Exploration Borneo Tours

At Exploration Borneo, we believe that visiting the whole of Sabah, Malaysian Borneo will give our visitors a profound and lasting encounter with the ravishing beauty of earth's nature and the rich cultural heritage of the different ethnic communities of Sabah. Almost everything worthwhile on Sabah will be covered and awaits your visit during these specifically designed, unforgettable overnight tours.

We also provide various sporting activities ranging from mountain biking through remote villages to golfing at Sabah's high quality courses of varying designs and complexities. Scuba diving at Sipadan Island is a must for any diving enthusiast. Our visitors can learn the Sabahans way of life by joining our homestay programs to enjoy the hospitality of the local ethnic groups and to learn their cultures (& maybe the dialects) through this once in a lifetime experience.

Driving up to the northern most tip of Sabah you will reach the district of Kudat, here the Rungus tribe dwells. As we pass through villages and plantations, you will see the true way of lives of these people reflected in what they sell by the road side, from maize to vegetables, to handicrafts. We will then visit two different villages, where the government's policy of having one village and one industry is promoted. This will give us a chance to see how bees farming are done for their honey while on the other village will show us how gongs (a traditional musical instrument) are made.

Then we proceed to visit some of the newer Long Houses and see up close the Rungus people. Later we end our journey at the Bavanggazo Long House, it is here you will get a true chance to experience living in a traditional community. The long house experience gives you a glimpse of how for centuries these indigenous people of Sabah live, The long houses are built traditionally using local materials such as thatch roofing, bamboo flooring and bark walls. These houses are built to have between 20 to 200 rooms with one long veranda that acts also as a working area, living room and play area for the children. You will also get a chance to follow the villagers as they do their daily chores and to visit sites where the legends of these people are retold by the elders. In the evening as you sit down for dinner, you will be entertained by a cultural show, join in on the festivities and enjoy the local fare that are prepared. The food could be the vegetables or fruits that you yourself gathered earlier during the day. The second day after breakfast we retrace our journey back to Kota Kinabalu.

(Includes all meals, if tours falls either on a Wednesday or Sunday then we will make a stop at a Tamu - Traditional Weekly Market)

Kinabalu, at 4,095m above sea levels, has attracted explorers for centuries in search of hidden pearls and dragons. Today we will discover the true lure of Kinabalu, a World Heritage Site but to the indigenous tribes around its' foothills, a resting place for the departed. The journey to Kinabalu Park takes us about 2 hours and along the way we will make a short stop at one of the villages to see the day to day lifestyle of the people. Upon arrival at the Park, a Park Naturalist will take us on a Nature Trail Walk. The walk gives us an insight to the Park's' Flora and Fauna. After lunch at the park restaurant, we will then proceed to Poring Hot Spring. The journey to Poring (45KM away) passes through the town of Kundasang, temperate vegetable growing area for Sabah and also the town of Ranau, where the infamous Death March ended during the last war. Upon arrival at Poring, you will be invited to experience a truly bird's eye view of the Tropical rainforest as you walk 120ft above ground on the canopy walkway.

You might catch a glimpse of the giant squirrel, about 3ft long from tip of the tail to the tip of the nose, and other wildlife. As these wildlife are not often seen, you will, however, be assured of the amazing beauty of the rainforest from above. Later on, we will visit the butterfly and orchid centres with the climax of this tour will be you taking a dip at the medicinal hot spring spa. An early morning walk the day after for a bird and wildlife watching, and then after breakfast we retrace our journey back to Kota Kinabalu.

(Includes all meals and accommodations based on twin sharing either at the Park HQ (Montane Forest) or Poring Chalets (Tropical Rainforest Lowlands) - please let us know as the two are completely different during the night)

Trekking up Mt. Kinabalu has always been an eye opener, not because of the ascent itself but the changing climate and vegetation as we slowly make our way upto the Laban Rata Rest house at 3,353M. The trek takes around 4 to 6 hours, and when we arrive at Laban Rata, you can either just relax and enjoy the evening or you can explore the surrounding sub alpine vegetation and later gaze the sunset over the horizon. The next day, at around 2am, we will have an early breakfast before commencing the trek to the Summit, at less than 1,000M, arriving at the top of South East Asia in time to capture an unforgettable experience, the sun rising. Later we make our way back to Laban Rata and then back to the Park HQ where we will have lunch before proceeding to Poring Hot Spring for a relaxing evening, soothing your tired limps on the Sulphur Spring Spa. The next day, we will depart back to Kota Kinabalu.

