Luxury Borneo Wildlife Tours made for you
Start PlanningDiscover where to see wildlife in Borneo
Borneo – a region shared between Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei – is a truly extraordinary place. It’s home to vast tracts of relatively undisturbed primary rainforest and an astonishing concentration of species, many found nowhere else on the planet.
What makes wildlife tours in Borneo particularly special is its diversity of experiences. In Danum Valley and Batang Ai National Park, you’ll spot endemic species such as the Bornean clouded leopard and the proboscis monkey, as well as orangutans, sun bears, gibbons and pygmy elephants. Expert wildlife guides may also point out the curious flying lemur and the extraordinary Rafflesia – the world’s largest flower, which can reach up to a metre across.
From Kota Kinabalu – with its excellent luxury resorts and nature lodges – you can take a boat to nearby islands to swim, dive and snorkel pristine coral reefs; and from Kuching, you can enjoy a trip to Bako National Park, where the distinct rainforest ecosystems are home to wild boar, flying squirrels and monitor lizards.
The intriguing city of Sandakan is a gateway to some of Borneo’s best wildlife encounters, as well as the Sepilok Rehabilitation Centre, where they care for rescued or orphaned orangutans. Take a safari cruise along the Kinabatangan River, or a short boat ride to palm-fringed, white-sand islands like Selingan, Lankayan or Mataking, all vital conservation areas for marine turtles.
Experiences picked by our destination specialists
A word from one of our experts
While visiting this stunning natural corner of the globe I highly recommend a responsible Borneo orangutan tour for an intimate, life-changing experience learning about these endangered great apes in their natural habitat. You'll also have opportunities to spot pygmy elephants, Bornean clouded leopards and countless other extraordinary species.
Senior Travel Designer
Luxury Borneo accommodation
There are many incredible places to stay in Borneo. Here are some of our favourites, handpicked by our travel designers:
Why book with Jacada?
Personalised design
We’ll plan your trip around your specific interests, tastes and preferences, providing helpful tips and honest advice based on first-hand knowledge of the destination.
Authentic experiences
Our expert guides and brilliant travel concierges are hand-picked to provide a genuine experience, bringing your destination to life with care and passion.
Responsible travel
Our luxury trips are designed with responsible travel principles that prioritise travel experiences that are both good for you and good for the planet.
Borneo trip inspiration
Get inspired with our Borneo example trips and then get in touch to plan your own adventure
14-Day Trip
Borneo Wildlife Explorer and Langkawi Beaches
14-Day Trip
Borneo Wildlife Explorer and Langkawi Beaches
Malaysian Highlands, Heritage and Island Escape
Malaysian Highlands, Heritage and Island Escape
11-Day Trip
The Rainforests, Wildlife and Islands of Borneo
11-Day Trip
The Rainforests, Wildlife and Islands of Borneo
Where to see wildlife in Borneo
Batang Ai National Park
Located near the Indonesian border, Batang Ai National Park occupies remote terrain deep in Borneo's jungle. A hydroelectric dam built in the 1980s flooded the valley to create a reservoir, and treetops from the submerged forest still emerge above the waterline.
Danum Valley
This primary lowland rainforest remains undisturbed and represents Borneo's diverse endemic flora and fauna exceptionally well, with internationally recognized biodiversity that sets it apart.
Kota Kinabalu
A well-maintained coastal city with a pretty waterfront for watching sunsets, Kota Kinabalu has plenty to interest visitors, though most travellers use it as an arrival point for Borneo before heading out to explore the surrounding wilderness areas.
Kuching
Borneo's most attractive and historically important city, Kuching makes an excellent starting point for exploring the island, with significant sites within the city itself and throughout the surrounding region.
Sandakan
Sandakan is known primarily for the Sepilok Rehabilitation Centre, which cares for rescued and orphaned orangutans, as well as sun bears, gibbons and elephants that need medical treatment and sanctuary.
Meet your Asia team
When to visit Borneo for wildlife
The best time to visit Borneo is when warmer weather arrives from March through to October and the island experiences hot, dry conditions. It’s ideal for climbing Mt Kinabalu, searching for whale sharks and turtles, and seeing endangered orangutans in the wild.
Diving and snorkelling
April–September
Wildlife spotting
May–August
Hiking and trekking
April–August
Plan your trip to Borneo
Whatever you want from your Borneo wildlife tour, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.
Don't take our word for it
Your trip, your story
We craft trips deeply personal, delightfully surprising and entirely one of a kind. Every Jacada journey begins in conversation with a travel designer, a specialist in their destination of expertise. Behind each journey is a wealth of insight, gathered over years of on-the-ground exploration.
Once you’re booked, you’ll meet your concierge. Based in the region you’re visiting, they’ll take care of all the details so your mind is at rest. They make the trip truly special – and truly yours.
