- Borneo Private Tours
- Borneo's Jungles and Orangutans with Kota Kinabalu Beach Stay - Private Tour
From the tops of towering Menggaris trees to the depths of its vibrant coral reefs, the island of Borneo is a hotbed of bio-diversity exploding with a multitude of wildlife. On this adventure, meet the hospitable Bornean Orangutans, sail alongside majestic pygmy elephants and immerse yourself within the enchanting forest that surrounds the dramatic spectacle of Borneo's highest mountain.
Nestled between the spectacular Crocker range and the inviting waters of the South China Sea, the bustling metropolis and tranquil resorts which surround the city offer visitors a warm climate with a wealth of activities to suite your pace.
Upon meeting your guide, you’ll be taken to the War Memorial Park, which stands on a site that was once a Japanese POW camp. The park features a number of memorials and plaques that commemorate the thousands of Allied soldiers who were captured and forced to march in gruelling conditions through the jungles of Borneo. Discover the house of author Agnes Keith, now a quaint museum displaying remnants of the Japanese occupation, followed by high tea at the English Tea House, before heading to your hotel for the evening.
If you are arranging your own international flights, free airport transfers are available and included in the price. Transfers need to be booked with us at least two weeks before the tour starts and you will need to provide your inbound and outbound flight details.
Breakfast & Lunch
This morning meet Borneo's most famous residents at the Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, where these endangered creatures are rescued and returned to the ancient lowland forest. Wander across wooden walkways to observe these cerebral primates glide between trees. Visit the Sun Bear Conservation Centre to meet the world's smallest bears, before reaching the Rainforest Discovery Centre; exhibiting native flora and fauna, its highlight is undoubtedly a spectacular 80ft canopy walkway allowing a unique perspective of Borneo's diverse avian inhabitants.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After breakfast, you will visit Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary. Labuk Bay mangrove forest covers about 400 acres and offers a safe haven for indigenous wildlife. After visiting the sanctuary begin your journey to Sukau. After lunch, you will embark upon a relaxing late afternoon motorboat cruise to witness the drooped nose proboscis monkeys you enjoy leaping from great heights into the Main River with an amusing belly flop. After dinner, join a night cruise to experience the fascinating nocturnal wildlife of the river.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Awake to the atmospheric melody of the surrounding jungle for a motorboat journey along Malaysia's second longest river and centrepiece for Bornean wildlife, the Kinabatangan. Spot prehistoric monitor lizards, wandering pygmy elephants and leopard-like civet cats before reaching the tranquil Kelenanap river bend to spot Rhinoceros Hornbill, extraordinary birds famed for their peculiar beaks. Explore the jungle by foot in search of enchanting wildlife under the watch of macaque colonies. Spend the afternoon searching the Gomantong caves and the iconic Simud Hitam famed for its edible birds nest. Travel through one of the largest caverns before returning to the lodge. In the evening take a boat cruise along the river for another chance to observe Borneo's biodiversity. Please note: There is no guarantee of what animals you may see on your boat trip
Breakfast & Lunch
Travel back to Sandakan and visit the spectacular Puu Jih Shih Temple, a Buddhist place of worship with a striking Oriental design. Situated within the town's mountainous surroundings, it boasts stunning panoramic views of Sandakan bay; illuminated by an explosion of red and gold, the temple's magnificent collection of opulent Buddha statues are surrounded by towering pillars and ornate Chinese dragons. After lunch fly to Kota Kinabalu, a bustling city whose Chinese, Kadazan and Malaysian influences are displayed through its architecture and tasted in its night markets.
Breakfast & Lunch
Journey to Kinabalu National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to Mount Kinabalu, Malaysia's highest mountain. Enjoy a guided nature trek of Borneo's dynamic bio-diversity including the unusual Nepenthes rajah, a carnivorous plant that attracts birds and small mammals into its deadly urn shaped trap. Continue to the nearby Poring Hot Springs to relax in the warm baths before taking a short hike through the lowland rain forest to Kipungit Waterfall.
