Borneo Wildlife Family Holiday

12 days
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4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews  
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Small Group Tour
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 macaq...
26%
$3,645
From$2,700
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Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

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

What's this trip about?

    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.Enjoy a tropical family adventure combining jungles, wildlife and beaches

Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeSmall Group - max of 16 people
Age range9 to 16 years
Flights and transportAll internal ground transport included
Start CityKota Kinabalu
End CityKota Kinabalu

Travel Themes

  • Family Friendly
  • National Parks
  • Nature & Wildlife

Destinations

  • Asia
  • Malaysia

Attractions

  • Borneo
  • Kota Kinabalu

Activities

  • Adventure & Adrenaline
  • Kid-friendly activities
  • Nature
  • Wildlife viewing

Trip includes

    • All accommodation
    • All breakfasts, four lunches and four dinners
    • All transport and listed activities
    • Tour leader throughout
    • Free group arrival and departure transfers available

Popular Trips

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1 Start Kota Kinabalu

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...

Day 2 Hike through rubber and fruit plantation; spend the night in a homestay in Tanak Nabalu village

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 larg...

Day 3 To Kinabalu National Park, exploring the lower trails and botanical gardens; overnight in local resort lodge

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...

Day 4 Transfer to Sabah Tea Gardens; soak in Poring Hot Springs and take to the trees with a canopy walk

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 ca...

Day 5 - 6 Visit tea factory; onto Kinabatangan; enjoy morning and afternoon river cruises; explore the jungle on foot

Waking to spectacular views over the mountain, we start with an early morning visit to the tea plantation, learning about tea production, before driving to Kinabatangan (approximately five to six hours). The Kinabatangan River is the longest in Sabah and the lower re...

Day 7 - 8 Visit Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre and optional visit to the Rainforest Discovery Centre and Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre

The next two days are spent in and around Sepilok. The drive to Labuk Bay and the proboscis monkey sanctuary takes about three to four hours. These monkeys, only found in Borneo, are very distinctive with their large noses and can often be seen jumping between trees w...

Day 9 Fly back to Kota Kinabalu; free time to relax or explore Kota Kinabalu

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...

Day 10 Spend the day snorkelling and swimming in Tunku Abdul Marine Park

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)

Day 11 Free day and optional final group dinner

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 l...

Day 12 End Kota Kinabalu

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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Dates & Availability

Price From $2,700
Price per day$225
Last Updated: 5/22/2024
Departure Date
Finish Date
Shared Room
Single Room
Availability
06 Apr 2025
17 Apr 2025
$2,925
$3,578
27 Jul 2025
07 Aug 2025
$3,000
$3,653
03 Aug 2025
14 Aug 2025
$3,000
$3,653
10 Aug 2025
21 Aug 2025
$3,000
$3,653
26 Oct 2025
06 Nov 2025
$2,925
$3,578

Check current availability, prices, specials & more.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

Exodus Travels Reviews & Ratings

4.7/5  Excellent
Excellent
13,151
Great
3,276
Average
615
Disappointing
145
Terrible
186
A

Anonymous

Oct 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

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 ...

A

Anonymous

Jan 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

Life Changing Experience

Just back and can't quite believe what we saw and experienced on this trip. We were lucky enough to see a wild pigmy elephant, crossing the river right in front of ...

A

Anonymous

Jul 2017

Provided byExodus Travels

FIB: Borneo Wildlife Adventure

A fantastic trip featuring an incredible amount of wildlife, some stunning scenery, and many once-in-a-lifetime experiences!! For me I think it was seeing Pygmy Ele...

A

Anonymous

Aug 2016

Provided byExodus Travels

BORNEO FAMILY ADVENTURE

Wow...what an adventure! 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 ...

A

Anonymous

Aug 2016

Provided byExodus Travels

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 experi...

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Other Exodus Travels Reviews

R

Ruth Long

Aug 2024

Written on

great activities perfectly planned

great activities perfectly planned, good support and guiding.

C

Catherine Newbold

Aug 2024

Written on

Very easy process.

Very easy process.

