When Is the Best Time to Visit Borneo?
Borneo is a destination that gets you close to nature. Orangutans move through the trees above you, proboscis monkeys gather beside the Kinabatangan River and hornbills fly across the canopy. Days are spent travelling by boat, walking forest trails and heading out with guides who know exactly what to listen and look for. Beyond the wildlife, there are mountains to climb, local communities to meet and beaches to slow down on, giving you plenty of variety within one holiday.
The best time to visit Borneo is generally between March and October, when rainfall tends to be lower and conditions are good for exploring. Temperatures remain warm throughout the year, with hot, humid days in the lowlands and cooler conditions at higher elevations. Borneo’s tropical climate means there isn’t a completely dry season, but some months are noticeably better suited to rainforest walks, wildlife experiences and time on the coast than others.
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March to May
Drier days and good conditions for exploring
March to May is a very good time to visit Borneo, with generally favourable weather for wildlife watching, rainforest walks and spending time outdoors. Days are warm and humid, with tropical showers still possible.
Conditions are good for visiting Sepilok, the Kinabatangan River and Danum Valley, where you can combine orangutan encounters, river safaris and guided rainforest walks. Drier conditions can also make forest trails easier underfoot, making this a particularly good time to stay at one of our Jungle Lodges in Borneo.
It is a good period for climbing Mount Kinabalu, although temperatures become considerably cooler as you gain altitude. By May, rainfall can increase in some areas, but it remains a good month for a wildlife and rainforest-focused Borneo holiday.
June to September
Wildlife, mountains and the coast
June to September is an excellent time to visit Borneo, particularly if you want to experience several different sides of the destination. Expect hot, humid days in the lowlands, with sunshine, cloud and occasional tropical showers.
Wildlife watching is good throughout these months. Kinabatangan River cruises head out in the early morning and late afternoon in search of proboscis monkeys, hornbills, orangutans and pygmy elephants, while Sepilok and Danum Valley offer very different orangutan experiences.
Summer is also a good time for climbing Mount Kinabalu and works particularly well for active families with older children. A Borneo with Kids holiday can combine the mountain with river safaris, rainforest experiences and plenty of downtime in between.
If you want to finish on the beach, Gaya Island is an easy addition after the rainforest and mountain. Just off Kota Kinabalu, our Beach Hotels in Borneo give you a few days for swimming, snorkelling, kayaking or simply slowing the pace before you fly home.
October to November
Good for wildlife with less crowds
October is still a good time to visit Borneo, particularly if wildlife and rainforest experiences are your priority. Conditions become more changeable as the month progresses, but there is no sudden switch from a dry to a wet season.
You can still enjoy the same wildlife and rainforest experiences, although heavier showers can make forest trails muddier and more slippery. Temperatures remain warm and humid, and a lightweight waterproof and good walking shoes become particularly useful.
November is generally wetter than October as the northeast monsoon develops. You can still travel and see wildlife, but we’d take the weather into greater consideration if trekking and longer rainforest walks are particularly important to you.
December to February
Wetter months with more changeable conditions
December to February is generally a wetter time to visit Borneo, with the northeast monsoon bringing more frequent and heavier showers to parts of Malaysian Borneo. It doesn’t mean continuous rain, and there can still be plenty of dry and bright periods between showers.
The wetter weather is most noticeable when you’re exploring on foot, as rainforest trails can become muddier and more challenging. Wildlife experiences continue throughout the season, although some activities may need to work around heavier downpours. Conditions on Mount Kinabalu can also be more changeable, particularly at higher elevations.
Rainfall varies considerably across Borneo, so the weather in one part of your itinerary won’t necessarily reflect another. This is particularly true on Sabah’s west coast, which follows a different rainfall pattern from areas further east.
Planning Your Borneo Holiday
Choosing when to visit is only part of planning your holiday. How you combine the rainforest, wildlife, Mount Kinabalu and time on the coast can make just as much difference, particularly when you’re deciding how long to spend in each place. Our Top Things to Do in Borneo is a good place to start if you’re deciding what you’d like to include.
We’ve travelled through Borneo ourselves and have planned hundreds of holidays here. We know how the different areas fit together, how long to spend in the rainforest and where it is worth slowing the pace. You can also read our Borneo client reviews on Trustpilot to hear directly from clients who have travelled there with us.
Explore our Borneo Holiday Ideas, get in touch with our Borneo specialists or call us on 01273 923 100 and we’ll help you plan the right Borneo holiday for the time of year you’d like to travel.
Talk to us about your perfect trip to Borneo
Call 01273 923100 to start planning your Borneo Holiday today.
Borneo Holiday Ideas
Let's plan your perfect Borneo holiday, where each day brings a new wonder and every sunset leaves you dreaming of what tomorrow might bring.
Borneo’s Danum Valley and Beach
Explore the untouched rainforest of Danum Valley, then unwind on a secluded tropical beach in true style.
Borneo Family Jungle, Adventure and Beach
This family holiday blends wildlife encounters, jungle adventures and beach time for the ultimate Borneo escape - a holiday to remember!
Borneo Highlights Holiday
Discover the perfect blend of culture, wildlife and relaxation on this Borneo Highlights Holiday!
Kuching, Borneo Beach and Jungle
Explore colonial Kuching, relax on Gaya Island’s beaches, and cruise Sabah’s jungle rivers in one scenic trip.
Borneo Orangutans & Beach – SPECIAL OFFER
An adventure through Borneo’s wildlife-filled jungles before unwinding on the island’s tropical beaches.
Relaxed Borneo Family Holiday
A laid-back family adventure with plenty of beach time and gentle wildlife spotting in Borneo’s lush rainforests.
Borneo Sarawak and Sabah Highlights
This holiday showcases the best of Sarawak and Sabah, from Kuching's charm and Mulu's bat-filled caves to wildlife encounters and jungle trekking in Sabah's rainforests
Luxury Jungle and Beach
Stay in Borneo’s finest eco-lodges while exploring Danum Valley’s rainforest and Gaya Island’s exclusive beaches.
Kuala Lumpur, Borneo Jungle and Beach
Combine the buzz of Kuala Lumpur with jungle adventures and beach downtime for a well-rounded escape.
Simply Borneo Jungle and Beach
An adventure through Borneo’s wildlife-filled jungles before unwinding on the island’s tropical beaches.
Borneo Wildlife Highlights Holiday
Spot Borneo’s Big Five on a wildlife-rich adventure from Bako’s rainforests to Danum Valley’s remote jungle trails and riverbanks.
Borneo Wildlife and Island Honeymoon
A truly unforgettable honeymoon that beautifully blends thrilling wildlife adventures with idyllic beaches.
Moment experienced by...
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A team of real experts, brilliant at designing bespoke holidays. Call 01273 923100 to start planning your Borneo holiday today.
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