Adult price from £2,625pp
All prices include: transfers, accommodation, meals and guided activities; all as listed.
VISITING: Borneo
BROCHURE CODE: 4024

Key facts

  • Duration:11 nights
  • Suitable for: Children aged 10 years and over (younger children may join the holiday, but may not be able to participate in all the activities). Please see terms for details
Download Holiday Overview Download Trip Notes

What's included?

  • Transfers: group airport and activity transfers (private airport transfers may incur a supplement)
  • Accommodation: 11 nights in hotel or lodge accommodation: 6 nights in a 5* hotel in Shangri-La Rasa Ria, 3 nights at Nature Lodge Sepilok and 2 nights in Kinabatangan Nature Lodge
  • Meals: 11 breakfasts, 8 lunches, 5 dinners
  • The following activities are included: Island cruise by boat, snorkelling, white-water rafting, Orangutan Rehabilitation Sanctuary, Sun Bear Conservation Centre, Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary, Rainforest Discovery Centre, jungle night walk, rainforest boat trip, local cooking class, Batik painting activity, traditional dance class, tree planting, Gomantong Cave visit, Sandakan City tour, scuba diving, mountain biking (the order of activities is subject to change)
  • All equipment, tuition and supervision from fully qualified instructors/guides
  • Services of our representatives or local guides
  • Tourism tax at a flat rate of RM 10 per room per night

Please note: international flights and internal flights between Kota Kinabalu and Sandakan are not included in the holiday cost. Please contact us for a quotation. Please do not make any flight arrangements until your holiday has been confirmed.


Few places can compete with Borneo when it comes to adventures, activities, and wildlife. The Malaysian Sabah region is the base for our Activities Abroad family holiday adventure and the itinerary has been designed to ensure you see the very best that Borneo has to offer. All activities are included in the holiday price.

Your family adventure starts in and around Kota Kinabalu. Here you will enjoy taking a boat ride past tropical islands, snorkelling along coral reefs and white-water rafting. Outside of the activities you can relax in wonderful accommodation and sample truly delicious food.

Next, it’s into the tropical rainforests for memorable encounters with some of the world’s most endangered species which are indigenous to Borneo’s rainforests. You’ll have the chance to get close to proboscis monkeys, orangutans and sun bears at their respective sanctuaries before searching for them in the wild. There will be rainforest boat trips where you are almost certain to encounter some of the abundant wildlife, as well as a visit to the spectacular Gomantong Caves, famous as a nesting ground for swifts and some 27 species of bat. Immerse yourself in Bornean culture with a local cooking class, Batik painting activity and traditional dance lesson.

Back in Kota Kinabalu, you’ll have the chance to scuba dive with our local experts and then go on an amazing mountain bike trip.  You’re sure to head home with some unforgettable memories of your tropical family adventure.

There are plenty of options to personalise and extend your stay in this vibrant corner of the world. For example, enjoy an additional three night's at the Shangri-La's Rasa Ria Resort to fully unwind and make the most of the hotel's stunning facilities before you return home. Day trips such as a day tour of Kinabalu Park are available too; soak up the history and local culture with a guided walk in Kinabalu Park, a visit to Kundasang War Memorial and a saunter through the market. Speak to one of our knowledgable Travel Experts if you are interested in enhancing your bucket-list trip to Borneo.


Image credits: Borneo Dream Travel & Tours, The Hubner Family (clients), Heinz Rickers, G Woolley, Tsen Lip Kai, Azahari Reyes and Sabah Tourism

Show full agenda

Included in price

Personalise this tour


Our pick

  • Coral Reef Conservation Day Tour in Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park

    This snorkelling based activity is a truly unique educational experience. You’ll gain insight into the fascinating world of coral reefs, threats impacting them and what we can do as individuals to protect them. You’ll take part in three guided snorkelling sessions and learn about the complexity of the coral reef ecosystem and learn basic skills for measuring and assessing the health of a coral reef. Combined with informative, educational briefings you’ll end the day taking away actions you can make as an individual to help protect our coral reefs and make a positive difference. This tour is suitable for guests who are extending their stay at the Shangri-La Rasa Ria and subject to availability.

