Wild Encounters of Borneo
Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
8 Days | 6 Cities | From Sandakan to Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia | Small Group Tour
Steaming, prehistoric rainforests, hidden river systems, and a world of rare wildlife found nowhere else on earth, Borneo is a raw, captivating playground for the curious traveller. It is a place defined by its ancient wilderness and the deep-rooted communities that protect it.
Trafalgar's Wild Encounters of Borneo small-group tour cuts out the complicated logistics of navigating remote jungle terrain. Instead of getting bogged down in the coordination of river boats, internal flights, and wilderness lodges, Trafalgar’s expert team manages the entire journey behind the scenes. This leaves you entirely free to focus on the island's incredible conservation stories, moving from rare encounters with rescued sun bears to remote village lunches hosted by the indigenous Dusun people. It is a wild, hassle-free expedition designed to bring you face-to-face with Borneo’s living heart.
What Your Journey Looks Like
Meet Rescued Orangutans and Sun Bears Immerse yourself in a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience at the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre to see orphaned primates training for life in the wild, followed by an exclusive, expert-led tour of the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre
Track Wildlife on the Kinabatangan River Base yourself at a secluded wetland resort for immersive day and night river safaris, scanning the tangled banks for wild pygmy elephants, proboscis monkeys, crocodiles, and nocturnal slow lorises
Enjoy a Traditional Dusun Coffee Lunch Head into the scenic foothills of Mount Kinabalu for an exclusive Be My Guest experience in Kiau Village, where you will taste artisan plant-to-cup coffee and share a home-cooked meal with the local community
Relax on Pristine Ara Dinawan Island Swap the dense jungle canopy for a secluded eco-island paradise off Sabah's coast, spending your day snorkeling over vibrant coral reefs before enjoying a private beachside barbecue
Your Itinerary
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Arrive in Sabah’s vibrant coastal gateway and gather for a welcome dinner.
Touch down in Sandakan, a historic coastal city blending Malay, Chinese, and Indigenous cultures. After settling into your hotel, meet your Travel Director and fellow small-group travellers for dinner. Enjoy your first evening together getting acquainted and learning about the incredible wildlife, ancient rainforests, and local communities you will encounter across Borneo over the coming days.
Arrival transfer from the airport to the Ormond Hotel Sandakan
Welcome dinner and briefing with Your Travel Director
Included Meals Dinner
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Observe rehabilitated wildlife and walk high above the ancient rainforest canopy.
Begin the morning with a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience at the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre to see orphaned and rescued orangutans learning essential survival skills. Next, enjoy a guided tour of the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre alongside founder Dr. Wong to learn about the world's smallest bear species. Conclude your wildlife day at the Rainforest Discovery Centre.
MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience Visit to Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre
Guided Tour of the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre with Dr. Wong
High-Canopy Walkway Trek at the Rainforest Discovery Centre
Included Meals Breakfast & Lunch
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Take a heritage walking tour, sample local flavors, and cruise into a wetland wilderness.
Set out on a morning Heritage Walk through Sandakan’s lively streets and markets, pausing to dive into local culture with a tasting of traditional roti kosong, kueh, and teh tarik. Afterward, board a boat and transfer to your Stays with Stories accommodation, a secluded eco-resort enveloped by mangroves and rainforest. Embark on an afternoon river cruise to spot proboscis monkeys, hornbills, and crocodiles along the banks. After dinner, enjoy a guided night walk along the resort's boardwalk to look for nocturnal creatures.
Historic Sandakan Heritage Walk and traditional Snack Tasting
Boat transfer to the remote Kinabatangan Wetland Resort
Afternoon Wildlife River Cruise along the Kinabatangan
Guided Rainforest Boardwalk Night Walk After Dark
Included Meals Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
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Search for rare pygmy elephants on morning, afternoon, and night river safaris.
Awaken at first light for a sunrise cruise down the Kinabatangan River to witness the rainforest come alive. Navigate to a tranquil oxbow lake and glide past the stilted homes of the indigenous Orang Sungai (river people). After some midday free time at the resort, head out for an afternoon cruise along the upper river to search for rare Bornean pygmy elephants. Following dinner, board the boat once more for an atmospheric night river safari to look for sleeping kingfishers, civets, and tarsiers.
Sunrise River Cruise and Oxbow Lake Wildlife Excursion
Learn about the traditional way of life of the Orang Sungai River People
Afternoon River Safari Targeting Pygmy Elephants and Mangrove Species
Night River Safari to Scan for Nocturnal Primates and Mammals
Included Meals Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
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Visit a historic hilltop estate and journey into the dramatic Sabah highlands.
