Borneo Family Wildlife Adventure
Experience Overview
Borneo is a tropical paradise fit for the whole family. Get up close to the island’s ‘wild men’ at Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre and to the big-nosed proboscis monkeys at Labuk Bay Sanctuary. Enjoy idyllic island beaches and snorkel among colourful fish and sea turtles. From a jungle lodge, we head out by longboat and on foot in search of wild macaques and crocodiles. There’s time, too, for exploring the trails in Kinabalu National Park and for relaxing in the thermal pools of Poring Hot Springs.
Profile
— Accommodation: 3 Superior nights (resort), 6 Classic nights (hotels and resorts), 2 Simple nights (homestay and longhouse) — Travel by minibus, speedboat, longboat, local bus and one internal flight
At a Glance
— Accommodation: 3 Superior nights (resort), 6 Classic nights (hotels and resorts), 2 Simple nights (homestay and longhouse) — Travel by minibus, speedboat, longboat, local bus and one internal flight
Trip For You
This trip is rated Activity Level 3 (Moderate). For more information on our trip gradings please visit the Activity Level Guidelines page.
Though this trip has been designed for nine to 12-year-olds, it’s also suitable for 13 to 16-year-olds. Our Family trips are aimed at children in the primary age group, so if your child is in the secondary age group, they may find it a little easier. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip please do not hesitate to contact us.
Uncover the best family-friendly parts of Borneo using a mixture of private buses, boats and flights. Anyone in good health should be able to go on this trip as there is no real physical difficulty involved, although we do a fair amount of walking in some places and the heat and humidity can be tiring. Travel time is kept to a minimum, although there are some long travel days and, as we use local transport at times, it may sometimes be quite cramped and without air conditioning. On some long travel days, we depart early to ensure we optimise our time at our next destination.
Some of the accommodation is basic, staying in guesthouses and homestays with limited facilities. Some facilities are shared and some accommodation has cold water only. Much of the accommodation is comfortable with air-conditioning and private bathrooms.
Borneo has an equatorial monsoon climate with the weather remaining similar throughout the year. Only in the mountains does it get cooler.
Local people and other Asian tourists may want to take photos of themselves with your children particularly if they are young, blond and have blue eyes, you shouldn’t be surprised if they do this without asking permission first.
Eating Drinking
All breakfasts, four lunches and four dinners are included.
Malaysia is renowned for its culinary excellence; however, food can often be relatively unexciting and limited in the lodges and for hotel breakfasts. Meals will be more varied for everyone in cities and seafood is widely available on the coast.
Most meals are basic, based around rice and noodles although most accommodation does offer a Western breakfast of beans, toast and eggs. In the bigger hotels and cities, the full range of Western and local foods are available. You can generally avoid the spicier food if you wish. Allow at least 70-140 ringgits (US$15-US$30) per day for lunch and dinner. You can eat out very cheaply in Borneo, but if you go to the more expensive restaurants most of the time, you will spend more than the suggested amount.
Vegetarians can be catered for but will find the food choice limited. Please inform us before departure of any special dietary requests.
Please note, in Borneo the availability of certain products is minimal or non-existent, for example wheat- or dairy-free, please be prepared for this, you may need to bring such items from home.
Transportation
We use several modes of transport. Most transfers are in private minibuses, although we also travel by local buses. We use several different boats, including speedboats and traditional longboats. There is one internal flight.
Joining Instructions
Key information
Start hotel: Hotel Dreamtel 5, Jalan Padang, Bandaran Berjaya, 88000 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
Phone: +60 88-240 333
Recommended arrival time: You can arrive at any time today. There will be a welcome briefing in the evening, but if you miss it the leader will update you separately.
Airport: Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI)
Getting to the start hotel
The start hotel is approximately 20 minutes’ drive from the airport. Exodus provides one group arrival transfer from the airport, which is timed to coincide with the arrival of a chosen flight from London, UK. You may join this transfer at no extra cost, provided you can be at the airport before the transfer leaves. Speak to your sales representative for the group arrival transfer times or to arrange a private transfer.
