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Climbing Mount Kinabalu, Borneo

Things to do in Borneo

Climbing Mount Kinabalu, Borneo
Borneo's lush landscape lends itself to myriad activities, many of which focus on the island's rich rainforest wildlife. One of the top things to do is to see orangutans in the wild, while cruising through the jungle along the Kinabatangan River lets you experience forest life with its host of exotic birds and chatter of monkeys.

Hiking within Tanjung Datu National Park provides ample opportunities for spying rare flora and fauna such as the rafflesia plant, while the park’s beautiful sandy beaches are a haven for nesting turtles. Trekking to the summit of Mount Kinabalu is a challenging but highly rewarding activity offering remarkable views across valleys and misty mountain peaks.
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Ideas for experiencing Borneo

Experiences you have as you travel often hold the longest memories. As part of their research trips, our specialists seek out authentic ways to get to know Borneo, and the best local guides. These activities reflect some of their best-loved experiences.

  • The Orangutan Sanctuary at Sepilok
    Baby orangutan at the Sanctuary

    The Orangutan Sanctuary at Sepilok

    Kota Kinabalu

    The Orangutan Sanctuary at Sepilok

    The centre rehabilitates orphaned orangutans and those that have been held in captivity. It's set amidst dense jungle and you can take a walk into the jungle to see them in their natural environment.

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  • Mount Kinabalu Climb — 2 Days
    Mount Kinabalu, Borneo

    Mount Kinabalu Climb — 2 Days

    Mount Kinabalu

    Mount Kinabalu Climb — 2 Days

    The Park Headquarters is located at 1,550 metres and your aim on the first day is to reach Laban Rata at around 3,200 metres. You are accompanied by your guide who is assigned at the Park Headquarters.

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  • Kayaking Rainforest Adventure
    Iban woman preparing lunch for the longhouse, Lemanak River, Sarawak

    Kayaking Rainforest Adventure

    Kuching

    Kayaking Rainforest Adventure

    This is a great experience for nature lovers and the adventurous. After a 40-minute drive from town you arrive at the mist covered hillsides around Bengoh, a delightful Bidayuh village.

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  • Danum Valley Night Safari
    Harlequin frog, Danum Valley, Malaysian Borneo

    Danum Valley Night Safari

    Danum Valley

    Danum Valley Night Safari

    Join one of the park's open-top 4x4 safari vehicles and head out on a shared night safari through the dense rainforest with a driver and guide.

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  • Iban Headhunters & Borneo Jungle
    Iban tribesman with blow pipe, Batang Ai, Sarawak

    Iban Headhunters & Borneo Jungle

    Batang Ai

    Iban Headhunters & Borneo Jungle

    The day is spent exploring the area by longboat and visiting the traditional longhouses of the Iban people. The Iban were notorious headhunters until the middle of this century, slaughtering their enemies and then preserving their heads to bring good fortune.

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  • North Borneo steam locomotive day trip
    North Borneo Railway excursion

    North Borneo steam locomotive day trip

    Kota Kinabalu

    North Borneo steam locomotive day trip

    Enjoy the unique sights and sounds of local villages, paddy fields, mangrove jungle and pristine coastal beaches as you while away a leisurely day in comfort.

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  • Helicopter trip to Mount Kinabalu
    The summit of Mount Kinabalu, Malaysian Borneo

    Helicopter trip to Mount Kinabalu

    Mount Kinabalu

    Helicopter trip to Mount Kinabalu

    This flight takes you on an unforgettable journey around the mighty Mount Kinabalu, standing at 4,095 metres, where you will enjoy stunning views of the endless Crocker Range, home to some of the world's oldest rainforests.

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  • The Kinabatangan River
    Proboscis monkey, Malaysian Borneo

    The Kinabatangan River

    Kinabatangan River

    The Kinabatangan River

    Guests will journey up one of the smaller tributaries of the Kinabatangan River such as the Menangle River. Wildlife abounds in this part of Borneo, and you may see chattering monkeys and many species of birds.

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  • Rafting on the Kiulu River
    Whitewater rafting, Sabah

    Rafting on the Kiulu River

    Kinabalu National Park

    Rafting on the Kiulu River

    The rafting will take approximately two hours and you will then have lunch before returning to Kota Kinabalu. The rafting here is grade 1-2.

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  • Kuching Cooking Lesson
    Food stall, Kuching

    Kuching Cooking Lesson

    Kuching

    Kuching Cooking Lesson

    A Malay, Indian or Chinese family living in Kuching will invite you into their home and show you how to make traditional local food.

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  • Explore Tanjung Datu National Park
    Tanjung Datu National Park,Malaysian Borneo

    Explore Tanjung Datu National Park

    Tanjung Datu National Park

    Explore Tanjung Datu National Park

    After an early breakfast you will begin your walk into Tanjung Datu National Park. This walk will take around two hours and although it is not a particularly difficult walk, the terrain is undulating and the trail rarely walked — making it a bit of an adventure.

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