The 20 Best Things To Do In Borneo (Malaysian Borneo)

Last Updated: March 22 2024

Borneo had been on our bucket list for some time and incredibly, it exceeded all our (very high) expectations. Known for its incredible biodiversity, diverse landscapes, and incredible culture, this amazing destination has so much to offer, especially as you’ll find plenty of things to do in Borneo too!

Borneo is the third largest island in the world and consists of three different countries; Brunei, Indonesia, and Malaysia. In this guide, we’ll be covering the best things to do in Malaysian Borneo, which is split into two different provinces (Sabah and Sarawak).

So if you’re looking for the adventure of a lifetime, then let’s dive right into the article!

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The Best Things To Do In Borneo

1. Watch Wildlife Along the Kinabatangan River, Sabah

The highlight of any trip to Borneo is visiting the Kinabatangan River. At 560 km (348 miles) long, it’s the longest river in Sabah and the second-longest in all of Malaysia!

As it winds its way through the island, the Kinabatangan River passes through a variety of habitats. These include seasonally flooded forests, mangroves, oxbow lakes, and more, so it’s no wonder this part of Borneo is incredibly biodiverse.

Here, you can spot various wildlife, including Bornean pygmy elephants, orangutans, proboscis monkeys, gibbons, and crocodiles among others. Even Irrawaddy dolphins can be spotted in the river, and you’ll likely see plenty of birdlife too including hornbills.

The best way to explore this area is by heading out on a river cruise, and this is where we spotted our first-ever wild orangutan (a huge male too). Jungle treks are another popular activity here, and these also take place at night.

2. Visit Gunung Mulu National Park, Sarawak

Gunung Mulu National Park is another of the best places to visit in Borneo. This Unesco World Heritage Site covers an impressive 528 sq km (204 sq miles) and gets its name from Mount Mulu, Sarawak’s second-highest mountain.

Gunung Mulu is most famous for its spectacular cave systems, including the Sarawak Chamber. At 600 metres (1,968 feet) long, it’s the largest underground chamber in the world. There’s also Deer Cave (the world’s largest cave passage), and Clearwater Cave (Southeast Asia’s longest cave).

Hiking is extremely popular in Gunung Mulu National Park, with trails including the Gunung Mulu Summit Trek, the Headhunter’s Trail, and the Pinnacles Summit Trek. You’ll also find the Mulu Canopy Walk here, which is one of the longest tree-based canopy walks in the world.

Visiting Gunung Mulu is certainly one of the top things to do in Borneo! To reach this incredible national park, you’ll need to catch a flight to Mulu (these run from Kota Kinabalu, Kuching, and Miri).

3. Explore the City of Kuching, Sarawak

Kuching is the capital of Sarawak and is the province’s largest city. Located along the Sarawak River, Kuching is incredibly charming and has plenty of history. It’s also nicknamed the ‘City of Cats’.

You’ll find some fantastic attractions here, including the Sarawak Museum, Kuching City Mosque, the Cat Museum, and Fort Margherita. For those looking to take a relaxing stroll, the waterfront and the city’s Orchid Garden are two fantastic spots.

There’s also this heritage bike tour which lasts for 4.5 hours and will see you cycle past historic buildings, explore an open-air market, and visit a floating village.

The great thing about this city is that there are endless day trip opportunities too. From Kuching, you can head out to Semenggoh Nature Reserve, Sarawak Cultural Village, and several national parks, including Bako, Gunung Gading, and Kubah.

As such, we’d recommend basing yourself in Kuching for around a week to explore everything it has to offer.

4. See the Rafflesia in Gunung Gading National Park, Sarawak

Visiting Gunung Gading National Park is one of the best things to do in Borneo! Here, you’ll find the Rafflesia, the world’s largest flower. Nicknamed the ‘Corpse Flower’ due to the smell it gives off while in bloom, it’s certainly a very unique sight to see.

The Rafflesia plant consists of a single flower, surrounded by five thick and fleshy petals. These petals are red and are covered in light-coloured spots. They only stay in bloom for around 4-6 days, so you’ll be lucky to see them!

Now, the Rafflesia flower is rare and unfortunately, there’s no specific blooming period. If you want to catch a glimpse of this iconic plant, then it may be worth getting in touch with someone through the official park website. Alternatively, get in touch with a local guide who may know if one is in bloom.

There are some great hiking trails in Gunung Gading National Park too!

5. Find Orangutans in the Wild

Borneo is where we saw our first-ever orangutan in the wild and so naturally, this amazing destination holds a very special place in our hearts. As one of the last places on Earth where you can spot these amazing great apes, this island is a popular spot with nature lovers.

Finding wild orangutans is what draws many travellers to Borneo, it’s certainly what drew us here. Luckily, there are plenty of great wilderness areas where you can spot these elusive creatures.

