Planning a Borneo itinerary with kids?
Our 2-week Sabah family adventure combines rainforest, wildlife, beaches and adventure, from Kota Kinabalu and Mount Kinabalu to Sepilok and Pulau Tiga (Survivor Island). We also discovered Tempurung Seaside Lodge, a wonderfully basic beach stay that’s very different from luxury resorts like Rasa Ria. For adventurous families, mixing simple local experiences with a few nights of luxury makes Borneo an unforgettable family holiday.
We first visited Borneo in 2014, before we had children, and it quickly became one of our favourite places we’d ever travelled.
In fact, we loved it so much that we’ve always said we’d like to go back and renew our wedding vows there with the children.
Looking back now, what I remember most is the contrast.
We had adventure, wildlife, jungle, mountains and beaches, but we also had luxury. And one of my favourite places we stayed was actually the complete opposite of luxury.
So, if you’re wondering whether Borneo would work as a family holiday, here’s how I’d put our original trip together now, with the benefit of hindsight and travelling with children in mind.
Our Borneo route
One thing that’s worth understanding when planning a Borneo itinerary is just how spread out Sabah is.
This isn’t a destination where you can stay in one hotel and do everything as a day trip.
The route we’d follow is:
Kota Kinabalu → Kuala Penyu → Mount Kinabalu → Sepilok → Rasa Ria → Kota Kinabalu Airport
That gives you a really good mix of city, beaches, rainforest, wildlife, mountains and adventure without trying to cram everything into one exhausting trip.
Here’s how I’d do it.
Days 1–2: Kota Kinabalu
I’d start in Kota Kinabalu and give yourselves a couple of days to settle in.
After a long flight, especially with children, I wouldn’t immediately launch into a packed itinerary.
Use these first couple of days to explore, eat some good food, get your bearings, recover from the journey and take a boat trip or have an island BBQ.
Then you’re ready to head south-west towards Kuala Penyu and the coast.
Days 3–4: Kuala Penyu and Tempurung Seaside Lodge
One of the places I really want to mention because there isn’t nearly enough information about it online is Tempurung Seaside Lodge in Kuala Penyu.
If you’re looking for a luxury resort, this isn’t it.
Don’t book it expecting one.
We stayed there in 2014, and it was very basic. There was no air conditioning, the bathroom was tiny, and the shower was basically over the toilet.
And yes, there were bugs.
But we didn’t care. We were in Borneo!
The whole place felt like we’d somehow pulled up on our own deserted beach. We could walk straight onto the sand, and the view from the restaurant was incredible.
The food was simple and incredibly fresh. I remember eating fruit and vegetables they’d grown and fish and crabs they’d caught that day.
It wasn’t luxury, but it really had its own special and memorable charm.
And I absolutely loved it.
That’s why I think it’s worth mentioning for adventurous families. If you’re looking for somewhere polished and luxurious, this probably isn’t for you.
But if you’re thinking, ” That sounds amazing, then I think you’d probably love it.
Just remember that our stay was in 2014, so check the current facilities before booking.
Would Tempurung work with children?
I think it could — for the right family.
If your idea of a family holiday involves air conditioning, a spotless modern bathroom and somewhere completely bug-free, this probably isn’t the place for you.
But if your children love being outside and you’re happy with basic accommodation, it could be exactly the sort of experience that makes a Borneo trip memorable. Plus, there are loads of once-in-a-lifetime trips to do from there (see below).
I’d describe it as adventure accommodation rather than budget luxury.
You’re not getting a cheaper version of Rasa Ria. You’re getting something completely different.
Take a jungle boat trip
While we were staying around Kuala Penyu, we also went out on a little jungle boat trip and saw loads of monkeys.
I remember seeing proboscis monkeys jumping in the trees. The river and mangroves were incredible.
You’re just slowly moving through the jungle, looking into the trees and suddenly there’s wildlife moving around you.
It was one of those experiences where you feel like you are really seeing the wrold. The children will love it.
If you’re travelling with children, a boat trip like this is also a lovely way to experience the rainforest without taking them on a long jungle trek.
Pulau Tiga — Survivor Island
We also visited Pulau Tiga, which became famous as Survivor Island after the television series was filmed there.
This was another favourite. We walked through the jungle, passing monitor lizards, snakes and monkeys, before covering ourselves in volcanic mud and heading into the sea to wash it all off.