    Please note: Minimum of 4 people required and price includes return private transfer

     

    From £49 per adult

Other options

  • PADI Open Water Diver Course

    Are you ready to become a qualified diver? Having completed our Underwater Experience on day 10 of your holiday, you may wish to extend your holiday and embark on a further two days of underwater fun and adventure.

    Read more about this activity

    Day 12 (B/L): Day 2 of the PADI Open Water Diver Course

    You will wake up bright and early in order to leave at 8.45 and make your way to Jesselton Point Jetty (walking time approximately 5 minutes). You will meet the Dive Crew and board the boat ready to head out to the stunning Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine National Park and its clear, turquoise waters. As you already completed the first day of this course on day 10 of your trip, you will complete day two of the course today, which involves confined skills sessions, some small water stamina tests and ocean dives of up to 12m. You will enjoy a well-deserved lunch at a café on an island in the Marine Park. Then, it’s time to put your new skills into practice during an afternoon of open-water diving. You will return to the Jesselton Point Jetty at 4 pm, then return to your hotel for your overnight stay.

    Overnight at the 4* Grandis Hotel (Superior room)

    Day 13 (B/L):  Day 3 of the PADI Open Water Diver Course. 

    The final day of diving will begin at around 8.45am at the Jesselton Point Jetty and onto Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park once again. The whole day will be filled with open-water diving (with two boat dives up to 18m), as you practice your new skill and admire the underwater world and its incredible wildlife. Lunch will be enjoyed in a café. At 4 pm, you will return to your hotel in time for your final night of the trip.

    Overnight at the 4* Grandis Hotel (Superior room)

    Day 14 (B/L): Free day - to relax and ensure a minimum of 18 hours after your last dive before flying.

    Overnight at the 4* Grandis Hotel (Superior room)

    Day 15 (B): Depart Kota Kinabalu

    You will have a last breakfast in the morning and take your transfer to Kota Kinabalu Airport in time for your flight home. Please note: your flight needs to depart from 11 am onwards, so there is an 18-hour safety window after your last dive!

     

    Accommodation

    The hotel for your three nights will be the Grandis Hotel (subject to availability).

    With its central location, you’ll be in the heart of the city so you can get out and explore Kota Kinabalu. You’ll be right by the water’s edge and within walking distance of the many different restaurants so you can try the varied local food on offer.

    If you’d rather relax in the hotel, there are plenty of facilities to enjoy. Make sure you go up to the Sky Blu Bar for excellent views of the cityscape and out to sea. For those who want even more time in the water, there’s also an amazing rooftop swimming pool.

    Hotel facilities

    • Double, twin or family rooms with upgrades to deluxe rooms available
    • All-day dining in the Rosea Café
    • Sky Bar and Piano Lounge
    • Swimming pool
    • Gym

    Please note: in order to take part in this extension, you must complete your online study BEFORE you come on holiday. All the pre-study will be completed online, and it will take approximately 10 hours to complete. Following your booking (and full payment), a PADI eLearning Assess code will be sent via email. Once registered with PADI, you will have access to an Online eBook, Certification credit, Knowledge Reviews, Quizzes and Final Exam, eTraining Logbook and Digital RDP with instructions and certifying credit. This eLearning must be successfully completed before attending the course. 


    Please contact one of our Family Travel Experts for a quotation. 


    © Borneo Dream, Grandis Hotel
    From: £529 per adult

We include more, no hidden costs

On each of our holidays you will see a clear outline of exactly what's included in the price of your holiday. We never use 'headline' or 'lead-in' prices like so many tour operators, as we prefer to include as much as we can, rather than see our clients incur considerable additional costs in our destinations.
Price guarantee

Minimum numbers: the prices listed below are based on a minimum of four people travelling but two people sharing a room throughout. If you have any other requirements, please contact one of our Travel Experts for a quote.