Cruise by boat back toward Sandakan, passing picturesque stilted fishing villages along the coast. Stop at the historic Agnes Keith House to explore the restored home and gardens of the famous American author. Next door, enjoy lunch at the hilltop English Tea House, offering iconic views over Sandakan. In the afternoon, take a scenic drive through changing landscapes of farmland and rainforest as you ascend into the cooler Sabah highlands near Mount Kinabalu.
Scenic Return Boat Cruise Past Coastal Stilted Fishing Villages
Tour of the Historic Agnes Keith House and Museum
Hilltop Lunch with Panoramic Views at the English Tea House
Scenic Highland Drive to Your Resort at the Base of Mount Kinabalu
Included Meals Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
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Savour a cultural farm-to-table lunch and travel to the vibrant capital coast.
Head into the foothills of Mount Kinabalu to Kiau Village for a signature Be My Guest Experience with the indigenous Dusun community. Share a home-cooked lunch with your hosts, follow the journey of local coffee from plant to cup, and sample regional honey and pineapple jams. Stop at Pekan Nabalu to shop for handcrafted souvenirs and view the mountain peak before driving to coastal Kota Kinabalu. Take a city orientation tour featuring the City Mosque and Atkinson Clock Tower, with an optional evening market dinner excursion available.
Be My Guest Experience Traditional Dusun Lunch and Coffee Tasting in Kiau Village
Handicraft shopping and mountain viewpoints at Pekan Nabalu
Kota Kinabalu City Tour Visiting the City Mosque and Historic Clock Tower
Optional Experience Guided evening night market visit and street food dinner
Included Meals Breakfast & Lunch
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Unwind with a private beach barbecue and snorkeling on a pristine tropical island.
Leave the city behind and cruise to Ara Dinawan Island, a private slice of paradise off the coast of Sabah. Spend a completely relaxed day enjoying the white sand beaches and turquoise waters. You can choose to actively explore by kayaking along the shoreline and snorkeling over the colorful coral reefs or simply lounge on the beach. Savour a private beachfront barbecue lunch featuring grilled seafood and tropical fruits before returning to the mainland for a final farewell dinner.
Island excursion to the pristine shores of Ara Dinawan Island
Optional reef snorkeling and shoreline kayaking
Private beach barbecue lunch with grilled seafood and cold drinks
Farewell group dinner in Kota Kinabalu
Included Meals Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
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Bid goodbye to paradise as your wild Bornean adventure concludes.
A final breakfast at your hotel this morning. Say goodbye to your Travel Director and fellow travellers as your small group journey through the rainforests, wetlands, and islands of Sabah comes to an official close.
Final group breakfast at the hotel
Complimentary departure transfer from hotel to the airport
Included Meals Breakfast
A three-night tour extension in Kuching is also available.
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An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
All porterage and restaurant gratuities
Private air-conditioned vehicle
All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
Must-see sightseeing
Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
Optional Experiences and free time
On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilised
Take advantage of the Early Booking offer*, and save 10% on selected small group tours when you book by 30 September 2026
From $5,666* per person, save $629
Atkinson Clock Tower, Kota Kinabalu
Terms & Conditions *From price is based on the departure date 20 May 2027. *Early Bird Offer Sale is only valid on new bookings made by 30 September 2026; not valid on existing bookings. Deposit is due at time of booking to lock in savings; full payment is due 120 days before departure or at time of booking if within 120 days. Prices are per person, land or river cruise only, based on double occupancy, are subject to availability, and Trafalgar reserves the right to withdraw or amend this offer at any time. Bookings made and confirmed before this offer is withdrawn or amended will be honoured at the price advised at the time of booking confirmation. Where reasonably practical, we will endeavour to provide advance notice of any withdrawal or material changes to this offer on our website. A minimum number of guests is required to operate departures. If guests change to another tour or date not on sale, they are responsible for paying the difference and adhering to different payment conditions; discounts are not transferrable.
Offer is combinable with 5% Global Tour Rewards loyalty discount available to eligible past guests only but cannot be combined with: any other promotional offer or discount code; Future Travel Credit carry-forward discounts or any other special offer, unless expressly stated otherwise. All bookings are subject to confirmation of availability following your booking request.
Interested in this experience? Mention this Deal Code: 1218 when speaking with your travel agent. Don't have an agent? Click here to connect with one of our experts.
