Borneo is one of two places in the world with orangutans, so it’s only fitting that you kick off your adventure by visiting the King of the Swingers in his natural habitat. After visiting the Conservation Center, spend the rest of the day kayaking through the Sarawak countryside, passing rainforest, pepper farms, and Bidayuh minority villages. The next day, you’ll dove into the rainforest proper with a visit to Bako National Park, where you’ll might spot monitor lizards among the mangroves or proboscis monkeys in the towering trees. In the evenings, make the most of all the sweet treats and spicy snacks in Borneo’s cat-themed culinary capital: Kuching.

Kota Kinabalu is the springboard for some of Borneo’s most amazing experiences. Traveling 1.5 hours outside of town, on arrival you'll gear up and get out on the water for an exciting rafting ride on the rapids of the Kiulu River — in the safe hands of an expert rafting guide, of course. It’s a family-friendly fifteen-kilometer course through farmland and rainforest, with plenty of gentler sections where you’ll have a chance to soak up the scenery. Back in Kota Kinabalu for the evening, discover the city’s hidden charms: delicious seafood, friendly people, and beautiful sunsets.

If you haven’t been lucky enough to see an orangutan so far — don’t worry: the best of Borneo’s wildlife experiences are yet to come. Sepilok is the conservation capital of Malaysian Borneo, and its animal sanctuaries are your best chance of seeing orangutans and sun bears up close. It’s not just mammals, either — on a walk at the Rainforest Discovery Center you’ll learn that some of Borneo’s plant life is even weirder and more wonderful than its animals as you look for carnivorous pitcher plants and learn which plants are used in traditional medicines. Finally, on a boardwalk high above the forest floor, you’ll see brightly colored birds and hear the hoots and screeches of monkeys.

If Sepilok is the best place in Malaysian Borneo to see animals on the road to recovery, your next stop is the best place to spot them in the wild. The Kinabatangan River is a long, narrow strip of rainforest packed full of wildlife, from six-foot crocs and rainbow-colored birds to pygmy elephants and ten different types of primate. With your base at a riverside lodge surrounded by dense forest, you’ll head out by boat at different times of day to try to see as many different animals as you can, and make a trip to an Orang Sungai village to learn about traditional life on the water. Look out for low-hanging snakes — and be prepared for some monster-sized spiders and bugs after dark!

To conclude your trip, it’s back to Kota Kinabalu — but this time you’ll be bypassing the city and heading straight to one of our favorite resorts on the South China Sea. Borneo isn’t usually thought of as a beach destination, but with white sand, sparkling clear water, swaying palm trees, and spectacular sunsets, it’s up there with the very best. This is the perfect opportunity for a bit of family downtime — but if you’re not the types to sit still, there are endless activities on offer at your resort, from kayaking and snorkeling to just splashing about in the pool.