What to do in Borneo

Visitors to Borneo are here for one reason above all: heading into the teeming forests for wildlife encounters that are simply without parallel. No wildlife activity is guaranteed of course, but the jungles of Borneo are so biodiverse and so full of like that you can confidently expect to get up close with the orang-utan, proboscis, or langur monkey, hornbills, jungle cats, and all manner of microspecies on numerous occasions throughout your trip. Hikes are usually 3-4 hours at a time, led by expert naturalists, and take place on established trails through the forests.

After a day of wildlife spotting – either on foot through the forest, or by boat along the muddy waters of the Kinabatangan – your adventures don’t have to come to an end! The rainforest really comes to life after dark, so heading out in an open-top vehicle with a naturalist by your side you’ll have the chance to spot an even greater variety of species: civet cats, snakes, jungle frogs, and on rare occasions, clouded leopard. The keenest-eyed may even spot the teeny tarsier, the world’s smallest primate at barely 15cm tall.

Borneo’s biodiversity is not limited to its interior forests. The underwater world around the island is equally rich in life a diver’s (and snorkeler’s) paradise home to reef sharks, barracuda, tuna, giant turtles, and a cornucopia of brightly colored tropical fish. Best of all these underwater adventures take place off some of the world’s finest tropical beaches, mostly with high-class accommodation to match. Non-divers can relax back in the spa or around the pool and enjoy the experience just as much!

Borneo’s two principal cities – Kota Kinabalu, the provincial capital of Sabah; and Kuching, the capital of Sarawak – are typically Malaysia: colorful, multicultural, packed with historic charm, and drowning in gastronomic pleasures. We love both but if we had to pick a favorite it would be the former, known as the ‘Cat City’ (a loose translation of Kuching) and with a walkable, atmospheric city center which wears its many influences – British, Chinese, Malay, indigenous Bornean – on its sleeve.