Highlights of Borneo Holiday

This 24-day journey through Sabah takes you from the highest peak in South East Asia, Mount Kinabalu, to the lush Sepilok jungle. Keep your eyes peeled for Borneo’s incredible wildlife including Proboscis Monkeys and orangutans. Steel your nerves as you take a canopy walk high in the treetops and cruise down the Kinabatangan River. Stay in luxurious hotels, idyllic islands and beautiful rustic lodges as your experience Borneo’s unforgettable highlights.

Day 1 & 2: Arrive in Kuala Lumpur / Day at Leisure

Arrive into Kuala Lumpur airport. From there, you can easily find a taxi to your hotel in the heart of the city.

Day 3 – 6: Mulu

Fly from Kuala Lumpur to Mulu via Kuching and transfer to your accommodation near Gunung Mulu National Park. Spend the afternoon exploring the park’s interpretation centre or relaxing at the resort. Later, walk through rainforest to Deer Cave – home to the world’s largest cave passage – then visit the stunning limestone formations of Langs Cave. At sunset, watch millions of bats stream from the cave entrance. The next day, travel upriver by longboat to explore Wind and Clearwater Caves, known for dramatic chambers and rare plant life. Enjoy a riverside swim and picnic before returning for a relaxing afternoon at the resort.

Day 6 – 9: Kuching

Fly from Mulu to Kuching and transfer to The Waterfront Hotel, ideally located near the city’s historic riverside promenade. Spend your time exploring Kuching’s vibrant food scene on a guided street food tour, sampling local favourites like Sarawak Laksa, Kolo Mee, and Kek Lapis. Cruise through the mangroves of the Santubong Peninsula, looking out for Irrawaddy dolphins, proboscis monkeys, and crocodiles. A visit to Bako National Park rounds off your stay, with jungle trails, wild beaches, and the chance to spot proboscis monkeys, silvered langurs, and other wildlife in their natural habitat.

Day 9: Kuching – Nanga Sumpa

Travel from Kuching to the Batang Ai region, stopping en route at a local market before continuing to the reservoir. From there, board a longboat and journey upriver to Nanga Sumpa Lodge, set deep in the rainforest. After settling in, visit the nearby Iban longhouse to meet the local community, share stories on the communal verandah, and sample traditional rice wine. It’s an immersive introduction to Iban culture and life in the jungle.

Day 10: Nanga Sumpa

Begin the day with a jungle hike along the river before heading upriver by longboat to the beautiful Enseluai Waterfall. Enjoy a swim and a riverside BBQ lunch prepared by your Iban hosts. Continue by boat and then trek through rainforest – an area known for occasional orangutan sightings – before arriving at Lubok Kasai jungle camp. Unwind by the river, take a dip, or join a short night walk to experience the forest after dark. Spend the night surrounded by the sounds of the rainforest in this remote, atmospheric camp.

Day 11: Lubok Kasai – Kuching

After breakfast, leave Lubok Kasai by longboat and travel back across Batang Ai Lake before continuing overland to Kuching. Stop for lunch along the way, arriving at The Waterfront Hotel in the late afternoon. The rest of the day is yours to relax and enjoy this well-located boutique hotel overlooking the Sarawak River.

Day 12: Kuching – Sandakan

Fly from Kuching to Sandakan via Kota Kinabalu, where you’ll be met and transferred to MY Nature Resort, set on the edge of the Sepilok Forest Reserve. Spend the rest of the day at leisure—explore nearby highlights like the Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, Sun Bear Sanctuary, and Rainforest Discovery Centre, all within walking distance. The resort also features its own wildlife boardwalk and offers guided night walks. As evening falls, watch for flying squirrels gliding through the treetops—a memorable highlight of your stay.

