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Malaysia (Borneo)
Malaysian Borneo is a dream for outdoor lovers and wildlife fans. You can climb the rocky peak of Mount Kinabalu, trek through ancient rainforests to spot wild orangutans, or dive into crystal-clear coral reefs. It is pure, wild adventure from start to finish.
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Summary
Neighboring Countries
Did you know?
Cave Swiftlets – The massive Gomantong Caves house millions of bats and swiftlets whose edible nests are harvested by locals using rope ladders.
Overview
Months
February, March, April, June
Vacation type
Beach, Couple, Family, Mountains, Rainforest, Diving/Snorkeling
Expenses
0-50€, <150€, <200€, <100€, Over 200€
Temperature
25-30°C
Rainfall
150-200mm, >200mm
Safety
Safe
Continent
Asia
Currency
Malaysian ringgit
Languages
English, Malay
Currency Converter
When to visit
The best time to visit Malaysian Borneo is during the dry season from March to October. This period offers the clearest skies, lower humidity, and calm seas. It is the ideal window for climbing Mount Kinabalu, spotting wildlife along the Kinabatangan River, trekking in Danum Valley, and diving around Sipadan.
The wet season runs from November to February, driven by the Northeast Monsoon. Sarawak—especially around Kuching—gets hit with heavy rainfall during these months, making jungle trails muddy and boat crossings choppy. Sabah receives comparatively less rainfall than Sarawak during the monsoon, but heavy afternoon downpours remain common across both states. Wildlife spotting can be harder in the wet season because animals move deeper into the jungle canopy away from swollen riverbanks.
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Plan the whole vacation, including flights, transportation, hotels and tours with Expedia *
Climate Data
Peak Season: March to October (Dry Season)
Average Sunny Hours per Day: 7 to 9 hours.
Rain Frequency: 8 to 12 days per month.
Rainy Hours per Day: 1 to 2 hours.
Intensity: Short, localized afternoon downpours.
Duration: Showers hit fast in the late afternoon and clear out before dinner, leaving pleasant, cooler evenings.
Off-Peak Season: November to February (Monsoon Season)
Average Sunny Hours per Day: 4 to 6 hours.
Rain Frequency: 18 to 24 days per month.
Rainy Hours per Day: 3 to 6 hours.
Intensity: Heavy tropical deluges and overcast skies.
Duration: In Sarawak, rain can fall steadily for days. Flash flooding occasionally closes trails in national parks like Bako and Mulu.
Climate Chart
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Data Source: Global Historical Climatology Network
ClimateCharts.net
Weather, Crowds and Costs
Per one person
Tourist Season: March-October
Budget Vacation ($35-60/day)
Accommodation: $12-22/night (hostel dorms in Kota Kinabalu or Kuching, basic homestays).
Food: $8-15/day (kedai kopi noodle stalls, Sarawak laksa, night market grilled fish).
Activities: $5-12/day (national park entry fees, self-guided jungle trails).
Transportation: $5-10/day (shared minivans, city buses, Grab rides).
Other Costs: $3/day (bottled water, fresh cut fruit).
Mid-Range Vacation ($85-180/day)
Accommodation: $45-90/night (comfortable 3-star city hotels, riverside jungle lodges with fans).
Food: $20-40/day (seafood restaurants, local cafes, mid-range hotel dining).
Activities: $25-55/day (river safari boat tours, guided cave tours in Mulu, sanctuary visits).
Transportation: $15-30/day (domestic flights between Sabah and Sarawak, private taxis).
Other Costs: $6/day (leech socks, bug spray, tips).
Luxury Vacation ($280-700+/day)
Accommodation: $180-500+/night (exclusive rainforest eco-villas at Danum Valley, high-end beach resorts in Kota Kinabalu).
Food: $60-130/day (full-board lodge menus, fresh lobster, private dining).
Activities: $90-220+/day (Mount Kinabalu guided climbs, all-inclusive multi-day jungle safaris, private scuba charters).
Transportation: $50-120/day (private airport transfers, chartered 4WD vehicles).
Other Costs: $25+/day (spa services, native woodcarvings).
