Included
8 nights accommodation - Hotel x 4 nights, Longhouse x 1 night, Jungle Eco Camp x 2 nights, Chalet x 1 night
Breakfast x 8 Lunch x 5 Dinner x 8
All activities on the itinerary
Whats included?
Not Included
International Flights
Any visas required
Services not mentioned in the itinerary
Meals and drinks not mentioned in the itinerary
Personal Insurance
Optional activities
$2750
(Based on 2 people sharing)
Itinerary
Day 9 - Kota Kinabalu
The final day of the trip, there will be no activities planned but we will be hanging out in Kota Kinabalu for a couple of days to relax after the trip and you are welcome to join us! For a full itinerary with terms and conditions click here
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 8 - Kota Kinabalu
Today you will transfer back to the mainland. Once back in Sandakan the group will have the opportunity to visit the War Memorial before heading to the airport and for your flight back to Kota Kinabalu (approximately 1 hour). Back at your hotel in Kota Kinabalu you will have time to relax before heading out for a last night dinner.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 7 - Turtle Island
Today we are taking a speedboat past small fishing villages and bamboo fish traps, bound for the beautiful tropical Turtle Island. Take the day to relax on the beach, swim and snorkel and then under the cover of darkness, watch as giant green turtles come 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 and then after this memorable experience, spend the night on this beautiful island.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6 - Sandakan/Sepilok
Today is an exciting day as it's time to see Borneo's famous residents, the orangutans, at Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre. The centre was set up to help re-introduce these wonderful creatures back into the wild after a life of domestication or having been 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 will also have the privilege of viewing a nursery where you can view young orangutans as they learn how to climb on a specially constructed jungle gym. We’ll also walk to newly opened Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Center. Here rescued sun bears that have spent many years being mistreated and locked away in cages are cared for, with hopes of rehabilitation and reintroduction into the wild. Heading back to Sandakan you will have the afternoon free.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5- Sandakan
Say goodbye to the Eco Camp as we take a drive to Sandakan. On arrival, you will notice the strong Cantonese influence, seen in the lively harborside market, the many Chinese temples and the local cuisine. Here there is free time to hang out, relax by the pool and explore the city before going to a local seafood restaurant for dinner.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4 - Kinabatangan River
Wake up in the Eco Camp to the sounds of the jungle ready for a busy day. After breakfast, you’ll head upriver where you take a walk around the village to 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, enjoy some board games or keep spotting wildlife, before heading back on the boat for another trip on the river. After dinner tonight, you’ll don head torches and head out into the jungle for a night walk in search of insects and nocturnal animals. See what happens to the jungle at night, and what creatures come out to play!
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 - Kinabatangan River
This morning we visit a Sabah Tea Factory and learn the process of tea leaves before saying goodbye to the mountain and heading into the jungle. Travel by private bus to Batu Puteh, a small village on the banks of the Kinabatangan River (approximately 5 hours). Your hosts for the night are the local community-run conservation organization KOPEL whose aim is to provide villagers with the means of making a sustainable living from the forest. This afternoon, you’ll head out on a sunset cruise up the river in search of wildlife, including macaques, wild orangutans and proboscis monkeys. Be prepared for an adventure! Return to your jungle camp by an oxbow lake, freshen up for dinner and afterwards, let the cicadas sing you to sleep.
Special information
You'll pack an overnight bag for tonight as you head to jungle camp and leave your main luggage at the KOPEL office. Stay in the jungle in a simple hut with basic facilities, includingmosquito nets and cold bathing. You’ll be in deep jungle, so as not to disturb the wildlife, there is solar power electricity at the camp. A torch, insect repellent and rain jacket are essential for tonight. Boots and leech socks are available for rent for the jungle night walk.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 2 - Poring Hot Spring
Our journey begins and we head to the Poring Hot Springs to enjoy a scenic canopy walk and relaxing swim in the springs themselves.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 1 - Welcome to Borneo!
Selamat datang! Welcome to Malaysia. Kota Kinabalu, the capital of Sabah, is an intriguing city located between the Borneo jungle and the South China Sea. Having survived WWII bombings, KK (as it's commonly known) has a charm unique to the frontier town. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 5 pm at your hotel. Here you will meet your leader and fellow travellers before having dinner together.
Meals Included: Dinner
(Based on 2 people sharing)
8-16 September 2025
Day 1 - Welcome to Borneo!
Selamat datang! Welcome to Malaysia. Kota Kinabalu, the capital of Sabah, is an intriguing city located between the Borneo jungle and the South China Sea. Having survived WWII bombings, KK (as it's commonly known) has a charm unique to the frontier town. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 5 pm at your hotel. Here you will meet your leader and fellow family travellers before having dinner together.
