Borneo Family Tour
Wildlife spotting boat trips up jungle-lined rivers and snorkelling on coral reefs in the South China Sea are just a few of the varied highlights
12-day, private Borneo family tour
Borneo family tour
Fantastic family Borneo tour taking you from boat trips up jungle-lined rivers and night walks through the rainforest to snorkelling on vibrant coral reefs off tropical islands in the South China Sea.
This specially designed, family adventure concentrates on Malaysia’s Sabah State in northern Borneo which is home to some of the island’s most accessible flora and fauna and jungle landscapes as well as possessing a good transport infrastructure and a varied choice of comfortable accommodation options. The tour features a wide variety of activities and destinations including; discovering the traditional culture of some of the myriad ethnic groups that call Borneo home, a hands-on Malaysian home cookery class, cycling tour of some of the sites of Sabah’s capital Kota Kinabalu, a nature hike in World Heritage Mount Kinabalu National Park, wildlife spotting boat trips in the Kinabatangan Wildlife Corridor and a visit to both the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre and the Borneo Sun Bear Conservation Project.
Furthermore, and bearing in mind the tropical heat, the tour is paced accordingly with time at leisure to relax as well as to do your own thing.
This Borneo family adventure is an escorted, private tour so travel dates are up to you while activities can be tailored according to the ages and energy levels of you family. The 12 day tour includes 2 days and 3 nights with a choice of one of the tropical islands of the South China Sea, Gaya or Manukan Island. Additional nights can be arranged on request as well as an extra night in Kota Kinabalu Town according to your flight schedule. Return flights from a UK airport to Kota Kinabalu can also be included as a combined flight and tour package.
Includes: domestic flight from Sandakan to Kota Kinabalu. Meals; B x 11, L x 3, D x 4. (The tour is fully accompanied except for the island stay on days 10 to 12.)
Itinerary
Here's an idea of what you can expect to do and see day-to-day.
Day 1 - Arrival in Kota Kinabalu and check in to our downtown hotel
Our tour begins in Kota Kinabalu, colonial-period Jesselton, today the thriving, state capital of Sabah. Check-in to our boutique-style hotel with time to relax before meeting your tour leader for a stroll down to the waterfront with perhaps a sundowner before a local-style, welcome dinner.
Overnight: Kota Kinabalu Transport: Walk, Meals: D,
Day 2 - Kota Kinabalu | Cycling tour and some time at leisure
A morning leisurely, guided cycling tour to check out a few of the key points of Sabah’s capital Kota Kinabalu, followed by some free time in the afternoon to just recover from jetlag by the pool or perhaps check out the local market.
Overnight: Kota Kinabalu Transport: Bike, Walk, Meals: B,
Day 3 - Mari Mari Cultural Village plus a home cookery class
Visit to the Mari Mari cultural centre to learn about some of the myriad ethnic groups who call the island home and discover their traditional cultures and lifestyles. In the afternoon we’ll check out Kinarut Village with its traditional colonial era shop houses as well as the unusual ‘haunted mansion’, after which we’ll visit one of the local families for some hands-on, home Malaysian cookery.
Overnight: Kota Kinabalu Transport: Minibus, Walk, Meals: B, L, D,
Day 4 - Into the interior and Kinabalu National Park
Time to head into the interior and Mount Kinabalu National Park for a nature hike, plus a stop at Bundu Tuhan, a local women’s community tourism project including a guided tour of their herb and edible flower gardens as well as chocolate and soap making workshops. After lunch we’ll continue to Kundasang District for a overnight stay in eco-style chalets.
Overnight: Kundasang Transport: Minibus, Walk, Meals: B, L,
Day 5 - Tea Plantation and on to Kinabatangan
Morning visit to the nearby Sabah Tea Plantation including tasting opportunities and the chance to learn about the plantation’s organic tea culture as well as taking in some spectacular views from the plantation’s cafe. From here, continue to Kinabatangan for a 2-night stay at a riverside jungle lodge A sunset boat trip on the jungle-lined Kinabatangan River and an optional night walk to discover the nocturnal wildlife complete our day’s activities.
Overnight: Kinabatangan Transport: Boat, Walk, Meals: B, D,
Day 6 - Boat trip up the Kinabatangan and jungle night walk
Today’s programme includes a dawn river cruise and a morning jungle hike or village tour. Proboscis monkeys, langurs, orangutans, crocodiles and pygmy elephants are just a few of the possible wildlife sightings you may make on your boat trip, whilst rare bird species found here include the lesser adjutant, Storm’s stork, pitas, broadbills and several species of hornbill.
Overnight: Kinabatangan Transport: Boat, Walk, Meals: B, L, D,
Day 7 - Gomantong Caves and on to Sepilok
Morning departure for the nearby Gomantong Caves, famous for their edible swiftlet nests. Discover the unique ecosystem of the limestone caves and, with luck, spot some of the wild orangutans that inhabit the area. In the afternoon we’ll head north to Sepilok
Overnight: Sepilok Transport: Minibus, Walk, Meals: B,
Day 8 - Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre and Free the Bears
Morning visit to the famous Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary and rehabilitation project as well as the Borneo Sun Bear Conservation Centre. Time to relax to escape the midday sun with an afternoon stroll to the fascinating Rainforest Discovery Centre to explore its trails and extensive canopy walkways.
