View Gallery

Borneo Premium Family Holiday

From NZD6,370
BORNEO PREMIUM FAMILY HOLIDAY

Experience the incredible wildlife, culture and natural beauty of Borneo with premium accommodation, conservation experiences and family-friendly adventures

Package highlights:

  • 8-night premium Borneo family adventure
  • Stay in hotels, a rainforest resort and overwater bungalows
  • Visit the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre
  • VIP experience at the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre
  • Wildlife cruises on the Kinabatangan River
  • Hands-on edible flower chocolate making workshop
  • Cooking demonstration and local lunch experience
  • Eco-print workshop and community visits
  • Coral planting workshop on Gaya Island
  • 16 meals included (8 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 dinners)

*International flights are not included and must be booked separately. Complimentary arrival and group departure transfers included.

Trip Enquiry
Keywords : Asia , Intrepid , Tour , Wildlife Safari
Trip code :TVST0033
  • Overview

  • Trip Itinerary

  • Trip Includes

  • Trip Excludes

  • Gallery

  • FAQ

BORNEO PREMIUM FAMILY HOLIDAY

Tour Type: Premium Family Adventure

Duration: 8 Nights

Destination: Borneo, Malaysia

Visited Destinations: Sandakan, Sepilok, Kinabatangan River, Ranau, Bundu Tuhan, Gaya Island and Kota Kinabalu

Your accommodation includes:

  • 4 nights hotel accommodation
  • 2 nights rainforest resort accommodation
  • 2 nights overwater bungalow accommodation

Your tour includes:

  • Complimentary arrival transfer
  • Complimentary group departure transfer from Kota Kinabalu (11am)
  • 8 breakfasts
  • 4 lunches
  • 4 dinners
  • Private vehicle transport
  • Boat transfers and wildlife cruises

Included Premium Experiences:

  • Visit the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre
  • VIP tour of the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre with enrichment making activity
  • Afternoon wildlife spotting cruise on the Kinabatangan River
  • Morning wildlife cruise on the Kinabatangan River
  • Edible flower chocolate making class in Bundu Tuhan
  • Cooking demonstration and local lunch experience
  • Dumowongi Women's Enterprise community visit
  • Eco-print workshop
  • MERC Coral Planting Workshop on Gaya Island
  • Complimentary group departure transfer from Kota Kinabalu

About This Holiday:

Discover the extraordinary wildlife, pristine rainforests and vibrant local communities of Malaysian Borneo on this premium family adventure. Encounter rescued orangutans and sun bears in world-renowned conservation centres, cruise the wildlife-rich Kinabatangan River in search of native animals, and connect with local communities through hands-on cultural experiences. Complete your journey with a stay in stunning overwater bungalows on Gaya Island, where marine conservation and tropical island relaxation go hand in hand.

 

Tour Highlights:

  • Meet rescued orangutans at Sepilok
  • Enjoy an exclusive VIP sun bear conservation experience
  • Search for wildlife on Kinabatangan River cruises
  • Learn traditional skills through cultural workshops
  • Visit local community enterprises in Bundu Tuhan
  • Stay in a rainforest resort surrounded by nature
  • Experience overwater bungalow accommodation on Gaya Island
  • Participate in a coral planting conservation project

Meals Included:

  • 8 Breakfasts
  • 4 Lunches
  • 4 Dinners

Transport Included:

  • Private vehicle
  • Boat

Optional Activities:

  • Sandakan War Memorial
  • Snorkelling on Gaya Island
  • Marine Biologist for a Day experience

Why You'll Love This Holiday:

  • Experience some of the world's most unique wildlife encounters
  • Enjoy meaningful conservation and eco-tourism experiences
  • Stay in a variety of premium accommodation styles
  • Connect with local communities and traditions
  • Explore rainforests, rivers and tropical islands
  • Perfect for adventurous families and nature lovers
  • A wonderful balance of wildlife, culture and relaxation

Important Information:

  • Complimentary arrival transfer available at the start of the tour
  • Complimentary group departure transfer from Kota Kinabalu departs at 11am
  • International flights are not included and must be booked separately
  • Flight arrangements can be quoted and added separately

*International flights are not included and must be purchased separately. Tour includes accommodation, selected meals, transport, sightseeing and all premium experiences listed above.