If you would like further information on joining this trip, please speak to your sales representative.
Catching your return flight
There’s a group departure transfer to the airport for customers who Exodus booked onto a chosen flight to London, UK. Please speak to your sales representative if you wish to join. If the group departure transfer does not suit your flight time, speak to your sales representative to arrange an alternative transfer.
Transfer Details
Airport transfers are included for those on the group flights. Please note that transfers are not included for clients arriving on any other flight, even if Exodus has booked it.
If you require airport transfers, you may (by prior arrangement only) be able to join the group transfer. Transfers are arranged to coincide with the arrival time of the group flight ‐ please check the group flight details 2 weeks before departure. If you do not take this transfer, or miss it, you must make your own way to the joining point at your own expense.
Weather Information
Borneo has an equatorial monsoon climate with the weather remaining similar throughout the year. It is hot and humid; temperatures are 23C-33C (73F-91F) during the day and rarely drop below 20C (68F) at night. The rainy season is from November to January/February and the dry season is from May to September, though it can rain at any time. A Borneo rain shower is quite an event!
Spending Money
Allow enough money to cover meals not included in the price of the tour and for personal expenses such as drinks, snacks, souvenirs and any optional excursions. We suggest around 595 ringgits (US$130) per person for meals that aren’t included in the trip.
Some places will charge a camera fee if you wish to take pictures. In Sepilok, both the Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary and Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre charge 10 ringgits (US$2.20).
Optional excursions
The following optional excursions may be available during the tour. Prices may fluctuate and are given as a guideline only.
Kinabalu Park
— Kundasang War Memorial: 20 ringgits (US$4.40) — Botanical garden: 5 ringgits (US$1.10)
Kota Kinabalu
— Sabah Museum: 15 ringgits (US$3.30)
Poring Hot Springs
— Rafflesia viewing: 20-30 ringgits (US$4.40-US$6.60) — Orchid Conservation Centre: 10 ringgits (US$2.20)
Sepilok
— Rainforest Discovery Centre: 15 ringgits (US$3.30) — Sun Bear Conservation Centre: 50 ringgits (US$11)
Tipping
If you are happy with the services provided, a tip – though not compulsory – is appropriate.
At your group meeting on Day 1, your tour leader will discuss running a group tipping kitty, where everybody contributes an equal amount and then your tour leader pays the tips to local guides, drivers, hotel staff etc while keeping a running record of all monies spent (except restaurant tips).
The record can be checked at any time and any money remaining at the end of the tour returned to group members. This is often the easiest way to avoid the hassle of small change and knowing when and what is appropriate to tip. This is not compulsory but aimed at making it easier for you. In Kota Kinabalu, your leader will collect approximately 100 ringgits (US$24) per person in local currency for this purpose.
Your group leader: You may also consider tipping your leader for their service throughout the trip. The amount is entirely a personal preference; however, as a guideline, 10 ringgits (US$2.20) per person, per day can be used. Of course, you are free to tip more or less as you see fit.
Highlights
— Stay at a Kinabatangan jungle lodge with jungle walks and wildlife river cruises — Visit Kinabalu National Park, trekking and bathing in hot springs — See the orangutans of Sepilok and proboscis monkeys of Labuk Bay — Spectacular snorkelling and relax on white-sand beaches in Tunku Abdul Marine Park
Trip Details
Product Code: 4308
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Moderate
Transport: l flight.
