Borneo: the perfect trip for nature lovers
An orangutan crossing the canopy just a few metres above your head. A dusk river cruise where proboscis monkeys settle branch by branch for the night. A night in a traditional longhouse, lulled by the sounds of the forest. That's what Borneo can offer. But it's also an island split between two distinct Malaysian states, Sabah and Sarawak, each with its own capital and its own flight connections. So the real question isn't "what to do in Borneo" — it's "Sabah, Sarawak, or both, and in what order."
This guide starts from that choice: what each state actually offers, so you can decide based on what fits you.
Sabah: Borneo's wildlife side
Sabah is Borneo's busiest gateway, and the one that concentrates the most encounters with the island's signature wildlife.
At the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, feedings happen at fixed times, 10am and 3pm, on a raised platform (about RM30, roughly €6). One important point the centre is upfront about: orangutans don't show up at every feeding. When fruit is plentiful in the surrounding forest, they find their own food and turn up on the platform less often — which is actually a sign the rehabilitation programme is working, even if it's fairly rare for no orangutan at all to show for a snack.
A little further south, the Kinabatangan River is the best option for what comes next: river cruises in search of proboscis monkeys, pygmy elephants, and hornbills, with some lodges building the boat transfer into the stay itself rather than booking it separately.
Near the main city of Kota Kinabalu, Kinabalu Park is really two very different experiences. A day visit to the park (trails, nature, cool mountain air) is easy to arrange like any other excursion. Climbing the summit is a whole different commitment: you need to plan well ahead, since beds at the mountain lodge are limited and an overnight stay there is mandatory, to reach the summit early on the second morning. During peak season, book early and go through a serious operator with access to the lodge's reservations. If the summit is part of your trip, it's the first thing to book — well before the rest of your Sabah itinerary.
For travellers who want to extend the trip with diving, the Semporna and Sipadan area is Sabah's natural extension. This part of Malaysia is widely considered home to the country's most beautiful islands, with still-pristine reefs and abundant turtle populations.
Sarawak: where culture meets rainforest
Sarawak is less well known than Sabah, but that's exactly what makes it a good complement: a different face of Borneo, more cultural, without giving up anything on the nature side.
Kuching, the capital, is best explored on foot along the Sarawak River. It's a pleasant base city, reachable by direct flight from Kuala Lumpur or Singapore, and far more walkable without a vehicle than most other Borneo bases. The city has kept its charm while weaving in street art and a scene of appealing cafés and trendy spots, well integrated into its colonial architecture.
Visits to traditional Iban longhouses are the real cultural counterpoint to Sabah's wildlife: a day trip or overnight immersion in the Iban's traditional communal housing, provided you go through an organised visit with a community that genuinely welcomes visitors, rather than a staged reconstruction. Other tribes are equally welcoming to travellers, in a spirit of sharing and hospitality that's the opposite of voyeuristic tourism.
Further north, Bako National Park, an hour from Kuching, is the simplest way to get a taste of the jungle in a single day from the city. This national park is also home to proboscis monkeys and a rich array of wildlife. You can even take a cruise along the nearby estuary to spot crocodiles and the many dolphins that live there.
Gunung Mulu, finally, is Sarawak's biggest commitment: reachable only by air from Kuching or Miri, for caves and karst formations millions of years in the making. Best reserved for travellers with several days to spend, given how remote it is — not a last-minute add-on.
Sabah, Sarawak, or both?
There's no fast or cheap way to get between Sabah and Sarawak: the connection is a domestic flight, operated by Air Bornéo, like any other inter-Borneo route. Combining both states means budgeting real extra days and an extra flight, not a quick day trip between them.
As a general rule of thumb: on a Borneo trip of under about ten days, it's better to focus your time on one of the two states rather than split it. Beyond that, combining both becomes realistic. This is just an order of magnitude, not a fixed rule — it all depends on the rest of your Malaysia itinerary. For the details on flights and prices between the Peninsula and Borneo, our transport guide already covers that leg.
When to go
The rainy season affects Borneo a bit differently than the Peninsula's east-coast islands: it doesn't shut down activities in the same way, but it can affect river levels (and so Kinabatangan cruises) and jungle trail conditions. The wettest months generally fall around the end and start of the year. This is worth reconfirming with local sources as your dates approach, since weather patterns shift and a general online guide is no substitute for a recent, season-specific check.
Get a custom Borneo itinerary
The choice between Sabah, Sarawak, or both above is a starting point, not a ready-made itinerary. Get in touch and we'll build you a real day-by-day plan, matched to your dates, your available time, and what genuinely draws you in — nature, culture, or a mix of both.
