Wild Encounters of Borneo – Small Group
Borneo brings you close to nature at its most remarkable, from orangutans and sun bears to river safaris through the Kinabatangan wetlands. In Sabah, you’ll meet local communities, taste coffee in the foothills of Mount Kinabalu and stay among ancient mangroves in a protected RAMSAR wetland. With your Travel Director leading the way, explore Sandakan, Kota Kinabalu, rainforest, highlands and island shores on a journey shaped by wildlife, local food and the people who call this part of Malaysia home.
- 20 May 2027 – 27 May 2027
from $4,675.50 pp twin share * - 23 May 2027 – 30 May 2027
from $4,675.50 pp twin share * - 29 May 2027 – 05 Jun 2027
from $4,675.50 pp twin share * - 02 Jun 2027 – 09 Jun 2027
from $4,675.50 pp twin share * - 19 Jun 2027 – 26 Jun 2027
from $4,675.50 pp twin share * - 11 Jul 2027 – 18 Jul 2027
from $4,725 pp twin share * - 04 Aug 2027 – 11 Aug 2027
from $4,725 pp twin share * - 01 Sep 2027 – 08 Sep 2027
from $4,675.50 pp twin share * - 04 Sep 2027 – 11 Sep 2027
from $4,675.50 pp twin share * - 27 Sep 2027 – 04 Oct 2027
from $4,675.50 pp twin share * - 09 Oct 2027 – 16 Oct 2027
from $4,675.50 pp twin share * - 23 Oct 2027 – 30 Oct 2027
from $4,675.50 pp twin share * - 31 Oct 2027 – 07 Nov 2027
from $4,675.50 pp twin share *
* Prices and category availability are subject to change without notice.
Itinerary
- Day 1 – Welcome to Sandakan:
Welcome to Sandakan, your gateway to Borneo’s wildlife and rainforests. This coastal city in eastern Sabah sits between the Sulu Sea and rainforest, with markets, temples and waterfront streets shaped by its mix of Malay, Chinese and Indigenous cultures. After settling in, meet your Travel Director and fellow travellers for dinner. Over your first evening together, get to know the people you’ll be travelling with and hear from your Travel Director about the wildlife, landscapes and local communities that will shape your time in Borneo. - Day 2 – Orangutans and Sun Bears of Borneo:
Start at the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, your MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, where you’ll see orphaned orangutans and those once kept as pets learning the skills they need to return to the wild. Watch them feed on fruit, swing through the trees and view the nursery where younger orangutans practise for life in the rainforest. Continue to the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre for a guided tour with founder and CEO Dr. Wong, whose work protects the world’s smallest bear. At the Rainforest Discovery Centre in Kabili-Sepilok Forest Reserve, walk suspension bridges and a 147 m (482 ft) canopy walkway, with giant trees and rare birds around you. - Day 3 – Cruise into Kinabatangan:
Discover Sandakan on a Heritage Walk, following local streets through the city’s markets, cafes and community spaces. Dive into Culture as you taste roti kosong, kueh and teh tarik, favourites you’ll see on menus and counters across the city. Transfer by boat to Kinabatangan Wetland Resort, your Stays with Stories experience, surrounded by mangroves and rainforest near the Kinabatangan River. Cruise along the river, taking in the changing views and watching the banks for signs of proboscis monkeys, hornbills and crocodiles. After dinner at the resort, join a night walk along the boardwalk to look for insects, frogs and other creatures active after dark. - Day 4 – Borneo’s Big Five by River:
Set out at first light on the Kinabatangan River, listening for the dawn chorus as the rainforest comes to life around you. Cruise to an oxbow lake, where still water, overhanging trees and wetland plants create a different view of this river system. Pass Kg Abai and hear about the Orang Sungai, the river people whose traditional way of life is tied to fishing, boats and the changing water levels. Return to the resort for free time before an afternoon cruise along the upper Kinabatangan, looking for pygmy elephants, mangrove species and other signs of life along the banks. After dinner, step back onto the boat for a night river safari, scanning the dark for slow lorises, tarsiers, civets and sleeping kingfishers. - Day 5 – Through Borneo Countryside to Kundasang:
Travel by boat back towards Sandakan, passing fishing villages where stilted homes, working boats and nets line the coast. At Agnes Keith House, step inside the restored home of the American writer who wrote about North Borneo before and after the Second World War, looking through its rooms, photographs and gardens. Next door, the English Tea House puts you in one of Sandakan’s best-known hilltop settings for lunch. The road to Kundasang takes you through rainforest, farmland and mountain roads, moving from the coast into Sabah’s highlands near Mount Kinabalu to your hotel for the night. - Day 6 – Meet Coffee Growers and on to Kota Kinabalu:
In the foothills of Mount Kinabalu, Kiau Village brings you into the world of Sabah’s coffee-growing Dusun community. Join your hosts for your Be My Guest experience, where fresh local coffee leads into a home-cooked lunch and conversation about village life. At Guas Nabalu, follow the coffee from plant to cup and taste the finished brew, before sampling local honey and browsing handmade pineapple jams, chutneys and juices. Pekan Nabalu gives you a chance to shop for local handicrafts, with views of Mount Kinabalu if the weather is clear. Kota Kinabalu brings you back to the coast, where you’ll visit the city mosque, pass Atkinson Clock Tower and stop at a local market. This evening, you could choose to explore the night market on foot with dinner. - Day 7 – Clear Waters of Ara Dinawan Island:
Leave Kota Kinabalu for Ara Dinawan Island, a small island off Sabah’s coast where clear water, coral and white sand show you a softer side of Borneo. Spend the day close to the sea, with the option to kayak along the shoreline or snorkel above the reef, or simply stay on the beach. For lunch, enjoy a private beach barbecue with grilled seafood, chicken, fresh salads, tropical fruit and cold drinks served near the water. Return to Kota Kinabalu, then join your fellow travellers for dinner in the city. - Day 8 – Farewell Borneo:
Say goodbye to Kota Kinabalu and your fellow travellers as your Borneo journey comes to an end. After days spent in rainforest, wetlands, villages, highlands and island waters, leave Sabah with memories of the people you’ve met and the wildlife you’ve seen.
Highlights
- Meet local communities and taste coffee in the foothills of Mount Kinabalu.
- Stay among ancient mangroves in a protected RAMSAR wetland.
- Explore Sandakan, Kota Kinabalu, rainforest, highlands and island shores.
Borneo brings you close to nature at its most remarkable, from orangutans and sun bears to river safaris through the Kinabatangan wetlands. In Sabah, you’ll meet local communities, taste coffee in the foothills of Mount Kinabalu and stay among ancient mangroves in a protected RAMSAR wetland. With your Travel Director leading the way, explore Sandakan, Kota Kinabalu, rainforest, highlands and island shores on a journey shaped by wildlife, local food and the people who call this part of Malaysia home.
Inclusions
- An expert Travel Director and professional Driver.
- Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted.
- All porterage and restaurant gratuities.
- All hotel tips, charges and local taxes.
- Must-see sightseeing.
- Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing.
FAQs
- Grandis Hotel
- Kinabalu Pine Resort
- Kinabatangan Wetland Resort
- Ormond Hotel Sandakan
How long is this journey?
This itinerary runs for 8 days and 7 nights.
When can I travel?
Departures are currently scheduled between 20 May 2027 and 07 Nov 2027, subject to live availability.
Are there different departure options?
Yes, multiple departures may be available depending on your preferred travel period.
Are discounts available?
Seasonal or loyalty discounts may be available on selected departures at the time of enquiry.
What is generally included?
Inclusions typically cover guided touring and selected experiences, with exact details listed in the itinerary.
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