From its tropical islands to the superb wildlife, it will be straightforward to spend weeks exploring Borneo with children – but when, like most of us, you’re restricted in time, you may nonetheless see a number of the space’s highlights in seven days with this itinerary for Borneo with children.
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Most guests to Malaysian Borneo will spend their time in Sabah, one in all two states making up east Malaysia together with Sarawak, and this one week itinerary for Borneo for households focuses on that a part of Borneo.
Flying in to Kota Kinabalu, you’ll spend a lot of the week round Sandakan and Kinabatangan, and even with simply seven days in Borneo with children, you may see some unforgettable sights.
Our journey was organized with Intrepid Journey, which has two completely different Borneo household journey itineraries accessible, visiting most of the identical locations we noticed on our journey – these are 9-10 days lengthy relying which possibility you select, so that they’re nice when you’ve got just a little longer to spend or choose another person to deal with the practicalities.
However for inspiration, or in case you’re planning to exploring independently to your Borneo household vacation, right here’s what to suit into your one week itinerary in Sabah.
Day 1 – Kota Kinabalu
Arrive in Kota Kinabalu – except you’re visiting from one other close by nation, you’re prone to journey by way of Kuala Lumpur, with common worldwide flights touchdown there.
Connecting flights from Kuala Lumpur take round 2 1/2 hours – ours landed simply earlier than lunch time native time. Keep in mind you’re prone to be jetlagged, so it’s price planning a low-key day with time for a nap if wanted.
Issues to do in Kota Kinabalu with children
If you happen to’re feeling filled with power and fancy testing a number of the finest issues to do in Kota Kinabalu for households, there are a string of choices.
For one thing pretty relaxed, take a stroll across the native handicraft market on the waterfront for a number of souvenirs, or head out to discover Chinatown.
You too can uncover extra of the realm’s historical past with a go to to the Sabah Museum, with all the pieces from animal skeletons to data on Sabah’s tradition and politics.
The place to eat in Kota Kinabalu with children
Begin your journey in model with a drink on the rooftop bar at Sky Blu Bar, watching the sundown over the water. You’ll be able to seize meals and ice lotions right here too, though it’s pricier than most locations within the metropolis.
As an alternative plan dinner on the fish market: there are a string of stalls all promoting recent fish and seafood – simply decide what you need, and allow them to know the way you’d prefer it cooked (there are indicators exhibiting the completely different choices and sauces), plus tables to eat at.
You’ll discover a string of locations to eat alongside Jalan Tun Fuad Stephens – we headed to the memorably named Glam Station 3.
The place to remain in Kota Kinabalu
You received’t spend a lot time at this lodge, however stick with someplace comparatively central so you may stroll to the fish market and the waterfront – we stayed at Horizon Lodge Kota Kinabalu.
Day 2 – Ara Dinawan Island
Whilst you’ll discover a number of snorkelling journeys from Kota Kinabalu, the snorkelling nearer to town isn’t all the time that nice – as an alternative, spend your first full day and second evening on Ara Dinawan island for a tropical escape. Day journeys are additionally an possibility, however staying in a single day is difficult to beat.
From Kota Kinabalu, it’s round a 30-minute drive to the jetty. Ara Dinawan tented camp has a ship which takes visitors out to the island, which takes round 10-Quarter-hour – look out for crocodiles on the banks as you go!
The villa tents are undoubtedly on the luxurious finish of glamping with correct beds, their very own bathe and bathroom, and a fan to maintain the warmth down. The main focus is on sustainability, so there are restricted hours for the electrical energy (and aircon) consequently.
However that is someplace to chill and chill out, unplug and benefit from the island. You’ll be able to be taught extra in regards to the native marine life from marine biologists earlier than heading out to snorkel.
The water across the reef right here is extremely clear, and the corals are teeming with brightly colored reef fish. Look out for the ocean urchins, however in any other case it’s straightforward for teenagers with no robust currents (and life vests offered).