Meals Included: Dinner
Day 2 - Poring Hot Spring
Our journey begins and we head to the Poring Hot Springs to enjoy a scenic canopy walk and relaxing swim in the springs themselves.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 - Kinabatangan River
This morning we visit a Sabah Tea Factory and learn the process of tea leaves before saying goodbye to the mountain and heading into the jungle. Travel by private bus to Batu Puteh, a small village on the banks of the Kinabatangan River (approximately 5 hours). Your hosts for the night are the local community-run conservation organization KOPEL whose aim is to provide villagers with the means of making a sustainable living from the forest. This afternoon, you’ll then head out on a sunset cruise up the river in search of wildlife, including macaques, wild orangutan and proboscis monkeys. Be prepared for an adventure! Return to your jungle camp by an oxbow lake, freshen up for dinner and afterwards, let the cicadas sing you to sleep.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 - Kinabatangan River
Wake up to the sounds of the jungle ready for a busy day. After breakfast, you’ll head upriver to the village where you take a walk around the village to 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, enjoy some boardgames or keep spotting wildlife, before heading back on the boat for another trip on the river. After dinner tonight, you’ll don headtorches and head out into the jungle for a night walk in search of insects and nocturnal animals. See what happens to the jungle at night, and what creatures come out to play!
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5- Sandakan
Say goodbye to your Eco Camp and we take a drive to Sandakan. On arrival, you will notice the strong Cantonese influence, seen in the lively harborside market, the many Chinese temples and the local cuisine. Here there is free time to hang out , relax by the pool and explore the city before going to a local seafood restaurant for dinner.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 6 - Sandakan/Sepilok
Today is an exciting day as its time to see Borneos famous local residents, the orangutans at Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre. The centre was set up to help re-introduce these wonderful creatures back into the wild after a life of domestication or having been 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 will also have the privilege of viewing a nursery where you can view young orangutans as they learn how to climb on a specially constructed jungle gym. We’ll also walk to newly opened Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Center. Here rescued sun bears that have spent many years being mistreated and locked away in cages are cared for, with hopes of rehabilitation and reintroduction into the wild. Heading back to Sandakan you will have the afternoon free.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7 - Turtle Island
Today we are taking a speedboat past small fishing villages and bamboo fish traps, bound for the beautiful tropical Turtle Island. Take the day to relax on the beach, swim and snorkel and then under the cover of darkness, watch as giant green turtles come 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 and then after this memorable experience, spend the night on this beautiful island.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8 - Kota Kinabalu
Today you will transfer back to the mainland. Once back in Sandakan the group will have the opportunity to visit the War Memorial before heading to the airport and for your flight back to Kota Kinabalu (approximately 1 hour). Back at your hotel in Kota Kinabalu you will have time to relax before heading out for a last night dinner.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 9 - Kota Kinabalu
The final day of the trip, there will be no activities planned but we will be hanging out in Kota Kinabalu for a couple of days to relax after the trip and you are welcome to join us! For a full itinerary with terms and conditions click here
Meals Included: Breakfast
Trip Highlights
Camp in the jungle with river safaris & a jungle night walk
Watch baby turtles make a mad dash to the ocean for the first time
See Orangutans in their natural environment
Enjoy a scenic canopy walk and relaxing dip in the hot springs of a lowland rainforest
Join us for our first-ever Travel Beans tour! For 9 days and 8 nights, we will be exploring one of the most bio-diverse places on earth, Borneo! If you are up for an adventure of a lifetime, join us as we go deep into the jungle to see some of the world's rarest wildlife. Enjoy river safaris, soak in hot springs and watch nesting turtles on a relaxing tropical island.
Is this trip for me?
There's a wide range of accommodation on this trip, from hotels with pools to guesthouses with shared bathrooms & jungle camps with cold showers. Some may be a little more basic than your standard hotel, but their unique location and close proximity to wildlife is what makes them special.
There are a few days that we cover long distances with some travelling times of 4–5 hours. A little bit of patience will go a long way towards your enjoyment of this beautiful land!
Travelling light is essential, as there is a strict 15 kg maximum luggage limit due to the internal flight.
Strict luggage limit of 15kg on internal flight. Excess luggage will incur extra fees at your own expense.
Price based on two people sharing twin/double
Borneo is a tropical country so rain can be expected at any time. The wet period in Borneo runs from November to February. Temperatures remain fairly constant year round with averages of 27-32°C/80-89°F and relative humidity of around 80%. Consider bringing a portable small neck fan with you to keep you cool and adequate clothing for the climate/any potential rain.
Borneo’s food is known for being fairly mild, with high reliance on fresh fruit and vegetables. The cuisine is a mix of Thai, Malay and Indian. Cuisine staples include grilled fish, barbecued prawns, fried rice, noodles, and local vegetables seasoned with garlic, ginger, and rich sauces. Fish and chicken-based soups with noodles cooked in a hot clay pot are very traditional.
Important info
There are a few days that we cover long distances with some travelling times of 4–5 hours. A little bit of patience will go a long way towards your enjoyment of this beautiful land!
We recommend that you check your government's advice for their latest information on travelling in Eastern Sabah before your departure and ensure that your travel insurance covers you for all areas of your itinerary. Further information can be found in our "Safety" section of the Essential Trip Information. You can find links to prominent government travel advisories our Travel Alerts page.
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