Kinabatangan River
Silently meandering by boat along the wild Kinabatangan River like an early explorer offers the best chance of seeing some of Borneo’s most iconic wildlife species such as proboscis monkey, gibbon, pygmy elephant and the endangered orangutan. Children are invariably the ones with the ‘eagle eyes’ who enjoy scouring the adjacent treeline for any signs of life. Night treks are another exciting way to spot species and see some of the smaller jungle species at close hand, whilst also learning about the ecosystem as a whole from your local naturalist guide.
The Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge offers large family rooms, a sundeck with river view and adults and children’s pools. The chalet rooms are connected to the rest of the eco lodge by walkways offering extra privacy and extra excitement for the children!
Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre & Sun Bear Conservation Centre
The wildlife rehabilitation centre at Sepilok plays a very important role in the care of rescued orphaned and injured orangutans displaced by logging and illegal hunting. It is a wonderful place to see these magnificent semi-wild creatures in close proximity and learn more about them. Don’t miss the feeding session or the very young orangutans in the nursery!
A tree-top walkway at the Sun Bear Conservation Centre allows a great vantage point to see rescued ex-captive sun bears, also being rehabilitated for a future life in the wild.
The nearby Sepilok Jungle Resort offers spacious rooms and a refreshing pool and children’s pool in which to cool down after a hike in the jungle. In fact – you may well see a huge variety of wildlife without having to step beyond the hotel’s lovely grounds.
Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park
Swimming and beaches are usually high on most children’s holiday wish lists (and invariably those of adults too!). A 30 minute boat ride from the capital of Kota Kinabalu can take you to the marine conservation park of Tunku Abdul Rahman and a guided snorkelling session from the boat. A qualified PADI instructor will point out all the wonderful species found in this area including clown fish, puffer fish, parrot fish, lion fish and if lucky, perhaps even a turtle.
Hold onto your hats – families with older children may like to try out the world’s longest island-to-island zipline called the Coral Flyer which travels between Sapi and Gaya islands.
Other Activities
Borneo has a wonderful cultural heritage and you may like to visit a tribal village or take a cycle tour in the foothills of Mount Kinabalu.
Sporting enthusiasts could learn to dive and gain a PADI Open Water Diver certificate through a class at Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park and you can also try your hand at white-water rafting on the Kiulu River.
Top Tips for Families
- The humidity is high in Borneo so take time to acclimatise slowly and cool off with plenty of drinking water and dips into the refreshing sea or pools when available.
- Try out the delicious local food cooked in the hotels which will have been carefully and hygienically prepared. Western food will also be available if required.
- English is widely spoken and the people exude friendliness and charm.
- If travelling with younger children then prepare for the long-haul flight with plenty of games, stories and colouring books as well as their favourite snacks and treats.
- Make sure you have enough pairs of binoculars for everyone to get the chance to spot the wildlife.
- This is an exciting and adventurous destination. Enjoy every minute!
Contact the team to find out more about our small-group and tailor-made family holidays in Borneo.
