Real Borneo

10 Days | See orangutans, sleep in the jungle and go snorkelling off an island’s coast

4.9 out of 5 based on 11 reviews submitted.
18 to 35s
From
EUR €634
View dates and book
This trip is for 18 to 35 year olds

Travel across the biodiverse Sabah region, immersing yourself in nature and learning about the island’s Indigenous cultures on a 10-day journey through the seldom-travelled-to 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). Treat yourself to this incredible trip in the shadow of rainforest-clad mountains, on the warm sands of islands and in the middle of the serene jungle.

Trip overview

Map of Real Borneo including Malaysia
Start
Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
Finish
Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
Theme
18 to 35s
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
Basix
Ages
Min 18 - Max 35
Group size
Min 1 - Max 16
Trip code
TMYM
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 destinations

Tick off all the popular spots and enjoy unique local experiences

Great value

Affordable trips with the freedom to choose how you spend your time

Meaningful experiences

Connect 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, slow lorises, flying foxes and proboscis monkeys among the teeming birdlife.
  • Take a snorkelling excursion to Pandan Pandan Island, where you’ll have multiple opportunities to dive under the clear waters and look for sea turtles, fish life, colourful corals and rays. Then, kick back on the warm sands and lap up the sun!
  • 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.

Is this trip right for you?
  • Accommodation on this trip is on a multi-share/twin basis. Solo travellers will share a room with other travellers of the same gender. 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. A single supplement is only available on the hotel nights in Kota Kinabalu.

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 Real Borneo including Malaysia

Inclusions

Meals

8 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 5 dinners

Transport

Private vehicle, Boat

Accommodation

Hotel (3 nights), Bamboo Hut (1 night), Jungle Lodge (dormitory room) (3 nights), Guesthouse (Multi-share) (2 nights)

Activities
  • Kiulu - Cooking Class
  • Kiulu - Village Trek (2 days / 1 night)
  • Kiulu - Cultural Activities
  • Kiulu - Dusun Martial Art Show
  • Sepilok - Night Walk at Rainforest Discovery Centre
  • Sepilok - Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre
  • Sepilok - Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre
  • Kinabatangan River - Afternoon Wildlife Cruise
  • Kinabatangan River - Night Jungle Walk
  • Kinabatangan River - Morning Wildlife Cruise
  • Pandan Pandan Island - Snorkelling Excursion
Add on activities
  • Kota Kinabalu - Sabah Museum entrance fee - MYR15
  • Kota Kinabalu - Tunku Abdul Rahman Park (boat and conservation fee) - MYR60
  • Kota Kinabalu – Koisaan Cultural Village (Entrance) - MYR45
  • Kota Kinabalu - Tunku Abdul Marine Park Scuba diving 3 dives (Min 4) - MYR445
  • Kota Kinabalu - Tunku Abdul National Marine Park Snorkeling Trip (Minimum 4 people) - MYR355

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 only available on Days 1 and 9 and is subject to availability. All other nights you’ll be in shared accommodation. 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

4.9 out of 5 based on 11 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.

Filter by rating

Emily · Traveled July 2024
We had the best time on this trip. It was the perfect combination of trekking, culture, and wildlife. The orangutans and Pygmy elephants were amazing!
Review submitted 24 Jul 2024

Daniel · Traveled July 2024
A fantastic trip for those wanting to see wildlife - orangutans, Pygmy elephants, monkeys and more. The accommodation is very basic but worth it for what you see and do. Snorkelling was the only disappointment as there was no fish! Would recommend to nature lovers!
Review submitted 27 Jul 2024

Eleanor · Traveled July 2024
Really enjoyed this trip. Accommodation is basic as described but worth it for all the wildlife you get to see, saw Pygmy elephants which was a highlight of the trip and the night in the village bamboo hut was a great experience
Review submitted 23 Jul 2024

Alis · Traveled July 2024
Great experience and guide... We really saw the real Borneo!
Review submitted 23 Jul 2024

Lisa · Traveled May 2024
I would highly recommend this trip if you are looking for a budget friendly and packed itinerary to explore Borneo’s Sabah region. I had so much fun and got to see so much wildlife -including Pygmy elephants and wild Orangutans. It was a very well organised trip ans also catered for me as a vegetarian.
Review submitted 01 Jun 2024
Real Borneo
From
EUR €634