No details found.

Itineraries

Day 1

Sandakan

Selamat datang! Welcome to Borneo. Your adventure begins in the coastal town of Sandakan. When you arrive at the airport, you’ll be transferred to your accommodation – a hotel set on the harbour in central Sandakan. You’ll have a welcome meeting at 5 pm tonight, where you’ll meet your local leader and the other families joining you for your trip. After the meeting, get to know your group over a welcome dinner and get excited for the adventure that lies ahead.
Accommodation
  • Ormond Sandakan (or similar) (1 night)
Meals
  • Dinner
Optional activities
  • Sandakan - War Memorial - Free
Special information

It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance and emergency contact details at this time. If you are going to be late, please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.

Day 2

Sandakan

Gear up for a day of incredible wildlife encounters for you and the kids. Kick off today’s adventures with a private tour of the Borneo Sun Bear Conservation Centre, where the centre’s founder, Dr Wong, will teach you all about sun bears, from their personalities to their important role in the jungle. Sun bears are the only tropical bear species and are the smallest bear species in the world. Next, get hands-on and create enrichment toys like puzzle feeders or scent-based toys – the kids will love seeing the toys they make being given to the sun bears as they watch on from the observation platforms. Have lunch at a nearby restaurant, then continue to the Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, nestled in the Kabili-Sepilok Forest Reserve. Watch the young orangutans in the nursery as they learn how to climb in a specially made jungle gym. Later today, you’ll have some free time to keep exploring or simply relax at the hotel – maybe gather the kids for a dip in the pool to cool off.
Accommodation
  • Ormond Sandakan (or similar) (1 night)
Meals
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
Included activities
  • Sepilok - Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre Visit
  • Sepilok - Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre: VIP tour with enrichment making activity

Day 3

Kinabatangan River

Enjoy some free time in Sandakan this morning to explore the nearby markets or take one last dip in the hotel's infinity pool before heading to the jetty to take a boat transfer to your Kinabatangan River resort. Sitting on the banks of the Kinabatangan River, the resort offers access to local wildlife. Wooden boardwalks cut through the jungle and connect spacious and bright chalets which serve up great views of the surrounding mangrove forests. This afternoon, take a river cruise, where your leader will help you spot some of the local wildlife. Keep lookout for crocodiles, macaques, wild orangutan, proboscis monkeys, hornbills and kingfishers. If you’re lucky, you might get a rare sighting of the Bornean pygmy elephants that wander the river’s banks. Enjoy dinner at the resort before heading back out for a night-time wildlife walk. Geared up with a headlamp, you’ll set out in search of interesting insects or other animals that pop up after dark.
Accommodation
  • Kinabatangan Wetlands Resort (or similar) (1 night)
Meals
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Included activities
  • Kinabatangan River - Afternoon Wildlife Spotting Cruise
Special information

Your travel time today will be approximately 2 hours.

Day 4

Kinabatangan River

Take an early morning cruise through the fog as the sun rises, enjoying light refreshments on board while you search for birds and wildlife. Keep an eye out for long tail macaques and pig tail macaques, then return to the resort for breakfast and search the property with your leader for some insects, plants and birds. Enjoy some time to relax before setting off for another river adventure in the afternoon, exploring small tributaries by boat. Later, head out for a night-time cruise and look out for nocturnal animals – you might even see a wide-eyed slow loris hanging from a tree! Have dinner back at the resort - the perfect chance for a debrief with the kids on everyone’s favourite animal sightings of the day.

Accommodation
  • Kinabatangan Wetlands Resort (or similar) (1 night)
Meals
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Included activities
  • Kinabatangan River - Morning river cruise
  • Kinabatangan River - Afternoon Wildlife Spotting Cruise

Day 5

Kundasang

After breakfast, you’ll travel to Kundasang by private vehicle. Be sure to have some good books, podcasts or games queued up for everyone for the drive. Kundasang is a small town nestled beneath Mt Kinabalu – the highest peak in South East Asia, sitting at 4095 m (13,435 ft). Have your cameras charged and ready to go for when you arrive – on a clear day, you can see incredible views of Mt Kinabalu, making for the perfect family photo op. Settle into your accommodation for the night, have dinner and take in more views of Mt Kinabalu from your doorstep.
Accommodation
  • Perkasa Hotel Mt Kinabalu (or similar) (1 night)
Meals
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
 
Special information

Your travel time today will be approximately 5 hours.

