Malaysia & Borneo Tours & Holidays
Small Group Tours & Tailor-Made Holidays
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Overview
Experience Borneo's unspoilt rainforest, flawless beaches and wild adventures, with one of our Malaysian Borneo holidays. Malaysia spans the Malaysian Peninsular as well a quarter of the third-largest island in the world, Borneo, which is politically divided between three different countries, Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia. Lying at the geographic centre of Maritime South East Asia, it lies to the south of the Philippines amongst the islands of the Greater Sunda Archipelago. Home to ...
Experience Borneo's unspoilt rainforest, flawless beaches and wild adventures, with one of our Malaysian Borneo holidays. Malaysia spans the Malaysian Peninsular as well a quarter of the third-largest island in the world, Borneo, which is politically divided between three different countries, Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia. Lying at the geographic centre of Maritime South East Asia, it lies to the south of the Philippines amongst the islands of the Greater Sunda Archipelago. Home to a staggering array of rare tropical species, the island’s rainforest provides a rich haven for endangered orangutans, leopards, two-metre monitor lizards and numerous other endemic forest species. You will also find Asia’s third-highest mountain, long rivers and thousands of miles of bat-filled caves. Our Borneo tours explore the island's western territories of Sarawak and Sabah, where, tropical rainforest and a string of untouched beaches that fringe the clear waters of the South China Sea, can be found. This region is one of the most biodiverse places in the world. Sabah welcomes tourists with rainforest lodges offering hiking and river trips, the chance to scale Mt Kinabalu and breath-taking beaches along the coast and its islands. Sarawak has well-preserved hiking routes snaking through an interior that is still inhabited by indigenous tribes. The city of Kuching provides the perfect base to enjoy sunset boat trips, searching for near-extinct Irrawaddy dolphins, visiting tiny islands scattered in the sea and whale shark spotting. Travel to Borneo and discover this extraordinary place for yourself with Wild Frontiers on one of our outstanding Borneo holiday and tours packages.
Start your journey
TAILOR-MADE HOLIDAYS
Whether you want to travel on one of our award-winning itineraries or build your own journey from scratch, our expert consultants will help create the perfect tour for your tastes and budget. Below are a few suggestions of the kind of trips we can offer, all of which can be tailored to you.
EXAMPLE ITINERARIES
HIGHLIGHTS OF MALAYSIA & BORNEO
BEST EXPERIENCES
Climb Mount Kinabalu
Mount Kinabalu is Southeast Asia's highest peak but only requires a good level of fitness to climb. Begin the long hike up to Low's Peak at 2am through thick cloud forest and arriving at the top in time to witness dawn breaking across the forest canopy below.
Island hop in a marine conservation area
The Tunku Abdul Rahman Park is a marine conservation area and its five beautiful islands lie amongst shallow turquoise waters and coral reefs. Ideal for swimming and snorkelling, you'll get the opportunity to do so with a drop-off at each island.
Visit the Orangutan Rehab Centre
Set up in 1964 to help orphaned Orangutans be re-released into the wild, the rehabilitation centre which is set amidst 4,300 hectares of lush forest, offers an opportunity to observe these magnificent primates up close and in their natural environment.
Boat on the Ox Bow Lake
The Kinabatangan river is renowned for its wildlife and its rich diversity of habitats, which includes its series of Ox Bow Lakes. Enjoy a boat journey out onto one of these lakes in search of primates and bird life. Keep an eye out for the rare proboscis monkeys.
Spot wildlife on a jungle trek
The lowland rainforests of the Danum Valley contain an extraordinary variety of bird and animal life, including orang-utans, rare pygmy elephants, sun bears and the Sumatran rhino. A jungle hike is an ideal way to see some of these elusive creatures up close.
Explore the Tabin Nature Reserve
Tabin was declared a wildlife reserve on account of the large number of animals inhabiting its forests, some of which are highly endangered. The Pygmy Elephant, Sumatran Rhinoceros and Tembadau are all found here and you might be lucky enough to spot them.
Take on an untamed jungle trek
Maliau Basin, also known as Sabah’s Lost World, surrounded by cliffs and steep slopes, is a hidden paradise of flora, fauna and geology located in South-Central Sabah. Trek for four days in one of the world’s oldest rainforests, which remains barely explored.
Learn to cook Sarawak style
Enjoy the culinary tastes and cultural traditions of Borneo by learning how to cook real Sarawak cuisine in a traditional setting. Prepare and serve up a number of Malaysian dishes with a local family using local ingredients brought in the market.
Visit impressive limestone caves
The Gunung Mulu National 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).
TOP PLACES TO VISIT
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 ...
Kinabalu National 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 ...
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. Founded by the British North Borneo Company in the ...
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 ...
Tabin Nature Reserve
Tabin Wildlife Reserve is located in the eastern part of Sabah. The reserve comprises an area of approximately 300,000 acres in the centre of the Dent Peninsula, north-east of Lahad Datu town, south of ...
Kinabatangan River
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 ...
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 orphaned Orangutans. Set amidst 4,300 hectares ...
