Wildlife

Seeing wildlife in Borneo is a highlight of any visit to this tropical island. Remarkably human-like orangutans hide deep within the jungle and pot-bellied proboscis monkeys sit high in the trees. Pygmy elephants move through the rainforest and at dusk, flying lemurs soar from one branch to the next while millions of bats stream out from some of the world’s largest caves.

The list of wildlife in Borneo is rich and varied: sun bears, crocodiles, elephants, gibbons, monkeys, bearded pigs, civet cats, leopard cats, hornbills, kingfishers, barking deer, mouse deer, frogs, lizards, snakes, slow lorises, elusive clouded leopards and western tarsiers, and so much more. Some, such as proboscis monkeys, can only be found in Borneo. Sightings of wild animals are never guaranteed but whatever you’re most hoping to see, we can advise you where to go to increase your odds.

As wild animals tend to move around and there’s such a variety of wildlife in Borneo, we recommend visiting a combination of rehabilitation or conservation centres, national parks, and preserved areas. Learn about the largest tree-dwelling ape, the orangutan, at Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre or Semenggoh Nature Reserve. Drift down the Kinabatangan River looking for crocodiles and proboscis monkeys. Take a night walk through Bako National Park keeping an eye on the trees for a flying lemur, civet cat, or slow loris, and along the trail for frogs, snakes, and spiders. Sit outside Deer Cave as the sun sets in Mulu National Park to watch the sky fill with millions of bats heading out for their nightly hunt. Wake early at Tabin Wildlife Reserve and follow the sound of gibbons to the forest edge. If it’s pygmy elephants you’re looking for, book an extra day in Sukau, Tabin, or Danum Valley and hope that luck is on your side. Everywhere you go, look out for hornbills, owls, eagles, and the ever-cheeky macaques.

Below are just a few sample itineraries and suggestions of places to stay where you may encounter a bit of wildlife in Borneo. For more details or to inquire about a holiday in Borneo, give us a call at UK 020 7112 0019 or email borneo@fleewinter.com. Our expert has spent months visiting lodges, nature reserves, rehabilitation centres, and national parks looking for wildlife and great places for a holiday.

Where to see...

Orangutans

The most reliable places to see the "man of the forest" are Semenggoh Nature Reserve and Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre. Daily feedings draw the orangutans to platforms where you can watch and take photos. When fruits are in season, roughly the months of October-February, the apes are less likely to visit the feeding platforms. At Sepilok, there's still a good chance to see young orangutans in the nursery.

Suggested Itineraries

Family Wildlife Adventure

12 Days From £1950 per person

With jungles, rainforests, unusual animals, clear oceans, and a rich cultural tradition, Borneo offers an adventure for families of all ages. This trip takes in a bit of traditional culture and then focuses on wildlife viewing. Release baby turtles, spot orangutans and monkeys along the river, look for colorful birds in the jungle, and get a taste of the underwater world - without swimming if that's your preference!

Waterways of Borneo

18 Days From £3350 per person

Borneo's waterways were once the primary means of transportation. Today, they're a great place to look for wildlife. This itinerary takes you along the Sarawak River, to the waters of Batang Ai, in search of proboscis monkeys on the waters of Brunei, along the Kinabatangan River to look for crocodiles, orangutans, and more, and ends with a chance to see one of the most biodiverse underwater areas in the world.

Kota Kinabalu

An easy city to see on foot, Kota Kinabalu is the gateway to Sabah. Hop a ferry to the islands, relax by the beach north of the city, tuck into a meal at the night market, and settle into the easy pace of Sabahan life. More

Tip of Borneo

Empty beaches, clear water, and fantastic villas perfect for those looking to get away from it all. The Tip of Borneo is a quiet place for a self-drive holiday from Kota Kinabalu. A longhouse homestay, traditional villages, and a jungle home to proboscis monkeys are easy day visits. Snorkel, dive, kayak, trek, bicycle, or simply sit by the water. More