You too can borrow kayaks to paddle across the island or chill out in one of many beachside hammocks. There are swings too, together with some within the water, and plenty of loungers dotted round – a great place for a nap in case you’re nonetheless feeling jetlagged!
Take a look at my video of a day at Ara Dinawan Tented Camp
The place to remain
Keep at Ara Dinawan Tented Camp – the 14 tented villas sleep as much as six and a keep consists of meals.
There’s a buffet offered for lunch and dinner, together with vegetarian choices and a few child-friendly dishes, in addition to breakfast the next morning, plus drink making amenities within the tents.
Day 3 – Sandakan and Sepilok
Tempting although it’s to remain, it’s time to go away Ara Dinawan after breakfast for the boat journey again to the mainland and Kota Kinabalu, to journey to Sandakan.
Inside flights take round 45 minutes or in case you’d choose to scale back the variety of flights you are taking, you can also make the drive in round 6 1/2 hours hours – break it up by stopping at Poring Sizzling Springs for a cover stroll and swim within the springs.
OPTIONAL: When you’ve got longer, cease at Kinabalu Nationwide Park, the place you may go to native villages to be taught extra about completely different cultures in Sabah, style native meals, or stroll by way of Mount Kinabalu Botanical Backyard. You’ll additionally get a view of Mount Kinabalu (though climbing it’s a main journey, so that you’ll want two additional days and older skilled teenagers if you wish to attempt)
From Sandakan airport, it’s solely round 20 minutes to Sepilok for the primary of your wildlife experiences. Within the late afternoon, head to the Sepilok Rainforest Discovery Centre to stroll the Rainforest Skywalk, 620m above the bottom for some superb views of the forest and an opportunity to identify a few of its inhabitants.
Set off round 4pm to have probability to discover earlier than nightfall falls and you’ll see the rainforest animals beginning to wake for the evening – maintain a watch out for large flying squirrels gliding from tree to tree within the twilight.
Take a look at my video of a rainforest cover stroll
Observe it with a guided evening stroll, with one of many Rainforest Discovery Middle consultants serving to you to identify the forest’s nocturnal creatures – and cease you getting misplaced at midnight rainforest!
If you happen to’re fortunate, you may spot a Western tarsier – tarsiers have been round for 45 million years and these small mammals are very shy. With out our information, we’d don’t have any probability of discovering one, clinging to a department with its lengthy spindly fingers, it’s big eyes glinting within the weak torch gentle.
TOP TIP: You’ll want insect repellent for a lot of your one week in Borneo with children, particularly whenever you’re by the Kinabatangan river, however I’d advocate making use of it VERY liberally for the evening stroll. This Boots Repel Most roll-on is appropriate for teenagers aged 2+.
Put on lengthy sleeves and lengthy trousers as nicely, ideally with lengthy socks underneath them – you’re unlikely to come across leeches however there’s a risk in case you’re strolling by way of the undergrowth to see tarsiers, so masking up may even maintain them away.
Leech socks are another choice, they usually’re important if you’re planning any longer jungle hikes in Borneo with children, however they’re probably not required right here – be sure to have respectable strolling sneakers or sturdy trainers although.
The place to remain in Sepilok
We stayed on the beautiful Borneo Sepilok Rainforest Resort for a style of luxurious – these jungle lodges have 4 poster beds with mosquito nets, aircon and there’s additionally a small pool close to the restaurant.
As an added child-friendly bonus, there are western dishes on the menu, in addition to ice lotions – very nicely deserved after a stroll within the humid rainforest!
Day 4 – Sepilok and Kinabatangan
Tempting although it’s to spend one other evening at Borneo Sepilok Rainforest Resort (that is going to be a working theme by way of a lot of the journey – we all the time wished longer!), it’s time to maneuver on as soon as extra.
Nevertheless, not earlier than visiting one of many highlights of any journey to Borneo with children – a go to to the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre close by.
