Borneo
Borneo is made up of three countries and is the third largest island in the world. East of Malaysia and south of the Philippines this large tropical island is filled with hundreds of rare species. Monkeys, pigs, hornbills, gibbons, leopards, elephants, monitor lizards up to two metres in length and endangered orangutan live on Borneo, home to Indonesia's longest river, Asia's third highest mountain, and thousands of miles of bat-filled caves.
The ideal wilderness for a hiking adventure, Borneo's western territory of Sarawak consists of tropical rainforests and untouched beaches bordering the clear waters of the Sulu Sea. This is one of the most biodiverse places in the world. Well-preserved trekking routes (inland rather than coastal) snake past rock pools and mangroves, hills and waterfalls perfect for a cooling dip. Visitors can meet the indigenous tribes still living in traditional stilted wooden Kampong houses, unaffected by modernisation.
From the main city, Kuching, sunset boat trips follow near-extinct Irawaddy dolphins and fire flies. Off the coast, endless pure white sandy beaches line the tiny islands scattered through the tropical Sulu Sea. Divers can swim alongside whale sharks and explore wrecks on the sea bed. When it comes to natural beauty, you can't get much more diverse than Borneo.
Wild Frontiers offers unique Small Group Tours, Private Journeys, Family Adventures and Tailor Made Holidays to Borneo.
How to book a trip
What to do in Borneo
View the Probiscous Monkeys
Kuching
The Probicous monkey is an endemic species to Borneo. Bako National Park is home to the rare proboscis monkeys, as well as otters, wild pigs, water monitors and over 150 species of birds, the park is served by 16 colour-coded trails that offer a range of walking and hiking options to cater for all interests and levels of fitness. We reccomend you get up early and head off with your guide by boat to Bako National Park and enjoy a wildlife foot safari.
Climb Mount Kinabalu
Mount Kinabalu Park
Climbing to the summit of Southeast Asia's highest peak is non technical and achievable by climbers of all standards, it does require a reasonable level of fitness. Following a winding 8.5 kilometre trail that snakes around the southern edge of the mountain, you will be gaining some 2,500 metres over a 24 hour period, so it is important that you are well prepared prior to undertaking the challenge. Rising at around 0200 on the final morning, you will then begin the long hike up to Low's Peak by torchlight, ascending through thick cloud forest and arriving at the top in time to witness the dawn breaking across the forest canopy far below.
Trek in the jungle
Danum Valley
The lowland rainforests of the Danum Valley contain a quite extraordinary variety of bird and animal life, including orang-utans, gibbons, rare pygmy elephants and sun bears. These forests are also home to the Sumatran rhino and a jungle hike is an ideal way to observe to some of Borneo's most elusive creatures up close. In the company of a park guide you trek through some of the most pristine rainforest on the planet, through a landscape that is home to over 270 species of birds, including all eight species of Borneo's hornbills.
White Water Rafting
Kota Kinabalu
Rafting through a landscape of small villages and farmland, this moderate Grade II experience is an ideal way to enjoy the countryside. Located to the north of Kota Kinabalu, the River Kiuli is perfect for families and children and safe enough to swim and body raft. All instruction and safety equipment is provided and the journey along the river takes around one and a half to two hours and is accompanied all the way by professional guides. Lunch will be provided besides the riverbank before returning to Kota Kinabalu.
Learn to cook Sarawak style
Kuching
A great way to enjoy the culinary tastes and cultural traditions of Borneo, this half day excursion offers a chance to learn how to cook real Sarawak cuisine in a traditional setting. Based in the centre of Kuching, the course will teach you how to prepare and serve up a number of Malaysian dishes, using local ingredients brought in the market. Learning firsthand from a local family, this is a fun and practical way to discover the true taste of Sarawak.
