Borneo Rainforests & Villages Family Adventure Tour
Wondrous Encounters in a Biodiverse Haven
- Available: December, June, July
- Activity: Level 2
- Accommodations: Luxury Hotels,Comfortable Hotels
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Group Size:
4-14 Guests
Min Age: 6
$250 Discount for Children 17 & Under
Join the MT Sobek President & His Family on the July 3, 2023 Departure!
Highlights
- Experience the very best of Borneo's nature, wildlife, and culture on this family-friendly adventure
- Activities, from walking and wildlife-watching to safari cruises and snorkeling, are suitable for everyone
- Sleep comfortably in luxury resorts, traditional longhouses, and stretcher hammocks in a jungle camp
Itinerary
Arrive in Kota Kinabalu
Day 1
Welcome to Borneo! Upon arrival in Kota Kinabalu International Airport, meet your MT Sobek guide and driver at the arrivals hall and transfer to the hotel. Spend the rest of the day relaxing or exploring Kota Kinabalu, a coastal city in Malaysian Borneo known for its bustling markets, modern boardwalks, beaches, and waterfront esplanade. Tonight you are treated to a sumptuous welcome dinner at a local restaurant.
Accommodation: Shangri-La’s Tanjung Aru Resort
Meals: Dinner
Experience Murut Hospitality in Orou Sapulot
Day 2
Transfer to Orou Sapulot and on to Labang village, where you are immersed in local culture with the Muruts, the last of the ethnic groups in Sabah to renounce headhunting. After lunch at Orou Sapulot, embark on a short walk to discover the virtually unexplored Tinahas Caves, with an underground stream and beautiful stalactite and stalagmite formations. Return to camp for a refreshing swim in the river. Enjoy a traditional Murut meal for dinner and admire the starry sky before falling asleep on a stretcher hammock to the sounds of the jungle.
Accommodation: MT Sobek Camp Pungiton Camp
Transportation: 4.5-hour transfer
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Explore Orou Sapulot
Day 3
After an early breakfast, spend the morning swimming at the hidden, multi-tiered Kabulongou Waterfall, accessed via some easy jungle trekking. Later, continue to a modern village house at Romol Village. This longhouse sits high above a valley, overlooking the forest and surrounding areas. Spend the afternoon learning about local traditions and customs, and have the opportunity to participate in community work with villagers, such as planting trees on their farm or teaching English to the local children. Tonight, feast on traditional Murut food while enjoying cultural dance performances.
Accommodation: Modern Longhouse Orou Sapulot
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Make Your Way to Sepilok
Day 4
After breakfast, say goodbye to your lovely Murut hosts and return to Kota Kinabalu, then transfer to the airport for a flight to Sandakan. Upon arrival, meet your driver, who transfers you to Sepilok Nature Resort. This quaint collection of wooden chalets surrounding a lake is set in an impressive landscaped area of manicured lawns and hills. After dinner, retire for the night.
Accommodation: My Nature Resort
Transportation: 4-hour private van transfer and 1-hour flight
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Be Amazed by the Wildlife of Borneo
Day 5
Walk to the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre, a wildlife conservation and research center for the world's smallest bear. After a private tour, visit the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre to meet rescued orangutans being trained to survive again in the wild. Transfer to Sandakan for lunch, then boat to the Kinabatangan River, home to Borneo's highest concentration of fauna; look for orangutans, pygmy elephants, hornbills, and proboscis monkeys. After settling into your riverfront chalet, take a dusk wildlife-watching river cruise. Follow dinner at the lodge with an optional night walk in search of nocturnal forest residents!
Accommodation: Kinabatangan Wetlands Resort
Activity: Wildlife-watching, dusk river cruise and forest walk
Transportation: 30-minute private van transfer and 2-hour boat transfer
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Take River Safari Cruises & Help Restoration Efforts
Day 6
Spend today exploring the remarkably biodiverse, 340-mile-long Kinabatangan River, a haven for native wildlife. Start with an early-morning river safari cruise, and then visit a local village where you are treated to a home-cooked breakfast. Next, tour a local forest restoration project site and participate in tree planting while learning about the community's restoration efforts. After lunch and a rest, embark on another river cruise searching for wildlife just before a magical sunset. Seek even more critters on another night walk or river cruise after dinner at the resort.
