Sabah Adventure

11 Days | Explore the lush wildlife paradise of Sabah, Borneo

4.9 out of 5 based on 197 reviews submitted.
Explorer
From
CAD $2,340
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Get to know a land of natural beauty and rare wildlife on this Borneo adventure through Sabah. With its collection of unique animals, ancient traditions, tribal villages, rescued orangutans and scenic views, Sabah has something for everyone. You’ll experience it all over 11 days in Borneo – climbing Mt Kinabalu at sunrise, watching sea turtles lay their eggs with an expert local ranger by your side and sharing laughs with your local hosts in a remote village. Visit conservation sanctuaries, search for local wildlife at different times of day and night along the Kinabatangan River (including pygmy elephants if you’re lucky) and explore the untouched wilderness of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Kinabalu National Park.

Trip overview

Map of Sabah Adventure including Malaysia
Start
Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
Finish
Sandakan, Malaysia
Theme
Explorer
Destinations
Malaysia
Physical rating
Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
Style
Original
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1 - Max 16
Trip code
TMSC
This trip generates 41 kg of CO2-e per person per day.
We offset these emissions on your behalf. But we know that is not enough, so we also have a carbon reduction target.

Why you'll love this trip
  • Climb Mt Kinabalu – the literal pinnacle of all treks in South East Asia – with local guides whose families have trekked the mountain for generations. Watch the sunrise at the peak after a morning hike and spot diverse flora and fauna along the way.
  • Spend time getting to know the unique wildlife of Borneo at conservation sanctuaries for orangutans and sun bears.
  • Join a local ranger to witness the life cycle of sea turtles, who come ashore on Turtle Island to lay their eggs on the beach. At night, you’ll watch the hatchlings make a dash down the beach on their way to their new life.
  • Cruise down the Kinabatangan River and search for wildlife in this rich and unique jungle ecosystem – if you’re lucky, you may see wild pygmy elephants!
  • Spend two nights in a Dusun village in the shadow of Mt Kinabalu – the highest mountain between the Himalayas and New Guinea. Spend time with your friendly hosts, explore a local vegetable farm and watch a cultural performance.

Is this trip right for you?
  • Summiting Mt. Kinabalu is an exhilarating challenge that should not be underestimated. On the second day of the trek, we begin our ascent at 2 AM to witness the breathtaking sunrise from the summit. Standing at approximately 4,095 meters (13,435 feet) above sea level, it promises an unforgettable experience but requires an excellent level of fitness to complete successfully.
  • Read our blog here for everything you need to know about climbing Mt Kinabalu: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/adventures/guide-to-climbing-mt-kinabalu-borneo/
  • You'll need to pack some specific items for this trip. Check the ‘Packing List’ in the Essential Trip Information for more details so you are prepared.
  • On this trip, you will experience a wide range of accommodation types: shared dormitory rooms in hostels, a homestay, a resort, a jungle lodge, and hotels. Some may be a little more basic than our standard hotels, but their unique locations and close proximity to nature are what make them special.

Itinerary

This itinerary is valid for departures from 01 January 2025 to 31 December 2025.

View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2024 - 31 December 2024

Map of Sabah Adventure including Malaysia

Inclusions

Meals

10 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 6 dinners

Transport

Private mini van, River Boat

Accommodation

Chalet (1 night), Resort (1 nights), Homestay (2 night), Hostel (2 nights), Hotel (2 nights), Lodge (2 nights)

Activities
  • Dusun Village - Guided village walk
  • Dusun Village - Cultural performance
  • Dusun Village – Local Vegetable Farm Visit
  • Kundasang - Market Visit
  • Mt Kinabalu National Park - Mt Kinabalu Climb
  • Kinabatangan River - Afternoon Wildlife Cruise
  • Kinabatangan River - Night jungle walk
  • Kinabatangan River - Fish Trap Making & Story Telling
  • Kinabatangan River - Dawn Wildlife Cruise
  • Sepilok - Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre
  • Turtle Island - Turtle Island Marine Park
  • Turtle Island - Turtle Hatchery Visit
Add on activities
  • Kota Kinabalu - Sabah Museum entrance fee - MYR15
  • Kota Kinabalu - Tunku Abdul National Marine Park Snorkeling Trip (Minimum 4 people) - MYR355
  • Kundasang - War Memorial (Entrance Fee) - MYR10
  • Poring Hot Springs - Conservation Fee - MYR15
  • Poring Hot Springs - Hot Springs (Open Bath Tub) - (3 hours) - MYR10
  • Poring Hot Springs - Canopy Walk - MYR10
  • Poring Hotspring (Slide Pool/Open Bathtub) - MYR10
  • Poring Hotspring (Entrance Fee) - MYR50
  • Sepilok - Rainforest Discovery Centre - MYR30
  • Sepilok - Sun Bear Conservation Centre - MYR50
  • Turtle Island - Snorkel Hire - MYR35
  • Sandakan - Agnes Keith House - MYR15
  • Sandakan - St Micheals and All Angels Church - MYR10
  • Sandakan - Puu Jih Shih Chinese Temple - Free
  • Sandakan - War Memorial - Free

Dates and availability

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Important notes

1. Please provide passport details at the time of booking, as these are essential for booking services on this trip, including your Mt Kinabalu permit.

2. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement excludes Days 2 and 3 (Dusun Village), 4 and 5 (Mt Kinabalu), and 9 (Turtle Island), where you will be in shared accommodation. It is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.

3. We recommend that you check your government's advice for their latest information on travelling in Eastern Sabah before your departure and ensure that your travel insurance covers you for all areas of your itinerary. Further information can be found in our "Safety" section of the Essential Trip Information. You can find links to prominent government travel advisories on our Travel Alerts page https://www.intrepidtravel.com/au/travel-alerts

Essential Trip Information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

Read Essential Trip Information

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 based on 197 reviews submitted.
Reviews are from travellers who have completed their trip and want to share their experience. We show all reviews, but may remove any that include profanity or inappropriate content, are unrelated to the trip or reveal personal details.

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Lyn · Traveled September 2024
We did the 21 day trip and it was great. Lots of trekking in the jungle and we saw all of the animals! The Pygmy elephants aren’t as small as we’d expected! If you like walking and jungle animals I would recommend this trip. The mountain was really tough but the weather was terrible! Only time we had bad weather.
Review submitted 24 Sep 2024

Ella · Traveled September 2024
Review submitted 14 Sep 2024

David · Traveled August 2024
Had an excellent time in Borneo seeing it's many amazing sights that can't be found anywhere else
Review submitted 06 Sep 2024

Alexandra · Traveled August 2024
I had such a wonderful time on this trip. It was the perfect mix of adventure/nature/with some down time. Mt Kinabalu was definitely a highlight as well as the turtles and all the other animals we were lucky to see. Jeffry was a great guide and his enthusiasm for nature was infectious.
Review submitted 06 Sep 2024

Jean-Claire · Traveled August 2024
Absolutely fantastic trip! A real mix of activities, wildlife and culture, as well as the diversity of the mountains, jungle and island! Climbing Mt Kinabalu was a fantastic challenge and a real highlight! As was the (all too brief) visit to Turtle Island.
Review submitted 27 Aug 2024
Sabah Adventure
From
CAD $2,340