Borneo is nestled deep in Southeast Asia and offers visitors a unique biodiversity. The landscapes are also breathtaking. This island paradise has so much life and adventure that it is impossible to cover all of its corners.
A luxury holiday to Borneo offers the ideal blend of opulence, combined with the experience of immersing in some of the island’s most breathtaking landscapes and a range of options to pamper with personalised service and world-class amenities. Book with Experience Travel Group to ensure a luxurious and well-planned holiday.
Borneo, no matter what your budget is, is a destination that you should visit at least once in a lifetime. It takes money and time to travel to Sabah and Sarawak because there are no direct flights.
This luxury Borneo guide will take care of all this, from choosing the best accommodation in remote locations to organising internal transport so that you won’t waste time accessing the best places.
Borneo’s best time to visit
Temperatures in Borneo are in the range of 27°C to 42°C around the year with extremely high humidity with hardly any breeze, except for places like Mt Kinabalu where some respite can be had on the summit.
The best months to visit Borneo are the dryer months from April to September, with occasional sharp showers and nothing more as the island is sheltered from Southeast Asia’s cyclones.
Ultimate Borneo travel guide
Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur’s diverse capital is the ideal place to start your journey. Spend two nights at the luxurious Mandarin Oriental Hotel.
You can visit the two impressive Petronas Towers here, browse the boutiques and shops, or explore the Batu Caves.
Sandakan
After arriving at Sandakan Airport, you can spend a few minutes at a hotel to refresh yourself before the sightseeing day ahead.
Mid-morning is the perfect time to take a private boat ride down the river. You can stop at any of these stilted villages for an authentic cultural experience.
Keep an eye out along the river for wildlife. In addition to otters, kingfishers and proboscis monks, the Borneo Pygmy Elephant is also seen.
Fireflies will light up the jungle as darkness falls. Before heading to your next destination of Sepilok, enjoy a seafood meal at a restaurant in the city that is well-known. MY Nature Resort is where you will spend the night.
Sepilok
Sepilok is known for its abundance of wildlife. Your luxury tour takes you to the Orangutan Rehabilitation Center after a full breakfast in the resort. These majestic apes have been rehabilitated, and are now free to roam. You can get up close to them as they descend from the forest canopy and are fed by park rangers.
Continue your visit with a trip to the Sun Bear Conservation Center. Take a guided walk with Dr Wong and enjoy a private Sun Bear presentation and tour of the center. Return to the resort after the tour for an afternoon of relaxation and rest.
Kinabatangan River
The Abai Jungle lodge, which is built on stilts only and can be reached by boat, will be your home for the two nights you spend by the Kinabatangan River.
Although the property is by no means very classy, it is the best in the region and the abundance of wildlife means that you won’t have to go beyond the verandah to spot them
Watch the monkeys in the trees along the river’s banks. Pygmy elephants will occasionally come to drink from the water. Boat trips along the river will allow you to see a wide variety of birds before they disappear in the lush forest.
Ox-Bow Lake is located further down, and is famous for its Asian elephant herd. Continue to Kampung abai, a fishing village where the Sungai will welcome you and show you their daily activities.
Sabah
Then you will head to Sabah’s Danum Valley Conservation Area and spend two nights at the magnificent Borneo Rainforest Lodge. This is the best property on Borneo.
There are over 275 species of birds in this 43,800-hectare rainforest, including eight species of hornbills, and 110 species of mammals, including wild orangutans, pygmy elephans, and pygmy eagles.
The activities on offer are varied and can be tailored to your needs. These include canopy walks, rainforest walks, birdwatching or tubing.
Moreover, you will be able to enjoy your stay here even more with the help of some of Borneo’s best guides. Their knowledge and passion about the local environment is second to none.
Islands and Beaches
Take a luxury Borneo vacation to its end by flying from Kota Kinabalu, off the coast Sabah, to the Gaya Island for a 4-night stay at Bungaraya Island Resort. This stunning island is only a short boat trip away from Jesselton Pier.
Stay at the Tree House Villa. It can only be reached via a jungle pathway that takes you high up to the treetops. The views of the bay are incredible and the dawn chorus of bird sounds is a delight.
A tall glass filled with ice and a fruit punch will refresh you in the relaxed resort atmosphere.
There are many hiking trails in the forest that will help you lose weight. You can also take a canopy walk to see the wildlife and bird species below.
Explore the coves, bays and hidden areas by kayaking or paddle-boarding. Grab a snorkel and a mask to discover the underwater life. Zip-lines are located at the back of the property for adrenaline junkies.
The culinary-conscious
Borneo is a food lover’s paradise. On your trip you can enjoy gourmet food, which includes fresh seafood, local delicacies and international cuisine.
Borneo has something for everyone. Whether you are celebrating a special event or looking to escape the busy city, Borneo will delight all your senses.
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