Discover where to see wildlife in Borneo
Borneo – a region shared between Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei – is a truly extraordinary place. It’s home to vast tracts of relatively undisturbed primary rainforest and an astonishing concentration of species, many found nowhere else on the planet.
What makes wildlife tours in Borneo particularly special is its diversity of experiences. In Danum Valley and Batang Ai National Park, you’ll spot endemic species such as the Bornean clouded leopard and the proboscis monkey, as well as orangutans, sun bears, gibbons and pygmy elephants. Expert wildlife guides may also point out the curious flying lemur and the extraordinary Rafflesia – the world’s largest flower, which can reach up to a metre across.
From Kota Kinabalu – with its excellent luxury resorts and nature lodges – you can take a boat to nearby islands to swim, dive and snorkel pristine coral reefs; and from Kuching, you can enjoy a trip to Bako National Park, where the distinct rainforest ecosystems are home to wild boar, flying squirrels and monitor lizards.
The intriguing city of Sandakan is a gateway to some of Borneo’s best wildlife encounters, as well as the Sepilok Rehabilitation Centre, where they care for rescued or orphaned orangutans. Take a safari cruise along the Kinabatangan River, or a short boat ride to palm-fringed, white-sand islands like Selingan, Lankayan or Mataking, all vital conservation areas for marine turtles.
Highlights
Visit the densely forested Gaya Island close to Kota Kinabalu and spend a day with a biologist at the Marine Ecology Research Centre
Spot pygmy elephants – a distinct subspecies of the Asian elephant, isolated on Borneo for hundreds of thousands of years
Set off from Sandakan on a river cruise along Kinabatangan River, meandering through one of the most biodiverse regions on the planet
Spend time on the tiny pristine island of Selingan, part of the official Turtle Islands National Park off the north-eastern coast of Borneo
Stay deep in the Danum Valley at the Borneo Rainforest Lodge, enjoying its treetop canopy walkway and nighttime safari drives
While visiting this stunning natural corner of the globe I highly recommend a responsible Borneo orangutan tour for an intimate, life-changing experience learning about these endangered great apes in their natural habitat. You'll also have opportunities to spot pygmy elephants, Bornean clouded leopards and countless other extraordinary species.

Keith Jarman
Senior Travel Designer
Luxury Borneo accommodation
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Borneo trip inspiration
Where to see wildlife in Borneo

Batang Ai National Park
Located near the Indonesian border, Batang Ai National Park occupies remote terrain deep in Borneo's jungle. A hydroelectric dam built in the 1980s flooded the valley to create a reservoir, and treetops from the submerged forest still emerge above the waterline.
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Danum Valley
This primary lowland rainforest remains undisturbed and represents Borneo's diverse endemic flora and fauna exceptionally well, with internationally recognized biodiversity that sets it apart.
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Kota Kinabalu
A well-maintained coastal city with a pretty waterfront for watching sunsets, Kota Kinabalu has plenty to interest visitors, though most travellers use it as an arrival point for Borneo before heading out to explore the surrounding wilderness areas.
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Kuching
Borneo's most attractive and historically important city, Kuching makes an excellent starting point for exploring the island, with significant sites within the city itself and throughout the surrounding region.
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Sandakan
Sandakan is known primarily for the Sepilok Rehabilitation Centre, which cares for rescued and orphaned orangutans, as well as sun bears, gibbons, Sumatran rhinoceros and elephants that need medical treatment and sanctuary.
Discover moreWhen to visit Borneo for wildlife
The best time to visit Borneo is when warmer weather arrives from March through to October and the island experiences hot, dry conditions. It’s ideal for climbing Mt Kinabalu, searching for whale sharks and turtles, and seeing endangered orangutans in the wild.

Diving and snorkelling
April–September

Wildlife spotting
May–August

Hiking and trekking
April–August
Borneo Travel Guides
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