Guide Language: English
Tour Operator:
Exodus Travel
Supplier Code: FIB
Starts: Kota Kinabalu, Borneo
Finishes: Kota Kinabalu, Borneo
Duration: 12 days
Departures: Not Guaranteed
Physical Rating:
Unknown
Includes
— All accommodation — All breakfasts, four lunches and four dinners — All transport and listed activities — Tour leader throughout — Free group arrival and departure transfers availableAccommodation
Hotels/lodges, homestay and longhouseWe spend nine nights in hotels and lodges, one night in a homestay, and one night in a longhouse (with shared bathroom facilities). In Kota Kinabalu, we stay in a hotel with private bathrooms. In the Mount Kinabalu region, we experience rural life with a night in a village homestay on Day 2; the following day is in a comfortable resort lodge, then we spend one night on Day 4 in a traditional longhouse at Sabah Tea Gardens with spectacular views. In Kinabatangan and Sepilok, we stay in jungle lodges with air-conditioning and private bathrooms. On the last three nights of the tour, we stay in a nice hotel resort in Kota Kinabalu, also with air conditioning, private bathrooms and a rooftop swimming pool. Triple-share accommodation is rare in Borneo, but in these instances foldout beds are commonly used. Worth knowing While we do our best to ensure families are roomed close together (in some cases, we can arrange adjoining rooms), we can’t guarantee this. Most family trips occur during peak season and we sometimes have little control over where you are put.
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $3,610 ($301 /day)
Itinerary
The adventure starts at our hotel in Kota Kinabalu. Today is a free day but there is a welcome meeting in the evening with your tour leader; details of where and when this will take place will have been left at the hotel reception. Check-in is from 2pm. Kota Kinabalu, the capital of Sabah, is an intriguing city born between the Borneo jungle and the South China Sea. Having recovered from Second World War bombings, KK now possesses a gateway charm only found in frontier towns. If you have enough free time, immerse yourself in local history at the Sabah State Museum or visit the Mari Mari Cultural Village for a fun, interactive learning experience. Accommodation: Dreamtel Hotel (or similar)
Leaving the city, we head towards Mount Kinabalu. After two hours to 2hr 30min, we arrive at the Dusun village of Tanak Nabalu (please note, the roads to the village are quite bad so we may have to use smaller minibuses for this journey). The Dusun people are the largest ethnic group in Sabah, the province of Borneo where we find ourselves. In the village, we are separated into different homestays and spend the rest of the day hiking through orchards and rubber plantations, going for a swim in the river, exploring the village and, possibly, if anyone is feeling energetic, playing football on the village pitch. This evening, we gather for a cultural show, which helps the Dusun people preserve their ancient, traditional dances. As not all families speak English, our tour leader hands out language sheets and assists with communication. Accommodation: Tanak Nabalu homestay
Following breakfast, this morning we transfer to Kinabalu National Park (approximately 30 minutes). Here we go for a one to two-hour hike along some of the lower trails and the Mountain Botanical Gardens, which has an excellent showcase of the mountain’s diverse plant life. There is the option to visit the Kundasang War Memorial, which commemorates prisoners of war who died during the infamous death marches of the Second World War. The memorial is formed of four gardens: the Australian, English, Malaysian and the Contemplation Garden that represent the different nationalities. We then take a short transfer to the Zen Garden Resort, where we spend the night. Accommodation: Zen Garden Resort (or similar)