After an introductory video (in a really welcome air-conditioned room!) and discuss from a consultant of Orangutan Attraction UK to be taught extra about their work serving to these great nice apes, you may head over to the nursery to see a number of the infants and youthful orangutans taking part in.
There’s a technique glass within the room trying on to the nursery space, so the infants can act naturally with out feeling like they’re underneath statement and it’s implausible watching them collectively.
The youngest orangutans, lots of whom are orphaned, are teamed up with a barely older buddy who helps train them the abilities they’ll want as an grownup within the wild.
There are ropes and a complete string of kit to swing, chill out and monkey round with, and aside from the orange fur, you could possibly virtually be watching any group of little ones in a playground.
As they become older, they’re moved to areas open to the forest, the place they’ll head out into the wild. Some by no means return, others pop again each few days, whereas some females come again for longer intervals once they’re pregnant.
Meals is put out on the identical instances daily (10am and 3pm for the adults, half-hour earlier within the out of doors nursery) so you may even see orangutans coming again to benefit from it. It’s all the time the identical meals, with the intention that the apes will get bored and wish to forage for themselves moderately than keep on the centre, however it’s not unusual to see a pair pop again for a straightforward snack.
We have been fortunate sufficient to see a pair strolling alongside the handrails on the picket walkway, joined by a 3rd one on the feeding platform itself.
Relying in your timings, you may attempt to get there early to beat any crowds – or if, like us, you’ve stayed to observe the infants when a number of the greater teams moved on, grasp across the feeding platform a bit longer and anticipate the numbers to skinny, so it’s best to get a great view.
There’s an opportunity to undertake an orangutan, to help the work the centre does (or to purchase your personal fluffy one to take dwelling) however earlier than you allow, head throughout the highway to the Bornean Solar Bear Conservation Middle.
Residence to a different of Borneo’s native wildlife, rescued solar bears – who’ve typically been saved captive for years – are given a brand new dwelling right here, with the objective of ultimately reintroducing them again to their pure habitat.
To learn extra about recognizing Borneo wildlife with children, take a look at this put up
There’s data to learn as you discover, as most of the bears might be hiding within the undergrowth however you too can spot them prowling round.
Don’t be shocked to see orangutans right here as nicely – there’s nothing to cease the adults swinging by way of the bushes from the centre over the highway, and we really noticed a mom and child sitting proper by the walkways.
Take a look at my video of a go to to the Sepilok Orangutan sanctuary with children
However that’s not the final of the wildlife you may count on to see at this time – transfer on to the Kinabatangan River, for a day river cruise, the primary of a sequence of cruises throughout your time right here.
Alongside the banks of the river, you may spot varied completely different macaques, proboscis monkeys, birds galore together with hornbills, in addition to crocodiles and much more orangutans (in case you’re very fortunate).
Barely 10 minutes into our first cruise, we have been even fortunate sufficient to see a household of pygmy elephants play preventing within the water and wading up the financial institution.
The place to remain by the Kinabatangan River
Keep at Borneo Pure Sukau Bilit Resort, one of many riverside lodges which arranges boat journeys alongside the Kinabatangan river.
The picket lodges have mosquito nets across the beds, some with little balconies overlooking the little lake – there’s air-con too, so that you’re not solely roughing it, though you received’t discover five-star luxurious right here.
All meals are buffet-style with the menu altering daily – some scrumptious Malaysian dishes, together with vegetarian choices, and there’s often one thing for even the pickiest children.
Day 5 – Kinabatangan
With a full day at Kinabatangan, you may see the river at completely different factors of the day – head out for dawn with the mists over the tranquil river, and the animals simply waking up for the day.
After lunch, one other afternoon cruise exploring one other a part of the river – we headed down just a little tributary to an oxbow lake, lined in purple lake hyacinths, in addition to recognizing extra wildlife settling down for the evening.
