Borneo Family Holiday
Tour Description
Day 1: Kota Kinabalu
Travel to Borneo on this nine-day family adventure and discover the curious wildlife and spectacular landscapes of the region. Learn how orphaned orangutans are rehabilitated back into the wild, swim with colourful fish, watch baby green turtles take wobbly steps towards the waterfront and relax on sandy beaches. Along the way, you’ll make friends, try some delicious cuisine and forge some incredible memories. With all the essentials included and plenty of free time to explore at your own pace, you and your family will fall in love with the unique animals, lush ecosystem and sandy islands of Borneo.
Itinerary
Day 1: Kota Kinabalu
Selamat datang! Welcome to Malaysia. Your adventure begins in Kota Kinabalu – the capital of Sabah, located between the Borneo jungle and the South China Sea. Having survived WWII bombings, KK (as it’s commonly known), this town has a unique vibe and plenty to explore. You’ll have a welcome meeting at 5 pm at your hotel to meet your leader and fellow family travellers. After, maybe head out to the waterfront market to wander the smoky stalls serving up grilled meat and fish. If you arrive early, you can immerse yourself in history at the Sabah State Museum or explore the islands off Kota Kinabalu, excellent for swimming or snorkelling.
Day 2: Poring Hot Springs
Head to the Poring Hot Springs today for a scenic canopy walk and relaxing swim in the springs – often a favourite for the kids. Tonight, you’ll spend the night in a reconstructed longhouse on the tea plantation.
Day 3: Kinabatangan River
Visit the Sabah Tea Factory to learn about the process of harvesting tea leaves, before saying goodbye to the mountains and heading into the jungle. Travel by private bus to Kampung Batu Puteh – a small village on the banks of the Kinabatangan River. Your hosts for the night are the leaders of KOPEL – a local community-run conservation organisation whose aim is to provide villagers with a sustainable living from the forest. Leading a reforestation project, KOPEL and the community are actively involved in growing seedlings and replanting degraded forested areas. Meet your hosts and learn a little more about KOPELs work before jumping in a boat and heading upriver to your accommodation in the jungle. This afternoon, you’ll head out on a sunset cruise up the river in search of wildlife, including macaques, wild orangutan and proboscis monkeys. After, return to your jungle camp by an oxbow lake, have dinner and let the cicadas sing you to sleep.
Day 4: Kinabatangan River
Wake up to the sounds of the jungle this morning. After breakfast, you’ll head upriver to the village to walk around and learn more about the life of the local people. For lunch, it’s all hands-on deck as you partake in a fun traditional cooking class, eating the fruits of your labour for lunch. The afternoon is free to relax, play some boardgames or head out in search of more wildlife, before heading back on the boat for another trip on the river. After dinner tonight, grab your headtorches and head into the jungle for a night walk, looking out for the local nocturnal animals.
Day 5: Sandakan
Say goodbye to your Eco Camp and drive to Sandakan. When you arrive, you’ll notice the strong Cantonese influence, seen in the lively harborside market, the many Chinese temples and the local cuisine. You’ll have some free time to catch up on laundry, bank runs, lunch – or just go and explore at your own pace! This afternoon, why not just chill out at the pool?
Day 6: Sandakan/Sepilok
Today is sure to be a favourite with the kids – time to say hello to the orangutans! Drive by minibus to the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre. The centre was set up to help re-introduce these gentle creatures back into the wild after a life of domestication or after being orphaned. From the viewing platform, you can see these charming creatures as they swing into view and eat a supplementary balanced diet of fruit, vegetables or milk, laid out for them twice a day. Human contact must be kept to a minimum and it’s essential that you follow the instructions of the park, as directed by your leader (but you’re free to snap plenty of photos). You’ll also see a nursery where you can view the young orangutans as they learn how to climb on a specially constructed jungle gym. The viewing area is behind one-way glass so as not to disturb the animals. Next is the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre where you can see the world’s smallest bears in large forest enclosures as they are rehabilitated after being rescued. The rest of the day will be yours to enjoy as you like.