Overnight: Sepilok Transport: Walk, Meals: B,
Day 10 - At leisure on the island
At leisure on the island. A wide range of optional activities is on offer, including a rainforest hike, an island-hopping boat tour of Tunku Abdul Rahman National Marine Park, snorkelling, scuba diving, birdwatching, kayaking or checking out the resort’s spa and massage.
Overnight: Gaya or Manukan Transport: Walk, Meals: B,
Day 12 - Boat to the mainland and transfer to the airport
At leisure on the island and return to Kota Kinabalu at your convenience. (Please note the last scheduled boat transfer is at 3.00pm after which a supplementary cost for private hire would be required.) Extra accommodation in Kota Kinabalu is available if required.
Transport: Taxi, Boat, Meals: B,
Details
Further details, background info and answers to your burning questions.
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Highlights
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Map
Departures
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Hotels
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Visa Info & Notes
Just a few of the many highlights
Fantastic family Borneo tour taking you from boat trips up jungle-lined rivers and night walks through the rainforest to snorkelling on vibrant coral reefs off tropical islands in the South China Sea.
- 12-day, escorted, private family tour to Malaysia's Sabah State on spectacular Borneo Island
- Specifically designed for families and kids of any ages including flexible dates and activities
- River trips, night walk, jungle hikes, cycling tour and a home cookery class are just some of the varied activities
- Includes visits to the fascinating Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary and the Borneo Sunbear Centre
- Comprehensive and varied tour including culture, history, landscapes and flora and fauna
- Finish your tour with a 3 day stay on picturesque Gaya - a tropical island in the South China Sea
Air Departures (UK) *From
Land Departures
Guaranteed Places Left Special Price Contact Us Closed
*As fares are fluctuating wildly at present all ‘with flight’ prices are approximate.
*Air departures are from the UK. Land departures start from Kota Kinabalu.
*Land departure dates correspond to the FIRST day of the itinerary.
We choose our hotels based on a combination of location, comfort and convenience. Here is a *selection of the types of hotel/rooms you can expect to stay at on this tour...
Horizon Hotel Kota Kinabalu view
- Well-appointed with rooftop pool and gym
- Convenient central location in Kota Kinabalu
- In-house restaurant, bar and coffee shop
Kinabalu Pine Resort view
- Located in Kundasang, offering great views of Mt Kinabalu
- Garden setting and award winning design
- Excellent in-house restaurant and bar
Bilit Rainforest Lodge view
- Excellent location aside the Kinabatangan River
- Jungle lodge with wooden chalets in a garden setting
- In-house, riverside bar and restaurant area
Tanini Lodge Sepilok view
- Eco-friendly jungle lodge
- Comfortable, low-key, resort set in a lush tropical garden
- In-house bar and restaurant with evening barbeque area
Gaya Island Resort view
- Tropical Island located in the South China Sea
- Picturesque island in the Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park
- Well appointed with pool, bar, restaurant and in-house spa
Manukan Island Resort view
- Manukan Island - in the South China Sea
- A stunning and beautifully preserved, tropical island
- Located in the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park.
*This list should be considered a guide only, hotels/rooms may change (without notice) depending on availability.
Visa Info & Notes
Please note that the Malaysian government has introduced a Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) system as of 1st January 2024. This form needs to be submitted online at least 3 days prior to arrival.
Finally, also note that you may come across references to a daily ‘tourism tax’ of 10 RM, payable by visitors to Malaysia, but this has already been included in the cost of your tour and will be paid by your tour leader.
Visas: No visa in advance is required. A free 60-day visa is issued on arrival at any international airport. As usual, a minimum of 6 months validity from the date of arrival and at least 1 blank page in your passport is required.
The standard arrival and departure point for this tour is Kota Kinabalu International Airport.
Meals: Breakfasts are generally hotel buffets with lunch and dinners based on local food. Your tour leader will usually order a selection of dishes, local-style, while a number of meals are not included, which allows you to ‘do your own thing’ or take a break if you’re feeling ‘riced out’.
With its kaleidoscopic population, Malaysian cuisine is one of the most varied and richest anywhere on the planet and includes all the various, regional Indian and Chinese dishes, the unique Chinese/Malay Nonya cuisine as well as traditional Malay food alongside Thai and Indonesian influences. Dishes are generally mild with plenty of vegetarian and vegan options on offer.
Accommodation: all choices fall into the comfortable 3* range and are en-suite and air-conditioned. We have posted a selection of sample accommodation on the left-hand hotel tab but please note that as we try and avoid the larger hotels, availability, in high season, particularly, means we use several options in each destination.
Activities: Note that no activities are compulsory and that any, including trekking, can be tailored for any fitness level or alternatives suggested.
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