Are you visiting Borneo soon? I am sure you will love it. My sister and I visited East Sabah in the Malaysian Borneo last November. It was part of a longer trip around Malaysia that took us to George Town in Penang<\/strong><\/a>, to Kuala Lumpur and Malacca<\/a><\/strong>. <\/p>\n Borneo couldn\u2019t be more different from continental Malaysia (and I mean it in a positive way). We had no real expectations, but it was a great experience. <\/p>\n There were walks in the jungle and boat rides along rivers to see wildlife. We got to snorkel, had mud baths and fought the tremendous heat (and the aggressive mosquitoes) typical of this part of the world.<\/p>\n If you are traveling to Borneo soon, it\u2019s best go to prepared. So I am sharing my best tips for visiting Borneo, and the most important things you need to know before you visit.<\/p>\n The first question you\u2019ll likely ask yourself before visiting Borneo is whether it is worth visiting. I know my sister and I had doubts as we heard mixed things. Some people we talked to were enthusiastic. Others warned us that nature in Borneo was somewhat compromised by the palm oil plantations, so we\u2019d need to lower our expectations. <\/p>\n We decided to go anyways, and honestly loved it.<\/p>\n So \u2013 yes. Borneo is absolutely worth visiting if you\u2019re interested in nature, wildlife, and travel that feels off the usual track. <\/p>\n The island is one of the world\u2019s biodiversity hotspots. In Malaysian Borneo, places like Sabah and Sarawak offer rare chances to see wild orangutans, pygmy elephants, and ancient rainforest. The Kinabatangan River is a fantastic wildlife destination. Mount Kinabalu is a challenge for many hikers around the world.<\/p>\n But visiting Borneo means more than seeing nature. It offers a mix of Indigenous cultures, floating villages, and traditional longhouses. Infrastructure can be basic in rural areas, but that\u2019s part of the appeal. We spent time in a homestay when we visited, but we also got to stay at lovely lodges in the rainforest. <\/p>\n All in all, Borneo is a great destination for travelers looking for something less polished but deeply rewarding. Personally, it\u2019s one of my favorite Southeast Asia\u2019s destinations.<\/p>\n Borneo isn\u2019t part of just one country. It\u2019s the third-largest island in the world and is divided among three nations. <\/p>\n The largest portion belongs to Indonesia. That\u2019s Kalimantan, and it covers about 70% of the island. The northern region is split between Malaysia and the small sovereign state of Brunei. Malaysia\u2019s share includes the states of Sabah and Sarawak, both located along the northern coast.<\/p>\n When people refer to \u201cBorneo,\u201d they really could be talking about any of these three countries. To be clear, I must say my sister and I visited East Sabah, which is part of Malaysian Borneo. Friends who have visited both Indonesian and Malaysian Borneo told us that Indonesian Borneo is significantly more rural and that the tourist infrastructure there is very basic.<\/p>\n Each part of Borneo has its own language, government, and infrastructure, though the island as a whole shares similar geography. Picture dense rainforests, diverse wildlife, and rich indigenous cultures. <\/p>\n If you are thinking of visiting Borneo for its wildlife, you\u2019ll be in for a treat!<\/p>\n Borneo is one of the world\u2019s top wildlife destinations, especially for travelers drawn to rainforests and rare species. Its dense jungles are home to animals found nowhere else. Here you can spot the Borneo Big 5, species that only belong here and nowhere else in the world. These include:<\/p>\n On a regular trip to Borneo, you will also spot lots of birds including hornbills and kingfishers. Lucky ones may even see clouded leopards.<\/p>\n Malaysian Borneo\u2014particularly Sabah\u2014is popular for wildlife tourism. We went on a river safari on the Kinabatangan River and trekked to the jungle to find rare species. <\/p>\n My sister and I also visited the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre to admire rescued orangutans being prepared for release. Right next door, we also visited the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Center<\/a> that works on the conservation of sun bears.<\/p>\n We were super lucky when we visited and got to see lots \u2013 including orangutans in the wild, and gorgeous pygmy elephants along the river. However, one thing I need to make clear is that there is no guarantee to see wildlife in Borneo. There are high chances, of course, but you\u2019re in real forest and animals just show up when they want. <\/p>\n Who doesn\u2019t love monkeys? We certainly do. However, macaques can be a nuisance in Borneo, and we got to experience that. You should never feed them, no matter how much you want to photograph them (and trust me, they are all over the place and easy to photograph anyways).