Accommodation: Kinabatangan Wetlands Resort
Transportation: Two 1.5-hour river cruises
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Enjoy a Gaya Island Beach Day and Date Night
Day 7
Rise early for breakfast and your journey to Gaya Island, via Sandakan and Kota Kinabalu. Spend the afternoon seaside, snorkeling, kayaking, or going for a jungle walk. Come evening, resort staff take the kids for fun activities while the parents have a romantic seaside dinner on their own!
Accommodation: Bunga Raya Island Resort
Activity: Beach activities
Transportation: 2-hour boat transfer, 30 minute private van transfer and 1-hour flight
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Discover Gaya Island
Day 8
Relish an entire day on the remarkably biodiverse Gaya Island, a natural conservation area rife with jungle and marine life. Spend hours at your leisure, relaxing at the beach, lounging at the resort, or exploring the island. Tonight celebrate your memorable Borneo adventure with a group farewell dinner.
Accommodation: Bunga Raya Island Resort
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Depart from Kota Kinabalu
Day 9
After breakfast and a relaxing morning on Gaya Island, say goodbye to the group and depart to the Kota Kinabalu airport for your flight back home.
Meals: Breakfast
Dates & Prices
- 2023
- 2024
- Go Private
- Go Custom
- Inclusions
2023
Scheduled Dates
The earlier you book, the more choice of available dates you’ll have and once you book, your price is guaranteed.
- $5,895 price per person dbl occ+$145 internal airfare+$1,350 single supplementCheck for Availability
- $5,895 price per person dbl occ+$145 internal airfare+$1,350 single supplement
Special Details
Special departure with the MT Sobek President & his family
AvailableConfirmed - $5,895 price per person dbl occ+$145 internal airfare+$1,350 single supplementAvailable
2024
Scheduled Dates
The earlier you book, the more choice of available dates you’ll have and once you book, your price is guaranteed.
- $5,995 price per person dbl occ+$260 internal airfare+$1,450 single supplementAvailable
- $5,995 price per person dbl occ+$260 internal airfare+$1,450 single supplementAvailable
- $5,995 price per person dbl occ+$260 internal airfare+$1,450 single supplementAvailable
Go Private
Go Private
Gather your favorite travel companions to share an MT Sobek adventure on an easy-to-book Private departure.
Call or email us to get the ball rolling.
*Private trips require a 25% non-refundable deposit.
Private Trip Pricing:
2023 Pricing
4 to 5 guests from $6,295 per person double occupancy
6 to 7 guests from $5,995 per person double occupancy
8 to 10 guests from $5,895 per person double occupancy
2024 Pricing
4 to 5 guests from $6,695 per person double occupancy
6 to 7 guests from $6,295 per person double occupancy
8 to 9 guests from $6,195 per person double occupancy
10 guests from $5,995 per person double occupancy
Additional Costs:
Internal Airfare: $145
Private pricing excludes potential additional costs such as internal airfare, single supplement, or any park fees that may be required for the trip.
*Private trips require a 25% non-refundable deposit.
Take Over One of These Dates
- Jun 10 - 18, 2023
- Dec 20 - 28, 2023
- Jun 10 - 18, 2024
- Jul 07 - 15, 2024
- Dec 03 - 11, 2024
Make Your Own Dates in These Months
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December, June, July
Go Custom
Create Your Very Own Adventure
Dreaming of an adventure designed exclusively for you? With insider access and decades of experience, our travel experts create custom tailored adventures that are perfect for families, couples, and large groups. MT Sobek's custom adventures are designed to our exacting standards and led by our award-winning adventure guides.
When to start planning? Earlier is always better when designing a custom trip. More time allows for better availability of preferred accommodations, guides and your desired activities. Ideally, start the conversation with us at least 6 months before you want to travel. If you are looking for a custom trip that departs within three months, chances are greatly diminished in securing requested accommodations and the best guides.
*Custom trips require a 25% non-refundable deposit once an itinerary is agreed upon.
