Top Things To Do In Borneo

Spot Orangutans In the Wild

Encounter one of the world's most endangered great apes

Few wildlife encounters are as memorable as seeing a wild orangutan high in the rainforest canopy. Malaysian Borneo is one of only two places on Earth where these remarkable primates still live in the wild, making it one of the island’s defining experiences. While sightings are never guaranteed, areas including the Kinabatangan River and Danum Valley Conservation Area offer some of the best opportunities to observe them in their natural habitat.

Many itineraries also include time at the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, where orphaned and injured orangutans are cared for before being released back into the wild whenever possible. Visiting the centre provides valuable insight into the conservation work helping protect one of Borneo’s most iconic species and complements the experience of searching for wild orangutans in the rainforest. Watching orangutans in their natural habitat is a highlight for visitors of all ages and one of the experiences that makes family holidays in Borneo so rewarding.

Climb Mount Kinabalu

Conquer Southeast Asia's highest peak

At 4,095 metres above sea level, Mount Kinabalu is the highest peak in Southeast Asia and one of Malaysia’s greatest outdoor adventures. Unlike many mountains of a similar height, reaching the summit doesn’t require ropes or technical climbing skills, making it achievable for anyone with a good level of fitness.

The climb takes place over two days. On the first day, you’ll trek around six kilometres through Kinabalu Park, passing through several distinct vegetation zones as the rainforest gradually gives way to mossy forest and alpine shrubs. After spending the night at a mountain lodge around 3,200 metres, you’ll set off well before dawn for the final ascent. Using head torches to navigate the granite slopes, you’ll reach Low’s Peak just as the sun rises, revealing panoramic views across Sabah and, on clear mornings, as far as the South China Sea.

The mountain is internationally recognised for its biodiversity, with more than 5,000 plant species, hundreds of bird species and countless orchids found within the national park. Daily climbing permits are limited to help protect this fragile environment, so booking well in advance is essential.

Stay in an Iban Longhouse

Experience Sarawak's indigenous culture firsthand

A stay in a traditional Iban longhouse offers a fascinating insight into one of Borneo’s oldest living cultures. Found throughout rural Sarawak, these remarkable wooden homes are built on stilts and can house dozens of families under one roof, each with its own private living quarters connected by a shared communal veranda where much of daily life takes place.

Visits usually begin with a warm welcome from the local community before you’re shown around the longhouse and introduced to Iban traditions. Depending on the village, you may watch demonstrations of weaving, blowpipe making or rice wine production, enjoy home-cooked local dishes and learn about the customs and beliefs that continue to shape Iban life today. Spending a night in the longhouse allows you to experience the slower rhythm of village life and gain a deeper understanding of the communities that have lived alongside Borneo’s rainforest for generations.

Explore Gunung Mulu National Park

Discover one of the world's largest cave systems

A visit to Gunung Mulu National Park is centred around its extraordinary limestone landscape, where millions of years of erosion have created one of the largest and most complex cave systems on Earth. Accessible only by air or river, reaching Mulu feels like an adventure in itself.

Guided excursions take you deep into vast caverns filled with towering stalagmites, delicate limestone formations and underground rivers. Highlights include Deer Cave, home to millions of bats, and Lang Cave, renowned for its intricate rock formations. If you’re feeling more adventurous, additional excursions explore Clearwater Cave, one of the world’s longest cave systems, or the famous Pinnacles, dramatic limestone spires reached via a demanding trek through the rainforest.

Each evening, weather permitting, thousands of bats spiral from Deer Cave in a spectacular natural display before dispersing across the rainforest to feed. Combined with rainforest walks and canopy boardwalks, Mulu offers one of the most unique nature experiences anywhere in Southeast Asia.

Ready to Experience Borneo?

No two holidays to Borneo are ever quite the same. Some are built around wildlife, with extra time on the Kinabatangan River and in Danum Valley. Others combine mountain trekking, indigenous culture and cave exploration before ending with a few days on Gaya Island. The challenge isn’t choosing what to do, it’s knowing how to fit everything together without spending too much time travelling.

That’s where experience makes the difference. We’ve explored the routes, stayed in the lodges and know how to create an itinerary that flows naturally, giving you the right balance of adventure, wildlife and time to slow down. Whether you have ten days or three weeks, we’ll help you make the most of every day in Borneo.

Get in touch with our Borneo experts on 01273 923 100 to discuss your plans and we’ll help you create a Borneo itinerary that’s right for you.