This morning, we transfer (one hour) to the Poring Hot Spring, where we have plenty of time to enjoy the cool pools and hot tubs (into which the steaming hot water is piped) plus the well-maintained, self-guided walking trails to a nearby waterfall. The hot springs can get quite busy, especially during school and public holidays, so you may wish to pay the additional charge to enjoy a private bath if you want a good soak. We later take to the trees as we head on a canopy walkway, which follows a trail including several suspension bridges hanging from the trees at canopy level, some up to 130ft (40m) above the ground. There is also a butterfly and orchid garden within the complex. We later take a short transfer to the Sabah Tea Gardens, where we spend the night in a traditional reconstructed longhouse with shared bathrooms. Accommodation: Sabah Tea Longhouse
Later this morning we head to Sandakan Airport (about 25 minutes) for our flight back to Kota Kinabalu (40 minutes). Please note, there is a 33lb (15kg) restriction on checked baggage for the domestic flight, but it is possible to pay for excess luggage at the airport or your leader can arrange this at the start of the tour. Upon arrival in Kota Kinabalu, we transfer to the Grandis Hotel & Resort, where we spend the last three nights of the trip. The hotel’s prime location near the waterfront provides easy access to the markets and restaurants as well as the city jetty. The rest of the day is free to relax and enjoy the hotel swimming pool or wander through the markets at leisure. Accommodation: Grandis Hotel & Resort (or similar)
Today we explore Tunku Abdul Marine Park on a snorkelling trip to some of the best sites with vibrant coral and colourful fish! There will also be time for swimming and relaxing on white sand beaches on one on the islands within the marine park. Accommodation: Grandis Hotel & Resort (or similar)
Today is a free day for last-minute shopping, sightseeing or to enjoy optional activities on offer, including participating in a traditional cooking class or join a half day kayak on the Tembara river. Your leader can advise during the trip (additional cost, payable locally). There is also the option for families to take a short boat ride and go island hopping from the city jetty (located by the hotel) to the nearby islands for a day at the beach and snorkelling. Alternatively, you may wish to relax by the pool before our final evening together. Please note: The Tembara River kayaking optional excursion has been closed until further notice. Accommodation: Grandis Hotel & Resort (or similar)
The trip ends after breakfast in Kota Kinabalu. Of course, if you’d like to explore a little longer, speak to your sales representative about booking post-tour nights.
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Tour Operator
Exodus Travel
It’s all about adventure That is what Exodus was founded upon 50 years ago, and what the company is still all about. Discovering countries, cultures, environments, cities, mountain ranges, deserts, coasts and jungles; exploring this amazing planet we all live on. At Exodus, we know what makes you tick when it comes to holidays. It’s a desire shared by so many others. A yearning to visit new places and come home with a real sense of what they’re all about. This means delving into local traditions, cultures, cuisine, lifestyles – anything that contributes to its unique identity. At the same time, we always remember that we are only guests. So we travel courteously and respectfully, in smaller groups to minimise our impact, to ensure that every Exodus holiday is a beneficial experience for everyone involved. This is a philosophy we take with us around the world, helping you reach some incredible destinations on 500 itineraries across over 90 separate countries. We also strive to provide as much flexibility and choice as we possibly can, making it simple for you to experience a very different holiday. Exodus started life on 4 February 1974 when two friends got together to provide an overland truck to travel to the Minaret of Jam, deep in the heart of the Hindu Kush, the most inaccessible of the world’s great monuments. See our history page for more details about how we began and how we have grown over the past 50 years. Never travelled with Exodus before? Visit our New to Exodus page for some useful, first-timer information.
