Borneo - hints and tips

[Bananajam]

Hi, I'm hoping to get some information from anyone who has travelled to Borneo and what kind of trip you did. I am looking at flights to Kuala Lumpur and then on to Borneo but I'm trying to find out whether it's worth doing several internal flights or whether we situate ourselves in one area, if we should consider hiring a guide or if it's possible to travel around by ourselves.

We have been told that Kurching is well worth a visit. I like the idea of combining the culture with some wildlife experiences and some beach/relaxation and watersports.

I've gone through all the various websites to see what type of tours they recommend but I'm hoping to book it all directly myself as we have leftover COVID flight vouchers and having done several tours previously, they're always so rushed! I would prefer a little slower pace with the time available. We have about 2 1/2 weeks to spend and are thinking of going in September this year.

We did our own trip

Kuala Lumpa to KK

KK to Sandakan to see orangutans, sun bears, proboscis monkeys, forest boat ride with guides

Sandakan to Tawau / Semporna for a week of scuba diving near the islands Bohey Dulang in the marine wildlife park, Mataking, Sipidan. The diving is amazing ! With scuba guides

It was extremely hot, we went April/March

We hired our own guides at Sandakan from the hotel. It's cheaper if you do this once you are in the country.

There are also forest & volcano treks, but we didn't do these, because we went diving instead

Travelling between by AirAsia flights is simple, especially as airports are small.

You'll get more options for outdoorsy excursions and sights up north (Kota Kinabalu national park, Danum Valley, various islands off coast), but Kuching is a better city (really just a big town) to explore. It also has the cultural village (long car ride required) where you can view all the homes etc of the various Dayak tribes in one place.

Agreed that it will be relatively easy to choose a tour guide once in a city.

PS If you are big on beaches, the best are up north.

Have a look at this old thread Borneo
I posted my itinerary (username happyholidays75).
Lots of ideas from others.
It's a very easy place to travel independently and absolutely amazing.
The homestay we did on the kinabatagan river was a huge highlight.

That was my old thread Ontheup All got cancelled with covid lockdown but would be good if can do this summer, have the AirAsia vouchers and this year is last year to use, rest got refunded but some took a year to refund.

@Silkierabbit hope you manage to get there. Good luck with the planning.

Thanks Ontheup

Thanks very much and to @Silkierabbit too. I am thoroughly enjoying the planning now I have all your shared knowledge of the various options!

Hi all
thanks for the info above and in the linked thread. We are in early stages of looking at a poss trip to Borneo next summer and wondered if anyone had the link / contact details for the Amai homestay please? I’ve googled and can’t find anything, wondering whether it may no longer be available. Also looking at Fco it says that it advises against islands and dive sites off the Eastern coast of sabah but also ‘There is a threat to foreigners of kidnapping in coastal areas of eastern Sabah from terrorist and criminal groups. The threat is particularly high between the towns of Sandakan and Tawau ‘. Is sandakan ok and Kinabatangan river? Sorry can’t figure it out🤦🏻‍♀️

thanks

It's about 6 years since we went but this was the email address. It sometimes took a week to get a reply, but on the ground it was so well organised.
[email protected]
And website
www.kopelkinabatangan.com/experiences/miso-walai-village-homestay

When we went it was just off the coast that was dodgy. Kinanbatagan and Sandakan fine.

My understanding was its the coast / islands you need to avoid and Kinabatagan is fine and Sandakan is OK. We are planning this for 2024 though will likely stay in Sepilok rather than Sandakan and in Kinabatigan. Its the 2020 trip we had planned which was cancelled due to covid in 2020 and 2021 then 2022 I was having cancer treatment.

@Ontheup75 thank you so
much, this looks amazing and right up
our street.
@Silkierabbit so sorry to hear that, I really hope you make it in 2024.