Breakfast & Lunch
This morning, discover the home of five tribes at the Mari Mari Cultural Village to gain a fascinating insight into Borneo's indigenous people. Witness the sculpting of blowpipes, learn traditional bamboo cooking, sample the curiously shaped Jala 'net' cake and encounter the Murut people who were the last tribe to renounce headhunting. Following lunch explore Kota Kinabalu; and immerse yourself in the captivating exhibits of Sabah Art Gallery, and head to the grand Imago Mall for a unique South East Asian shopping experience. In the evening, wander aromatic night markets to enjoy delicious street eats.
Breakfast
Transfer to your selected beach hotel located just outside Kota Kinabalu.
Breakfast
Unwind in the tropical charm of Kota Kinabalu with a relaxing beach stay at your chosen seaside hotel. Enjoy golden sunsets, gentle sea breezes, and the soothing sound of waves just steps from your room. Whether you're lounging by the pool or strolling along the shore, it's the perfect escape to recharge at your own pace.
Breakfast
Transfer to Kota Kinabalu International Airport for your flight back to the UK.
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The overall holiday was a delight. We want to thank the two guides we had on our tour. Jack was exceptional; he couldn’t do enough for us. He was calm, helpful, and informative, as was Mr Martin, our driver. Melvyn, who guided us for the second part of the tour, although we were not with him as long as we were with Jack, was also extremely good, helpful, patient, and informative. As a group of four ladies travelling together, we greatly appreciated the time, care, and consideration shown by them both.
Ann Muxlow
17 MayBorneo is a really special place. If you love wildlife and Orangutans, this is the place for you. Seeing Orangutans in their natural habitat and knowing they are safe there. Jungle lodge stay and river cruises. Seeing so much wildlife. The people of Borneo are lovely. Our tour guide Jack, made the whole experience even more special because he is so knowledgeable and passionate about all of the wildlife. We didn't want to part ways, he is just amazing!
Gemma Turner
04 JuneI want to say a massive thank you to our two guides James and Chi Chi, they are so well educated on all the wildlife, plants, and cultures of Borneo, they are truly great people and guides there wasn't anything they couldn't answer.
Lee Bond
12 OctoberBest trip of our life and we have travelled to a lot of places around the world. The wildlife was incredible! Loved both day and night excursions. It was a full-on holiday itinerary so be prepared for little rest, hence we added on the 3-day beach resort at the end of our holiday. Special mention to the guide Jamie in Sandakan (jungle) and Melvin in Kota Kinabalu. Would highly recommend this trip to anyone and have already. The memories will last our life time. Thank you Mercury Holidays!
Maria Ogunyemi
14 MayWe found the company of guests on the tour good with everyone getting along and having a friendly laugh and joke. This was one of the best tours we have been on and as long as you are an active person it will present no problems. Our tour guide Jamie (Merabag Daging) was so very knowledgeable he really opened up the rainforest to us all. Bell our guide for the last part of the tour was also very knowledgeable. This tour is unmissable.
Robert Plumb
26 SeptemberThe order of events and sightseeing may vary according to local conditions or for operational purposes. For this reason, we have indicated approximate times only. Your local guide will inform you of any schedule changes as they are informed of them. The driving times listed are point to point and do not include the duration of excursions or stops en route. Some road construction and/or weather conditions may lengthen the driving times or sailing conditions. Our intention is to adhere to the day-to-day itinerary as printed; however order of events and sightseeing may vary according to the local conditions.
If booking more than 12 weeks before departure a deposit of £295.00pp will need to be paid at the time of booking with the full amount payable at 12 weeks prior to departure. The deposit applies to adults and children. If you are within 12 weeks of travel then the full balance of the holiday will be payable.
To enter Borneo/Malaysia, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least six months after the date you arrive, have at least one blank page, be undamaged and have no pages missing.
A visa is not required for your trip to Borneo. Further advice should be sought from the applicable tourist authority for other nationalities and for general queries. We strongly advise you check your destinations' Tourist Board or Embassy for the most up-to-date guidelines regarding passport validity.
You must fill in the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) - to enter Malaysia. You should complete this within 3 days prior to your arrival. The forms need to be filled in, and the registration email/letter should be printed for presentation at the customs gate. See the Malaysian Immigration website including exemption details.
