Posted on Thursday, 6 July 2023

The steamy rainforests of Borneo are a wildlife lover's paradise. Glimpse orangutans, proboscis monkeys, lemurs, crocodiles, wild pigs and more - all in their natural habitat.

Worlds away from the bustling metropolises of Kuala Lumpur or Jakarta (where you're likely to fly in from), nature reigns supreme in much of this, the third largest island in the world.

Discover the astonishing biodiversity of Borneo for yourself, with our complete guide.

Best time to travel to Borneo

If you want to enjoy outdoor activities unimpeded by rain, the best time to visit Borneo is the dry season, between March and October.

This period presents the best chance to see orangutans in the wild. June to September is your best bet for glimpsing turtles on Lankayan Island.

Can you travel to Borneo in the monsoon season?

The monsoon - or wet - season, runs from November to February.

The heavy afternoon downpours make outdoor excursions difficult or impossible, but they do give a respite from the hot, humid climate - and they are a joy for rain lovers.

But no matter what period you visit Borneo, you can expect at least a few tropical showers during your trip.

Borneo's geography

The central and southern tracts of Borneo are known as Kalimantan - part of Indonesia, while the northern states of Sarawak and Sabah belong to Malaysia.

The tiny oil-rich state of Brunei sits about two thirds up the northern coast.

Why visit Malaysian Borneo?

The Borneo state of Sarawak is known for its rich biodiversity and its incredible underground caves and rivers. The state features the largest underground cave chamber on the planet - the Sarawak Chamber - big enough to hold 40 jumbo jets. The northern end of Gunung Api boasts stunning 50m limestone pinnacles.

Sarawak is also home to rhinoceros’ hornbills, proboscis monkeys, crocodiles, clouded leopards and of course, the famous orangutans. Batang Ai National Park is the only place in Sarawak where you can see them.

Sabah is similarly rich in dense rainforests and dazzling wildlife. It's arguably the best state for seeing orangutans, specifically the Kinabatangan River, Danum Valley, Deramakot Forest Reserve, and Tabin Wildlife Reserve.

Malaysian Borneo: Sarawak or Sabah?

Both states offer incredible jungle treks, islands, and opportunities for spotting wildlife. However, if you have limited time and want the best chance of seeing orangutans head for Sabah.

Don't forget you're also likely to encounter a vast range of other wildlife, including wild pigs, lemurs, vipers and fireflies!

How much is entry to Borneo's national parks?

Costs vary depending on the national park you're visiting. In Sarawak, a 5-day pass for the Gunung Mulu National Park costs 30RM (£5), while the Semenggoh Nature Reserve costs 10RM (£1.70). 

There is a dual pricing policy in place, with locals paying around a third of this.

However, the ‘foreigner’ entry prices are incredibly reasonable by UK standards.

Entry fees are similar in Kalimantan's national parks.

Why visit Indonesian Borneo (Kalimantan)?

Kalimantan is also famed for lush rainforests and abundant wildlife.

Alongside the region's headline act - the orangutan - you can also glimpse sun bears, crocodiles and proboscis monkeys. Note that Indonesians refer to the entire island of Borneo as Kalimantan.

Kalimantan's road network is way behind that of Malaysia Borneo, so getting around is a bit slower and bumpier!

Best place to see orangutans in Kalimantan (Indonesian Borneo)?

Tanjung Puting National Park is one of your best bets for seeing orangutans in Kalimantan.

Located on the southwestern coast, the usual way to go orangutan spotting is to hop on a klotok (houseboat) which will putter along the Sungai Sekonyer.

Among the peat swamp forest and tropical coastal health you will, with luck, see not only orangutans, but hornbills, pot-bellied macaques and the occasional crocodile!

Getting to Borneo

Reaching Sarawak and Sabah from the Malaysian mainland

Malaysia's mainland is worlds away from the remote, jungle-clad wonders of Sarawak and Sabah - yet they are the same country.

There are no direct ferries, so flying is your only option.

Reaching Kalimantan from other parts of Indonesia

It's possible to island hop across Indonesia to Kalimantan, but unless you have lots of time and energy, it's best to fly.

Jakarta to central Kalimantan takes around 2.5 hours by air.

Cheapest way to reach Borneo from the UK

Whether you fly from London to Malaysia, Singapore or Indonesia before taking an onward flight to Borneo, it will cost in the region of £1,200 return.

You may wish to spend time in the likes of Kuala Lumpur or Singapore before heading to Borneo. Buying separate flights won't cost significantly more if you wish to do this.

How to travel around Borneo

How you get around Borneo will depend on where you are and where you're going. Travelling could entail everything from buses to longtail boats.

The roads of Indonesian Borneo are much poorer than those of Malaysian Borneo, so expect longer travel times.

It's possible to travel from Kuching (Malaysia) to Pontianak in West Kalimantan (Indonesia) using a combination of buses and ferries. You could also rent a car, but the journey is bumpy and will take several hours.

Flying from Kuching to West Kalimantan is the easiest option.

Is Borneo expensive to visit?

As with so many destinations, Borneo can be as cheap or as costly as you want it to be.

For example, Kuching, the main arrival point for travellers coming from Malaysia and Singapore, boasts a five-star Hilton costing around £110 per night. 

But you can also book a dormitory bed in the same town for as little as £5 per night.

Equally, if you're dining in mid-range restaurants, you're looking at £7-10 per meal. However, hunt down your local vegetarian buffet and you'll be paying less than £2 for a veritable feast.

Planning overnight stays in one of the national parks? The accommodation usually takes the form of lodges. These are basic but very affordable.

Budget for Borneo

• Low (hostels, street food, self-guided): £30 per day
• Mid (private rooms, mid-range restaurants): £60 per day
• High (upmarket hotels, guided tours etc.): £100 per day
  
  

How much does it cost to visit Brunei?

While more expensive than many other parts of Southeast Asia, Brunei is surprisingly affordable. A hostel bed costs between £15-20, while meals cost £4-7.

The main draws here are the beaches in Muara and the Ulu Temburong National Park.

Other costs

While getting to and from Borneo's national parks you'll incur various extra costs for the likes of longtail boats (many areas are only accessible along the coast), and tuk-tuks. These should only be a few pounds.

Is Borneo safe to travel to?

Yes, Borneo is generally safe, with the proviso of exercising the same caution you would in the UK. 

In eastern coastal areas of Sabah (Malaysian Borneo) there have been kidnappings of tourists in the past, but Malaysian security forces maintain a heavy presence here. Besides, you would not be permitted into any high-risk areas.

While crimes such as bag snatching and ATM/credit card fraud do happen in the larger cities of the Malaysian mainland, they are less likely in Malaysian Borneo.

Many women - including solo travellers - visit Borneo. For those on a budget, female-only hostel dorms are available.

Getting travel insurance

As always, the Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office strongly encourages visitors to take out comprehensive travel insurance.

More safety information about Malaysia and Indonesia is available on the FCDA website.

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