Borneo Photographic Safari
Join us on this photographic safari, specialist-led by a seasoned professional in the realm of photography, Charlie Ryan.
From $8,910 per personMenu
Borneo Safari Holidays 2026
Borneo is the third-largest island on Earth, consisting of the world's oldest and most revered rainforests, vastness of dense canopies and rich foliage filled with weird and wonderful biodiversity.
One of the greatest wildlife-watching destinations, watching orangutans in their natural habitat is a true highlight of your Borneo safari holiday. Expect other uniquely endangered wildlife on your Borneo Safari including the noisy proboscis monkey, diminutive pygmy elephant, sun bears and clouded leopards.
We specialise in Malaysian Borneo Safaris, as we believe it offers the best Borneo wildlife safari experience. This unspoiled pristine pocket of life is a paradise waiting to be rediscovered; a veritable treasure trove of resource-rich natural attractions.
The Borneo Safari Holiday Experience
- Cruise along the wildlife oasis of the Kinabatangan River on a River Safari.
- Jungle Adventures & Safaris – Trek through the primal rainforest of Danum Valley.
- Guided night safaris to spot nocturnal creatures.
- Visit the Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary, the Sun Bear Conservation Centre and Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre to learn about the work done to preserve these endangered species.
- Relax and snorkel on Borneo’s remote surrounding islands such as Gaya Island.
- Trek Mt Kinabalu with our local guides.
- Soothe tired or aching muscles with relaxation in Poring Hot Springs.
Borneo Safaris
Short Borneo Safari
Explore the ancient jungle in search of the swinging orangutans; this safari is perfect for families with just the right mix of wildlife and adrenaline.
From $7,142 per person
Luxury Borneo Safari
This spectacular two-week luxury adventure takes you into Borneo’s ancient rainforests and along the Kinabatangan River in search of orangutans, proboscis monkey and pygmy elephants.
From $17,360 per person
Contact a Borneo Safari Specialist Today
How much does a Borneo Safari Cost?
Our Borneo safaris vary in number of days and therefore in cost as they are all fully bespoke to your specific requirements. Our 10-day Borneo Photography safari starts from $8,500 including accommodation at 4 lodges and expert tuition from Charlie Ryan. For a bespoke luxury 14-day experience, expect to budget from $17,500 per person. Feel free to get in touch with one of our Borneo specialists for your very own personalized itinerary and quote.
When to go on a Borneo Safari Holiday?
The best time to go to Borneo is fairly wide ranking with travel possible between the months of Mach to December. After December it gets wet and stormy so try and avoid this period.
Best Place to see Wild Orangutans
Orangutans are one of the obvious highlights of any trip to Borneo. Have a read through our best place to see orangutans in the wild section of the site and then one of our Borneo specialists will chat through the various options with you. In general the banks of the Kinabatangan River and Danum Valley are the hotpots, but other areas should not be discounted either!
Starting early in the day, you set out into the jungle before the mist has risen. Trudging through wet soil, peeling back the bright green vegetation as you go, you venture into the wild to search for orangutans. At this time in the morning, these incredibly human-like creatures are setting out in search of breakfast, occasionally daring to come down to the forest floor to pick fallen fruit. It takes expertise and patience to find these mesmerising animals, but your expert guide leads you in the right direction. Before you know it, you are looking straight up at one of these charismatic apes. At home in the treetops, they are comfortable sitting above you feeding on fruit, often just as curious about you as you are about them.
Borneo Safari Highlights
Client Reviews
Rated 5/5 based on 6 customer reviews
- —Gabriel LeBeau, Borneo, April 2026
Great communication. Helpful guidance and recommendations on itinerary. Good itinerary pacing. Logistics were flawless. People were exceedingly friendly.
- —John Starr, Borneo, October 2025
Totally super guides at Kinabatangan Wildlife Resort and Danum Valley in particular. Natural World works hard to put together great itineraries. The local guides they work with are generally excellent as are the transfers (which can be tricky in far flung locales). You also have the freedom to choose different levels of accommodation to meet your desires.
- —Joe Carter, Borneo, December 2025
First of all the friendliness and competence of the NWS made it easy.
The wildlife experience was fantastic and greatly exceeded our expectations along with the great food, lodging and guides.
I couldn't more highly recommend NWS & Borneo!
