Welcome to Sabah, Borneo! Today you fly into the second city, Sandakan to begin your adventure through Borneo. Try for a morning or midday flight arrival time (domestic flights are available from Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur will be the easiest place to transfer through). After you are picked up from the airport you will taken directly to our hotel to freshen up.

In the afternoon, explore the city of Sandakan, visiting the Sandakan memorial and historic Agnes Keith house. 

Agnes Keith House, is the restored home of an American writer best known for her accounts of life in Borneo during WW1. The Sandakan War Memorial, is built on the site of a Japanese Prisoners of War camp. Here you can learn about the tragic Sandakan Death Marches, when 2400 prisoners of war were forced to walk through the jungles of Borneo with only six survivors.

In the evening, join the group and your guide, for your welcome dinner and your first Malaysian meal.

Accommodation: Sabah Hotel or similar
Meals: Welcome dinner

Today you will transfer to Libaran island and turtle hatchery. The boat transfer takes around 45 minutes, and you will be staying in safari tents on the island.

Today you’ll take the boat transfer back to the main island, and then continue on to the township of Sepilok. It’s a busy day of wildlife and nature! 

Today will travel on to Kinabatabangan. Journey by private bus into the rainforest to Bilit – a small village on the banks of the Kinabatangan River – and then take a short boat ride to the comfortable jungle lodge where you’ll spend the night. Located on the riverbanks, the lodge is a brilliant place to spot wildlife.

You will head out on an afternoon boat ride and look out for macaques, orangutan, proboscis monkeys and pygmy elephants.

Embark on another boat safari early this morning – different species come out at different times, so keep your eyes peeled!  Then, in the afternoon, head back on the boat for another river excursion.

In the evening, you have the option of joining a night rainforest walk with a local ranger.

It’s a long drive today (approx 5 hours) which gives you a chance to see some of the countryside in Sabah. Before arriving at your lodge, you will visit the Kinabalu Eco Park.

Your lodge tonight has fabulous views of Mt Kinabalu.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Kinabalu Pine Resort

In the morning you will have the chance to visit Kiulu Village. Learn about the traditions and cultures of the local people and enjoy a meal prepared by the village. Our visit here supports the organisation – MUKEST. which oversees community development in the village.

Today is a free day for you to enjoy in and around Kota Kinabalu. Our resort is situated on the beach, so you might like to take a snorkelling trip to a nearby island, or enjoy some beach or pool time. Alternatively you can travel into Kota Kinabalu (40 minutes) and spend some time visiting the city. Sabah State Museum, the Kota Kinabalu city Mosque or the Wetland Centre – might all be options for a city explore.

No activities are planned for today – after breakfast, you can enjoy the resort before checking out for your flight onwards.

Lots of different people! Mostly women in their 50 – 70s have travelled with Pip & Co Travel, with some in their 40s and 80s also choosing our trips.

Travellers who share a love of discovery, learning, adventure, fun and kindness of any age are right for Pip & Co Travel trips!

We love having solo travellers on our trips. In fact many of our travellers join our trips on their own.

If you are keen to twin share, it is sometimes possible to match you with another solo traveller. This isn’t guaranteed, though, and if there isn’t another traveller available, you will need to pay the solo supplement.

The cost to have your own room varies for each trip. Check on the payment page or contact Penny for more information. 

This tour is suitable for travellers with a moderate level of fitness. Expect:

• Walking 8–10,000 steps daily on uneven ground
• Climbing some stairs (especially in temple complexes)
• Standing for 1–2 hours during tours
• Getting in/out of vehicles and boats without assistance

Most activities are optional, so if there’s something you don’t feel like doing you can opt-out. Please contact Penny if you want to ask specific health and fitness questions. No question is silly!

The weather is usually warm and humid in Borneo, with a dry and wet season. This trip is during the dry season and with average temperatures of 29 C.  It’s an excellent time of year to visit, with sunny days the norm, but there is always a chance of a shower.

We’ll provide you with suggestions on what to pack to stay comfortable throughout your journey.

Borneo is very reliant on cash payments outside of the main cities. We suggest taking enough cash with you to cover drinks, snacks and extra purchases when we are out of the cities. The local currency is MYR – Malaysian Ringgit.

We usually suggest the group puts in to a tipping kitty, to make tipping easy and stress-free for everyone.

You need to make a AUD $500 deposit to hold your spot.

The final balance of the trip at least 90 days before the start of the trip.

You can pay with a major credit card such as Visa or Mastercard (fees apply) or with a bank deposit. Please contact us to arrange a bank deposit. Payment plans can also be arranged.

All Pip & Co Travellers will need to purchase comprehensive travel insurance prior to the trip.

If you need help with this, please contact us.

Australian passport holders don’t need a visa to visit Malaysia, but you do need to complete an E-arrival card within 3 days before you arrive.

The link to use is: https://imigresen-online.imi.gov.my/mdac/main

International flights are not included in your tour.

You should aim to book flights that align with the official tour start and end dates. Where possible, arrive one day early to allow time to adjust to the local time zone and recover from long-haul travel. For this trip, you will need to arrive in Sandakan before 1/2pm on Day 1.

We’ll provide details of recommended arrival and departure airports and times when you confirm your booking.