Back in the city center, you can have a bite at one of the restaurants and food courts located around the Boulevard Shopping Complex. Most speak Malay, and most are, unlike West Malaysias Malay Muslims, strong Christians. The second day is more technical: you'll get up early and climb to the summit. They may include free Wi-Fi, private bathrooms, and have air conditioning. For the purpose of this itinerary, we'll be starting in Kota Kinabalu, but it can easily be reversed! These are products and services that we personally use and recommend. 1 entry to sights $2 up to $20 Sabah is definitely the most expensive, while Sarawak has cheaper national parks, but double-tiering prices for foreigners are normal. A hiking raincoat and a decent pair of hiking boots are definitely recommended. Personally, it's one of our favourite things to talk about. Those traditions are certainly long forgotten today, especially when the majority of people embraced Christianity. You are going backpacking, after all. Its best if you book a return ticket unless you want to continue hiking from the park to Lawas something we dont recommend if you intend following this two-weeks Borneo itinerary. The Best of Borneo at a great value price! We think that two weeks in Borneo are the absolute minimum time you need to get the lay of the land and make sense of this incredible island. There are daily direct boats from Labuan to Kota Kinabalu, or you can get the shorter dingy to Menumbok, and then catch an onward bus (RM15) to Kota Kinabalu from there. The best months for backpacking in Borneo are definitely between March and October. Forget reception when you are in the jungle. Given distances, if you only have two weeks in Borneo the best option is to book all your flights before you go. Borneo is the worlds third-largest island located between Malaysia and Indonesia. Sandakan is the last place in our two weeks Borneo itinerary but you may even make it your first, as Sandakan is well connected by flight to Kuala Lumpur. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. If you buy tickets in advance, AirAsia has very cheap tickets that can cost a mere 10/20$ one way. Are you inspired to travel more around Borneo and Malaysia? Please read this complete guide on how to get a tourist SIM card in Malaysia. Established in 1888, Borneos oldest museum is a must-visit: the collection of taxidermies exposed here is really quirky and stunning, and includes some very rare specimens of tropical monkeys. If you hit rain, you will want dry spare clothes to change into. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. You can support the rehabilitation of injured or orphaned orangutans with a visit to Semenggoh, Matang and Sepilok wildlife sanctuaries Borneo pygmy elephants are pretty small and, sadly, only a small number of them remain in the wild too. Sipadan soars nearby this heavily protected marine park is one of the best scuba diving sites in the world. Read our guide on where to go in Borneo. Thanks for sharing! Ah! You will be able to witness an ancient and charming culture, and see how development and globalization have changed this land and its indigenous peoples. The limited nightlife can make it harder to meet people, but great hostels and sociable hotels/resorts are available. You will also be likely to catch a boat or two when you backpack Sabah. Check this tour out. For some serious wilderness exploration, get on this 2D/1N tour of Maragang Hill and the Crocker Range from Kota Kinabalu. Do a combo Orangutan and River Kayaking Adventure tour. Roads throughout Borneo are well-maintained and driving is on the left. Shuang Ling Inn Tabun Homestay Mulu Marriott Resort Mulu Backpackers Homestay Mulu National Park, Check more accommodation options in Mulu and Miri. It always saves us some time! Its not the reason you are here, the sunset views are. For Borneo camping, mosquito-net-equipped hammocks are much more practical. The best time to Dive in Borneo is between April to December, with the best visibility in July and August. Dont be afraid to ask your tour operator, who should be only too happy to advise. Instead, have a look at our highlights and pick a tour that takes you to a few favourites. A charming, simple place surrounded by nature. Sustainable Travel Indonesia to build a new capital city in Borneo jungle Sep 3, 2019 2 Min read The government's new centre will be constructed in what is currently a tropical jungle in East Kalimantan on the east