Off-Peak Season: November-February
Budget Vacation ($25-45/day)
Accommodation: $10-18/night (discounted hostel beds, quiet guesthouses).
Food: $7-12/day (local food courts, street vendors).
Activities: $3-8/day (city museums, historic walking routes).
Transportation: $3-7/day (local buses, ride-hailing apps).
Other Costs: $2/day (rain poncho, bottled water).
Mid-Range Vacation ($65-130/day)
Accommodation: $35-70/night (discounted 4-star city hotels, lower-priced jungle stays).
Food: $18-35/day (indoor casual dining, coffee shops).
Activities: $15-30/day (cultural village entries, wildlife rehabilitation centers).
Transportation: $10-20/day (short domestic hops, regional buses).
Other Costs: $5/day (hot tea, laundry).
Luxury Vacation ($190-450+/day)
Accommodation: $120-300+/night (upscale coastal resorts running wet-season deals).
Food: $50-95/day (hotel restaurants, fine dining).
Activities: $60-130/day (private indoor cultural guides, luxury spa days).
Transportation: $40-80/day (private chauffeured vans).
Other Costs: $15/day (handcrafted textiles).
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You can find accomendations that fit your trip and budget on Booking.com, Vrbo and Hotels.com
Best Regions to visit
Cities
1. Kota Kinabalu (KK)
- The bustling capital of Sabah, set between coral islands and Mount Kinabalu, known for vibrant waterfront night markets and fresh seafood.
2. Kuching
- The charming capital of Sarawak, set along the Sarawak River, famous for historic colonial architecture, cat statues, and street food.
3. Sandakan
- A coastal city in eastern Sabah that serves as the main jump-off point for turtle nesting islands, the Kinabatangan River, and wildlife centers.
4. Miri
- A modern, petroleum-driven coastal town in northern Sarawak that functions as the air hub for Gunung Mulu National Park.
5. Sibu
- A relaxed, inland river town on the Rajang River, rich in Foochow Chinese culture and serving as the gateway to remote river longhouses.
Kuching
Did you know?
Headhunter Bridge – Remote jungle rivers feature long suspension bridges built by indigenous tribes out of woven rattan vines and split bamboo.
Islands
1. Sipadan Island
- A world-famous oceanic island off eastern Sabah that plunges 600 meters to the seabed, offering wall diving with reef sharks, barracudas, and sea turtles.
2. Mabul Island
- A sandy, palm-covered island next to Sipadan, famous for overwater wooden bungalows and world-class macro diving.
3. Gaya Island
- The largest island in Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park just off Kota Kinabalu, covered in dense jungle and fringed by luxury eco-resorts.
4. Selingan Island (Turtle Island)
- A protected conservation island north of Sandakan where green and hawksbill turtles come ashore year-round to lay eggs.
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Find the perfect place to stay in any of these top cities and islands with Booking.com, Hotels.com and Vrbo – offering entire homes and apartments for a comfortable and private experience.
Sipadan Island
Things to see
Natural Attractions
1. Mount Kinabalu
- A granite peak rising 4,095 meters (13,435 feet) above the Sabah jungle, offering a popular two-day sunrise trek through varied botanical zones.
2. Kinabatangan River
- A slow-moving river winding through eastern Sabah, providing some of the best boat-based wildlife viewing in Asia (pygmy elephants, proboscis monkeys, hornbills, and wild orangutans).
3. Gunung Mulu National Park
- A UNESCO World Heritage site in Sarawak featuring massive limestone caves, the razor-sharp stone Pinnacles, and vast subterranean caverns.
4. Danum Valley Conservation Area
- A pristine 438-square-kilometer primary lowland rainforest in Sabah, home to clouded leopards, orangutans, and giant dipterocarp trees.
5. Bako National Park
- Sarawak's oldest national park, reachable only by boat, packed with coastal cliffs, secluded beaches, carnivorous pitcher plants, and wild proboscis monkeys.
Historical and Cultural Sites
1. Sarawak Cultural Village
- A living museum near Kuching showcasing authentic, life-sized longhouses and traditional crafts of the Iban, Bidayuh, Orang Ulu, and Penan peoples.
