Private Adventure through Borneo’s Wildlife and Natural Beauty
Join a private 9-day adventure through Borneo, immersing yourself in its unique wildlife and natural landscapes.
Begin in Kuching, where you’ll explore cultural landmarks and local sights. Continue to Sabah to experience the beauty of Kinabalu Park, visit the Semenggoh Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, and cruise along the Kinabatangan River in search of wildlife such as proboscis monkeys, rare birds, and pygmy elephants.
Each day offers new opportunities to discover Borneo’s rich ecosystems, including visits to conservation centers and rainforest excursions.
The tour concludes with an exploration of Sandakan’s natural beauty, rounding off this active and immersive experience.
This tour can be combined with the Malaysia Private Tour: Highlands & Historic Towns. (See details after the day-by-day itinerary).
All our tours are private, customizable, and can begin on any date.
Suggested Itinerary
Day 1- KUCHING:
Upon arrival at Kuching International Airport, meet and greet our driver and transfer to the hotel (transfer with driver only). At 02.00pm, depart for Kuching City Tour. The tour includes the visit to the Tua Pek Kong temple, the oldest Chinese temple in Sarawak, built in 1876. From there, view the imposing Fort Margarita. Drive by St. Joseph’s Cathedral, the Syariah (Muslim) Court, traditional Malay houses built on stilts and the mosque built along the bank of the river. Look out for the majestic Astana, the former palace of the White Rajahs, now the official residence of the Governor of Sarawak. Stop for a few minutes in front of the old colonial Court House, complete with a clock tower and a granite obelisk built in memory of the second White Rajah, Charles Brooke. At the end of the tour, return transfer to the hotel. Overnight.
Day 2 – KUCHING
At 8:00 AM, depart for Bako National Park, located at the northern tip of the Muara Tebas Peninsula, covering 2,728 hectares of primary forest. The park is home to diverse botanical species, with varying vegetation due to different altitudes. Among the park’s most notable residents is the proboscis monkey, endemic to Borneo, which may be spotted with some luck.
The excursion begins with a transfer from Kuching to a Malay fishing village, followed by a shared boat ride to Bako National Park to minimize the environmental impact on the fragile mangrove areas. Upon arrival, explore the park’s rainforests and mangrove forests in search of wildlife and botanical species. A packed lunch will be provided.
At 3:30 PM, return transfer to the hotel.
(Note: The timing of the park visit depends on sea conditions and will be confirmed by the guide.)
Overnight.
Day 3 – KUCHING
At 8:00 AM, depart for Semenggoh Wildlife Centre. Upon arrival, a 20-minute walk may be required from the main road to the rehabilitation centre entrance, as vehicles may not always be allowed up to the entry point. Established in 1975, the Semenggoh Rehabilitation Centre is home to rescued orangutans, many of which are being rehabilitated to live independently before being released into the wild. This visit offers a unique chance to observe the special training programs. The orangutan feeding session takes place from 9:00 to 10:00 AM.
At 1:30 PM, depart for Annah Rais Longhouse, home to the Bidayuh tribe (formerly known as the Land Dayaks during the era of the Brooke dynasty). Located 100 km from Kuching, near the Indonesian border, the longhouse provides insight into traditional tribal life.
At the end of the tour, return to the hotel by 6:00 PM.
(Note: Orangutan sightings cannot be guaranteed.)
Overnight.
Day 4 – KUCHING / KOTA KINABALU
Transfer to Kuching International Airport for your flight. Departure transfer is scheduled 2 hours prior to flight departure.
(The flight to Kota Kinabalu is not included).
Upon arrival at Kota Kinabalu International Airport, you will be met by your guide and transferred to your hotel for check-in.
At 6:00 PM, depart for the Kota Kinabalu Night Tour.
First, visit the bustling night market, where a variety of trinkets and souvenirs are available. Next, enjoy sweeping views of the city’s nightlife from the Signal Hill observation deck.
Then, experience a Malaysian dinner accompanied by a lively cultural performance showcasing Sabah’s traditional dances.
After dinner, there will be free time to explore the city streets.
At the end of the tour, return to the hotel by 10:00 PM.
Overnight.
Day 5 – KOTA KINABALU / MOUNT KINABALU
At 7:30 AM, depart for Kinabalu Park (approximately 2.5 hours’ drive). Designated a World Heritage Site in 2000, Kinabalu National Park covers 754 square kilometers and is home to Southeast Asia’s tallest mountain. The park is renowned for housing two-thirds of the world’s plant species, many of which are endemic to Sabah.
On the way, pass through small towns and villages, with a stop at Nabalu Fruit Market for a break. First, visit Poring Hot Spring, where you can experience the canopy walkway—a 41-meter-high bridge spanning 157 meters through the rainforest, offering a unique bird’s eye view.
Lunch will be served at a local restaurant.
Continue to the park and visit the Botanical Garden, one of the most popular attractions in the park.
At the end of the day, transfer to your hotel in Kundasang.
Dinner and overnight.
Day 6 – MOUNT KINABALU / SANDAKAN
At 11:00 AM, depart for Sandakan, traveling across the ridges of the Crocker Range.
The journey will pass through native villages and oil palm estates, taking approximately 5 hours.
Upon arrival in Sandakan, transfer to your hotel.
Day 7 – SANDAKAN / SUKAU
At 8:00 AM, depart for Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre. Established in 1964, this was the first official rehabilitation project for rescued orphaned orangutans, many of which were orphaned due to logging, plantations, illegal hunting, or being kept as pets.
The orangutan feeding session is at 10:00 AM.
Afterward, visit the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre, dedicated to the welfare and rehabilitation of the Malayan sun bear.
Following the visit, take a 2-hour journey to the jetty, where you will board a boat for a scenic ride to the jungle lodge.
A welcome drink will be served upon arrival, followed by check-in. Lunch will be provided at the lodge.
In the afternoon, embark on a river cruise along the Kinabatangan River to observe wildlife, including the proboscis monkey, rare bird species of Borneo, and pygmy elephants, with the possibility of spotting them in the area.
After the river cruise, return to the lodge for dinner.
Enjoy free time at leisure after dinner.
Overnight.
Day 8 – SUKAU
Before sunrise, embark on a river cruise along the Kinabatangan River in search of more Bornean-endemic wildlife, or enjoy a jungle trek at Oxbow Lake to observe a variety of bird species.
After the tour, return to the lodge for breakfast. The rest of the morning is free for relaxation.
Lunch will be served at the lodge.
In the afternoon, take another river cruise along the Kinabatangan River in search of diverse wildlife.
After the river cruise, return to the lodge for dinner.
Overnight.
Day 9 – SUKAU / SANDAKAN
After breakfast, visit the Rainforest Discovery Center or take a Sandakan City Tour (confirmation upon booking).
After the visit, transfer to Sandakan Airport or your hotel in Sandakan. Transfer is arranged with a driver only.
For an extended adventure through Borneo and Malaysia
combine with the Malaysia Private Tour: Highlands & Historic Towns.
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