Private departures: this tour can be operated as a private departure on any date (subject to availability). Please contact one of our Travel Experts for a complete quotation for your family.

Deposit Payment: please note that a 30% deposit payment per person is required to secure your place.

Dates
Sat 27 Jul 2024 Adult price based on 2 sharing: £2625.00
to £2945.00
Enquire
Sat 10 Aug 2024 Adult price based on 2 sharing: £2625.00
to £2945.00
Enquire

For our full booking terms and conditions please click here

The Specifics

Holiday group size (approximate)

Minimum 4 person and maximum 20 people (approximately)

Group Size

We always try to provide an approximation of the group size you can expect to be with for the duration of each of our holidays. It may be that you are joined by others for parts of your holiday (such as transfers and particular activities) but the above number reflects those you can normally expect to be with from beginning to end. If group size is something which is particularly important to you, please speak to our Travel Experts and they can suggest the best holidays for you.

Tailor-made holiday group sizes will vary for all activities as will the group size for any additional activities you book.

Minimum numbers required for a holiday to operate

Some of our holidays require a minimum number of participants to operate (as listed in the ‘Group Size’ section). If your holiday departure has not yet reached the minimum number, you will be told at the time of booking. In the unlikely event that your chosen date is not guaranteed by nine weeks before your scheduled departure date, we will contact you to discuss the available options as per our booking conditions.

Minimum and maximum age

The minimum age for this holiday can be found in the ‘Key Facts’ section of the holiday overview.

Younger family members may be able to participate but may not be able to take part in all activities. Please contact one of our Travel Experts if you have any questions.

Itinerary amendments

The order of activities listed in this agenda is provided for guidance only, your final and detailed itinerary will be provided either with your final travel documents (which are uploaded into your online account around a week prior to departure) or upon arrival.

Medical History and Advice

We want our holidays to be accessible as they can be and will do our best to accommodate any special requests and requirements where possible. We have a wide range of holidays and destinations and so our travel experts will help find the best holiday for you.

In order to give us the best possible chance to do this we ask that if you or any member of your party has any medical condition or disability which may affect your holiday or has any special requirements, that you tell us at the time of enquiry or booking. You must also promptly advise us if any medical condition or disability which may affect your holiday develops after your booking has been confirmed. You may need to provide a doctor’s note and proof of insurance in some cases as the health and safety of our clients is absolutely paramount.

In providing this information you are allowing us to work with our expert local partners to ensure that your whole party can enjoy the holiday. By letting us know in advance we can discreetly work with you to adapt any part of the holiday which may potentially be challenging. Being able to prepare for this in advance makes an incredible difference to what we can offer and minimises any impact on your party and the rest of the group.

Unfortunately, if you choose not to share this information with us in advance then it may limit some or all of the itinerary you have booked, and we cannot be held accountable for any additional costs or missed activities resulting from this.

It is vitally important that you advise us prior to departure of any medical or dietary condition relating to any member of your party so that we may notify our local staff before you arrive. We recommend only drinking bottled water from bottles with unbroken seals and be vigilant about the use of ice in drinks and ice cream.

Insurance

Insurance is not included in your holiday, but it is a pre-requisite to travelling with us. You will need to ensure that you have cover for all the activities that you will be participating in during your holiday.

It is extremely important that you take out a suitable travel insurance policy at the time of booking. Plans do sometimes change, and you will need this policy should you need to cancel your holiday.

If you are struggling to find a suitable policy then details of our preferred provider, who will cover you for all the activities we offer, can be found on our website by clicking here. Please note that this policy is available to EU residents under the age of 75 only.