OUR FAVOURITE PLACES TO STAY
Borneo Rainforest Lodge, Danum Valley
Set beside the waters of the Danum River, this wonderfully rustic and award winning lodge is capable of accommodating up to 60 people in 31 chalets. Each chalet comes with a private shower and balcony…
Bunga Raya Island Resort, Gaya Island
Bunga Raya Island Resort is set on a coral reef island just off the coast of Borneo. A secluded island hideaway of 47 timbered villas, the resort is tucked away on a tranquil and hidden bay framed by…
Gaya Island Resort, Gaya Island
Located on the small island of Pulau Gaya off the western coast of Sabah, this stunning resort is set on the beachfront, surrounded by rainforest and mangroves. Its 120 villas and two-bedroom suites,…
Kinabatangan Wetlands Resort, Kinabatangan (Abai)
Kinabatangan Wetlands Resort is a gem located in Abai, a quieter area of the Lower Kinabatangan Floodplain, about an hour’s boat ride from Sandakan harbour. If you are looking for something exclusive…
Sepilok Nature Lodge, Sandakan
Within walking distance from the world-famous Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, deep in a forest of tropical orchids and towering trees, the charming Sepilok Nature Lodge combines modern…
Sukau Rainforest Lodge, Kinabatangan (Sukau)
The lodge has previously been awarded status as a National Geographic Unique Lodge of the World, one of only 25 in the world, and the only one in Southeast Asia. It is the only lodge that uses electric…Discover more
WHEN TO GO
The climate is typically tropical with temperature ranging from a cool 22°C (72°F) in the evenings to a sultry 34°C (93°F) in the daytime.
Sarawak receives an abundance of rainfall (averaging 200-250 cm a year); the rainy season is normally during the 'landas', a local term for the monsoon rains that come between November and February each year. Sabah is less wet than Sarawak and because it lies just below the typhoon belt, it is often known as "the land below the wind".
The monsoon period should not deter visitors to the region as it is not cold; in fact the rains during this time may be heavy but it is intermittent and they bring respite from the tropical heat. This is also the time of the year when the local tropical fruits unique to the region are in abundance.
LGBTQIA+ Guidance
When planning to travel as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, there may be additional things you wish to consider doing, such as:
- Speaking to one of our travel experts for information about travelling in your chosen destination and local attitudes towards members of the LGBTQIA+ community
- Checking the Human Dignity Trust map which highlights regions and countries which are potentially dangerous to LGBTQIA+ people, or Equaldex, which tracks the progress of LGBTQIA+ rights around the world.
- Checking the ‘Local laws and customs’ section of your country's official foreign travel advice page
- Looking for any updates for your desired destination on the Human Rights Watch LGBTQIA+ rights page
- Buying a recommended guidebook, as many include an LGBTQIA+ section and advice for LGBTQIA+ travellers
USEFUL INFORMATION
Health and Vaccinations
There are no mandatory immunisations for travellers to Malaysia though you should be up-to-date with Typhoid, Tetanus, Polio and Hepatitis A. Malaria is prevalent in parts of Borneo, therefore we strongly suggest that you visit your GP to discuss your personal requirements. Please note we are not medical professionals and so we highly recommend you seek advice from your local GP or travel centre as to the correct immunisations and preventative treatments.
Currency
In Borneo, Malaysia the unit of currency is the Malaysian ringgit (MYR).
To check out the latest exchange rate for the places that you are visiting you can go to www.oanda.com.
Cultural Sensitivity
On our tours you will frequently interact with local people, each with their own distinct customs and traditions. We therefore ask you to be considerate and to treat them with respect. Your tour-leaders and guides will always be able to advise you accordingly.
Borneo, Malaysia is a multicultural but predominantly Islamic country. You should respect local traditions, customs and religions. Shoulders and legs should be covered when visiting temples and other important religious sites.
Ladies should dress modestly in the towns and cities, this means avoid wearing shorts and tank tops. When you’re outside of the towns and cities you can wear normal summer clothes. If your trip includes spending time at hotels resorts the dress code is more relaxed. Men can wear normal summer clothes all the time.
As you can imagine the humidity is very high here, so be prepared. When you’re exploring national parks, light weight natural fabrics work best and pack long trousers and long sleeved shirts to help keep the bugs away.
Language & Religion
The official language is Malay although English is also widely spoken and understood. Mandarin and Tamil are the other two main languages, alongside a multitude of other less widely spoken languages representing smaller ethnic groups.
More than half of the population (52%) follows Islam. Other religions followed in Malaysia are Buddhism, Daoism, Hinduism, Christianity, and Sikhism. In addition, Shamanism is practiced in East Malaysia.
Time
Borneo is 8 hours ahead of GMT.
A useful website to check the time zone differences is www.worldtimezone.com.
Food and drink
In Borneo forget potatoes – rice (nasa) and noodles (mee) rule in this region. Rice is either steamed or fried, and noodles can be made from wheat, wheat and egg, rice or mung beans, and are used in a bewildering number of dishes either fried or boiled. Malays like their fish fried (ikan) whole and stuffed with spices or chopped into chunks or steaks and served with a spicy (tamarind) sauce. In Malaysian Borneo in particular, hinava (raw fish marinated with lime juice and herbs) is very popular.
Apart from fish, chicken (ayam) is possibly the most consumed meat in the region. Beef (daging lembu) and mutton (daging kambing, which also refers to lamb as well as kid and goat) are common in Malay dishes too. Chilli of course, features heavily. Fruit is usually the desert, served raw and presented on platters while alcohol is readily available all over.