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Client Stories: Borneo with The Walker Family

From rainforests to coasts, Borneo’s varied landscapes are made for exploration. The Walker family recently travelled to this tropical island on their fifth holiday with us, and shared what made it so memorable.

We’re very lucky to have travelled with Families Worldwide on four previous occasions, all of which have been unique and incredible family adventures. So, after considering Borneo for a while and with our expectations high, we decided to choose this incredible island as the destination for our fifth adventure with Families Worldwide.

From start to finish, the entire experience was a perfect blend of wildlife, culture, adventure and, of course, family bonding. From the moment we landed, we felt fully taken care of and supported. The local guides were exceptional – they were passionate about their country and had extensive knowledge of the wildlife and culture. We felt very secure and relaxed knowing that they were there with us, making sure we got the very best out of our holiday.

The Walker family in front of a giant buddha statue in Borneo. The Active Borneo itinerary was perfectly balanced for what we wanted. There was lots of action for our teenage boys, coupled with cultural experiences and time to relax. Our main highlights included multiple private boat safaris along the Kinabatangan River, where, thanks to the experience of our guides, we spotted a plethora of incredible wildlife, including the Borneo Big Five – orangutan, pygmy elephant, proboscis monkey, rhinoceros hornbill and estuarine crocodile. The time on the boat was out of this world, and we still think about how fortunate we are to have experienced it.

Pygmy elephants in Borneo Other highlights included a wonderful bike ride through enchanting villages, a trek through the jungle, white-water rafting in stunning landscapes, and snorkelling safely and sustainably amongst some wonderful sea creatures. Visiting the city of Kota Kinabalu in the second part of the holiday gave us a fantastic contrast to Borneo and its highlights, offering us a blend of city life and more cultural experiences, as well as serving as a gateway to exploring other parts of the country.

Family white-water rafting in Borneo. Throughout, our accommodation was comfortable, clean and family-friendly, often nestled in stunning natural settings. Falling asleep to the sounds of the rainforest and waking up ready for another breathtaking experience was pure magic. We really enjoyed preparing, cooking and eating delicious Malaysian food, and afterwards we joined in with some cultural dancing with the friendly locals. We returned home feeling enriched, inspired and deeply connected – not only to the incredible place we visited, but to each other as a family. We’re very grateful for this unforgettable journey and are already planning adventure number six! Proboscis monkey in Borneo

If you've been inspired by this article, check out our trips to Borneo or contact our friendly team for more information.