Borneo

12 nights and 13 days
GBP 3,675
twin share

GBP 3,999
single room

2026 Dates:
12 - 24 April
Fully booked
17 - 29 May
Space available
29 June - 11 July
4 - 16 September
29 Oct - 10 Nov

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What’s included

Financial contributions to projects we visit
All accommodation and meals provided throughout the itinerary (3 meals included each day)
Airport pick up & drop off on the official tour start date end dates
All transportation outlined in the itinerary
English speaking guide
All trips, excursions & visits as outlined in the itinerary.
All park entrance fees
Vamoos app with all the information you need for your tour

What’s not included

International flights
Airport transfers for arrivals and departures outside the official tour dates (private transfers can be arranged on request)
Any personal trips or activities
Additional meals or snacks
Alcoholic drinks & extra beverages
Tips & Personal expenses
Travel insurance - Compulsory for this trip.
Visa - Any personal visa which may be required for this trip.

Discover Borneo: A Wild & Meaningful Journey (13 Days)

Join us for an unforgettable journey through the heart of Malaysian Borneo—a land of lush rainforests, rich Indigenous culture, and extraordinary wildlife. This 13-day give-back tour blends immersive adventure with social impact, offering travellers the chance to explore some of the world’s most biodiverse regions while contributing meaningfully to local communities and conservation efforts.

Highlights

Support social outreach by spending time with children at Bukit Harapan care project.
Step back in time at the Mari Mari Cultural Village and connect with Sabah’s living traditions
Volunteer at the Borneo Elephant Sanctuary to learn about conservation efforts and assist the rangers in their daily routines
Experience genuine Sabahan hospitality with a two0night village homestay, sharing meals and stories with your local hosts in Kinabatangan
Visit the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre and neighbouring Sun Bear Sanctuary to observe these incredible animals up close and learn about the conservation work protecting them
Journey deep into the jungle of Deramakot Forest Reserve for unforgettable wildlife encounters by day and night
Cruise the Kinabatangan River in search of wild pygmy elephants, proboscis monkeys, and wild orangutans
Enjoy authentic Bornean cuisine at local eateries and support family-run eco-lodges
Snorkel, paddleboard, and island-hop off the coast of Sabah on a tropical day out from Kota Kinabalu

Why join this trip?

Why Join This Trip?

Make a Difference: Your participation supports ethical wildlife conservation, social care projects, and Indigenous-owned tourism initiatives
Travel with Purpose: Experience Borneo’s people, animals, and ecosystems in a way that uplifts and protects what makes them unique
Unforgettable Memories: From dawn jungle drives to riverside wildlife sightings, this journey is packed with powerful, perspective-shifting moments

Giving Back

This trip embodies community-focused tourism, putting locals at the heart of the experience. It’s about working with the community, not just visiting. By listening to local needs and collaborating on sustainable projects like building clay stoves and helping with wildlife care, the trip ensures tourism benefits the people rather than exploiting them. Through immersive cultural exchange and impactful development work, this journey uses tourism as a force for good—empowering communities and fostering deep, meaningful connections that leave a lasting legacy for both travelers and locals.

Day 1 - Arrival in Kota Kinabalu

For those who are arriving today, we will pick you up at the airport and transfer you to Grandis Hotel in Kota Kinabalu (KK), the coastal capital city of Sabah. KK serves as a gateway to Kinabalu National Park and offers a range of attractions, including islands, beaches, markets, and cultural sites. So the excitement starts on Day 1 but if you want to arrive a day or two early, let us know and we can make arrangements for you at the hotel.

In the late afternoon, we'll meet at the Piano Lounge on Level 1 of Grandis Hotel for some refreshments and a chance to get to know each other a little at the start of the tour. We'll be joined by our guides Albert and John who will give us a crash course on Bornean culture and give us an idea of what to expect over the next 2 weeks.

After our briefing and refreshments, lets head to Kampung Nelayan Seafood Village for our welcome dinner. If you're not a fan of fish don't worry, there are vegetarian and meat options available on the menu too, plenty to give all of us a welcome taste to Borneo.

Meals: Dinner

Accommodation: Grandis Hotel

Day 2 - Gaya Island

We start today with a breakfast in the hotel and make our way to the STAR Marina jetty to get our boat. We then head off to

the Floating Club House at Gaya Island for a day of fun activities. Bring your bathing suit because today you'll get wet- we're starting this trip with a splash!