- —Shona Buyers, Borneo, June 2025
Everything was seamless. The guides and those involved in our transport between accommodations were first class. From the first time I spoke to Lou when arranging this trip to the execution of it couldn’t be better.
- —Julie Eliason, Borneo & Indonesia, May 2024
My husband and I recently returned from a 3 week trip to Borneo and Indonesia arranged by Natural World Safaris. I chose this company because they were able to put a trip together in both countries, Malaysia and Indonesia, when many companies operate in only one of the countries.
I am a wildlife biologist and photographer so I wanted to see orangutans, proboscis monkeys, pygmy elephants, whale sharks, manta rays, and Komodo dragons. We saw all of those species except the pygmy elephants, but we saw so much more. The jungle lodges we stayed at in Borneo were top notch and the food was great. Our local guides were very knowledgeable and able to locate and identify wildlife species under challenging conditions (i.e. up in the tree canopy, at night, and silhouetted against the sky). We then spent 2 nights in Bali in the Ubud region at a beautiful resort.
Part of our trip was a nine day excursion on a Sea Trek voyage. We started in Komodo National Park, traveled to several other islands, and then returned to Komodo. We were on the Katharina, which is a traditional Pinisi boat. The accommodations were good, the food was excellent, and the crew and guide were fantastic. We snorkeled at beautiful reefs, experienced local culture in two villages, swam at a waterfall, helped to restore a coral reef, and had so much fun. It certainly was the trip of a lifetime and we will enjoy the memories for many years to come.
- —Suzanne Shindle, Borneo, May 2024
My trip through Borneo was exceptional. I stayed at 6 different locations, and my travel was well coordinated, and I felt comfortable and informed. My itinerary was clear and the app was helpful in housing all my documents. Every lodge I stayed at was fantastic, great people, knowledgeable guides and exquisite wildlife viewing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What wildlife can you see in Borneo?
Borneo is famous for rainforest wildlife including orangutans, pygmy elephants, proboscis monkeys, clouded leopards, sun bears, and hornbills living in some of the oldest tropical forests on Earth.
Where can you see orangutans in Borneo?
The best places to see orangutans are Sepilok Rehabilitation Centre, Kinabatangan River, and Danum Valley Conservation Area.
When is the best time to visit Borneo for wildlife?
The best wildlife viewing is usually during the dry season from March to October, when forest trails and rivers are easier to access.
Is Borneo good for wildlife travel?
Borneo is one of Southeast Asia’s most important wildlife destinations due to its ancient rainforests and rare endemic species.
What animals live along the Kinabatangan River?
Wildlife along the Kinabatangan River includes orangutans, proboscis monkeys, crocodiles, hornbills, and pygmy elephants.
Is Borneo good for birdwatching?
Yes. Borneo hosts more than 600 bird species including hornbills and kingfishers.
Are there elephants in Borneo?
Yes. Bornean pygmy elephants, the smallest elephant subspecies, live mainly in Sabah.
Is Borneo safe for wildlife travel?
Guided wildlife trips in Borneo’s protected areas are widely visited and organised by experienced local guides.
What conservation projects protect wildlife in Borneo?
Many organisations protect rainforest habitats and endangered species such as orangutans and sun bears.
What accommodation options exist for wildlife trips in Borneo?
Visitors stay in rainforest lodges, conservation reserves and river lodges designed for wildlife viewing.
Why Natural World Safaris for your Borneo Safari?
Conservation Minded
We will only work with the best guides and most eco-conscious operators and will always put the protection of the rainforest and its inhabitants above commerical interests. Visit the Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary, the Sun Bear Conservation Centre and the Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre to learn about the work done to protect these endangered species.
Wealth of Experience
To sell Borneo well, you need to know it from the ground upwards; this unique destination is forever changing. Through our years of experience designing safaris and time spent on the ground, we are experts in putting you in the right place at the right time to witness the wildlife in its natural environment, be it orangutans in the misty rainforests or sea turtles in the turquoise waters.
Tailored Safaris
Share your interests with our Destination Specialists and we will match you to the in-country experts, providing you with nothing but the best access and highly experienced wildlife trackers and guides. Our exceptional selection of personally and privately run jungle lodges and bespoke experiences allows you to create a unique itinerary tailored to your specific needs.