Complete Borneo
Itinerary
Start off your family adventure by cycling through the streets of Kuching, before you go searching for wildlife in Bako National Park. The following day you’ll cruise down the mighty Santubong river, another haven for wildlife! Next up is Semenggoh where you’ll find our close relatives, the orangutan.
It’s then over to Sabah to the Kinabalu National Park, as well as the Kinabatangan river to seek out more time with Borneo’s orangutans and take in the magnificent jungle views. Finally, to end your trip it’s time to for some well deserved relaxation on the beach.
Day 1 – Arrive in Kuching
On arrival into Kuching, you’ll be collected at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Borneo might not be known for its cities, but Kuching is the perfect place to begin your family adventure. This compact, welcoming city is a mix of old and new, a melting pot of cultures and cuisines. It’s also known as ‘Cat City’, and your kids will love spotting the cat statues dotted around the city. There’s even a museum dedicated to them!
Day 2 – Bike tour & river cruise
This morning you’ll get active on a half-day cycling tour. You’ll pedal past some of Kuching’s most important temples and landmarks, stopping to sample local street food. Then board a traditional Sampan boat for a short cruise along the Sarawak River. Disembark and continue exploring with your guide, passing through small villages and local open air markets selling tropical fresh fruits and vegetables and local handicrafts. Return to the city centre around midday. The rest of the day is free for you all to explore or rest after your adventurous morning.
This experience is suitable for children of all ages. Child bikes and seats are available
Day 3 – Day trip to Bako National Park
This morning you’ll be collected from your hotel and transferred to the village of Kampung Bako. You’ll then hop onto a boat and head to Bako National Park – Sarawak’s oldest national parks, that is teaming with wildlife, including numerous species of monkey. Your experienced guide will lead you through the winding boardwalks and rainforest trails, helping the kids to spot the mischievous Macaques, Silver Leaf Monkeys and of course the most famous resident, the funny-faced Proboscis Monkey. After lunch, you’ll sail back through the mangrove forests to the mainland where you’ll be transferred back to Kuching.
This trip is suitable for children of all ages
Day 4 – Visit Semenggoh & sleep in a treehouse
It’s time to depart the city, and after breakfast you’ll be transferred to the Semenggoh Rehabilitation Centre. Semenggoh is a temporary home for orangutans who have been orphaned or rescued, and here they teach them all the survival skills needed for life back out in the wild. We’ll arrange a visit at feeding time for maximum, up-close, orangutan spotting potential.
Once you’ve visited Borneo’s most famous residents, you’ll be transferred to your home for the next couple of nights, a real-life tree-house! You’ll be staying in a jungle resort located in the heart of the rainforest, and right next to the beach. This eco-resort is a great place to unwind with the family, you can rent paddle-boards, kayaks and head out on nature-watching tours.
Day 5 – Santubong River boat trip
Your morning is free to relax and explore. In the afternoon we’ve arranged a boat trip on the mangrove-lined Santubong River. Keep your eyes peeled for all the wildlife hiding along these shores. There’s Proboscis monkeys, Irrawaddy dolphins, fireflies and you might look down into the water and spot some crocodile eyes looking right back at you. As dusk settles you’ll be able to see the fireflies twinkling in the evening sky, and afterwards, you’ll head back to your treehouse for the night.
This wildlife spotting trip is suitable for children aged 7 years+
Day 6 – Fly to Kota Kinabalu
This morning you’ll be transferred back to Kuching where you’ll board a flight to Kota Kinabalu in the region of Sabah. You’ll be staying in a centrally located hotel in this bustling coastal city. Once you’ve freshened up, you can walk down to the waterfront where you can grab a bite to eat at one of the many restaurants.
Day 7 – Kinabalu National Park: canopies & hot springs
This morning you’ll head out to the nearby Kinabalu National Park with a local guide. There will be time to pick up some snacks from a traditional village before heading into the depths of the park. Then it’s time to take on the canopy walk (100m high) and enjoy the spectacular views of the forest below. After your walk you can spend the rest of the day enjoying the mineral hot springs and the tranquil butterfly garden before heading back into the city.
The canopy walkway is not recommended for children younger than 12 years old.
If the visit to Kinabalu National Park doesn’t sound appealing to your family we can arrange alternative experiences such as a guided mountain bike tour or traditional cooking class. Ask your travel specialist for more details.
Day 8 – Fly to Sepilok
Today is quite a leisurely day. You’ll be collected from your hotel and transferred to the airport for the short, 45-minute flight to Sandakan. On arrival you’ll be transferred to a comfortable resort surrounded by nature, in Sepilok. The rest of the day is free for you to relax, take a swim in the pool or if you’re feeling active you can walk through the gardens and check out the flora and fauna. The kids are sure to be entranced by the sounds and sights of the surrounding jungle.
Day 9 – Orangutans, river cruise & jungle lodge
Take the kids into Borneo’s wilderness. After breakfast you’ll visit the world famous Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, which is home to orangutans who have been orphaned by deforestation and poachers, and are now preparing for independent life in the wild.
Then together with a local guide you’ll leave the mainland and take a boat trip deep into the jungle on Borneo’s longest river, the Kinabatangan. Keep your eyes peeled for colourful birds and wildlife as you go. Your destination, and your base for the next 2 nights, is a jungle lodge located deep in the forest. As the sun sets, head out on a boat trip searching for wildlife along the river. You’ll head back to your lodge for dinner and fall asleep to the sounds of the jungle.
These experiences are suitable for children of all ages
Day 10 – Wildlife spotting along the Kinabatangan
This morning you’ll be woken by the sounds of monkeys shrieking in the distance and birds flying overhead. You’ll have an early start as you set out on your first boat trip of the day where you’ll watch monkeys, lizards, crocodiles and (hopefully) elephants awaken along the waterfront. After your early morning cruise, you’ll sail back to the lodge for breakfast. The afternoon is free for you to relax at the lodge or take a walk around the area, before taking another boat trip later in the day to watch even more wildlife as the sun sets.
Days 11-13 – Borneo beach break
After your Kinabatangan River adventure you’ll return to Sandakan in time to catch a flight to Kota Kinabalu. On arrival you’ll be whisked straight to the beach. The next few days are all about quality family time at the beach where you’ll spend 3 nights doing as much or as little as you like. You’ll stay in an ‘In Style’ resort on the outskirts of Kota Kinabalu where the beach goes on for miles, the calm sea offers a refreshing dip and the whole family is catered for with plenty of restaurants and activities.
Would you like to stay on a tropical island? We can switch your beach time to 3 nights on Gaya Island, which is a short boat ride from Kota Kinabalu. You’ll stay in a small scale hotel, with a smaller beach, but the snorkelling is amazing! Ask your travel specialist for more information.
Day 14 – Depart Kota Kinabalu
Today you’ll be transferred from the beach to Kota Kinabalu airport in time for your flight home. If three nights on the beach is not enough, let your travel specialist know and we can extend your stay.
Accommodation
