A destination that you may not have thought of, but should most definitely be added to your South East Asia itinerary is Borneo – an island (not a country) that is shared between Bruni, Indonesia and Malaysia. This blog focuses on a Malaysian Borneo Itinerary as we chose to visit the area of Sabah, a wildlife haven and diving paradise. We will also touch on what you can do in Sarawak, the second state making up Malaysian Borneo if you have longer for your stay.
Surprisingly, Borneo is still an off-the-beaten-track destination and we have no idea why! It hosts a selection of endemic wildlife such as proboscis monkeys, is home to the world’s first & only diving oil rig, plus has a 4000m mountain you can climb! An adventure playground and a wildlife enthusiasts dream destination, we’re here to help you plan the ultimate trip.
Included in our itinerary is a chance to see rare orangutans, one of two places in the world they can be spotted in the wild, a jungle expedition where you can fall asleep to the sound track of the rainforest, and the best things to do in the main cities of Sandakan and Kota Kinabalu.
Below we share a Borneo itinerary for 2 weeks, 3 weeks and 1 month (we think one week in Sabah is a little short but still possible with some adaptation) anyway… Here’s the best two week Malaysian Borneo Itinerary, how to get around, estimated budget costs, where to stay, what to pack plus helpful travel trips to make your experience in Borneo one to remember!
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2 Week Malaysian Borneo Itinerary – Sabah’s Highlights and Backpacker Route
Two weeks in Borneo, specifically Sabah is enough to see the highlights of the country, however if you have a specific passion for diving, wildlife or caving then you might want to add an extra week to focus on your hobby. For most tourists two weeks is the perfect time frame to fit in all the most popular destinations and this is the route we chose to explore the amazing island of Borneo.
Day 1: Kota Kinabalu (KK) – Land in KK and Explore The City
Kota Kinabalu is the capital of North Borneo and a great place to start your trip. Flights are frequent from Kula Lumpa and other Asian cities making it easy to get to.
Once you’ve settled in and found your accommodation, we recommend Toojou if you’re backpacking, you can head off into the city to explore. Although one day is short you can still pack a mixture of culture, nature and local flavours into your time here.
Highlights:
- Sunrise at Signal Hill Observatory
- Explore the Sabah State Mosque
- Boat ride to Tanky Abdul Rahman Marine Park
- Mari Mari Cultural Village
- Sunset at Tanjung Beach
- Atkinson Clock Tower
There are also a handful of vibrant markets you can explore to try local cuisine, they even have Nando’s, if you fancy a homely treat.
🗺️ Your Ultimate Borneo Map
On our way, we created a Google Pinned Map with all the places we visited in Borneo. Grab your Pinned Map today and start planning your adventure!
Where To Stay In Kota Kinabalu
Budget – Toojou with a coworking space, slide, dorm rooms or standard doubles, Toojou is a unique accommodation close to the Sabah State Museum.
Mid-Range – Hotel sixty3 is in a prime location being just steps away from the Gaya Street Sunday Market. You can also expect all the luxuries of a hotel including air-con and TV.
Luxury – Le Meridien Kota Kinabalu has an infinity pool and four dining options. Just 100m from the waterfront and close to the night market this is the perfect luxury stay for your trip.
Day 2 – 3 – Hike Mount Kinabalu & Poring Hot Springs
On day 2 travel to Kinabalu Park Headquarters (2 hours by bus or hire car) and register for your climb up the 4000m giant. At midday you’ll start your hike up to Panalaban Base Camp where you’ll spend the night before the summit. The summit climb begins at 2am allowing you to return and visit Poring Hot Springs in the evening to relax and unwind.
Other places of interest:
If you don’t fancy the two day hike to the summit you can still visit the Kinabalu Park and Hot Springs with this guided tour.