Start PlanningInclusions
Price Includes
- Expertise and services of our experienced adventure guides
- All accommodations as noted in the itinerary
- All breakfasts, almost all lunches and dinners as noted in the itinerary
- Snacks and water between meals
- Additional regional guides and experts on many trips
- Comprehensive Trip Planner with detailed pre-trip information
- Private guided tours at historic sites, museums, wineries and other select attractions as noted in the itinerary
- Special events and other select attractions as mentioned in the itinerary
- All gratuities at hotels and restaurants
- Equipment and experienced guides for activities as described in the itinerary
- Park and other entry fees (unless otherwise noted)
- Fares for trains, ferries and other modes of travel as listed in the itinerary
- Select transfers as mentioned in the itinerary
- Baggage transfers and porterage
Price Does Not Include
- International airfare, airport taxes, and excess baggage fees
- Alcoholic beverages (MT Sobek provides wine at select events)
- Gratuities for MT Sobek guides and guide-drivers
- Travel Protection Program
- Personal expenses
Need help picking your next adventure? Call us to answer your questions.
Your Guides
The best people to immerse you in a destination are the ones who live there, which is why we feature local Adventure Guides on our trips. Here are a few that you might meet on this adventure.

Charlie Ryan
Charlie's passion for outdoor adventure, traveling, and nature has been strong his entire life. Hawaii's lush jungles first caught his attention, Central America's rainforests broadened his horizons and, finally, he found Borneo. Well-rounded in the ecology of the Bornean rainforest, he is experienced with species identification of mammals, birds, amphibians, and snakes. He has strong leadership abilities and is comfortable in any situation. He is also certified in Wilderness First Aid and has a good understanding of wilderness survival. Charlie lives in Borneo, speaks Bahasa Malay, and has strong connections with people working to save this beautiful region.

Dean Jais
Not many people can say they've introduced the royal couple to an orangutan and her baby, but Dean can! Fueled by a curious personality, with the jungle as his classroom, Dean started guiding in his late teens. From nature novice to jungle guru, Dean quickly excelled, which led him to win the esteemed Best Specialized Tour Guide award at The Sabah Tourism Awards in 2015. His knowledge and passion for the rainforest are contagious when traveling with him. Meet Dean on MT Sobek's Borneo adventures.
Activity Level
This trip is rated activity level 2. This is a family trip designed for children six and up. You will enjoy leisurely walks through rainforest and nature reserves. There will also be opportunities to swim, kayak and snorkel.
Learn more about activity levels here.
Activity Snapshot
Day 5
Wildlife-watching, dusk river cruise and forest walk
Day 7
Beach activities
Accommodations
Remote and luxurious eco-lodges and rustic camps, allowing you to access some of the most rare and endangered wildlife on the planet.
Weather
Temperatures stay around 80°F year round, with an average of 80% humidity. Expect quick changes in weather and be prepared for rain.
FAQs
Who will meet me on arrival?
Our MTS representative will meet you at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport.
Do I need a visa for Borneo?
No, American citizens do not need a visa for Malaysian Borneo.
How do I get to Kota Kinabalu?
You will need to connect through Hong Kong, Singapore or Kuala Lumpur, and the main airlines that fly to Borneo from the U.S. are Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines, Malaysian Airlines and Air Asia.
Do we need to bring leech socks?
No, as our guide will provide them for you.
What kind of wildlife will we see on this trip?
Although nothing is every guaranteed, Borneo's rainforest are teeming with animals. You have very high chances to see orangutans, proboscis monkeys, langurs, macaques, hornbills, and much more.
What makes this trip family friendly?
This trip is designed for ages 6 and up to include plenty of adventure, but with slightly shorter days than our normal MT Sobek trips. Family trip leaders have plenty of experience guiding families, and enjoy adventures with children.
Does this trip contribute to any local conservation efforts?
Yes! This trip helps support a local foundation that funds community projects in the village of Sayap. Palm oil is a main source of income in this area, which contributes to deforestation. The foundation's community projects provide skill training and jobs for locals to replace traditional palm oil plantations.
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Guest Reviews
"Great experience every time with some of the most knowledgeable guides in their fields. We always come home with wonderful memories of the people we meet and things we see."
Bob J.
MT Sobek Guest
"MT Sobek took care of everything for our extended family vacation. Not a hiccup in the planning, the itinerary, the lodging or the guide. Everything in life should be so easy."
Kathy J.
MT Sobek Guest