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Travel to Borneo to explore the wild side of life

Have an essential Borneo experience on this ten-day adventure to its natural hotspots. Head into lush jungles, down scenic rivers and through the traditional villages of this beautiful region. On the way, soak up stunning mountain vistas, meet local villagers, relax on stunning beaches and have an encounter with some pretty special wildlife. There's no doubt that this adventure in Borneo will find its way into your heart and leave you with unforgettable memories.

Start
Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
Finish
Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
Destination
Malaysia
Style
Comfort
Theme
Explorer, Wildlife
Code
TMKB
Physical rating
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1, Max 12

Why you'll love this trip

  • Experience life in a Dusun village while enjoying a delicious home-cooked lunch of local specialties.

  • Explore the unspoiled wilderness of the Kinabalu National Park by walking the trails at the base of this much-admired mountain.

  • One of the wildest places on earth, Borneo offers rare treats for the nature lover – see orangutans in Sepilok and proboscis monkeys at Labuk Bay.

  • Search for wildlife when you’re cruising the Kinabatangan River on a water safari and while you’re in the depths of the wilderness on a jungle walk.

  • During two days on glorious Manukan Island, there's plenty of time to soak up the relaxed beach vibe, and to get close to marine life on an included snorkelling trip.

Is this trip right for you?

  • As you travel across Sabah, you'll stay in a variety of different accommodation, from standard hotels, to jungle lodges. Some accommodation may have less amenities than a standard hotel, but the unique locations and proximity to nature make them stand out favourites for travellers.

  • Less time spent in a vehicle; more time to explore each destination. This trip has been carefully designed to give you the best experience of a region by reducing the number of one-night-only stops, giving you extra time in the places that matter. With this in mind, be prepared for some long drives of up to 5 hours. Wherever possible, you'll make stops in interesting locations to break up the trip and we use private transport throughout for extra comfort.

  • You’ll be walking some of the lower trails in Kinabalu National Park, however you do not climb the mountain itself. If this is something that interests you, check out Intrepid’s Sabah Adventure (trip code TMSC) or Borneo: Hike, Bike & Kayak (trip code TMXB) trips.

  • Travelling light is essential, as there is a strict 15 kg maximum luggage limit for check in luggage on your internal flight. Excess luggage will incur extra fees, payable on ground to the airline.

Map of Classic Borneo including Malaysia
Sepilok rainforest, Borneo
Manukan Island, Borneo
Trek through Mt Kinabalu National Park, Borneo
Enjoy traditional laksa in Kota Kinabalu, Borneo
Stay in a jungle chalet beside Kinabatangan river, Borneo
Orangutan, Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre
borneo kinabatangan rainforest kingfisher

Itinerary
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Selamat datang! Welcome to Malaysia. Your adventure begins with an important welcome meeting at 6 pm. If you have any free time beforehand, why not get out and explore this intriguing city that was born between the Borneo jungle and the South China Sea. Modern-day 'KK' is a vibrant modern metropolis, having recovered from World War II bombings – the Sabah State Museum is a great place to immerse yourself in its backstory.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Complimentary Airport Arrival Transfer
Optional Activities
  • Kota Kinabalu - Sabah Museum entrance fee - MYR15
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information
It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.

The arrival transfer is only valid if arriving on Day 1 or if you have booked pre-trip accommodation through Intrepid. Please provide your flight details at the time of booking, or at a minimum 14 days prior to travel, as we may not be able to confirm a request made within 14 days of travel.

Leaving Kota Kinabalu behind, you'll head for the hills and travel towards the unspoiled wilderness of the World Heritage-listed Mt Kinabalu National Park (approximately 3 hours). You will stop off en route at a local home in a  Dusun Village. Sample the local foods with a home cooked lunch to get some insight into what it’s like to live in a rural village. Later you can stretch your legs and soak up the mountain scenery with a stroll through Mt Kinabalu National Park. There are many walking trails from which you can bird watch. The Mt Kinabalu Botanical Garden is an excellent showcase of the diverse plant life on the mountain, as flora from all over the park has been replanted here. Spend the night in a mountain lodge close by to the park in Kundasang.
Accommodation
  • Resort (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Mt Kinabalu National Park - Lower trails guided walk
  • Mt Kinabalu National Park - Mount Kinabalu Botanical Garden
  • Dusun Village - Home-cooked lunch
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch

After breakfast, head to Kinabatangan River in private minivan – a trip of approximately 5 hours. Your jungle lodge, located beside the river, is ideal for taking in the lush surrounds. At 560 kilometres, the Kinabatangan River is the second longest in Malaysia. It's also a protected forest reserve, containing some of the highest concentrations of wildlife in Borneo. Later in the afternoon you will take a river cruise, hopefully spotting some of the more exotic local creatures. Wild elephants seldom reveal themselves, but crocodiles, macaques, wild orangutan, proboscis monkeys, hornbills and kingfishers are more easily seen. After this short adventure, head back to your lodge and enjoy dinner with the group.
Accommodation
  • Lodge (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Kinabatangan River - Wildlife spotting cruise
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