Day 7: Turtle Island
Leave your large bags at the hotel and transfer to a nearby jetty, then board a speedboat bound for Turtle Island. Travel past small fishing villages and bamboo fish traps, arriving at Turtle Island Marine Park after about an hour. The rest of the day is free for you to soak up the island life. Relax on the beach and take a swim or perhaps hire some snorkelling gear and investigate the underwater world. Under the cover of darkness, watch as giant green turtles coming ashore to lay their eggs under the moonlight. Witness the island researchers release protected hatchlings and guide them in their frantic dash to the ocean. It’s a moving experience that is bound to be rewarding for you and your family, but please be aware that this is a very delicate environment and you must follow instructions from your leader and the local rangers to ensure minimal impact on the turtles. Spend the night on this beautiful island – even though the accommodation is quite basic, this will be a memorable experience.
Day 8: Kota Kinabalu
Transfer back to the mainland this morning. Once back in Sandakan, the group will have the opportunity to visit the War Memorial before heading to the airport and for your flight back to Kota Kinabalu. When you arrive, relax at your hotel and refresh. Tonight, you might like to head out for a final dinner with your group – your leader will have the best recommendations!
Day 9: Kota Kinabalu
With no activities planned for today, you and your family are free to depart the accommodation at any time following check-out. If you’d like to extend your stay, just get in touch with your booking agent ahead of time.
Departure Dates
| Start Date | End Date | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 24, 2025 | Aug 1, 2025 | $3,270.00 | |
| Jul 26, 2025 | Aug 3, 2025 | $2,836.00 | |
| Jul 28, 2025 | Aug 5, 2025 | $2,799.00 | |
| Jul 30, 2025 | Aug 7, 2025 | $3,260.00 | |
| Aug 2, 2025 | Aug 10, 2025 | $3,250.00 | |
| Aug 5, 2025 | Aug 13, 2025 | $3,260.00 | |
| Aug 8, 2025 | Aug 16, 2025 | $3,250.00 | |
| Aug 11, 2025 | Aug 19, 2025 | $3,260.00 | |
| Aug 14, 2025 | Aug 22, 2025 | $3,260.00 | |
| Aug 17, 2025 | Aug 25, 2025 | $2,934.00 | |
| Aug 19, 2025 | Aug 27, 2025 | $3,110.00 | |
| Aug 21, 2025 | Aug 29, 2025 | $3,105.00 | |
| Sep 18, 2025 | Sep 26, 2025 | $3,110.00 | |
| Sep 20, 2025 | Sep 28, 2025 | $3,260.00 | |
| Sep 22, 2025 | Sep 30, 2025 | $3,260.00 | |
| Sep 24, 2025 | Oct 2, 2025 | $3,255.00 | |
| Sep 26, 2025 | Oct 4, 2025 | $2,695.00 | |
| Sep 28, 2025 | Oct 6, 2025 | $3,260.00 | |
| Sep 30, 2025 | Oct 8, 2025 | $3,030.00 | |
| Oct 2, 2025 | Oct 10, 2025 | $2,975.00 | |
| Oct 4, 2025 | Oct 12, 2025 | $2,845.00 | |
| Oct 25, 2025 | Nov 2, 2025 | $3,150.00 | |
| Dec 21, 2025 | Dec 29, 2025 | $2,765.00 | |
