Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Malaysian Borneo in Style Rainforest Treks & Beachside Bliss
Malaysia – Borneo – Kota Kinabalu – Sandakan – Sukau – Danum Valley – Gaya Island
Kick off your far-flung adventure with a few days in the Sabahan capital, Kota Kinabalu, where you can wade into the water and feel the first rays of Bornean sun on your skin. Then, venture into the wilderness for a week of rainforest rambling. It’s time to try and spot the big leagues – we’re talking about those fiery orange orangutans, of course.
After your walk on the wild side, unwind for a couple of days on the shores of Gaya Island, a short boat ride away from Kota Kinabalu. Here, you can slip into a slower rhythm and do as much or as little as you please. It doesn’t come much better than this.
Itinerary
100% customisable for you
Leap out of bed this morning to head to the airport, whizz through security and settle into the lounge before your departure. Flights to Kota Kinabalu, the capital of Sabah on the island of Borneo, connect through Kuala Lumpur and take around 15-and-a-half hours. Time to sit back, slip on an eye mask and relax.
When you land the following day, step out into the heat and meet your private driver who will drop you off at your hotel in the city centre. After unpacking and unwinding, venture out for a stroll this afternoon to stretch your legs. Then, come evening, contact our local Concierge to nab you a table at the swankiest restaurant in town. Prepare to let the good times roll.
Wake up bright and early this morning and tuck into a fantastically fresh breakfast before packing your day bags, meeting a private guide and setting your sights on Pandan Island. The journey involves an hour-and-a-half-long private transfer through rice paddies and a ten-minute boat crossing.
Having reached the shores of Pandan, the rest of the day is yours to spend basking on its white-sand beaches and discovering its marvellous marine life. Don your masks and snorkels to try and spot groupers, squid, baby barracudas, snappers and – if you’re really lucky – dolphins.
Later on, return to your hotel to freshen up before another mouth-watering meal tonight. If you haven’t yet, order up some tuaran mee (a Sabahan noodle dish). Food comas pending...
The name of the game today: making the most of the action-packed shores of Kota Kinabalu. After tucking into a tasty breakfast, let curiosity lead the way as you decide how you want to spend your final day in the city.
There are numerous activities to choose from. Water babies can take their pick from banana boating, water skiing, paddle boarding, kayaking, windsurfing and more. Or, if you’d prefer to stick to dry land, giddy up on a horse ride, swing a golf club on the green, keep up a rally on the tennis courts, roll up your sleeves for a cooking lesson or work up a sweat with a Pilates session. Today, the world – by which we mean Kota Kinabalu – is your oyster.
After an action-packed day under the Bornean sun, head back to your room this afternoon to freshen up before sitting down to another delicious dinner tonight.
Rise and shine – the rainforest awaits. After breakfast this morning, grab your bags and meet a private driver who will transport you to the airport, for a 45-minute internal flight to Sandakan, a city on Borneo’s northeast coast.
When you land, a second private driver will be waiting to whisk you off to a wilderness lodge in Sepilok, where you'll spend the night. Take some time to unwind, acclimatise and refuel this afternoon before donning your khakis and trekking into the surrounding rainforest after sunset.
Now's the time to try and spot some of Borneo's most famous residents. While orangutans are the local legends, there are plenty more species to look out for tonight. The showstoppers include civets, moonrats, Sunda stink badgers, glow worms, owls, fireflies, Bornean bearded pigs and Sunda flying lemurs – which can’t actually fly, but they can glide.
This morning, we’ve lined up back-to-back visits to the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre and the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre. Fun fact: sun bears are the smallest bears in the whole world.
Having made some new furry friends, reunite with your private driver this afternoon and venture further into the wilderness in Sukau, a two-hour journey away. When you arrive, check in for two nights, drop your bags and then head out for a cruise along Sabah’s longest river, the Kinabatangan. While you’re gliding along the water, keep your eyes peeled for proboscis monkeys, which are endemic to Borneo.
As evening draws, perch up for a candlelit meal on the riverbank, followed by a fascinating talk from a naturalist guide. And don’t worry, if you didn’t spot any monkeys earlier, the cruise will continue after dinner to give you another chance.
Before breakfast this morning, meet up with an expert naturalist guide and step aboard a boat for a cruise down the Kinabatangan River when it's at its most tranquil. At first light, the wildlife along the river is also at its most active, so you’ll be in with a good chance of seeing more proboscis monkeys, orangutans, hornbills, kingfishers and crocodiles.