side of Borneo. Backpackers in Borneo by far use the bus. There are a lot of great things to do and places to see in Borneo, and this list is absolutely not exhaustive and just covers the very basic unmissable places for any Borneo backpacking trip to get you started planning. Hiking to the summit is definitely one of the toughest hikes we did in Malaysia. The average daily wage for a worker in Malaysia is about $2 per hour, so Borneo is cheap for most tourists. If you are planning on visiting deep jungles such as the amazing Danum Valley Conservation Area, come prepared with, at a minimum, good hiking shoes (or even better, their Malaysian ultra-cheap variety Adidas kampung), insect repellent, hiking socks, long pants and long sleeves do you know what a tiger leech is? How much does it cost to backpack Borneo, Southeast Asia? Then theres the rainy season. Whether wild orangutans in the trees or wild elephants along the river cruise, you will want to see these fantastic animals up close and personal. Considered the wettest, populated area in Malaysia, Kuching has an average of 247 rainy days a year! You will then exit Brunei into the Lawas division of Sarawak, from where youll get stamped out and in again upon finally entering Sabah. It would help if you had a decent backpack for backpacking Borneo. As always, booking directly at the bus station kiosk resulted in significant savings. The theme of his episode focuses more on his trip down memory lane and a . A guide, of course, has a better-trained eye. Kuching has plenty of great accommodation options. Motorbike rental came out to about $15 . This stunning area in the southeastern corner of Sarawak borders Indonesian Kalimantan and offers pure time travel. Fantastic unspoilt beaches that treasure some of Asias (and the world) best diving. Borneo vacations 2023 & 2024. Dig deep into our insider two weeks Borneo Itinerary. First time travellers to Borneo might find themselves overwhelmed with options - where to go, what to do and see. Buses cost about the same as in Peninsular Malaysia at around $7-$20 per one-way trip, depending on distance. Borneo is most famous for its rainforest and its many endemic species. Wow, this is so interesting! The Kelabit of Bario are VERY religious, so dont be a prick when you visit. Second, if you stay overnight youll be able to take a night walk. In Sabah, river trips on the Kinabatangan River or the Sungai Kapur reserve are a must. Dont forget to visit Kampung Ayer, Asias largest water village on stilts, a stark contrast with the gilded golden domes of the Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque that dominates the centre of town. Borneo is divided between the Malaysian provinces of Sabah and Sarawak, Indonesian Kalimantan and the Kingdom of Brunei. You are so brave to travel to such an exotic destination. Radioman Heritage Hostel, Check more Kuching accommodation and prices, Akinabalu Youth Hostel In Brunei, which has Sharia Law, things are even quieter. Few people recommend visiting Lahad Datu, especially because its name still resonates with the memory of the 2013 standoff that saw marauding Southern Filipino Sulu pirates attack the coast. To be frank, the visibility is not great because of the frequent downpours, but the park still makes for some of the best offshore city diving you can find in Borneo and Malaysia nothing compared to diving at Pulau Tenggol, but alas. Consider this half-day tour of Kota Kinabalu Or get on this Kota Kinabalu night tour that includes a yummy seafood dinner If you fancy a sunset cruise with seafood dinner, look no further than this tour and get a 40% discount with Klook. What about getting out of the city for some kayaking? If you book ahead, flights will be very inexpensive and will get you quickly to most cities in Sarawak, Brunei and Sabah. It glides between the shores reaching a maximum speed of 55km/hour and 45-meters of height above the sea. Backpacking Borneo is generally very easy by yourself transportation is ubiquitous and not so expensive, and you can even hitchhike to have an adventure. If you have more time, you should add a sunset visit to The Empire Brunei Hotel, the worlds first Seven Star property, built by the Sultan of Brunei. Its all in Borneo, and its all so easy to visit you will want to keep returning time and time again. Hop on an easy two and a half hour flight into Kota Kinabalu (KK) from Kuala Lumpur (KL). I knew nothing about Borneo before reading this. And dont