Dive with Whale Sharks
Lankayan Island
Lankayan Island is a remote tropical getaway half an hour by boat from Sandakan in the clear, sparkling Sulu Sea. It is perhaps the pinnacle of any diving dream to swim alongside the great whale shark. Borneo's marine life is extraordinary enough, yet to feel the shadow of a whale shark fall across you, in a wild Bornean sea, is to know the ancient marvel and mystery of the deep, and to dive and swim in awe. From March to May, you have the chance to dive with the magnificent gentle giant, the Whale Shark as they migrate past (Diving with Whale Sharks is seasonal).
Take a boat safari
Kinabatangan
The Menanggul River is a small tributary of the Kinabatangan and is renowned for its populations of proboscis monkeys, long-tailed macaques and wild orang-utans. Relatively narrow, it is possible to get close to the banks in purpose built electric motorboats that are specifically utilised to avoid disturbing the wildlife populations that live beside the river. The Menanggul is reputedly one of the best places in the world to see the rare and unusual proboscis in the wild and it is often possible to come across large troupes playing amongst the jungle canopy and leaping across the narrow river.
Watch turtles lay eggs
Selingan Island
Part of a cluster of islands that make up the Turtle Islands National Park, Seligan provides a protected sanctuary for green and hawksbill turtles. The turtle conservation programme in Sabah is the oldest in the world and, with only one in a thousand hatchlings surviving to adulthood, the work here is vital in trying to protect a species that has been driven to the brink of extinction. Visitors to the island are strictly regulated and each evening will be accompanied by a park ranger to witness one of the turtles laying her eggs amongst the warm sands.
See the Orang-Utans
Kuching
A visit to the Semenggoh Rehabilitation Centre for Orang-Utans, offers a rare opportunity to view these remarkable animals in something like their natural habitats. Located just 12 miles south of Kuching, the 1,613 acre reserve works with orphaned, injured and rescued animals, reintroducing them back into the wild. Your visit will coincide with feeding time and can be arranged for either the morning or the afternoon. As well as the orang-utans, you will also have an opportunity to see hornbills and possibly even crocodiles, before returning to Kuching.
Stay with the Iban Tribe
Nanga Sumpa
Located In Batang Ai, Sarawak and set on the banks of the river next to the native longhouse, is a traditional wooden lodge called Naga Sumpa. This provide simple, clean lodgings, with mats, mosquito nets and mattresses. A prime example of village based eco-tourism, the raised rooms can sleep four people, and the shared bathrooms include western style toilets. There is no hot water and no regular electricity, so lighting is provided by oil lamps. Local meals of fresh jungle vegetables prepared by the lodge kitchen are eaten in a communal dining area.
Trek the Red Ape Trail
Batang Ai
The Red Ape or Orang Utan, 'the old man of the forests', is one of our closest ancestors and, with the Chimpanzee and Gorilla, one of the three big primates. Borneo is home to many, although hugely threatened too, especially by forest destruction and mining,so rarely seen as you can see them here, in the wild. Tourism and trail marking, in conjunction with the Orang Utan foundation, is perhaps playing its part in protecting these extraordinary animals in the remote regions we explore. To see them in the wild, walking deep into rainforest with Ibantribesmen and visiting longhouse communities along the Red Ape Trail, a trek both mountainous and highly challenging, is to have anancestoral encounter you will never forget.
Danum Valley Serpent and Fairy Trail Treks
Danum Valley
View the Probiscous Monkeys
Mulu National Park
The Probicous monkey is an endemic species to Borneo. Bako National Park is home to the rare proboscis monkeys, as well as otters, wild pigs, water monitors and over 150 species of birds, the park is served by 16 colour-coded trails that offer a range of walking and hiking options to cater for all interests and levels of fitness. We reccomend you get up early and head off with your guide by boat to Bako National Park and enjoy a wildlife foot safari.