Mount Kinabalu

The highest mountain in Southeast Asia offers more than an incredible hike. With multiple mountain environments and climate zones, Kinabalu Park hosts more than 300 bird species and 5,000 flowering plants including the large rafflesia. For those up for the challenge, climbing Mount Kinabalu is an unforgettable overnight hike to see the sunrise at 4,095 meters. More

Sipadan

Considered by many one of the top dive sites in the world, Sipadan Island has coral-covered walls dropping well below recreational limits. Sharks, turtles, and schools of fish that number in the thousands are routinely seen by divers and snorkelers. Only 120 visitors are allowed per day so we recommend staying on nearby Mabul and diving its macro-rich waters on your non-Sipadan days. More

Danum Valley

The largest piece of preserved virgin rainforest in Malaysia sits within the Danum Valley Conservation Area. This remote jungle hosts a magnificent array of wildlife from the largest in the region to some of the smallest. Sun bears, orangutans, clouded leopards, wild cattle, Sumatran rhino, horned frogs, flying frogs, flying squirrels, the list goes on. Previously only accessible to researchers, campers, and those with a very high budget, we've found a lodge that gets you close to the action without the hefty price tag. More

Tabin Wildlife Reserve

Bornean gibbons, pygmy elephants, clouded leopards, proboscis monkeys, orangutans, and a few of the nearly extinct Sumatran rhinoceros are protected within the Tabin Wildlife Reserve. A stay here will have you trekking to a mud volcano and a waterfall, looking for birds and nocturnal creatures on night walks and drives, and if you're lucky, getting a peek at some of Borneo's incredible wildlife. More

Kinabatangan River

A trip down the Kinabatangan River to Sukau is an almost guaranteed way to see proboscis monkeys in the wild. These unique monkeys are endemic to Borneo and line the protected river corridor. Wild orangutans, pygmy elephants, silver leaf langurs, macaques, crocodiles, kingfishers, hornbills, owls, civets, and an array of other wildlife can be spotted in the region. Fireflies light up near Abai and the Gomantong Caves boast a bat population in the millions. Nearby Sepilok is the home to an Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre and Sun Bear Conservation Centre, both worth a visit. More

Brunei

The nation of Brunei Darussalam sits between the two states of Malaysian Borneo. Its capital city, Bandar Seri Begawan, reveals the country's wealth with lavish mosques, gold towers, and carefully groomed outdoor spaces. People are friendly and when the sun sets the country's name, abode of peace, makes perfect sense. More

Kuching

Built along the Sarawak River, Kuching makes a lovely base for exploring western Borneo. Architecturally interesting with Malay, Chinese, Indian, Muslim, British, and other influences apparent, the city is pleasant to walk around and easy to navigate. Nearby Bako National Park and Semenggoh Nature Reserve are great places to see wild proboscis monkeys and semi-wild orangutans. Each can be visited on a day trip from Kuching although spending a night in Bako is well worth it. More

Mulu National Park

The caves of Mulu are some of the largest in the world and the only ways to get there are on foot or by plane. This remote rainforest is full of walking trails and caves, the latter of which can only be visited with a guide for safety reasons. For the adventurous, serious trekking options exist and for the comfort-seekers, a lovely little resort sits just outside the National Park. More

Batang Ai

Traditional culture is alive and well in Batang Ai where the Iban people still live in communal longhouses. No longer feared headhunters, the Iban have incorporated touches of modernity into their traditional way of life. Trek through the park in search of wild orangutans, walk through the canopy looking for birds, sit down with an Iban chief to learn about their culture, or just look out over the many waters for which the region is named.

Caves of Niah

With evidence of human habitation dating back more than 40,000 years, the Niah caves are a fascinating and beautiful area that can be explored on a day visit from Miri. See etchings on the wall of Painted Cave, traditional ladders for those collecting the nests of swiftlets, and huge caverns as you walk the boards and visit the small museum.

Maliau Basin

The "lost world" of Sabah, the Maliau Basin is a naturally enclosed basin drained by tributaries of the Maliau River. A multi-day trek in this dense rainforest is a challenging and rewarding way to get up close and personal with an extremely wide array of plants and animals. More