Hi everyone!

Looking for some help with planning our trip to Borneo in April next year. Does anyone have a good 2 weeks itinerary that includes a trip to see the orangutans, cultural experiences and a few nights at a nice beach resort where we can relax and go snorkelling before heading home? We love adventures and would love some some hiking, kayaking, wildlife adventures but also want a romantic few nights by the beach to actually relax and do nothing as well so that we go home feeling re-energised!

Recommendations for accommodations are also muchly appreciated!

You've tagged Brunei. It's worth a couple of days just to say you've been, but I'm not too sure I'd include it on a honeymoon itinerary.....it's a bit like Saudi Arabia with a smile.

You could hike up Mount Kinabalu, not too far from Kota Kinabalu. I think you have to book in advance and join an organised. group.

Bako National Park is a good day trip from Kuching. Easy to reach by public bus, and then speedboat. Watch out for nasty macaque monkeys though. If they see you eating out in the open, then prepare to surrender what's left, they'll want it.

Seeing orangutans is easy to organise. We saw them in one of the parks, got a public bus there from Kuching [I think], and then joined a small group on the spot. No guarantee that'd they show up, but they did, and it was amazing.

Since you want to see orangutans, you will need to decide whether you would be satisfies seeing them at "rehab centers" (in captivity) or whether it is important to you to see them in the wild. The above post refers to seeing orangutans at a "rehab center." If you want to see them in the wild, the best place to go is the Danum Valley.. Google Borneo Rainforest Lodge. You would fly from KK to Lahad Datu and the people from BRL will pick you up and transport you to the lodge. Do also visit Kuching - lots to see and do. I wouldn't bother with Brunei.

We stayed at the Damai Beach Resort near Kutching. The scenery was spectacular, calm warm water, nice beach and nice pool. It was under renovation when we were there (2012?) And based on current reviews, it still is. We had zero problems with our rooms, which were lovely. Service was slow and disorganized to the point it became a memorable joke for the four of us, but friendly. They tried to be helpful, and the service people may have been new (the resort has recently reopened).

Personally, I don't think th at Borneo is a good location for two entire weeks. It appears that you are interested in nature and animals? Consider hopping a plane to Singpore and visit the Night Zoo. (Cheaper if you got into Malaysia - there's an airport just over the border with easy access to Singapore by a short bus ride).

I've heard that the beaches in the right side of Malaysia are wonderful. You might consider 1 week in Borneo, then do your beach vacation there.

There is a huge amount to see in Borneo in terms of natural wonders, caves, jungles and wildlife. Unlike the above poster, I would have no problem in spending the entire two weeks there. Indeed we have done exactly that on several occasions.

What Borneo does not have in great abundance is luxury beach hotels. There are a couple of Shangri La hotels near Kota Kinabalu but, depending upon your budget, and, as it is your honeymoon, I would probably head to the west coast of peninsula Malaysia, maybe Langkawi - the Datai, Tanjung Aru, the Andaman are all great hotels. I much prefer the West coast to the east of the peninsula.

There are some fantastic beaches at the Tip of Borneo but the hotels up there are basic to put it mildly. Some photos of the beaches there are on our blog @ https://accidentalnomads.com/category/malaysia/ and also some info on a few other places.

Mount Kinabalu is worth considering. Even if you aren’t up for the overnight summit hike, there are some amazing hikes around the base of the mountain.

Also, great for hiking are the Kelabit Highlands around Bario and the Pinnacles, close to Gunung Mulu which also has some amazing caves and jungle kayaking.

Also on our blog linked above are some photos of the Orangutan Rehab centre near Sandakan. Danube Valley is great but very expensive and time consuming to get to. A decent alternative might be the Kinbatangan river which is easily accessible from Sandakan.

Kuching is possible my favourite city in Borneo and also has many options for seeing Orangutans both in centres and across the border in Indonesian Borneo.

Difficult to recommend accomodation until we know where your are going!

Borneo (Kalimantan in Indonesian) is a big Island tho. There are 5 diffrent Provinces.
I suggest you heading to East Borneo (Kalimantan Timur).

Here is an example of Kalmantan Timur simple itinerary :
1. You can pick one of International Airport based on Samarinda city or Balikpapan city.
2. Kutai National Park, Sagata. ( wild orangutan).
3. Konservasi Beruang Madu, Balikpapan. (Sun Bear).
4. Desa Adata Kampung Dayak Pampang, Samarinda. (culture, local tradition, Original Dayak tribe).
5. Derawan Islands, Berau. (beaches, snorkeling).
6. Maratua Island, Berau. (beaches, snorkeling).

You may google search it to find all information you need.

6. Maratua Island, Berau. (beaches, snorkeling).

In general, The Malaysian part of Borneo (Sabah and Sarawak) is more accessible and has better infrastructure.

I spent two weeks in Sabah and Sarawak and I could have used more time. This is a fascinating part of the world.