View the Probiscous Monkeys
Mulu National Park
The Probicous monkey is an endemic species to Borneo. Bako National Park is home to the rare proboscis monkeys, as well as otters, wild pigs, water monitors and over 150 species of birds, the park is served by 16 colour-coded trails that offer a range of walking and hiking options to cater for all interests and levels of fitness. We reccomend you get up early and head off with your guide by boat to Bako National Park and enjoy a wildlife foot safari.
How to book a trip
Where to stay in Borneo
Grand Margarita
Kuching
Ideally located for the airport and the city's commercial and entertainment districts, the four star Grand Margherita...
Hilton Kuching
Kuching
Boasting the largest guest rooms in the city and a central location that affords views of the Sarawak River, the five...
Hyatt Regency
Kota Kinabalu
Located in the heart of Kota Kinabalu, this five star property is just 15 minutes from the city's International...
Pullman Kuching
Kuching
A five star property located in the heart of Kuching, the Pullman occupies a prime site overlooking the city and the...
Shangri-La Tanjung Aru Resort And Spa
Kota Kinabalu
Located 10 minutes from Kota Kinabalu's International Airport, with its own private beach and a choice of restaurants...
Laban Rata Lodge
Mount Kinabalu Park
Situated close to the peak of Mount Kinabalu, the Laban Rata Lodge is the final rest stop before the summit. Located at...
Abai Jungle Lodge
Kinabatangan
Located 47 kilometres from the mouth of the Kinabatangan River, this lodge is one hour's boat ride from either Sandakan...
Hill Lodge
Mount Kinabalu Park
Offering twin-bedded accommodation, with attached bathrooms, in the heart of the national park, Hill Lodge provides...
Kapalai Island Resort
Sipidan
Just one hour's boat trip from Tawau Airport, Kapalai Island Resort is made up of 50 over-the-water stilted chalets....
Lankayan Island Dive Resort
Lankayan Island
Lankayan Island is a remote tropical getaway one and a half an hours by boat from Sandakan in the clear, sparkling Sulu...
Le Meridien Kota Kinibalu
Kota Kinabalu
Conveniently located within walking distance of the city's major attractions, the 5 star Le Meridien offers 306...
Permai Rainforest Resort
Kuching
A 30 minute drive from the centre of Kuching, the Permai Rainforest Resort is situated at the end of the Santubong...
Sepilok Nature Resort
Sandakan
Within walking distance from the world-famous Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre, deep in a forest of tropical...
Shangri La Rasa Ria Resort and Spa
Kota Kinabalu
With its own Nature Reserve and ecologically friendly championship golf course, the 5 star Shangri La Rasa Resort sits...
Sipadan Water Village
Sipidan
Mabul Island, famous for its muck diving, is a small, sand-lined speck of land surrounded by world-class diving in the...
Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge
Kinabatangan
An eco-tourism property that utilises local people and environmentally sustainable practices, the Kinabatangan...
How to book a trip
Suggested Itineraries
How to book a trip
Borneo Travel Guide
Kinabalu National Park
Also known as Taman Negara Kinabalu, this is one of Malaysia's oldest national parks. Located on the west coast of Sabah, the park was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2000, reflecting its incredible value as one of the world's most important biological sites. Covering 754 square kilometres and dominated by the imposing presence of Mount Kinabalu, the park is one of Sabah's most popular attractions, boasting 4 climate zones and a rich diversity of endemic animal species. From its lowland dipterocarp forests to its alpine meadows, the park is home to a multitude of carnivorous plants, over 1200 species of orchids and the somewhat pungent Rafflesia, the world's largest flower. Blooming only rarely and then just for a few days, the Rafflesia emits a smell that is reminiscent of rotting meat, attracting a swarm of flies and insects which the plant then feasts upon.
