Family Fun in Malaysia and Borneo
Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan, Kinabatangan River, Kuala Lumpur & LangkawiIdeal 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.
At a glance
- 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
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
- J
- F
- M
- A
- M
- J
- J
- A
- S
- O
- N
- D
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.
Price Guide: (Per person based on double occupancy and excludes international flights)
| Departing |
Price from*
|
Deposit from * | Enquire |
|---|---|---|---|
| November | $8,800 | $2,200 | plan your trip |
| December | $12,600 | $3,200 | plan your trip |
| January | $12,600 | $3,200 | plan your trip |
| February | $12,600 | $3,200 | plan your trip |
| March | $10,700 | $2,700 | plan your trip |
| April | $8,800 | $2,200 | plan your trip |
| May | $8,800 | $2,200 | plan your trip |
| June | $10,700 | $2,700 | plan your trip |
| July | $12,600 | $3,200 | plan your trip |
| August | $12,600 | $3,200 | plan your trip |
| September | $10,700 | $2,700 | plan your trip |
| October | $8,800 | $2,200 | plan your trip |
-
November
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 vacations) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveler pricing is available upon request.
$8,800
Deposit from*$2,200
-
December
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 vacations) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveler pricing is available upon request.
$12,600
Deposit from*$3,200
-
January
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 vacations) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveler pricing is available upon request.
$12,600
Deposit from*$3,200
-
February
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 vacations) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveler pricing is available upon request.
$12,600
Deposit from*$3,200
-
March
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 vacations) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveler pricing is available upon request.
$10,700
Deposit from*$2,700
-
April
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 vacations) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveler pricing is available upon request.
$8,800
Deposit from*$2,200
-
May
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 vacations) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveler pricing is available upon request.
$8,800
Deposit from*$2,200
-
June
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 vacations) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveler pricing is available upon request.
$10,700
Deposit from*$2,700
-
July
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 vacations) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveler pricing is available upon request.
$12,600
Deposit from*$3,200
-
August
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 vacations) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveler pricing is available upon request.
$12,600
Deposit from*$3,200
-
September
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 vacations) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveler pricing is available upon request.
$10,700
Deposit from*$2,700
-
October
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 vacations) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveler pricing is available upon request.
$8,800
Deposit from*$2,200
- plan your trip
Itinerary
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 Resort & Spa, Kota Kinabalu ( 3 nights )
Sandakan and Sepilok
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 Resort ( 1 night )
Kinabatangan River
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.
Kuala Lumpur
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.
Langkawi
For your final few nights you will fly to the wonderful Langkawi which is an island archipelago in the north of Peninsula Malaysia. Relax in one of Langkawi’s teen-friendly hotels enjoying the huge variety of activities on offer from guided boat cruises to waterfall walks, jet-skiing and even paddle boarding. After an action packed adventure through Borneo you might find you all just want to relax with a good book on a empty beach overlooking a sun-kissed ocean - Langkawi is without doubt the best place in Malaysia to do just that.
Accommodation: Four Seasons Resort Langkawi ( 6 nights )
Call us on 858 523 9000 to start planning your holiday.
Experiences included in this itinerary
-
![Batu Caves - Batu Caves & Royal Selangor Pewter Tour]()
Read moreBatu 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.
-
![Street Food - Forgotten Trails of Kuala Lumpur City]()
Read moreForgotten 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.
-
![Half Day City Tour of Kuala Lumpur - Half Day City Tour of Kuala Lumpur]()
Read moreHalf 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.
-
![Kampung Tour - Kuala Lumpur]()
Read moreKampung Tour - Kuala Lumpur
Head out of Kuala Lumpur to gain an insight into Malaysia's rural life. Spend the afternoon visiting a local village before taking a boat trip into a mangrove forest, where there are often thousands of fireflies lighting up the trees on the riverbank.
-
![Sunset - Afternoon River Cruise]()
Read moreKinabatangan 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.
-
![Kingfisher - Night Walk]()
Read moreKinabatangan River - Night Walk
Accompanied by the lodge's naturalist, enjoy an evening adventure along the boardwalk around the property. This is a great opportunity to spot some of the area's nocturnal wildlife, including snakes, birds and insects.
-
![Dumplings - Petaling Street Heritage Food Walk]()
Read morePetaling 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.
Your Hotels
When to visit
- J
- F
- M
- A
- M
- J
- J
- A
- S
- O
- N
- D
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.
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 858 523 9000 to start planning your holiday.
Why Scott Dunn?
At Scott Dunn, we live and breathe travel. An insatiable appetite to discover the world runs through everything we do. We relish the planning and revel in the detail. We know it’s the smallest touches that make the biggest difference, and we stop at nothing to make every trip not only exceptional but totally unique.
- Every itinerary is crafted from scratch, based around exactly what’s important to you
- Packed full of unique experiences, hand-picked by our journeys team
- Expert local guides enrich your experience in every destination
- Your own dedicated Travel Specialist who will take care of every detail of your trip
- We have a 24/7 team providing in-country support and guidance
- We offer flexibility and financial protection to give you total peace of mind