When we arrived, the mud pool was empty, and it felt incredible. We just had it to ourselves. Although as we were leaving, I did see a large group arriving, so I think we were very lucky with the timing.
We lay back, floating in the bubbling mud, watching the jungle move around us. It was such a surreal experience.
It’s exactly the sort of thing I think our children would love now.
You’re not just looking at something or being shown around. You’re getting filthy, exploring an island, swimming in the sea and floating around in a bubbling volcanic mud pool in the middle of the jungle.
The train through the jungle and white-water rafting
And honestly, the journey was almost as exciting as the rafting.
To get between the carriages, you had to step across while being able to see the tracks moving below you. At one point, we even rode sitting on top of the train!
I’m not sure I’d be doing that with the kids now, but sitting safely inside the train and the rafting itself are both things I think they would absolutely love.
We weren’t driven straight to an activity centre.
We actually had to get there.
We travelled by train through the jungle before getting out for the rafting trip, which made the whole experience feel like a proper adventure.
That’s something I loved about Borneo. The adventure wasn’t always just the activity itself. Sometimes, getting there was part of it.
If you’re travelling with younger children, check the current age requirements before booking, but one lovely bonus was that the water was so warm.
Days 5–7: Mount Kinabalu and Kinabalu Park
From Kuala Penyu, the route takes you back north towards Mount Kinabalu.
Mount Kinabalu was another huge part of our original Borneo adventure.
We stayed overnight on the mountain before getting up in the middle of the night to climb towards the summit for sunrise. It was hard, but completely worth it.
The views were incredible, and the whole experience felt like a proper adventure. We also had the opportunity to experience the Via Ferrata. It is important for both activities that you have a guide. You are not allowed in the national park without one, and you cannot turn up and just get one, so this must be booked in advance.
If you’re thinking about doing Mount Kinabalu with children, check the current Sabah Parks rules and age requirements before booking, as these can change.
I also wouldn’t try to cram loads of other things around the climb. Make the mountain one of the big experiences of the trip and give yourself time to enjoy it.
After the climb, slow things down around Kinabalu Park.
We also experienced the rainforest at night, and if you’ve never been into a rainforest after dark, it is completely different.
You hear things moving.
There are insects everywhere.
The whole jungle seems to come alive.
We also saw fireflies, which is one of those simple memories that has stayed with me.
With children, you don’t need to make it a huge trek. A short night walk would be plenty.
Days 8–9: Sepilok and the orangutans
From Mount Kinabalu, continue east across Sabah towards Sepilok.
This is one part of our original trip I’d definitely change now.
When we visited Borneo in 2014, we experienced the orangutan programme at Rasa Ria.
That programme has since changed, so if you’re planning a Borneo family holiday now and seeing orangutans is on your list, I’d put Sepilok high on the itinerary.
The Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre is one of Sabah’s best-known wildlife experiences.
And one thing I actually love about it is that seeing an orangutan isn’t guaranteed.
If an orangutan has found enough food naturally, it doesn’t need to come to a feeding platform.
That’s the whole point.
You’re there to learn about rehabilitation and see these incredible animals, but ultimately the aim is for them to live independently in the forest.
Bornean Sun Bears
Near Sepilok is the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre, which I’d also add if you’re travelling with children who love animals.
And if you want more rainforest, the Rainforest Discovery Centre has forest trails, a canopy walkway and opportunities for guided experiences.
I’d allow a couple of days around Sepilok rather than trying to see everything in one rushed day.
Days 10–13: Rasa Ria and some proper downtime
After all that adventure, I’d want some proper downtime.
This is where Shangri-La Rasa Ria, Kota Kinabalu comes back into the itinerary.
Rasa Ria was completely different from Tempurung and, to this day, the best hotel I have ever stayed in.
Beautiful surroundings, a gorgeous beach, swimming pools, activities, good food, and somewhere you could properly switch off.
And I loved it.
After several days of mountains, jungle, boats and basic accommodation, having somewhere comfortable was exactly what we needed.
That’s why, if I were doing Borneo again, I’d still mix the two.
Have a few nights where you’re eating fish caught that day and sleeping somewhere basic and surrounded by nature.
Then have a few nights where someone else makes breakfast, and you don’t have to think about where the next shower is coming from!
