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Real Borneo

10 days4.954 reviews
18 to 35s
Wildlife
From
EUR €841
This trip is for 18 to 35 year olds

See orangutans, sleep in the jungle and go snorkelling at Dinawan Island

Travel across the biodiverse Sabah region, immersing yourself in nature and learning about the island’s indigenous cultures on a 10-day journey through Borneo. From orangutan encounters and bamboo hut homestays to village trekking and sea snorkelling, you’ll find a nature lover’s paradise! Where else can you spot pygmy elephants on a riverbank one day and see proboscis monkeys the next (not to mention slow lorises, flying foxes and rescued sun bears). Explore Borneo on this incredible trip with new friends through rainforest-clad mountains, on warm island sands and in the middle of the jungle.

Trip code: TMYM
Start
Sandakan, Malaysia
End
Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
Meals
8 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 3 dinners
Transport
Private vehicle, Boat
Accommodation
Hotel (6 nights), Bamboo Hut (1 night), Jungle Lodge (dormitory room) (2 nights)
Days
10
Group size
Min 1 - Max 16
Ages
Min 18- Max 35
Theme
Our themes categorise trips based on a common interest or activity, while showcasing the highlights of a destination.
18 to 35s, Wildlife
Style
Basix: Simple accommodation, local transport and lots of free time

Original: Tourist-class hotels, some meals included and a great mix of included activities and free time

Comfort: Comfortable accommodation, with a relaxed pace of travel and many included meals and activities

Premium: 4+ star accommodation, exclusive premium inclusions, our most experienced leaders
Basix
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
This trip generates 35 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.
Bucket list destinationsTick off all the popular spots and enjoy unique local experiences
Great valueAffordable trips with the freedom to choose how you spend your time
Meaningful experiencesConnect to the places you go and the communities at the heart of every Intrepid experience

Why you'll love this trip

  • Get the opportunity to meet our closest redheaded relatives at the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre and watch these gentle giants as they go about their day.
  • Hike to and from the rural village of Ratau, where you’ll mingle with the locals, take part in a cooking class, learn how to play the Gong and sleep in a traditional bamboo hut.
  • Take not one, not two, but three river cruises on the Kinabatangan River to spot local wildlife – look out for pygmy elephants, crocodiles, flying squirrels and proboscis monkeys among the teeming birdlife.
  • Dive into the clear waters at Dinawan Island and snorkel among colorful fish. If you're lucky, you might even spot a turtle swimming by.
  • Meet the rescued sun bears at the Sun Bear Conservation Centre in Sepilok and learn about how this organisation works to rescue, protect, rehabilitate and hopefully reintroduce the sun bears back into the wild after they were mistreated.
This itinerary is valid for departures from 01 January 2026 to 31 December 2026.

View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2025 - 31 December 2025

Itinerary

Inclusions and activities

Meals

8 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 3 dinners

Transport

Private vehicle, Boat

Accommodation

Hotel (6 nights), Bamboo Hut (1 night), Jungle Lodge (dormitory room) (2 nights)

Included activities
  • Sepilok - Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre
  • Sepilok - Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre
  • Kinabatangan River - Afternoon Wildlife Cruise
  • Kinabatangan River - Night Jungle Walk
  • Kinabatangan River - Morning Wildlife Cruise
  • Kiulu - Village Trek (2 days / 1 night)
  • Kiulu - Cultural Activities
  • Kiulu - Cooking Class
  • Kiulu - Dusun Martial Art Show
  • Dinawan Island - Snorkelling Excursion

Optional activities
  • Sepilok - Rainforest Discovery Centre - MYR30
  • Sepilok - Night Walk at Rainforest Discovery Centre - MYR50
  • Kinabatangan River - Ox-Bow Lake Trekking - MYR25
  • Kinabatangan River - Rubber Boot Rental - MYR12
  • Kinabatangan River - Tree Planting - MYR250
  • Kinabatangan River - Batik Painting - MYR65
  • Kinabatangan River - Cooking Class (min. 2 participants) - MYR150
  • Kinabatangan River - Grass Planting - MYR200
  • Kundasang - Kundasang War Memorial - per pax - MYR15
  • Kota Kinabalu - Koisaan Cultural Village (Entrance) - MYR65
  • Kota Kinabalu - Tunku Abdul National Marine Park Snorkelling Trip (Minimum 2 people) - MYR345
  • Kota Kinabalu - PADI Discover Scuba Diving (Minimum 2 people) - MYR485

When you travel with us, The Intrepid Foundation gives you more opportunities to support important causes in destinations you visit.

Is this trip right for you?

  • You’ll get the chance to stay in a variety of accommodation on this trip, from village huts and jungle lodges to hostels and hotels. It can be basic, but it’s always comfortable.

Dates and availability

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Important notes

1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement is not available on Days 3 & 4 (Jungle Lodge) or Day 6 (Bamboo Hut) and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
2. 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 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

4.954 reviews
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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Ella · Traveled May 2025
Review submitted 27 May 2025
Taleigha · Traveled May 2025
Review submitted 27 May 2025
Sarah · Traveled May 2025
Review submitted 26 May 2025
Rachel · Traveled May 2025
Review submitted 27 May 2025
Kate · Traveled April 2025
Review submitted 30 Apr 2025
Real Borneo
From
EUR €841