<\/p>\n Macaques are especially a nuisance in areas where they\u2019re used to humans. Long-tailed macaques are common near lodges, parks, and villages, and they\u2019re smart enough to raid bins, steal food, or snatch items from people. <\/p>\n In some places, they\u2019ve learned that tourists mean snacks. That\u2019s because many tourists feed them to photograph them, and refuse to understand that they are wild animals and not pets.<\/p>\n At one of the lodges we stayed, every breakfast was a fight between guests and macaques who literally tried to steal food from the plates. Staff had to intervene on a regular basis to shoo them away. <\/p>\n My tip is to avoid carrying food in the open in areas where there are macaques, and to admire them from a respectful distance.<\/p>\n The best way to get to Borneo by plane, and there are regular connections to South East Asia. Ferries on the other hand are very limited.<\/p>\n When we visited, we flew to Kota Kinabalu in Sabah, Malaysian Borneo. This, together with Kuching (in Sarawak), is the main entry point. Both airports have frequent flights with regular as well as budget airlines from Kuala Lumpur and Singapore<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n If you are looking to visit Indonesian Borneo, you have the option of flying to Balikpapan, Pontianak, and Samarinda from Jakarta or Bali. <\/p>\n There are also flights to Brunei from Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.<\/p>\n Getting around Borneo depends a lot on where you are and how far you\u2019re going. We visited Malaysian Borneo (Sabah and Sarawak), and mostly traveled by private minivan and once flew from from Sandakan to Kota Kinabalu. <\/p>\n Long distances between main cities are best covered by domestic flight\u2014distances are long, roads can be slow and traveling can be uncomfortable. For local travel, buses connect most towns, though don\u2019t count on many buses.<\/p>\n To reach more remote areas you\u2019ll often need a combination of 4\u00d74 vehicles and boats. Guided tours usually include transport, which is helpful in less accessible regions.<\/p>\n I haven\u2019t actually been there, but my friend who has told me that in Indonesian Borneo (Kalimantan), infrastructure is more basic. Flights between cities are common, but inland travel often relies on riverboats and rough roads. <\/p>\n Car rental is available in Borneo (at least in Malaysian Borneo). Keep in mind that some roads can be quite rural, so you need to be a rather confident driver.<\/p>\n I recommend using Discover Car<\/a><\/strong> to book your car rental in Borneo. It\u2019s my favorite comparison site and I have used it widely in many places in the world.<\/p>\n The best time to visit Borneo is during the dry season, from March to October. This is when you\u2019ll have the most reliable weather, especially between May and August, when rainfall is lowest and wildlife sightings are easier. It\u2019s also the best time to visit for jungle treks, river safaris, and diving.<\/p>\n Humidity is still high no matter when you visit. Also keep in mind that showers can happen even in the dry season. On the other hand, trails are more accessible and boat trips are less likely to be disrupted. Orangutan spotting, especially around Sepilok and the Kinabatangan River, is also better in drier months.<\/p>\n The wet season, from November to February, brings heavier rains. This can make travel more difficult, especially in rural areas. <\/p>\n My sister and I visited in November, and we honestly enjoyed it. We got to experience heavy rain twice. Once, we were on a river safari and the thunderstorm was so persistent that we had to rush back to the lodge. However, we also got to see a lot of wildlife.<\/p>\n All in all, I\u2019d say that Borneo is a year-round destination if you are flexible. Fewer tourists visit in the wet months. This means it\u2019s cheaper and quieter. <\/p>\n We didn\u2019t find visiting Borneo to be particularly expensive, but of course this depends on your style of traveling. I should point out that we traveled in shoulder season and opted for a home stay, mid-range hotels and lodges, and found we had good deals throughout the trip. We also explored just East Sabah to minimize long-distance travel.<\/p>\n In general, local food, public transport, and basic accommodation are budget-friendly, especially in towns and cities like Kuching, Kota Kinabalu, or Sandakan. Street food and local guesthouses are even cheaper.