We strongly recommend that you and all members of your party are suitably insured as soon as you book your holiday. It is a condition of booking that you must have suitable travel insurance. It is important that you purchase travel insurance that suitably covers your participation in whatever activities you may undertake at the time that you make your booking. To assist you with this, we have arranged travel insurance in partnership with Holiday Extras, including up to a 20% discount, which is given to all Mercury Holidays customers. To arrange your insurance with Holiday Extras, please visit https://www.mercuryholidays.co.uk/info/insurance for more details. Please ensure you provide us with the name of your insurer, policy number and their 24 hour emergency contact number as soon as possible. Mercury Holidays will not be liable for any costs incurred by you due to your failure to take out suitable travel insurance from the date of booking.
It is your responsibility to check any health and vaccination requirements applicable to your booked arrangements. We can only provide general information about this. Health and hygiene facilities and disease risks vary from country to country. You should take health advice about your own needs as early as possible and in good time before your departure. Sources of information include; www.fco.gov.uk, http://travelhealthpro.org.uk/, www.hpa.org.uk, your General Practitioner or a specialist clinic.
This tour is accessible to people with an average level of fitness and normal mobility. It involves moderate days of walking and getting on and off coaches and boats. This tour is not suitable for anyone with walking difficulties.
The currency in Borneo is the Malaysian Ringgit (RM). We recommend that you exchange you currency before you leave the UK, however cash machines are available in all the major cities to withdraw money in the local currency and credit/debit cards are widely accepted.
As normal practice you may be asked for your credit card and passport details on check-in at the hotel in order to cover any extras incurred during your stay. If you do not have a credit card you may be asked for a cash deposit. American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted in hotels.
You will need to take some extra money with you to cover any meals where these are not mentioned on your itinerary and personal purchases, such as souvenirs, extra drinks and snacks. Approximately £200-£300 per person should be sufficient for the duration of your tour.
It is at your discretion to tip both your driver and guide. We recommend approximately MYR 6 – MYR 12 (approximately £1 - £2) for your driver and guide each per day. Tips are accepted in the local currency.
This is an escorted tour, meaning you will have the services of an English speaking guide throughout your tour ensuring that you have first-hand knowledge at all times.
Private Tour: If you have booked a private tour then you will be accompanied by a Driver Guide or a Driver and Local Guides. These will be available to you during all scheduled sightseeing. Private Tours can depart on any day of the week depending on flight and train schedules and the opening days of the attractions. They will follow the itinerary as described in the brochure unless you have been advised otherwise and you will still have all of the same meals, sightseeing and local excursions included.
Your stay in Kota Kinabalu is not escorted by a tour guide. You will have a driver for your airport transfers.
Your accommodation is selected for convenience, location, comfort or character, and can range from business hotels to Lodges. Hotel accommodation is generally rated as local three to four-star standard, but please note there is no international classification system for hotels, and differences in facilities and quality do exist between the UK and Borneo. All group tours hotels have private bathroom facilities and air-conditioning. Rest assured that all accommodation used by Mercury Holidays is regularly inspected by our staff and partners to ensure that standards meet your needs. If you have booked a triple share, please note that your room will be a twin room with a rollaway bed or sofa bed added. This may limit the floor space in the room.
Asian style food is served on this tour. A variety of restaurants are visited giving you the chance to experience a range of dishes and flavours.
Vegetarian and Vegan options available, please request prior to departure. Please contact Customer Experience for questions about other dietary requirements or allergy information.
It is not recommended to drink the tap water, even in developed countries water may contain unfamiliar elements that can cause upset stomachs. In less developed countries water is not filtered in the same way. Bottled water will be available at shops and hotels.
On your arrival, you will be met by a representative from our local agent, holding a sign displaying: “Mercury Holidays”. The Mercury Holidays representative will show you to your transfer vehicle. Your guide will be able to answer any questions you may have.
Borneo Trails and Tour:
060138503285 (Mr. Alex) / 060138513285 (Mr. Billy) / 060177021002 (Ms. Wil)
