Borneo Tours & Trips
Ever dreamed of going to the Sepilok Rehabilitation Center to see orangutans swing through the trees or exploring the huge limestone cathedral in Gomantung Cave? Take a boat ride down the Kinabatangan River, where pygmy elephants come to drink, or hike through the jungles near Bilit, where hornbills call overhead. Borneo is another world, and it’s calling you.
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Overall an absolutely fantastic tour. We booked this 8 day trip fairly last minute mainly because the dates fit with the rest of our trip, but I’m so pleased we did as it turned out to be a great decision. Firstly, Alister our CEO was AMAZING. Couldn’t have asked for a better guide - he was friendly, knowledgeable, funny and completely in control every step of the way meaning we basically didn’t have to think and could just enjoy the ride - plus he is excellent at karaoke, a definite bonus. Secondly, the itinerary was a wonderful mix of ticking off the touristy items and some much more unusual activities. The homestay at the beginning and the island stay at the end were highlights in terms of activities, as we really felt we saw the real parts of Borneo, not just the places geared towards visitors. Swimming with fish in the local river at the homestay and seeing baby turtles hatching and being released on the island were two things that I never thought I’d do! Highly recommend buying some rice wine at the homestay for the rest of the trip as well as it was delicious. Kinabatangan river and Sepilok were also great fun, and we particular liked the night walk in Sepilok, but do expect to be with other tourists the whole time. Worth noting that Alister’s relaxed attitude at the sanctuaries was massively appreciated as he didn’t have us rushing around like we saw other tour groups do. Thirdly, the accommodation - this was probably the one thing we were a bit concerned about but turned out, our fears were unfounded. All of the accommodation was fine - not amazing, but completely adequate and in line with what is advertised. We always had our own room as a couple (we had thought we might be in a dorm for the homestay) and although we didn’t have the best quality sleep over the week, it really didn’t matter as we were kept busy with activities, plus there were plenty of opportunities for naps. Make sure you bring earplugs and an eye mask and you’ll be fine. Fourthly, food - this ranged across the week a little bit, with the best food being the home cooked food at the homestay (you also get to join in as part of a cooking class!) and on the island, and the average food being that which was served buffet style at Kinabatangan river, but there were always plenty of options and I personally enjoyed every meal. If you’re still wondering as to whether or not to book this trip, hopefully this review persuades you to do so!
Borneo – East Sabah AdventureExcellent tour, thoughtfully put together. Lots of wildlife to see. Guides and accommodation excellent. Food provision good.
Journeys: Best of Borneo National GeographicExcellent tour, well paced with the excellent guide.
Highlights of Sabah & Mt Kinabalu
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The best Borneo tour packages
Compiled by
MelissaBorneo travel expert at TourRadar
Borneo – East Sabah Adventure
“Saw all the wildlife I had hoped for and more. The group was also fantastic, full of laid back, like minded, wildlife lovers, from all over the world.”
Kerry, traveled in March
Kinabatangan River safaris and Sepilok Orangutan Centre visits showcase Borneo's natural wonders. Authentic homestays in Tambatuon village, riverside jungle lodges, and Libaran Island's turtle conservation program offer diverse experiences. Wildlife spotting and cooking demonstrations add local flavor.
Duration 8 days Destinations Kota Kinabalu, Kundasang, Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary, Sandakan, Pulau Libaran Age Range Ages 12+ Operator G Adventures From $1,699
15% Off- US$1,444
Journeys: Best of Borneo National Geographic
“Lots of wildlife to see. Guides and accommodation excellent.”
Richard, traveled in September
The vast cave networks of UNESCO-listed Gunung Mulu house millions of bats emerging from Deer Cave. Wildlife viewing along Kinabatangan River pairs with orangutan observation at Sepilok Rehabilitation Centre. Jungle lodges at Kampung Bilit and Tabin Wildlife Reserve offer prime wildlife watching locations.
Duration 12 days Destinations Kuching, Kubah National Park, Gunung Mulu National Park, Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan, Sepilok, Kinabatangan, Tabin Wildlife Reserve Age Range Ages 12+ Operator National Geographic Expeditions with G Adventures From $4,699
17% Off- US$3,900
Sepilok Orangutan Centre and Mulu National Park's bat caves showcase Borneo's natural diversity. Premium Kinabatangan Wetlands Resort and Nanga Sumpa Lodge offer wildlife viewing and Iban cultural experiences. Internal flights connect Kuching's vibrant markets with Sandakan's conservation centers.
