Borneo is one of the largest islands in the world! Did you know that? For me, I didn’t know until I started writing this piece. I did know it was a huge island though. I discovered that when I was planning several trips from Kota Kinabalu. Today I’m sharing my Borneo travel tips with you! Including the places I didn’t visit but where you definitely should go 🙂
I came here because I wanted to do a jungle tour or jungle trekking, of course.
What Should You Definitely See or Do in Borneo?
When you look at Borneo travel tips, the orangutan and proboscis monkey are always at the top of the list, and that’s obviously why I went to this immense Malaysian island too. You can’t miss Mabul either. Near Sipadan island, you can experience the most beautiful dives in the world.
Where is Borneo Located?
Borneo is an island belonging to Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei. The largest part of Borneo belongs to Indonesia (Kalimantan). Then there’s the small sultanate of Brunei, located below Kota Kinabalu. And this is the city I flew into from Kuala Lumpur to go backpacking in Borneo!
Is Borneo Safe to Travel?
Borneo is generally a safe destination with relatively low crime rates. When you’re in Borneo, you should take the usual precautions: don’t walk alone at night, keep your valuables in sight, and use registered taxis or existing apps like Grab.
These two activities were at the top of my list of things to do in Borneo!
Kota Kinabalu: Your Starting Point in Borneo
I started my trip in Borneo from Kota Kinabalu where I booked a day trip. Kota Kinabalu is the capital of Sabah. Usually, when you fly to this part of Borneo, you start your trip here. From here you can book many trips.
🔗 Find accommodations in Kota Kinabalu →
Climbing Gunung Kinabalu – My Missed Opportunity
Including the trip to climb Gunung Kinabalu. It’s a great trek of which I had already seen many beautiful photos. However, it was so expensive that I chose not to do it after 4 months of traveling. Although I must say in retrospect that I really regret it and that it’s still on my list as a reason to return to Borneo 🙂
Borneo Tip: Do book that amazing Gunung Kinabalu trek. I really regret missing it… definitely a reason for me to go back… which I don’t mind at all 🙂
Mount Kinabalu (4,095 meters) is the highest mountain in Southeast Asia and is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The trek to the summit takes 2 days and 1 night. You must book in advance as there’s a limit of 135 climbers per day. Costs are around €200-300 per person including guide, permits, and accommodation in the mountain huts.
🔗 Book your Mount Kinabalu tour →
Borneo Travel Tips: Attractions around Kota Kinabalu
Day Trip from Kota Kinabalu
Looking back on this Kota Kinabalu day trip, I saw wonderful views and lots of beautiful flora and fauna. I certainly can’t complain 🙂 I had a lovely walk in the jungle and I love that! Outdoor activities and hiking are something that increasingly features in my travels!
From Kota Kinabalu, we drove for a few hours to reach a beautiful spot. And that’s not a problem at all when there’s a nice stop at a place where you can eat delicious fruit, grab a cup of coffee, and enjoy this view!
We were on our way to the jungle hike where we were going to do a canopy walk. Always fun, right? It gives beautiful views over the jungle and is something different from walking on the ground. Some people don’t like this because of the height, and if you have a fear of heights, I can really understand that. However, they’re secured with so many cables that there’s barely any movement possible.
But… keep in mind that if you drop something, it’s gone. So make sure everything is secured and that you don’t leave any trash in the jungle this way! All we want to leave are footprints, right?
After that, we took a short walk of a few kilometers through the jungle before entering the Botanical Garden to spot butterflies. To end the day in a completely relaxed way, we visited the Poring Hot Springs.
🔗 Book a day tour from Kota Kinabalu →
Sepilok: Spotting Orangutans and Sun Bears
After this Kota Kinabalu day trip, I had booked a bus to Sepilok. There are several places where you can still admire orangutans. I had been in the jungle in Sumatra at Bukit Lawang to see them and was very curious to see them here too.
Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre
To admire orangutans, I would recommend Sumatra (Bukit Lawang) more because Sepilok is still a place where they are fed, so you don’t see them the way you’d really like to. At least, the way I would like to see them 🙂 Just in the jungle without us humans having to feed and care for them.
What’s also nice… when you encounter them in the jungle, there are far fewer people around you!
However, I did see a mother with her baby right next to our camp later during my Kinabatangan jungle tour! I found that sighting so much more beautiful of course! She was living there in the area around the camp and I was lucky enough to be able to observe her.
Practical info Sepilok Orangutan Centre:
- Entrance: RM 30 (€6.50) for foreigners
- Feeding times: 10:00 and 15:00
- Arrive early as it can get crowded
- Best chance to see many orangutans: rainy days (they come to the feeding platform more easily)
🔗 Book your Sepilok Orangutan tour →
Sun Bear Conservation Centre
Opposite the rehabilitation center for orangutans is the Sun Bear Conservation Centre. I had never seen these bears before! They’re not that big when you’re talking about bears. The sun bear is dark in color and has a beautiful, light brown V-shape on its chest.
