadar
- Borneo Adventure
- Real Borneo
- Classic Borneo (from Sandakan to Kota Kinabalu)
- Sabah Adventure (from Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan)
- Wild Sarawak (14 destinations)
- Best of Borneo
- Indonesia: Borneo Orangutans of Tanjung Puting National Park
- Wild Borneo
- The Island of the Forest People
- Natural wonders of Borneo (Kuching-Kota Kinabalu)
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 18 to 45 year olds Group Size Max Group Size 18 Group Type Group Room Type Singles, Shared Operator Contiki From $2,714
10% Off- US$2,443+$271 upfront costsYou save $271
Real Borneo
14 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The tour was well adapted to the age group, although free time could be more carefully allocated.”
Georgia, traveled in December
Young travelers aged 18-29 share stays in Borneo's jungle lodges and traditional villages. New friendships form during wildlife encounters at Sepilok Orangutan Centre, Kinabatangan River cruises, and cultural activities in Kiulu Valley.
Duration 10 days Destinations Kota Kinabalu, Kundasang, Sepilok, Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary Age Range 18 to 35 year olds Group Size Max Group Size 16 Group Type Group Room Type Singles, Shared Operator Intrepid Travel From $1,050
10% Off- US$945You save $105
Solo adventures enhanced by shared wildlife spotting at Sepilok Sanctuary and Kinabatangan River cruises. Social atmosphere during cultural visits and snorkeling at Manukan Island. Single-friendly accommodation in jungle lodges and resorts.
Duration 10 days Destinations Sandakan, Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary, Kundasang, Kota Kinabalu, Manukan Island Age Range 15 to 99 year olds Group Size Max Group Size 12 Group Type Group Room Type Singles, Shared Operator Intrepid Travel From $2,355
20% Off- US$1,884You save $471
Duration 11 days Destinations Kota Kinabalu, Mount Kinabalu National Park, Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary, Sepilok, Turtle Islands, Sandakan Age Range 15 to 99 year olds Group Size Max Group Size 16 Group Type Group Room Type Singles, Shared Operator Intrepid Travel From $2,460
15% Off- US$2,091You save $369
Nature enthusiasts gather in groups averaging 10 travelers. Share orangutan encounters at Semenggoh, trek the historic Headhunter's Trail, and bond over Berawan family dinners. Multi-share jungle accommodations and guided hikes create natural friendships.
Duration 10 days Destinations Kuching, Bako National Park, Gunung Mulu National Park, Limbang, Labuan Island, Kota Kinabalu Age Range 15 to 99 year olds Group Size Max Group Size 12 Group Type Group Room Type Singles, Shared Operator Intrepid Travel From $1,895
15% Off- US$1,611You save $284
Solo travelers, averaging 34 years, find community from Bako National Park treks to Kinabatangan River cruises. Bonds form through shared accommodations in jungle lodges and group activities like Berawan family dinners and Kundasang market visits.
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, Turtle IslandsSee all destinations Age Range 15 to 99 year olds Group Size Max Group Size 16 Group Type Group Room Type Singles, Shared Operator Intrepid Travel From $4,190
20% Off- US$3,352You save $838
Duration 7 days Destinations Jakarta, Tanjung Harapan, Tanjung Puting National Park, Kumai, Pangkalan Bun Age Range 15 to 90 year olds Group Size Max Group Size 14 Group Type Group Room Type Singles, Shared Operator G Adventures From $1,449
20% Off- US$1,159You save $290
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, Poring, Mount Kinabalu National Park, Kundasang, Ranau, Sandakan, Sepilok, Sukau Age Range up to 100 year olds Group Size Max Group Size 40 Group Type Group Room Type Singles, Shared Operator Just You From $4,274
16% Off- US$3,595You save $679
Wildlife encounters at Sepilok Center and along Kinabatangan River unite solo travelers. Intimate group settings enhance visits to Iban longhouses and Mulu's caves. German-speaking guides create an inclusive atmosphere throughout the Borneo adventure.
Duration 16 days Destinations Kuching, Bako National Park, Gunung Mulu National Park, Kota Kinabalu, Kundasang, Sepilok, Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary, Sandakan, Kuala Lumpur Age Range up to 85 year olds Operated in Only: German Group Size Max Group Size 10 Group Type Group Room Type Singles, Shared Operator DIAMIR Erlebnisreisen From
16% Off- US$4,741
Private transfers throughout this Borneo adventure allow flexibility. Rich experiences include Iban community visits, Gunung Mulu's caves exploration, and Mount Kinabalu's botanical wonders. Single rooms at Lime Tree Hotel Kuching and Promenade Hotel Kota Kinabalu provided.
Duration 9 days Destinations Kuching, Batang Ai National Park, Gunung Mulu National Park, Kota Kinabalu, Mount Kinabalu National Park Age Range up to 99 year olds Group Size Max Group Size 99 Group Type Private Room Type Singles, Shared Operator DERTOUR From
16% Off- US$2,331
What people love about touring Borneo solo
Like the wildlife . The homestay of the first day including cooking class was a joke ...
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."