Borneo is one of the world's greatest wildlife-watching destinations; a faraway island blanketed with misty jungles and filled with a honeypot of weird and wonderful biodiversity this unspoiled pristine pocket of life is a paradise waiting to be rediscovered. Consisting of the world's oldest and most revered rainforests, the vastness of dense canopies and rich foliage lets trekkers experience Mother Nature in her full glory.
Shrouding an ethereal world, the sacred trees become an audience to the veritable orchestra of sounds - chirps and clicks, squeals and ticks amongst the constant drone of cicadas. At home in the promised land, sun bears, orangutans, and clouded leopards all form the endless and unforgettable cacophony of the amazing Kinabatangan rainforest.
Borneo safari holidays are a firm favourite for wildlife enthusiasts. The island plays host to an enormous assortment of uniquely endangered wildlife, such as the charming and gentle orangutan, noisy proboscis monkey and diminutive pygmy elephant. Flora and fauna abound on this Eden-like sanctuary, with a staggering 15,000 species of flowering plants and 3,000 tree types, in addition to rare orchid, 12 species of rafflesia (the world’s largest flower) and in excess of 600 bird species. All of this contributes to what is an incredibly diverse area and makes for the ultimate Borneo holiday.
We originally started back in 2005 as World Primate Safaris. Our CEO and Founder, Will Bolsover, spent many years in jungles across the world tracking and guiding primates. Since then, we have gained years of valuable experience designing itineraries that put you in the right place, at the right time for the ultimate Bornean orangutan safaris. Our Borneo holidays have been widely featured in the national press, including Departures Magazine, The Independent and Sunday Times. We have used the same guides in Borneo for years, simply because they are the best at what they do. It takes expertise and patience to find these mesmerising and peaceful animals but our guides have expert local knowledge which they will share with you, teaching you all about your surroundings, from the topography and wildlife to the local peoples and cultures.
We also support the Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary, which rehabilitates baby orangutans and those found in captivity with the aim of getting them back out into the wild. Visiting the sanctuary is the highlight of many peoples' visit, offering a great opportunity to witness these great apes in a beautiful setting, where they can comfortably coexist.
Typically, expect to budget around £8330 per person for a 13-day safari in Borneo. This will generally include charter flights to and from Sandarkan, For a shorter 5-day experience staying at five camps, expect to budget £5500 per person. Journeying through the heart of the oldest rainforests on Earth, luxury eco-lodges and boutique island retreats, combine with jungle exploration for the ultimate island getaway.
Join us on this photographic safari, specialist-led by a seasoned professional in the realm of photography, Charlie Ryan. Capturing the essence of Borneo’s wildlife through his lens, Charlie’s work has been published in National Geographic, BBC, and Netflix.
From swinging orangutans and honking proboscis monkeys, to sandy beaches and exploring the jungle; this safari is perfect for families with just the right mix of wildlife, relaxation and adrenaline.
From 7000 per person
This spectacular two-week journey through wildlife-rich Borneo including Sepilok, where you can see orangutans as they are re-habituated after deforestation or poaching, and the Kinabatangan River, a haven for wild orangutans, proboscis monkeys, mouse deer, wild boar and buffalo.
From 9370 per person
A wild adventure into Borneo’s jungles in search of the fascinating wildlife that call it home; from swinging orangutans to honk-nosed proboscis monkeys.
From 14500 per person
Borneo vacations are a firm favourite for wildlife enthusiasts. A faraway island blanketed with misty jungles and filled with a honeypot of weird and wonderful biodiversity; this unspoiled pristine pocket of life is a paradise waiting to be rediscovered. When travelling the interior, be prepared for the unexpected. There may be times when the experienced boatmen will hold the journey for an hour or two for the roaring river to subside, travellers may have to oblige with the local customs and join in the wedding celebrations or respect taboos following a death in the village. All these contribute to the unique experience of Borneo and the magic she brings to any family, solo traveller, or honeymooner, on your journey through this tropical island paradise.
You may wish to include the following in your Borneo itinerary:
Accommodation in Borneo can vary according to the area and activity, with some lavish and opulent hotels in Kota Kinabalu contrasting with stilted rainforest eco-lodges on the Kinabatangan River or basic rustic camps in the foothills of Mount Kinabalu. On the island retreats of Lankayan and Mataking, you will find chalets and bungalows teasingly close to the pristine beaches, some on wooden walkways out in the ocean.
Borneo lies within the tropics of Asia, becoming a destination with high humidity and rainfall expected at any time of the year. The best time to spot wild orangutans in Borneo is between April and May, as the wet season begins to end and fruits ripen on trees. In general, Borneo is accessible between March and October, with the wettest months generally between December and February when the Northeast Monsoon hits.
The Danum Valley Conservation Area is a 438 km2 of lowland dipterocarp forest that provides a pristine sanctuary for a dazzling array of undisturbed wildlife in south-eastern Sabah.
Read about the Danum Valley
Arguably the best known in the world for its groundbreaking work in protecting these much-loved primates, Sepilok Orangutan rehabilitaion Centre is one of just four orangutan sanctuaries worldwide.
