Malaysia stands as one of the 17 “megadiverse” nations globally, with Borneo shining as its biodiversity treasure! The third largest island in the world, bordered by a coral reef, draped with a 130-million-year-old rainforest, and brimming with unique species, this site is of monumental scale. Although Borneo Malaysia is divided among two other nations (Indonesia and Brunei), the state’s Sabah situated at the northern tip of the island boasts the most conserved rainforest, the tallest peak, vibrant indigenous culture (38 groups comprising 59% of the population), and a solid tourism framework to explore these natural marvels…making it the ideal choice for a trip to Borneo! We allotted ourselves 12 days (we could have effortlessly spent a month here) to traverse Sabah and are thrilled to unveil the highlights of Malaysian Borneo. Follow our blog as we trek alongside orangutans, dive in the iconic Sipadan, embark on a river safari like David Attenborough, and focus on the top activities in Sabah, Malaysia.
A special thanks to Allianz Travel for backing our content and ensuring our safety throughout this journey…travel insurance is essential for any adventure in Borneo!
Table of Contents
Sabah Travel Itinerary
Route & Timing:
Sepilok (1 day) > Sukau & Kinabatangan River (2 days) > Sipadan Scuba Diving Trip (3 Days if you dive; skip if not) > Danum Valley Conservation Area (2 days) > Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park (2 Days) > Kinabalu Park (2 Days) > Transit Days (add 2 days overall)
This 12-14 day Sabah travel itinerary begins in the northeast at Sepilok and follows a clockwise route, culminating in the capital, Kota Kinabalu, by the South China Sea. It presents an exhilarating mix of Borneo’s rivers, rainforests, islands, mountains, indigenous heritage, and urban experiences. This blog features all our favorite activities (including those we didn’t have time for), and if you scroll down to the end of this post, you can find all the logistical information.
Sepilok, Northeast Sabah
Situated just outside the bustling city of Sandakan, the Sepilok region merits an overnight stay for this insightful trio: Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Center + Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre + Rainforest Discovery Centre…all within walking distance.
Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre
Since 1964, the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre has been doing remarkable work rehabilitating orphaned and injured orangutans in their 10,611-acre sanctuary. Within this expansive rainforest reserve, 60-80 orangutans live autonomously in the wild, while around 25 orphaned orangutans receive care in the nurseries until they can ideally be released. The best times to visit Sepilok are at 10am or 3pm when they feed the orangutans who still require help.
We trekked for 10 minutes along the forested boardwalk to reach the feeding platform. Four orangutans were gathered in a circle, sharing food, stretching, and looking after an adorably restless baby. Orangutans share 97% of our DNA, which becomes strikingly clear when observing their recognizable behaviors. Then appeared Malim, a 25-year-old flanged male weighing nearly 200 pounds with a 7-foot wingspan, swinging in from the ropes. With prominent cheeks, a defined throat pouch, and long red hair, he is a prime example of a dominant male, and we were incredibly fortunate to see him!
Tip: While the temptation exists to wait for these great apes in their natural habitat, if that doesn’t come to pass, you will be truly grateful you visited and supported the rehabilitation center.
Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre
Directly adjacent to the Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre is the inaugural sanctuary for the world’s smallest bear. Their utter cuteness has led to numerous challenges for the sun bear, with a concerning number of individuals keeping them in captivity! Malaysian biologist and now CNN Hero, Wong Siew Te, sought to end this through the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre’s rescue initiative, rehabilitation facility, and public awareness programs. We participated in a tour, discovering fascinating facts, such as sun bears being half the size of a black bear, having 10-inch tongues, and earning their name from the sun-like golden patch on their chest. We witnessed two bears pacing, still coping with the stress from their previous life in captivity, yet we were relieved to know this rehabilitation center is operational and consider it a worthwhile stop to have the chance to see a bear in a tree feasting from a beehive like Winnie the Pooh!
Rainforest Discovery Centre
Next on our brief introduction to Borneo biodiversity…The Rainforest Discovery Centre! Stroll through their impressive sky