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Borneo Family Holiday
Operated by Intrepid Travel
Tripcode: TMFG
Overview
Destination:
Malaysia,
Start:Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
Finish:Sandakan, Malaysia
Finish:Sandakan, Malaysia
Duration:9 days
Type:Group tour (max 16)
Travel Period
September 2025 - December 2028
Travel to Borneo on this nine-day family adventure and discover the curious wildlife and spectacular landscapes of the region. Learn how orphaned orangutans are rehabilitated back into the wild, have a go at stand-up paddleboarding and watch baby green turtles take wobbly steps towards the waterfront. Along the way, you'll make friends, try some delicious cuisine and forge some incredible memories. With all the essentials included and plenty of free time to explore at your own pace, you and your family will fall in love with the unique animals, lush ecosystem and sandy islands of Borneo.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
1. FAMILY TRIPS: Please note that these trips are for adults and children travelling together and there must be at least one child under 18 with you.
2. CHILD AGE: The minimum age for children on this trip is 5 years old. Most children travelling on Intrepid Family trips are between 10 and 14 years old.
3. DISCOUNT: A discount of 10% applies on this trip to children 17 years and under at time of travel.
4. SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: A single supplement is available for adults wishing to have a private room to themselves. The single supplement excludes Day 3 (Sabah Tea Garden) , Days 4 & 5 (Jungle Camp) and Day 7 (Turtle Island), and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
5. ACCOMMODATION: For some departures throughout the year we will only spend 1 night in the Eco Camp and 1 night in the Village in accommodation with attached bathrooms due to availability.
6. WEATHER: November to February is monsoon season for Selingan (Turtle Island) so if travelling during this time you may experience big waves and choppy seas. In cases of extreme weather, the trip to Selingan may be cancelled and alternative arrangements made.
7. TRAVEL ADVICE: Some governments may have increased travel advice levels in place for parts of Eastern Sabah, including Sandakan and Turtle Island. Ensure you check your government’s foreign travel advice for the most up to date information before you travel. If you have any questions about whether the current advice level affects your travel insurance coverage, please contact your insurance provider. Travel insurance is compulsory for all Intrepid traveller and must cover all destinations and activities on the itinerary. In addition to the increased security presence in the region, we have additional safety measures in place on our trips to comply with local regulations, including not travelling by boat at night and only travelling on approved routes and vessels.
2. CHILD AGE: The minimum age for children on this trip is 5 years old. Most children travelling on Intrepid Family trips are between 10 and 14 years old.
3. DISCOUNT: A discount of 10% applies on this trip to children 17 years and under at time of travel.
4. SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: A single supplement is available for adults wishing to have a private room to themselves. The single supplement excludes Day 3 (Sabah Tea Garden) , Days 4 & 5 (Jungle Camp) and Day 7 (Turtle Island), and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
5. ACCOMMODATION: For some departures throughout the year we will only spend 1 night in the Eco Camp and 1 night in the Village in accommodation with attached bathrooms due to availability.
6. WEATHER: November to February is monsoon season for Selingan (Turtle Island) so if travelling during this time you may experience big waves and choppy seas. In cases of extreme weather, the trip to Selingan may be cancelled and alternative arrangements made.
7. TRAVEL ADVICE: Some governments may have increased travel advice levels in place for parts of Eastern Sabah, including Sandakan and Turtle Island. Ensure you check your government’s foreign travel advice for the most up to date information before you travel. If you have any questions about whether the current advice level affects your travel insurance coverage, please contact your insurance provider. Travel insurance is compulsory for all Intrepid traveller and must cover all destinations and activities on the itinerary. In addition to the increased security presence in the region, we have additional safety measures in place on our trips to comply with local regulations, including not travelling by boat at night and only travelling on approved routes and vessels.
Highlights:
- 1. FAMILY TRIPS: Please note that these trips are for adults and children travelling together and there must be at least one child under 18 with you. 2. CHILD AGE: The minimum age for children on this trip is 5 years old. Most children travelling on Intrepid Family trips are between 10 and 14 years old. 3. DISCOUNT: A discount of 10% applies on this trip to children 17 years and under at time of travel. 4. SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: A single supplement is available for adults wishing to have a private room to themselves. The single supplement excludes Day 3 (Sabah Tea Garden) , Days 4 & 5 (Jungle Camp) and Day 7 (Turtle Island), and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information. 5. ACCOMMODATION: For some departures throughout the year we will only spend 1 night in the Eco Camp and 1 night in the Village in accommodation with attached bathrooms due to availability. 6. WEATHER: November to February is monsoon season for Selingan (Turtle Island) so if travelling during this time you may experience big waves and choppy seas. In cases of extreme weather, the trip to Selingan may be cancelled and alternative arrangements made. 7. TRAVEL ADVICE: Some governments may have increased travel advice levels in place for parts of Eastern Sabah, including Sandakan and Turtle Island. Ensure you check your government’s foreign travel advice for the most up to date information before you travel. If you have any questions about whether the current advice level affects your travel insurance coverage, please contact your insurance provider. Travel insurance is compulsory for all Intrepid traveller and must cover all destinations and activities on the itinerary. In addition to the increased security presence in the region, we have additional safety measures in place on our trips to comply with local regulations, including not travelling by boat at night and only travelling on approved routes and vessels.
Standard inclusions
- Meals: Meals: 8 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners.
- Transport: private vehicle, ferry, boat.
- Accommodation: Hotel (4 nights), Longhouse (1 night), Jungle Camp (2 nights) Chalet (1 night).
- Kota Kinabalu - Stand up paddle boarding.