2. Fort Margherita
- A white-washed 19th-century English fortress built along the river in Kuching by Charles Brooke, the second "White Rajah" of Sarawak.
3. Sandakan Memorial Park
- A peaceful memorial located on the site of a former World War II prisoner-of-war camp, commemorating the Allied victims of the Sandakan Death Marches.
4. Niah Caves
- A massive archaeological cave network in Sarawak containing prehistoric rock paintings and human burial sites dating back 40,000 years.
Unique Experiences
1. Watching the Mulu Bat Exodus
- Standing outside Deer Cave at sunset to watch millions of free-tailed bats spiral out into the sky in massive ribbons to hunt for insects.
2. River Safaris for Proboscis Monkeys
- Cruising down the Kinabatangan River at dusk to spot wild, pot-bellied proboscis monkeys settling into trees along the water's edge.
3. Staying in an Authentic Iban Longhouse
- Traveling upriver by motorized wooden canoe (perahu) into the Sarawak interior to share rice wine (tuak) and stories with local tribal families.
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The best way to explore major cities and must-see attractions is by booking guided tours.* They offer convenience, local insights, and often save time when visiting popular sights.
Mount Kinabalu
Unique Accomondations/Foodspots
Accommodations
Gaya Island Resort
Location: Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, Sabah, Malaysia Borneo
A luxurious eco-resort nestled within the protected hills and mangroves of a tropical island marine park, featuring hillside villas constructed with local materials that overlook Mount Kinabalu and the South China Sea.
Restaurants / Bars
Fisherman's Cove
Location: Gaya Island Resort, Sabah, Malaysia Borneo
An elegant, open-air fine-dining venue perched above the water, celebrated for its daily catch of sustainable seafood, fresh local herbs, and stunning panoramic views of the coastal horizon.
Tours to do
1. The Sabah Wildlife & Kinabalu Circuit
- Fly into Kota Kinabalu, hike to the summit of Mount Kinabalu, take a short flight to Sandakan to see orangutans in Sepilok, and spend two days on riverboat safaris along the Kinabatangan River.
Best Time: March to October.
Average Cost: $600 – $1,300 per person (permits included).
2. The Sarawak Rainforest & Caves Route
- Start in Kuching to explore colonial riverfronts and Bako National Park, fly by twin-otter plane to Gunung Mulu National Park for cave exploration and canopy walks, and finish in Miri.
Best Time: April to September.
Average Cost: $500 – $1,100 per person.
Bako National Park
How to get around
1. Air Travel
- Flying is the only practical way to cover long distances between Sabah and Sarawak, as well as reaching remote spots like Mulu. AirAsia and Malaysia Airlines run frequent routes between KK, Kuching, and Sandakan.
2. MASwings
- A regional airline operating propeller planes (Twin Otters and ATRs) connecting deep jungle settlements and national parks that have no road access.
3. River Longboats
- Wooden longboats powered by outboard motors are the primary transit along interior rivers in Sarawak. Life jackets are mandatory.
4. Grab App
- Works very well in major urban centers like Kota Kinabalu, Kuching, and Miri for cheap, metered car rides.
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You can find great car rental deals for your vacation on Expedia *
Did you know?
Underground River Cave – Deer Cave in Gunung Mulu is so massive that the entire London St. Paul's Cathedral could easily fit inside its main chamber.
What to eat
1. Sarawak Laksa
- Sarawak's most celebrated breakfast. Vermicelli noodles swimming in an aromatic broth made from sambal belacan, coconut milk, tamarind, garlic, and lemongrass, garnished with shredded chicken, prawns, omelet strips, and fresh coriander.
2. Kolo Mee
- A dry-tossed noodle dish popular in Kuching. Springy egg noodles are tossed in seasoned oil and shallots, topped with minced pork (or chicken), sliced char siu, and chopped spring onions.
3. Hinava
- A traditional Kadazan-Dusun dish from Sabah. Fresh raw mackerel (or other white fish) is cured in lime juice, sliced ginger, shallots, fiery bird’s eye chilies, and grated wild mango seed (bambangan).