The UK Foreign Office Advice

Our clients’ safety is at the centre of everything we do, and our operations team continually assesses and monitors the destinations we feature. We carry out thorough risk assessments and work closely with all of our suppliers to continually follow best practice. For up to date travel advice the UK government offers its Travel Aware website as well as the advice detailed below.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office Advice

We receive all updates from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) with regards to travel advice and we always ensure that we follow this advice in our operations. The FCO issues travel advisories for countries based on a very wide range of factors. They may provide notification about things as simple as a football match and crowds, or they may go so far as to advise against all travel to a region. We ask all our clients to refer to the relevant Travel Advice by Country for the destinations they are visiting in order to make an informed decision on the safety of the destination based on the details provided. It also provides vital information regarding entry requirements, embassy information, local laws and customs as well as specific safety and health. Guests should take responsibility for keeping themselves up to date with this advice. Please also ensure that, if you are transiting through another country, you have read the advice and meet the entry requirements for that destination too.

The FCO travel advice is applicable to British Passport Holders. Most governments will issue their own travel advice for a region and, if you are not a UK resident then you can find some helpful links below:

Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/                                                   

New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade http://www.safetravel.govt.nz/                                                 

Canadian Consular Affairs Bureau http://voyage.gc.ca/                                                                                                     

The U.S. Bureau of Consular Affairs http://travel.state.gov/content/travel/english.html

If the FCO deems that there is an unacceptable level of risk for UK citizens then, together with the government, they may issue an advisory against all travel to a region or country. If such an advisory is published, then we will act accordingly, and this may require the cancellation, curtailment or amendment of a holiday itinerary. These decisions are made on the basis of ensuring our clients’ safety and will affect all clients on the holiday, regardless of their nationality.

If one of our local experts suggests an amendment due to a situation which develops locally then we may also take the decision to amend an itinerary appropriately.

If we have to cancel your holiday prior to departure you will be offered the option of an alternative trip (where any price difference will either be refunded to or covered by you) or a full refund of the monies paid.

If we have to curtail a holiday, then you will be refunded for any costs for the elements we have been unable to deliver, where we have been able to secure a refund from our suppliers. If we must reroute a holiday, then any basis for refund is determined on a case by case basis and dependent on whether the central holiday experience was provided or not.

Booking activities locally

Additional activities can be booked locally in almost all our destinations. However, as per our booking conditions, we cannot be held responsible for any injury or loss incurred through participation in activities which are booked at your destination outside of our holiday itinerary (see our ‘Terms and Conditions’ for further details).

When arranging any such activity please always ensure that safety is your primary concern.

In some of our destinations, you can borrow or hire equipment for use in your free time. You do so entirely at your own risk. You must ensure that you are correctly prepared, have the necessary equipment and knowledge (maps, etc.) and ensure that where applicable, you follow marked routes. We recommend discussing your plans with the local teams who will be able to advise on the most suitable options for you.

Always let the reception/guide know where you are planning to go and take a torch and mobile phone (with the hotel/guide’s phone number stored). It is also a good idea to leave your contact number and the time you expect to return to the hotel should the hotel need to contact you.

Flight schedule changes and connecting transportation

On your documentation, we will confirm your flight schedule. Sometimes the flight number, routing and timings might change prior to your departure. If the change is classed as a significant change then we will contact you to discuss this. Please see our booking conditions for details.

Flight schedule changes can impact on your pre and post-holiday travel arrangements if these have been booked separately to your holiday. We strongly recommend that you do not book transport (such as trains or transfers), car parking or non-connecting flights to the departure point for your holiday until you have received your final confirmed travel times when your final travel documents are issued. We are not responsible for the effect of any schedule change on your pre or post travel arrangements. We strongly recommend that you do not purchase non-flexible or non-refundable tickets to avoid cancellation and penalty charges.

Booking your own flights cancellation disclaimer

If you have chosen to book your own flights, then you will need to wait until we confirm to you that the holiday departure has met the minimum numbers required to run (if applicable to your chosen holiday). Once the holiday is guaranteed to run, you will be informed and you can then make your arrangements.