In our opinion, the Kinabatangan River is one of the best. We saw a couple of orangutans here during our time in Borneo, and it was such an authentic experience, as we spotted them on a river cruise.

Other places where you can spot orangutans in Malaysian Borneo include Danum Valley, Deramakot Forest Reserve, Tabin Wildlife Reserve, and Batang Ai National Park. As only the latter is in Sarawak, Sabah offers the best orangutan-watching opportunities.

6. Try Diving in Sipadan, Sabah

If you’re a keen diver, then visiting Sipadan is one of the top things to do in Borneo! It’s the only oceanic island of Volcanic origin in Malaysia, with a prehistoric volcano rising 600 metres (1,968 feet) from the ocean floor.

Sipadan is one of the world’s top diving sites, as there are around a dozen diving sites located in the area. Hundreds of coral species call this place home and as such, you’ll find thousands of fish in this area, as well as rays and sharks.

Sipadan is also home to plenty of turtles and if you’re lucky, you might even get to spot hammerhead sharks, whale sharks, and manta rays. Some of the top diving sites in this area include Barracuda Point, The Drop-Off, South Point, and the Hanging Gardens.

Just be aware, that only 254 Sipadan permits are issued per day, so it can be a challenge trying to get one in advance.

7. Spend Time in Bako National Park, Sarawak

Bako National Park is one of the best places in Borneo, especially if you’re a nature lover. Although it’s one of the smallest national parks in Southeast Asia, Bako has a lot to offer.

Known for its secluded beaches, lush jungle, and stunning waterfalls, this national park is undeniably beautiful. It’s also incredibly biodiverse and you can spot plenty of wildlife here. This includes Bornean bearded pigs, monitor lizards, macaques, otters, and mouse deer among others.

However, the highlight of visiting this national park has to be seeing the proboscis monkey. Known for their large noses and pot bellies, these creatures are very unique (and endearing).

We visited Bako on a day trip from Kuching, by taking a public bus to the boat terminal, and then a boat into the national park itself. After a full day of exploring, we headed back to the city.

8. Hike up Mount Kinabalu, Sabah

Climbing Mount Kinabalu is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. At 4,095 meters (13,435 feet) high, it’s the largest mountain in Borneo and one of the highest in Southeast Asia.

Located within Kinabalu National Park, this towering mountain peak is located high above Sabah’s rainforests. Because of this, you’ve got a chance to spot a variety of wildlife along the way to the summit, including gibbons and hornbills.

However, hiking up to Mount Kinabalu is incredibly challenging. It takes two days to complete this climb and it’s notoriously expensive, especially as you can’t hike the trail without a guide.

Two trails will take you to the summit; the Kota Belud Trail and Ranau Trail. Since January 2023, only 163 climbing permits have been issued per day. This means you’ll need to book this hike in advance (preferably at least six months prior during the peak season).

This 2-day Mount Kinabalu climbing tour is a popular option as everything will be organised for you!

9. Head to Semenggoh Nature Reserve, Sarawak

There are plenty of awesome things to do in Borneo, but don’t miss out on Semenggoh Nature Reserve. This awesome spot is under a 30-minute drive from Kuching and is best accessed by using GRAB. Alternatively, you can visit on a day tour!

Semenggoh Nature Reserve is Sarawak’s largest Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre. It was established back in 1975, as a sanctuary for orangutans who had been injured, orphaned, or kept as illegal pets. Today, these semi-wild orangutans live in the reserve.

The orangutans often come back to the feeding platforms for a free meal as they’re not completely wild, and this offers you a great chance of spotting them. However, if you’re visiting during the forest fruiting season then chances of seeing the orangutans are lower as they will have all the food they need.

There are two feeding times at Semenggoh Nature Reserve; morning (9 am – 10 am) and afternoon (3 pm – 4 pm). While here, make sure you visit the Orangutan Gallery and Botanical Research Centre.

10. Explore the Danum Valley Conservation Area, Sabah

Known for its incredible biodiversity and jaw-dropping beauty, visiting this protected area is one of the best things to do in Sabah. Danum Valley covers an area of 438 sq km (169 sq miles) and to get here, you’ll need to reach Lahad Datu first, either by air or overland.

This protected area is home to an ancient rainforest that dates back 130 million years. Not only will you be exploring one of Borneo’s oldest rainforests, but you can marvel at Danum Valley’s wildlife.

Firstly, it’s one of the best places in Borneo to spot orangutans. You’ve also got a chance of spotting the Bornean pygmy elephants, gibbons, proboscis monkeys, bantengs, and even a clouded leopard if you’re very lucky. Make sure you look out for hornbills as you explore too!

In fact, if you check out the official website, you can take a look at recent wildlife sightings.

