Current as of: August 31, 2024 - 23:09
Current as of: August 31, 2024 - 23:09
3 out of 7 - Moderate
Borneo is a tropical paradise fit for the whole family. Get up close to the island’s ‘wild men’ at Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre and to the big-nosed proboscis monkeys at Labuk Bay Sanctuary. Enjoy idyllic island beaches and snorkel among colourful fish and sea turtles. From a jungle lodge, we head out by longboat and on foot in search of wild macaques and crocodiles. There’s time, too, for exploring the trails in Kinabalu National Park and for relaxing in the thermal pools of Poring Hot Springs.
Highlights
This trip is rated Activity Level 3 (Moderate). For more information on our trip gradings please visit the Activity Level Guidelines page.
Though this trip has been designed for nine to 12-year-olds, it’s also suitable for 13 to 16-year-olds. Our Family trips are aimed at children in the primary age group, so if your child is in the secondary age group, they may find it a little easier. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip please do not hesitate to contact us.
Uncover the best family-friendly parts of Borneo using a mixture of private buses, boats and flights. Anyone in good health should be able to go on this trip as there is no real physical difficulty involved, although we do a fair amount of walking in some places and the heat and humidity can be tiring. Travel time is kept to a minimum, although there are some long travel days and, as we use local transport at times, it may sometimes be quite cramped and without air conditioning. On some long travel days, we depart early to ensure we optimise our time at our next destination.
Some of the accommodation is basic, staying in guesthouses and homestays with limited facilities. Some facilities are shared and some accommodation has cold water only. Much of the accommodation is comfortable with air-conditioning and private bathrooms.
Borneo has an equatorial monsoon climate with the weather remaining similar throughout the year. Only in the mountains does it get cooler.
Local people and other Asian tourists may want to take photos of themselves with your children particularly if they are young, blond and have blue eyes, you shouldn’t be surprised if they do this without asking permission first.
Adult min age: 9
Min group size: 7
Max group size: 16
Depart London
The adventure starts at our hotel in Kota Kinabalu. Today is a free day but there is a welcome meeting in the evening with your tour leader; details of where and when this will take place will have been left at the hotel reception. Check-in is from 2pm.
Kota Kinabalu, the capital of Sabah, is an intriguing city born between the Borneo jungle and the South China Sea. Having recovered from Second World War bombings, KK now possesses a gateway charm only found in frontier towns. If you have enough free time, immerse yourself in local history at the Sabah State Museum or visit the Mari Mari Cultural Village for a fun, interactive learning experience.
Accommodation: Dreamtel Hotel (or similar)
Leaving the city, we head towards Mount Kinabalu. After two hours to 2hr 30min, we arrive at the Dusun village of Tanak Nabalu (please note, the roads to the village are quite bad so we may have to use smaller minibuses for this journey). The Dusun people are the largest ethnic group in Sabah, the province of Borneo where we find ourselves.
In the village, we are separated into different homestays and spend the rest of the day hiking through orchards and rubber plantations, going for a swim in the river, exploring the village and, possibly, if anyone is feeling energetic, playing football on the village pitch.
This evening, we gather for a cultural show, which helps the Dusun people preserve their ancient, traditional dances. As not all families speak English, our tour leader hands out language sheets and assists with communication.
Accommodation: Tanak Nabalu homestay
Following breakfast, this morning we transfer to Kinabalu National Park (approximately 30 minutes). Here we go for a one to two-hour hike along some of the lower trails and the Mountain Botanical Gardens, which has an excellent showcase of the mountain’s diverse plant life. There is the option to visit the Kundasang War Memorial, which commemorates prisoners of war who died during the infamous death marches of the Second World War. The memorial is formed of four gardens: the Australian, English, Malaysian and the Contemplation Garden that represent the different nationalities.
We then take a short transfer to the Zen Garden Resort, where we spend the night.
Accommodation: Zen Garden Resort (or similar)
This morning, we transfer (one hour) to the Poring Hot Spring, where we have plenty of time to enjoy the cool pools and hot tubs (into which the steaming hot water is piped) plus the well-maintained, self-guided walking trails to a nearby waterfall. The hot springs can get quite busy, especially during school and public holidays, so you may wish to pay the additional charge to enjoy a private bath if you want a good soak.