4. Midin Belacan
- A wild jungle fern found only in Sarawak. The crunchy, tender green curly fiddleheads are stir-fried quickly in a hot wok with spicy shrimp paste (belacan), garlic, and chilies.
Sarawak Laksa
Flights
Flight prices are approximate and vary by departure city, airline, and booking time. Check airlines or travel platforms for the latest details.
* Please note: All prices are rough estimates for orientation purposes only and may vary by region.
Main Airport: Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI) & Kuching International Airport (KCH)
Flight Prices and Seasons
From Asia:
- Average Round-Trip Cost: $120 to $350 (Direct international flights from Singapore, Seoul, Taipei, Manila, and Hong Kong to Kota Kinabalu).
- Cheapest Months: September, October, and November.
- Peak Prices: Lunar New Year, July, and August.
From Australia (Domestic/Oceania):
- Average Round-Trip Cost: $450 to $850 (Connecting through Singapore or Kuala Lumpur via Scoot, AirAsia, or Malaysia Airlines).
- Cheapest Months: May, June, and August.
- Peak Prices: December, January, and Easter.
From Europe:
- Average Round-Trip Cost: $750 to $1,300 (Connecting via Doha, Dubai, Singapore, or Kuala Lumpur).
- Cheapest Months: November, February, and March.
- Peak Prices: July, August, and Christmas.
From North America:
- Average Round-Trip Cost: $900 to $1,600 (Connecting through Taipei, Seoul, Tokyo, or Singapore).
- Cheapest Months: September, October, and February.
- Peak Prices: December, January, and June.
From Africa:
- Average Round-Trip Cost: $850 to $1,500 (Connecting via Gulf hubs into Kuala Lumpur, then taking a domestic connection).
- Cheapest Months: March, May, and November.
- Peak Prices: July, August, and December.
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You can find the best flight deals with Skyscanner or plan the whole vacation, including flights, transportation, hotels and tours with Expedia *
Airport Location
Visa
1. Visa Requirement
- Many travelers, including citizens of the U.S., Canada, the U.K., and Australia, do not need a visa for short visits.
2. Visa-Free Entry
- Citizens from several countries can enter visa-free for stays ranging from 30 to 90 days, depending on nationality.
3. Visa Application
- Travelers from countries that require a visa must apply for a Malaysia visa at a Malaysian embassy or consulate before traveling.
4. Types of Visa
- Common visa types include a Tourist Visa: Valid for short stays, typically up to 30 or 90 days.
5. Processing Time
- Visa processing can take from 1 to 10 business days, so it’s advisable to apply in advance if required.
6. Duration of Stay
- Visa-free visitors can stay for up to 30 to 90 days; visa holders can stay for the duration specified in their visa.
7. Health Requirements
- No specific vaccinations are required for entry, but travel insurance is recommended.
Important things to know
1. Payments
- The local currency is the Malaysian Ringgit (MYR). Credit cards are widely accepted.
2. Tap Water
- Tap water is generally not safe to drink. Bottled water is recommended.
3. Electricity
- The voltage is 240V, and plug type G (three rectangular pins) is used. An adapter may be needed for devices from other regions.
4. Tipping in Restaurants
- Tipping is not customary, but rounding up the bill is appreciated.
5. SIM Cards
- Local SIM cards are available from providers like Celcom and Maxis. They can be purchased at stores.
6. Driving Side
- In Malaysia, people drive on the left side of the road.
Souveniers
1. Pua Kumbu
- Sacred, hand-woven cotton warp-ikat textiles made by Iban women, dyed with natural roots and bark, displaying traditional spiritual motifs.
2. Pewter Products
- Malaysia produces high-quality pewter, and you can find everything from jewelry to decorative vases and figurines, each expertly crafted.
3. The Sape
- A traditional boat lute carved from a single piece of wood by the Orang Ulu people of Sarawak, painted with intricate tribal patterns and played like a harp.
4. Rungus Beaded Collars (Pinakol)
- Intricate, wide beaded bands and necklaces hand-threaded by Rungus tribal women in northern Sabah, featuring traditional geometric storytelling designs.
Pewter Products
Location
Reviews
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