A

Annabel Church Smith

Aug 2024

Written on

Helpful alternative choice

We had to cancel our trip to Jordon due to the troubles in the Middle East. The person at Exodus was very helpful in suggesting an alternative holiday for us. Howeve...

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Tour Operator

Exodus Travels

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It is all about adventure. That is what Exodus was founded upon 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.

All our office staff have a passion for travel and adventure, and between us we’ve notched up experience that spans 171 different countries. That’s not all. In their former lives, our team members have been professional archaeologists, wildlife guides, overland drivers, mountain leaders, diving and ski specialists and mountain bike gurus – so no-one is better placed to create tours that appeal to a wide range of specialist interests.

Their care in putting all the details in place really shines through too. Extensive planning, research, fact-finding and training are a sign of our commitment to providing a holiday where your enjoyment, value for money and safety come first. It’s a telling reason why we remain one of the leading worldwide adventure tour companies. It is no exaggeration to say that our tour leaders can make a world of difference to the enjoyment of your holiday – so we choose them carefully. The result is that, in 2013, 93% of our clients stated that their leader exceeded their expectations. Where possible, we train and employ local leaders because they can provide invaluable insights that enrich the trip. What’s more, this investment in local staff really helps us benefit both them and their community.

Why we love this operator
With a wide range of trip styles, Exodus caters to every type of traveler out there- even those with specific interests from cycling to winter hiking.
What they’re known for
Global trips to a wide array of destinations with a focus on themed adventures, exciting physical activities and learning about local cultures.

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Logistics

What's excluded

    • Travel insurance
    • Single accommodation (available on request)
    • Visas & vaccinations

Accommodation

Flights usually via Kuala Lumpur with Malaysian Airlines Travel by minibus, speedboat, longboat, local bus and 1 internal flight Group normally 2 to 16, plus local leader 8 nights hotels/lodges (mostly en suite), 2 night homestay and 1 night longhouse All breakfasts, 4 lunches and 3 dinners included,We spend nine nights in hotels and lodges, one night in a homestay, and one night in a longhouse (with shared bathroom facilities). We use a range of accommodation on this trip from a basic longhouse to comfortable jungle lodges. In Kota Kinabalu, we stay in a comfortable 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. Both the accommodations on Day 2 and Day 4 are basic and have shared bathrooms. 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. 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.
Cancellation policy

The cancellation policies of this trip when booked through Travelstride are determined by the stated policies of the tour operator - Exodus Travels.

If you or any other member of your party decides to cancel a confirmed booking you must notify Travelstride in writing. Your notice of cancellation will only take effect when it is received in writing by Travelstride and will be effective from the date on which we receive it.

If You Cancel Your Holiday
You, or any member of your party, may cancel your travel arrangements at any time. Written notification from the lead name or your travel agent must be received at our offices. 

Since we incur costs in canceling your travel arrangements, you will have to pay cancellation charges as follows (see also the exceptions below): 

  • More than 42 days - No cancellation fee. Deposit can be transferred to a new booking departing within 2 years of date of travel of original booking. Any remaining balance will be refundedThis excludes all non-refundable costs as set out in clause 4 above (for example international and domestic flights and local services).
  • Between 41 and 21 days (inclusive) - No cancellation fee. Balance and deposit can be transferred to a new booking departing within 2 years of date of travel of original bookingThis excludes all non-refundable costs as further explained in clause 4 above (for example international and domestic flights and local services).
  • Between 20 and 15 days (inclusive) - 80% of the holiday cost
  • 14 days or less; or failure to join the holiday (inclusive) - 100% of the holiday cost

Certain trips may involve different cancellation charges; you will be advised if this is applicable to your holiday during the booking process.For Polar holidays, the following cancellation charges will be made for all Polar holidays. Period before departure in which you notify us: 

Cancelation charge

  • More than 133 days - Deposit only
  • 133 days or less (or failure to join the holiday) (inclusive) - 100% of the holiday cost

Notes (i) Your deposit is non-refundable, even if the cancellation charge calculated is lower than the deposit amount paid; (ii) If the reason for your cancellation is covered under the terms of your insurance policy, you may be able to reclaim these charges; (iii) certain travel arrangements may be subject to higher cancellation charges and could incur a cancellation charge of up to 100% of that part of the arrangements from the moment the booking is confirmed.

