Question 1

Which part of Borneo should I visit?

Accepted Answer

There are many fascinating places to visit in Borneo. Wildlife enthusiasts will love the Tabin Wildlife Reserve and the Danum Valley Conservation Area, while Kota Kinabalu, a busy fishing port, is bustling with life and markets to peruse.

Borneo can be visited as a destination in its own right or combined with Peninsular Malaysia. There’s a regular domestic flight service, so no particularly long drives are required. We’ll also provide you with private specialist guides who will have in-depth knowledge of the wildlife or culture of the region.

Question 2

Where is Borneo?

Accepted Answer

Borneo is located in Southeast Asia and sits southeast of Malaysia, and southwest of the Philippines.

Question 3

Is Borneo a country?

Accepted Answer

No. Borneo is an island that is split between three countries: Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei. It’s the third largest island in the world.

Question 4

Is Borneo safe for tourists?

Accepted Answer

Borneo is generally safe for tourists, and crime rates are relatively low. As on all trips, be mindful of petty crime such as theft and keep any valuables locked away.

Question 5

What time zone is Borneo in?

Accepted Answer

Question 6

What language is spoken in Borneo?

Accepted Answer

Bahasa Malaysia is the national and official language in Borneo. English is widely spoken. Other languages include Chinese (Mandarin), Hindi, Iban and other tribal dialects.

Question 7

What social conventions and etiquette do I need to know when I visit Borneo?

Accepted Answer

Malaysian Borneo’s population is a mixture of diverse cultures and characters. In general, the racial groups integrate, but keep to their individual traditions and lifestyles. Society tends to be governed by the authority of elders and a strong sense of respect and etiquette.

Hospitality is always warm, lavish and informal. Visitors should follow Malaysian example and respect religious beliefs, such as taking off footwear at the door and wearing appropriate clothing. Dress should be informal, but not over-casual.

Within towns, smoking has now become the subject of government disapproval and fines are levied in a number of public places. You should avoid touching your food with your left hand. Shaking hands, although European, has become commonplace.

Question 8

Do you need a visa to travel to Borneo from the US?

Accepted Answer

The visa(s) you need will depend on which country the area of Borneo you’re visiting belongs to:

Brunei: US passport holders do not need a visa if they’re visiting for less than 90 days. Your passport must have at least one blank page for the entry stamp, plus six blank passport pages, and be valid for a minimum of six months beyond the date you arrive in Brunei Borneo.
Indonesia: Officials will place an entry stamp in your passport if you are a US passport holder staying in the country for less than 30 days and have a return or onward ticket. This cannot be extended. Your passport must have at least two blank pages and be valid for a minimum of six months beyond the date you arrive in Indonesian Borneo. You can also pay $35 for a visa upon arrival, which is valid for up to 30 days and can be extended to 30 more days for $35 more.
Malaysia: US passport holders do not need a visa if they’re visiting for 90 days or less. Officials will place an entry stamp in your passport upon your arrival. Your passport must have at least one blank page and be valid for a minimum of six months beyond the date you arrive in Malaysian Borneo.

Question 9

How long is the flight to Borneo?

Accepted Answer

The flight time depends on where you fly from. You can fly to Kuching, with layovers, from the following places in the US:

Boston (25 hours)
Houston (28 hours)
Los Angeles (24 hours)
New York (25 hours)
San Francisco (25 hours)
Seattle (27 hours)

Question 10

Where should I stay in Borneo?

Accepted Answer

Despite there being some very good beach and city accommodation, we also encourage you to go off the beaten track and stay in some of the atmospheric jungle lodges. This provides a more authentic experience and allows wildlife to be viewed in the early morning and late afternoon, when sightings are at their best.

Question 11

Is there anything I should do while I’m in Borneo?

Accepted Answer

A trip to Borneo will usually feature boat journeys as this is the traditional method of travel along the networks of rivers, and we try to reflect this in our itineraries. Many operators to Borneo will base you in one particular beach resort and provide day trips to see something of the wildlife and culture.

Question 12

What should I pack for a trip to Borneo?

Accepted Answer

The weather in Borneo is very humid, so we recommend packing clothes made from synthetic fabrics, which will dry quicker. Long, lightweight tops and trousers will keep you dry and protect you from mosquitoes. Comfortable shoes are essential for trekking, but it’s worth packing some trainers and sandals for more relaxed activities.

