Borneo is a wild, wild place for first-time travellers!

Ever dreamt of diving in clear blue seas with turtles, manta rays and whale sharks? Or cruise down a river where you can spot critically endangered pygmy elephants? Or go exploring in a national park to find rare proboscis monkeys and orangutans? Because Borneo is not just an experience that you can just conjure up in your imagination; it’s a place that you have to visit, to be at, to really understand what everyone is talking about. And if you do visit, Borneo will be the adventure of your lifetime. Even when you return again. And again.

If you’re looking for your first overseas wildlife holiday or even a fun-filled escape from your mundane life, a trip to Borneo is exactly what you’re looking for, we promise. Being the third-largest island in the world with so many gifts and offerings for its visitors, there is a reason Borneo is shared by three separate countries: Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei. But the most famed is Malaysian Borneo, which includes the states of Sabah and Sarawak, where many international tourists come to enjoy the insane biodiversity and landscapes. As a plus, it has incredible tourism infrastructure too.

Sabah is best known for Mount Kinabalu, South East Asia’s highest peak at 4,095 metres, and for its incomparable biodiversity, with wildlife like orangutans, rhinoceros hornbills, and estuarine crocodiles. It is also known for islands like Sipadan Island, an internationally recognised paradise for scuba diving. The indigenous culture of the island makes it even more colourful, with over 30 ethnic groups like the Kadasan-Dusun and Murut peoples. Travellers can experience this rich culture at the Mari Mari Cultural Village or during the statewide Kaamatan (Harvest Festival), celebrated in May every year.

Sarawak is known for World Heritage Sites like Gunung Mulu National Park, famous for its massive cave chambers and the Pinnacles, and the Niah National Park, which contains some of the oldest evidence of human settlement in Southeast Asia. It also includes the coastal Bako National Park where you’ll find the proboscis monkeys and the Semenggoh Wildlife Centre, which has become renowned for its orangutan rehabilitation efforts.

But as exciting as all this wildlife is, if you want a break from the wildlife and actually go wild for a night, Sarawak also hosts the Rainforest World Music Festival, held annually near the capital city of Kuching.

Meet orangutans in the rainforest

If you like big apes, then this one is for you. But even if you aren't, this is still an opportunity you just can't afford to miss. Because orangutans are found only in Borneo and Sumatra, making this one of the only two places in the world where you can spot one of these majestic orange beings actually out in the wild among Borneo's ancient trees.  

You can find them roaming free in the wild if you decide to go on safari, but you can also find them in a more protected environment, still in their natural habitat, in the Sepilok Oranguatan Rehabilitation Centre in Sabah. It is one of the most popular places in Borneo where you can learn about conservation efforts and observe rescued orangutans.

This is one of the highlights of a Borneo trip, and one every passionate traveller and animal lover deserves to experience at least once in their lifetime.

Cruise along the Kinabatangan River

This one too. It's definitely a must. The Kinabatangan River is one of Borneo’s greatest wildlife destinations and is also considered one of the most biodiverse areas in the world.

Sometimes, cruises along the Kinabatangan River become multiple-day cruises where you might have to take more than one daytime and nighttime cruise to cover everything. And to be fair, it's worth every second of that time too. You will get to explore in the wild, looking for orangutans, proboscis monkeys, macaques, hornbills, and crocodiles. The luckiest travellers will even get to see a Bornean pygmy elephant or two on the river banks.

But unlike traditional safaris, different river cruises will offer different sightings, making each journey unique. And if you're a wildlife enthusiast or a photographer (and even if you're a casual traveller), this anticipation and variety of what you will witness will be addictive.

Go island hopping in Kota Kinabalu

This is one of the best tropical experiences of Borneo, and another one you'll regret missing out on. After days of camouflaging and being quiet and careful, this is when you'll get to let loose, relax, have fun, be sexy, whatever makes your holiday fantasies complete!

Kota Kinabalu is the capital of the state of Sabah, and its coastline is dotted with little tropical islands, which are a beach-lover’s perfect dream, with all their powdery beaches and crystal clear waters.

Sapi and Manukan islands are two of the most popular islands, which are located only about 15 minutes away from the city’s coastline. And when I say they're an adventure of their own!  You'll get to snorkel among stunning coral reefs, swim in warm, shallow turquoise seas, and unwind on breathtaking white sand beaches. A luxury experience for sure.

Both islands are part of the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, a protected national park that comprises the five islands of Gaya, Sapi, Manukan, Mamutik, and Sulug. They are famous for their shallow seas and offerings like kayaking, paddleboarding and diving. This one is for those adventurous travellers seeking both play and relaxation everywhere they go.

Take a firefly cruise

As night falls, the mangrove rivers of Borneo transform into something straight out of a fairytale. Or a Barbie movie. Fireflies will start lighting up the riverbanks, creating a natural light show that feels almost otherworldly.

You will get to take an evening cruise along a  Mangrove river on the western coast of Sabah, such as the Klias River, the Western Wetlands, or the Kawa Kawa River, where you will get to witness the most magical sights of your life.

Some tours can even be 8-hour day trips that will pick you up from your hotel in Kota Kinabalu in the afternoon, where you'll then spend the late afternoon looking for proboscis monkeys and eat a local buffet dinner by the river. You will get to see the firefly lights come on at night, turning the riverbanks into something you could only have imagined as a child.  

Exploring the wild / What wildlife will you really see?

Borneo’s rainforest is estimated to be over 130 million years old and is therefore considered one of the oldest tropical rainforests on Earth. The ancient trees tower and creep and haunt. You’ll find waterfalls around every corner. And another exotic animal will appear that you will keep nerding out about for years after.

Guided jungle tours will help you spot all kinds of fascinating insects, reptiles, exotic birds, and rare plant species that many travellers would otherwise miss.

Borneo is one of the world’s top wildlife destinations. Besides orangutans and proboscis monkeys, the jungles may also house macaques, lorises, sun bears, and the elusive clouded leopard. Birdwatchers can also spot magnificent hornbills, kingfishers, and countless tropical species.

Marine life is equally impressive. The beautiful shallow waters are home to sea turtles, reef sharks, rays and vibrant coral reefs. These attractions bring to the islands thousands of divers, snorkellers, and other explorers from around the world.

Do I even need to convince you any further?

Despite being one destination, the experiences Borneo provides are incredibly varied. It has something for everyone, for safari lovers, for beach lovers, for the adventurous and playful ones, animal lovers, explorers, swimmers and divers. Even those of you who are more fond of relaxing and just being sexy under the sun.

This remarkable diversity of wildlife and all the variety of experiences found here is one of the reasons why Borneo tour packages keep growing in popularity among travellers.

If you, too, are adventurous enough to step into and discover some of the wildest experiences that Mother Nature has designed for us explorers and globetrotters at heart, then Blue Lotus Vacations UK has one of the most exciting offers for you. Our 14-night Borneo with Singapore and Malaysia tour will be THE holiday to remember.