Kota Kinabalu
Formerly known as Jesselton, the capital of Sabah State lies along the north-western coast of Borneo, overlooking the waters of the South China Sea. Originally founded by the British North Borneo Company in the late 1800s, the settlement grew to become a major trading port, dealing in rubber, rattan, honey and wax. Destroyed by the allies during the Second World War, the town was rebuilt by the British in 1946, going on to become the state capital in 1963, when the Federation of Malaysia was formed between North Borneo, Sarawak, Singapore and Malay. Named after the famous mountain that lies to the north-east of the city, today Kota Kinabalu is one of Malaysia's major tourist destinations, offering easy access to Sabah, Borneo and the stunning natural beauty of Kinabalu National Park.
Kuching
The capital of Sarawak, Kuching is the largest city in Borneo and one of the most vibrant cities in the region. Situated on the banks of the Sarawak River, in the north-western part of the island, the city's name derives from the Malay word for 'cat' and it was once the personal kingdom of the British adventurer James Brooke, the first Rajah of Sarawak. Surviving the destruction of World War II relatively intact, the city's historic centre reflects something of the city's colonial and Chinese influences, whilst its waterfront has been transformed into a landscaped esplanade of restaurants, shops and food stalls. The city can also boast an internationally renowned museum and a bustling Sunday market that is one of the best in Sarawak.
Mount Kinabalu Park
Set amongst the dramatic landscapes of the Kinabalu National Park, Mount Kinabalu is Borneo's highest peak, and one of the highest mountains in Southeast Asia. Accorded UNESCO World Heritage status and rising some 4,095 metres above the surrounding forest and lowlands, the mountain lies amidst some of the most important biological regions on earth; home to some 4500 species of plants, over 320 species of birds and 100 different types of mammals. Dominating its surroundings and rising almost twice as high as the Crocker Ranges that encircle it, the granite spires of Mount Kinabalu provide one of the most spectacular climbing routes anywhere outside the Himalayas. The tough, 2-day hike to the summit ascends through cloud forest, gaining some 2500 metres over a 24 hour period, so, whilst non technical, it is a climb that requires a reasonable level of fitness.
Bako National Park
Sarawak's oldest national park, and one of its smallest, Bako lies at the tip of the Muara Tebas Peninsula, at the mouth of the Bako and Kuching Rivers. Accessible only by boat, the park is a haven for an astonishing variety of flora and fauna including almost every known plant species found in Borneo. It can boast over 25 distinct plant species, seven complete ecosystems and over 150 species of birds. It is also home to rare endemic proboscis monkeys, flying lemurs, pangolin, monitor lizards and Bornean bearded pigs, which are the largest mammals to be found in the park. The park is also riddled with a network of well maintained walking trails that provide everything from gentle forest walks to full day jungle treks and overnight camping expeditions.
Danum Valley
A stunning natural gem, the Danum Valley Conservation Area presents a pristine landscape of virgin jungle and lush tropical lowland forest that provides shelter for a rare collection of animals, including Asian elephants, Bornean pygmy elephant, Sumatran rhinos, proboscis monkeys and clouded leopard. Covering nearly 44,000 hectares and lying to the west of Lahad Datu (Sabah's fourth largest town), it has been recognised as one of the world's most complex ecosystems, and one of its richest conservation areas. Blessed with a collection of beautiful waterfalls and pools, as well as ancient Kadazandusun burial sites, the area is a paradise for bird watchers, with 270 species of birds having being recorded here and a wonderful 300 metre long and 27 metre high canopy walkway providing unparalleled access to the forest canopy.
Batang Ai
Home to Orang Utan, hornbill and gibbon, Batang Ai covers some 240 square kilometres of tropical rainforest to the east of Kuching. Traditional homeland to the Iban people, the national park was founded in 1991 and is famed for its tranquil setting and its authentic Iban long-houses, which afford visitors a chance to experience something of the customs and culture of the local people. Batang Ai is also unique in that its management and conservation projects are run in conjunction with the local Iban people and the Forestry Department, with funds generated in the area kept within the community to further fund continued development. The park also encompasses Sarawak's only artificial lake, an expansive reservoir that covers some 24 square kilometres and extends up along the Engkari and Ai Valleys, forming part of the Batang Ai Hydroelectric Complex.
