Borneo & Malaysia Guidebook

We've put together a guidebook with everything you need to know about Borneo and Malaysia. Written by our specialists, it details destination information, a wildlife guide, some suggested itineraries and plenty more to inspire your holiday. Fill in the form below and if you live in UK, your guidebook will arrive by post within the next couple of days. For those who live abroad, we will send you a link by email which will allow you to download your own copy.

Borneo's Big Five

Head deep into Borneo’s ancient rainforests, traverse walkways through the canopy and cruise along the murky waters of Sungai Kinabatangan in search of ‘Borneo’s Big 5’. Here is our guide to the top five iconic wild species to be found across this extraordinary island.

Borneo

Divided between Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei, the island of Borneo is the world’s third-largest island packed with plenty of natural assets: underground caves, pristine orangutan-filled rainforests, dramatic waterfalls, sparkling white-sand beaches, and half of the planet’s known plant and animal species. Exceeding expectations for those with a spirit for adventure and an appreciation for endangered wildlife and cultural richness, it doesn’t get more exciting than this far-flung paradise.

An island in the South China Sea belonging to Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia, a holiday to Borneo offers adventures like nowhere else - most spectacularly in its two East Malaysian states, Sabah and Sarawak.

Known as 'The Land beneath the Wind' for its location below the typhoon belt, Sabah is a nature-rich wonderland complete with luxuriant jungle and sparkling ocean. This is the place to embark on a trek to the peaks of Mount Kinabalu, spot hatching turtles, cruise the Kinabatangan River to see orangutans and baby-faced Borneo pygmy elephants, and stay overnight in a traditional longhouse built from timber, thatch, and split bamboo.

Wild adventure begins at the Danum Valley Conservation Area, an ancient forest where you can brave the 1,000-foot jungle canopy walkway to spot clouded leopards, proboscis monkeys, and orangutans. Also impressive are Tabin Wildlife Reserve, Kinabalu National Park, and Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, where you can see Asia’s orange ape in its native habitat.

For a barefoot luxury, the designer-led Gaya Island Resort ticks the boxes for five-star desert island decadence, whilst the chic Shangri-La Rasa Ria cuts it for those seeking sun-soaked glamour on stunning Pantai Dalit Beach. In Sarawak, coastal capital Kuching deserves a visit for its ornate temples, Chinese shop houses, Sarawak Museum, and orangutans galore at the Semenggok Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre. Beyond the city, visit Bako National Park for hiking trails and diverse wildlife including long-tailed macaques and giant monitor lizards. Also, explore Batang Ai National Park, most famous for its indigenous Iban people, rainforests, and wildlife.

For a more dramatic spectacle, head to Gunung Mulu National Park where the showstopper is the UNESCO-listed site Mulu Caves - the world’s largest underground chamber containing a number of record-breaking caverns. Marvel at the razor sharp limestone Pinnacles that soar skywards from the jungle floor, trek the Headhunters Trail and for a real “Attenborough” moment, watch in awe as over two million bats emerge from the yawning mouth of Deer Cave at dusk - a sight never to be forgotten.

Here, our Asia specialist Chloe tells us about her recent trip to the vibrant island of Borneo and how it utterly blew her away.


To start planning your tailor-made holiday, call us on (646) 934-8916

Did you know?

Borneo is the world’s third largest island following Greenland and New Guinea.

Did you know?

One of two locations in the world where Orangutans can be found in the wild, the other is in the rainforests of Sumatra. They are classified as endangered in both.

Danum Valley, Sabah

Located in Sabah’s renowned Danum Valley, Borneo Rainforest Lodge is one of Borneo’s most sought after lodges, offering both comfort and a rich wildlife experience amongst 43,800 hectares of untouched rainforest.

Borneo Rainforest Lodge

Gaya Island, Borneo

Accessible only by boat and surrounded by golden sands, unspoiled coral reefs and lush rainforest of Sabah’s idyllic Tunku Abdul Rahman islands, Gaya Island Resort is a stylish spa retreat offering relaxing luxury for couples and families alike.

Gaya Island Resort

Kuching, Sarawak

Attractively positioned on the banks of the Sarawak River, the Hilton Kuching is a contemporary hotel with first class amenities and friendly service, making a great base for exploring Sarawak’s charming capital and its nearby natural attractions.

Hilton Kuching

Kuching, Sarawak

Located in Sarawak's cosmopolitan state capital of Kuching, The Pullman is a stylish contemporary hotel well located near the shops and restaurants of Kuching's Golden Triangle and also offers easy access to many of Sarawak's renowned natural attractions.

Pullman Kuching

Tabin Wildlife Reserve, Sabah

Set on a river in Malaysia’s largest wildlife reserve, Tabin Wildlife Resort is a simple but comfortable jungle lodge, offering superb opportunities to see some of Asia’s rarest wildlife including pygmy elephants, orangutan and the Sumatran rhinoceros.

Tabin Wildlife Resort

Kinabatangan River, Sabah

Superbly located at the heart of a river delta in Sabah, Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge is a secluded eco-lodge of simple charm that gives you unrivalled access on foot and by water to one of Asia’s most spectacular wildlife concentrations.

Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge

Kota Kinababalu, Sabah

Situated between four hundred acres of lush tropical rainforest and the clear blue waters of the South China Sea, the Shangri-La Rasa Ria wonderfully relaxed family-friendly beach resort with a luxurious spa and fantastic facilities.

Shangri-La Rasa Ria

Mulu National Park, Sarawak

A traditional stilted property set on the banks of the Melinau River in the heart of the Borneo jungle, the Mulu Marriott Resort & Spa has been beautifully designed to replicate the ethnic Longhouses of this area and is surrounded by natural splendour.

Mulu Marriott Resort & Spa

Sandakan, Borneo

A short walk from Borneo’s world-famous Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary, Sepilok Nature Resort is a simple yet charming resort that works equally well for couples and families, particularly suited for those looking to spot wild orangutans.

Sepilok Nature Resort

Kinabatangan River, Sabah

Accessible only by boat, Abai Jungle Lodge is a rustic stilted lodge on the banks of the Kinabatangan River. Although simple, it offers a fantastic location from which to spot an abundance of wildlife coupled with a wonderfully tranquil setting.

Abai Jungle Lodge

Gaya Island, Borneo

A boutique resort located 10 minutes away from Kota Kinabalu via speedboat, Bunga Raya sits on a tropical island in the South China Sea. With rustic touches and a laid back atmosphere, Bunga Raya is the perfect island getaway in Borneo.

Bunga Raya Resort

Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

Surrounded by 25 acres of lush gardens in a picturesque beach-front setting, the Shangri La Tanjung Aru is a luxurious family-friendly getaway, ideal for a few days of pampered relaxation after exploring the jungles of Borneo.

Shangri-La Tanjung Aru

Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

Situated in downtown Kota Kinabalu, The Jesselton is a long-established small colonial-style hotel offering excellent service and a great location for exploring Sabah's lively capital and beyond.

The Jesselton

Kinabatangan River, Sabah

Designated as one of the world's most unique lodges by National Geographic, Sukau Rainforest Lodge is an award winning eco-lodge offering rustic accommodation on the banks of the Kinabatangan River in the heart of Sabah's tropical rainforest.

Sukau Rainforest Lodge

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