We later take to the trees as we head on a canopy walkway, which follows a trail including several suspension bridges hanging from the trees at canopy level, some up to 130ft (40m) above the ground.
There is also a butterfly and orchid garden within the complex. We later take a short transfer to the Sabah Tea Gardens, where we spend the night in a traditional reconstructed longhouse with shared bathrooms.
Accommodation: Sabah Tea Longhouse
Waking to spectacular views over the mountain, we start with an early morning visit to the tea plantation, learning about tea production, before driving to Kinabatangan (approximately five to six hours).
The Kinabatangan River is the longest in Sabah and the lower reaches are recognised as one of the best places in Southeast Asia for wildlife viewing. The forests are home to 10 primate species, including orangutans, proboscis monkeys and gibbons, plus hornbills, crocodiles and the elusive pygmy elephants, which drink at the river.
We spend the next day and a half exploring the jungle. We go on river cruises, jungle hikes, a night walk and plant trees.
Accommodation: Bilit Adventure Lodge (or similar)
The next two days are spent in and around Sepilok. The drive to Labuk Bay and the proboscis monkey sanctuary takes about three to four hours. These monkeys, only found in Borneo, are very distinctive with their large noses and can often be seen jumping between trees with tremendous leaps through the air.
After visiting the sanctuary, we continue to Sepilok (about 40 minutes’ away) where we stay in a guesthouse with a pool just five minutes from the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre.
The Kabili Sepilok Reserve, established in the 1960s, is home to between 60 and 80 rehabilitated orangutans, which roam freely in the forest. Additionally, the rehabilitation centre was established to care for the apes and is home to a further 25 young, orphaned orangutans who live in a nursery. The rehabilitation centre provides medical care for the orphaned and confiscated apes plus various other wild animals.
While the semi-wild orangutans roam free in the reserve and forage for food, their diet is supplemented by milk and banana. There are two feedings a day, at 10am and 3pm, and we have the opportunity to witness both.
There is also the opportunity to visit the nearby Borneo Sun Bear Conservation Centre. The smallest of all bears, sun bears were once widely found across much of Asia but have drastically decreased in numbers. The centre aims to protect and promote conservation to return these bears to the forest.
The nearby Rainforest Discovery Centre is a centre for environmental education within the Kabili-Sepilok Forest Reserve. Its primary function is to create public awareness and appreciation of the importance of conserving forests, as well as the sustainable use of forest resources. The 482ft (147m) long, 92ft (28m) high steel canopy walkway gives spectacular views of beautiful rainforest giants, such as the mengaris tree, and there are 250 bird species to spot.
Accommodation: Sepilok Jungle Resort (or similar)
Later this morning we head to Sandakan Airport (about 25 minutes) for our flight back to Kota Kinabalu (40 minutes). Please note, there is a 33lb (15kg) restriction on checked baggage for the domestic flight, but it is possible to pay for excess luggage at the airport or your leader can arrange this at the start of the tour.
Upon arrival in Kota Kinabalu, we transfer to the Grandis Hotel & Resort, where we spend the last three nights of the trip. The hotel’s prime location near the waterfront provides easy access to the markets and restaurants as well as the city jetty.
The rest of the day is free to relax and enjoy the hotel swimming pool or wander through the markets at leisure.
Accommodation: Grandis Hotel & Resort (or similar)
Today we explore Tunku Abdul Marine Park on a snorkelling trip to some of the best sites with vibrant coral and colourful fish! There will also be time for swimming and relaxing on white sand beaches on one on the islands within the marine park.
Accommodation: Grandis Hotel & Resort (or similar)
Today is a free day for last-minute shopping, sightseeing or to enjoy optional activities on offer, including participating in a traditional cooking class or join a half day kayak on the Tembara river. Your leader can advise during the trip (additional cost, payable locally).
There is also the option for families to take a short boat ride and go island hopping from the city jetty (located by the hotel) to the nearby islands for a day at the beach and snorkelling.
Alternatively, you may wish to relax by the pool before our final evening together.
Please note: The Tembara River kayaking optional excursion has been closed until further notice.