Return to your lodge afterwards for an educational tour of the Hornbill Boardwalk. Here, you’ll learn all about the local flora and fauna while soaking in more stellar scenery. Then, this afternoon, embark on another leisurely river cruise in search of Borneo’s iconic wildlife. At this time of day, keep an eye out for pygmy elephants and macaques – plus the usual suspects, of course.
At the end of a day spent cosplaying nature documentarians, you can celebrate your creature sightings with a delicious dinner at your lodge, followed by a cheeky cocktail (or two).
Say goodbye to the river as you check out and hop in a car for a private transfer to Danum Valley this morning. To break up the four-hour journey, we can arrange for to enjoy one of two experiences.
The first option is a trekking experience up Mount Silam. Rising 2,900ft, the peak here offers breathtaking views over Darvel Bay. As you make the climb, you’ll pass rare plants, hornbills and (hopefully) some red leaf monkeys.
The other option is a visit to Blue Rings Reef, also known as the Blue Hole. Snorkel among coral gardens to discover a vibrant array of marine life before setting your sights on the sunken Japanese shipwreck at Palau Baik – spooky.
When you arrive at your rainforest lodge this afternoon, check in for three nights and drop your bags before heading back out on a night walk or a night drive. Cameras at the ready...
One of the last remaining tracts of pristine rainforest in Southeast Asia, the Danum Valley is widely regarded as Malaysian Borneo’s ultimate wilderness experience. So, lace up those trainers and don your explorer’s caps.
Over the next two days, you’ll delve deep into the rainforest. Start with a trek to the ancient Kadazandunsun burial site. Then, venture on to the 1,030ft-long Danum Valley Canopy Walkway to fully immerse yourself in nature.
The next day begins with treks to Fairy Falls and Serpent Falls. Enjoy a cooling dip then make your way through the rainforest in search of more local wildlife from pygmy elephants to long-tailed macaques before heading back to the lodge.
Your final evening can take whatever form you like. For one last walk on the wild side, head out after dark to catch a glimpse of Borneo’s nocturnal natives. But if you’re keen to unwind, simply kick back at the lodge and soak up the rainforest ambience.
Bid the rainforest a fond farewell this morning as you pack up, check out and meet a private driver to transfer to Lahad Datu, where you'll catch a speedy one-hour flight back to Kota Kinabalu.
When you land, hop in another car for a private transfer to the Jesselton Point Ferry Terminal. Step aboard a private boat to embark on the 30-minute journey to Gaya Island – and snap some scenic shots on the open water.
Dock on the sandy shores this afternoon, ready to head to the final hotel of your trip which will be your base for the next four nights. Once you've unpacked and settled in, hit the beach for a refreshing welcome drink in the lead up to a delicious supper tonight.
Your days on Gaya Island can be spent doing as much – or as little – as you please. After your rainforest adventures, indulge in some laid-back beach days. Then if you’re seeking some action between stints on the beach, learn more about the local environment at the Tunkul Abdul Rahman Marine Park at the Gaya Island Resort Marine Centre. Safe to say, it won’t be winning any awards for concise names.
Water babies can also take the opportunity to embark on a guided kayaking excursion through the surrounding mangrove forests, while those keen to stick to dry land can opt for a hike in the island’s interior.
Fancy an underwater adventure? Scuba diving is another enticing option. And to really indulge, you could follow it up with an evening cookery class and a sunset boat cruise. If paradise on earth exists, we’re pretty sure this is it.
Sadly, your adventures in Malaysian Borneo come to an end today. After tucking into one last island fresh breakfast, grab your bags and hop in a private boat over to Kota Kinabalu.
Once you’re back on the main island, head to the airport and head to the lounge for some complimentary nibbles before your departure. The return flight connects through Kuala Lumpur and takes just over a day.
You’ll land in the UK the following morning, sporting a killer tan, a penchant for Southeast Asian fruits and a camera roll fit to burst with stellar snaps of Borneo’s iconic wildlife.
Why visit Malaysia with Original Travel ?
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
Enquire nowA few of the benefits of travelling with us to Malaysia
- Our local Concierges
- The Original Travel app
- Wi-Fi router and e-Sim
- Destination Dossier
- 24-hour helpline
- Expert guides
- 100% carbon absorption