We noticed a number of troops of proboscis monkeys, one together with his harem, one other bachelor group, all with their backs to the river as predators usually tend to strategy from land at evening.
Elsewhere, we noticed households of macaques taking part in down by the water – chasing one another, somersaulting into the water and usually having loads of enjoyable.
Then after dinner, an evening cruise, to see a really completely different facet to the Kinabatangan river. Torches illuminate child crocodiles sliding noiselessly into the river, owls within the bushes and in case you’re fortunate (once more), an opportunity to identify a sluggish loris within the bushes.
Just like a western tarsier, with its massive eyes and small furry physique, it’s one other shy nocturnal mammal however a tremendous expertise in case you do spy one excessive up within the bushes.
Take a look at my video of cruising alongside the Kinabatangan River with children
The place to remain
A second evening at Borneo Pure Sukau Bilit Resort, to pack in as many alternative cruises as you may earlier than you need to transfer on as soon as once more.
Day 6 – Sandakan
There’s time to slot in one ultimate wildlife expertise on the Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary, which helps defend one other of Borneo’s distinctive primates.
Whilst you’ll in all probability have noticed some within the bushes alongside the Kinabatangan river already, attending to see them shut up is implausible.
With their big noses – which wobble as they eat, and which can be utilized as snorkels once they swim – and their equally massive bellies (within the proboscis monkey world, the larger your nostril and tummy, the higher), they’re oddly endearing.
There are 4 feeding instances all through the day – two at Platform A and two at Platform B, the place we noticed them consuming.
Take a look at my video of a go to to the Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey sanctuary with children
You’re additionally prone to see silverleaf monkeys – count on a sudden thunder of paws as they race throughout the picket viewing platforms, in addition to recognizing them lined up on the wall close to the bathrooms!
Relying whenever you go to, you may typically see their infants. Not like the adults, that are principally a silvery gray color, the infants are a vivid orange till they’re round six months outdated.
From right here, journey on to Sandakan for some downtime earlier than the top of your journey – the English Tea Home is a stunning place for lunch, trying down throughout manicured lawns in direction of the ocean.
Head to the floating village for dinner at one of many seafood eating places.
The place to remain in Sandakan
Sabah lodge is an effective location for each the floating village and the airport the next day, plus a number of mod cons to finish your journey.
There’s a stunning pool, together with a water slide, shallower areas for youthful children and solar loungers.
Day 7 – go away Sandakan
Relying when your flight leaves, there’s a final little bit of time to benefit from the pool and the solar earlier than you end your week in Borneo with children.
You’ll be able to fly direct from Sandakan to Kuala Lumpur for worldwide flights onwards – when you’ve got an extended switch, I’d advocate reserving a lounge. If you wish to slot in some extra exploring, you could possibly additionally make your manner again in direction of Kota Kinabalu to catch a flight to Kuala Lumpur from there.
Received extra time to spend in Borneo with children?
If you happen to’ve acquired longer than only a seven-day itinerary for Borneo with children, you could possibly additionally embrace a go to to Turtle Island Marine Park from Sandakan – a brief speedboat experience away from the mainland – particularly in case you’re travelling between July and October, when the seas are calmest.
There’s swimming and snorkelling to take pleasure in through the day, however it’s the evening time which is the large draw, when inexperienced turtles come ashore to put their eggs on the seaside within the moonlight. You too can see hatchlings being launched into the ocean too. You’ll want to remain in a single day, and lodging is proscribed so make certain to prebook this nicely upfront.
For extra inspiration about visiting Southeast Asia with children, take a look at my itinerary for Cambodia and itinerary for Burma (Myanmar)
Disclosure: My journey was organised with Intrepid Journey – I used to be not obligated to write down this put up, however cherished our one week in Borneo a lot, I wished to share our household journey. All opinions are my very own (and my daughter’s). This put up incorporates affiliate hyperlinks – any purchases you make are unaffected however I’ll obtain a small fee
Photographs copyright MummyTravels