| Dec 26, 2025 | Jan 3, 2026 | $2,765.00 | |
| Dec 28, 2025 | Jan 5, 2026 | $2,965.00 | |
| Jan 3, 2026 | Jan 11, 2026 | $2,870.00 | |
| Jan 10, 2026 | Jan 18, 2026 | $2,870.00 | |
| Mar 26, 2026 | Apr 3, 2026 | $2,870.00 | |
| Mar 28, 2026 | Apr 5, 2026 | $2,870.00 | |
| Mar 30, 2026 | Apr 7, 2026 | $2,870.00 | |
| Apr 2, 2026 | Apr 10, 2026 | $3,115.00 | |
| Apr 4, 2026 | Apr 12, 2026 | $3,115.00 | |
| Apr 6, 2026 | Apr 14, 2026 | $3,280.00 | |
| Apr 8, 2026 | Apr 16, 2026 | $2,870.00 | |
| Apr 10, 2026 | Apr 18, 2026 | $2,870.00 | |
| Apr 12, 2026 | Apr 20, 2026 | $2,870.00 | |
| Apr 14, 2026 | Apr 22, 2026 | $2,870.00 | |
| Apr 16, 2026 | Apr 24, 2026 | $2,870.00 | |
| Apr 18, 2026 | Apr 26, 2026 | $2,870.00 | |
| May 23, 2026 | May 31, 2026 | $2,870.00 | |
| Jun 25, 2026 | Jul 3, 2026 | $2,870.00 | |
| Jun 27, 2026 | Jul 5, 2026 | $2,870.00 | |
| Jun 29, 2026 | Jul 7, 2026 | $2,870.00 | |
| Jul 1, 2026 | Jul 9, 2026 | $2,870.00 | |
| Jul 3, 2026 | Jul 11, 2026 | $2,870.00 | |
| Jul 5, 2026 | Jul 13, 2026 | $2,870.00 | |
| Jul 7, 2026 | Jul 15, 2026 | $2,870.00 | |
| Jul 9, 2026 | Jul 17, 2026 | $2,870.00 | |
| Jul 11, 2026 | Jul 19, 2026 | $2,870.00 | |
| Jul 13, 2026 | Jul 21, 2026 | $2,870.00 | |
| Jul 15, 2026 | Jul 23, 2026 | $2,870.00 | |
| Jul 17, 2026 | Jul 25, 2026 | $2,870.00 | |
| Jul 19, 2026 | Jul 27, 2026 | $2,870.00 | |
| Jul 21, 2026 | Jul 29, 2026 | $2,870.00 | |
| Jul 23, 2026 | Jul 31, 2026 | $2,870.00 | |
| Jul 25, 2026 | Aug 2, 2026 | $2,905.00 | |
| Jul 27, 2026 | Aug 4, 2026 | $2,870.00 | |
| Jul 29, 2026 | Aug 6, 2026 | $2,870.00 | |
| Aug 1, 2026 | Aug 9, 2026 | $3,010.00 | |
| Aug 3, 2026 | Aug 11, 2026 | $2,900.00 | |
| Aug 5, 2026 | Aug 13, 2026 | $2,870.00 | |
| Aug 7, 2026 | Aug 15, 2026 | $2,870.00 | |
| Aug 9, 2026 | Aug 17, 2026 | $2,870.00 | |
| Aug 11, 2026 | Aug 19, 2026 | $2,870.00 | |
| Aug 13, 2026 | Aug 21, 2026 | $2,870.00 | |
| Aug 15, 2026 | Aug 23, 2026 | $2,870.00 | |
| Aug 17, 2026 | Aug 25, 2026 | $2,870.00 | |
| Aug 19, 2026 | Aug 27, 2026 | $2,870.00 | |
| Aug 21, 2026 | Aug 29, 2026 | $2,870.00 | |
| Sep 17, 2026 | Sep 25, 2026 | $2,870.00 | |
| Sep 19, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | $2,870.00 | |
| Sep 21, 2026 | Sep 29, 2026 | $2,870.00 | |
| Sep 23, 2026 | Oct 1, 2026 | $2,870.00 | |
| Sep 25, 2026 | Oct 3, 2026 | $2,870.00 | |
| Sep 27, 2026 | Oct 5, 2026 | $2,870.00 | |
| Sep 29, 2026 | Oct 7, 2026 | $2,870.00 | |
| Oct 1, 2026 | Oct 9, 2026 | $2,870.00 | |
| Oct 3, 2026 | Oct 11, 2026 | $2,870.00 | |
| Oct 5, 2026 | Oct 13, 2026 | $2,870.00 | |
| Dec 19, 2026 | Dec 27, 2026 | $2,870.00 | |
| Dec 21, 2026 | Dec 29, 2026 | $2,870.00 | |
| Dec 24, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | $2,870.00 | |
| Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 3, 2027 | $2,870.00 | |
| Dec 28, 2026 | Jan 5, 2027 | $2,870.00 | |
| Jan 2, 2027 | Jan 10, 2027 | $2,870.00 | |
| Jan 6, 2027 | Jan 14, 2027 | $2,870.00 | |
| Jan 9, 2027 | Jan 17, 2027 | $2,870.00 | |
| Mar 25, 2027 | Apr 2, 2027 | $3,050.00 | |
| Mar 27, 2027 | Apr 4, 2027 | $2,870.00 | |
| Mar 29, 2027 | Apr 6, 2027 | $2,870.00 | |
| Apr 1, 2027 | Apr 9, 2027 | $2,870.00 | |
| Apr 3, 2027 | Apr 11, 2027 | $2,870.00 | |
| Apr 5, 2027 | Apr 13, 2027 | $2,870.00 | |
| Apr 7, 2027 | Apr 15, 2027 | $2,870.00 | |
| Apr 9, 2027 | Apr 17, 2027 | $2,870.00 | |
| Apr 11, 2027 | Apr 19, 2027 | $2,870.00 | |
| Apr 13, 2027 | Apr 21, 2027 | $2,870.00 | |
| Apr 15, 2027 | Apr 23, 2027 | $2,870.00 | |
| Apr 17, 2027 | Apr 25, 2027 | $2,870.00 | |
| May 22, 2027 | May 30, 2027 | $2,870.00 | |
| Jun 24, 2027 | Jul 2, 2027 | $2,870.00 | |
| Jun 26, 2027 | Jul 4, 2027 | $2,870.00 | |
| Jun 28, 2027 | Jul 6, 2027 | $2,870.00 | |
| Jun 30, 2027 | Jul 8, 2027 | $2,870.00 | |
| Jul 2, 2027 | Jul 10, 2027 | $2,870.00 | |
| Jul 4, 2027 | Jul 12, 2027 | $2,870.00 | |
| Jul 6, 2027 | Jul 14, 2027 | $2,870.00 | |
| Jul 8, 2027 | Jul 16, 2027 | $2,870.00 | |
| Jul 10, 2027 | Jul 18, 2027 | $2,870.00 | |
| Jul 12, 2027 | Jul 20, 2027 | $2,870.00 | |
| Jul 14, 2027 | Jul 22, 2027 | $2,870.00 | |
| Jul 16, 2027 | Jul 24, 2027 | $2,870.00 | |
| Jul 18, 2027 | Jul 26, 2027 | $2,870.00 | |
| Jul 20, 2027 | Jul 28, 2027 | $2,870.00 | |
| Jul 22, 2027 | Jul 30, 2027 | $2,870.00 | |
| Jul 24, 2027 | Aug 1, 2027 | $2,870.00 | |
| Jul 26, 2027 | Aug 3, 2027 | $2,870.00 | |
| Jul 28, 2027 | Aug 5, 2027 | $2,870.00 | |
| Jul 31, 2027 | Aug 8, 2027 | $2,870.00 | |
| Aug 2, 2027 | Aug 10, 2027 | $2,870.00 | |
| Aug 4, 2027 | Aug 12, 2027 | $2,870.00 | |
| Aug 6, 2027 | Aug 14, 2027 | $2,870.00 | |
| Aug 8, 2027 | Aug 16, 2027 | $2,870.00 | |
| Aug 10, 2027 | Aug 18, 2027 | $2,870.00 | |
| Aug 12, 2027 | Aug 20, 2027 | $2,870.00 | |
| Aug 14, 2027 | Aug 22, 2027 | $2,870.00 | |
| Aug 16, 2027 | Aug 24, 2027 | $2,870.00 | |
| Aug 18, 2027 | Aug 26, 2027 | $2,870.00 | |
| Sep 16, 2027 | Sep 24, 2027 | $2,870.00 | |
| Sep 18, 2027 | Sep 26, 2027 | $2,870.00 | |
| Sep 20, 2027 | Sep 28, 2027 | $2,870.00 | |
| Sep 22, 2027 | Sep 30, 2027 | $2,870.00 | |
| Sep 24, 2027 | Oct 2, 2027 | $2,870.00 | |
| Sep 26, 2027 | Oct 4, 2027 | $2,870.00 | |
| Sep 28, 2027 | Oct 6, 2027 | $2,870.00 | |
| Sep 30, 2027 | Oct 8, 2027 | $2,870.00 | |
| Oct 2, 2027 | Oct 10, 2027 | $2,870.00 | |
| Oct 4, 2027 | Oct 12, 2027 | $2,870.00 | |
| Dec 18, 2027 | Dec 26, 2027 | $2,870.00 | |
| Dec 20, 2027 | Dec 28, 2027 | $2,870.00 | |
| Dec 23, 2027 | Dec 31, 2027 | $2,870.00 | |
| Dec 25, 2027 | Jan 2, 2028 | $2,870.00 | |
| Dec 27, 2027 | Jan 4, 2028 | $2,870.00 |