In Business Since 1974
Reviews
Kelli Keesey - Traveled, March 2023
Fabulous family fun We are traveling as a family of four with our two girls, 13 and 11 years old for four months. This tour was a highlight of our trip so far. We absolutely loved the animals and the jungle as well as being exposed to the culture and people of Sabah. Our tour guide Nostalia was a fountain of knowledge and took such amazing care of us. The people of Sabah are friendly and welcoming and with our guide as a translator we learned so much more than we otherwise would have. Most Inspirational Moment Staying on the Kinabatang river at the jungle lodge was such a fantastic part of the trip. We absolutely loved seeing all kinds of monkeys, proboscis, silver leaf, long and pig tailed macaques as well as crocodiles and the absolute highlight was seeing the Pygmy elephants. The jungles of Borneo are spectacular and our guide was fantastic at spotting things in the jungle and the river while our guide was able to name and tell us details about the animals, insects, birds and plants. Thoughts on Group Leader Nostalia really made the trip for us. Her knowledge and caring nature as well as always letting us know what the plan was and what to expect really helped to make us feel comfortable. The organization was incredible and we were very impressed how smoothly things ran through the entire trip. We felt so much more connected to the people and the culture with her as our guide. We hope that she will come to visit us in Canada so we can show her around. Advice for Potential Travellers Definitely come to Borneo! It was so much more than I expected and I have a lifetime worth of memories that I will treasure.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/15/2023
Stuart Hall - Traveled, July 2022
Amazing Family Holiday with Expert Guiding We had such a great holiday which was made even better by having our guide Nostalia show us the way from start to finish. We were fortunate to see some very rare and unusual wildlife including Pygmy Elephants. With our guide’s help we were able to see some things that we would likely have missed otherwise: baby crocodiles, hornbills etc. Most Inspirational Moment Seeing a herd of Wild Pygmy Elephants was a definite highlight. But, there were many amazing parts of the trip. Too many to count. Thoughts on Group Leader Our group leader, Nostalia, was brilliant. She was knowledgeable about everything and her enthusiasm for conservation shone through. Don’t underestimate the value of having a good guide on a holiday like this! Advice for Potential Travellers The adventure lodge may not have hire boots to fit you if like me you have big feet. Folks in Malaysia tend to be smaller on average so size 12+ boots are a rare breed! Bring shoes that you can hose down. Remember that the accommodation is not supposed to be luxury. If you keep this in mind you won’t be disappointed as all accommodation exceeded our expectations. Suggestions A wonderful holiday that we thoroughly enjoyed and would (and have already) recommended to others.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/10/2022
Jason Parnwell - Traveled, July 2022
Amazing family wildlife adventure Memorable trip across Sabah taking in the best the island has to offer – all delivered by a brilliant & knowledgable guide. Most Inspirational Moment Seeing groups of rare Pygmy elephants in the wild. Seeing orangutans families. Staying with a Bornean family in their home, exploring the foothills of Kinubalu. Thoughts on Group Leader 10/10. Organised, knowledgeable, friendly and passionate. Nostalia is an exceptional group leader. Advice for Potential Travellers Book it! Suggestions Perfect itinerary ending with some chilled beach time - such a fascinating journey.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/27/2022
Judy Beer - Traveled, July 2022
Amazing family wildlife adventure Memorable trip across Sabah taking in the best the island has to offer – all delivered by a brilliant & knowledgable guide. Most Inspirational Moment Seeing groups of rare Pygmy elephants in the wild. Seeing orangutans families. Staying with a Bornean family in their home, exploring the foothills of Kinubalu. Thoughts on Group Leader 10/10. Organised, knowledgeable, friendly and passionate. Nostalia is an exceptional group leader. Advice for Potential Travellers Book it! Suggestions Perfect itinerary ending with some chilled beach time - such a fascinating journey.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/28/2022
Judy Beer - Traveled, July 2022
