Heart of Borneo
Adventure abounds on this trip through the jungles, rivers, and islands of Borneo. Explore the thrilling wildlife areas of Sabah. Watch baby turtles hatch on Sandakan Island, explore Kuching, Gunung Mulu National Park, Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan, Sukau, Danum Valley, and Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary.
Travel by traditional longtail boat along wild river ways, visit tribal longhouses, overnight in jungle lodges in the deep jungle, hike through canopied jungle or wildlife walks, spot Pygmy elephants, proboscis monkeys and rhinos in their natural habitat. With extra time, enjoy lazy time on idyllic island beaches, or snorkel and dive in the crystal blue waters.
And that’s before you’ve even caught a glimpse of the Pongo pygmaeus, better known as orangutan translated to “man of the forest.” The star attraction of a Borneo trip, glimpsing the gentle giants in the wild is the thrill of lifetime.
The local people of Sabah and Sarawak share a total of over 150 dialects and a large variety of religions, and traveling through this region will also expose you to these varied cultures beyond the wildlife and jungles.
BORNEO HIGHLIGHTS
Kinablu River Safari: A 291-sq mile UNESCO World Heritage site of astonishing biodiversity. The park is home
to over 4,500 species of plants, including 1,500 varieties of orchids
and nine types of pitcher plants. Also found here are large mammals that are rare in the wild including orangutans, gibbons, clouded leopards, colorful birds, including hornbills and the Bornean mountain whistler, and a dazzling variety of butterflies
and insects. Plentiful hiking trails bring you up close the animal and plant life.
Orangutans in the Wild: The Orangutan, the gentle "man of the jungle," is an astonishing sight. These great apes can be seen in the wild in the rainforests of the Danum Valley and also at sanctuaries which care for and protect them.
Kinabatangan River: The second longest river in Malaysia is rich with wildlife, easily spotted from your boat including Orangutans, pygmy elephants, proboscis monkeys, languors, wild cats, crocodiles, and hundreds of bird life. Enjoy short river safaris, day and night time jungle hikes, accompanied by experienced nature guides, with daily presentations and lectures at your lodge.
Danum Valley: Danum Valley is one of the world’s most biodiverse areas and prime location in Borneo for viewing wildlife. The tranquil Danum Valley and River features a stunning backdrop of towering 130 million year-old lush ancient rainforest. The conservation area features an extensive diversity of tropical flora and fauna, including rare Bornean orangutans (a prime destination for spotting in the wild), gibbons, mousedeer, clouded leopards and over 270 bird species. A must visit for those interested in Borneo's incredible variety of wildlife, with plentiful trails, canopy walks, and a research center and facility. Stay in the renowned Borneo Rainforest Lodge between treks into the rainforest (below)
FEATURED SAFARI LODGE
Borneo Rainforest Lodge • DANUM VALLEY
Situated in dramatic remote location on the Danum River with a stunning backdrop of towering 130 million year-old virgin rainforest in the bucolic Danum Valley. The conservation area around the lodge is rich in tropical flora and fauna and an ideal location for spotting orangutans and hundreds of bird species.
MORE BORNEO RESORTS & LODGES
WHEN TO GO
Borneo, near the equator, experiences very little variance in weather, year-round though there are better months for visiting:
BEST: May to October
WET/OFF SEASON: December to February
WILDLIFE VIEWING: All year-round
All of our trips are private, custom ones. This tour can be carefully tailored to maximize the encounters you're searching for, whether that's more in the water, going deeper in the jungle, or summiting mountains. We're also experts in multi-country travel so consider time in Singapore or Kuala Lumpur as part of your Borneo trip, or Thailand or Bali if you've longer time.
