Travel to Malaysian Borneo: 3 days itinerary
This is a story about my travel to Borneo, taken straight from my personal travel diary — a collection of emotions and moments lived firsthand.
If Malaysia came into my life unexpectedly, through a conversation with a travel companion in India, Borneo burst in with overwhelming force — and I doubt it will ever truly leave me. Since childhood, I’ve always imagined Borneo as Tarzan’s jungle (for years, I even thought it was in Africa) or the land of Sandokan, the famous Tiger of Malaysia. In fact, one of the largest urban centers in the eastern region of Sabah is Sandakan — the very place where my journey began.
And yes, it is a jungle — with humidity levels bordering on inhuman — but the colors of nature and the wildlife reward every drop of sweat spilled (and later etched into my skin like a memory). The connection I felt with nature there isn’t something you can read about in books or imagine before going. The endless shades of green, the richness of the fauna, and the variety of plants and trees I had never seen before made me forget every worry and doubt I had carried with me until landing.
As I mentioned in my post about Kuala Lumpur, my relationship with Borneo began even before setting foot on the island (though calling it an “island” feels almost unfair — it’s the third largest in the world). Talking with locals in Malaysia and reading up on the region, I learned that Sabah, my destination, had a long history of danger — ambushes and kidnappings by Filipino pirates, affecting not only tourists but also the poor residents of Semporna and the surrounding islands. Thankfully, those dark days have long been over.
Let this travel to Borneo begin!
Travel to Borneo, itinerary!
day 1
Singapore, March 24th, 2023 — Sunrise.
My travel to Borneo starts after four days of pure relaxation, I head to Changi International Airport, ready to see with my own eyes this “out-of-this-world” airport everyone talks about. And indeed — just like the city’s architecture — it’s incredibly modern, spotless, and precise. Even The Jewel doesn’t disappoint.
It’s going to be a long travel day. I arrive at the airport a few hours early to say goodbye to my travel companion of the past few days, Juliette, from Canada. She’s flying home, while I’m catching my AirAsia flight to Sandakan at 2 p.m.
Three hours later, I’m back on Malaysian soil — this time in the easternmost part of Borneo, in Sandakan, Sabah region. After waiting for my backpack, I exit the terminal and a friendly taxi driver offers to take me to my hotel. Once again, I’m struck — as I was in Kuala Lumpur — by the kindness, politeness, and warmth of the Malaysian people. Tourism here isn’t as widespread as in other parts of Southeast Asia, but I truly believe Borneo is a fascinating, diverse, and surprisingly affordable destination for any kind of traveler.
At hotel check-in, I book my transfers for the nearby day trips that can be done by car, plus a full-day river excursion along the Kinabatangan River — something I’ve been dreaming about since planning this trip to Borneo.
Discover my travel itineraries through Malaysia, Borneo and Singapore
day 2
My travel to Borneo continues. At 8 a.m. sharp, I meet my cheerful driver — born and raised right here in Sandakan — who greets me with a well-worn car that has definitely seen better days: a bright blue Fast & Furious-style steering wheel, matching gloves, and flashy sunglasses to complete the look. We map out our plan for the day, considering four main stops and timing everything carefully around the feeding hours at the orangutan and proboscis monkey sanctuaries.
Before diving in, let me make a small clarification: these facilities are all deep in the jungle, serving for decades as rehabilitation and protection centers for endangered species. Their mission is to provide a safe, natural refuge where the animals can live freely — just like in Labuk Bay, where the proboscis monkeys thrive in the mangrove forest.
Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre — The center’s mission is to care for orphaned, injured, or sick orangutans. Located within the Sepilok-Kabili Forest Reserve, it’s home to about 60–80 individuals who live freely across 43 square kilometers of protected jungle.
Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary — This mangrove sanctuary shelters the largest population of proboscis monkeys in all of Borneo, with around 300 individuals. Their goal is to guarantee these fascinating creatures a long, healthy life away from the threats posed by human activity.
Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre — Founded in 2014, this center focuses on rescuing and rehabilitating the world’s smallest bear species — the adorable sun bear. Most of the bears here were once kept as pets before being given a second chance to live freely again in their natural habitat.
Each visit reveals a new layer of Borneo’s wild beauty — a powerful reminder of how fragile and precious this corner of the world truly is.
day 3
Kinabatangan, here we go!
My last day of travel to Borneo continues with yet another sunrise wake-up call. I’m picked up for the transfer to Bilit, the small riverside village that serves as the starting point for my river expedition. I’m not alone in the minivan — I meet Guillaume, a French traveler and passionate photographer who will be my adventure buddy for the day.
After a quick breakfast of coffee and fried bananas, we set off to explore this wild corner of Malaysian Borneo, cruising down the legendary Kinabatangan River on a small motorboat that looks like it’s held together by luck. In front of us, the murky brown water; on both sides, endless shades of green — hues I didn’t even know existed. We alternate stretches of slow navigation with moments of still silence, eyes fixed on the jungle that seems alive and breathing all around us.
Our guide, born and raised in Sabah, is incredibly knowledgeable — not only about the local wildlife and bird species but also about the land’s history and Borneo’s complex ecosystem. I’m in awe watching him scan the horizon, pointing out animals hidden high in the mangroves. Between branches, we spot an orangutan, a few proboscis monkeys, and even a silvered langur (Semnopithecus cristatus), a charming gray monkey with a curious expression.
As we start heading back to the lodge, a crocodile suddenly surfaces about ten meters from our boat. We cut the engine to a whisper and drift closer, cameras ready, admiring its quiet power as it glides through the muddy water.
After days of wildlife encounters, I couldn’t ask for more — completely satisfied, exhausted, and deeply grateful.
From Bilit, it’s a two-hour ride back to Sandakan, where I arrive around 8:30 p.m., grab a bite, repack my backpack, and get ready for the next chapter of my travel to Borneo adventure.
Next stop: Semporna, in the southeastern tip of Sabah — where turquoise waters, coral reefs, and island life await! 🌴