Creating a packing list for Borneo may seem challenging due to the humid climate and unknowns of the rainforest. We have recently returned from our trip to Malaysian Borneo and we’re here to share with you everything you need to bring including the best insect repellent and leech socks.. yes there are leeches!
When deciding what to throw into your backpack… or suitcase, consider the adventures you’re going to be doing. Are you snorkelling at Semporna, hiking Mount Kinabalu or trekking through the rainforest? Each of these will need slightly different items and if you’re going to do it all then you’re in the right place as we not only share what to pack for Borneo but also all our best packing tips.
It’s important to consider the weather when packing and choosing clothing for Borneo, you can read our blog on when to visit Borneo here, but due the equatorial climate the temperature stays an average of 30°C and humid, plus there’s also frequent downpours, this all plays a part in what you need to pack to be prepared for the rainforests of Borneo.
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The Important Stuff: Malaysian Borneo Packing List
Travel Insurance For Borneo
We use SafetyWing which is a travel insurance company specifically designed for nomads. Whether it’s crashed scooters, broken ankles or lost luggage, something is always at risk of going wrong during a trip to Borneo, so you better be prepared!.
Best Apps For Backpacking Borneo
Here are some of our favourite apps for travelling Borneo: Grab (taxis), Easybook (busses), Rome2Rio (routes not on Google Maps), Google Translate, Offline Currency Converter, Revolut (low fees travel card), Amex (collect airline miles for free flights), Booking.com & Agoda
Spare Debit, Credit Cards & Cash
Something we always had with us was a Waterproof Important Document Holder, this had an Apple Air Tag in it and the following: passports, international drivers licenses, spare debit card, spare credit card, cash (US dollars) and our UK SIM cards. We then had passport photocopies in our rucksacks and digital copies accessible offline, hopefully ready for a worst case scenario.
🗺️ 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!
Climate & Activity Overview
Being an equatorial climate there are a few main things you’ll battle on your trip: the heat, rain and high humidity. We’ve prepared a full Malaysian Packing List that should help you with everything you need to bring!
What To Pack For Borneo – Borneo Essentials
Filtered Water Bottle
This is the number one item for a reason, it is an absolute lifesaver on all our trips. Add these to your Borneo packing list!
- A reusable filtered bottle is absolutely necessary when travelling through Asia
- Cheap when compared to the cost of food poisoning due to bad water (even from the official water dispensers)
Leech Socks
Leech socks are long covers for you feet and ankles that are elasticated at the top, they prevent leeches getting to your skin and attaching.
- Help you stay leech free in the jungle
- Surprisingly, we have already re-used ours on a trip to Sri Lanka
The Best Insect Repellent For Borneo
Don’t do what we did… turn up with non-tropical mosquito spray! This is the spray we used in the jungle and it worked!
- Use a strong spray that smells nice so you’ll apply it everyday
- Better safe than sorry
- We also use Mosquito Wipes as well as the Spray
Binoculars
A must if you want to see wild animals up close. We managed to see wild hornbills, orangutans and proboscis monkeys in detail with these.
- Allows you to see the wildlife up close
- Lightweight and waterproof
- Protective Case
Head Torch
A reliable head torch is needed for any cave exploration and on night walks when you’re trekking through the jungle.
- Rechargeable battery
- Red Light for Night Walks
Microfibre Towels
For backpacking, a microfibre towel is a great choice. Not only are they quick drying but also sand proof, lightweight and pack away very small.
- Sand-proof
- Lightweight and small
- Fast drying
- Includes a small zip pocket for valuables at the beach
Apple Air Tags
Perfect to locate lost luggage or keep valuables safe.
- Small and lightweight
- Put one in every piece of luggage (including your Important Document Holder)
- Huge peace of mind when you lose your bags as you can immediately check the app
Chest Opening Backpacking With A Day-Pack
The Osprey 55L Farpoint For Men and Fairview For Women are by far the best backpacks to take on your travels in our opinion.
- Chest opening for easy access
- Detachable day pack
- Lightweight and well built
Bag Rain Covers
You’re visiting the tropics, make sure to come prepared! On travel days when moving accommodation you never know what the weather is going to be like.
- Waterproof even in heavy downpours
- Keeps all your belongings dry on travel days
- Volume range 50-75L
- Bonus get one for your day pack too!
