Family Fun in Malaysia and Borneo

Ideal suited for families with older children this enticing itinerary will see you uncover the very best of what Borneo has to offer. From exhilarating water sports off Sabah’s coastline to peaceful river cruises along the Kinabatangan River in search of orangutans and proboscis monkeys. The whole family will enjoy exploring our top picks for Malaysia and Borneo.

Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan, Kinabatangan River, Kuala Lumpur & Langkawi

14 nights private tour from £6,300 Per person

Journey highlights

A fairly easy going itinerary, which incorporates some of the most family-friendly activities in the region
Enjoy the fantastic combination of wildlife, adventure and relaxation
Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre offers a good chance of spotting Borneo's most famous inhabitants
During boat trips on the Kinabatangan River, keep an eye out for proboscis monkeys, incredible birds, and maybe even pygmy elephants or orangutans

Our tailor made journeys include:

Your dedicated Travel Consultant who will take care of arrangements
Private international airport transfers in destination
Your own private, English-speaking local guides
Unique experiences, hand-picked by our Journeys team
Entrance to must-see local sites
Dedicated 24/7 team providing in-country support and guidance
Complimentary access to My Scott Dunn – industry-leading travel app providing pre-departure information and in-journey support

When to visit

Best time to visit

Good time to visit

Average time to visit

Borneo's climate is hot and humid. Expect temperatures in the high 20s and low 30s throughout the lowlands. The state’s rainfall averages about 300cm annually and though it rains throughout the year, the heaviest rainfall generally occurs between October and January.

Langkawi has a coastal tropical climate year round, with temperatures ranging from 23°C in the early parts of the year to 34°C towards the end of the year. The wet monsoon season is from April to October making the best time to visit from November to March. The rain starts falling the whole month of June. If you are wary of crowd the try to avoid the Malaysian school holidays as the island becomes very busy during these periods.

Itinerary

Day 1-3

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Next you will return to mainland Malaysia and the cosmopolitan city of Kuala Lumpur. Here you can explore this heritage city at your leisure. Included in your itinerary is a half-day city orientation tour of Kuala Lumpur offering you the chance to discover sites you would like to explore in more depth independently. A must see is the iconic Petronas towers, one of Asia’s most recognisable buildings that offer sweeping views of the multi-cultural city. Alternatively, you can choose to venture outside the city to the area’s most noticeable natural wonder, the remarkable Batu Caves. Admire the many temples and shrines that surround the entrance to the caves here as part of a guided tour or simply explore the city at your leisure visiting the many shopping outlets and local markets.

Accommodation: Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur ( 2 nights )

Day 3-6

Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia

Begin your Malaysian adventure in Kota Kinabalu, the coastal capital city of the Sabah region of Borneo. Unwind and relax after your journey and spend a few days enjoying the golden beaches that line Sabah’s western coastline or for the more adventurous family members a plethora of water-based activities can be enjoyed. For intrepid hikers, head into the dense tropical jungle that surrounds Kota Kinabalu on a guided wildlife walk or simply explore the many varied markets that litter the modern multicultural city.

Accommodation: Shangri-La's Rasa Ria, Kota Kinabalu ( 3 nights )

Day 6-8

Borneo, Malaysia

On to Kinabatangan which will arguably be the highlight of your trip for the whole family. Offering one of the highest concentrations of wildlife in Borneo, the area surrounding the Kinabatangan River offers visitors the chance to explore the winding mangroves by traditional boat looking out for proboscis monkeys swinging from the trees, rare hornbills and even pygmy elephants and wild orangutans.

Here you and your family will enjoy life in a traditional Bornean lodge undertaking daily excursions along the river in search of intrepid wildlife. You will also have the chance to explore the surrounding forests on guided walks both during the day and after dark, allowing you the chance to fully immerse yourself in the inspiring Borneo wilderness.

Accommodation: Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge ( 2 nights )

Day 8-10

Sandakan, Borneo, Malaysia

Continuing east your next destination is Sepilok in the northern region of Sandakan . Known as the gateway to Borneo’s dense interior jungle it is here that you will have your first encounter with Borneo’s most famous inhabitant, the orangutan. Included in your itinerary is a visit to the famous Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre which was founded in 1964 and rescues orphaned, injured or captive orangutans, nurturing them back to health before releasing them back into the native wild. Witness these graceful creatures at feeding time before opting to see the world’s smallest bear - the Bornean Sun Bear, a critically endangered species few have the privilege of seeing.