<\/p>\n What tends to raise the price are wildlife experiences and remote lodges. Visiting places like the Kinabatangan River, or staying in eco-lodges often requires guided tours, private transfers, and park fees. If you ask me, I believe these are worth the cost but it goes without saying that you\u2019ll have to increase your budget.<\/p>\n Domestic flights are sometimes necessary due to long distances, but they turn out to be quite budget friendly if you book in advance.<\/p>\n Yes, visiting Borneo is generally safe. Malaysian Borneo\u2014especially Sabah and Sarawak\u2014is well set up for tourism, there\u2019s good infrastructure and a low rate of violent crime. Most visits are trouble-free, and locals are being friendly and helpful. <\/p>\n Petty theft is rare but it can happen in busier towns, so it\u2019s smart to keep an eye on your valuables, especially in markets or on public transport.<\/p>\n Nature-related risks are actually more relevant than crime in Borneo. Roads can be rough in rural areas, and jungle treks may involve wildlife, leeches, or sudden weather changes (I already told you we had to rush back to the lodge during a boat safari because of a thunderstorm). <\/p>\n There\u2019s also the risk that comes with mosquitoes (more about this in a bit), venomous snakes such as pit vipers (but these are generally shy and the chances of seeing one are very low), and the terrible humid heat that can be really exhausting. <\/p>\n One thing I need to report is that the region of eastern Sabah, near the Sulu Sea and on the border with southern Philippines, had a few safety issues in the past that included kidnappings of tourists by paramilitary groups. This was an occurrence in the early 2000s, but no major incidents have been registered since 2016.<\/p>\n The Malaysian Government has worked hard to increase security. There\u2019s a strong military presence, maritime patrols and tight border controls.<\/p>\n Some countries (ie the UK or Australia) still advice against traveling to East Sabah, but honestly when we visited we encountered no issues at all. If you are concerned about safety (which you shouldn\u2019t be) but still want to visit, you may want to consider joining a guided tour. Guides will generally know how to keep you safe.<\/p>\n I recommend getting a good travel insurance for your trip to Borneo. My go-to company for insurance is HeyMondo<\/a><\/strong>. I have been using them for all my trips in the last few years and I have never had an issue with them.<\/p>\n Borneo is generally safe for solo female travelers. This is especially the case for Malaysian Borneo (Sabah and Sarawak), where tourism is well established and locals are welcoming and helpful (most of them speak good English). <\/p>\n I traveled with my sister and I was always comfortable walking around during the day, and we only used basic precautions\u2014like avoiding isolated areas at night, or flashing our belongings. <\/p>\n Taxis and public transport are also safe. But it\u2019s a good idea to arrange transportation beforehand whenever you can. I recommend using Grab, which is the South East Asia version of Uber.<\/p>\n I also recommend dressing modestly, especially in villages or less touristy areas.<\/p>\n There are lots of mosquitoes in Borneo. In fact, I don\u2019t think I have ever seen and experienced that many in any other place I have visited. <\/p>\n Mosquitoes are common especially in jungle areas, wetlands, and even more during the rainy season. I need to underline here that not every mosquito carries disease, but some may transmit dengue (which is common even in cities) and \u2013 in more rural area \u2013 even malaria. <\/p>\n Other than carrying diseases, mosquito bites can be persistent and terribly uncomfortable. The only way to protect yourself is wearing long sleeves and pants, using mosquito repellent (DEET) and sleeping under mosquito nets. <\/p>\n When we hiked through the jungle during our trip, I was covered from head to toe (literally, I even wore a hood!). I wore a hiking shirt and hiking pants, and applied repellent on my face, neck, ears and hands (which I mostly kept in my pockets). <\/p>\n My sister wore leggings and it soon became clear that these aren\u2019t suitable in the jungle. She was soon covered in bites on her legs (she must have had 50), and ended up applying repellent on top of her clothes. This is to say: not all long-sleeves shirts and pants are suitable for a jungle trek.