Last updated on November 7th, 2024 at 04:13 pm
Are you looking for a family adventure as you explore the wonders of Borneo with kids? Our Borneo travel guide will help you plan it.
Located in the heart of Southeast Asia, this tropical paradise promises lush rainforests, diverse wildlife, and secluded islands plus lots of opportunities for family activities. Keep your eyes peeled for the orangutans!
Our guide has you covered for the best places to visit in Borneo, and the perfect Borneo family itinerary.
Whether you’re backpacking in Borneo, or luxury eco-resorts are more your thing, our Borneo tips will come in super handy!
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Why choose Borneo with Kids?
So many reasons:
- Borneo travel is affordable
- It offers plenty of family-friendly hotels and resorts
- It has a multitude of opportunities for wildlife spotting (including orangutans, of course)
- It boasts a varied and exotic landscape and scenery
- It offers the ultimate opportunity for your kids to see conservation in action.
- It’s also easy to combine family travel in Borneo with a very different type of holiday – a stay in colourful and chaotic Kuala Lumpur, or Singapore for example – giving you a chance to experience the city and jungle in the same trip.
Our Top 3 Must-Sees for Borneo Travel
- A visit to the Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre (at feeding time and with a guide)
- A river cruise on the Kinabatangan River and an overnight stay in a riverside lodge
- A hike in Mount Kinabalu National Park
What’s the best time to visit Borneo?
April to September is Borneo’s dry season. We visited in April and the weather was hot and dry. Borneo has a tropical climate and the temperature tends to stay between 27 and 32 degrees Celsius over the course of the year.
It can be rainy between November and March, so the Easter or summer holidays are probably the best time to book a family trip.
For more on when to visit Borneo, head to What Is The Best Time To Visit Borneo? Planning Your Trip.
What are the entry requirements for Borneo?
If you are a citizen of the UK, the United States, Australia, New Zealand or Canada, you won’t need to arrange a visa to travel to Borneo. It’s the same for most EU countries.
As usual, make sure your passport is valid for six months from the date of your return.
When we travelled, Malaysia and Borneo had only just reopened to tourism. A PCR test was required prior to travel, a rapid antigen test was required on arrival and our activity was monitored via the MySejahtera App whilst there.
On 1st May 2022, Malaysia announced that PCR testing and tracing via the MySejahtera app would no longer be a requirement.
Is Borneo safe for families?
Borneo is generally a safe destination for families and it has low crime rates. However, the foreign office does not currently recommend travel to the eastern region of Sabah.
This extends from the town of Kudat in northern Sabah to Tawau district near the border with Indonesia) and is due to attacks which took place there in 2013. Read more here.
What’s the best family itinerary?
A sensible Borneo family itinerary (assuming that you have 10 days to 2 weeks to visit) and one that allows you to experience the different elements that Sabah has to offer, is to combine:
- A few days in a jungle lodge close to the renowned Sepilok Orangutang Rehabilitation Centre
- A few days in a waterside lodge on the banks of the Kinabatangan River where you’ll see lots of wildlife
- Five to seven days to relax and explore the beaches and parks in and around Kota Kinabalu.
Use this map to see where the places I recommend visiting (purple) and the places I recommend staying (turquoise) are located.
Here’s a more detailed breakdown of each of my suggested stops when you travel to Borneo:
Days 1- 3: Sepilok
Fly into Sandakan and head to Sepilok for the first part of your stay in Borneo.
Spend a couple of nights at one of the jungle lodges close to the Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre. This will give you easy access to the centre the morning after you arrive.
Most lodges offer meals and are relaxing bases to relax, drink in hand, after an action-packed day.
Some of the best lodges in Sepilok are:
✅ Book the best deals for Sepilok Nature Lodge HERE
✅ Book the best deals for Sepilok Forest Edge Resort HERE
✅ Book the best deals for Sepilok Jungle Resort HERE
What To Do In Sepilok
The Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre
Opening hours: 9 am till 12 pm and 2 pm till 4 pm
Feeding times: 10 am and 3 pm
Set up in 1964 by an English woman named Barbara Harrison, this world-renowned centre cares for orphaned and injured orangutans and prepares them for a return to the forests. It’s a must-see when it comes to things to do in Sepilok.
The work they do here to help this critically endangered species is so impressive. If you’re in Borneo with kids, a visit here also gives them a real chance to see conservation in action.
You can visit with a guide or on your own. Guides are often adept at spotting the orangutans in the trees – more well-hidden than you might think they’d be.
Their dark auburn hair (less orange than I thought it’d be) camouflages them well against the tree trunks and branches.