Duration 12 days Destinations Batang Ai National Park, Kuching, Gunung Mulu National Park, Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan, Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary, Tunku Abdul Rahman Park, Kinabatangan Age Range Ages 15+ Operator Intrepid Premium From
17% Off- US$6,295
Duration 3 days Destinations Sandakan, Sepilok, Kinabatangan Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Asian Overland Services Tours & Travel From
17% Off- US$932+$24 local payments
Highlights of Sabah & Mt Kinabalu
“It was a great trip with tons of great activities.”
Melissa, traveled in February
Wildlife encounters at Sepilok Orangutan Centre and Kinabatangan River complement Mt Kinabalu's summit challenge (4,095m). Accommodation varies from jungle lodges to Tambatuon village homestays, while Turtle Island's conservation center educates visitors. River safaris, guided hikes, and internal flights included.
Duration 11 days Destinations Kota Kinabalu, Kota Belud, Sandakan, Sukau, Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary, Sepilok, Pulau Libaran, Mount Kinabalu National Park, Poring Age Range Ages 12+ Operator G Adventures From $3,099
30% Off- US$2,169
3D2N Orangutan in Tanjung Puting with Overnight on the Boat
“Amazing experience, such a peaceful trip, the guides and all crew members were wonderful.”
Anne, traveled in April
Tanjung Puting National Park reveals its secrets over 3 days aboard a traditional riverboat. Orangutans gather at Camp Leakey and Pondok Tanggui, while Sekonyer River teems with wildlife. Forest treks and firefly-lit evenings in the Nipah Palm Area create lasting memories.
Duration 3 days Destinations Tanjung Puting National Park Age Range Ages 15+ Operator Pesona Indo From
30% Off- US$350
Duration 3 days Destinations Kota Kinabalu, Keningau, Sapulut Age Range Ages 12+ Operator Asian Overland Services Tours & Travel From
30% Off- US$574+$6 local payments
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Demographics
Solo Travelers41 tours- Couples37 tours
- Seniors (50+)29 tours
Best time to visit Borneo
- Summer 2026
In summer, you get longer daylight hours which really helps with spotting wildlife. Our most popular trips combine Sepilok Orangutan Centre visits with several days along the Kinabatangan River, and travelers consistently tell us they see lots of wild orangutans and pygmy elephants. For active types, we've got guided walks through Tabin Wildlife Reserve and visits to the Sun Bear centre. Summer's perfect for our bigger tours covering both Sabah and Sarawak - you'll stay in a mix of comfy lodges and traditional longhouses while hitting all the main spots. Many people like finishing up on Langkawi or Borneo's beaches, which makes sense after all that wildlife watching.
- popular 32 tours
- Fall / Autumn 2026
Autumn brings some nice conditions for exploring Borneo's different environments. The Kinabatangan River tours work really well because lower water levels mean more animals gather near the riverbanks - it's pretty normal for our travelers to spot several orangutan families during just one river cruise. Longer tours include both Sepilok and Semenggoh sanctuaries, giving you two different ways to learn about orangutan conservation. Our trekking tours in autumn combine walks in Kinabalu Park with visits to local villages and tea plantations, which active travelers really enjoy. Photographers particularly like this time of year; the morning light along the river is perfect for getting good shots of proboscis monkeys, hornbills and also other wildlife.
- 41 tours
- 40 tours
- popular 43 tours
- Winter 2026 / 2027
The winter river tours in Borneo really shine when water levels are just right. Our travelers love combining time at Sepilok's orangutan sanctuary with cruises on the Kinabatangan River - it's pretty common to spot wild orangutans, proboscis monkeys and also crocodiles right from the boat. For those wanting more, we've got tours that take you through Bako National Park's trails and into the massive Mulu caves, where the evening bat exodus looks extra special in the crisp winter air. If you're into photography, you'll get plenty of chances to capture hornbills, macaques and also gibbons in their natural habitat. Many guests tell us they didn't expect the traditional longhouse stays to be such a highlight of their wildlife trip, but they often end up being a favorite part.
- December 2026 popular 41 tours
- 33 tours
- 35 tours
- Spring 2027
Spring tours in Borneo mix nature and culture in really practical ways. Most trips start with some nice treks in Kinabalu National Park before heading over to Sepilok and the Kinabatangan area. The spring weather works perfectly for doing river safaris in the morning and rainforest walks later in the day - our guests love seeing wildlife from both angles. If you've got more time, the Sarawak tours are worth considering; you'll explore Santubong Peninsula's mangroves and join some pretty interesting night walks in Kubah National Park. The Bidayuh village stays add a genuine cultural element that fits naturally with all the nature experiences.
- popular 42 tours
- 33 tours
- 32 tours
Contact our Borneo travel experts
Rufus
Expert in Borneo at TourRadar
Rufus is one of our seasoned Borneo Travel Experts. Reach out to us to get all your questions about Borneo tours answered!
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