11. Visit Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, Sabah

Visiting the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre was a highlight of our Borneo itinerary! It was established back in 1964 and was the world’s first centre to dedicate itself to rehabilitating this amazing great ape.

The centre is run by the Sabah Wildlife Department and covers an area of 43 sq km (16 sq miles). Between 60 – 80 orangutans live independently in the reserve, and there are also nurseries on-site which care for orphaned orangutans. There’s also a clinic and treatment ward here.

Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre is open every day from 9 am to 4 pm. The nursery opening hours are 9 am – 12 pm (Fridays from 9 am – 11 am), and the orangutan feeding takes place at 10 am and 3 pm.

Just be aware that as the orangutans live independently in the reserve and are semi-wild, there’s no guarantee that you’ll see one!

12. Take a Trip Out to Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, Sabah

If you want to appreciate the best of Borneo then head to Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park. One of Sabah’s most beautiful national parks, Tunku Abdul covers an area of 50 sq km (19 sq miles) and is home to five islands.

Snorkelling and scuba diving are very popular in this marine park, as you’ll find some of the best reefs in Borneo here. Marine life you can spot include sea turtles, dugongs, dolphins, and whales. If you’re really lucky, you might even get to spot whale sharks, although these are very rare.

You can visit Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park on a snorkelling day trip from Kota Kinabalu. These tours are typically suitable for both first-time and experienced travellers, as you’ll have an experienced guide with you. You’ll have all snorkelling equipment included too.

Heading out to Tunku Adul is one of the best things to do in Borneo, so don’t leave it off your itinerary.

13. Explore the City of Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

Also known as KK, Kota Kinabalu is the capital of Sabah State. There’s an international airport in this city, so it’s where you’ll fly into if you want to explore this part of Malaysian Borneo.

This bustling city originally started as a small fishing village, until it came under colonial rule in the 1900s. As such, you’ll find plenty of awesome historical landmarks here including the Atkinson Clock Tower.

There are also plenty of awesome attractions on offer, including the Sabah State Museum, Masjid Bandaraya Kota Kinabalu, and the Handicraft Market. You can easily visit Mari Mari Cultural Village from here too!

If you’re looking to visit beaches in Borneo then Kota Kinabalu is the place for you. Tanjung Aru Beach is one of the most popular, but there’s also UMS ODEC Beach which is just a short drive away.

However, you don’t need a lot of time in Kota Kinabalu unless you plan to take day trips out of the city.

14. Visit the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre, Sabah

There are plenty of awesome Borneo attractions on offer, but don’t miss out on visiting the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC). This rescue and rehabilitation facility is open to the public and looks after the world’s smallest bear.

The conservation centre is currently home to 44 ex-captive sun bears who live in large forested enclosures. These enclosures mirror the bear’s natural environment as BSBCC works to rehabilitate the animals here back into the wild.

This awesome day tour offers you the chance to explore all that Sepilok has to offer. As well as visiting the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC), you’ll head to the Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre and the Rainforest Discovery Centre.

BSBCC is open daily from 9 am – 3.30 pm and offers you a great chance to learn all about these amazing animals. You’ll even have the chance to ask staff questions about the observation platform.

15. See a Traditional Longhouse

Visiting a traditional longhouse is undoubtedly one of the best things to do in Borneo. These are the traditional homes of Sarawak’s Iban tribes and they’re built entirely of natural materials.

Although you can visit one of these longhouses on a packaged experience, you can stay overnight which offers a more immersive cultural experience. This way, you’ll get to interact with your hosts and see how the Iban people truly live.

Depending on when you visit, you may even get to take part in traditional festivals and celebrations. As such, this is the perfect place to visit for travellers who are looking for a unique experience.

However, this experience isn’t for everyone so just keep that in mind. The longhouses are beautiful but basic, as you likely won’t have running water or electricity. Not to mention, many of these longhouses are set in the jungle so you’ll be staying very remote.

16. Take the North Borneo Railway, Sabah

There are endless things to see in Borneo, but taking a ride on the North Borneo Railway is one of the top experiences. Although it was shut down for a couple of years, this experience seems to be running again!

The North Borneo Railway runs from Tanjung Aru train station to Papar, and then back again. On this journey, you’ll pass by local villages, rice fields, and mangrove swamps.

This fantastic journey takes place on a Vulcan Steam locomotive train which dates back to 1896. It’s one of the only trains in the world that uses firewood to fuel it, so that’s unique in itself.

Another great thing about this experience is that many of the packages include a delicious lunch comprising both colonial and local cuisine. Typically, you’ll also stop off at Papar Town and a charming Chinese temple during the journey. What’s not to like?

17. Head to Sarawak Cultural Village, Sarawak

Another of the best things to do in Borneo is visit Sarawak Cultural Village. This award-winning living museum is just a 40-minute drive outside of Kuching and is a must-visit.