Kinabatangan
Sabah's Kinabatangan River is the second longest river in Malaysia, running some 560 kilometres from its source in the mountains of the south-west to the Sulu Sea, east of Sandakan. Blessed with one of the world's richest ecosystems, including the largest forest covered flood-plain in Malaysia, the river supports five distinct habitats, from limestone forests to saline swamps, providing a haven for some of Borneo's richest concentrations of wildlife. There are saltwater crocodiles and indigenous proboscis monkeys, Asian elephants and Sumatran rhinos, as well as all eight species of hornbill. The surrounding forest is also one of only two places in the world where 10 species of primate are found in one place, making the region one of the best areas to view wildlife, not just in Sabah, but in the whole of Southeast Asia.
Selingan Island
Located about 40 kilometres north and an hour and a half by boat from Sandakan, Selingan Island is part of the Turtle Islands National Park, an area famed for its green and hawksbill turtles. One of the most important turtle breeding ground in the whole of Southeast Asia, the park covers over 17 square kilometres of beaches, coral and reefs, with Selingan providing the only overnight accommodation in the area. During the peak season in October, up to 50 turtles come ashore each night to lay their eggs in the soft warm sands, providing a unique opportunity to observe one of nature's most remarkable events. Park rules and regulations are strictly enforced so as not to disturb the turtles, but it is possible to visit the turtle hatchery and visitor's centre on the island to gain more of an insight into the world's oldest turtle conservation programme.
Lankayan Island
One of Sabah's top diving spots and part of the Sugud Islands Marine Conservation Area, the virtually uninhabited Lankayan Island lies amidst the pristine waters of the Sulu Sea about 90 minutes by boat from Sandakan. Renowned for its whale shark sightings (between March and May), Lankayan is also an important green and hawksbill turtle nesting site, offering a rich selection of dive sites that boast everything from wrecks and sharks, to rays and giant clams. The island's only resort offers a choice of 16 attractive wooden chalets that provide a tranquil haven for divers and non-divers alike, with beautiful thick tropical jungle and unspoilt white beaches offering some idyllic diversions away from the coral reefs and clear waters.
Semenggoh Nature Reserve
Constituted in 1920, Semenggoh is Sarawak's oldest forest reserve and is home to both a wildlife rehabilitation centre, an arboretum and a botanical research centre. Covering some 653 hectares, the reserve is an abundant mix of lowland forest and undisturbed primary jungle that contains some of the richest collections of flora on the planet. A haven for gibbons, giant and pygmy squirrels and a collection of birdlife that includes kingfishers, bulbuls and woodpeckers, the reserve has had an astonishing success in recent years with its Orang Utan rehabilitation programme, which has seen incredible numbers reintroduced back into the wild. Located just 20 kilometres south of Kuching, it continues to play a vital role in conservation education and provides visitors with a number of opportunities for wildlife watching, nature study and trekking.
Sepilok
One of Sabah's most popular attractions and part of the Kabili-Sepilok Forest Reserve, the Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre was set up in 1964 to help rehabilitate orphaned Orang Utans. Set amidst 4,300 hectares of lush forest, the centre offers an opportunity to observe these magnificent primates up close and in their natural environment. Accessed by a boardwalk, there is a viewing gallery and feeding platform at the centre, whilst those looking for a more adventurous trek can obtain a permit to hike through the 5 kilometre trail that runs through the mangrove forest. Conservation and rehabilitation is still the primary goal of the sanctuary and the orphaned Orang Utans are trained to survive back in the wild before being re-released into the reserve. Today there are between 60 and 80 of them living wild within the Kabili-Sepilok Forest Reserve.