Amazing adventure! We have just returned from this trip and it was amazing! We travelled as a family of 3 (son aged 16) and there was one other family of five in our group (with three children aged 10-14). We all got on so well, including with our fabulous tour guide, Beverly! Borneo is a beautiful island! The stunning rainforest, Mount Kinabalu, the hornbills, proboscis monkeys, monitor lizards, turquoise waters, incredible sunsets, exotic flowers, sun bears… I could go on and on! Most Inspirational Moment You will see some incredible sights - stunning scenery (especially at Sabah Tea), insights into both city and rural life (the homestay was fantastic!), wildlife close-up (we saw an orang utan breastfeeding her baby) and get to experience a variety of accommodations (the longhouse is unlike anything else!). Every single person we met, from drivers, to hotel staff, to other guests were incredibly happy and friendly and this added to the wonderful feel to our holiday. It is impossible to choose just one moment! Thoughts on Group Leader Our group leader, Beverly was simply wonderful! She had excellent subject knowledge, kept the group at the right place at the right time and left us without a worry so that we could just enjoy the holiday! She went above and beyond throughout, could spot the smallest bird from a great distance, taught us about environmental issues, tried to teach us some Malay and was extremely knowledgeable and passionate about the Death Marches and the local customs. Everywhere we went, she knew someone and was welcomed with open arms! She is an absolute gem! Advice for Potential Travellers Shorts and t-shirts are the staple wear. You only really need long trousers for the night walk and if you want to protect your legs from evening bugs. Are there lots of bugs? There are some, but armed with the recommended Skin So Soft and Deet bug spray we only had a few minor bites between us. Is there wifi? Pretty much everywhere and mostly free! It costs 10RM (about £2) at the river lodge. I am vegetarian and whilst I always managed to find something to eat, the choice can be limited in places - especially at the jungle lodge, but you won't starve! Water shoes are good for swimming in the waterfall at Poring Springs as you have to walk across rocks to get in and it is rocky underfoot - you can also use these on the beach on Manukan Island. No need to worry about buying leech socks - you can rent them at the river lodge for just 5RM. Although it says a head torch in the trip notes, take a handheld one as the only time you really need it is for the night walk and you will be told not to wear it on your head as it can be bad for the sleeping birds (yes, birds just sat there on branches looking incredible!). If you are on the group flight, ask to pay to book seats together. We did not know about this and were seated separately. Once you have your booking reference, you can then pay a small amount to book your seats on all of the other flights if you want to sit together. The 15kg weight limit for luggage is very important! You will also be carrying your own bags a lot, so travel light! Of the optional trips, we went to the Sun Bear Conservation Centre, the War Memorial and the Rainforest Discovery Centre. All were excellent and I would recommend saying "yes" to them all! Suggestions If you are considering this trip, just go for it! It is a fantastic adventure and for children, it will open their eyes to a completely different world!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/15/2022
Karie Bala - Traveled, July 2019
Life Changing Experience Just back and can’t quite believe what we saw and experienced on this trip. Most Inspirational Moment We were lucky enough to see a wild pigmy elephant, crossing the river right in front of our boat. Lucky for us, we were alone on the river. Sunrise at the Wildlife Discovery Centre in Sepilok had us up close with a somewhat angry wild orang-utan, which was definitely an experience! At the Sun Bear Sanctuary we met Poppa Bear (Wong) who, if you've seen the ITV Borneo show with Judi Dench, you will know instantly. He, like every other Bornean, was extremely friendly, and happy to chat at length about about the gorgeous Sun Bears. Visiting Labuk Bay and the Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary was a special place, my favourite being the Silver Leaf Monkeys and one baby. And snorkelling off of Manukan Island was top notch, and accommodation there was lush! Could have used a few more days. Be sure to order a kopi tarik at the take away cafe toward the pool. They open at 7.30 am. Thoughts on Group Leader Manuel, our tour leader, was amazing. We were such a lucky group and could have not asked for a better leader to gel our Exodus Team! He was knowledgable, compassionate, and a pleasure to be around. I'm looking forward to another Manuel Exodus tour in the future, as he really bonded with every member of our tour and we were all sad to say our goodbyes. Advice for Potential Travellers Luggage - You have to carry your own nearly everywhere, so pack as light as possible, in a soft pack. Leech socks - I was very worried about finding these here before we left, but we found some in the Centre Pointe Mall on the ground level. They were also available to rent at the Bilit Adventure Lodge along with wellington boots! Sleep - Our entire group had problems sleeping on various parts of our tour. No way to combat it, but be ready. Bug spray - Take it with you an top up regularly, especially in the rainforest areas. Plasters - Take these too as you may have blisters. Roti cannai - Try this in the Centre Point basement Islamic Center restaurant. It doesn't look like much, but we were there every day were were in KK. You'll see red plastic chairs and know you're in the right place. 