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Borneo Tours & Holidays

Small Group Tours & Tailor-Made Holidays

The third-largest island in the world and one of the last great wildernesses on earth, Borneo is a destination of extraordinary natural richness — a vast island of ancient rainforest harbouring some of the most biodiverse ecosystems on the planet, shared between Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia and home to orang-utans, pygmy elephants, proboscis monkeys and over 15,000 plant species found nowhere else on earth. For the nature traveller, Borneo is simply without parallel in Southeast Asia.

Borneo's rivers are its highways — the great Kinabatangan, Mahakam and Kapuas flowing through a canopy of ancient trees and delivering wildlife encounters of astonishing intimacy. The indigenous cultures of the island — the Iban, Penan, Kenyah and Dayak peoples, many of whom still practise the ancient traditions of longhouse living, rice cultivation and intricate beadwork — add a cultural dimension of extraordinary depth and authenticity to what is already one of the most compelling natural destinations in Asia.

At Asian Geographical, our Southeast Asia specialists design tailor-made Borneo holidays and small group tours across Malaysian Sabah, Sarawak and Brunei, as well as the wilder Indonesian provinces of Kalimantan. Whether tracking orang-utans through the Danum Valley primary forest, river-cruising the Kinabatangan for pygmy elephants and proboscis monkeys, climbing Mount Kinabalu or visiting an Iban longhouse community on the Rejang River, we craft Borneo itineraries of exceptional wildlife richness and cultural authenticity.
 

Best of Borneo

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Borneo Highlights

BORNEO ORANGUTAN ENCOUNTERS: Borneo is one of only two islands on earth — alongside Sumatra — where orang-utans survive in the wild, and the Malaysian state of Sabah offers the most accessible and rewarding encounters with these extraordinary great apes. The Sepilok Orang-utan Rehabilitation Centre provides a remarkable morning feeding platform experience, while the Danum Valley Conservation Area and the Kinabatangan River corridor offer the far rarer privilege of observing wild orang-utans in their primary forest habitat.

KINABATANGAN RIVER WILDLIFE BORNEO: The floodplain forest of the Kinabatangan River in Sabah is one of the finest wildlife corridors in Asia — a narrow strip of riverine jungle that shelters an extraordinary concentration of wildlife including orang-utans, pygmy elephants, proboscis monkeys, all eight species of Bornean hornbill and the rare Bornean sun bear. River cruises at dawn and dusk, when animals come to the water's edge, deliver wildlife encounters of breathtaking proximity and frequency rarely matched anywhere else in Southeast Asia.

MOUNT KINABALU CLIMBING BORNEO: At 4,095 metres, Mount Kinabalu in Sabah is the highest peak in Southeast Asia and one of the finest mountain trekking experiences in the region — a two-day ascent through extraordinary altitudinal zones from tropical rainforest through cloud forest and alpine scrub to bare granite summit ridges offering panoramic views across Borneo and the South China Sea. The mountain and its surrounding UNESCOWorld Heritage park are also among the most biodiverse places on earth for orchids, pitcher plants and Rafflesia.

BORNEO TRIBAL CULTURE LONGHOUSES: The indigenous peoples of Borneo — the Iban, Bidayuh, Kenyah, Kenyah and Penan among many others — maintain living traditions of extraordinary cultural richness, most vividly expressed in the longhouse communities that line the rivers of Sarawak and Kalimantan. Visiting an Iban longhouse on the Skrang or Ai rivers, participating in traditional rice wine ceremonies, listening to sape music and seeing the extraordinary beadwork and tattoo traditions of Bornean culture provides a cultural encounter of genuine depth and meaning.  

Abai Jungle Lodge
Wildlife Resort

ABAI JUNGLE LODGE

Abai Jungle Lodge on the Kinabatangan River is good base to explore Borneo’s fascinating wildlife.

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Aiman Batang Ai Resort
Resort

AIMAN BATANG AI RESORT

Set near a rainforest, Aiman Batang Ai Resort & Retreat offers an authentic Longhouse experience.

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Borneo Rainforest Lodge
Wildlife Resort

BORNEO RAINFOREST LODGE

Located in Danum valley, Borneo Rainforest Lodge is best location to experience Borneo’s wildlife.

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Bungaraya Island Resort
Resort

BUNGARAYA ISLAND RESORT

Bungaraya Island Resort is a romantic jewel set on a coral reef island off the coast of Borneo.

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Gaya Island Resort
Resort

GAYA ISLAND RESORT

Gaya Island Resort; set in a magical location on a stunning island off the coast of Kota Kinabalu.

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Gayana Marine Resort
Resort

GAYANA MARINE RESORT

Gayana Eco Resort rests at the edges of a lush coral reef island off the coast of Borneo.

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Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge
Wildlife Resort

KINABATANGAN RIVERSIDE LODGE

Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge is perfectly located for river cruises and wildlife spotting.

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Laban Rata
Mountain Hut

LABAN RATA

For seasonal mountaineers and trekkers, this is luxury accommodation at Mt Kinabalu base camp.

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Lankayan Island Resort
Resort

LANKAYAN ISLAND RESORT

Lankayan Resort on a tropical Island offers the best snorkelling, diving & kayaking activities.

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Mabul Water Bungalows
Resort

MABUL WATER BUNGALOWS

The Mabul Water Bungalows on the water are scuba divers paradise in the Celebes Sea.

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Why Choose Asian Geographical
Why Choose Asian Geographical

Exclusively Asia

The difference with the Asian Geographical is, that each of our holidays is designed with extreme precision of a mountaineering expedition.