Where To Stay In Kinabalu Park
- Budget – Happy Garden
- Mid-Range – Lily Cottage & Kitchen
- Luxury – Sutera Sanctuary Lodges at Kinabalu Park
Day 4: Take The Bus Or Fly To Sandakan/Sepilok
If you are a city fan, head to Sandakan. If you’re here for wildlife, head straight to Sepilok to explore the Orangutan Sanctuary, Sun Bear Conservation Centre and RDC. The quickest way to travel would be a 45 minute flight from KK to Sandakan, however as we decided to skip the city we took the 6 hour bus to Sepilok (this is also more budget friendly).
Things to see in Sandakan:
Where To Stay In Sandakan?
Day 5-8: Sepilok
If you’ve flown to Sandakan take the 30 minute journey to Sepilok. Here you can spend a few days exploring the Orangutan Centre, Sun Bears and Rainforest Discovery Centre. We spent two nights at Sepilok Jungle Resort and two nights at Sepilok B&B. Don’t forget to book your RDC Night Walk in advance! You can explore the top things to do in Sepilok here!
Where To Stay In Sepilok?
Day 8-10: Kinabatangan River
Depending on your budget you could opt to do a day tour to the Kinabatangan River, however we couldn’t miss out on the chance of falling asleep to the sound track of the rainforest so we booked an expedition with Tungog Eco Camp. We spent two days trekking in the rainforest, cruising the Kinabatangan River looking for wildlife and exploring the Supu Caves.
Discover more on The Kinabatangan River Expedition!
Day 10-14: Semporana (For Diving)
Heading to Semporna will give you a chance to explore world-famous dive sites such as Sipadan, Mabul and Kapalai.
The journey to Semporna takes 5-6 hours by car from Sepilok or you can fly from Sandakan to Tawau which is followed by an hour and a half drive. If you’re looking for a diving adventure of a lifetime, get a boat transfer to the dive rig where you can stay in the unique accommodation which has easy access to dive sites.
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Spend the next couple of days exploring the dive sites then head back to Semporna to finish your trip.
Tip: Allow a no-dive buffer of 24 hours before you fly to avoid decompression sickness
3 Week Borneo Itinerary – Sabah & Sarawak For Enthusiasts
An extra week allows you to complete the itinerary above with a few extras or you could add a couple of rest days into the given route. If you have a particular passion this is what we suggest:
Divers
Spend longer in Semporna and dive the world famous Sipadan Island, which is considered one of the top dive spots globally for biodiversity. Take a free diving course around Semporna to learn a new skill. You could also consider exploring other dive areas around Borneo such as Lankayan Island which is accessible from Sandakan.
Wildlife Lovers
Spend some time in Danum Valley, one of the world’s best preserved tropical rainforests. Here you can join guided jungle treks, see some of the world’s most incredible wildlife such as gibbons and pygmy elephants plus over 300 species of bird.
Cavers
If you’re into spelunking then Borneo is a remarkable destination due to its stunning limestone formations. Head to the region of Kuching, which is in the state of Sarawak to visit some of the most remarkable caves.
Caves of interest:
1 Month Borneo Itinerary – Do it all!
Why not spend a month exploring everything Malaysian Borneo has to offer?
One month is plenty of time to explore a lot of what this area of the world has to offer. Spend ample time wildlife watching, diving, hiking and caving across both states, Sabah and Sarawak.
Week 1: Kota Kinabalu & Mount Kinabalu
- See the top sites in Kota Kinabalu (Day 1- 2)
- Climb Mount Kinabalu (Day 3-4)
- Relax in the Poring Hot Springs (Day 5)
- Walk the canopy walkway in Kinabalu Park (Day 6)
- Travel to Sandakan (Day 7)
Week 2: Sandakan, Sepilok & Kinabatangan River
- Explore the top sites in Sandakan (Day 8-9)
- Go to the Orangutan Centre, RDC and Sun Bear Centre in Sepilok (Day 10-13)
- Go into the jungle for an experience of a lifetime with Tungog (Day 14-16)
Week 3: Danum Valley & Semporna Dive Rig
- Head to Danum Valley for more insane wildlife encounters (Day 17-19)
- Head to the Semporna Dive Rig to explore some of best marine life in the world (Day 20-23)
Week 4: Explore Sarawak
- Explore Kuching (Day 24-25)
- Bako National Park (Day 26-27)
- Mulu Caves National Park (Day 28-29)
- Head to the airport (Day 30)
Things To Do In Sarawak
Head to Kuching, Sarawak’s capital city where you can visit the Semenggoh Nature Reserve, visit the Sarawak Cultural Village, explore the local museums or head on a day trip to Bako National Park.