Reef Safe Sunscreen
Borneo is surrounded by some of the richest marine ecosystems in the world. In order to minimise your impact on the reefs, we recommend choosing a reef safe sunscreen.
- Environmentally friendly
- Water resistant
- 50 SPF
Padlocks
Having your bags padlocked is unfortunately needed on travel days and when leaving your apartments, you’re always better off safe than sorry.
- Protection from petty thefts
- TSA Approved meaning airport security can access it if needed
Leatherman Tool
We took our Leatherman tool to fix anything that inevitably broke and needed fixing while travelling. It was also super useful to have the day-to-day handy tools in one place such as scissors and a bottle opener. Just make sure you put this in your checked in bag!
- Screwdriver
- Scissors
- Pliers
- Can opener
- And so much more!
Important Documents Holder
In order to keep our passport and any important visa papers safe we kept everything in a Waterproof Document Holder which also worked great for spare cards and cash.
- Waterproof
- Space for multiple passports, international drivers licenses etc.
- Room for spare cards, cash and an Apple Air Tag!
Lightweight Rain Jacket
If you know you’ll be travelling in the rainy season, make sure to come prepared! Many people opt for full body ponchos which look ridiculous but keep you and your backpacks dry. We chose to bring lightweight rain jackets and backpack covers as it also meant we could hike with them such as the Marlboro Hills in Sagada for the Sea Of Clouds.
- Waterproof to keep dry in the frequent jungle downpours
- Sustainable – Made from recycled fabric
- Lightweight for hiking and trekking plus making it perfect for backpacking
GoPro
For the more adventurous underwater activities such as snorkelling and diving you’ll want a GoPro to capture the rich marine life of Borneo.
- Great camera for underwater adventures
- 4K resolution
- Up to 10 meters waterproof
Trekking Poles
If you’re trekking Mount Kinabalu a good pair of hiking poles will save your knees and help you summit!
- Reduces pressure off your knees
- Foldable to fit into your luggage
- Lightweight design
Travel Adaptor
A universal travel adaptor is a game-changer! We wish we bought one years ago, many of the budget hotels and hostels only provide one plug so to be able to charge multiple devices at a time is great.
- 2 usb charging ports & one main charging port
- 3 different pin types, supporting 150+ countries
Battery Bank
We used our Travel Power Banks every single travel day without fail and having the backup power was necessary in the jungle.
- Can hold up to 4 full chargers
- Used in the jungle where we had no access to power
- Great for travel days when you need to use Google Maps
Packing Cubes
We both use packing cubes for our clothes when backpacking as it helps with organisation which is essential when you have limited space.
- Keep organised in a small space
- Prevent overpacking
- Find items in your bag easily
Bum Bag
One of the best things we brought with us to Borneo was Kate’s bum bag which held all of our passports, visa docs, wallets and boarding passes in a zipped compartment on travel days. With an Apple Air Tag inside, this gave us peace of mind that our valuables were safe.
- Great passport storage for travel days
- Easy access to all of your essentials
- Great when paired with an Apple AirTag
DJI Mini
Seeing the Borneo Jungle and our boat on the Kinabatangan River from the sky gave a new perspective of the the habitat we were in.
- 4K filming & photos
- Portable and lightweight
- No need for had to get licenses in most countries due to the weight
Borneo Clothing And Footwear
When packing clothes specifically for Borneo you need to think about comfort, practicality and the regions humid tropical climate. Lightweight, breathable fabrics are essentials and we also recommend long sleeve t-shirts and trousers for protection against mosquitos during the evenings and jungle treks.
A waterproof jacket is vital as it’s bound to rain while your there. The best footwear for Borneo includes good trainers or hiking boots for Mount Kinabalu. For the jungle, we opted to hire wellies to protect against leeches and keep our trainers clean from the mud. Trainers are fine for around Sepilok, Semporna and Sandakan.
Packing Tips For Borneo
Being a tropical climate, some items such as Strong Mosquito Spray & lightweight clothing are essential for your trip.
The most important things in your Borneo Packing List will be around your important documents: passports, visas, spare cards and cash. We kept all of these in a Waterproof Important Document Holder with an Apple Airtag, we also had tags in every piece of luggage for peace of mind.
Borneo is an adventure like no other, get into the rainforest, sweat through three t-shirts, rock your fashionable Leech Socks and enjoy every second you get to admire the rich biodiversity that the island has to offer.
🗺️ 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
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.