Question 13

What should I wear in the Borneo jungle?

Accepted Answer

We recommend packing:

Long, lightweight trousers (at least two pairs; avoid black so you can see any leeches).
Lightweight long-sleeve T-shirts.
Fleece (if you’re visiting Mount Kinabalu).
Waterproof hiking shoes.
Waterproof backpack.
Two sets of underwear per day of trekking.
Leech socks, which should be worn over your trousers.

The humidity in the jungle means clothes dry slowly, so bring more than you think you need.

Question 14

What vaccinations do I need to visit Borneo?

Accepted Answer

The vaccinations you need depend on which country the area of Borneo you’re visiting belongs to. For all countries, it’s recommended that all the vaccinations required for life in the US are up to date.

Brunei:
- Consider Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B and Tetanus vaccinations.
- Individuals at highest risk are advised to get vaccinations for Japanese Encephalitis and Rabies.
Indonesia:
- Consider Hepatitis A, Rabies and Typhoid vaccinations.
- Individuals at highest risk are advised to get vaccinations for Cholera, Hepatitis B and Japanese Encephalitis.
Malaysia:
- Consider Diphtheria, Hepatitis A, Rabies, Tetanus and Typhoid vaccinations.
- Individuals at highest risk are advised to get vaccinations for Hepatitis B and Japanese Encephalitis.

For more information, please visit the CDC pages for Brunei, Indonesia and Malaysia.

Question 15

Do I need malaria tablets to visit Borneo?

Accepted Answer

Whether or not you need antimalarials depends on the area of Borneo you’re visiting, which country it belongs to, and their guidelines. We recommend consulting the CDC website, which lists the malaria guidelines for Brunei, Indonesia, and Malaysia.

Question 16

What currency is used in Borneo?

Accepted Answer

Three currencies are used in Borneo, depending on the country you’re in: the Indonesian rupiah, the Malaysian ringgit, and the Brunei dollar.

Question 17

Is Borneo expensive to visit?

Accepted Answer

Borneo is relatively inexpensive, although the cost depends on where you go and what you do.

Question 18

What is the etiquette around tipping in Borneo?

Accepted Answer

A 10% service charge and 5% government tax are commonly included in bills. If you'd like to reward good service we recommend tipping guides at around MYR25-30 per day and MYR15 per day for drivers per couple.

Obviously this is very much a rough guide and you are completely free to give whatever you feel is appropriate. For porters in hotels (and at airports where appropriate), we recommend that you give approximately MYR3.

Question 19

What type of food is eaten in Borneo?

Accepted Answer

In multi-racial Malaysian Borneo, every type of cooking from Southeast Asia can be tasted. Malay food concentrates on subtleties of taste using a blend of spices, ginger, coconut and peanuts.

Sambal (a paste of ground chilli, onion and tamarind) is often used as a side dish. Blachan (a dried shrimp paste) is used in many dishes and ikan bilis (dried anchovies) are one popular snack.

Popular Malay dishes include satay, which consists of a variety of meat, especially chicken, barbecued on small skewers with a spicy peanut dipping sauce, and a salad of cucumber, onion and compressed rice cakes. The best sauce often takes several hours to prepare to attain its subtle flavour.

There are many regional types of Chinese cooking, including Cantonese, Peking, Hakka, Sichuan and Taiwanese. Indian food is also popular, with curries ranging from mild to very hot. Vegetarian food, chutneys and Indian breads are also available. Indonesian cuisine also combines the use of dried seafood and spiced vegetables with the Japanese method of preparation, with fresh ingredients cooked to retain the natural flavour.

Japanese, Korean and Thai food are available in restaurants. Western food is served throughout the country, particularly in major hotels which have continental menus and international coffee shops.

Although Borneo is partly Islamic, alcohol is available. Local beers are Tiger and Anchor.

Question 20

Where is the best place to stay in Borneo for wildlife?

Accepted Answer

There are plenty of places in Borneo with good wildlife spotting opportunities. Sepilok is home to an orangutan sanctuary, you can embark on a safari in Danum Valley, and you can find Tabin Wildlife Reserve in the eastern part of Sabah.