forget that Borneo also has some pretty amazing beaches where nature, as expected, wins over development. Rainforest shrouded in the morning mist. If you'd like any help, Borneo tour, Great Apes and Beach escapes, Borneo tailor made holidays, wildlife & beaches, Borneo 8 day tour, the wild heart of Borneo, Call us for the best time to go to Borneo. Borneo, the huge island set between West Malaysia and Sulawesi, is one of Southeast Asias great natural escapes and a world-class adventure travel destination that also offers some of Malaysias best short trips. Begin your journey from either Kota Kinabalu (Sabah) or Kuching (Sarawak), as flights to these cities from Malaysia's biggest airport in Kuala Lumpur are regular, cheap and means that you can travel from one end of Borneo to the other! Unlike West Malaysia, there are at least 30 different ethnic groups in Sarawak, Sabah and Brunei alone. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Deforestation and logging have threatened the natural habitat of this majestic primate, but if you want to try to see it, Borneo is the place to go. Most importantly we are also members of AITO - the Association of Independent Tour Operators - a group of small travel companies dedicated to providing quality products and service at great prices. So leave your high heels at home, because they are of no use in the jungle maybe they are OK in Kota Kinabalu, where the large numbers of Mainland Chinese tourists have boosted a much more eclectic nightlife. Thats six too many! The primary exception is for those renting a villa near the Tip of Borneo. Do you fancy having a chat about Getting Around Borneo? They often include complimentary breakfast, are found in the city center, and have laundry service. Kalimantan probably has even more. Ensure you keep some essential items and clothing in your hand luggage just in case. Given distances, if you only have two weeks in Borneo the best option is to book all your flights before you go. Most of the National Parks in Borneo - even the ones located a couple of hours from the city - are frequented by public buses. There are also international routes connecting Sabah and Sarawak via Brunei, but no direct services between Borneo and Peninsular Malaysia. Shopping on Labuan Island Giant apes and monkeys hooting in century-old canopies. The island also contains one of the oldest rainforests in the world (140 million years old), hence making it the last few refuges for endangered species such as the Borneo orangutan. Your email address will not be published. With two weeks, youll limit yourself to visiting the highlights of the two Malaysian Borneo states of Sarawak and Sabah and maybe do a quick stopover in Brunei. Kuching home of the beautiful Sarawak river, there are many lovely places to stay, some of which include a pool to relax by. We know well: we have hiked, biked, ate, danced with tribal elders, drank tuak (the indigenous rice wine) and made life long friends all the way from Kuching, Sarawaks beautiful capital, to the jungles of Tawau. Instead, volunteering holidays involve food preparation, reforestation and maintenance work. bus from Kota Kinabalus Inanam bus station to Sandakan, Ultimate Guide to Visiting the Danum Valley, Malaysia Tourist SIM card in any Borneo airport or major city, how to get a tourist SIM card in Malaysia, At Home with Pirates on a Sungai Kapur River Cruise, Best Places to Visit in Malaysia in 3 Days, How to Visit the Danum Valley, Sabahs Most Pristine Rainforest. Visit Kuala Lumpur Chances are you'll be spending at least a few nights in Malaysia's capital, Kuala Lumpur. If you are in Kundasang, its fairly easy to stand by the main highway junction and flag down passing buses towards the Sukau junction. For rural Borneo, Celcom seems to have the best coverage. From March to May, whale sharks visit Borneos waters during their migrations.Remind that between June and September, turtles come to lay eggs at Lankayan Island. Holidays that you view will be shown here. This means more leeches on the trails, fewer animals around, and a very unpleasant sticky heat all day long. Born as an underground event, the Rainforest Music Festival, a yearly music festival held in July at the Sarawak Cultural Village near Kuching, has turned into one of Asias most important world music events. If you are not happy to get drunk with locals, in general, its wiser to avoid visiting the longhouses. Given the high number of backpackers coming to Borneo