You can choose from kayaking, paddle boarding, using the water slide or just lay back and soak in the rays. It's great way to spend your first day in Borneo to get acclimatised and geared up for the exciting adventure ahead.

After lunch on the yacht we'll cruise around the islands. Gaya and the surrounding areas are known for abundant birdlife, proboscis monkeys and red giant flying squirrels. Nothing is ever guaranteed on a wildlife tour but that makes it all the more special when we spot something- although our expert guides usually spot things first.

Back to the hotel in the late afternoon with time to get ready for dinner. Tonight we'll eat out at a Chinese restaurant. Chinese food in Borneo is influenced by local tastes, so this is a great chance to try some of their specialty noodle dishes.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: Grandis Hotel

Day 3 - Mari Mari Cultural Village & City Tour

Today we'll travel to Mari Mari Cultural Village and enjoy a guided tour to visit some traditional houses and learn about the history, local culinary traditions and learn about the ways of the Tribes. There are 5 main tribes in North East Borneo and today we start to uncover the rich cultural tapestry and get to see 'how it was and how it is' for these tribes and how they are coping with change while trying to preserve the old ways of their culture.

Prepare to get involved in the activities and get ready to do some dancing! We'll have lunch in the village with our hosts and say farewell.

We then head to see some local attractions in the area as well as the traditional market in Kundasang, the Chinese Temple, Likas Floating Mosque and the Wetland centre. We may not have time for all of them but we'll do our best. We'll fit lunch in along the way, most likely at Kinabalu Park

We'll walk over to the Italian Restaurant for dinner this evening and we can see if its fusion, Italian or Bornese. But we know it's going to be delicious in any case.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: Grandis Hotel

Day 4 - Aura Kindergarten, Kiulu & River Rafting

Today It will take us about an hour to get to Kiulu where we will visit the Aura Kindergarten and spend time engaging with the staff and children. They love to get toys, colouring books, crayons and outdoor toys so get ready for some fun time in play.

We will spend about 2 hours in the nursery then head to the Kiulu River for a fun, easy-going rafting adventure (grade 1–2 rapids). The scenery is spectacular with lush forest, bamboo groves, and the sound of rushing water as we float down this 15km stretch.

We’ll finish with a BBQ lunch by the river before heading back to Kota Kinabalu.

Dinner will be at an Indian Restaurant tonight, but you are free to find alternative options or just stroll through the streets one last time as we head off in the morning to really get into the heart of our adventure.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: Grandis Hotel

Day 5 -Kota Kinabalu- Kinabalu National Park

Today we head to Kota Kinabalu National Park, about 2.5 hours drive. The Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, famous for its rich and unique biodiversity. We'll make a stop at Nabalu on the way there. The town is correctly named Pekan Nabalu and it translates literally as 'toilet stop' so we need to test that. There are spectacular views of Kinabalu from the town and we will no doubt take a photo or two as well.

We'll have lunch at the Liwagu restaurant and follow that with a visit to the Desa cattle and traditional market at Kundasang. Dinner at the hotel this evening and a chance to enjoy some local specialities.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: Perkasa Hotel

Day 6 - Kinabalu National Park- Deramakot Forest Reserve

Today we start our explorations at Poring Hot Springs. Poring is named after a species of giant bamboo that grows abundantly in the area. Poring is about 400m above sea level and is dominated by the lowland forest with huge dipterocarp trees easily seen on the trails.

Poring is known for its hot sulphur spring bath which was first developed by the Japanese during World War II. The hot waters of the spring are piped into open-air baths. Here you could also experience the breathtaking treetop walk on the 43m tall canopy walkway. Rafflesia, the largest flower in the world is one of the main attractions here.

After our stop at Poring, we head to Sabah Tea Plantation for lunch before driving to Telupid, the capital of Telupid District.

En route to our Lodge for the night, we'll drive slowly and observe the wildlife at dusk. After dinner, we'll head out for a night Wildlife Drive to catch the sounds, songs and sights in the Forest.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: Deramakot Lodge

Day 7 - Deramakot Forest Reserve

This is the day for the early birds with a wake up call (and hopefully a coffee) at 4.00am to get out there for a dawn game drive. No-one wants to get up that early to see wildlife. but there's nothing quite like watching morning breaking over the Park and seeing the animals start their day. It's optional but no-one ever regrets having gotten up at the crack of dawn to witness this spectacle.