And this is one of the reasons I think Borneo can work so well for families.
You don’t have to choose between an adventure holiday and a relaxing holiday.
You can have both.
Is Borneo expensive?
It can be, but it doesn’t have to be.
When you start looking at Borneo holidays, it can feel like you need to spend a fortune.
You don’t.
There are luxury resorts and expensive organised itineraries, but there are also much simpler places to stay.
Just understand that basic accommodation isn’t a cheaper version of luxury.
It’s a different experience. We also find that booking these activities in advance, without a travel agent, can save you 1000s and means you can spread the cost, but it takes a bit of planning.
If the idea of a tiny bathroom, no air conditioning and the occasional insect makes you think absolutely not, then don’t book it. If you’re thinking that sounds brilliant, then you’re probably the sort of family who will love it.
Personally, I’d rather spend money on the experiences — the orangutans, rafting, boats, mountains and islands — and then mix in a few nights of luxury rather than spend the entire trip in an expensive resort.
What to pack for Borneo with kids
You don’t need to pack your entire house for a Borneo family adventure, but there are a few things I’d definitely take.
- Lightweight clothes
- Walking shoes or trainers
- Sandals
- Swimwear
- Quick-drying clothes
- Lightweight waterproof jacket
- Sun protection
- Insect repellent
- Reusable water bottles
- Small first-aid kit
- Dry bags
- Lightweight day backpack
- Headtorch
- Binoculars
- Something warmer if you’re climbing Mount Kinabalu
And snacks.
Always snacks.
I’d also make sure you have suitable family travel insurance, particularly if you’re including activities such as rafting, mountain climbing or other adventure experiences.
Can you do Borneo with children?
Absolutely.
We went before we had children, and now I can imagine taking them to all the places we loved and seeing it through their eyes.
I can imagine them getting covered in volcanic mud on Pulau Tiga.
Looking for monkeys from a boat.
Seeing an orangutan for the first time.
Getting excited about catching the train through the jungle.
And definitely complaining about the shower being over the toilet!
The key, I think, would be not trying to do too much.
Borneo is a long way to travel, and the distances across Sabah can be bigger than they look on a map. So I think the best itinerary also has days to just enjoy a beach day or time by the pool.
Choose a few big experiences rather than trying to tick everything off.
And mix adventure with somewhere comfortable to recover.
If you only have 10 days
You can still see a lot of Sabah in 10 days, but I’d simplify the route rather than trying to squeeze everything in.
I’d do:
Days 1–2 — Kota Kinabalu
Days 3–4 — Kuala Penyu / Tempurung
Days 5–6 — Mount Kinabalu
Days 7–8 — Sepilok
Days 9–10 — Rasa Ria
If wildlife is your biggest priority, I’d be tempted to drop Pulau Tiga and use the extra time around Sepilok instead.
If adventure is your priority, keep Pulau Tiga and look at the rafting options.
Our Borneo route at a glance
So if you’re trying to visualise the trip before you start booking everything, this is the route I’d follow:
Kota Kinabalu
↓
Kuala Penyu / Tempurung Seaside Lodge
↓
Mount Kinabalu / Kinabalu Park
↓
Sepilok
↓
Rasa Ria
↓
Kota Kinabalu Airport
It’s a lot to fit into two weeks, but it gives you a really good taste of what makes Sabah so special.
You’ve got mountains, rainforest, wildlife, beaches, islands, adventure and a bit of luxury at the end.
And for us, that combination is exactly what made Borneo so memorable the first time around.
Would we go back?
Without a doubt.
Borneo is one of those places where I can still remember the feeling of being there all these years later.
And now that we’re travelling with children, I’d love the chance to experience it all over again through their eyes.
I’d also love to find that little beach lodge again.
Because although it wasn’t luxury, and although the bathroom was tiny and the shower was basically over the toilet, there was something incredibly special about waking up somewhere that felt like we’d found our own little piece of Borneo.
And perhaps that’s the bit I’d tell you not to overlook.
If you’re looking for luxury, Borneo can absolutely give you luxury.
But if you’re looking for adventure, wildlife and the feeling that you’ve genuinely escaped somewhere completely different, look beyond the resorts too.
Enjoyed our Borneo itinerary? Explore our other family travel itineraries — all from places we’ve actually been and loved. Find your next adventure here.
