Flights not included
Now from
$1190
Was from
$1590
Days
11
ORANGUTANS, TURTLES, RIVERS, JUNGLE NIGHTS

Borneo Wildlife Family Adventure

This 9-day family trip through Malaysian Borneo is built around the kind of wildlife moments kids remember for years: orangutans at Sepilok, river cruises on the Kinabatangan, a night walk in the jungle and turtle hatchlings making their way to the sea.

It starts in Kota Kinabalu, moves through hot springs and tea country, then settles into river, island and rainforest days around Sandakan. It is adventurous, simple and deeply rewarding, especially for families who want nature to feel real rather than packaged behind glass.

Why You'll Love This Trip

Borneo turns family travel into something wilder: rivers, rainforest, turtles, orangutans and real conservation stories.
  • Paddle Kota Kinabalu
    Try stand-up paddleboarding near Tanjung Aru with beach views and easy family pacing.
  • Hot Springs And Tea
    Soak, splash and sleep longhouse-style beside Sabah's green tea plantation scenery.
  • Kinabatangan Wildlife
    Cruise the river at sunset looking for macaques, proboscis monkeys and wild orangutans.
  • Jungle Camp Nights
    Sleep beside an oxbow lake with cicadas, mosquito nets and true rainforest sounds.
  • Turtle Island Magic
    Watch nesting green turtles and protected hatchlings under careful ranger supervision.
  • Sepilok Orangutans
    See young orangutans learning to climb, then visit rescued sun bears nearby.
This is a family adventure with muddy shoes, late nights, river boats and wide-eyed wildlife moments. It is not polished luxury, and that is exactly why it feels so special.
Itinerary
Kota Kinabalu
Kota Kinabalu
Poring Hot Springs
Kinabatangan River
Kinabatangan River
Sandakan
Turtle Island
Sepilok and Sandakan
Sandakan
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Tour program
  • Welcome to Malaysia. Your family adventure begins in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah's capital between the Borneo jungle and the South China Sea. Meet your leader and the other families at the 5 pm welcome meeting, then maybe head toward the waterfront market for smoky stalls serving grilled meat and fish. If you arrive early, visit the Sabah State Museum or take a boat out to nearby islands for swimming or snorkeling.
  • Accommodation
    Dreamtel Hotel or similar - 1 night
  • Meals
    None listed
  • Optional activities
    Kota Kinabalu - Mari Mari Cultural Village (Entrance) - MYR130
  • Special information
    Please attend the welcome meeting, as your leader will collect insurance details and emergency contact information for every family member. If you will be late, contact your travel agent or hotel reception. Ask reception or check the lobby notice for the meeting location.
  • This morning, head to Tanjung Aru Beach and try stand-up paddleboarding with a guide. Paddle at your own speed, look for hidden coves and learn a little about the local marine life while everyone gets comfortable on the water. The rest of the day is free in Kota Kinabalu. Families may want to visit markets, walk the waterfront or see the Kota Kinabalu City Mosque.
  • Accommodation
    Dreamtel Hotel or similar - 1 night
  • Meals
    Breakfast
  • Included activities
    Kota Kinabalu - Stand up paddle boarding
  • After breakfast, travel to Poring Hot Springs. The area is known for rainforest, bamboo and hot sulfur springs first developed during World War II. Depending on access, enjoy the canopy walk or alternative nature activities, then relax in the pools. Kids often love the slide pool, while parents and older children may prefer the hot pools. Tonight, stay in a reconstructed longhouse on a tea plantation.
  • Accommodation
    Sabah Tea Longhouse - 1 night
  • Meals
    Breakfast
  • Included activities
    Ranau - Poring Hot Springs - Canopy Walk and Conservation Fee
  • Special information
    The hot pools are optional, with several pools to choose from. Slide pools are closed every Monday for scheduled cleaning and maintenance. The Poring Canopy Walkway has been closed for major maintenance since July 30, 2025 and will remain closed until further notice. On Mondays or when the canopy walkway is unavailable, your leader will suggest alternatives such as Kipungit Waterfall, the Butterfly Garden or time in the open-air hot pools for up to 3 hours. Tonight's longhouse-style rooms are twin or triple share, with fans and shared bathrooms.
  • Travel by private bus to Kampung Batu Puteh, a small village on the Kinabatangan River. Your hosts are from KOPEL, a community-run conservation organization helping villagers build sustainable livelihoods while replanting degraded forest. After learning about their work, board a boat and head upriver to your jungle accommodation. This afternoon, cruise the river at sunset in search of macaques, wild orangutans, proboscis monkeys and other wildlife. After dinner, let the sounds of the jungle take over.
  • Accommodation
    Kinabatangan Eco Camp - 1 night
  • Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Included activities
    Kinabatangan River - Afternoon Wildlife Cruise
  • Special information