Day 13: Sepilok

Today you’ll visit the renowned Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, where rescued orangutans are gradually reintroduced into the wild. Watch them at the rainforest feeding platforms and, if open, observe younger orangutans at the nursery. Afterwards, visit the nearby Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre, home to over 30 rescued bears. Both centres are just minutes from the resort and offer a powerful insight into Borneo’s conservation efforts. Spend the afternoon relaxing at the lodge or exploring more of Sepilok’s rich jungle surroundings.

Day 14: Selingan Turtle Island Chalet

After breakfast, transfer by boat to Selingan Island, part of Turtle Island Park – an important conservation area for endangered green and hawksbill turtles. You’ll bring just an overnight bag, with the rest of your luggage securely stored on the mainland. Spend the day snorkelling or exploring the island before joining a Park Ranger after dark to witness turtles coming ashore to lay eggs and hatchlings making their first journey to the sea – a rare and unforgettable experience.

Day 15: Sepilok – Kinabatangan River – Abai

After breakfast, return to Sandakan and set off on a scenic river cruise up the Lower Kinabatangan, spotting wildlife along the mangrove-lined banks. Arrive at Abai Jungle Lodge for lunch and some time to relax or explore the boardwalk trails. In the late afternoon, head out on a river safari to look for proboscis monkeys, birds, and reptiles, followed by the magical sight of fireflies lighting up the trees. After dinner, join a guided night walk to spot nocturnal wildlife around the lodge.

Day 16: Abai – Sukau

After returning to the mainland from Selingan, take a scenic boat journey up the Kinabatangan River to Abai Jungle Lodge. Surrounded by mangroves and rich rainforest, it’s one of Sabah’s best spots for wildlife viewing. Settle in, explore the nature boardwalk, then head out on an afternoon river cruise to look for proboscis monkeys, birds, and crocodiles. As dusk falls, watch fireflies light up the trees before returning for dinner. Cap off the day with a guided night walk to spot insects and nocturnal animals in the surrounding forest.

Day 17 & 18: Kinabatangan – Tabin Wildlife Reserve

Cruise from Abai to Sukau, keeping watch for wildlife along the Kinabatangan River before checking in to Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge. Surrounded by dense rainforest and with a swimming pool to cool off in, it’s a great base for wildlife spotting. Later, take to the river again for an afternoon safari along the Menanggul tributary – an area known for sightings of proboscis monkeys, hornbills, pygmy elephants, and even wild orangutans. Return to the lodge for dinner and an overnight stay in this wildlife-rich region.

Day 19 – 23: Tabin – Gaya Island

Travel overland from Kinabatangan to Tabin Wildlife Reserve, one of Sabah’s top conservation areas and home to a wide variety of rare and endangered species. After settling into your rainforest lodge, head out to the Lipad mud volcano – a mineral-rich clearing that attracts wildlife such as wild boars, deer, and elephants. Climb the nearby observation tower for sweeping jungle views. In the evening, join a night safari to look for nocturnal creatures like tarsiers and civet cats. The next day, trek through the rainforest to the Lipad Waterfall, where you can cool off with a swim or simply enjoy the peaceful surroundings.

Day 24: Departure

After breakfast, take the boat back to Jesselton Point, where you’ll be met and transferred to Kota Kinabalu Airport for your onward flight.

Our Price Includes:

• Accommodation based on twin/double room inclusive of tax & service charges
• Private round trip transfer airport/hotel/airport
• Tours as stated with shared transport and guides
• Meals as specified (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner)
• Malaysia departure taxes
• Services of Odyssey World’s local agents in Borneo

Our Price Excludes:

• Any meals other than those specified
• Return international flights from the UK & internal flight tickets & airport taxes
• Visas (if required)
• Anything not stated above
• Travel Insurance
• Early check-in/late check-out charges unless otherwise stated
• Items of a personal nature such as laundry, drinks, tips etc.

NOTE:

Prices vary according to season. Prices shown are per person based on two adults travelling in low season, sharing a twin/double room. Please ask us for the full itinerary and add-ons. All itineraries displayed are a suggestion of adventures we can create for you and can be amended to suit your personal requirements.