Visit our page for more information about accommodation in Borneo.

Question 21

What animals live in Borneo?

Accepted Answer

Borneo is home to many animals, including:

Borneo bay cat
Borneo pygmy elephant
Clouded leopard
Giant squirrel
Orangutan
Pygmy squirrel
Sumatran rhino
Sun bear

Question 22

Are there crocodiles in Borneo?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Borneo is home to multiple species of crocodile, including the saltwater crocodile, which can reach up to seven meters in length, and the Siamese crocodile, which is critically endangered.

Question 23

Are there sharks in Borneo?

Accepted Answer

Yes, the Borneo shark is found in the waters around Mukah, in northwestern Borneo. It is a species of requiem shark and is very rare.

Question 24

Can you visit orangutans in Borneo?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can find orangutans at the sanctuary in Sepilok. Here, you can walk along a series of walkways through the jungle, while the orangutans live in their natural environment. There’s also a nursery, where young orangutans who’ve lost their mothers are given the skills they need to go back into the forest.

Question 25

How can we help orangutans in Borneo?

Accepted Answer

Visiting the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre contributes directly toward the welfare of the orangutans living there.

Question 26

Where does the Bornean elephant live?

Accepted Answer

The Bornean elephant lives in the Lower Kinabatangan floodplain in Sabah (part of Malaysian Borneo). They can also be found in East Kalimantan (part of Indonesian Borneo).

Question 27

Why is the Bornean elephant endangered?

Accepted Answer

The Bornean elephant is endangered because forests continue to be cut down for timber, and cleared to make room for agriculture and palm oil plantations, destroying their habitat.

Question 28

How many Bornean elephants are left?

Accepted Answer

The World Land Trust estimates that there are between 1,000 and 1,600 Bornean elephants left.

Question 29

Where can you see turtles in Borneo?

Accepted Answer

You can see both green and hawksbill turtles on Turtle Island and Lankayan Island.

Question 30

What countries border Borneo?

Accepted Answer

No countries border Borneo directly, as it is an island. Nearby countries include Indonesia to the southeast, the Philippines to the northeast, and Malaysia to the west.

Question 31

What are people from Borneo called?

Accepted Answer

This depends on what country their area of Borneo belongs to. Someone from Borneo could be Malaysian, Indonesian, or Bruneian.

Question 32

Why are the Bornean rainforests under threat?

Accepted Answer

The trees in Borneo’s rainforests are being cut down so they can be used for materials like timber and palm oil. This reduces the amount of rainforest available for wildlife habitats, and makes it easier for poachers to reach and capture the animals.

Question 33

How big are the Bornean rainforests?

Accepted Answer

The Bornean rainforests cover most of the island, with an area measuring approximately 427,500 square kilometres, or 165,100 square miles.

Question 34

Why are the Borneo rainforests important?

Accepted Answer

Borneo’s rainforests are important for a number of reasons. Most of the island’s rivers have their source in the forests, which is vital for supplying water. The rainforests are home to a number of species of flora and fauna, including endangered animals.

They’re also a key part of combating climate change, as the trees store carbon. However, cutting down the trees and then burning them releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, which contributes toward rising temperatures and throws things like weather patterns out of balance.

Borneo vacations 2022 & 2023

Creating tailor-made tours for over 25 years

Suggested tours for Borneo

Grand tour of Borneo

Borneo's rivers, mountains & beaches tour

Snapshot of Sabah

Borneo: The Headhunters' Trail

Orangutans & islands of Borneo

Discovering the indigenous cultures of Sarawak

Jungles & beaches of Malaysia & Borneo

Wild Borneo tour

Suggested activities for Borneo

The Orangutan sanctuary at Sepilok

Iban Headhunters & Borneo Jungle

The Kinabatangan River

Borneo in pictures

Our expert guides to traveling in Borneo

Introducing Borneo

Seeing orangutan in Borneo: Malaysia or Indonesia?

Meeting indigenous cultures in Southeast Asia

Luxury vacations in Borneo

What to see in Borneo: our highlights guide

Borneo family vacations

Walking & trekking in Borneo

Honeymoons in Borneo

Kinabatangan river cruises

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