Day 6

Kota Kinabalu

This morning, you’ll travel to a nearby village to visit DumoWongi – a women-led social enterprise training local women to grow herbs and edible flowers through organic farming. Be welcomed with a drink made from lemongrass, pandan and mint, then join a guided walk through the herb and edible flower garden. Next, learn how the women upcycle fabric offcuts and use leaves, flowers and natural pigments to eco-print their handicrafts, then you and the kids can have a go yourselves! Make your own bookmark, scarf or coaster to take home as a souvenir. You’ll also get to decorate your own chocolate treats with edible flowers from the garden. Sit down to a lunch made using seasonal herbs and flowers and learn how herbs are traditionally used in Sabahan cuisine. Later, continue to the coastal city of Kota Kinabalu. If you arrive on a Friday or Saturday evening, you might like to explore the Gaya Street Night Market to try some tasty local snacks.
Accommodation
  • Magellan Sutera Resort (or similar) (1 night)
Meals
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
Included activities
  • Bundu Tuhan - Edible flower chocolate making class
  • Bundu Tuhan - Cooking demonstration & lunch
  • Bundu Tuhan - Dumowongi women enterprise community visit
  • Bundu Tuhan - Eco-print workshop
Special information

Your travel time for today will be approximately 2.5 hours.

Day 7

Gaya Island

Spend a free morning either relaxing, going for a swim in the pool or heading out for a stroll around Kota Kinabalu. Then, head to the jetty to board a boat to Gaya Island. When you arrive, check into your Feature Stay accommodation for the next two nights – Gayana Marine Resort. Your comfortable overwater villa gives you excellent vistas over the island’s blue-green shores and luscious rainforest. Later today, give back to the incredible ecosystems surrounding you by taking part in a marine conservation program. You’ll learn about coral restoration through a hands-on activity where you can plant your own coral fragment, helping to restore damaged coral beds. The rest of the day is free for you to spend as you wish – maybe enjoy the views of the bay from your balcony or cool off in the resort’s infinity pool.
Accommodation
  • Gayana Marine Resort (Feature Stay) (1 night)
Meals
  • Breakfast
Included activities
  • Gaya Island - MERC: Coral Planting workshop
Optional activities
  • Gaya Island - Snorkelling - Free
Special information

Your travel time for today will be approximately 1 hour.

The coral planting activity is subject to the availability of coral fragments, as only naturally broken pieces collected from the seabed are used. To protect coral health and ensure sustainability, healthy corals are not intentionally broken for this activity.

Day 8

Gaya Island

Today is a free day for you and your family to enjoy picturesque Gaya Island however you like. Ask your leader about the on-site water activities on offer or maybe opt to go snorkelling in the colourful reefs of Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park. Or, if you and the kids are eager to learn more about marine conservation, you could sign up to the Marine Ecology Research Centre’s ‘Marine Biologist For a Day’ program – during this full-day program, you’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at the science and everyday tasks involved in marine rehabilitation. This evening, you might like to get together with the other families over dinner and celebrate the memories you’ve made!
Accommodation
  • Gayana Marine Resort (Feature Stay) (1 night)
Meals
  • Breakfast
Optional activities
  • Gaya Island - Marine Biologist for a day - Free

Day 9

Gaya Island

There are no further activities planned today and your adventure comes to an end after breakfast. A complimentary departure transfer is available to take you back to the mainland, departing Gaya Island at 11 am and arriving at the airport at around 12 pm. If you’d prefer to depart at an earlier or later time, a private transfer can be arranged for an additional fee. If you’d like to extend your stay in Borneo – and it’s highly recommended you do – just speak to your booking agent ahead of time to organise additional accommodation.
Meals
  • Breakfast
Included activities
  • Kota Kinabalu - Complimentary group departure transfer - 11am

Your accommodation includes:

  • 4 nights hotel accommodation
  • 2 nights rainforest resort accommodation
  • 2 nights overwater bungalow accommodation

Your tour includes:

  • Complimentary arrival transfer
  • Complimentary group departure transfer from Kota Kinabalu (11am)
  • 8 breakfasts
  • 4 lunches
  • 4 dinners
  • Private vehicle transport
  • Boat transfers and wildlife cruises