1x roti cannai costs 1.50RM, so like 30p, and it's the best we found on the whole tour. Noodles and rice dishes were great too. Laundry - Forget about it. Know by the end you're going to stink. So will all your travel companions. Use laundry services where they're available; we found the Sabah Tea Longhouse laundry to be a reprieve from the stink! The last hotels on the trip will happily take any clothes you don't want to take home with you and distribute to those in need. A good idea (stolen from travel mates) is to buy clothes at the charity shop and leave them with you. Best thing to wear would be lightweight long sleeved shirts! If you put any effort into this tour, you'll be handsomely rewarded - early morning treks provided us with a personal encounter with a pigmy elephant as well as an orang-utan. It was special! Suggestions Don't hesitate. I'm experiencing massive post-holiday blues as this holiday was particularly life changing for me. Amazing. Enjoy.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/10/2019
(E) Pat Arlette - Traveled, February 2018
Borneo Wildlife This was an absolutely fabulous holiday. It had been very well thought out to give us as much exposure as possible to as many aspects as possible of the wildlife of Borneo. The accommodation was good and we saw an amazing variety of animals, birds, plants and insects. The local guides were excellent at spotting things of interest and Sheila, our leader, was one of the best I have ever had, all done with a lovely sense of humour. I’d thoroughly recommend it. Most Inspirational Moment Probably seeing the giant flying squirrels as I wasn't expecting them. The orang-utans in the sanctuary and in the wild were just lovely. Thoughts on Group Leader Excellent! A grand sense of humour, always patient, interested in us all personally, very knowledgable and very good at spotting the wildlife Advice for Potential Travellers If you are interested in wildlife, go for it
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/20/2018
Gina Eckersley - Traveled, March 2017
FIB: Borneo Wildlife Adventure A fantastic trip featuring an incredible amount of wildlife, some stunning scenery, and many once-in-a-lifetime experiences!! Most Inspirational Moment For me I think it was seeing Pygmy Elephants crossing the Kinabatangan river. We had overheard that there were elephants in the area, but I don't think any of us truly believed that we would see a herd of at least fifty swimming across the river right in front of us!! We also loved seeing the flying squirrel in Sepilok, and we managed to catch two flying lizards at the Sun Bear sanctuary! I also loved the truly magical sunsets encountered on this trip - I think the Sabah Tea Gardens Longhouse was a highlight, with the mighty Mount Kinabalu in the distance. Thoughts on Group Leader Manuel was absolutely brilliant. His knowledge of the wildlife and of Borneo is encyclopedic, and he is truly passionate about his country and conserving the natural resources. We all learnt so much and I think Manuel's enthusiasm was shared by each and every member of the group. I especially enjoyed the various food recommendations (Asam fish - delicious!!) Advice for Potential Travellers It is super hot! Bring quick dry clothing (especially t-shirts) as anything too thick or heavy will struggle to dry. Bring an individual water bottle so you can refill from the main bottle daily, rather than buying smaller bottles. Leech socks can be hired at Kinabatangan along with wellington boots, which were really necessary because of the mud! Take plenty of insect repellent (not that it stops the mozzies). A camera with a good zoom and/or binoculars is a really good thing to take - especially for your time at Kinabatangan. Suggestions We thought that the 2 nights spend on Manukan Island at the end of the trip were absolutely perfect - we fell in love with our hillside villa (so luxurious!) and it was a real struggle to leave the island!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/15/2017
Anonymous - Traveled, September 2017