Accommodation: Grandis Hotel & Resort (or similar)
The trip ends after breakfast in Kota Kinabalu. Of course, if you’d like to explore a little longer, speak to your sales representative about booking post-tour nights.
We spend nine nights in hotels and lodges, one night in a homestay, and one night in a longhouse (with shared bathroom facilities).
In Kota Kinabalu, we stay in a hotel with private bathrooms.
In the Mount Kinabalu region, we experience rural life with a night in a village homestay on Day 2; the following day is in a comfortable resort lodge, then we spend one night on Day 4 in a traditional longhouse at Sabah Tea Gardens with spectacular views.
In Kinabatangan and Sepilok, we stay in jungle lodges with air-conditioning and private bathrooms. On the last three nights of the tour, we stay in a nice hotel resort in Kota Kinabalu, also with air conditioning, private bathrooms and a rooftop swimming pool. Triple-share accommodation is rare in Borneo, but in these instances foldout beds are commonly used.
Worth knowing
While we do our best to ensure families are roomed close together (in some cases, we can arrange adjoining rooms), we can’t guarantee this. Most family holidays occur during peak season and we sometimes have little control over where you will be put.
Single supplement from £ 435
All breakfasts, four lunches and four dinners are included.
Malaysia is renowned for its culinary excellence; however, food can often be relatively unexciting and limited in the lodges and for hotel breakfasts. Meals will be more varied for everyone in cities and seafood is widely available on the coast.
Most meals are basic, based around rice and noodles although most accommodation does offer a Western breakfast of beans, toast and eggs. In the bigger hotels and cities, the full range of Western and local foods are available. You can generally avoid the spicier food if you wish. Allow at least 70-140 ringgits (US$15-US$30) per day for lunch and dinner. You can eat out very cheaply in Borneo, but if you go to the more expensive restaurants most of the time, you will spend more than the suggested amount.
Vegetarians can be catered for but will find the food choice limited. Please inform us before departure of any special dietary requests.
Please note, in Borneo the availability of certain products is minimal or non-existent, for example wheat- or dairy-free, please be prepared for this, you may need to bring such items from home.
We use several modes of transport. Most transfers are in private minibuses, although we also travel by local buses. We use several different boats, including speedboats and traditional longboats. There is one internal flight.
Borneo has an equatorial monsoon climate with the weather remaining similar throughout the year. It is hot and humid; temperatures are 23C-33C (73F-91F) during the day and rarely drop below 20C (68F) at night. The rainy season is from November to January/February and the dry season is from May to September, though it can rain at any time. A Borneo rain shower is quite an event!
Start hotel: Hotel Dreamtel 5, Jalan Padang, Bandaran Berjaya, 88000 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
Phone: +60 88-240 333
Recommended arrival time: You can arrive at any time today. There will be a welcome briefing in the evening, but if you miss it the leader will update you separately.
Airport: Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI)
The start hotel is approximately 20 minutes’ drive from the airport. Exodus provides one group arrival transfer from the airport, which is timed to coincide with the arrival of a chosen flight from London, UK. You may join this transfer at no extra cost, provided you can be at the airport before the transfer leaves. Speak to your sales representative for the group arrival transfer times or to arrange a private transfer.
If you would like further information on joining this trip, please speak to your sales representative.
There’s a group departure transfer to the airport for customers who Exodus booked onto a chosen flight to London, UK. Please speak to your sales representative if you wish to join. If the group departure transfer does not suit your flight time, speak to your sales representative to arrange an alternative transfer.
Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers will be sent to you as part of our Final Joining Instructions. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent.
Location start: Kota Kinabalu
Location end: Kota Kinabalu
Airport transfers are included for those on the group flights. Please note that transfers are not included for clients arriving on any other flight, even if Exodus has booked it.
If you require airport transfers, you may (by prior arrangement only) be able to join the group transfer. Transfers are arranged to coincide with the arrival time of the group flight ‐ please check the group flight details 2 weeks before departure. If you do not take this transfer, or miss it, you must make your own way to the joining point at your own expense.
Malaysia is a traditional, Muslim country, and local sensibilities should be respected. Shorts are acceptable in towns as long as they are neither too tight nor too short. On the homestay, modest dress is essential – skimpy tops are not appropriate and long trousers (pants) are preferable. Below is a suggestion of what you might find useful to take on this trip. It is not an exhaustive packing list.
