Malaysian Borneo is a must-visit destination for any nature and wildlife lover. The island’s eco-tourism initiatives and cultural heritage have seen its popularity increase with international tourists. I spent several incredible days here during my three weeks in Malaysia, including seeing the orangutans in the jungle. Here’s the ultimate 5-day Borneo itinerary for exploring this incredible part of Malaysia, including all my top tips.
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Quick overview of this 5-day Borneo itinerary
- Day 1: Explore Kuching Waterfront and take a sunset river cruise
- Day 2: Visit Sarawak Museum, Cat Museum and wander through Chinatown
- Day 3: Meet orangutans at Semenggoh Wildlife Centre
- Day 4: Trek through Bako National Park and spot proboscis monkeys on a night walk
- Day 5: Final morning at Bako before returning to Kuching
Planning a 5 day Borneo itinerary
Before I visited Borneo, I knew I wanted to see the orangutans, so this would definitely be part of my perfect 5-day Borneo itinerary. The good thing about this island is you can balance city exploration with nature experiences.
As I only had 5 days in Borneo, I chose to visit Kuching in Sarawak. This is a good base to see two of the island’s highlights – Semenggoh Nature Reserve and Bako National Park.
What’s the best time to visit Borneo?
The dry season from March to October is the time to visit Borneo. As there’s less rainfall, jungle trekking is more comfortable and the wildlife is easier to spot. The shoulder months of April-May and September-October are ideal. Avoid November to February when heavy rains make trails muddy, though you can spot orangutans at Semenggoh year-round.
I visited in March and had a great time. One thing I learned, though, is to expect changeable weather in Borneo. When I got to Kuching it rained a lot – but these tropical downpours are brief, so don’t let them spoil your jungle adventures.
Where to stay in Borneo
I recommend staying in Kuching which has an international airport. Choose accommodation close to the waterfront, as it’s convenient for getting around and also has good places to go in the evening.
The best accommodation in Kuching
The Marco Polo Guesthouse is a family-run hostel with friendly hosts, clean facilities and a communal kitchen. Upspot Kuching Waterfront Premium Hostel is another great option. Located near the waterfront, guests can enjoy amenities like a PS5 and a co-working space within the property.
Explore the map below to see the prices and availability for accommodation in Kuching for your dates:
Day 1: Kuching Waterfront
The Kuching Waterfront is the heart of the city and a great place to start your 5 day Borneo itinerary.
This scenic promenade stretches along the Sarawak River. It’s lined with local eateries, craft markets and historic landmarks like the Astana Palace and Fort Margherita.
In the evenings, the waterfront comes alive with street performances and views of the illuminated Darul Hana Bridge. Why not take a sunset river cruise on the Sarawak River? On these affordable boat rides, you float past traditional Malay villages and lush riverbanks as the sun sets.
Book your sunset river cruise in Kuching here.
Day 2: Museums and Chinatown
In the morning, visit the Sarawak Museum, one of Malaysia’s oldest and most renowned museums. The exhibits cover everything from Borneo’s unique wildlife to its indigenous communities, for a fascinating glimpse into the region’s past.
For lunch, experience Kuching’s food scene at local hawker stalls and food courts like Top Spot Food Court.
In the afternoon, check out the quirky Cat Museum (Kuching means ‘cat’ in Malay). Located on a hilltop in North Kuching City Hall, this unique museum is dedicated to all things feline. Exhibits range from cultural depictions of cats to fun memorabilia.
Later on, wander through Chinatown, a lively area filled with traditional shophouses, local eateries, and colourful street art. Visit Carpenter Street for authentic Sarawakian dishes like kolo mee and explore souvenir shops selling handcrafted goods
Discover Kuching by bike on this best of Kuching: Heritage & Kampong Bike Tour.
Day 3: Orangutan encounters at Semenggoh
Take a full day trip to Semenggoh Wildlife Centre, located just 30 minutes from Kuching. Take a local bus or join a shared taxi with others, like I did, to keep transport costs low.
This reserve was founded in 1975 to care for endangered animals, most famously orangutans. They rescued injured or orphaned orangutans, with a view to releasing them back into the wild. These days, it focuses on studying the behaviour and biology of the orangutan. It’s also home to graduates from the highly successful rehabilitation programme.
Here you can learn about conservation efforts to rehabilitate and protect these endangered primates. You’ll also walk through lush rainforest trails while expert guides share fascinating insights about the orangutans. Visit during the twice-daily feeding times for the highest chance of spotting them.
My experience at Semenggoh
As we walked into the forest, our guide reminded us that we were entering the orangutans’ home. This meant we should be quiet and respectful.
With the exception of a couple of people on their phones during the visit, everyone was in awe-inspired silence. The only words were whispers of “look – here comes another one.”
Trees bent under the weight of a powerfully muscular male as he made his way over for breakfast. Safe to say, he would attempt to fit as many bananas as he could into his mouth. Then, he heading up a tree to feast on his pickings. He casually let the peel fall to the forest floor like a nonchalant teenager dropping chewing gum litter.
I wondered how he felt having an audience watching his meal times every day. It certainly didn’t seem to bother him as he tucked into his fruit.
Day 4: Bako National Park adventure
Travel to Bako National Park, an hour’s bus ride and boat trip from Kuching. The boat ride to Bako is affordable when shared with other travellers. This park is famous for its diverse ecosystems, from mangroves to rainforests, and its incredible wildlife. Spot proboscis monkeys unique to Borneo, along with bearded pigs and monitor lizards.
Stay overnight in the park’s basic lodges for a more immersive experience. This is what I did with friends from my hostel and we loved it.
Book your day trip to Bako National Park here.
During the day, you can hike trails that lead to secluded beaches and stunning cliff views. Here you can marvel at the park’s signature sea stacks and rock formations.
In the evening, why not embark on a night-time jungle trek. You can read more about my experience below.
My experience at Bako National Park
We decided to attempt one of the park’s many treks – a short escapade to a secluded beach cove.
Clambering over rocks and huge tree roots, we were surrounded by abundant jungle life, soaking up the rainwater. Huge leaves, exotic red flowers and armies of ants – there was so much to see.
When we reached the bay, we found a lonely and beautiful place. It felt like we’d crash landed from a plane onto a deserted island and would have to fend for ourselves.
Luckily, all we had to do was to walk back through the well-marked jungle trek and head for the café.
However, even in the cafe, we were not safe from the whims of the wildlife. Here, the park’s resident long tailed macaques greedily grabbed whatever food or wrapping was not carefully hidden away. At one point we even saw one open the café doors and head inside to steal packets of Oreos. Clever critters.
That evening, I hesitantly signed up for a Borneo nature night trek (I’m not a big fan of the dark).
We took our torches and followed the guides to see what nocturnal creatures we could spot. It was fantastic. Huge green stick insects, spiny black and white bugs, sleeping kingfishers on branches, tiny poisonous tree frogs, jumping spiders – we saw the lot. Even a green viper, Borneo’s third most venomous snake after the cobra and the sea snake.
Spying on them under the glow of our torches made it seem almost dreamlike and their colours even more vivid.
Day 5: Return to Kuching
Spend the morning exploring more of Bako National Park’s trails. In the afternoon, it’s time to return to Kuching.
Use the evening to enjoy Kuching’s food scene one more time or explore more of the city.
What to eat in Kuching
Kuching, like the rest of Malaysia, is a food lover’s paradise, with affordable and flavourful dishes at every corner.
When you’re backpacking in Borneo you’d be mad to miss local dishes including Sarawak laksa. This is a spicy, coconut-based noodle soup topped with prawns and chicken. Believe me, it’s super tasty.
Head to local hawker centres, like Top Spot Food Court, for a feast that won’t break the bank.
Getting to Kuching
Kuching, located in Sarawak on the island of Borneo, is not connected to Peninsular Malaysia by land. However, getting from Kuala Lumpur to Kuching is straightforward and affordable. There are many cheap flights from Kuala Lumpur to Kuching available daily. The journey takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Direct flights are also available from Singapore to Kuching and take about two hours. Budget airlines run regular services, making it a popular destination for long weekends.
Once you arrive at Kuching International Airport, getting to the city centre is easy. If you’re going by taxi, expect to pay around MYR 20–30 ($4–7). Public buses operate between the airport and city centre, but they are infrequent.
Book a private transfer in advance from Kuching International Airport to your hostel here.
Frequently asked questions for a Borneo itinerary
Is 5 days enough in Borneo?
Five days is enough time to explore one region of Borneo properly. This itinerary focuses on Kuching and Sarawak in Malaysian Borneo, for orangutan encounters at Semenggoh, jungle trekking at Bako National Park and a taste of urban life in Kuching.
How much should I budget for 5 days in Borneo?
If you’re a solo traveller on a budget, like I was, you can keep costs low by staying in hostels, eating at hawker centres and sharing transport with other backpackers. The main expenses are national park fees, boat transfers and guided tours.
Why focus on Kuching for a 5-day Borneo itinerary?
Kuching is an excellent base for a short Borneo trip because everything is close together. You can easily reach wildlife highlights like Semenggoh and Bako National Park from the city. It’s also more affordable than tourist hotspots like Kota Kinabalu.
Is it safe to travel solo in Borneo?
Malaysian Borneo is very safe for solo travellers. Kuching is backpacker-friendly with a relaxed atmosphere. I travelled solo and felt completely comfortable. You’ll meet other travellers easily in hostels, and I shared taxis and joined group tours with others to split costs.
What should I wear for jungle trekking?
Wear long trousers, a long-sleeved top and closed-toe shoes with good grip for jungle trekking. Light, quick-dry fabrics in light colours work best in Borneo’s humid climate. Bring insect repellent, a torch or headlamp, and layers in case you do a nightime jungle treks.
How physically demanding are the activities?
Most activities suit average fitness levels. In Bako National Park, the trek to the secluded beach cove involves clambering over roots and rocks but nothing too strenuous. Semenggoh is an easy forest walk.
Final thoughts on the best Borneo itinerary for 5 days
The highlight for me was undoubtedly the orangutan encounters at Semenggoh. Watching these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat is a truly humbling experience that will stay with you forever.
Combined with Bako’s incredible jungle treks and the excellent food in Kuching, these 5 days give you a perfect taste of what makes Borneo so special. From to orangutans and ancient rainforests, it’s an incredible introduction to one of the world’s most biodiverse regions.
I’ll always remember watching orangutans feast on bananas, trekking through the rainforest and spotting exotic creatures under torchlight.
Happy travels, and prepare to fall in love with the wild heart of Borneo.
Next up, discover more of Malaysia with this perfect 3 week itinerary.
That sunset is gorgeous! You have picked some truly beautiful spots to visit as you go around the world!
In Agra I saw a monkey grab a bag of potato chips from a woman’s hands and make off over a balcony rail with them. She was shocked and stunned because it happened so fast. The animals do get pretty smart at outsmarting us!
I hope you are doing well. I wish our paths would cross again, I’d love to talk to you about what you’ve been thinking and feeling. I feel like such a different traveler now and would love to talk about how you’re feeling…. Like, don’t you feel like you’re just getting started? We need a year of “prep travel” just so we can take a year of actual travel!
Be well lovely Claire. I love following you!
Nadia