Included Premium Experiences:

  • Visit the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre
  • VIP tour of the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre with enrichment making activity
  • Afternoon wildlife spotting cruise on the Kinabatangan River
  • Morning wildlife cruise on the Kinabatangan River
  • Edible flower chocolate making class in Bundu Tuhan
  • Cooking demonstration and local lunch experience
  • Dumowongi Women's Enterprise community visit
  • Eco-print workshop
  • MERC Coral Planting Workshop on Gaya Island
  • Complimentary group departure transfer from Kota Kinabalu

About This Holiday:

Discover the extraordinary wildlife, pristine rainforests and vibrant local communities of Malaysian Borneo on this premium family adventure. Encounter rescued orangutans and sun bears in world-renowned conservation centres, cruise the wildlife-rich Kinabatangan River in search of native animals, and connect with local communities through hands-on cultural experiences. Complete your journey with a stay in stunning overwater bungalows on Gaya Island, where marine conservation and tropical island relaxation go hand in hand.

 

Tour Highlights:

  • Meet rescued orangutans at Sepilok
  • Enjoy an exclusive VIP sun bear conservation experience
  • Search for wildlife on Kinabatangan River cruises
  • Learn traditional skills through cultural workshops
  • Visit local community enterprises in Bundu Tuhan
  • Stay in a rainforest resort surrounded by nature
  • Experience overwater bungalow accommodation on Gaya Island
  • Participate in a coral planting conservation project

Meals Included:

  • 8 Breakfasts
  • 4 Lunches
  • 4 Dinners

Transport Included:

  • Private vehicle
  • Boat

Optional Activities:

  • Sandakan War Memorial
  • Snorkelling on Gaya Island
  • Marine Biologist for a Day experience

Why You'll Love This Holiday:

  • Experience some of the world's most unique wildlife encounters
  • Enjoy meaningful conservation and eco-tourism experiences
  • Stay in a variety of premium accommodation styles
  • Connect with local communities and traditions
  • Explore rainforests, rivers and tropical islands
  • Perfect for adventurous families and nature lovers
  • A wonderful balance of wildlife, culture and relaxation

Important Information:

  • Complimentary arrival transfer available at the start of the tour
  • Complimentary group departure transfer from Kota Kinabalu departs at 11am
  • International flights are not included and must be booked separately
  • Flight arrangements can be quoted and added separately
  • Travel Insurance – your North Travel consultant can provide you with a quote. Get a quote now.
  • Tourism visa or transit visa if required
  • Upgrades to Premium Economy, Business Class and First Class available and to be quote at the time of booking.
  • Itinerary deviations (e.g. extensions or specific airline requests). This will be quoted by a North Travel consultant at the time of booking.
  • Professional service fee's (if any)
Open All

Advertised prices are not guaranteed until confirmed at booking. Prices are dynamic and may be affected by foreign exchange, airline, cruise, tour and supplier changes beyond North Travel’s control.

By making a booking or enquiry with North Travel, you agree to our General Terms and Conditions. Please visit https://northtravel.co.nz/terms-and-conditions/

While it's not strictly mandatory for all bookings, North Travel highly recommends and, in many cases, requires you to have adequate travel insurance for international travel, and strongly advises it for domestic trips. It's a non-negotiable for your peace of mind and protection.

On some itineraries and tours you may be required to have comprehensive travel insurance by the travel supplier. One of our consultants can guide you on this.

North Travel's head office is located at 196 Bank Street, Whangarei, New Zealand.

We are a 100% New Zealand Owned and Operated Travel Agency.

Yes absolutely please give us a call on 0800 803 007.

If calling from outside of New Zealand please call +64 9 699 3074

Yes, we like to think we are.

In 2025 North Travel was a top 5 finalist at the NTIA Awards (National Travel Industry Awards).

North Travel is a fully bonded member of TAANZ (Travel Agents Association of New Zealand), an IATA Accredited Agency as well as a CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association) member.

North Travel operates strict financial management through client trust accounts and carries comprehensive indemnity and liability insurance at all times.

All members of the North Travel team carry out CPD (Continuing professional development) weekly through various industry training webinars, supplier updates and insurance compliance.