Borneo
Untamed nature
Borneo is 'one great wild, untidy, luxuriant hothouse, made by nature for herself', wrote Charles Darwin in the 1800s.
He was fascinated by this immense island's unique wildlife and despite the impact of logging and mining, it remains a rainforested trove of birds, plants and animals.
Exotic orchids, orangutans, sun bears, pygmy elephants, Irrawaddy dolphins, clouded leopards: there is much to see, but some, like the orangutan, are under threat.
Away from a number of very worthy sanctuaries, it's not easy to spot these rare creatures. So take a paddle up river deep into the jungle to stay with tribespeople in a traditional longhouse. Here, you can get a local to show you around.
Where To See Orangutans
The best places to see orangutans in Borneo and Sumatra
The best place to see orangutans is in the wild, on their native islands of Borneo and Sumatra. In Borneo, orangutans are found in the two Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak, and in Kalimantan on the Indonesian side of the island. There is also a population on the nearby Indonesian island of Sumatra...read more
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Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary
25km west of the waterside town of Sandakan is Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary, a rehabilitation centre which runs popular pay-to-volunteer programmes... -
Kota Kinabalu
Whether you’re wanting to scuba dive in pristine coral reef, trek Malaysia’s highest mountain or simply relax on the beach of a stylish resort, Kota Kinabalu seems to have something for everyone... -
Kuching
Nestled between the jungle and the sea, Sarawak’s capital began life as a trading post, built up by the family of Sir James Brooke, the first of the line of “white rajahs” who ruled Sarawak for a century... -
Tanjung Puting National Park
Set among a large swathe of coastal tropical heath and peat swamp forest, Tanjung Puting is one of the major hopes for the orangutan's survival... -
Kumai
Head to Kumai in Central Kalimantan, a port town and gateway to Tanjung Puting National Park... -
Bako National Park
Sarawak’s oldest national park is just over 20km from capital city Kuching, and is a popular day trip for tourists wanting a taste of the region's wildlife... -
Kinabatangan Wildlife Reserve
Sabah’s largest waterway is one of only two regions in the world which are inhabited by ten species of primate, and is Borneo’s most popular destination for tourists hoping to catch a glimpse of a wild orangutan... -
Semenggoh Nature Reserve
A couple of hours south of Sarawak’s capital Kuching, Semenggoh Nature Reserve is a research and rehabilitation centre for orphaned, displaced and injured orangutans, hornbills and honey bears... -
Danum Valley
Danum Valley protected forest reserve is one of the largest swathes of primary lowland dipterocarp rainforest in Borneo, set aside for wildlife conservation, research and education... -
Mulu National Park
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Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park
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Batang Ai National Park
Batang Ai National Park is the only place in Sarawak where you can see wild orangutans and, due to being so remote, is one of the least known places to visit...
Places to go in Borneo
Borneo Tours
Off The Beaten Track in Borneo
Kota Kinabalu, Sepilok and the Kinabatangan River
15 daysFrom £4,000| Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary, Kota Kinabalu, Kinabatangan Wildlife Reserve, Danum Valley | |
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Custom itinerary, Private guided tour |
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Family, Adventure, Caving, Hiking & Trekking, Active, Walking, Camping, Nature & Wildlife, Photography, National Parks, Culture, Indigenous Tourism |
Beach and Wildlife
Explore Borneo's national parks and beaches
14 daysFrom £4,000| Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary, Kota Kinabalu, Kuching, Bako National Park, Kinabatangan Wildlife Reserve, Mulu National Park, Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park | |
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Custom itinerary, Private guided tour |
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Luxury, Beach, Family, Adventure, Caving, Hiking & Trekking, Active, Walking, Camping, Nature & Wildlife, Photography, Birdwatching, National Parks |
Luxury, Adventure & Boutique Beach
Explore Borneo's beaches and cities
15 daysFrom £4,000| Borneo, Malaysia | |
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Custom itinerary, Private guided tour |
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Luxury, Beach, Adventure, Caving, Water Sports, Kayaking, Canoeing, Active, Walking, Snorkelling, Swimming, Nature & Wildlife, Photography, Birdwatching, National Parks, Culture, Cities, Museums & Galleries |
Borneo Trek and Climb
Climb Mount Kinabalu and experience Borneo's wildlife and culture
16 daysFrom £4,000| Kota Kinabalu, Kuching, Mulu National Park | |
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Custom itinerary, Private guided tour |
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Beach, Adventure, Climbing, Hiking & Trekking, Water Sports, Kayaking, Active, Walking, Snorkelling, Swimming, Nature & Wildlife, Photography, Birdwatching, National Parks, Culture, Indigenous Tourism |
In-Depth Borneo Adventure
Explore Borneo's jungles and beaches
18 daysFrom £4,000| Kota Kinabalu, Kuching, Bako National Park, Danum Valley, Mulu National Park, Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park | |
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Custom itinerary, Private guided tour |
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Luxury, Beach, Family, Adventure, Caving, Climbing, Hiking & Trekking, Active, Walking, Snorkelling, Swimming, Nature & Wildlife, Photography, Birdwatching, National Parks |
Borneo Highlights and Langkawi beach
15 days exploring Borneo and Peninsular Malaysia
15 daysFrom £4,000| Borneo, Malaysia | |
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Custom itinerary, Private guided tour |
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Beach, Active, Walking, Snorkelling, Swimming, Nature & Wildlife, Photography, Birdwatching, National Parks, Culture, Cities, Museums & Galleries |
Borneo Travel Companies
Experience Travel Group
Immersive Holidays That Give Back
| Middle East, South Asia, Southeast Asia | |
| Custom itinerary, Private guided tour | |
| Safari, Luxury, Honeymoon, Beach, Family, Adventure, Hiking & Trekking, Active, Walking, Nature & Wildlife, Photography, Birdwatching, National Parks, Culture, Cities, Museums & Galleries, History, Culinary |
Rainforest Cruises
Exotic Riverboat & Small Ship Cruises
| South America, South Asia, Southeast Asia | |
| Custom itinerary, Private guided tour | |
| Cruise & Sailing, Safari, Luxury, Honeymoon, Beach, Family, Adventure, Active, Nature & Wildlife, Birdwatching, National Parks, Culture, Culinary, Food |
Wow Borneo
Orangutan tours in Indonesian Borneo
| Southeast Asia | |
| Custom itinerary, Private guided tour | |
| Cruise & Sailing, Safari, Luxury, Family, Adventure, Active, Walking, Nature & Wildlife, Photography, Birdwatching, National Parks, Responsible Travel, Eco-travel |
Orangutan Odysseys
Saving the Environment through Tourism
| Southeast Asia | |
| Small group tour | |
| Cruise & Sailing, Safari, Adventure, Active, Nature & Wildlife, Photography, Birdwatching, National Parks, Responsible Travel, Volunteering, Conservation, Solo Travel |
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