You might wake to the call of a Bornean gibbon, or perhaps a hornbill. Enjoy an early morning cruise down the river, searching for more birds and wildlife. Keep an eye out for Long Tail Macaques and Pig Tail Macaques – your expert leader can tell you the difference. Later that morning, take a walk to Bilit Village, home to the local Orang Sungei community. The Orang Sungei, which translates to ‘River People’, are one of Sabah’s many indigenous communities and are very hospitable with a diverse cultural heritage. Enjoy some free time in the afternoon before another river cruise to see wildlife along the riverbank. This final river cruise will be your last chance to photograph or simply marvel at your surrounds. Spend one more night in your lovely accommodation right in the heart of the jungle.
Accommodation
  • Lodge (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Kinabatangan River - Wildlife spotting cruise
  • Kinabatangan River - Orang Sungei guided village walk
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Travelling by private minivan, you will stop to visit the intricate Gomantong Caves. Renowned for their edible swiftlet nets, they are harvested for bird's nest soup. Bird's nest collection is an ancient tradition, though nowadays licences are required for it. Travelling to Sandakan, a journey of 3 hours, you will stop in at the Sandakan War Memorial. Here you will learn about the city's past as you stand on the same ground of the former Japanese Prisoners Of War camp. This site also marks the starting point of the tragic Sandakan Death Marches, on which 2400 POWs were forced to walk through the jungles of Borneo. By the end of the march, only 6 Australians survived, and only because they had escaped. Arrive in Sandakan, which was once the capital of British North Borneo and traditionally has strong trading ties with Hong Kong. The Cantonese influence is obvious in the lively harbour-side market, the many Chinese temples and the local cuisine.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Sandakan - War Memorial
  • Sukau - Gomantong Caves
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

This morning, take a private transfer to the Sepliok Orangutan Sanctuary (approximately 1 hour). The centre was set up to help reintroduce these wonderful creatures back into the wild after a life of domestication or having been orphaned. From the viewing platform, you can watch and photograph these charming creatures as they swing into view and eat the supplementary diet of bananas and milk that is laid out for them twice a day. Human contact must be kept to a minimum and it's essential that you follow the instructions of the park, as directed by your leader. Also included is a new nursery where you can view young orangutans as they learn how to climb on a specially constructed jungle gym. The viewing area is behind one-way glass so as to not disturb the animals. To see more of Borneo’s creatures, there’s the option to visit the newly opened Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Center. Here, rescued Sun Bears that have spent many years mistreated and locked away in cages are cared for, with hopes of rehabilitation and reintroduction into the wild. You will also visit the Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary, where you can watch up close the amazing bachelor proboscis lazing and feeding – an experience that can only be found in Borneo.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Sepilok - Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre
  • Sepilok - Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary
Optional Activities
  • Sepilok - Rainforest Discovery Centre - MYR15
  • Sepilok - Bornean Sun Bear Centre - MYR32
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Transfer to Sandakan Airport today for a flight to Kota Kinabalu. A short boat ride (around 20 minutes) takes you to Manukan Island, just off the coast of Kota Kinabalu. This is one of the larger islands found in the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine National Park. The first of two days on this island will be free for you to explore the island at your leisure – perhaps swimming or local activities. The 1.5-kilometre beach is lovely to stroll along at low tide.
Accommodation
  • Resort (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Keep in mind that the baggage allowance for this flight is only 15 kg of checked in luggage and one cabin bag of 7 kg, and any excess baggage will incur a further charge paid direct to the airline.

Enjoy a snorkelling trip today, where an array of coral and brightly coloured marine life reveals itself, conditions depending. An optional scuba dive trip from Manukan Island is also on offer for those interested in a more immersive experience. If you are interested, let your leader know and it can be arranged. After snorkelling, the afternoon is yours to enjoy. Soak up the turquoise vistas for another few hours as you stroll or swim about in this stunning slice of paradise.
Accommodation
  • Resort (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Tunku Abdul National Marine Park - Boat trip & snorkelling
Optional Activities
  • Kota Kinabalu - Tunku Abdul Marine Park Scuba diving 3 dives - MYR390
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch

Head back to Kota Kinabalu today by boat and minivan. This will take around 40 minutes. Optional activities include a visit the intriguing Mari Mari Cultural Village, nestled deep in the countryside. Here you will see how indigenous ethnic groups of Borneo used to live. Or a visit to the Sabah Museum to learn about Sabah’s past or do some last-minute souvenir shopping at the Filipino market. Tonight, perhaps head out for a meal with your group to celebrate your Borneo adventure.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Kota Kinabalu - Mari Mari Cultural Village - MYR180
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

There are no activities planned for the final day and you are able to depart the accommodation at any time.
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Meals

9 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 2 dinners

Transport

Boat, Plane, Private mini van

Accommodation

Lodge (2 nights), Hotel (4 nights), Resort (3 nights)

Included activities

  • Complimentary Airport Arrival Transfer
  • Mt Kinabalu National Park - Lower trails guided walk
  • Mt Kinabalu National Park - Mount Kinabalu Botanical Garden
  • Dusun Village - Home-cooked lunch
  • Kinabatangan River - Wildlife spotting cruise
  • Kinabatangan River - Orang Sungei guided village walk
  • Sandakan - War Memorial
  • Sukau - Gomantong Caves
  • Sepilok - Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre
  • Sepilok - Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary
  • Tunku Abdul National Marine Park - Boat trip & snorkelling

Dates & availability

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Important notes

1. A complimentary airport arrival transfer is included; valid if you are arriving on Day 1 or if you have booked pre-tour accommodation through us. You must provide your flight details to your booking agent at least 14 days prior to travel.
2. There is a strict limit of 7kg for carry on and 15 kg for check in luggage on the internal flight. Excess luggage will incur additional fees payable on the ground to the airline.
3. A Single Supplement to have your own room is available and includes all nights.
4. 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.

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.

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