Borneo Family Adventure This is a great trip if you want to experience Sabah, Borneo. It is well organised and you see a lot, the orangutans are amazing. It is a good mixture of wildlife and culture and my son thoroughly enjoyed the trip at age 8. The people in Borneo are really friendly and it feels a safe place. Most Inspirational Moment The orangutans Thoughts on Group Leader The tour leader Roxanne was great with the children teaching them the language and imparting her knowledge at the right level for them, She is fun so the kids really take to her. She does the majority of the family trips . Advice for Potential Travellers My son had a great time on this trip at age 8 , personally I think the trip would be hard for a lot of 5 year olds as there are as few early morning starts and the trip is busy. However, this would depend on the individual child. My son is a seasoned traveller and would have managed it well at age 5. My son and I travel a lot independently but this trip was good for him as he was able to make friends with the other children on the trip. The kids on the trip got on well and it was great for him to travel with children from other countries. Try and give yourself a couple of days before or after the trip so you can take the short boat trip across to one or two of the islands off Kota Kinabalu. Suggestions I would not hesitate in recommending this trip to anyone it is great. My son and I also went to the Kuching, Sarawak on our own after the trip and then hired a Klotok in Tanjung Puting National Park, Indonesia Borneo after. I would also recommend doing both of these if you have the time. Internal flights in the region are cheap find them on skyscanner. Get yourself on this Exodus trip you will have a super time.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/23/2014
- Traveled, July 2013
BORNEO FAMILY ADVENTURE Wow…what an adventure! Most Inspirational Moment On the river canoe trip, watching the elephants crossing the river and struggling to get up the muddy bank on the far side. This was a rare event and we watched for ages as the baby struggled up the bank with the help of the adult herd. Truly amazing! Spending the night in the jungle camp was an experience. No electricity, and only a roof and a mossie net to protect us from the thunder storm is something I'll never forget. The boat trip back from the island in rough seas, I was dreading, but absolutely loved it...thrilling!! Thoughts on Group Leader She was excellent. Very patient and understanding of our needs. She was ready to spring into action at any point and did so with a smile on her face the whole time! Advice for Potential Travellers This is an adventurous holiday and can be quite challenging at times.you need to be prepared for basic accommodation, which is described in the brochure and web site as such, but "showers" were often a barrel of rainwater and a scoop, and toileting was somewhat of an adventure..especially when you find a frog in the toilet! It really makes you appreciate the comforts of life, though, like toilet paper and hot running water! There are a lot of "beasties", most of which love to bite or sting so take some antihistemines just in case! I'd advise breaking up the jouney there with a stopover as the time difference can be difficult. We had a great time in out homestay, the house was clean and comfortable and we played with the children for hours ( learn some good hand clapping games!), so not speaking the language wasnt a problem. Other families were not so lucky though, so our group had a mixed response to this aspect of the trip. You just need to go with the flow on this part. We booked the trip so that we could visit Sepilok, but I was disappointed that there were so few orangutans to see and they were quite far away...its so much better to see them in the wild! Suggestions If you are looking for something out of the ordinary, then Borneo is for you. I am so pleased we had this adventure, it challenged me several times, but looking back on it now I realise how lucky I am to have been there to experience it.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/15/2013
Anonymous - Traveled, July 2013
BORNEO FAMILY ADVENTURE A fantastic introduction to Sabah in Borneo. The trip (run by Intrepid) was varied, pacey, full of fun and led by Bibiana who added a huge amount to the whole experience. Jungle, tropical beaches, homestay and local food and culture combined to provide a spicy introduction to Malaysian Borneo. Most Inspirational Moment Watching the real life drama of a two week old pygmy elephant fighting to get out of the river. Initially supported just by Mum but later others of the herd arrived to ensure a positive outcome. The on the boat back seeing a big orang-utan high in the trees in that almost cartoon like pose they keep.Lying in a mosi net on a platform in the jungle listening to the sounds through the night - I only wish I had taken a tape recorder! Thoughts on Group Leader Fantastic - she had a big responsibility taking a family group into the East of Sabah just a week or so after it reopened to travellers. Her sense of humour, love of snacks and knowledge of people, food and wildlife combined to make her a perfect family group leader. Advice for Potential Travellers Do it! But be flexible and aware that some parts eg homestay will be variable within the group. Suggestions Just a great trip - we are used to travelling independently but the value added from this trip was well worth the cost.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/15/2013
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