(Includes all meals and dormitory accommodation at Laban Rata, Chalet at Poring)

(Wednesday Tours includes visit to Tamparuli Town for the weekly Market (Tamu) and Sunday Tours will see the weekly Market at Tuaran)

The day starts very early in the morning with a drive south to Beaufort town, dub the Venice of Sabah, as the town are normally submerged during the rainy season. After a local breakfast in Beaufort, we will then ride a one coach railcar for an amazing journey, running parallel, along the Padas Gorge to the town of Tenom.

As the railcar chugs along the track we will be able to see up close the Crocker Range on both sides with the mighty Padas River roaring down the valleys. Here the Borneon rainforest seems endless and then out of this rainforest, the village of Temon appears. Upon arrival at Tenom, a sleepy hollow with rolling plains, plantations and just an easy way of living, you will be driven to Lagud Sbrang, an Agriculture Research Centre. The centre is famous for its Wild Orchid collections, an experience not to be missed. We will walk around the centre to see the numerous tropical plantations from fruits to vegetables to more commercial crops like tobacco, coffee, etc. Lunch will be provided at a local restaurant in Tenom or at the Perkasa Hotel Tenom.

The rest of the evening is at your leisure to explore the surrounding areas of Tenom Town. The trip back will be by a mini bus via two small towns, Keningau and Tambunan, while also stopping at the Tambunan Village Resort Centre for lunch and the Bamboo Village. We will also stop at the Crocker Range and at the Rafflesia Centre to search what reputed to be the largest flower in the world. Late evening arrival back at Kota Kinabalu.

(Include all meals and accommodation at Perkasa Hotel Tenom.)

On your visit to Sabah we strive to give you an adventure that is focus on both cultural and educational experience. At Exploration Borneo Tours, we strive to provide a quality experience for everyone involved by providing personal service with attention to detail. Our efforts are geared toward satisfaction, education and enjoyment for clients and hosts. We believe that people meeting people will bring better understanding and appreciation of one another. Join our programs to enjoy the hospitality of the local ethnic in Sabah and to learn their cultures through our own . experience

Our Host Families
Our host families' culture and traditions differ according to their ethnic group. Most of the families are generally open minded but there are some customs or 'adat' as it is locally known, that has to be respected and observed. However, regardless of their ethnic group, they are all very warm, friendly and kind. English language is scarcely used by the families but their friendliness makes everything possible.

Homestay Locations
Currently, we are working with 2 main host families in the district of Papar and Sandakan respectively, which feature two different ethnic groups. These are the KRK Mai Aman, Papar and the Orang Sungai Misowalai Homestay, Kg. Batu Puteh, Sandakan.

The Programs
The duration of our program is usually 2 to 5 days with one host family and 2 days (optional) in the city for you to appreciate the difference of the two environments. During the 2 days in the city, sightseeing programs will be incorporated. Programs for those opting to stay/visit more than one host family are also available.

Mud Volcano, Megapode Bird, Lizards and endless trails to explore are probably not what Tiga Island is famous for, but the huge success of the Survivor TV series in the USA and the UK, has made this island a magnet to those who have followed the series.

Tiga Island Park, gazette to protect the Island and surrounding seas, offers a host of activities while living, not as the survivor participants, but in slightly luxurious chalets and eating in a romantic restaurant overlooking the South China Sea.

Here at Tiga, while exploring the trails, we can see the still active mud volcanoes, catch sights of the monitor lizards, the flightless megapode birds. These birds bury their eggs in a mount of rotting leaves and branches in a hole about one metre deep and across. For the more adventurous, snorkeling or diving off Tiga offers another world of marine lives and coral gardens, and for those who prefer to work for their meals, you can try your hand at fishing and let the island chef cook your catch. So whatever you fancy doing, from reliving a Survivor moment to simply enjoying a leisurely lifestyle, Tiga has everything to offer.