If You Change Your Booking

If, after our Booking Confirmation has been issued, you wish to change your travel arrangements in any way, for example your chosen departure date or accommodation, we will do our utmost to make these changes but it may not always be possible. Any request for changes to be made must be in writing from the lead name or your travel agent. You will be asked to pay an administration charge of $60, and any further cost we incur in making this alteration (including those charged by third party suppliers who provide the component parts of your booking).  You should be aware that these costs could increase the closer to the departure date that changes are made and you should contact us as soon as possible. Note: Certain travel arrangements may not be changeable after a reservation has been made and any alteration request could incur a cancellation charge of up to 100% of that part of the arrangements.

You can transfer your booking to another person, who satisfies all the conditions that apply to this booking, by giving us notice in writing at least 7 days before departure provided that the new lead passenger accepts the transfer and these Terms and Conditions. Both you and the new traveler are responsible for paying all costs we incur in making the transfer. Please bear in mind that certain airlines and other transport providers treat changes as a cancellation and charge accordingly, up to 100% of the cost for that part of the arrangement. Where applicable these charges will be passed on to you.

If We Cancel Your Booking

Exodus reserves the right to cancel an itinerary before departure for any reason whatsoever, including too few participants ,logistical problems, a Force Majeure Event (as defined in Section 8), or any other circumstances that may make operation of the trip inadvisable. All trip payments received will be promptly refunded, and this refund will be the limit of Exodus’s liability without any further obligation on Exodus’s part. Exodus is not responsible for any expenses incurred by trip members in preparing for the trip, including non-refundable or penalty-carrying airline tickets, special clothing, visa or passport fees, or other trip-related expenses.

If We Change Your Booking

  1. Changes to the price. We can change your holiday price after you’ve booked, only in certain circumstances. Changes in the price of the carriage of passengers resulting from changes to the cost of fuel or other power sources, the level of taxes or fees imposed by third parties including tourist taxes, landing taxes or embarkation or disembarkation fees at ports and airports, or exchange rates mean that the price of your travel arrangements may change after you have booked.

  2. Changes other than the price. It is a term of your booking that we are able to make changes to any aspect of your booking. If the change is insignificant, we will ensure that you are notified about it. Examples of insignificant changes include alteration of your accommodation to another of the same or higher standard. If we are forced by circumstances beyond our control to alter significantly any of the main characteristics of the travel services that make up your package you will have the rights set out below.

    2.1 - We will contact you and you will have the choice of accepting the change or having a refund of all monies paid. You can also accept an alternative holiday, where we offer one (we will refund any price difference if the alternative is of a lower value). We will tell you the procedure for making your choice. Please read any notification of changes carefully and respond promptly as if you do not respond to us within the timescale given your booking may be canceled.

    2.2 - If you choose to accept a refund then that is the only liability we have and we will not be liable for any further sums, compensation or otherwise and you are advised to adequately insure yourselves against cancellation for any reason

Please note that insurance premiums and amendments charges are not refundable in any circumstances. 

Once you have put down a deposit for a tour, you are unable to cancel and re-book within a promotional period and we reserve the right to amend the pricing on any new booking you make within that time. If you cancel a tour and book the same tour under a promotional code, we reserve the right to decline the booking.

Important Note: Certain arrangements may not be amended after they have been confirmed and any alteration or cancellation could incur a cancellation charge of up to 100% of that part of the arrangements in addition to the charge above.

If the reason for your cancellation is covered under the terms of your insurance policy, you may be able to reclaim these charges.

Where possible, we will deduct the cancellation charge(s) from any monies you have already paid to us.

For more additional details, see the booking conditions of TruTravels at the following web address: https://www.exodustravels.com/us/about-exodus/exodus-booking-conditions.

Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Meals Included
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.
Age Requirements
9 to 16 years
Additional Information
  • Nine nights in hotels/lodges, one night homestay and one night longhouse
  • Travel by minibus, speedboat, longboat, local bus and one internal flight
Trip ID
exodus-FIB

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