every year, there are some pretty good hostels all over the place. Saying its hot doesnt quite do the climate justice. Right in front of Kota Kinabalu, this marine park made up of 5 tropical islands may be a hit with tourists, but its also one of the closest tropical getaways to a buzzing Asian city. Jeez! However, remember that seeing wildlife and getting into the real jungle requires the help of tour operators, which will leave you with the main task of taking pictures and enjoying the trip. Buy your tickets here. You should never be in a situation where you are touching an orangutan, and no responsible organisation or tour should allow this. In Sarawak, they are bundled under the name of Dayaks and are the descendants of headhunters. Of course, staying near the riverside will mean youre close to the market, restaurant, and bars, but there are also plenty of hotels and hostels further back that are only a short walk away from the promenade. Once the seat of the White Rajahs of Sarawak a dynasty initiated by James Brooke, the British adventurer who came to Borneo and helped transform the headhunting tribes into an empire Kuching today is an artsy river city with a sleepy yet infectious vibe. One of the most bio-diverse regions in Asia, it boasts mountain ranges, rainforests, marine national parks and a vast cultural heritage. Flights with MAS Wings are cheap and fun, as they use small planes. Our Borneo travel guide takes you to the world's third largest island. Remember that local buses also shuttle between Mile 32, the Sepilok Junction, and then proceed to Sandakan every 20 minutes or so until 7 pm. Remember that some of these have been collected by Sir Alfred Russel Wallace himself! Come meet the worlds smallest (and cutest) bear at this sanctuary that, since its opening in 2008, has already saved 62 endangered sun bears, and rehabilitated and released 7 back into the wild. From there, ask your prospective accommodation in Sukau to send someone to pick you up or send a car. We have been many, many times, and had no problem whatsoever. Find all our Borneo guides in one place, from volunteering to luxury holidays and travel guides on Sabah and Sarawak. In Kalimantan, going from Samarinda up the Mahakam River into the interior is a real adventure for the most ballsy backpackers out there. It also offers excellent adventure activities such as trekking, rafting, mountain climbing, diving, and snorkeling. But to those in the know, its so much more. We traveled for 2 weeks through Malaysia and The Malaysian part of Borneo and discovered beautiful nature, a mix of religions and cultures, and very friendly people. READ MORE - Best Places to Visit in Malaysia in 3 Days While Malaysia and Indonesia have kept profiting from legal (and mostly illegal) logging, Brunei has always enjoyed its wealth from drilling offshore petrol so why bother about slogging inland to cut the forest? Sabah occupies a relatively small chunk of the world's third-largest island, Borneo, yet what a punch it packs: the treasure of turquoise-fringed desert islands with coral reefs swarming with marine biodiversity; trekkers' paradise Mt Kinabalu reaching 13435ft (4095m) into the clouds; and jungles pulsing with a menagerie of bug-eyed tarsiers, gi. You can also get on a PADI Discover Scuba Diving course in Kota Kinabalu with a 12RM discount by clicking here. Borneo, on the contrary, is all about quiet cities some backpackers call them downright boring, well, thats because they dont know where to look nature, national parks, and wildlife. READ MORE The Ultimate 2 Weeks Borneo Itinerary. This Borneo backpacking guide will help you prepare for your trip to Malaysian Borneo so that you have an incredible journey. Buy something spacious, supportive, and ideally, gear with hydration tubes so you can hike or walk and quench your thirst hands-free. Public buses are easy to catch between cities, and there are even night buses if youre traveling long distances and looking to save money on accommodation. Beyond the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, off the southern Sabah town of Semporna lay beautiful aquamarine-ringed islands like Mabul, Kapalai and Sipadan nominated by marine biologist Jaques Cousteau as one of the richest marine environments in the world. So save the Mount Kinabalu climb for another visit, but definitely go check out the mountain and experience a very different microclimate. Whether you want to get off the beaten path in