They’re also called honey bears because they really love eating honey 🙂 They’re omnivores and live on insects and nuts, etc. And they love to sleep 🙂 But really high up in the trees. They’re good climbers!
Practical info Sun Bear Centre:
- Entrance: RM 30 (€6.50)
- Open: 09:00-15:30
- Combo deal with Orangutan Centre possible
Rainforest Discovery Centre
The first evening I was in Sepilok, I booked an evening walk in the jungle. It’s always amazing to hike through the jungle in the evening under the guidance of a guide who points out the right spots. Here too, you walk high through the jungle. This way you’re among the trees and sometimes you have the most beautiful views!
The highlight of this evening was the flying squirrel! The guide spots them quickly, of course, and then you wait for them to fly high from one tree to another. I thought that was really spectacular to see!
I have some bad videos of it… It was dark and I really need to buy a better camera for these amazing moments!
The next day I went for another walk to explore the park further. I tried to follow a certain route but ended up following several paths and walked on different routes. When I thought it was time to leave the park, I started following signs to the exit 🙂
Mynahs
The paths are well marked. If you pay attention, you can follow a certain route and know what to expect. So… how many kilometers you’re going to walk. I think I walked about 10 km and found it very nice and surprising what I encountered each time.
The Sepilok Giant!
💡 Borneo Tip: Bring enough water for the journey. I didn’t come across any taps to refill water. Also make sure to have sunscreen or sun protection through clothing, it can get quite hot in the rainforest.
So you can also expect a huge spider on your path! And not literally on your path, but if you look carefully in the trees and bushes next to the path, you’ll definitely see this giant. On the way back to my hotel, I encountered this hornbill high in the trees. So always keep a good eye on your surroundings 🙂
🔗 Find accommodation in Sepilok →
Kinabatangan Jungle Tour: 3 Days Wildlife Adventure
After these wonderful days, I continued to my 3-day jungle tour. Kinabatangan is a river that runs through the jungle, so I was going to do a river jungle tour for 2 days! I was looking forward to it and had heard a lot about it.
🐒 I was going to see the proboscis monkeys! You probably know the photos of those light brown monkeys with a long tail, big belly, and huge nose! The Proboscis Monkey is endemic to Borneo and can only be seen here.
There’s of course much more to see near the river and in the jungle. I was there for 3 days and took an evening walk, relaxed on the terrace near the river, and had a close encounter with a crocodile on one of our evening river safari trips!
What to expect during a Kinabatangan jungle tour:
- 2x daily river safari: morning and evening for the best wildlife sightings
- Proboscis monkeys, orangutans, pygmy elephants (if you’re lucky!)
- Various species of hornbills and kingfishers
- Crocodiles and monitor lizards
- Night walks through the jungle
- Basic but cozy jungle lodges on the river
Costs: A 3-day/2-night tour costs approximately €150-200 per person including accommodation, all meals, and all activities. Book online in advance for the best deals.
🔗 Book your Kinabatangan jungle tour →
Mabul and Sipadan: The Best Dives of My Life
As a grand finale, I ended this wonderful trip through Borneo with several dives at Mabul. I wanted to go to Sipadan of course, but whether that was going to work out hadn’t been arranged yet. You have to buy a permit well in advance and if you’re lucky, you can take over one from a tourist who doesn’t show up.
I had a great time on Mabul island. I had some nice fellow travelers with whom I explored the island and did some wonderful dives. The muck diving at Mabul is fantastic, you see the most beautiful and tiny sea creatures!
Sipadan: The World’s Best Diving Spot
And then I was lucky and could take over a permit through a hotel from a woman from Scandinavia who didn’t show up. I must honestly say that those dives were the most beautiful dives I’ve ever done! It was like diving in an aquarium!
🐢 Every square meter has multiple amazing sea creatures at Sipadan!
I must say that I always came out of the water somewhat disappointed after diving… I wanted to have the feeling of diving in an aquarium and that worked at Sipadan. Not a single moment did I see nothing. I was practically swimming constantly with my mouth open full of amazement at all the beauty I saw around me.
It’s no wonder that CNN Travel says that Sipadan is the #1 diving spot in the world!
🔗 Book your Sipadan/Mabul diving package →
Where to Stay in Borneo: My Accommodation Tips
Where did I stay in Borneo? I had hostels, a hotel, and even a room with its own outdoor shower… and when it was cool, I also had one inside 🙂 So I enjoyed all the luxury during my Borneo trip.
Kota Kinabalu: Budget Hostel
I started in Kota Kinabalu and chose a simple hostel, but I really liked it! There I had the room, which was actually meant for 4 people, to myself, which is always nice. I could grab a cup of coffee at any time and was very close to restaurants or the boulevard where there’s always something going on.
Hostel Faloe is a good comparable option in KK. Expect prices from €8-15 per night for a dorm bed, €25-40 for a private room.
🔗 Check availability Hostel Faloe →
Sepilok: Jungle Resort with Outdoor Shower
Sepilok Forest Edge Resort – I wanted a bit more luxury but chose a dorm bed in this resort for the first night and the opposite for the second night. Then I had a room to myself with a balcony… with a bathroom and also an outdoor shower. What a lovely room and what a great place I thought this was!
