Visit Malaysian Borneo
The best places to visit in Malaysian Borneo
A wildlife-rich haven, home to orangutans, proboscis monkeys, elephants, leopards and sun bears, Borneo’s lush jungles are the epitome of exotic rainforest. Hidden among the trees and brightly coloured flowers, vibrant cities, traditional villages and towering mountains cover the land, while along the coastline, white sand beaches and warm seas hide a myriad of underwater wonders.
To help you plan your Borneo holiday, we’ve listed the island’s top sights below. For more ideas or to tailor your favourite parts into an itinerary, talk to one of our Asia Experts today on 0800 707 6010.
Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary
Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary
The most recognised symbol of Borneo, the magnificent orangutan is native to the island’s lush jungles, and Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary near Sandakan offers one of your best chances of encountering one in its natural habitat. Come to witness orphaned and injured orangutans, many of whom are eventually released back to the wild, emerge from the jungle at feeding time.
Recommended holidays
Mount Kinabalu
Mount Kinabalu
Towering over Borneo’s western edge, the 4,095m peak of Mount Kinabalu is ripe for hiking. No experience is necessary, although it’s best to be reasonably fit for the two-day hike, beginning the lush jungles of the lower slopes and finishing with a pre-dawn scramble to the summit. It’s tough, but the views across Borneo make it worth the effort.
Recommended holidays
Kinabatangan River
Kinabatangan River
Best accessed from Sandukan, the 350-mile Kinabatangan River is hugely diverse, flowing from mangrove swamps to dense jungles, passing traditional villages and encompassing a plethora of wildlife. Take a cruise and look out for gibbons, orangutans, proboscis monkeys, slow loris and pygmy elephants, who like to splash about by the riverbanks.
Recommended holidays
Manukan Island
Manukan Island
One of five islands in Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park, Manukan’s pine tree-fringed coastline is blessed with a long sweep of white sand beach. It’s the ultimate relax-and-do-nothing spot, especially appealing if you’ve just climbed Mount Kinabalu. If you’re still after some adventure though, try snorkelling among kaleidoscopic fish or hiking the cross-island jungle trails.