Malaysian Borneo, view orangutans and trek through remote jungles, or you just want to chill on a beach all day, there is a destination in Malaysia for you. We are seduced by Borneo hospitable peoples, and have made long-lasting friendships. We believe theres no other place in Southeast Asia with a similar amount of wildlife you must go to the Danum Valley Conservation Area, great hiking check our ultimate guide to Tawau Hills Park and potential for adventure. It was never on my list of places to visit but the way you describe it makes it seem safe and fun. Remember that the thumb sign here can be confused and its better if you just wave at the car moving your hand up and down. Feeding sessions start at 9 am and 3 pm, and you must time your visit with one or you wont be able to see the animals. Make an entire day of it! There are also direct buses between Brunei and Kota Kinabalu in Sabah, but be reminded that if you travel this way, besides wasting a full day on the road, your passport will also be stamped an astounding amount of times. PRO-TIP: Usually, tours of Kinabatangan River ply the stretch of river around Sukau, but the more you go inland (and the more you spend on guides, of course), the more wildlife youll be able to see. This is bad, of course. Theme: Master Blog. When you book your holiday with us,transfers will be in safe, well-maintained, air-conditioned vehicles. If you're wondering how to reach Borneo, the most common way is by connecting to Kuala Lumpur or Penang airport and flying to Kotu Kinabalu or Kuching airport. Thread carefully. One of the most exhilarating is the twin otter flight from Miri to the Kelabit Highlands in Bario, one of the smallest planes I ever flew in! But its good for tourists, as the animals have less space to move around and live, and for this reason, are much more visible. Backpacking Borneo is one of the best experiences you can have in Malaysia, period. The temperature in Borneo hovers around 27-32C all year round. You can join this day tour of Kinabalus farmland and see Desa Cattle Dairy Farm and other spots, and get back to your Kota Kinabalu hotel on the same evening. I would love to stay at the Kinabatangan River Nature Lodge. . document.getElementById("ak_js_2").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. this private transfer from Kota Kibalau airport to your hotel of choice, An 8-hours long exploration of the Kinabatangan River from Sandakan. And to know that there is enough English to make moving around easier. To avoid crowds, you can buy your boat tickets in advance on Klook.Island-hopping is not the only fun here: dive operators such as Scuba Junkies organize diving day trips around the five islands. When hiking in Borneo, leech socks are much recommended to avoid the jungles most nasty bite. Proudly powered by WordPress | I highly recommend two companies, Sticky Rice Travel in Kota Kinabalu the biggest in Sabah, working with the likes of National Geographic and Bike and Tours in the southern Sabah city of Lahad Datu. Updated On July 11, 2023 | Comment "The lungs of the Earth" or Borneo is an island off the coast of Malaysia shared by 3 countries, Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia. Your email address will not be published. You may as well spend a full week here, but to the extent of this two weeks Borneo itinerary, well give Kuching 3 days. A return ticket costs 30RM, plus a 10RM fee for marine parks conservation. Set on the east of Lahad Datu, Tabin Wildlife Reserve was the habitat of the Sumatran rhino. Before you set yourself a budget, consider how long you plan to stay in Borneo, as well as what activities you want to do while youre there. Taking a trip up one of Borneos several rivers, stopping at longhouses along the way, is a great chance to discover those disappearing traditions. If you book ahead, flights will be very inexpensive and will get you quickly to most cities in Sarawak, Brunei and Sabah. Read more about Tawau Hills Park and Mount Lucia. Vacations Travel Guide Best Time To Go Map Vacation Types Reviews Borneo travel advice Turtle watching advice Kate Tyler, from our tailor made vacation specialists Odyssey World, shares her Borneo travel advice for marine wildlife fans: "People complain about Selingan Island in Sabah. Plus, my agent connections often mean exclusive offers on hotels and flights that you can't find anywhere else. What is very important to say is, independent backpacking in Borneo only takes you that far.