When we return, we'll have a full breakfast and after that you'll have time to nap. But really who wants to nap in Borneo!

After lunch let's go trekking on the Domingo Trail

We'll have dinner at the Lodge and round the day off with a night-time Wildlife Drive to see the wildlife tucking in for the night.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: Deramakot Lodge

Day 8 - Deramakot Forest Reserve - Kota Kinabatangan

After breakfast, we’ll check out and travel to Kinabatangan, one of the best wildlife regions in Borneo. En route, we’ll stop for lunch before continuing to our homestay at Sumilau Village, where we’ll spend the next two nights.

This afternoon, we’ll visit the Borneo Elephant Sanctuary (BES), just a short (but bumpy!) 4x4 ride away. Here, we’ll meet the team and learn about their vital conservation work to protect Borneo’s endangered pygmy elephants. Depending on the day’s schedule, we’ll also have the chance to help with light volunteering tasks.

We’ll return to our homestay for a home-cooked dinner and a relaxing evening surrounded by local hospitality.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: Sumilau Homestay

Day 9 - Volunteering in Kota Kinabatangan

After breakfast, we’ll return to the Borneo Elephant Sanctuary for more hands-on volunteering. This is a chance to get involved, whether it’s helping with maintenance, preparing enrichment for the elephants, or supporting the sanctuary’s staff.

We’ll head back to our homestay for lunch, then in the late afternoon, we’ll visit the Gomantong Caves to witness one of Borneo’s most mesmerising sights - the evening bat exodus. Thousands of bats spiral out of the caves at dusk, forming a living river across the sky.

Dinner tonight is back at our homestay.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: Sumilau Homestay

Day 10 - Kota Kinabatangan - Ulu Melapi

After breakfast, we’ll say goodbye to our hosts and travel to Sukau, a small riverside town, before continuing by boat to Ulu Melapi, our home for the next two nights.

We’ll arrive in time for lunch and a briefing about the Kinabatangan Wildlife Corridor, a vital conservation zone that supports incredible biodiversity. In the late afternoon, we’ll take a river cruise to explore this rich ecosystem (keep your eyes peeled for proboscis monkeys, hornbills, and maybe even pygmy elephants along the riverbanks).

After dinner, we’ll join our guides for a nocturnal jungle walk, where the forest reveals its night-time secrets.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: Ulu Melapi

Day 11 - Ulu Melapi

Today is all about slowing down and immersing yourself in the rhythm of the river. We’ll start with an early morning river cruise as the mist rises and wildlife stirs - a magical time of day for photography and birdwatching.

After breakfast, you’ll have free time to relax before lunch. In the afternoon, we’ll set out for another river cruise, exploring a different stretch of the Kinabatangan. Each outing brings new surprises.

After dinner, we’ll take one last night walk, tuning in to the forest’s nocturnal symphony and searching for species we may have missed.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: Ulu Melapi

Day 12 - Ulu Melapi - Sepilok

After breakfast, we’ll say farewell to the river and begin our journey toward Sepilok. We’ll stop for lunch at a local restaurant and visit the Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary to watch these quirky long-nosed monkeys during their feeding session.

We’ll then continue to our accommodation at Sepilok Forest Edge Resort, surrounded by lush tropical forest.

In the late afternoon, we’ll visit the Rainforest Discovery Centre, where, if we’re lucky, we might spot the incredible flying squirrels gliding between the trees at sunset.

Tonight we’ll gather for a farewell dinner, to share stories and highlights from our Borneo adventure.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: Sepilok Forest Edge Resort

Day 13 - Depart Sepilok

Our final morning begins with a visit to two of Borneo’s most iconic sanctuaries; the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre and the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre. Here, you’ll get a closer look at the incredible work being done to protect these endangered species and witness their rehabilitation up close.

We’ll then enjoy a short Sandakan city tour, with lunch at the colonial-style English Tea House, the perfect spot to toast the end of our adventure.

Can you believe, it's over? Nearly 2 weeks spent exploring Borneo, early morning and late night game drives, having the privilege to work with some of the most endangered species of wildlife on the planet. More than anything, you've made new friendships and have a deeper understanding of the people and way of life in Borneo.

It's been our privilege to host you and we hope that you will come back for another EVA tour one day.

We recommend the following flight: Malaysia Airlines MH2669 (ETD 18:30 and ETA 21:20)

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

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