Family vacation in Borneo: 5 good reasons to go on a Borneo trip with children is written by The editorial staff, RejsRejsRejs.
Family holidays in Borneo are in a league of their own
Borneo – just the name sounds like something from a fairy tale.
Borneo offers a wild mix of nature, culture and authentic experiences for families who want more than sun and pool.
The island, which is shared between Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei, is particularly easy to explore from the northern Malaysian states of Sabah or Sarawak, where accessibility, safety and hospitality make it easy and safe to travel with children.
Borneo is also the world's third largest island, so it requires some choices and some time, and it is obvious that get help from a travel agent to make a trip for you.
Here are five reasons why a trip to Borneo with children is an ideal family vacation.
Meet orangutans and proboscis monkeys in their natural habitat
One of the most magnificent experiences for both children and adults is seeing wild animals up close – in their own environment. On a family holiday in Borneo, this is easily possible.
At the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre in Sabah, you'll get the chance to experience the reddish-brown, calm, human-like apes that many children have only seen in books or on screen. Here, orphaned or injured orangutans live in a protected area, where they are prepared for their return to the rainforest.
Along the Kinabatangan River, even more wildlife experiences await. On a dawn boat trip, you may be lucky enough to see proboscis monkeys, pygmy elephants and river crocodiles, and birdwatchers can look forward to colorful hornbills, kingfishers and herons.
In Sarawak, Batang Ai the place to experience completely wild orangutans, and there are proboscis monkeys in many places close to the city of Kuching.
It's not a zoo. It's a real natural forest. And that's precisely why the experience creates a deeper understanding in both children and adults of the beauty of nature – and why it needs to be protected.
Rainforest experiences, caves and learning in nature
In Borneo, the rainforest becomes a classroom without walls, where children learn by feeling, seeing and experiencing.
A hike in Bako National Park in Sarawak offers a close encounter with both nature and animals: crab-eating macaques, wild boars, proboscis monkeys and monitor lizards – not to mention the fascinating plant life with carnivorous water lilies and mangrove forests.
In Gunung Mulu, a UNESCO-protected national park, the whole family can explore some of the world's largest limestone caves. Here it's dark, cool and a bit mysterious, and something completely different from sun and beach.
This type of experience sparks curiosity in the whole family. Why do bats live in caves by the thousands? How do mangrove forests clean the ocean? Why are rainforests important to the planet?
The family trip This way, it is not only fun, but also provides an opportunity for conversations, questions and learning that go far beyond what you can get out of the classroom at home. That is what a unique family holiday in Borneo can do.
Immerse yourself in Borneo's diverse culture
Borneo is home to over 50 ethnic groups, each with their own traditions, languages and clothing styles, giving families a rare opportunity to experience culture firsthand.
In a longhouse in Sarawak, for example in Annah Rais, several generations live under the same roof.
When you are invited inside as a guest, you get a good insight into everyday life, where children play, grandparents make crafts, and the entire community lives together. Literally.
You can also participate in the Gawai days, which are the annual harvest festival in June, where there is dancing, food and colors in the villages. It is not set up for tourists – it is authentic. And it is also an experience that can open children's eyes to the fact that there are many ways to live and be a family.
That's what a Borneo trip with children can do.
Combine adventure with beach and relaxation on a family holiday in Borneo
After jungle trails and rainforest adventures, it's nice to switch gears. Luckily, Borneo offers several great beach destinations that are perfect for families.
Gaya Island off Kota Kinabalu is a favorite. Here, white sand, clear water, and great snorkeling await right off the beach. Many resorts here offer kid-friendly amenities like small pools, play areas, and kid-friendly buffets.
Other options include the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, where you can quickly reach the island from the city by boat. Diving and snorkeling are popular, but it's also perfectly okay to just enjoy the view and relax while the kids play in the sand.
There are also nice beaches just north of Kuching in Sarawak.
Borneo offers the opportunity to combine an active family holiday with peace and quiet, making it easy to adapt the trip to the family's rhythm and needs.
Meeting the friendly locals: Hospitality that is felt
One of the things many families highlight after a trip to Borneo is meeting the locals.
Everywhere you go, you are greeted with smiles and warmth, whether it is in a shop, with a guide or in a small village. The locals are proud of their island and are happy to welcome guests. There is also a calm atmosphere where there is a high degree of respect for each other.
In markets and small streets in cities like Kuching or Sandakan, you can easily make contact, and it is not uncommon to strike up a conversation with local families who are happy to tell you about life on the island.
It creates a feeling of security and closeness, which makes Borneo particularly suitable for those traveling with children.
For the children, meeting local children often creates long-lasting memories. Also for the adults on a family holiday in Borneo. A Borneo trip with children is a door-opener to a welcoming culture.
Why you should go on a family vacation to Borneo
Traveling to Borneo with children is not just a vacation: it is a shared experience filled with curiosity, discoveries and surprises.
Here are adventures that the whole family can share. Here is peace and quiet where you are just together. Here are inspiration and educational experiences that you take home with you in your backpack – along with a little sand in your shoes and a few pictures that you will never delete.
And most importantly: It's a place where the children aren't just there – they're part of the whole experience.
Happy family holiday to Borneo, and have a good trip to Malaysia.
10 good reasons to go on a family holiday in Borneo
- Meet orangutans in Sepilok and proboscis monkeys on the Kinabatangan River
- See wild animals in their natural environment
- Explore the rainforest and limestone caves on good trails in national parks like Bako and Mulu
- Learn about biodiversity and the cycle of nature through your own experiences
- Visit traditional longhouses and experience Iban culture up close
- Participate in local festivals like Gawai with dance and colors
- Relax at child-friendly beaches like Gaya Island and Tunku Abdul Rahman Park
- Combine adventure and relaxation in tropical surroundings
- Meet friendly locals who warmly welcome families
- Have a journey full of learning, presence and good memories
Did you know: Here are the top 7 best nature destinations in Asia according to Booking.com's millions of users
7: Pai in northern Thailand
6: Kota Kinabalu on Borneo in Malaysia
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