Walking through the centre is made easy by the raised boardwalks throughout. Head to the orphanage at the end of the boardwalk to see the younger apes at play. Then come back to the feeding platform for feeding time.
While you’re not guaranteed to see orangutans here, you have a really good chance.
We were lucky to see a mother and her baby, as well as a dominant male. This is rare apparently, as the males are usually wary and come to feed once visitors have departed.
The guides were of the view that the male had become less wary due to the lack of visitors to the centre over the pandemic.
Bear in mind that you may be less likely to see orangutans during fruiting season (this starts in June) – as the orangutans are able to get enough to eat elsewhere in the forests.
Borneo Sun Bear Conservation Centre
Opening hours: 9 am to 3.30 pm
Feeding times: this varies. We caught the end of a feeding session around 11 am
On the other side of the car park to the Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre is the Sun Bear Conservation Centre, home to 43 bears currently. This is another great attraction to see when in Borneo with kids.
Sun bears are the world’s smallest breed of bear and the second most endangered. They’re called Sun bears due to the golden, crescent-shaped pattern of fur on their chest.
You can read all about each of the bears here, plus those who have left recently and are still being tracked.
Sadly, the majority of the bears here were previously kept as pets or by people planning to trade their body parts (in particular, the gallbladder) for medicinal use.
The workers here are really friendly and knowledgeable so make sure you stop for a chat to find out more about these creatures. You can also choose to donate or volunteer here if you’re so inclined.
Rainforest Discovery Centre
Opening hours: 8 am to 5 pm (you can also book a night walk which is from 6 pm till 8 pm)
This mostly outdoor centre has a stunning (and very high) canopy walkway as well as a botanical garden and an indoor exhibition centre about the local flora, fauna and wildlife.
There’s a gentle lake-side trail and a swinging bridge across the lake too. If you can, go earlier or later in the day as it’ll be cooler and you’ll also have a better chance at spotting wildlife.
We didn’t spot much here – however, it was a really lovely space to spend an hour or two.
Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary
Opening hours: 8 am to 6 pm
Feeding times: 9.30 am and 12.30 pm at Platform A; 11.30 am and 4.30 pm at Platform B
This is a privately owned sanctuary, set up by a palm plantation owner who noticed as he started to plant palms that there was a large colony of proboscis monkeys living there.
While this isn’t the most natural place to see proboscis monkeys, you will get a chance to see them up close – very close! So, if you’re keen to get a good look at these strange-looking creatures, then put a visit on your list.
There are some fantastic combination tour offers available which take in all of the above with a guide.
✅ Click here to book a combination tour for the top Sepilok attractions
Days 4-6: The Kinabatangan River
For the next part of your stay, head to one of the lodges on the banks of the Kinabatangan River.
Most lodges are accessible only by boat and for that reason offer all-inclusive packages with breakfast, lunch, dinner and often a range of activities including boat and walking tours.
Usually, you’ll be taken out on an early morning boat cruise to see the birdlife, a late afternoon boat trip to see the animals before they settle in for the night and an optional night-time cruise where you might be lucky enough to see some of the nocturnal wildlife.
Some of the best riverside lodges are:
✅ Book the best deals for Kinabatangan Wetlands Resort HERE
✅ Book the best deals for Sukau Rainforest Lodge HERE
✅ Book the best deals for Borneo Natural Sukau Bilit Resort HERE
Keep your Borneo Big 5 tick box handy – the river cruises from your lodge will be where you’ll be most likely to spot them.
Guided walking tours around your lodge will also introduce you to many of Borneo’s plants and flowers and possibly other creatures (we saw paradise tree snakes, lizards, bats, black squirrels and butterflies).
As noted above, food will normally be included in your stay at the lodge.
At Sukau Rainforest Lodge, they served traditional Malaysian dishes such as meat and vegetable curries, fish and rice.
If you’ve got picky eaters (like us), you might find it limited – but the adults absolutely loved the food.
As in Sepilok, lodges are surrounded by jungle and the animals who live there – so it can be noisy at night. This certainly adds to the excitement, but if you’re a light sleeper, you might want to take earplugs with you.
Many lodges also offer talks where you can learn more about the local wildlife and conservation – and get a chance to ask any questions you want to.
We attended one and learnt loads of interesting facts about orangutans – our guide also demonstrated all the noises they make, handily translating what they mean.
Our guide chatted to us about Sukau Rainforest Lodge’s links with David Attenborough (he stayed here in 2011 for documentary filming).