(Includes all meals and accommodation)

Sandakan is the gateway to Borneo's Wildlife heaven. We will depart Kota Kinabalu by early morning flight and then proceed to Sandakan Town for breakfast before driving to the Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre. After a short visit to the information centre, we will be taken on a short walk through the rainforest to the feeding platform to see the Semiwild Orang Utan being given their daily morning meal. Occasionally other wildlife such as Monkeys and Hornbills will make a dramatic appearance when we least expected it. We will then be shown a video presentation on the lives of the Orang Utan and will then proceed to Sandakan port for a boat ride to Selingan Island, part of the Turtle Island Park. Upon arrival, we will check in at the chalet and then have lunch at the Park restaurant before spending the rest of the day at leisure to either explore the island or snorkel in the crystal clear sea. Later in the evening, after dinner, the Park Rangers will lead us to view one of nature's wonders: turtle laying eggs. See these primitive reptiles come from the depth of the oceans to make this laborious journey across the beach. Watch them dig a hole to lay their eggs which can range from 50 - 120 eggs at a time. Then another laborious task of covering the hole and making their way back to the sea. After watching the turtle, we might be able to help release any hatching that emerges from one of the many nests at the hatching site.

The next day we will depart back to Sandakan and upon arrival, we will proceed overland to Sukau, enroute stopover at Gomantong caves where the largest collection of Sabah's edible birds' nests are found. See the locals collecting the nest using only local materials of rattans and bamboos to make ladders that hang over 100 ft above the cave floor. Later we will check in at the River Lodge at Sukau and the rest of the afternoon will be at leisure to relax and take in the beauty of the surrounding scenery. By around 4:30pm, we will depart on a river cruise in search of the unique long nose proboscis monkey, the male with its large pendulus nose living in a harem of over 5 females at any one time. Dinner and overnight stay will be provided at the river lodge.

On the third day, we will depart before breakfast to the Ox-Bow Lake to view more wildlife, the lucky one will probably see crocodiles, wild orang Utan and numerous birds. After breakfast we will then proceed back to Sandakan town with a brief tour of the Town before catching our flight back to Kota Kinabalu.

(Includes all meals, flight tickets and accommodations at Turtle Island Chalet and River lodge)

Nestle deep in the rainforest of Borneo lies Danum Valley, where nature is at its most pristine. We start our journey by plane to the town of Lahad Datu where our guide will meet us and take us to the Borneo Nature Tours office for briefing and registration procedure. Later we will depart overland across unpaved logging tracks over 60KM into the heart of Borneo. As we travel deeper and deeper into the jungle, we will suddenly come across a paradise at the Borneo Rainforest Lodge (BRL), erected overlooking the Segama river and flanking by tall hill ranges. BRL is a resort built on stilts using traditional timber materials and has the comfort of a 3 Star Hotel. At BRL we will be brief about the resort and check into our respective chalets. An appointed naturalist will tell us what the activities for the day will be. After dinner, we will proceed on an open top vehicle on a night safari drive. This drive gives us a chance to see nocturnal animals, which our previous guests have reported seeing Owls, Slow Loris, Sambar Deers, Elephants, Birds, Civet Cats, Flying Squirrels and many more. The drive will be between 2 - 3 hours.

Before breakfast the next day, our nature guide will wake us up and take us on a morning nature walk to catch the height of wildlife activities. Borneon Gibbons, Hornbills and Orang Utan are a few animals which have been spotted on one of these morning walks. The walk ends at the BRL canopy walkways, and as the early morning mist lifts above the canopies, we will feel a true sense of belonging beholding the mighty Tropical Rainforest. Nest is one of the delicacies offered on the breakfast menu, and as you enjoy the morning eating on an open platform, we will again be at awe at what this majestic place has to offer. Our nature guide will then invite us to trek up the coffin trail to view an ancient burial site high up on the hill overlooking BRL. Here, two-century-old coffins made from the Borneon Hard Wood still exist but not revealing their secrets as to how and why the families of the departed buried their dead ones deep in the jungle where no humans ever live before. Who these people actually are still plays in the mind of the locals. Later we will get a chance to swim at leisure in any one of the three waterfalls that are found along the trails. Evening will be at your leisure to explore one of the self-discovery trails nearby or join in on another night safari drive.