They have a small pool to cool off and relax. Also, at the back of this resort, you can walk straight into the rainforest for a nice walk. I obviously did that on my first evening. The resort itself is also large enough, with a large pond, to take a walk if you don’t want to go too far and out of sight.
Prices: €20-30 for a dorm bed, €60-100 per night for a private room with outdoor shower.
🔗 Check availability Sepilok Forest Edge Resort →
Kinabatangan: Jungle Camp Experience
Tanjung Bulat Jungle Camp: I had a 3-day, 2-night tour at this jungle camp. I thought this was absolutely great. Very back to basics with a shared toilet, cold water shower, but with a private room. No air conditioning but the best views over Oxbow Lake and an encounter with a wild orangutan.
Enjoying the rainforest to the fullest! This kind of authenticity is what makes jungle tours so special. You’re really in the middle of nature and at night you hear all the sounds of the jungle.
🔗 Compare Kinabatangan jungle lodges →
Read all about my days at Tanjung Bulat Jungle Camp
Semporna: Hostel with Unique Bed Capsules
Before I went to Mabul island and when I came back, I spent a night in Semporna. I chose Wanderer’s Inn and found it quite a nice hostel. Large common area and the beds were quite private. The entire wall was filled with square compartments deep enough to fit a mattress. You could dive right into your bed, had your own lamp and charging option. Ideal!
Cube Bed Station is a comparable and popular option in Semporna. Prices from €10-15 per night.
🔗 Check availability Cube Bed Station
Mabul: Dive Resort in Paradise
Seahorse Sipadan Scuba Lodge – Lovely resort with just enough luxury to enjoy a few days in paradise. You can have coffee all day long. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included. Halfway through the morning and afternoon, they have snacks for you. I thought it was a wonderful place to spend my last days in Borneo!
All the time to do yoga on this beautiful deck. The dinner that’s included in the price, great right? The atmosphere is relaxed, the other divers are social, and the dives are world-class.
All the time to do yoga on this beautiful deck
Prices: Expect €30-50 per person per night including all meals and dives (without Sipadan permit).
🔗 Check availability Seahorse →
Looking for a bit more luxury? Then I can recommend Spheredivers Scuba & Leisure. Also very affordable at €50-100
🔗 Check availability Spheredivers Scuba →
Practical Borneo Travel Tips: What You Need to Know
What Does Backpacking in Borneo Cost?
Daily budget per person:
- Budget: €25-35 (hostels, local food, few tours)
- Mid-range: €50-80 (better accommodations, multiple tours)
- Comfortable: €100+ (dive packages, many activities, good resorts)
Note: Tours and activities are the biggest expense in Borneo. For example, expect €150-200 for a 3-day Kinabatangan tour and €300-600 for dive packages at Sipadan/Mabul.
Best Time to Visit Borneo
Dry season: March to October
- Best months: April – September
- Least rain, best diving visibility
- Warmer and more tourists though
Wet season: November to February
- More rain but shorter showers
- Fewer tourists, better prices
- Wildlife is active due to fruit in the trees
💡 My tip: The temperature in all of Malaysia rarely drops below 25 degrees Celsius. It also rains almost daily, but everything dries quickly! Don’t let your vacation be ruined by a little rain at 25 degrees, it’s part of the tropics.
Did You Know This About Malaysia?
Culture and Religion
Did you know that Malaysia is predominantly Muslim? So make sure you always have a scarf with you to cover your shoulders. At the resorts, it’s no problem to sunbathe in a bikini, but as soon as you leave the resort, it’s better to wear something more. Out of respect for the local culture.
Money and Currency
Did you know that Malaysia has the Ringgit as its currency? Abbreviated as MYR or RM. In 2025, 1 Ringgit is approximately €0.22 (exchange rate varies). You can use ATMs everywhere and most hotels and dive shops accept credit cards.
Language
Did you know that they speak Bahasa in Malaysia but that the second language is English? This is because it was formerly a British colony. For backpackers, this is ideal, you can get around easily everywhere.
People and Hospitality
Did you know that Malaysians are very helpful? Sometimes they seem distant compared to locals in neighboring countries, but if you ask them for help, no one will turn you down! I’ve always had very positive experiences with the locals in Borneo.
Conclusion: Is Borneo Worth It?
I could look back on a wonderful and adventurous trip across Borneo island! Would you also like to make such a trip? And… would you also choose the trip to climb Gunung Kinabalu? Let me know!!
Borneo is absolutely one of the most special destinations I’ve visited. The combination of wildlife, jungle adventures, and world-class diving makes it unique. Yes, it’s not the cheapest country in Asia, but the experiences you gain here are priceless.
Also read
- Hiking in NP Pulau Penang – Malaysia
- Cookingclass at Pickles & Spices – Penang
- Canopy Walk in NP Taman Negara
- Travel Itinerary Sumatra from KL, Malaysia
- Travel Itineraray Philippines from KL, Malaysia