Caving is highly popular in Sarawak with many cave sites being accessible from Kuching. You can go wildlife watching at Bako National Park, here you can see the endemic proboscis monkeys, pygmy elephants, orangutans and hornbills amongst other birds.
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Other Highlights Not Included In Our Routes
Spend more time in Kinabalu Park to explore not only Kinabalu mountain and the hot springs but also the botanic gardens and Mount Trus Madi.
Head to the Miri & Niah Caves which is one of the most significant archaeological sites in Borneo where you can see ancient cave paintings.
Bako National Park is found in Sarawak and offers incredible wildlife sightings in the diverse landscape of mangroves, jungle trails and rugged coastlines.
Costs Of Travelling The Country
We found Borneo to be on the pricier side compared to other countries in South East Asia. Of course the activities here are bigger… and better and that comes with a price tag. Both accommodation and food were more expensive however by using buses and shared dorms we managed to keep to our budget. Below we share a breakdown of our costs during our ten days in Borneo.
Travel Tips: Wi-Fi & Sims, ATMs & Other Essentials
Wi-Fi
We found hotel Wi-Fi to be pretty good in Borneo with the expectation of when we were in the jungle, however this is expected. Most places we stayed offered free Wi-Fi but of course speed and reliability can vary.
SIM Cards & Mobile Data
When arriving at the airport it is always a good idea to get a SIM so you can order a taxi, contact your hotel and check maps. We recommend Celcom if you choose to buy you SIM or you can use Airalo, an e-sim with no hassle!
ATM & Cash
The local currency is the Malaysian Ringgit (RM) and cash is predominately used in Malaysian Borneo. ATM’s are readily available in large towns but can be scarce in more rural areas. Always withdraw cash before heading off on an adventure.
🗺️ Your Ultimate Borneo Map
On our way, we created a Google Pinned Map with all the places we visited in Borneo. Grab your Pinned Map today and start planning your adventure!
How To Get Around Borneo
Borneo has developed over the last years to make travelling easier than before. The main ways to travel across the country are via bus, plane or private car. If you’re short on time then a flight is a great way to maximise your trip however for backpackers on a budget the bus is the best option. We also met a few people who hired their own car which is a great idea if you’re in a group.
Discover more on how to get around Borneo
Best Time To Visit Borneo
Essential Items You Need For Borneo
Allowing you to fill up water whenever and wherever with peace of mind, plus you’re helping the environment
The week sprays will not work! Make sure to bring a high DEET percentage spray made for the tropics. We also use Mosquito Wipes.
Binoculars To Spot The Wonderful Wildlife
You’re most likely heading to Borneo for the wildlife. Don’t miss out on seeing these amazing animals up close and pack a good pair of binoculars!
Life while travelling will never be the same again! Charge multiple devices all at once in any country… game changer.
Top Tips For Travelling Borneo
If you’re visiting Borneo, here’s our top tips:
- Try Nasi Lemak – The national dish of Malaysia, Nasi Lemak is fresh grated coconut and steamed rice served on banana leaves.
- Book flights in advance – they can become expensive if you leave it last minute… Also don’t forget your Apple Airtags to track your bags.
- Don’t skip the Kinabatangan River – It may be pricey but this is where you’re going to see most of Borneo’s wildlife, including wild orangutans, proboscis monkeys and pygmy elephants.
- Dress for the jungle – Pack long sleeve, lightweight materials that cover you from mosquitos but will also keep you cool. Don’t forget your Raincoat as tropical downpours are frequent.
