The best time to visit Borneo is during the dry season, which typically falls between the months of March and December.
Borneo lies within the tropics, and Sabah has an equatorial climate, meaning you can expect high humidity and rain at any time of year, with less dramatic seasonal variation than in other parts of the world. Although sunny blue skies are common, when it rains, it pours, especially in rainforest regions, so it’s wise to be prepared regardless of the season. Mount Kinabalu significantly influences local weather patterns, creating variations across the region, and while the dry season is typically busier and more expensive, weather throughout the year can be unpredictable. Borneo is eight hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT+8), with daylight hours running approximately from 06:30 to 19:30, depending on the time of year and location.
As soon as the rains start to cease, around April and May, these hungry orange apes can be seen swinging from branch to branch in search of plump ripe fruit, as well as for potential mates. April to August has the driest weather giving optimal chances of good sightings of orangutans in the wild. See the newborn baby orangutans starting to emerge, as they make their way out into the creeping boscage for the first time now it’s not so wet!
This is not when we advise when to go to Borneo if you wish to see orangutans. High rainfall and humidity sees Borneo’s wildlife sheltering in the dense forest, meaning they are difficult to find. Diving is also not recommended as the seas can be very rough with storms brought on by the winds of the north-east monsoon.
By sticking to the north state of Sabah, it is possible to travel in January if you avoid the roads as they can be rough with the heavy rain. There may be occasional storms bought on by the winds of the northeast monsoon, but with less people holidaying, you can expect a much quieter time on safari. You will also be able to benefit from lower rates for both accommodation and travel.
February is not the best time to visit Borneo as wildlife is still hiding from the rain. As we come into February, the weather improves, with drier weather working its way in. Crowds are still likely to be few and far between, so if you’re hoping to have a less hectic experience on your safari, travelling to Borneo at this time could be a great option for you.
Whilst the northeast monsoon continues to blow, rainfall levels will be substantially lower than in previous months. The northern parts of Borneo, including Kota Kinabalu and the northern coast, are relatively drier than the southern parts, including Danum Valley which is still likely to have heavy rain.
March is an excellent time to travel to Borneo, especially Sabah, with decreased rainfall and still relatively low visitor numbers. Traditionally March is one of Sabah’s driest months, and the forests are alive after the rains. Experience the rich, lush landscapes and lower rainfall whilst still avoiding the high season.
March is a great time to visit the northern beaches of Gaya Island and Kota Kinabalu. The start of the whale season is an excellent time to snorkel and dive in search of the gigantic whale shark. Lankayan Island is the prime diving location as it is home to a huge array of colourful fauna.
April is a shoulder month, marking a transitional time between two monsoons. With rainstorms less likely, April is perfect for beach sunbathing, snorkeling and enjoying the beaches of Kota Kinabalu and Gaya Island. Sabah will be hot, about 29 °C, but bear in mind that this will be a drier heat than in previous months due to the decreased rainfall. As a result, including a bit of beach time onto your wildlife adventure can be a great choice for those travelling in April.
Conditions are also great for trekking at this time of year, but make sure you’re always prepared for rain. After all, you’re going to be in a tropical climate, so rain can appear at any time – sometimes with little or no introduction!
May is the start of Borneo’s peak season. If you’re set on (mostly) dry weather, this is the best time to visit Borneo! There are also no school holidays at this time, which means you’ll avoid the year’s highest rates. Visibility increases in Danum Valley and on the Kinabatangan River – the sunny clear skies makes for great wildlife viewing.
Walking and trekking is excellent in May, and the beaches are glorious; the coast of Kota Kinabalu, Gaya Island and Sipadan being bathed in sunshine and sprinkled with powder-white sands. May is the end of the whale shark season off the coast of Sabah.
During June the trees are fruiting, and brave orangutans are venturing closer to the forest floor to pick up these tasty treats from where they’ve fallen. This is one of the best times to see orangutans in the wild.
Alongside this, winds from Northern Australia bring hot, sunny and dry weather to most of Sabah, making it an excellent time to head to the beaches of Gaya Island, Lankayan Island and Sipidan. June is also the start of the turtle season so you can spot turtles laying their eggs on the beaches.
July offers great wildlife sightings as orangutans are our foraging for fruits in Danum Valley and along the riverbanks of the Kinabatangan River. The weather is traditionally dry throughout Sabah, and any rain you get will usually be heavy but over and done quickly. The sunshine in Sarawak is at its peak in July, with less rainfall than in previous months, although there will, as always, be occasional storms.
The turtle egg laying season continues, and the drier weather allows for the clouded leopard to be spotted on a night drive Deramakot or Tabin. There is excellent diving visibility of up to 40 meters and it is lovely and hot at this time of year, so the beaches are perfect for swimming and diving.
Early booking is essential as July is the school holiday season and Borneo lodges are small with limited availability.
August is one of the best times to visit Borneo, minimal rainfall, bright sunshine and an abundance of fruit makes for ideal conditions for jungle trekking and night walks. Weather in Sabah is typically Bornean, with bright sunshine, 28 °C temperatures on average and some rainy days mixed in. Orangutans are still coming down lower to the ground to fetch fruit, so this is a great time for wildlife-watching holidays and trekking. With lots of sunny days to be had, we suggest Gaya Island and the beaches of Kota Kinabalu for some relaxation. Baby turtles are likely to be hatching now too, making this one of the prime times for a combined wildlife and beach safari.
