Borneo is known for its numerous national parks, thanks to the region’s thriving natural ecosystem. The Island is the third-largest in the world and is shared by three countries: Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei. Borneo’s natural landscapes, diverse wildlife, and Indigenous culture make it a popular tourist destination for adventure seekers and nature lovers. In this Borneo travel guide, we have rounded up the best things to do in Borneo, ideal for couples, families, and solo travellers.
1. Visit Kinabalu National Park
Kinabalu National Park is located on the northern end of Borneo on the west coast of Sabah. It is Malaysia’s First World Heritage site and is the main tourist destination for those visiting both Malaysia and Borneo. The Park covers approximately 75,370 hectares and is home to two mountains: Mount Kinabalu and Mount Tambayukon.
Due to the Park’s diversity, covering up to six types of vegetation, it has been named the centre for plant diversity in the entire Southeast Asia. Besides exploring the nature trails, there are several other things to do in Borneo Kota Kinabalu National Park. These activities include birdwatching, summiting Mt. Kinabalu and exploring the Botanical Garden via the Silau Silau Trail. The conservation fee is paid in Malaysian Ringgit (MR) and varies from as low as RM 4 for the Botanical Garden to as high as RM 400 for climbing Mount Kinabalu.
2. Explore Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre
The Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre (SORC) is located within the Kabilit-Sepilok Forest Reserve. It was started in 1964 as a rehabilitation centre for baby orangutans, but it currently hosts orphaned, displaced, or injured orangutans. The best time to visit SORC is between 10 am and 3 pm when the orangutans are being fed. Even so, the exhibition hall is open daily from 9 am to 4.30 am, except on Fridays.
Public buses are available from Sandakan and take approximately 45 minutes. You can board the Kota Kinabalu to the Sandakan bus and then alight at the Jalan Sepilok junction, which is 2.5 kilometres from SORC. For adult visitors, the entrance fee is 30 RM and RM 15 for children. Besides SOCRC, Tanjung Puting National Park is another popular Orangutan Conservation in Borneo.
3. Dive at Sipadan Island
Ranked among the top diving sites in the world, Sipadan Island is a 40-acre land mass that hosts over 3,000 fish species. It is the only oceanic Island in Malaysia and is home to living corals that grow on top of the prehistoric undersea volcano. Before Sipadan became a major diving destination, it was a bird sanctuary until the 1970s, when it was discovered that the Island had the best marine habitats in the entire Indo-Pacific basin.
If you want to go diving in Borneo, you need to get your permit prior to the visit. Currently, only 250 permits are available per day, issued on a rotation system. Some resorts around the Island help their guests secure a permit if they spend a minimum of three nights in the hotel.
4. Cruise the Kinabatangan River
The Kinabatangan River is one of the incredible wildlife habitats in Borneo. It stretches for more than 550 kilometres from the Crocker Range to the Sulu Sea. The Kinabatangan River is the longest river in Malaysia and is known for its lush greenery and a wide variety of animals. A multi-day cruise of the river would be the best way to explore Malaysian Borneo, but most people even opt for a day or half-day cruise.
The best way to cruise this river is to join an organised tour from Sandakan. If you prefer a more flexible cruise, you can choose from the three main options – sunrise cruise, night cruise, and sunset cruise. These cruises take around two hours and are great for spotting pig-tailed macaques, proboscis monkeys, crocodiles, and orangutans. Remember, you can also book an Orangutan adventure to explore the heart of Borneo and interact with these primates.
5. Explore the Caves of Gunung Mulu National Park
The Gunung Mulu is one of the most visited national parks in Borneo, thanks to its designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Park features karst formations and caves set in a mountainous equatorial rainforest. Besides the seventeen vegetation zones and over 3,500 species of plants, this Park is home to Mt. Gunung Mulu and at least 295 km of explored caves. The Gunung Mulu Park also hosts the Sarawak Chamber, which is considerably the largest known cave chamber in the world. The best way to reach Mulu National Park is by flight from Miri to Mulu, Kuching to Mulu, or Kota Kinabalu to Mulu.