<\/p>\n You can\u2019t drink tap water in Borneo. All hotels, lodges and guest houses will provide bottled or filtered water, and it\u2019s best you stick to that to avoid getting sick. Make sure to bring your water bottle to refill whenever you need it.<\/p>\n We found filtered and bottled water everywhere we traveled in East Sabah, but to be on the safe side you may want to bring a water purifier or purification tablets with you. <\/p>\n I don\u2019t want to go into much details, but here\u2019s a basic packing list for Borneo:<\/p>\n I hope you found my Borneo travel tips useful. If you have more questions, let me know in the comments!<\/p>\n Are you visiting Borneo soon? I am sure you will love it. My sister and I visited East Sabah in the Malaysian Borneo last November. It was part of a longer trip around Malaysia that took us to George Town in Penang, to Kuala Lumpur and Malacca. Borneo couldn\u2019t be more different from continental Malaysia […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":276366,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[98526,103985,101878,103986,103987],"tags":[56826,6342,103988,103989,24104],"dealstore":[],"offerexpiration":[],"class_list":["post-276365","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-asia","category-borneo","category-malaysia","category-places-to-visit-in-malaysia","category-singapore-itinerary","tag-borneo","tag-important","tag-places-to-visit-in-malaysia","tag-singapore-itinerary","tag-visiting"],"yoast_head":"\n![\"Here's](\"https:\/\/eb3k7ewioxo.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/BORNEO.jpg?strip=all&lossy=1&ssl=1\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\nThings To Know Before Visiting Borneo<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Is Borneo worth visiting?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"visiting](\"https:\/\/eb3k7ewioxo.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Eli-at-the-market-in-Borneo.jpg?strip=all&lossy=1&ssl=1\")
What country is Borneo in?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"Visiting](\"https:\/\/eb3k7ewioxo.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/elephant-in-malaysia.jpg?strip=all&lossy=1&ssl=1\")
Borneo is a great wildlife destination<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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![\"Macaques](\"https:\/\/eb3k7ewioxo.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/macaques-in-borneo.jpeg?strip=all&lossy=1&ssl=1\")
Macaques can be a nuisance<\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"sunset](\"https:\/\/eb3k7ewioxo.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/sunset-in-Borneo.jpg?strip=all&lossy=1&ssl=1\")
How to get to Borneo<\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"Borneo](\"https:\/\/eb3k7ewioxo.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/borneo-2-1.jpg?strip=all&lossy=1&ssl=1\")
How to get around Borneo<\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"Snorkeling](\"https:\/\/eb3k7ewioxo.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/snorkeling-in-borneo.jpg?strip=all&lossy=1&ssl=1\")
When is the best time to visit Borneo?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"food](\"https:\/\/eb3k7ewioxo.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/food-in-borneo.jpg?strip=all&lossy=1&ssl=1\")
Is visiting Borneo expensive?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"Village](\"https:\/\/eb3k7ewioxo.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/village-in-borneo.jpg?strip=all&lossy=1&ssl=1\")
Is visiting Borneo safe?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"During](\"https:\/\/eb3k7ewioxo.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/boat-trip-in-Borneo.jpg?strip=all&lossy=1&ssl=1\")
Is visiting Borneo safe for female travelers?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"Jungle](\"https:\/\/eb3k7ewioxo.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/jungle-trek-in-borneo.jpg?strip=all&lossy=1&ssl=1\")
Mosquitoes are a real nuisance<\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"Dry](\"https:\/\/eb3k7ewioxo.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/market-in-borneo.jpg?strip=all&lossy=1&ssl=1\")
Tap water in Borneo is not safe to drink<\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"stilt](\"https:\/\/eb3k7ewioxo.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Borneo-house.jpg?strip=all&lossy=1&ssl=1\")
What to pack for Borneo<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Pin It For Later!<\/strong><\/h5>\n
![\"Here's](\"https:\/\/eb3k7ewioxo.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/borneo-2.jpg?strip=all&lossy=1&ssl=1\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"