Mosquito nets are provided at the longhouse, but not elsewhere. Other lodges have netting on the window, but this cannot be wholly relied on in case of holes etc. Mosquito coils can be provided, on request, from your leader or taken with you from home.
A laundry service may be available in some places, but we recommend you take travel detergent.
Baggage
For your comfort, we recommend you travel as light as possible. Please only bring one main piece (a soft bag or backpack, not a hard suitcase).
The internal flight has a luggage weight limit of 33lb (15kg) for checked luggage and 15lb (7kg) for cabin luggage. It is possible to pay a supplement for additional luggage once your trip commences. If you would like to pay for additional luggage for the internal flight, please speak to your leader on Day 1 who can arrange this in advance – you then need to pay in cash to your group leader. Alternatively, you can purchase additional luggage when checking in at the airport before the domestic flight. Please ensure you take note of your baggage weight when you board your flight from home so you know if purchasing additional luggage for the internal flight is required during the trip.
Water included
Plastic bottles are a big issue in many countries where recycling isn’t yet widely available; they often end up in landfill or get burned. Both processes are harmful to the environment and we would like to reduce our impact here. For your trip, we provide an alternative to single-use plastic bottles to reduce the plastic used. This means that safe drinking water will be available throughout; all you need to do is bring a bottle to refill along the way. Please add this to your packing list.
Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally do not need a visa to enter Malaysia. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.
Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.
Important information
All foreign visitors must now complete and submit the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) within three days (including date of submission) prior to their arrival in Malaysia.
To complete the MDAC form, you need to add your date of arrival/departure in Malaysia, passport details, and accommodation (the start hotel of your tour). To obtain these details, please refer to the Final Joining Instructions, which are sent one to two weeks before your departure.
Once the MDAC form is submitted, you will receive an email with a PIN to check your registration on the MDAC website where you can download a PDF copy of your authorised MDAC. It is advised to also print a copy of your MDAC for immigration. All visitors must then present their printed, completed form and their passport at immigration upon arrival in Malaysia.
Your passport must be valid for at least six months from the date you arrive in Malaysia.
There are no mandatory vaccination requirements. Recommended vaccinations are: Polio, Tetanus, Diphtheria, Typhoid, Hepatitis A. The risk of malaria is slight, but you may wish to consult your GP or travel health clinic for further advice.
Dengue and zika fevers, both spread by mosquitoes, are known risks in places visited. There are currently no vaccines or prophylaxes available; therefore, we recommend you take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites.
The risk of malaria on this trip is slight, but you may wish to consult your GP or travel health clinic for further advice.
Bilharzia is known to occur in some of the lakes or rivers visited on this itinerary, we therefore advise all to take advice from your guide or leader locally before venturing for a swim.
Malaysia's time zone: Asia/Kuala_Lumpur (UTC +08:00)
Malaysia's electricity: Plug type G (three rectangular pins) – 240V, 50Hz
Malaysia's currency: Malaysian ringgit (MYR)
ATMs are becoming more widely available and are the easiest way of obtaining money; please inform your bank before leaving home if you wish to use it in Malaysia, as some cards have been blocked in the past. Most credit cards are accepted in the main towns in Malaysia.
Additionally, US dollars or British pounds can be changed in the main towns; however, this can be time consuming. Please don’t bring travellers cheques. A small amount in cash is useful in case of emergencies.
Allow enough money to cover meals not included in the price of the tour and for personal expenses such as drinks, snacks, souvenirs and any optional excursions. We suggest around 595 ringgits (US$130) per person for meals that aren’t included in the trip.
Some places will charge a camera fee if you wish to take pictures. In Sepilok, both the Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary and Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre charge 10 ringgits (US$2.20).
Optional excursions
The following optional excursions may be available during the tour. Prices may fluctuate and are given as a guideline only.
Kinabalu Park
Kota Kinabalu
Poring Hot Springs
Sepilok
If you are happy with the services provided, a tip – though not compulsory – is appropriate.
At your group meeting on Day 1, your tour leader will discuss running a group tipping kitty, where everybody contributes an equal amount and then your tour leader pays the tips to local guides, drivers, hotel staff etc while keeping a running record of all monies spent (except restaurant tips).