6. Visit Bako National Park
If you are looking for a national park with a diverse ecosystem and lots of sightseeing opportunities, Bako National Park is the place to be. This Park features abundant wildlife, waterfalls, jungle streams, secluded beaches and trekking trails. The best way to visit and explore the Bako National Park is to join one of the many Borneo wildlife tours. If you are visiting this Park alone, you will need to ride a bus or taxi from Kuching to Kampung Bako and then take a 20-minute boat ride from Kampung Bako to the Park. Entrance fees for adult tourists are 20 RM and 7 RM for children.
7. Experience the Iban Longhouses
The Iban Longhouses are traditional homes of the various Sarawak tribes. These homes are built from natural materials with a lot of precision and skill. You can visit the Iban Longhouses as part of the cultural tours in Borneo. If you are willing to sacrifice a bit of comfort for a truly unique cultural experience, you can book a stay in one of the longhouses for a night or two.
Read more: Best things to do in Bali.
8. Relax on Mabul Island
Located in the Celebes Sea off the coast of Sabah, Mabul Island is a popular diving spot away from crowds and heavy commercialization. This Island maintains the village vibe despite the notable presence of tourists all year round. There are several ways to get to Mabul Island, and whether you will take a flight, boat ride, or car depends on your starting point. The best time to visit Mabul Island is between March and October. At this time, the sea is calm, and the underwater visibility is at its best.
9. Visit the Mari Mari Cultural Village
The Mari Mari Cultural Village is about half an hour away from Kota Kinabalu. It is one of the best places to visit in Borneo if you want to interact one-on-one with the ethnic groups in the region. The village serves as a museum since it preserves the Borneo ethnic culture and aims to share the history, knowledge, culture, and tradition of Borneo with visiting locals and tourists. Most tours to this village will take around four hours and cost around 250 RM per adult traveller.
10. Explore the Rainforests of Danum Valley
As one of the largest and most well-reserved lowland rainforests in Southeast Asia, the Danum Valley is popular among tourists thanks to its scenic beauty and incredible biodiversity. With more than 300 species of birds, 15,000 species of plants, and over 100 species of mammals, this is one of the best spots for rainforest adventures in Borneo. If you love night safaris, jungle trekking, and birding, this rainforest is a must-visit.
Read more: Best things to do in Komodo Island.
11. Visit the Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary
This is a privately run bay that provides a sanctuary for the proboscis monkeys. The bay is located 38 kilometres from Sandakan and can be accessed by car, taxi or private shuttle. Since the property is located along the coastal land and at the centre of the mangrove forest, you can see the proboscis monkeys up close. Feeding of these primates takes place at two observation platforms and is one of the best family activities in Borneo. You can join those feeding the monkeys at 9.30 am, 11.30 am, 2.30 pm and finally at 4.30 pm. The entry fee for foreign adult visitors is 60 RM and 30 RM for children.
12. Hike Mount Santubong
If you are in for an adventure travel in Borneo, hiking Mount Santubong is one of the best ways to spend quality time in the great outdoors. This mountain is located approximately 35 kilometres from Kuching, Malaysia, and offers breathtaking views of the Sarawak River and the adjacent landscapes. For the best sightseeing experience, make sure you are accompanied by a local guide.
Make Your Trip to Borneo Memorable
Now that you know some of the best places to visit and things to do in Borneo, you want to plan your travel itinerary to ensure you make the most of your time. A rule of thumb is to prioritise key attractions such as the Kinabalu National Park and then allocate time for wildlife encounters, diving, and cultural experiences with ethnic tribes. You can make your travel more organised and diverse by booking one of the many Borneo eco-tours for a guided experience. With a well-planned itinerary, your trip will be fulfilling and memorable.