Accommodation: Sepilok Nature Lodge ( 2 nights )

Day 10-15

Islands and Beaches, Borneo, Malaysia

For your final few nights, you’ll journey from the wildlife-rich jungles of Sepilok to the tranquil shores of Gaya Island. A short flight and boat transfer will bring you to this tropical hideaway, where Gaya Island Resort blends seamlessly with the lush rainforest and azure waters of the South China Sea. Here, you can embrace adventure with guided snorkelling trips and jungle treks or simply unwind on powder-soft sands, the gentle rhythm of the waves your only soundtrack. After your exhilarating Borneo adventure, this is the perfect place to slow down, savour the serenity, and soak up Malaysia’s natural beauty.

Accommodation: Gaya Island Resort ( 5 nights )

Resort View from the Sea - Gaya Island Resort

Price Guide: (Per person based on double occupancy and includes international flights)

Departing	Price from^* Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers. Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public holidays) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type. Solo traveller pricing is available upon request.	Deposit from ^*	Enquire
July 2025	£9,000	£1,400	plan your trip
August 2025	£9,000	£1,400	plan your trip
September 2025	£7,600	£1,100	plan your trip
October 2025	£6,300	£900	plan your trip
November 2025	£6,300	£900	plan your trip
December 2025	£9,000	£1,400	plan your trip
January 2026	£9,000	£1,400	plan your trip
February 2026	£9,000	£1,400	plan your trip
March 2026	£7,600	£1,100	plan your trip
April 2026	£6,300	£900	plan your trip
May 2026	£6,300	£900	plan your trip
June 2026	£7,600	£1,100	plan your trip

July 2025
Price from ^*

Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.

Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public holidays) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.

Solo traveller pricing is available upon request.
£9,000
Deposit from*
£1,400
August 2025
Price from ^*

Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.

Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public holidays) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.

Solo traveller pricing is available upon request.
£9,000
Deposit from*
£1,400
September 2025
Price from ^*

Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.

Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public holidays) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.

Solo traveller pricing is available upon request.
£7,600
Deposit from*
£1,100
October 2025
Price from ^*

Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.

Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public holidays) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.

Solo traveller pricing is available upon request.
£6,300
Deposit from*
£900
November 2025
Price from ^*

Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.

Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public holidays) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.

Solo traveller pricing is available upon request.
£6,300
Deposit from*
£900
December 2025
Price from ^*

Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.

Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public holidays) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.

Solo traveller pricing is available upon request.
£9,000
Deposit from*
£1,400
January 2026
Price from ^*

Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.

Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public holidays) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.

Solo traveller pricing is available upon request.
£9,000
Deposit from*
£1,400
February 2026
Price from ^*

Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.

Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public holidays) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.

Solo traveller pricing is available upon request.
£9,000
Deposit from*
£1,400
March 2026
Price from ^*

Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.

Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public holidays) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.

Solo traveller pricing is available upon request.
£7,600
Deposit from*
£1,100
April 2026
Price from ^*

Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.

Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public holidays) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.

Solo traveller pricing is available upon request.
£6,300
Deposit from*
£900
May 2026
Price from ^*

Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.

Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public holidays) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.

Solo traveller pricing is available upon request.
£6,300
Deposit from*
£900
June 2026
Price from ^*

Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.

Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public holidays) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.

Solo traveller pricing is available upon request.
£7,600
Deposit from*
£1,100
plan your trip

Experiences in this tour

Half Day City Tour of Kuala Lumpur

For first time visitors to KL this tour is a great introduction to the city taking in the main attractions of the melting pot of a city.

View Experience
Batu Caves & Royal Selangor Pewter Tour

This half day tour will take you to the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur, where you will visit Malaysia's most prestigious pewter factory as well as the Batu Caves; one of the country's most iconic and holy sites.

View Experience
Forgotten Trails of Kuala Lumpur City

Kuala Lumpur is often regarded as very much a contemporary city, with modern streets and towering skyscrapers. This tour aims to go behind the scenes, and explore more of the local life within Malaysia's capital.

View Experience
Petaling Street Heritage Food Walk

Spend a few hours enjoying the sites, smells and flavours of Petaling Street, Kuala Lumpur's Chinatown area. This is a fun but fairly gentle introduction into Asian streetfood. You will also have the opportunity to visit nearby temples.

View Experience
Kinabatangan River - Afternoon River Cruise

In the late afternoon set off by boat to explore the Kinabatangan River. Enjoy the scenery as the sun sets, watching the colours change across the sky. You may be lucky enough to spot the fireflies begin to twinkle along the riverbanks as night falls.

View Experience

Family Fun in Malaysia and Borneo

We design each itinerary around you, so this suggested itineraryis a starting point that we can tweak or transform into something completely bespoke to you. Call us on 020 8682 5060 to start planning your holiday.

Plan your trip

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