Borneo tours & holidays

Borneo's climate is typical for a tropical region - generally hot and humid all year-round.

Temperatures are usually in the high 20°s for most of the year, dropping back to the low 20°s at night.

Rainfall tends to be in short, heavy bursts followed by sunshine. The 'wet season' runs from November through to February but it does rain throughout the year, although our itineraries are rarely affected.

The state of Sabah is known as the 'land below the wind' as it's below the monsoon belt.

The cultures across Borneo can vary depending on which border you’re closest to – divided into Malaysian, Indonesia and Brunei regions.

Borneo’s population is largely made up of Malay with the predominant religion being Muslim. The remainder of Borneo’s population is Chinese, Indian or belongs to Indigenous populations.

You may hear the word ‘Dayak’ used by locals as a general term referring to the riverine and hill-dwelling ethnic subgroups in Borneo.

Historically, most indigenous communities in regional areas lived in longhouses, though many have moved for employment in urban areas. That being said, there is still a substantial number of Dayak tribes that maintain a strong spiritual tie to the rainforest and have retained their customs and speak local dialects.

Rice (nasi) and noodles (mee) are dietary staples across the island and accompany most meals. You’ll find varieties of white, red and brown rice grown throughout Borneo – prepared by steaming, frying, boiling into a breakfast porridge, or cooking with coconut milk in a hollowed bamboo stick to make lemang. 

Must-try foods in Borneo 

1. Sarawak laksa

This Malaysian-influenced staple is a spicy broth filled with vermicelli noodles, bean sprouts, chicken slices, shrimp and coriander. 

2. Satay

Skewers of meat (usually beef or chicken) are grilled to perfection over charcoal. 

3. Roti canai

Fried roti bread that is crispy, fluffy and soft all at the same time. It might be served with savoury or sweet fillings (from eggs and sardines to coconut jam and bananas), dipped into curry and lentil sauces, or enjoyed on its own. 

4. Bamboo chicken

Chicken marinated in chillies, lemongrass, garlic and ginger is stuffed into a bamboo stick with rice, sealed with turmeric leaves and cooked over an open flame until all the flavours merge together. 

The South-East Asian island of Borneo sits just south of the South China Sea, with the Sulu Sea, Celebes Sea, Makassar Strait, Java Sea and Karimata Strait also surrounding the island.

Split up between three countries (Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia), the regions most visited by tourists (Sabah and Sarawak) belong to Malaysia.

Home to the oldest rainforest in the world, large cave and river systems and mountains, Borneo has an incredible range of biodiversity with hundreds of species of birds, bats, plants, flowers and insects living in this ecologically precious part of the world.

Sitting 4,095 metres above sea level, Sabah's Mount Kinabalu is the third-highest mountain in South-East Asia and a popular trekking spot for active travellers looking for a challenge.

Early history

Early on, Borneo was used as a port for trade, with Chinese and Indian merchants stopping in on the coast as a part of their trade route from 500 to 1300 AD. The Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch and British were soon to follow. Because of this, Borneo now has a rich diversity of international influences to draw upon from these years of trade and interaction with other cultures.

With most of coastal Borneo falling under the rule of the Javanese Majapahit kingdom in the 14th century, the Sultanate of Brunei extended its rule in the north from the 15th to the 17th century. By the 19th century, both the British and the Dutch had colonial interests in the area, with a dynasty led by James Brooke ruling Sarawak for many years. Brooke's interest in the area stemmed from his attempts at trade in the Far East and connections to the Sultanate of Brunei. Brooke's rule was fraught with controversy and battles with the Sea Dayak people, who interrupted trade and were labelled as pirates. James Brook was succeeded by his nephew, Charles, and then his son, Vyner, in this rule known as the 'White Rajahs' of Sarawak.

Recent history

Japan took control of Borneo during World War II, resulting in a high number of deaths for the local population. During the war, many British and Australian prisoners of war were sent to Borneo, where thousands of Allied soldiers perished due to disease, malnutrition and exhaustion.

By the conclusion of the war in 1945, Borneo was freed from the Japanese, yet only two decades later, Borneo was the site of more conflict, this time between Indonesia and Malaysia. This conflict arose from the union of Sabah and Sarawak with Malaya in the Federation of Malaysia in 1963. More recently, the Sultanate of Brunei became an independent nation (in 1984).

Palm oil plantations have spread rapidly throughout Borneo in the last ten years, mainly due to the decline in the rubber industry. While these plantations have provided jobs and helped the economy in the short term, their proliferation has led to wide-scale deforestation, causing devastating habitat loss for many of Borneo's endangered species and the displacement of Indigenous people who rely on the forests and jungles to sustain their hunter-gatherer lifestyles.