Niah Caves
Located along the Sungai River and part of the Niah National Park, these caves represent one of the most important archeological sites in Southeast Asia. Forty-thousand years ago the Niah caves first sheltered human life and evidence of prehistoric man, including the oldest human remains ever found in the region, give emphasis to the park's claim to be one of the birthplaces of human life in the area. Home today to bats and swiftlets (an important source for guano and bird nests), the significance of the caves was first highlighted in the late 1950's, when a 40,000 year old skull was discovered, along with detailed wall paintings and 'death ships' - boat shaped coffins containing the remains of the deceased, along with a selection of artefacts destined to travel with them into the afterlife. Today the Great Cave and the painted Cave are both National Historic Monuments.
Mulu National Park
The Gunung Mulu National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site that encompasses some of Sarawak's most spectacular natural attractions. Covering nearly 53,000 hectares of primary rainforest, the park is dominated by the craggy peaks of Gunung Mulu, Guning Api and Gunung Benarat, but it is below ground where its real treasures lie. The park is home to one of the largest limestone cave systems on earth, including the world's largest (Deer Cave), Southeast Asia's longest (Clearwater Cave) and the largest natural chamber on earth (Sarawak Chamber). Over 200 kilometres of caves have so far been surveyed, but this is believed to represent only about 30-40% of the total. It is also home to an impressive array of flora and fauna including 8 species of hornbill, 27 species of bats, over 280 species of butterfly and 262 species of birds.
How to book a trip
Borneo Travel Information
Visa Information
UK Passport holders do not require a visa to visit Borneo. You get a 3 month entry stamp on arrival in Kuala Lumpar.
Your passport must be valid for at least six months after the end of your trip. Please ensure the passport details we hold for you are correct.
Please note it is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct visa documentation when starting your trip. Country entry regulations can alter daily and it is always best to check with the relevant embassies for any changes.
If you are travelling on a non-UK passport, please contact your nearest consulate/embassy for up to date visa information.
Insurance:
Insurance that provides cover for emergency repatriation in case of a medical emergency is compulsory for all tours.
You should be aware that many standard insurance policies may not cover you adequately for all aspects of a Wild Frontiers trip and so we strongly recommend that you purchase a suitably designed insurance policy.
One such policy is the "Wild Frontiers" policy underwritten by Ace European Group Limited (ACE " firm reference 202803), which is available to EU residents (which excludes Norway & Switzerland) through our website or via the insurance company direct on 0845 345 3456. Under this policy there are two different levels of cover available.
Standard policy: a comprehensive travel insurance policy that provides cover for all Wild Frontiers activities, including trekking up to 6,000m. This policy does not provide cover for travel to areas where the FCO is advising against all or all but essential travel.
Elite policy: provides the same comprehensive level of cover as the standard policy. In addition the Elite policy also provides cover for travel to areas where the FCO is advising against all or all but essential travel. The policy will not provide cover for any claims arising from or relating to the reasons why the FCO is advising against travel.
If purchasing the Elite policy you also have the option to extend the cover provided by the policy to include cover for claims arising from a terrorist act in an area where the FCO is advising against travel. You can add this cover to your policy when purchasing online or over the telephone.
These policies are only available to those travelling on a Wild Frontiers holiday.
For more information and to purchase your policy online please visit the Insurance section of our website.
The cover is underwritten by Ace European Group Limited (ACE), and is arranged by Travel & General Insurance Service Limited. Both companies are authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority (FSA). Wild Frontiers Limited is an Introducer Appointed Representative of Travel & General Insurance Company plc, details of which can be found at the FSA's website www.fsa.gov.uk.
To contact them please visit their website at www.travel-general.com or call 0845 408 0583.
Health and Vaccinations:
There are no mandatory immunisations for travellers to Borneo though you should be up-to-date with Typhoid, Tetanus, Polio and Hepatitis A. Yellow Fever and Malaria can be an issue in certain areas, we recommend you seek advice from your local GP or travel centre as to the correct immunisations and preventative treatments.
We also recommend:
• A dental check-up prior to travelling.
• You inform us of any pre-existing medical conditions or medication.
To be on the safe side you can also check on www.fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk
