Start your journey
$1999
This program is confirmed to run as a shared departure with G Adventures, which means there may be non-educator participants who book directly through G Adventures.
Overview
Experience the towering jungle canopies, unique wildlife, and stunning coastlines of Borneo on this eight-day expedition. This program offers an opportunity to visit Libaran Island's sea turtle hatchery, get up close with orangutans at a rehabilitation center, and explore the rainforests of Sabah. Learn to cook local recipes in Tambatuon village, keep your eyes peeled for wildlife during an evening cruise on the Kinabatangan River, and as the sun sets in Kota Kinabalu, catch a panoramic view at the Signal Hill observatory. Visit East Malaysia on Borneo with us, all while earning professional development credit with other educators.
What's Included:
- Local Farms and Cooking class at Tambatuon homestay
- Morning and evening Kinabatangan River safaris
- Guided oxbow lake visit and wildlife spotting
- Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Center visit
- Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Center Visit
- Pulau Libaran island village walk and turtle hatchery visit
- Internal flight
- G Adventures tour leader, local guides
- 7 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 dinners – allow $70-95 USD for meals not included
- Hotels/guesthouses (2 nts), homestay (1 nt, multi-share), jungle lodge (3 nts), permanent tented camp (1 nt)
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities by private vehicle, plane, boat
What's Not Included:
- International air travel
- Incidentals
- Travel health and cancellation insurance
- Applicable visas
- Tips or gratuities
- Beverages
- Meals not mentioned in itinerary
- Optional tours and admissions
- Airport transfers
- Single/private accommodation (add-on available)
Itinerary Download PDF
Arrival Arrive in Kota Kinabalu (state capital of Sabah in East Malaysia on Borneo) at any time. The nearest airport is Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI).
Consider arriving 1-2 days early to explore the city, adjust to the time zone, and buffer against flight delays. We can request extra hotel nights for you before the program begins.
Hotel Check-in and Welcome Meeting
Hotel check-in is normally between 2–3 p.m. Check with reception for the exact time and location of the group welcome meeting, typically between 6–7 p.m. Please make every effort to attend this meeting. If you’re running late, send a message in the group WhatsApp or call the emergency number on your trip voucher so that your tour leader can let you know where and when to meet the group.
After the meeting, you might choose to get dinner at a nearby restaurant with your traveling companions and your tour leader to further get to know one another.
- Joining Instructions
- Taxi: Pre-paid taxi booth is directly outside the arrivals hall. Taxis are safe, reliable, and inexpensive—approximately RM 15-20 ($3.50 USD).
- Pre-booked Transfer: If you’ve arranged an airport transfer, wait at your arrival gate (International, Domestic Malaysia, or Domestic Sabah). Your G Adventures representative will meet you in the arrivals hall based on your flight details. If you can’t locate your ride, call the emergency number (+60128330304 or +60128335739) or take a taxi to the hotel (save your receipt).
Travel to Tambatuon Homestead in Kota Belud and visit local farms to learn about their agricultural techniques while picking fresh vegetables, used later when you learn to cook local recipes with your community hosts. The first visit is to Kundasang Aquafarm, a community-led farm that uses fish waste instead of chemical fertilizer for a hydroponic system. The next farm is Onis, which practices more traditional farming. After lunch, walk to a nearby river and explore the landscape surrounding the village along the way. In the evening, enjoy a traditional dinner with your hosts.
Approximate travel time: 2.5 hrs by private vehicle
Meals included: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Travel toward Sandakan and continue to the jungle lodge on the Kinabatangan River, Sabah’s longest. After taking a moment to get settled, head out on a river cruise to experience the serenity of evening river life. Cruise through the crocodile-infested waters with an expert boatman. While wildlife spotting can’t be guaranteed, there’s a good chance you will spot some monkeys, birds, and occasionally saltwater crocodiles. After dinner, opt for a guided night walk through the jungle (70 MYR, approx. $16 USD), looking for unique nocturnal creatures.
Approximate travel time: 5.5 hrs by private vehicle
Meals included: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Start the day early with a river safari in search of more wildlife activity. After breakfast, visit a nearby oxbow lake with a professional guide and seek out proboscis monkeys, pygmy elephants, macaques, and gibbons. Later, we visit a nearby cave and, with some luck, spot a wild orangutan. In the afternoon, enjoy another boat cruise along the muddy river before returning to the lodge for dinner.
Meals included: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Depart in the morning for Sepilok, a wildlife haven. Enjoy a visit to the Orangutan Rehabilitation Center, where the orangutans were either rescued as orphans or from illegal domestication. Once rehabilitated, they are set free to live in the wild. Watch these creatures being fed or roaming the grounds along with other animals such as macaque monkeys.
Next, visit the adjacent Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Center to see the world’s smallest bear. Learn more about sun bears and the conservation efforts being made to protect them.
Approximate travel time: 2 hrs by private vehicle
Meals included: Breakfast
Drive to Sandakan and board a boat for Libaran Island. Once you disembark, take a guided tour of the island’s turtle hatchery and learn about the turtle conservation program. Libaran Island is also known as Turtle Island, because thousands of sea turtles return here every year to nest. Accompany rangers who will teach you more about the amazing sea turtles and their existential threats. Observe turtles laying their eggs on the beach, follow the park rangers as they transfer the eggs to the hatchery, and stand on the shore to witness the release of baby turtles to the open sea.