Read about Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary
At 130 million years old, Borneo's Rainforest is one of the oldest in the world, and home to a dizzying number of species (15,000 of plants, 3,000 of trees, 221 of land mammals & 420 of birds!). As the third largest island in the world, a lot of these are endemic to Borneo alone, their natural habitat being unique and endangered. The renowned Danum Valley is a mystical and special example of this pristine environment, where you can spot a variety of Borneo's animals including, pygmy elephants and (if you are very lucky) clouded leopard skulking in the shade of lowland dipterocarps, watch orangutans and gibbons swinging in the vines, and bearded pigs and deer scarpering through the undergrowth.
Read about Borneo Rainforests
Wong Siew Te is a Malaysian wildlife biologist and sun bear expert. He has been studying Bornean sun bears since 1998 in Sabah, Malaysian Borneo.
Read about Wong Siew Te
Seeing orangutans in the wild is one of the most magical experiences in Borneo. Find out where the best place is to see orangutans in the wild in Borneo and Sabah.
Read about where to see orangutans
Borneo Rainforest Lodge is set in the fauna and flora rich Danum Valley; this rustic lodge is the perfect place to stay on a selection of bespoke Borneo holidays.
Read more about Borneo Rainforest Lodge
Sepilok Nature Resort is a cosy, tranquil lodge providing great access to Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre. The resort comprises of wooden chalets dotted around a lake amongst naturally manicured gardens (with over 150 different orchid species) and rolling hills, it is the ideal place to relax at the start or end of your holiday.
Read more about Sepilok Nature ResortOur trip was brilliant. Everything ran smoothly and our wildlife encounters were incredible! We'd love to travel again!
The accommodations and guides were very good and the destination specialists we worked with were very helpful!
We experienced some incredible wildlife sightings on this trip which was aided by our fantastic guides!
We visited several different areas, all were slightly different and offered a different experience. The two places we stayed on the Kinabatangan offered something different - watching and an orangutan build his nest was a highlight at KWR and we saw an elephant swimming across the river at Sukau. Deramakot Forest was also a highlight due to our guide's knowledge and passion for the area. Choosing the right travel company is super important and we felt we had done well in this regard. Conservation and tourism is a tricky balance and I think NWS considers this and it is vital to me to spend my holiday budget as wisely as I can in support of conservation. The quality of the guides can make all the difference and NWS did very well for us. We had a busy schedule and it all went like clockwork which makes these trips much less stressful. Budget allowing, I would love to travel frequently - I love what you are doing as a company, and having someone who will learn what we want seems like a good partnership.
I had consulted with a number of different travel agencies prior to selecting NWS for this trip. My selection was based on NWS's professionalism, attention to detail and responsiveness. She and NWS did not disappoint. NWS paid meticulous attention to every detail of our trip. The app was a wonderful added benefit as it provided all the info we needed plus an opportunity to record all our memories. Thank you for a delightful trip. Everything was perfect and well designed on this trip.
Overall a great trip. The guides (especially the NWS Asia Destination Specialists) were outstanding, and all of the resorts were top quality. Outstanding planning services, strong support services (app, guides) Good value.
The water in many lodges and hotels in Borneo is, in fact, safe to drink, but we don't believe it's worth taking the risk during your safari. Stick to bottled water throughout your trip; it is readily available and inexpensive. The last thing you want on that trip of a lifetime is an upset stomach, when it could have been easily avoided.
To find out more on the fitness and health requirements of climbing Mount Kinabalu get in touch with us.
It can be challenging to determine the ideal duration for your stay in Borneo, given the abundance of attractions and activities.
We recommend reaching out to us; discussing this in conjunction with your preferences and expectations for your safari would be most beneficial.
A diverse array of accommodations awaits your Borneo safari, catering to a range of preferences, from rustic jungle lodges to luxurious beach resorts. For wildlife-focused experiences, our priority is optimal wildlife locations rather than exclusively luxury. The Borneo Rainforest Lodge in Danum Valley offers a unique jungle stay with opportunities for wildlife sightings from your chalet's veranda. Accommodations along the Kinabatangan River lean towards rustic charm, with Bilit being a preferred choice for a more immersive wildlife river safari. Kota Kinabalu provides upscale options, including 4 to 5-star hotels like Shangri-La, which offer pools, beaches, and dining. Notably, Rasa Ria features an orangutan rehabilitation center, introducing you to Borneo's iconic wildlife.
Read our guide to Borneo accommodation for further assistance with selecting a place to stay.
Borneo's tropical climate brings year-round rain and high humidity. November to February is wettest, while March to October is ideal for visits with hot, humid weather. July-August are optimal for orangutans, March-May for Whale Sharks, and June-September for turtle hatching. Avoid November-February for Kinabalu climbs, safaris, and beaches due to heavy rains. Discover more in our best time to visit Borneo guide.
Borneo’s oceans are alive with colour and marine-life, from whale sharks to turtles and everything in between. Get in touch with us to find the best dive spots in Borneo.
Borneo presents a varied array of activities: wildlife safaris in Danum Valley and along the Kinabatangan River, ascending Mount Kinabalu, diving and snorkelling at Sipadan and Mabul Islands, delving into indigenous cultures, embarking on river cruises, enjoying unspoiled beaches, trekking through rainforests, exploring caves, visiting cities like Kota Kinabalu and Kuching, and encountering exceptional bird watching opportunities.
