Let’s explore Borneo – the third largest island in the world!
Home to one of the oldest tropical rainforests in the world, Borneo is a gem for the explorer. From the great Mount Kinabalu to the wild Kinabatangan River, Malaysian Borneo offers some incredible natural wonders. Travelers come to explore the unique wildlife and on everyone’s bucketlist is of course an encounter with the orangutan. Borneo is the only place in the world where these animals live free. Not only do you get to explore above surface, because Borneo also has some of the best dive sites in the world. Borneo is a breathtaking destination and captivating for everyone who gets to visit.
Selected destinations to visit in Malaysian Borneo
Currency
The currency in the Malaysian part of Borneo is Ringgit (MYR).
Language
Malay is the official language in Malaysian Borneo.
Capital
Malaysian Borneo is divided into two regions. In Sarawak the capital is Kuching and in Sabah the capital is Kota Kinabalu.
Visa
Most countries do not need a visa if visiting for business or tourism purposes and for 90 days or less.
Vaccines
Hepatitis A & B is strongly recommended.
Tip
Due to the size of the island, the best way to get around is sometimes by domestic flight.
Borneo in the Travel Blog
When is the best time to visit and explore Borneo?
The best time to explore Borneo depends on what you’re looking for. Do you want to avoid the rain, mainly aiming for sunfilled days or would you rather visit the country when there are not as many tourists? In general the visiting periods can be classified into four parts, each characterized by its own qualities.
The dry season in Malaysian Borneo stretches from April to September and this is considered to be the best time to visit Borneo. Dry season in Borneo does not necessarily mean sunshine everyday and showers can occur from time to time. The humidity is still high during the dry season with high temperatures around 30°C. The weather is however way more favorable for exploring Borneo compared to the rainy season.
For wildlife encounters in Borneo, April to September, is also the best time to go. The months of June, July and August will be the absolute most favorable.
July is however the peak month for tourists, so if you want a smaller crowd you should try to avoid this month.
The rain season in Malaysian Borneo stretches from November to February, with October and March being shoulder season and where the weather starts to shift. It is not recommended to go to Borneo during the rain season if you are hoping to see a lot of wildlife because of animals going deeper into the jungles where visitors can not go.