1. Mount Kinabalu

Seeing sunrise from the top of Mount Kinabalu is a fine payoff for making it to the top. The climb, while strenuous, is filled with beautiful flora, interesting animals and beautiful vistas - making this majestic mountain a true natural highlight of Borneo.

2. Poring Hot Springs

Located within the Kinabalu National Park, these steaming hot pools of water provide a relaxing place to unwind after trekking Mount Kinabalu. Sliding into the open air baths is a therapeutic way to soothe your muscles.

3. Bako National Park

The oldest national park in Sarawak may be small, but with isolated beaches, jungles, waterfalls, rock formations and walking trails, visitors can enjoy panoramic views to photograph and a range of wildlife viewing opportunities on offer.

4. Turtle Island

Lying just north of Sandakan, Turtle Island Park is a haven for endangered green and hawksbill turtles. Watching as turtles land onshore at dusk, or baby turtles hatching, is not to be missed.

5. Kinabatangan

This district of Sabah is known for its incredible array of wildlife and diversity of habitat, with limestone caves, swamps, rivers, lakes, forests and mountains all contributing to the ecological diversity of the area. The area is also home to such rare species as the Asian elephant, the proboscis monkey and the Sumatran rhinoceros.

6. Sepilok

Meeting the gentle orangutans of Sepilok is a must-do for visitors to Borneo. These orange-tinged creatures are captivating, entertaining and cheeky. Watch them play, eat and interact in the jungle of Sepilok.

7. Headhunters' Trail

Walking in the footsteps of one of the world's most mysterious, feared and intriguing people may not be for everyone, but walking along the famed Headhunter's Trail reveals a little bit of local history.

8. Mulu National Park

Mulu National Park is a World Heritage-listed area, complete with canopy walks and treks, spectacular caves and stunning limestone karst formations.

9. Danum Valley

This area of pristine lowland rainforest is arguably one of Borneo's premier wildlife hot spots. Walk the trails and spot exotic birdlife, interesting plants, flying squirrels, vocal frogs and active gibbons.

10. Gaya Island

Get away from it all and revel in the seclusion of Gaya Island, located just off the coast of Kota Kinabalu. See tropical fish swimming through colourful reefs, learn to scuba dive, laze on the uncrowded beaches or grab a kayak and go exploring this slice of tropical beauty.

While Borneo's wild landscapes and beautiful beaches are definitely the true highlight of any visit, there are still treasures to found in Borneo's markets.

It's a good idea to check with your local customs officials to ensure that you are able to bring certain items back into your home country. Australia and New Zealand generally have strict quarantine laws.

Things to buy in Borneo

1. Ikat weaving 

​This traditional weaving process results in coloured, patterned textiles that can be used as clothing, wall hangings and home furnishings.

2. Wood carvings

Sarawak boasts a population of talented wood carvers -wooden bowls, charms, masks and figurines are all wonderful souvenir choices.

3. Ceramics 

Sarawak also has a wide range of good-quality ceramics and pottery thanks to the local populations of Chinese and Iban tribal potters, each group possessing their own distinctive style.

Rainforest World Music Festival

The diversity of world music is celebrated over three days each July in the heart of the Borneo jungle. Visitors to Kuching, Sarawak (in Malaysian Borneo) can find daytime music workshops, cultural and craft displays and evening concerts by Indigenous performers from all over the globe. And like every good festival, there are always plenty of food stalls serving up Malaysian and Asian foods. 

Borneo International Kite Festival

Each September, the seaside town of Bintulu shows off kites in all shapes, colours and sizes as they fill the sky for stunning displays and kite flying competitions. Come and watch the others show off their skills, participate in a kite-making workshop or take in the cultural performances.

Gawai Dayak (Harvest Festival)

More than just a celebration of the rice harvest, Gawai Dayak is an important symbol of unity for the Dayak and is celebrated with gusto in cities and rural villages across Sarawak. Many longhouses open their doors to visitors, where they are treated to traditional costumes, ritual music and lots of locally brewed rice wine (tuak) and Dayak foods. Head to the Sarawak Cultural Village in Kuching for the liveliest celebrations, where parades and other festivities begin a week before the main event.

Borneo Cultural Festival

Hear, see and taste the best of Malay, Chinese and Dayak culture at this annual July festival. Lively music, traditional dances and other cultural performances take place on multiple stages over 10 days in the city of Sibu in Sarawak (Malaysian Borneo). Expect Dayak drums, Malay songs, Chinese dragon dances and lots of local delicacies.