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Map of Borneo Family Holiday Comfort including Malaysia

Hang out with orangutans and snorkel in pristine waters on this unforgettable family escape

Pack up the troupe and head into Borneo's lush jungles on a family adventure. Keep an eye out for cheeky monkeys on a scenic cruise down the Kinabatangan River, or let the monkeys come to you on a visit to one of Borneo's famous animal sanctuaries. Learn about a bygone era with an eye-opening visit to a Dusun village and wander through vast tea plantations in Ranau. Stop off at the idyllic Dinawan Island and see the colourful fish living beneath its shimmering waters. Everywhere you look, this island is brimming with unforgettable memories. 

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Terms & Conditions
Start
Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
Finish
Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
Destination
Malaysia
Style
Comfort
Theme
Family, Wildlife
Code
TMFK
Physical rating
Ages
Min 5
Group size
Min 2, Max 16

Why you'll love this trip

  • Watch young orangutans learning to climb for the first time at the Sepilok Sanctuary

  • Keep your eyes peeled for local wildlife on a cruise down the Kinabatangan River

  • Soak up the relaxed beach vibe on glorious Dinawan Island

  • Experience the hospitality of the Dusun people while enjoying lunch in a rural village

  • Explore the unspoilt wilderness of the Kinabalu National Park

  • Look over rolling green hills of tea with a night at a tea plantation, including a sampling of delicious local varieties

Is this trip right for you?

  • This trip covers a lot of distance, so 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.

  • The accommodation varies, from hotels to unique chalets to jungle lodges. The latter two may be a little more basic than our standard hotels. Their unique location and close proximity to wildlife is what makes them special.

  • This trip visits Kinabalu National Park, however we do not climb the mountain.

  • Travelling light is essential, as there is a strict 15 kg maximum luggage limit due to the internal flight. Excess luggage will incur extra fees.

Baby orangutan in Borneo jungle
Kids laying in tea plantation, Borneo
Have fun learning about Orangutans at the Sepilok sancutary

Itinerary
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Selamat datang! Welcome to Malaysia. Your adventure begins with a Welcome Meeting at 5pm.

If you arrive early, you can immerse yourself in history of this intriguing city between the Borneo jungle and the South China Sea at the Sabah State Museum. You can also visit the Mari Mari Cultural Village, or perhaps explore the islands off Kota Kinabalu, excellent for swimming and snorkelling.
Accommodation
  • Horizon Hotel or similar (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
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, head for the hills and the unspoilt wilderness of the World Heritage-listed Kinabalu National Park. Stop off en route at a local home in a Dusun village. The Dusun people are wonderfully welcoming, and here you'll have the chance to learn about their culture as you sample local dishes at a home cooked lunch. If you are lucky, you may get to sample linopot, a tasty snack featuring rice tightly wrapped inside a leaf. Join a guided half day village walk that includes a visit to the local bee farm and see coffee being produced at a local factory. You’ll also meet the women from Everything Pineapple, a business that's known for its delicious pineapple products. This NGO empowers local women to reach new heights socially and financially and has some of the best jam you’ll ever taste. Later, soak up the mountain scenery with a leg-stretching stroll through Mount Kinabalu Botanical Garden. Late in the afternoon, travel by private bus to Sabah Tea Plantation. Tonight you will stay among the grounds of a lush tea garden
Accommodation
  • Sabah Tea Garden Cottages or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Mt Kinabalu National Park - Mount Kinabalu Botanical Garden
  • Dusun Village - Guided village walk
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch

After breakfast take part in a tour of the tea factory. From here, head to Kinabatangan River in a private mini van (approximately 5 hours). Arrive at your jungle lodge, located beside the river, which is ideal for taking in the lush surrounds. The Kinabatangan River is a protected forest reserve, containing some of the highest concentrations of wildlife in Borneo. In the afternoon, board 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, return to the lodge to enjoy dinner. After dinner we head out on a night walk.
Accommodation
  • Borneo Natural Sukau Bilit Resort or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Kinabatangan River - Afternoon Wildlife Spotting Cruise
  • Sabah Tea Plantation - Tea factory tour
  • Kinabatangan River - Night jungle walk
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Be woken by the the call of a Bornean gibbon, or perhaps a hornbill, before a morning cruise down the river. Keep an eye out for proboscis monkeys, Borneo gibbons, long tail macaques and pig tail macaques and see if you can spot the differences between each species. In the evening you get your last chance to take as many photos as you can on a final river cruise. Spend one more night in your lovely accommodation right in the heart of the jungle.
Accommodation
  • Borneo Natural Sukau Bilit Resort or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Kinabatangan River - Afternoon Wildlife Spotting Cruise
  • Kinabatangan River - Dawn wildlife cruise
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

This morning, travel to Sandakan (approximately 2.5 hours). On the way you will stop at 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.