The record can be checked at any time and any money remaining at the end of the tour returned to group members. This is often the easiest way to avoid the hassle of small change and knowing when and what is appropriate to tip. This is not compulsory but aimed at making it easier for you. In Kota Kinabalu, your leader will collect approximately 100 ringgits (US$24) per person in local currency for this purpose.
Your group leader: You may also consider tipping your leader for their service throughout the trip. The amount is entirely a personal preference; however, as a guideline, 10 ringgits (US$2.20) per person, per day can be used. Of course, you are free to tip more or less as you see fit.
We work hard to create trips that improve life for the people and places we visit and look after the planet we explore. Find out more about our sustainable travel ethos and practice here, and find out about the work of the Exodus Travels Foundation here.
Some sustainable travel highlights of this trip include:
People
How this trip helps improve life for local communities.
Places
How this trip helps protect and conserve local landscapes and nature.
Planet
How we seek to keep the carbon footprint of this trip low.
Tips for sustainable travel on this trip
Cultural respect
Water safety
This trip includes time by a lake, river or sea, where there may be opportunities to swim. You should always seek local advice before deciding whether to swim. Open-water or wild swim spots should be treated with extreme caution. Information on how to keep yourself safe while swimming is shown here.
Family trips
Our staff and leaders are there to ensure the trip runs as smoothly as possible. However, company policy states they cannot take care of children; it is your responsibility to look after your young ones throughout the trip. During free time or if you decide to opt out of part of the itinerary, you are responsible for your family and any arrangements that need to be made, though your leader will be happy to make recommendations.
This trip goes near an area deemed unsafe to visit by the UK government’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, whose advice we follow when operating our trips. While our itinerary doesn’t go to these areas, you should familiarise yourself with your local government’s advice if you are planning any pre- or post-trip travel. Any independent travel to areas currently against your local government advice is entirely at your own risk and unlikely to be covered by your travel insurance.
Your safe participation
When booking this trip, you should be confident in your ability to participate in all activities described in these Trip Notes. If you have any doubt about your suitability, please call the Exodus office and ask to speak to one of the experts on this itinerary.
Although our leaders are well trained to deal with different capabilities, if they have any concerns about someone’s ability to safely take part in an activity, or their impact on other people’s enjoyment, we authorise them to take necessary action which, in some circumstances, may involve asking someone to miss that activity.
By booking this trip you agree to our Booking Conditions which clearly state that our leaders have the authority to do this. In these rare instances we will ensure anyone sitting out is safely provided for and offered alternative options where possible. Refunds will not be provided for activities missed and customers may be liable for additional costs incurred.
When you’re ready to book, go to our website for online bookings, book over the phone or you can complete a booking form (available online or on request by calling us). We accept all major credit and debit cards, or you can pay be cheque.
After booking
You will receive your booking confirmation letter and invoice, which includes extra information and guidance about your travel arrangements.
Full joining instructions, including local emergency numbers and details of how to reach the start point, will be sent to you approximately two to three weeks prior to departure. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier, please contact our office or your travel agent.
Trip Note validity
These Trip Notes are valid from the “Current as” date on page one. They will occasionally be updated after booking and before departure; if there are any updates that significantly impact the inclusions or itinerary, customers will be written to separately. They will also receive a link to the most up-to-date Trip Notes with their Final Joining Instructions before travelling.
The information in these Trip Notes is given in good faith. Where differences exist between the Trip Notes and our current brochure or website, the Trip Notes supersede the brochure and website. All holidays can be subject to unexpected changes; to enjoy them you should be prepared to be flexible where necessary. Occasionally, it may not be possible to follow the itinerary as planned. This may be for a variety of reasons – climatic, political, physical or other. In these circumstances we will make the best-possible alternative arrangements that maintain the integrity of the original itinerary.
Licensing
Exodus is fully licensed and bonded as a tour operator. We hold Air Traffic Organisers Licence (ATOL) number 2582, issued and bonded with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). We are also bonded to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and we are members of the Federation of Tour Operators (FTO) and ABTA – The Travel Association. This means you can book your Exodus holiday with confidence, as all money paid to us for your trip is fully protected.