How & When to Visit Borneo:
Your Expert Travel Guide

This comprehensive guide to Borneo provides expert insights and practical information to help you plan, and make the most of your holiday to Borneo.

Drawing on our Borneo Travel Consultants’ extensive knowledge, this guide covers everything from optimal travel times and wildlife viewing opportunities, to accommodation options and essential packing tips.

Continue reading to learn more about Borneo or contact one of our Borneo Travel Team to book your next Borneo holiday.

Why Visit Borneo?

Borneo is the world’s third largest island and sits at the heart of South-East Asia. Uniquely, Borneo is shared between three nations; Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei. Malaysian Borneo (the states of Sabah and Sarawak) occupies the northern part of the island and the most accessible, making it the preferred choice for international visitors.

This extraordinary island captivates visitors with some of the planet’s oldest rainforests (about 130 million years old) and exceptional wildlife found nowhere else on earth. Whether it is encounters with orangutans, relaxing on pristine sandy beaches, or experiencing rich indigenous culture, Borneo rewards all visitors with a unique adventure.

How to get to Borneo

Currently there are no direct flights from the UK to Borneo, so international visitors will need to route via one of the major Asian hubs, with a journey time of around 17 hours plus stopover.

The most common routing to Borneo is to fly via Kuala Lumpur with either Malaysian Airlines or British Airways. From Kuala Lumpur there are good connections with Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan and Kuching in Borneo.

It is also possible to fly into Kota Kinabalu from Singapore (Singapore Airlines), Kong Kong (Cathay Pacific) and Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam Airlines).

When to visit Borneo

Borneo lies on the equator giving it a tropical climate all year round, with no distinct summer or winter. However, there are commonly two different seasons in Borneo.

• ‘Dry Season’: This is generally thought of as the period between March and October each year, with June to August being the driest of these months. These conditions are optimal for jungle trekking and wildlife viewing, as well as relaxing at the beach. However, even in the dry season showers can still be heavy.
• ‘Wet Season’: The months between November and February will usually see more rainfall, with January and February often the wettest. Whilst this period may not be the best for sunbathing, wildlife remains active and the vegetation is a lush green.

NB. The best months to view turtle nesting (eg. on Selingan Island) is between July and September, when activity is high and weather conditions most favourable.

Where to go in Borneo

Borneo’s most popular attractions and places to visit during your holiday.

• Mount Kinabalu: South-East Asia’s tallest peak (4095 metres) offers both a challenging two-day climb to the summit, and botanical gardens and canopy walks at its base, suitable for all fitness levels
• Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre: Feeding platforms allow visitors to view orphaned orangutans before they are returned to the wild
• Danum Valley Conservation Area: 438 square-kilometres of pristine rainforest. Home to 340 bird species and rare mammals such as the clouded leopard
• Kinabatangan River: Sabah’s longest river provides an excellent highway for spotting proboscis monkeys, pygmy elephants and orangutans
• Mulu Caves: A UNESCO World Heritage Site in Sarawak, featuring the world’s largest cave chamber and longest cave passage. Millions of bats emerge nightly.
• Tabin Wildlife Reserve: Home to more than 1200 km² of rainforest that is home to pygmy elephants and mud volcanoes
• Selingan Island: A protected turtle sanctuary where both green and hawksbill turtles nest nightly.

What animals can you see in Borneo?

Borneo is home to an extraordinary biodiversity with many endemic species:

• Bornean Orangutan: Critically endangered, these great apes can be seen at Sepilok, Danum Valley and along the Kinabatangan River
• Proboscis Monkey: Distinctive with their large noses and pot-bellies, these monkeys are endemic to Borneo
• Bornean Gibbon: Acrobatic swingers can be heard throughout the rainforest canopy
• Bornean Elephant: The smallest elephant subspecies, these ‘pygmy elephants’ often come to the Kinabatangan River to drink
• Sumatran Rhinoceros: Critically endangered and extremely rare to see even in protected areas
• Clouded Leopard: These nocturnal predators can sometimes be spotted on night safaris
• Sun Bear: The world’s smallest bear species are also being rehabilitated at a centre in Sepilok
• Birdlife: More than 600 species of bird including hornbill, kingfisher, and pitta makes Borneo a premier birdwatching destination
• Marine Life: Green and Hawksbill turtles nest on protected Borneo islands, whilst tropical fish, reef sharks and occasional Whale sharks can also be spotted in the seas around Borneo.

Where to stay in Borneo

Borneo has a variety of hotels, resorts and lodges to match all budgets and activities.

• Rainforest Lodges: These purpose-built eco-lodges are positioned within or adjacent to protected areas and provide comfortable accommodation despote remote locations. Expect ensuite rooms with fans or air conditioning, mosquito nets, and private verandas overlooking jungle or river.
• Beach Resorts: These properties dotted around Borneo’s coastline range from the budget-friendly to the luxurious .Shangri-La resorts offer five-star facilities with multiple restaurants and sea facing rooms. Island resorts like Gaya Island offer a more intimate setting with direct access to the protected marine park
• City Hotels: Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan, and other urban centres offer contemporary hotels ranging from budget to luxury.

What to pack for your Borneo holiday

Top tips for what to take with you when you travel.

• A soft sided bag or rucksack (easier to move from vehicles and boats)
• Lightweight, quick drying clothing with long sleeves and trousers (for insect protection)
• Waterproof jacket and dry-bag or insert for electrical equipment (cameras etc.)
• Sturdy walking shoes that can get muddy, plus sandals for in the lodge
• High-factor sunscreen and a hat (on the equator the sun is very strong)
• A quality insect repellant and antihistamine cream
• Good quality binoculars for wildlife viewing
• Torch or head torch are good for night viewing
• A small day-pack is essential for excursions

Borneo Travel Tips

Our Borneo Travel Experts answer your frequently asked questions.

• British citizens currently receive 90-day visa-free entry to Malaysia, however check the UK Government’s travel advice at the time of booking
• The currency used in Borneo is the Malaysian Ringgit. ATMs are only available in major towns, so it is best to order some currency prior to departure, as you may want some currency for tips and small purchases
• The official language in Malaysian Borneo is Bahasa Malaysia, however English is widely spoken in most tourist areas
• Malaysia is a predominantly Muslim country, so it is respectful to dress modestly and to remove shoes when entering homes. Ramadan can affect local restaurant hours
• Mobile coverage is generally good in urban areas but very limited in the rainforest. Most hotels and lodges offer WiFi, however speeds do vary, and may not be available in all rooms.
• Malaysia uses a 240V, three-pin plug similar to the UK.
• Protect cameras with waterproof covers or dry bags and bring lens cloth as humidity causes condensation
• A telephoto lens is essential for wildlife photography