As with July, booking early is essential to getting your perfect Borneo safari in August. With children still at large from the holidays in Europe, it can get quite busy.
September is a good month to visit as Borneo’s annual stretch of dry weather extends into September. The sunny days are interspersed here and there with rain, as is often the case in Borneo. With such a great chance of fine days, this is the perfect time to head to Danum Valley and the Kinabatangan River for wildlife watching, or the sublime islands and beaches of northern Sabah. It is also the end of turtle season on Lankayan Island.
With lots of Europe still on holiday, September can be busy in Borneo, so if you are thinking of travelling at this time, we suggest you book yourself in early.
October is a good month as it gets quieter after peak season, but orangutans can still be seen in the wild. The rain will start to increase as we leave the drier season, but there is still plenty of sun to enjoy, especially at the start of the month. Trekking is still wonderful in October, as is diving which is actually at its prime at Sidapan with some of the best diving and snorkeling conditions of the year.
November is a good time to visit Borneo for keen wildlife enthusiasts who don’t mind getting wet; with lower numbers in the national parks, dive areas and sanctuaries. Rainfall and thunderstorms increase as we move further into the wet season in Borneo. With the rain comes lusher rainforests and higher water levels, providing outstanding jungle scenery full of happy wildlife. The trek to Mt Kinabalu becomes more wet and slippery so is not recommended at this time of year. It is, however, not a good time for sunshine and heading to the beach for relaxation.
December is not the best month to travel to Borneo as the rain and thunderstorms can limit access and wildlife sightings are less common. To travel in December is for the adventurous who don't mind the regular rain and thunderstorms but do get empty wildlife sanctuaries and lower prices.
The best places to visit Borneo in December are the Kinabatangan River and Danum Valley, where dry spells can mean excellent trekking. Sarawak will have higher rainfall, and we do not recommend visiting in December.
How to Read the Months Above
While temperatures remain consistently warm throughout the year, rainfall and wildlife visibility vary significantly. The months highlighted above reflect how conditions impact safari experiences, not just weather patterns.
The best time for Borneo wildlife, when there is less rain, and it is hot and humid throughout. The trees are fruiting, particularly between June and August, meaning the orangutans venture down from the trees to feast; they would eat a diet consisting of 100% fruit if they were able to! The peak tourism season is between May and September, and a lot of the top Borneo lodges can be booked up well in advance for these periods, particularly in the rainforest areas such as Danum Valley where there are fewer lodges, making early booking highly recommended. The dry season also offers excellent opportunities for spotting other iconic Bornean wildlife, such as proboscis monkeys, pygmy elephants, sun bears, and a wide range of endemic bird species. River levels are generally lower, making boat safaris along the Kinabatangan River especially rewarding for close-up wildlife encounters.
Despite being commonly perceived as the ‘wet’ season in Borneo, travel during these months is still completely possible, but not entirely recommended by us. This is because conditions are not favourable for the wildlife, which remains hidden in the dense jungle. Heavy rain can also impact travel logistics and limit access to certain remote areas. However, this quieter period does offer fewer tourists and a lush, vibrant landscape ideal for rainforest photography and peaceful rainforest walks.
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.
Begin you luxury Borneo adventure by venturing into the rainforests and along the river in search of proboscis monkeys, orangutans and pygmy elephants, before ending your journey relaxing on the white-sand beaches of Pulau Tiga .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.
April to August offers the most reliable orangutan sightings as drier conditions coincide with peak fruiting seasons. During heavier rainfall months, wildlife tends to remain deeper within the forest canopy, making sightings less predictable despite warm temperatures year-round.
Lower rainfall between March and October improves access to rainforest reserves and creates ideal conditions for river safaris along the Kinabatangan River, while wetter months bring higher water levels that can restrict logistics but enhance the rainforest’s dramatic, lush character. These conditions also increase the likelihood of close-range wildlife sightings, as animals are more frequently drawn to riverbanks and forest clearings during drier periods.
Calmer seas between March and October offer the best conditions for diving and island stays, particularly off Sabah’s coast. During the northeast monsoon, rougher seas and storms can restrict marine activities.
Seasonal climate patterns directly influence visitor numbers and availability across Borneo’s key safari regions. Drier months, particularly between May and September, coincide with peak travel periods, meaning popular rainforest lodges and river camps can book out well in advance and command higher rates. Travelling outside these peak windows offers a quieter safari experience, with fewer vehicles and a more immersive sense of wilderness, alongside potential value advantages, provided travellers are comfortable with more variable conditions.
Sabah and Sarawak experience similar temperatures but differ in accessibility and travel conditions. Sabah generally offers better year-round logistics, stronger wildlife concentrations, and more consistent orangutan sightings, particularly in areas such as the Kinabatangan River and Danum Valley. Sarawak tends to receive heavier rainfall and is better suited to travellers prioritising culture and landscapes over wildlife density.
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 commercial 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. Using first-hand knowledge, we offer Borneo safari holidays that steer clear of the mass market. 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.
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