If transfers are included in your holiday, please ensure that any potential flights will be met by our standard transfers (speak to one of our Travel Experts for advice) otherwise private transfer supplements may be applicable. Once your flights are booked, please send us a copy of your detailed flight itinerary.

Please be aware that most tickets are non-refundable in the case of cancellation. For this reason, we strongly advise you check the rules of the ticket and check the limitations of your cancellation insurance before booking. We cannot be held liable, in the unlikely eventuality that we should be forced to cancel or amend your trip, for losses incurred relating to any flight booking you have made.

Terms and Conditions

Our full booking terms and conditions can be found on our website: https://www.activitiesabroad.com/booking-conditions

 

Please note: our payment and cancellation terms will be unique to each booking – they will be confirmed with you at the time of quotation. The terms listed above are noted as a guide only

Traveller Reviews

  • The Best of Borneo 13 August 2019 by The Walton and Hiscock Families

  • Another phenomenal holiday 07 August 2019 by The Tassell Family

    I wanted to thank AA for another phenomenal holiday. Borneo was our 4th trip away with you and it was amazing. I was quite anxious about going away to Malaysia having no experience of the country or culture but Jade answered all my questions and if she couldn’t answer them then she spoke to someone who could. We combined our trip with a family visit to Brunei stopping off in Singapore as well.
    Read more
    The arrangements for the Borneo part ran smoothly and to plan. All 3 accommodations in Borneo were perfect. The beach hotel was one the best hotels I’ve ever stayed in. The rooms were comfortable, the facilities were brilliant but what stood out was the friendliness and attentiveness of the staff. Nothing was too much trouble and food was varied and beautifully cooked and presented. Bob was great, really helpful and always at the end of the phone. Ahmed who accompanied us to Sepilok and the Kinabatangan lodge had a great sense of humour and was really knowledgeable and patient. The activities were thrilling. We particularly enjoyed the river rafting, swimming in the water and the snorkelling. The food at the dive lodge was tasty and most welcomed after diving and snorkelling. The zip wire across to the island gave you the opportunity to see an amazing panoramic view. My husband and sons really loved scuba diving and found the instructors really approachable and friendly. The jungle trek was an enjoyable challenge and the views from the river bridges and river Zip wire were beautiful. The highlight for me was seeing the orangutans and all wildlife in the jungle, whilst staying in 2 very different but perfect settings. (Buy your leech socks there, much much cheaper). Truly a holiday of a lifetime. I can’t recommend this holiday enough. Thank you.
    Read less

  • Overall an excellent holiday, we would truly recommend it. 02 August 2019 by The Hiscock Family

    Overall an excellent holiday, we would truly recommend it. We added a stop in Singapore on the way there and Thailand on the way back, two weeks in total, which made the whole experience truly memorable. Many thanks to Allan for great advice on places to visit in these countries - most appreciated.

  • All of it was fabulous and beautifully organised. 05 August 2017 by The Ponting Family

    Your man on the ground in Borneo, Luke, was simply outstanding. Everything ran smoothly at all times, exactly what we were looking for. A truly wonderful holiday which I would recommend to anyone. It was a particular pleasure to engage in the activities with a couple of other like-minded families.

  • We had a truly fantastic time 14 August 2015 by Elizabeth Gratton

    We have just returned and had a truly fantastic time. We loved the white water rafting activity, but also the river boat treks. Both very different - one physical and fun, one just felt like we were seeing some magical sights. The wild orangutans and Pygmy elephants were the highlight. We loved the combination of adrenalin activities and nature. The jungle lodge experience felt like something we
    Read more
    had to do but I wouldn’t have wanted to spend more than one night there. I like my creature comforts too much! Sepilok Lodge was lovely. The bedrooms are fairly basic, but the beds were comfy and the food there was excellent.
    Read less


  • FAMILY SPECIALISTS

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    Experience real adventures enjoyed safely

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    For toddlers, young children, teenagers & adults alike

    Enjoy the company of like-minded families

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