Set across 17 acres, Sarawak Cultural Village offers the perfect opportunity to learn about the various ethnic groups and cultures in Sarawak. Here, you’ll find replica buildings representing all of Sarawak’s major ethnic groups including the Iban, Orang Ulu, Malay, and Chinese.

In these buildings, you’ll find staff who are dressed in traditional costumes and are carrying out typical activities. Acting as storytellers, the staff will teach you all about the local ways of life. During your time here, you can also enjoy multi-cultural dance performances.

To reach Sarawak Cultural Village, you can either take a car or a shuttle bus. Alternatively, you can hop on this day tour from Kuching. It includes pick-up and drop-off, your entrance ticket, and an English-speaking driver, so all the logistics will be sorted for you.

18. Explore Kinabalu Park, Sabah

Kinabalu National Park is easily visited on a day trip from Kota Kinabalu. Covering an area of 754 sq km (291 sq miles), it was the first national park to be established in Sabah.

This gorgeous spot is most famous for Mount Kinabalu, one of the tallest mountains in Southeast Asia. At 4,095 meters (13,435 feet) high, hiking to its summit is quite the challenge.

There’s also a fantastic network of hiking trails in Kinabalu Park which will take you through the jungle. While exploring the cloud forest, you can take advantage of the many birdwatching opportunities available to you. The Mount Kinabalu Botanical Garden is another huge highlight.

You can either visit Kinabalu National Park independently or join this guided tour from Kota Kinabalu. It includes hotel pick-up and drop-off, all transport, and lunch. You’ll also visit some of the area’s top attractions including Poring Hot Springs and Nabalu Market.

19. See the Caves at Niah National Park, Sarawak

Visiting Niah National Park is another of the top things to do in Borneo! It’s one of Sarawak’s smallest national parks and is a site of major archaeological significance.

This national park is known for its human history. Here, the oldest human remains in all of Southeast Asia were found, and these are thought to be around 40,000 years old. As such, the area claims to be the region’s birthplace of civilization.

These remains were located in the national park’s cave system. There are eight main caves here, including Great Cave, Moon Cave, Painted Cave, and Trader’s Cave. Each one offers unique caving opportunities making Niah National Park the perfect destination for adventure lovers.

There are also several well-maintained trails in the park, including Madu Trail, Bukit Kasut Trail, and Tangap Trail. To make the most of your visit to Niah National Park, you can stay overnight and there are a couple of accommodation options to choose from.

20. Visit Deramakot Forest Reserve, Sabah

Finally, there’s Deramakot Forest Reserve. If you’re wondering what to do in Borneo, then you don’t want to miss out on this beautiful place, which is known for its incredible biodiversity.

Around 75% of Sabah’s mammal species live in this reserve, making it the perfect destination for wildlife-watching. Here, you’ll find orangutans, pygmy elephants, proboscis monkeys, gibbons and slow loris. There are also several species of cat found in the park including the Sunda clouded leopard.

The best way to spot wildlife in Deramakot Forest Reserve is by trekking or taking a 4×4 night safari. Visiting on an organised tour is by far the easiest way, with many of these tours departing from Sandakan.

For the best experience, head to the reserve on a multi-day trip, as staying for 3-4 days will offer you endless opportunities to spot wildlife. So, it’s no surprise to hear that visiting this reserve is one of the best things to do in Borneo!

When Is The Best Time To Visit Borneo

Typically, the best time to visit Borneo is during the dry season between March and October. The peak season is between May and September, and during this time lodges can get booked up quickly. You might also find that prices are more expensive.

November to February is considered the wet season, and of course, you can expect more rainfall at this time of year. However, due to Borneo’s location along the equator, you’re likely to encounter rainfall and high levels of humidity no matter when you visit.

Average temperatures also stay constant throughout the year, ranging from 27°C (80.6°F) – 32°C (89.6°F).

We headed to Borneo in February. Although we visited at the end of the wet season, we had a fabulous time. During our trip, we saw lots of wildlife, including orangutans and proboscis monkeys, and the rain didn’t seem to affect our activities or plans.

Final Thoughts On The Best Things To Do In Borneo

As you can see, there are so many amazing things to do in Borneo, Malaysia. We spent around 2.5 weeks on the island, and this allowed us to explore both Sabah and Sarawak.

Whether you’re looking to see orangutans in the wild or take in the island’s culture, there’s something for everyone. For the best experience, don’t rush your time here and make sure you embrace Borneo’s wilderness. Trust us, you won’t regret it.

If you have any questions about where to go in Borneo then be sure to get in touch with us via Facebook, Instagram, or in the comments!

Here are some other guides you may find helpful:

• The Top Things To Do In Sumatra
• The Ultimate 10-Day Sumatra Itinerary
• Hiking In Gunung Leuser National Park

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