Villa number 9 is named in his honour and the wooden boat he used to sail on the river is now used as a buffet table in the lodge’s restaurant.
Two nights is probably the right length to stay at your riverside lodge before you move on to the next part of your trip.
If you want to book a tour of the Kinabatangan River from Sepilok, this is possible too.
✅ Book your Kinabatangan River Cruise HERE
Days 7-10: Kota Kinabalu
Travel back to Sandakan and either fly or travel by road to Kota Kinabalu. The plane journey is less than an hour and is the more comfortable way to travel, particularly if you’re in Borneo with kids.
The road between Sandakan and Kota Kinabalu is bumpy and takes around 4 to 5 hours. However, you do have the option to stop along the way and see the following sights:
- Sabah Tea Resort (an attractive tea plantation where you can sample the local Sabah tea)
- Gomantong Cave (a chance to learn about and see the famous swiftlets’ bird nests used for bird nest soup. If possible, do check whether the cave is open before visiting)
- Agnes Keith House (a colonial home, sharing the story of American writer Agnes Keith)
Kota Kinabalu is famous for the magnetic Mount Kinabalu. If you’re interested in climbing the mountain, you’ll have to book ahead, and you have to hike up in the company of a guide.
Many local companies offer a package to climb the mountain (you have to stay overnight part-way up), or you can book ahead through Viator.
✅ Book your tour of Mount Kinabalu or Mount Kinabalu National Park HERE
The best places to stay in Kota Kinabalu are:
✅ Book the best deals for Shangri-La Rasa Ria HERE
✅ Book the best deals for Shangri-La Tanjung Aru HERE
✅ Book the best deals for Gaya Island Resort HERE
What To Do in Kota Kinabalu
Kota Kinabalu can either be a place to relax or somewhere to get active and explore – it all depends on your preferences.
If chilling out by the pool, or heading to the beach, bores you after a while, there are plenty of other activities on offer:
Cycling
You can borrow bikes from Rasa Ria, or go on a bike tour of the local village. We did the latter and it was such a wonderful way to get out and see the local area.
Snorkelling or Diving at one of the nearby islands
There is access to the beach at both Shangri-La resorts, but they’re not the best places to snorkel.
If that’s your goal, look into staying on one of the islands such as Gaya, or booking a day trip out.
A day trip to one of the islands will also likely include a visit to one of the local turtle sanctuaries/ hatcheries (something the kids will love).
✅ Book your Kota Kinabalu Island Hopping and/ or Snorkelling Tour HERE
Nature walks or hiking
Shangri La Rasa Ria has its own nature reserve; they offer guided morning and afternoon walks and they have a canopy walkway too.
A visit to Mount Kinabalu National Park
As noted above, if you want to climb the mountain, you’ll need to prepare for this in advance – and it probably won’t be on your list of things to do if you have younger kids.
A walk with a guide around the park will give you all lots of opportunities to see the local flora and fauna (including the world’s tiniest species of orchid).
✅ Book your tour of Mount Kinabalu or Mount Kinabalu National Park HERE
A visit to the Kundasang War memorial
You can do this on the way back from Mount Kinabalu National Park.
It’s a tough one and all four of us felt much more emotional than we thought we would walking around this living memorial (a set of beautiful gardens, dedicated to Australia, the United Kingdom and Borneo), and learning the stories of the men who lost their lives on their death march from the Sandakan POW camp to Ranau in 1945.
Out of more than two thousand men, only six Australian soldiers survived (they escaped and were helped by locals who took a huge risk in coming to their assistance).
✅ Book your Kundasang War Memorial and Sabah Tea Plantation Tour HERE
A trip to Poring Hot Springs
Poring Hot Springs is a few hours drive away from Kota Kinabalu. It has a butterfly garden and canopy walkway as well as a number of hot pools you can bathe in.
TIP: Ask your tour guide whether there are any Rafflesia flowers blooming locally. They’re rare and once they bloom, only last for a matter of days. Unfortunately, this is the only one we saw:
✅ Book your combined tour of Poring Hot Springs and Kota Kinabalu National Park HERE
FAQ on Borneo Travel
Have some questions about travelling to Borneo? Here are the answers to some commonly asked questions.
What to pack for a trip to Borneo with kids?
Borneo Packing List: It’s going to be hot, but you’ll also want to be covered up whilst near water or in the forests. While there is a low risk of malaria in most parts of Borneo, the mosquitoes are large in numbers – as are the sandflies on the beaches.
Cotton and linen trousers and shirts are a great idea.