    Today's travel time is approximately 5 hours. Pack an overnight bag for 2 nights at the jungle camp and leave your main luggage at the KOPEL office. On some departures, the group spends only 1 night at the Eco Camp and 1 night in village accommodation with attached bathrooms due to availability. Jungle camp facilities are simple, with basic huts, mosquito nets, cold bathing and solar power so the wildlife is not disturbed. Bring a flashlight, insect repellent and a rain jacket. Boots and leech socks are available to rent for the jungle night walk.
  • Wake up to jungle sounds, then head upriver to a village and learn more about local life. Lunch is hands-on today with a traditional cooking class, so everyone gets involved before sitting down to eat. The afternoon is free to relax, play board games or look for more wildlife, then you will return to the river for another sunset cruise. After dinner, grab your headlamp for a guided night walk in search of nocturnal animals.
  • Accommodation
    Kinabatangan Eco Camp or village stay - 1 night
  • Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Included activities
    Kinabatangan River - Night Jungle Walk
    Kinabatangan River - Cooking class
    Kinabatangan River - Cultural Performance
    Kinabatangan River - Sunset Wildlife Cruise
  • Optional activities
    Kinabatangan River - Tree Planting - MYR50
  • Say goodbye to the Eco Camp and drive to Sandakan, stopping at the Sandakan War Memorial. Once you arrive, you will notice the city's Cantonese influence in its harborside market, Chinese temples and food scene. The rest of the day is free for laundry, errands, lunch or a relaxed afternoon by the pool.
  • Accommodation
    Ormond Hotel or similar - 1 night
  • Meals
    Breakfast
  • Included activities
    Sandakan - War Memorial
  • Leave your large bags at the hotel and board a speedboat to Turtle Island, passing fishing villages and bamboo fish traps along the way. After arriving at Turtle Island Marine Park, enjoy free time on the beach or in the water. Later, under the cover of darkness, you may see green turtles come ashore to lay their eggs. Researchers may also release protected hatchlings and guide them toward the ocean. The accommodation is basic, but the experience can be unforgettable for families.
  • Accommodation
    Chalet - 1 night
  • Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Included activities
    Turtle Island - Turtle Night Nesting viewing
  • Optional activities
    Turtle Island - Turtle Nest Adoption Program - MYR150
  • Special information
    This may be a late night for children, as nesting turtles sometimes do not reach the beach until after 10 pm. Families wait together in the dining hall until called by rangers, so bring games, cards, art supplies or quiet activities. Artificial light can disturb nesting turtles and hatchlings, so follow all ranger instructions carefully. November to February is monsoon season in Borneo, and the boat journey to Turtle Island can be rough. On rare occasions, the itinerary may need to change if the boat is unsafe or cancelled.
  • Return to the mainland and drive to Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre. The center helps orphaned or formerly domesticated orangutans return to the wild. From the viewing platform, you may see them swing in for fruit, vegetables or milk, and young orangutans practicing their climbing skills in the nursery. Then visit the Sun Bear Conservation Centre to see rescued bears before returning to Sandakan. Tonight, families may want one final dinner together.
  • Accommodation
    Ormond Hotel or similar - 1 night
  • Meals
    Breakfast
  • Included activities
    Sepilok - Sun Bear Conservation Centre
    Sepilok - Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre
  • There are no planned activities today, and your family can leave any time after check-out. If you would like to stay longer in Sandakan, arrange additional accommodation before departure.
  • Meals
    Breakfast
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Borneo has a way of turning family travel into campfire stories: river eyes in the dark, tiny turtles in the sand and orangutans swinging through green.
Inclusions and activities
  • Destination
    Malaysia
  • 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
  • Included activities
    Kota Kinabalu - Stand up paddle boarding
    Ranau - Poring Hot Springs - Canopy Walk and Conservation Fee
    Kinabatangan River - Afternoon Wildlife Cruise
    Kinabatangan River - Night Jungle Walk
    Kinabatangan River - Cooking class
    Kinabatangan River - Cultural Performance
    Kinabatangan River - Sunset Wildlife Cruise
    Sandakan - War Memorial
    Turtle Island - Turtle Night Nesting viewing
    Sepilok - Sun Bear Conservation Centre
    Sepilok - Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre
  • Optional activities
    Kota Kinabalu - Mari Mari Cultural Village (Entrance) - MYR130
    Kinabatangan River - Tree Planting - MYR50
    Turtle Island - Turtle Nest Adoption Program - MYR150
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Planning a group trip? Contact our manager at info@eurotourclub.com — we’ll help you organize every detail for a smooth and unforgettable journey.
Trip moments from our travelers
Before you book you should know
Is this trip right for you?
This is a family trip, so adults and children travel together, and at least one child under 18 must be part of your booking. The minimum child age is 5 years old. Most children on family departures are between 10 and 14, and the average child age on this trip recently has been around 11.

