juliejj

We would like to visit Borneo during Dec. and Jan. Is this advisable or should we go to another part of Malaysia at that time of year? Our interests are wildlife, but don't want to risk road closures, etc. due to heavy rains. I can't seem to find an answer about the weather conditions in this part of Malysia for late dec./ early jan. Thank You.

juliejj

ttt

jchong

Hi,

From the Sarawak tourism portal:

"Humidity & Rainfall

Humidity is high (usually around 80%), and there is high rainfall all year round - although this usually comes in short, heavy bursts of an hour or so during the afternoon - it can be clear and sunny the rest of the day! The Kuching region tends to have higher annual rainfall than the areas around Miri.

The climate is monsoonal, and there is a wet season (called Landas - an Iban term) between November and February, when there is higher and more constant rainfall. This can make hiking difficult and possibly uncomfortable, particularly if climbing is involved. Flooding can also occur during the wet season, making it hard to access some areas; and it can be difficult to reach Bako and Tanjung Datu National Parks (which require boat trips) because the seas become choppy. The wet season is most pronounced on the coastal areas.

Best Times of Year for Trekking

The best times of year for trekking are therefore March to August and October - November (there may be problems with haze from forest fires and clearing in Kalimantan during August-September)."

jchong

For Sabah:

"Sabah has an equatorial climate. Temperatures rarely rise above 32°C (90°F) except on exceptionally hot days, and along the coastal areas rarely drops below 20°C (68°F) at night. Although in the interior and at higher altitudes it can get quite cold at nights. Relative humidity is usually 85-95 per cent.
Rainfall is common throughout the year, varies from about 150 cm (60 inches) to over 450 cm (180 inches) per year. In most parts of Sabah the wetter period occurs during the North East Monsoon from October to February and the drier season during the South West Monsoon from March to September but often there is no really sharp division between the two. It is suffice to say that on the whole, sunny blue skies are the norm but when it rains, the heavens open."

Cicerone

Having lived in Singapore for 5 years which has the same weather pattern as Borneo/Kalimantan, I can tell you that it can rain heavily for days during those months. Average rainfall is something over 20 inches a month in December and January. The island is used to heavy rain, so I don’t think you would find a lot of road closures, but it is up to you as to whether you would enjoy it. It would not be a great time to climb Mt. Kinabalu.

You would be better off on the west coast of Malaysia. I think Tama Negara national park in the center part of the peninsula would also be quite rainy, as I believe it has the same weather pattern as the east coast of Malaysia and the South China Sea (where Borneo is.)

Thailand is relatively dry during the months (esp the Phuket side). India is perfect in those months and has some great wildlife parks, esp Ranthambore, or in the south in places like Kerala.