Borneo Regions

    SABAH AND THE KINABALU HIGHLAND: The Malaysian state of Sabah in northern Borneo is the island's premier destination for wildlife, trekking and diving. Mount Kinabalu — Southeast Asia's highest peak and a UNESCO World Heritage Site — dominates the interior, while the Kinabatangan River floodplain to the east delivers the finest wildlife corridor on the island. The world-class diving of Sipadan and the Semporna Archipelago, the Sepilok Orang-utan Centre and the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre complete an extraordinary Sabah experience.

    SARAWAK RAINFOREST AND RIVER CULTURE: The Malaysian state of Sarawak offers some of Borneo's most rewarding and authentic experiences — from the UNESCO-listed cave systems of Gunung Mulu National Park and the extraordinary Pinnacles rock formation to the longhouse communities of the Iban, Bidayuh and Orang Ulu peoples along the Rejang and Skrang rivers. The state capital Kuching is one of the most pleasant and underrated cities in Malaysia, with excellent museums, a vibrant waterfront and easy access to the Bako and Kubah national parks.

    DANUM VALLEY AND TABIN WILDLIFE: The Danum Valley Conservation Area in the interior of Sabah is one of the finest remaining areas of primary lowland dipterocarp rainforest in Borneo — a vast, ancient forest of towering trees, dark rivers and extraordinary wildlife that is home to orang-utans, Bornean pygmy elephants, clouded leopards and Sumatran rhinoceros. The Borneo Rainforest Lodge, set beside the Danum River deep within the reserve, is the finest wildlife lodge in Malaysian Borneo and the base for some of the most rewarding wildlife tracking in Southeast Asia.

    KALIMANTAN AND INDONESIAN BORNEO: The Indonesian provinces of Kalimantan cover the southern and central portion of Borneo — a vast, largely forested territory of great rivers, ancient Dayak communities and primary rainforest that remains far less visited than Malaysian Sabah and Sarawak. The Tanjung Puting National Park in Central Kalimantan — accessible by klotok riverboat and home to one of the largest populations of wild orang-utans in the world — and the traditional Dayak longhouse communities of the Mahakam River valley offer Borneo experiences of extraordinary authenticity and remoteness.
     

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CULTURAL SPOTLIGHT

Festivals

Time your visit for local festivals and seasonal events—we’ll design your holiday to match the dates.

PERFECT TIMING

PERFECT TIMING

WHEN TO GO

Spring and autumn bring mild days and clear views—tell us your dates and we’ll shape the route.

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WEATHER IN Borneo

The best time to visit Borneo is from March to October, when rainfall is lower and conditions are better for wildlife, rainforest walks, river journeys and beaches. Borneo is tropical year-round, so showers can occur at any time, but the drier months usually offer the best overall travel conditions.

Borneo, the largest island in Asia, experiences a tropical climate marked by high humidity and rainfall throughout the year. Divided between three countries - Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei - Borneo's weather varies across its regions.

In Malaysian Borneo, encompassing the states of Sabah and Sarawak, the weather is typically hot and humid, with heavy rainfall common, especially during the monsoon seasons. The northeast monsoon from November to March brings wetter conditions to the east coast, while the southwest monsoon from May to September affects the west coast. However, the transitional months between monsoons often offer drier weather and are ideal for outdoor activities and sightseeing.

In Indonesian Borneo, known as Kalimantan, the weather is also tropical, with high temperatures and humidity. Rainfall is prevalent throughout the year, peaking during the monsoon seasons. The best time to visit depends on the activities planned; the drier months from May to September are suitable for jungle trekking and wildlife spotting, while the wetter months offer lush green landscapes and blooming flora.

Brunei, located on the northern coast of Borneo, experiences a similar tropical climate with high humidity and rainfall. The best time to visit is during the dry season from June to September when outdoor activities are more enjoyable.

Overall, the best time to visit Borneo varies depending on personal preferences and planned activities, but generally, the transitional months between monsoons offer a good balance of weather conditions for exploration and adventure.

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What Others Say

Real reviews from travellers who explored Asia with us.

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A FAMILY FROM WEST YORKSHIRE

“They are experts in multi-destination trips and no one we know does it better.”

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A COUPLE FROM STAFFORDSHIRE

“There was a fine mix of guided adventures and leisure activities (or non-activity), and luxurious accommodation wherever we went.”

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A COUPLE FROM LANCASHIRE

“We especially enjoyed our visit to Komodo National Park, named for the giant lizards called Komodo Dragons that are native to the area.”

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A FAMILY FROM SLOUGH

“Every aspect was perfectly curated and delivered, … so that we never had to worry about anything.”

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A HONEYMOON COUPLE FROM ST ALBANS

“you’ll have a journey to really write home about.”

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Why Travel with Asian Geographical

Small Groups

Your entire holiday is designed around your personal preferences

Travel at your own pace with full itinerary flexibility

Choose from handpicked, luxury hotels & resorts across Asia

Enjoy seamless logistics, private transfers, and 24/7 assistance

Expert Knowledge

Our package holiday team has decades of experience in luxury Asia travel

Receive first-hand advice from specialists who know each destination intimately

Gain access to hidden gems and authentic local experiences

Sustainable Travel

Our aim is to stay committed to responsible travel in Asia

We partner with eco-conscious providers

Itineraries include experiences that preserve Asia’s cultural and natural heritage

PROTECTED SERVICES

Travel with complete confidence under full ATOL protection

Fully bonded and financially protected for your peace of mind

Established in 2014

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