Accommodation varies widely, from city hotels to a longhouse, jungle camp and basic island chalet. Some places are simpler than a standard hotel, but the location is the reason families come: close to wildlife, rainforest, rivers and rare conservation experiences.

Parents should be ready for humid weather, insects, basic jungle facilities, shared bathrooms in some places and a few long travel days. Bring patience, flexible expectations and practical clothing that can handle rain, mud and heat.

The Turtle Island experience can involve a late night for children and requires careful behavior around nesting turtles and hatchlings. Families must follow ranger instructions, especially around noise and artificial light.
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Accommodation
Accommodation includes 4 nights in hotels, 1 night in a longhouse, 2 nights in jungle camp accommodation and 1 night in a chalet. Rooming is arranged with family size in mind, but exact layouts depend on availability.

Families of two are usually accommodated in a twin room. Families of three are placed in a triple room where possible, though in some places this may be a twin room with a rollaway bed or mattress on the floor. If a triple is not available, the family decides who takes the single room.

Families of four or more will usually stay in two twin rooms. Quad rooms or nearby/adjoining rooms may be requested, but they cannot always be guaranteed, especially during peak family travel seasons.

The joining hotel is Dreamtel Hotel, 5 Jalan Padang, Kota Kinabalu 88000, Malaysia. Phone: +(60) 88240333. The hotel is centrally located in downtown Kota Kinabalu, with ensuite rooms, TV, air conditioning, phone, in-room safe, tea and coffee facilities, restaurant, Wi-Fi and 24-hour front desk.
Joining point
Joining point: Dreamtel Hotel, 5 Jalan Padang, Kota Kinabalu 88000, Malaysia. Phone: +(60) 88240333.

EurotourClub can help arrange a pre-booked arrival transfer. Please provide your flight details at least 14 days before departure if you would like this service.

For a confirmed transfer, a representative will meet you after exiting customs with a sign showing your name. If you cannot find the representative, go to the Airport Information counter on the arrivals floor and ask them to call Kinabalu Heritage Transport at +60 11-2668 3913. If your flight is delayed or changed, contact the local operator in advance.

If you prefer a taxi, go to the taxi service counter at Kota Kinabalu International Airport. The set rate is usually 35 MYR, and you will receive a voucher for the taxis outside. Arrivals between 12 am and 6 am may have a 50% surcharge.
Dates and prices
Lock in your trip with a 50% flexible deposit
  • Starting
    Wednesday 8 Oct 2025
  • Ending
    Wednesday 15 Oct 2025
  • Prices from
    $1500 $1800
  • Sunday 12 Oct 2025
  • Sunday 19 Oct 2025
  • $1800
  • Wednesday 15 Oct 2025
  • Wednesday 22 Oct 2025
  • $1800
  • Sunday 19 Oct 2025
  • Sunday 26 Oct 2025
  • $1500 $1800
  • Wednesday 22 Oct 2025
  • Wednesday 29 Oct 2025
  • $1500 $1800
Starting Wednesday 8 Oct 2025
Ending Wednesday 15 Oct 2025
$1500 $1800
Starting Sunday 12 Oct 2025
Ending Sunday 19 Oct 2025
$1500 $1800
Starting Wednesday 15 Oct 2025
Ending Wednesday 22 Oct 2025
$1500 $1800
Starting Sunday 19 Oct 2025
Ending Sunday 26 Oct 2025
$1500 $1800

Important notes

  1. This is a family trip. Adults and children travel together, and at least one child under 18 must be included in your booking.
  2. The minimum child age is 5 years old. Most children on family trips are between 10 and 14.
  3. Children aged 17 and under at the time of travel receive 20% off the full adult price.
  4. A single supplement may be available for adults who prefer a private room. It excludes Day 3 at Sabah Tea Garden, Days 4 and 5 at the Jungle Camp and Day 7 on Turtle Island, and is subject to availability.
  5. On some departures, the group may spend 1 night in the Eco Camp and 1 night in village accommodation with attached bathrooms due to availability.
  6. November to February is monsoon season for Selingan, also known as Turtle Island. The sea crossing can be rough, and in extreme weather the Turtle Island visit may be cancelled or replaced with alternative arrangements.
  7. Some governments may have elevated travel advice for parts of Eastern Sabah, including Sandakan and Turtle Island. Check current travel advice before departure. Travel insurance is mandatory and must cover all destinations and activities in the itinerary.
Reviews
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