Plus, make sure you have trainers or walking boots and socks for any hiking you’ll do. There can be leeches in and around mangrove and swampy areas. You’ll be able to find leech socks locally (or buy them in advance here) if you’re expecting to encounter those types of areas.
Mosquito repellent (my favourite is this family one: Off! Family Care)and lemon spray for sandflies (Eucalyptus oil and Avon So Soft also work well) are vital.
Take binoculars (we ordered these mini binoculars) for walks and boat trips.
What wildlife can you expect to see in Borneo?
On your Borneo family holiday, you’ll be keeping an eye out for ‘The Borneo Big Five’ which includes:
- The Orangutang
- The Pygmy Elephant
- The Proboscis Monkey
- The Rhinoceros Hornbill
- The Estuarine Crocodile
Alongside these, you’re also likely to spot a vast array of birdlife (in particular, several different types of hornbill), snakes, lizards, macaque monkeys, langur monkeys and bats.
Also native to Borneo, but less likely to be spotted (unless you visit a sanctuary) are sun bears and clouded leopards.
Find out more about the Borneo Big 5 at What Are The Borneo Big 5?
Does Borneo have nice beaches?
Borneo’s beaches are fantastic – particularly on the islands dotted around the coast of Kota Kinabalu.
If you’re a beach lover, it’s worth staying on one of the islands such as Gaya as there are better snorkelling opportunities there. Kota Kinabalu’s coast borders the South China Sea which can be a little rough at times, depending on the weather.
If you’re planning an island day (or overnight) trip, think twice about visiting Pulau Tiga (known as Survivor Island, as it was the location for the first TV series of Survivor).
Unless that is, you’re a fan of snakes – this island is famous for having huge numbers of them as inhabitants! It definitely wasn’t on my agenda.
How many days do you need in Borneo?
As many as you’ve got! A minimum period for a family trip to Borneo would be 10 days (if you’re just visiting Borneo).
We travelled for two weeks but the first few days of the trip were spent in KL.
If you have longer, you could venture further afield to Sarawak or Kalimantan (Indonesian Borneo).
Which Airlines fly to Borneo?
How to get to Borneo: Malaysia Airlines is your best bet for a family trip to Borneo, particularly if you’re planning on internal flights as well. These can be booked as a package, which often works out cheaper.
You can’t fly directly to Borneo from Europe or the United States – you’ll most likely have to transfer in Kuala Lumpur or Singapore.
As an alternative to Malaysia Airlines, look at Singapore Airlines and Cathy Pacific. For internal flights, Air Asia also offers connections between Borneo and many other cities in Asia.
For the best rates on airline tickets head, we recommend WayAway. With the WayAway Plus membership plan, you also receive cashback on flights, accommodation, car rentals, tours, and more.
✅ Click here to access the best flight deals with WayAway
Should you book with a tour operator?
While it’s not essential, I always think it’s worth considering when you’re going further afield. I also often prefer booking with a tour operator when we’re moving between bases rather than remaining in one place.
We used Trailfinders but Intrepid Travel and GA Adventures also offer good Borneo tours for families.
Which part of Borneo is the best to choose?
Borneo is the third largest island in the world and is split into three parts. The smallest portion belongs to Brunei, the second smallest is Malaysia’s and the largest section belongs to Indonesia.
Unless you have a month or more to dedicate to Borneo, you won’t be able to see all of the island so it’s best to pick one section and explore all that has to offer.
Malaysian Borneo (specifically Sabah) is a good choice when thinking about a trip to Borneo with kids.
It’s easy to get around and has pretty much everything you’d be looking for on a trip to Borneo.
For where to stay, check out The Best Hotels In Borneo For Families.
Borneo With Kids – Final Verdict
For families looking to learn about conservation and experience adventure, there are not many places that beat Borneo in terms of opportunities for both.
The memories you make from your trip to Borneo with kids – from wildlife experiences, to snorkelling off secluded islands and learning about the country’s culture and history, will stay with you forever.
I hope you have fun planning your Borneo family trip!
For more family travel ideas, take a look at some other destinations here.
Thanks for the info. Am I right in thinking you spent all of your time in the region that the Foreign Office recommends you avoid? Was there a reason why you decided to go here rather than somewhere else?
Hi there, no we avoided the area the Foreign Office suggests tourists avoid – it’s a small area so you can easily see the surrounding areas and avoid that particular one.
I’m interest in how much your trip cost excluding international flights please?
I’d say the flights were the most expensive part of the trip. Accommodation in Borneo is very reasonably priced unless you’re looking for luxury. Hiring a guide will add to the cost but visits to the wildlife sanctuaries are not expensive and you can go independently.