Borneo family holidays
Family holidays in Malay Borneo let you live your own adventure story. Even young kids will feel like intrepid jungle explorers, with rainforest canopy walkways, eye-popping wildlife watching, winding river-boat trips, and snorkelling around tropical islands.
Kids will always remember seeing iconic rainforest wildlife burst from their imaginations into reality, whether watching orang-utans feed just a few metres away, or swimming over weird and wonderful sea creatures.
Even during essential downtime, the sounds, sights and rhythms of the jungle create constant wonder. Whether you’re with ready-for-anything teens, or toddlers taking it all in, no-one’s going to get bored!
Things you’ll all love in Borneo
Get within breath-holding distance of orang-utans protected by inspiring conservation projects
Splash and snorkel in the shallows around Sabah’s west coast
Cruise through the Kinabatangan River’s rainforest wonderland
Render Batman fans speechless watching millions of bats leave the Mulu Caves at sunset
Borneo with kids: what to expect?
Borneo’s unique wildlife is a massive part of the island’s appeal. Your family holiday will be peppered with extraordinary creature encounters - both planned and spontaneous - from creepy crawlies crossing your path, to iconic mammals glimpsed through the trees.
Young naturalists-in-training will love orangutan spotting at Sepilok Rehabilitation Centre, or catching glimpses of these instantly recognisable primates from a Kinabatangan riverboat. Watch little eyes light up as they spy colourful birds, familiar primates and even pygmy elephants along the banks.
Getting involved with ethical wildlife projects is a top priority for any aspiring Attenborough. The Danum Valley and Tabin Wildlife Reserve are both inspirational settings where kids can get hands on with real-world conservation. Sway along treetop walkways at the renowned Rainforest Lodge to viewing platforms nestled in the canopy. Hear gibbons calling through the trees, see deer padding softly over the ground, and embark on thrilling night safaris.
Intrepid kids, keen to push those adventure boundaries a bit further, can head even deeper into the jungle to make bamboo rafts, build shelters and try some wild cooking. Trek to Gunung Mulu’s immense caves where the topside and underground worlds collide, and watch your brood make friends with local children in a tribal longhouse community homestay.
If you’re craving a few chilled-out days after the intensity of the rainforest, head to Borneo’s beautiful west coast. Shangri-La’s Risa Ria resort on Kota Kinabalu’s Pantai Dalit beach is a top spot for stress-free family time. Alternatively, the Gaya Island Resort offers the full tropical paradise experience. Snorkel over reefs teeming with life, learn about turtle conservation, and spend precious moments relaxing together on the sand.
Experts in family holidays to Asia
With a UK based team of Destination Specialists with offices and partners across Asia, ensuring we focus on staying really local in our approach. Our specialists have travelled extensively in Borneo and throughout Asia, many having also lived in the region.
Along with enjoying great travels, the team regularly inspect the best hotels, seek out new activities and design new routes to ensure each detail of your family holiday is perfect, for you.
Our Borneo Specialists’ top tips for families
Book early! Those extraordinary rainforest lodges are the only way to stay deep in the Borneo jungle, and there are only a handful of them, so they tend to get booked up quickly.
Consider turning your flight change destination into a proper 2-day stopover. A couple of nights in Kuala Lumpur or Singapore can be a great way to include some city experiences in your family holiday, before hitting the rainforest wilderness. It lets kids ease gently into a different time zone too.
Be open to the idea of all-inclusive resorts, even if they’re not usually your cup of tea. The rainforest resorts are all-in, because the nearest shops and restaurants are a jungle away! On the coast, there are several luxurious resorts which really do have everything onsite to make your family holiday stress-free, without feeling like a cruise ship.
Unsurprisingly, being a rainforest destination, Borneo’s weather is localised and complex, and most regions experience rainy days all year round. Happily, however, the high season falls between May and September, fitting perfectly around major school holidays, and visits during earlier spring will benefit from both good weather and lower visitor numbers too.
We send many families to Borneo every year, as it’s such a fantastic destination, and the feedback we get is that they feel welcomed, reassured and supported throughout their trip. It’s definitely a more adventurous destination than some, and you’ll be a good few miles from city life, so many things will be different from what you’re used to. If at any time you’re unsure of anything, our fantastic guides are always on hand to help.
When planning a trip to Asia, it’s important to consider the possible requirement for vaccinations and immunisations. Most importantly, we stress that you should contact your doctor or medical practitioner well before you depart to get their advice on any vaccinations you may need for your trip. If you’ve travelled recently and believe that you are already up-to-date, it is still worth checking as vaccinations have a varying life span. Much of Cambodia has been designated low risk for malaria on the NHS Fit For Travel map, and the NHS Travel Vaccinations site has lots of up-to-date information on travel vaccinations too.
Citizens of the UK, most EU countries, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United States do not require a visa to visit Malaysia or Malay Borneo for a stay of up to three months. Notable exceptions are citizens from Greece & Portugal who can stay visa-free for up to one month only. All other nationalities should check with the Malaysian Embassy in their country of residence for the most up-to-date information. In the event of a visa being required, arrangements should be made with the Malaysian Embassy in advance of your departure to Malay Borneo.
You’ll need leech socks when walking through the rainforest to prevent any unwanted guests tagging along for a free ride! Getting them in advance can be a bonus, as you can choose the type you prefer. You can purchase the socks in most good camping and outdoor pursuit shops, or through some charitable organisations whose profits go towards rainforest conservation. If you're visiting the Borneo Rainforest Lodge, you may find they're a lot cheaper there than in the UK.
Prudent packing for a family holiday in Borneo is key, as getting hold of extra bits once you’re there might be a bit of a hassle - you’ll be a long way from most shops! Light, long sleeved shirts, long trousers or skirts, and perhaps a light scarf, will provide valuable protection against strong sunlight and mosquitoes, and mean that you’re prepared for any modest dress code needs too. We’d recommend bringing your own supplies of essentials, such as nappies, formula etc. as well as your preferred brand of sunscreen, leech socks (if you want to get them in advance) and a decent insect repellent. If you’re travelling with tinies, think about taking a really good baby carrier, as you’ll be doing a lot of walking.
There is no need to obtain Ringgit in advance of your arrival, although it is possible to do so. ATM machines are available in Kuching, Kota Kinabalu, Tawau, Lahad Datu and Sandakan (and also at some airports) which usually offer as good (if not better) rates of exchange than currency exchange bureaus or hotels. The symbol used for Ringgit in many shops and restaurants is $, and card payments are usually accepted.