- Ranau - Poring Hot Springs - Canopy Walk & Conservation Fee.
- Kinabatangan River - Afternoon Wildlife Cruise.
- Kinabatangan River - Night Jungle Walk.
- Kinabatangan River - Morning Wildlife Cruise.
- Kinabatangan River - Cooking class.
- Sepilok - Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre.
- Sepilok - Sun Bear Conservation Centre.
- Turtle Island - Turtle Night Nesting viewing.
Itinerary
Expand all 
Collapse all
Collapse allDay 1: Kota Kinabalu
Selamat datang! Welcome to Malaysia. Your adventure begins in Kota Kinabalu – the capital of Sabah, located between the Borneo jungle and the South China Sea. You’ll have a welcome meeting at 5 pm at your hotel to meet your leader and fellow family travellers. After, maybe head out to the waterfront market to wander the smoky stalls serving up grilled meat and fish. If you arrive early, you can immerse yourself in history at the Sabah State Museum or explore the islands off Kota Kinabalu, excellent for swimming or snorkelling.
Day 2: Kota Kinabalu
This morning, explore Tanjung Aru Beach on a stand-up paddle board. Paddle at your own pace as you explore hidden coves, soak in the beautiful landscape and learn about the vibrant marine life from your guide. Then, the rest of today is free for you and your family to explore Kota Kinabalu at your own pace. Maybe stroll through the bustling markets or visit the waterfront Kota Kinabalu City Mosque.
Day 3: Poring Hot Springs
After breakfast, travel to the Poring Hot Springs for a scenic canopy walk. As you walk through the rainforest, take in the surrounding views of giant bamboo trees and learn about the hot sulphur spring baths, which were first developed by the Japanese during World War II. When you reach the baths, enjoy a refreshing dip in the natural rock pools, slide down the slippery rockslides (often a favourite for the kids) or soak in the sulphurous water channelled from the hot springs into tiled pools. Tonight, settle into your accommodation – a reconstructed longhouse on the tea plantation.
Day 4: Kinabatangan River
Travel by private bus to Kampung Batu Puteh – a small village on the banks of the Kinabatangan River. Your hosts for the night are the leaders of KOPEL – a local community-run conservation organisation whose aim is to provide villagers with a sustainable living from the forest. Leading a reforestation project, KOPEL and the community are actively involved in growing seedlings and replanting degraded forested areas. Meet your hosts and learn a little more about KOPELs work before jumping in a boat and heading upriver to your accommodation in the jungle. This afternoon, you’ll head out on a sunset cruise up the river in search of wildlife, including macaques, wild orangutan and proboscis monkeys. After, return to your jungle camp by an oxbow lake, have dinner and let the cicadas sing you to sleep.
Day 5: Kinabatangan River
Wake up to the sounds of the jungle this morning. After breakfast, you’ll head upriver to the village to walk around and learn more about the life of the local people. For lunch, it’s all hands-on deck as you partake in a fun traditional cooking class, eating the fruits of your labour for lunch. The afternoon is free to relax, play some boardgames or head out in search of more wildlife, before heading back on the boat for another trip on the river. After dinner tonight, grab your headtorches and head into the jungle for a night walk, looking out for the local nocturnal animals.
Day 6: Sandakan/Sepilok
Today will be a favourite with the kids – time to say hello to the orangutans! Drive by minibus to the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre. The centre was set up to help re-introduce these gentle creatures back into the wild after a life of domestication or after being orphaned. From the viewing platform, you can see these charming creatures as they swing into view and eat a supplementary balanced diet of fruit, vegetables or milk, laid out for them twice a day. You’ll also see a nursery where you can view the young orangutans as they learn how to climb on a specially constructed jungle gym. Then, make your way to the Sun Bear Conservation Centre and see the rescued bears before heading back to your accommodation for the night.
Day 7: Turtle Island
Leave your large bags at the hotel, then board a speedboat bound for Turtle Island. Travel past small fishing villages and bamboo fish traps, arriving at Turtle Island Marine Park. The rest of the day is free for you to soak up island life. Relax on the beach or dive under the clear water and investigate the underwater world. Later, under the cover of darkness, watch as giant green turtles coming ashore to lay their eggs under the moonlight. Witness the island researchers release protected hatchlings and guide them in their frantic dash to the ocean. This amazing experience is bound to be rewarding for you and your family, but please be aware that this is a very delicate environment and you must follow instructions from your leader and the local rangers to ensure minimal impact on the turtles. Spend the night on this beautiful island – even though the accommodation is quite basic, this will be a memorable experience.
Day 8: Sandakan
This morning, travel back to the mainland. Once back in Sandakan, the day is free for you to enjoy as you like. Maybe relax by the pool or explore the town and nearby war memorial. Tonight, maybe get the family together and head out for a final dinner with your group – your leader will have the best recommendations!
Day 9: Sandakan
With no activities planned for today, you and your family are free to depart the accommodation at any time following check-out. If you’d like to extend your stay, just get in touch with your booking agent ahead of time.
Dates
Select a date or submit general enquiry
Operator
Intrepid Travel
Intrepid is a small group tour travel company with humble beginnings that now sends over 100,000 travellers a year on grassroots and responsible travel tours.
Important Information
*Terms and conditions
Please note: We are proud to be an independent agent to travel providers of hotels, flights and other related services. We are not a tour operator. Details and information on the offer are provided by 3rd party businesses and although we do our best to verify the information, we cannot guarantee its accuracy on all occasions. These offers are not available in conjunction with any other offer unless otherwise stated. Pricing and availability are subject to change without notice.
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8 nights
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