In the afternoon, settle down in your home for two nights; Sandakan, once the capital of British North Borneo, the city has traditionally strong ties with Hong Kong. The Cantonese influence is palpable in the lively harbour-side market, the many Chinese temples and the local cuisine. You will have time this afternoon to visit the Sandakan War Memorial (optional - additional cost for transport). The memorial was originally a Japanese Prisoner of War Campy and also marks the starting point of the tragic Sandakan Death Marches, of which 2,400 POWs were forced to walk through the jungles of Borneo. Of this number, only 6 survived owing to courageous escapes.
Accommodation
  • Sabah Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Sepilok - Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary
Optional Activities
  • Sandakan - War Memorial - Free
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Today, we head to Sepilok (30 min drive) for a day of monkey business and encounters with some of the region's prized orangutans. Please be mindful that 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. 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 being mistreated and locked away in cages are cared for, with hopes of rehabilitation and reintroduction into the wild. Back in Sandakan you will have to relax by the pool or head into town to do a spot of shopping.
Accommodation
  • Sabah Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Sepilok - Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre
Optional Activities
  • Sepilok - Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre - MYR50
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Catch a transfer to Sandakan Airport today for a flight to Kota Kinabalu. Keep in mind that the luggage allowance for this flight is only 15 kg, and any excess baggage may incur a further charge. After touching down we will take a private transfer 25minutes south to the jetty before boarding a boat out to Dinawan Island (10-15mins). Check into your villa tents and explore the island.

Note: Accommodation on Dinawan Island is on a twin share basis in a tented villa.  All villas have air conditioning with toilet and shower facilities located inside the tent.
Accommodation
  • Dinawan Island Tented Villas (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner

After breakfast you and your family will learn more about the Marine Ecosystem on the island with a programme which will give you insight into the importance of the coral to marine biodiversity. First up will be an informative talk about the coral reef ecosystem and the importance of the reef to marine life. Then we swap the indoor classroom to the outdoor classroom a one hour snorkelling trip with a marine biologist. Take a boat out to the nearby house reef to have a closer look at the types of corals, the habitat, signs of damages and healings, observing and identifying marine life with your specialist. A fun way for the entire family to explore this beautiful part of the world. Heading back to shore the afternoon will be free to enjoy at your own pace.
Perhaps soak up the turquoise vistas for another few hours or if you are keen you can take out kayaks (free) for some more fun on the water. 
Accommodation
  • Dinawan Island - Tented Villa (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Dinawan Island - Marine Ecosystem Program
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Hit the water again this morning with another snorkelling trip with a local snorkelling guide. After lunch you will have goodbye this piece of paradise and head back to Kota Kinabalu around noon by boat and minivan (just over 1hour of travelling time). After checking into the hotel you will have time to relax before perhaps heading out for a final meal (optional) with your group to celebrate your Borneo adventure.
Accommodation
  • Horizon Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Dinawan Island - Snorkeling Trip
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch

Your Borneo family adventure comes to an end after breakfast today. Spend the final day shopping for memorable trinkets in the city's many markets.
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Want to tailor this itinerary?

Meals

9 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 4 dinners

Transport

Private minivan, Boat, Plane

Accommodation

Tented Villa (2 nights), Guesthouse (1 night), Resort (2 nights), Hotel (4 nights)

Included activities

  • Complimentary Airport Arrival Transfer
  • Mt Kinabalu National Park - Mount Kinabalu Botanical Garden
  • Dusun Village - Guided village walk
  • Kinabatangan River - Afternoon Wildlife Spotting Cruise
  • Sabah Tea Plantation - Tea factory tour
  • Kinabatangan River - Night jungle walk
  • Kinabatangan River - Dawn wildlife cruise
  • Sepilok - Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary
  • Sepilok - Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre
  • Dinawan Island - Marine Ecosystem Program
  • Dinawan Island - Snorkeling Trip

Dates & availability

Trip departures are unavailable.

There are currently no scheduled departures on our Borneo Family Holiday Comfort trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.

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Important notes

FAMILY TRIPS: Please note that these trips are for adults and children travelling together and there must be at least one child under 18 with you.

AGE: Minimum age for children on this trip is 5 years old.

DISCOUNT: A discount of 10% applies on this trip to children 17 years and under at time of travel.

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.

ARRIVAL TRANSFER: 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.

WEATHER: Borneo is a tropical country so rain can be excepted at any time. The wet period in Borneo runs from November to February. Temperatures remain fairly constant year round with averages of 27-32°C/80-89°F and relative humidity of around 80%. Consider bringing a portable small neck fan with you to keep you and your family cool.

HOTEL LOCATIONS: Many hotels outside of the big cities of Kota Kinabalu and Sandakan have been built so travellers can enjoy the countryside, forest/mountain views, where people can wake up to nature sounds not cars. Many of the hotels we use are in such locations and can be quite remote. So access to restaurants are limited.

FOOD: Borneo’s food is known for being fairly mild, with high reliance on fresh fruit and vegetables.
The cuisine is a mix of  Chinese, Malay and Indian. Cuisine staples include grilled fish, barbecued prawns, fried rice, noodles, and local vegetables seasoned with garlic, ginger, and rich sauces. Fish and chicken based soups with noodles cooked in a hot clay pot are very traditional.

Essential trip information

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