Early morning walk, breakfast and then make your way back to Lahad Datu for your flight back to Kota Kinabalu.

(Include all meals, accommodations and flight tickets)

An Eco-tourism adventure that can be incorporated to any of our programmes. Our mountain biking tour involves cycling through unpaved trails to visit remote villages, and also the sharing of experience with the local communities. Our aim is to give our visitors a truly amazing time and at the same time doing something for the local community of Sabah. If the trip involves an overnight stay, we will include a homestay theme to our mountain biking adventure.

(Includes packed lunch and day trips and full board on overnight trips)

"I see a world full of colours, life, beauty, mystery yet only a selected few are chosen and none have seen its glory in full - Anon". It could be a reference to anything but this quote gives a clear description of our under water heavens.

Diving off Sabah takes you to another world altogether. We offer several diving tours from diving for pleasure off the islands of Kota Kinabalu, diving off Sipadan Island on the East Coast of Sabah, undertaking a 4-day full open water scuba diving course or for the advanced diver to get other certification or even take your Scuba Diving Instructor or Master's course.

a) Three Open Water Dives (Full Day) (EB 19a)
The Tunku Abdul Rahman Island Park offers an excellent venue for scuba divers. Our diving tour takes you to three separate locations within the waters of the Park.

b) Wreck Diving (EB 19b)
Throughout Sabah we have located several sites that can be classified as wreck diving must see. If you are qualified or want to get your certifications as a wreck diver, then our team of Scuba Master can make this a reality. (Please give us ample notice for certification courses)

c) Sipadan Island (3 Days or more) (EB 19c)
Sipadan needs no introduction to the Scuba World, after Jacques Cousteau said he has found an untouched piece of jewel. Sipadan have been endorsed as a must for any scuba diving enthusiasts. Diving off the only oceanic island in Malaysia, the drop-off point tumbles 2000ft down and offers some of the most diverse coral reefs and marine lives in the world.

d) Open Water Dive Course (EB 19d)
This four-day-water-course will convert you into a fully skilled open water diver. Conducted by a qualified PADI dive masters/instructor, the first day is purely theoretical and the next three days will be off the five islands of Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park.

Sabah offers a number of high quality golf courses varying in designs and complexities. We do tailor-made itineraries to favourite destinations. Our golf tours include return transport from your hotel to the golf course of your choice and green fees. Hire of golf clubs and shoes can also be arranged if required.

KIULU WHITE WATER RAFTING (Grade 3-4) - Minimum 2 pax (EB 23a)
Duration : 6 hrs
We will depart Kota Kinabalu at 8:30 a.m. from the hotel and take a one-hour drive to Sukang/Pukak (starting point) in the Tamparuli district. Once our guides has finished preparing the equipment, we will start this breath-taking rafting down Kiulu River for about 1½ hours to the end-point (Kiulu Town), covering 7-9 km. Lunch will then be provided at 2:00 p.m. Depart Kiulu town for Kota Kinabalu at approximately 2:50 p.m.

PADAS WHITE WATER RAFTING (Grade 4-6) - Minimum 2 pax (EB 23b)
Duration : 7 - 8 hrs
We will depart from the hotel to Beaufort (90 km from Kota Kinabalu town) very early in the morning. Upon arrival, we will then board a train for Pangi station (39 km). Light refreshment will be served upon arrival. Safety briefing will be conducted by the Raft Master. Rafting commence. Journey will end up at Rayoh Station. BBQ lunch will be served. Return back to Kota Kinabalu via Beaufort Railway Station by train. Transfer back to hotel.

Here at Exploration Borneo we aim to give back to the people of Sabah something that might benefit the community, their children and their environment. So, we are organising our tours with the aim of returning what have been given to us freely. This tour is for you to make an impact in their lives by doing a charitable project while you are on tour, from just purchasing their handicrafts and produce to providing donations where each donation will be given to either the village community or a host family for the education of their children. Presentation of donations will be held and you will be invited to make the presentations personally. In some cases where we do a greening project, the planting of fruit trees will be held and each person who plants a tree will have his/her name on a plaque beneath the tree.

(Includes packed lunch and day trips and full board on overnight)