Hi all -- my partner and I are thinking of planning a trip to Borneo at the end of September/beginning of October. Any thoughts on whether this is a good time of year for this trip? If so, are we likely to have better weather in Malaysian or Indonesian Borneo? We are thinking of taking at least a week or so (and then another week to venture to another area in SE Asia) -- does anyone have any sample itinerary suggestions that incorporate the best of Borneo? We would love to stay in a longhouse at least one night, and lodges/hotels for the rest would be fine. We're generally flexible and reasonably adventurous. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated (including any companies/hotels/services you'd particularly recommend)! Thanks all!

Hi,

I spent two weeks in Malaysian Borneo a month earlier (some years ago). The temperatures don't vary much across the year as it's very close to the Equator. Rainfall according to weatherbase.com is not much different between August and September.

A good time to go I would say.

As for where to go. Internal flights with MAS are very reasonable and they have a useful network. The deluxe or express buses are pretty good too.

I flew into Brunei cos I was flying with Royal Brunei ex London and on to Brisbane. I went to Sarawak first and then Sabah using a mixture of plane and bus. I was travelling independently with no prior plan except a pre-booked flight from Kuching to Kota Kinabalu. Eminently easy to do.

I can recommend the Niah caves, Kuching, and Baku National Park. The first and last are accessible only by water. Baku has some wonderful beaches and great walks but accommo is (was?) faily rough and ready without being rock bottom basic.

Niah was wonderful, but most people I think would go to Gunung Mulu NP which has a higher profile (is more expensive and does have some up market hotels). Trips involving a stay in a longhouse are easily arranged from Kuching. I chose not to do this.

For Sabah - well, KK of course and the easily accessible R&R to be had on the islands just off shore - day trips by boat from public jetty.

Then there's the mountain - Mt Kinabalu - for those that are fit enough. Sandakan for Sepilok and the orangutans. And you can go from there to a jungle camp on the big river (Kinabatangan). There's cheap and cheerful (Uncle Tan's) or there's more swish - do a google for this. Isn;t there a place called Danai?

I don't dive but the Sipadan Islands are famous. And there's the Turtle Islands too off Sandakan.

For an adventure you could end the way I did. Take bus south from KK to Tambunam for a trek to see the Rafflesia. One of the biggest, if not THE BIGGEST flower in the world. Phone first though as they bloom infrequently. Then bus to Tenom. stay overnight. Next day take the train to Beaufort. Lovely jungle trip in ancient rolling stock. (Not sure if this runs).

From there I did a bus, and ferry to Labuan. Then modern boat back to BSB.

You could return to KK though.

Lots and lots of options. Suggest spending some time on the net and getting hold of a LP.

I found these sites while checking on some destination names (I'm a bit haphazard with the travel diary). You may find them useful.

http://www.e-borneo.com/travel/tours/sabah.html

http://images.google.com.au/imgres?i...image&cd=3

Happy travels.

PS. a friend planning a trip recently had excellent things to say about Borneo based travel agents. Again, they will be on the web somewhere.

If you are up for the challenge, I would strongly recommend climbing Mount Kinabalu. No technical climbing is involved but it is 4400m high. The view from the top is amazing and definitely one of my more memorable experiences!

We also stayed for a few in a longhouse in the Bario highlands for a friends naming ceremony which was also a hihighlight but very difficult to get to.

the Tanjung Aru in KK was a very nice hotel.

Have you read Kathie's Borneo trip report? Do a search and you'll find it.

Indonesian Borneo is much less accessible and does not have much in terms of infrastructure as Malaysian Borneo. When you read my report, you'll see that the place I most recommend is the Borneo Rainforest Lodge. Being in the primary rainforest was an amazing expereince. In contrast Kinabalu Park was spoiled.

If you want to go to both Sabah and Sarawak (Sarawak is where you could stay in a longhouse) you'll need more than a week. Also, if you want to stay in a longhouse, don't go for a place like the Hilton hotel's longhouse, nor any of the other very commercialized ones. Once you are in Kuching, walk along the row of shophouses across from the river. There are many travel companies there that will set you up. Most of the people there still have relatives in the longhouses and can arrange an independent trip for you to experience them.

I'd spend the two weeks in Borneo, perhaps with a stopover in KL for a coule of days.

Come back and ask more specific questions after you've read my report, and I'll be glad to help.

Thanks all for your responses. This is very helpful.

I think our plan is to spend a little over a week in Borneo, and then relax with a nice beach-y location. We both work incredibly stressful jobs, so, while we're thrilled about the excitement of a trek through the rainforest, we feel like we might have to follow that up with some rest and relaxation (and a nice hotel!) before returning to the grind.

Kathie -- your trip report is incredible, and quite helpful. What time of year did you go on this trip? Are we going to hit tons of rain in late Sept/early Oct? Would you recommend short 2-3 day trips using Kuching as a jumping-off point or a longer 7-8 trek with one of the more reputable companies. I'm generally nervous about using just one company when I travel in the event that it doesn't turn out that great. Were there any companies that stood out to you as well?
Thanks again for all your help, chimani, crellston, and Kathie!

We were in Borneo in November. We did not use any tour companies. We made all of our arrangements online (air, hotels).

I would not recommend that you spend all of your time in Kuching. If you want to go to the Borneo Rainforest Lodge, you'll need to go to Kota Kianbalu and fly from there to Lahad Datu. The Borneo Rainforest Lodge was the single most amazing experience of that trip.

I loved Kuching, and could have done some day trips from there or a couple of overnight trips. Wait to arrange things like that until you are there. You then can try out the services of the companies (which are mostly tiny, family-run places).

If you want beach, you can go to a beach resort on Borneo. There is a lovely Shangri-La near Kota Kinabalu, and there are beach resorts maybe 45 minutes from Kuching.