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Exploring Borneo

Winter Wildlife and Sea

Borneo has a reputation for being rainy during our winter months and sunny in the summer. In fact, it’s covered in rainforest so every day of the year can get rain, sun, and clouds. As most people visit during the summer months, the crowds are heaviest then. So while you’ll have a good chance of seeing animals, you’ll be jostling for decent views. If you can get away at a different time of year, you may find fewer people on your safaris and still manage to see plenty of wildlife. We’ve created this “winter” itinerary for families and small groups of 4-8 to maximize your chances of seeing wild animals. And of course soaking up some tropical heat. This itinerary can be enjoyed year-round but we recommend October-November and February-April to get the best value out of it.

Please remember this is a sample itinerary to inspire you and we are happy to modify it to suit your preferences. We can add or remove days, look at different places to stay, and include other options. If you’d like to learn more about a holiday in Borneo, give us a call at UK 020 7112 0019 or email borneo@fleewinter.com to start planning your holiday.

Your Itinerary

Day 1 - Welcome to Borneo!

Touch down in Kota Kinabalu and meet your driver for the ride to your hotel in the city centre. Adjust to the tropical temperatures and stretch your legs with a walk to the night market or down to the jetty for a fresh seafood dinner.

Accommodation
canopy-borneo

Day 2 - Kiulu Valley Culture & Quadbiking

See the countryside, local village life, and take a quad bike out for a spin today in the Kiulu Valley. It’s a full day out in the rural area of Kampung Lingga where local guides and storytellers will share some of their history and traditional skills including blow pipe and slingshot demonstrations before setting off on quadbikes to explore the paddy fields, plantations, and forests. Return to Kota Kinabalu for the night.

male-orangutan

Day 3 - Travel to Deramakot Forest Reserve

Travel overland today to Deramakot Forest Reserve, a rainforest sanctuary hidden deep within the heart of Sabah. Home to wild orangutans, pygmy elephants, clouded leopards, wild cattle, diverse bird life, and more, Deramakot is a wildlife lover’s dream. Accommodation is basic but you’ll be out in the jungle so much you might not notice. After dinner tonight take your first drive in search of nocturnal animals.

Accommodation

Days 4-5 - Deramakot Safaris & Exploration

These two days include safari drives and guided trail exploration to look for wildlife. While seeing wildlife is never guaranteed, your chances of seeing wild orangutans and clouded leopards are higher here than anywhere else in Borneo so bring the mozzie spray and enjoy your time in the jungle.

Day 6 - Travel to Sukau

After a final morning safari drive, begin the journey to your next jungle stop: Sukau Rainforest Lodge on the banks of the Kinabatangan River. It’s a long ride over bumpy roads but if you arrive in time, you’ll be able to join an afternoon river safari.

Accommodation
Borneo-pygmy-elephants

Day 7 - Sukau Safaris

Cruise along the river today in search of wildlife and birds. Walk the Hornbill Boardwalk and learn the sounds of Borneo’s apes and monkeys from a naturalist guide. Consider adding a night safari to see the nocturnal life that takes over the river after the sun sets.

Day 8 - From the Jungle to the Ocean

Travel overland this morning to Sandakan in time to reach Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre for the morning feeding. If the adults are out in the rainforest, stop by the nursery to see the young orang utans. Walk across to the Sun Bear Conservation Centre to look for the world’s smallest bear. Having hopefully had your fill of wildlife, fly to Kota Kinabalu and head across the water to Gaya Island.

Accommodation

Days 9-11 - Gaya Island

Relax on the beach, poolside, or on your own balcony for your final days. If lounging isn’t for you, enjoy the resort’s activities, spa, or go diving or snorkelling in the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park which surrounds this island in the South China Sea.

Day 12 - Return to Kota Kinabalu and head homeward

Take the hotel’s speedboat across the water back to Kota Kinabalu today for your transfer to the airport and flight homeward. Safe travels!

DETAILS -

This itinerary costs from £1,950 per person based on 4-8 adults traveling together with two adults sharing excluding peak seasons such as July-August, Christmas and New Year, and Chinese New Year’s. The price includes all transfers and domestic travel but not international flights.

International flights tend to cost between £700 and £900 return – do ask us for advice. Alternatively we can book the flights for you but a booking fee may apply.

What's included?

INCLUDED:
  • Prices start from £1,950 per person
  • Accommodation on B&B basis
  • Full board on days 3-7
  • Transfers in an air-conditioned vehicle or by boat as mentioned
  • Local taxes excluding Malaysia Tourism Tax
  • Entrance fees
  • All excursions and activities mentioned in the itinerary
  • Internal flight
  • All trips are ATOL protected or ABTA bonded to ensure you are fully covered
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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

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