Later, head into town and experience local life on the island. View demonstrations by villagers who make flower souvenirs from plastic bottles, master Pandanous weaving, and meticulously knit fishing nets. See how local snacks are prepared and enjoy the delicacies. Opt to go snorkeling or kayaking during some free time.
Approximate travel time: 45 mins by private vehicle; 1 hr by ferry
Meals included: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
After breakfast, depart Libaran Island and travel back to the Sandakan jetty. From the jetty, transfer to Sandakan airport for a flight to Kota Kinabalu. On arrival, enjoy a free afternoon to walk and shop at Jesselton Point, a waterfront district lined with shops and street food. Or opt to visit the famous Filipino market or get a panoramic sunset view of Kota Kinabalu at the Signal Hill observatory.
Approximate travel time: 1 hr by ferry; 1 hr by plane
Meals included: Breakfast
There are no planned activities today, so you may depart Kota Kinabalu at any time. If you wish to extend your stay in Kota Kinabalu, consider booking post-tour accommodation with us.
Please note that check-out time from the hotel is usually mid-morning, but luggage storage services are available at the reception desk.
Meals included: Breakfast
- Want more adventure? Register for two or more GEEO programs in the same school year and receive 10% off the lesser value program(s), up to three times per school year.
- Interested in extending your time abroad? Beyond our educator programs, we can also help you book from G Adventures’ extensive catalog of tours. These tours aren’t tailored to educators the way our programs are, but booking through GEEO means you’ll receive a discounted educator rate while supporting our nonprofit work.
Where you'll stay
The hotels listed below reflect the properties expected to be used for this program. Final accommodations are subject to change based on group size, availability, or seasonality. Participants will receive a program voucher before departure that includes the confirmed start and end hotels.
*Itinerary Disclaimer: While it is our intention to adhere to the routes described on our website, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable, to make alterations. The itinerary is brief, as we never know exactly where our journey will take us. Due to our style of travel and the regions we visit, travel can be unpredictable. The information on our website is a general guide to the tour and region, and any mention of specific destinations or wildlife is by no means a guarantee that they will be visited or encountered. Additionally, any travel times listed are approximations only and subject to vary due to local circumstances.
Details
Important
Before you decide to travel with GEEO, it is important that you read all of the program information on this page. Our programs are quite adventurous, and we find that travelers who review the full trip details are happier with their experiences.
- Terms and Conditions: Review GEEO’s full Terms and Conditions before signing up for a GEEO program, especially information related to deposits, our cancellation policy, mandatory travel insurance, etc.
- Confirmation Process: Understand GEEO’s trip confirmation process.
- FAQs: Find essential information that applies to all GEEO programs.
- Browse Classroom Resources: Recommended Reading | Lesson Plans | Pinterest boards
Trip Notes & Expectations
ACCOMMODATION
Our program fees are based on double-occupancy accommodation (see “Single Travelers” below if you do not have a travel companion and would be interested in a private room). We would like to stress that the nature of the accommodation when compared with other areas of Southeast Asia is sometimes of a lower standard than normally provided on GEEO programs. This is often due to the location and type of activities involved (i.e., high on a mountain and in remote jungle areas). Accommodation is always clean and usually makes up in character and location for what it might not provide in glamour and additional services.
TRANSPORTATION
We use a mix of transportation that gets our guests from location to location safely. Sometimes you will have full days and nights of transportation as our trips tend to cover a lot of ground. The transportation will often be an adventure in itself.
LUGGAGE
Pack light and bring compact and lightweight luggage that you can easily transport. The carrying of your luggage remains your responsibility at all times.
ACTIVITY LEVEL & PACE
Make sure you have thoroughly read the itinerary and can handle the group activities, which sometime include day hikes with your daypacks. This trip includes hiking that is suitable for most fitness levels. The heat and humidity are the biggest physical challenges. Stay hydrated! We recommend always carrying snacks with you. Meals can sometimes be far apart.
TRAVEL WARNINGS TO EASTERN SABAH
Various countries have a travel warning for Eastern Sabah. Please visit your government website (e.g., U.S. Department of State travel advisory) and check with your insurance that any warnings will not affect your insurance coverage, as travel insurance that covers the entire itinerary is mandatory on our tours. The safety of our travelers is our number one priority. We will continuously monitor the region and will only run programs areas that we believe to be safe.
GROUP LEADER
All GEEO programs are led by a G Adventures Chief Experience Officer (CEO), whose role is to take the hassle out of travel and help you get the most from your trip. They’ll share information about the places you visit, suggest activities and restaurants, and introduce you to our local friends. While not traditional guides, CEOs have broad knowledge of the region’s history, culture, and daily life. On some excursions, local guides are used for deeper insight.
Single Travelers
Traveling solo? You’re in good company—about half of our participants do the same.
Shared room by default. The program fee covers one person in a twin room. We’ll pair you with a roommate of the same gender if you don’t have a travel companion.
Want a private room? Most trips offer a “My Own Room” (single-supplement) upgrade. Check the price in the Extra Services section, then email travel@geeo.org to reserve it. You pay the single-supplement only if you request it.
Emergency Contacts
If you need urgent help during your trip, call the local G Adventures office first. If no one answers, leave a detailed message with your name and contact information so they can return your call as soon as possible.
EMERGENCY CONTACT NUMBERS:
G Adventures Office Bangkok, Thailand
From outside Thailand: +66 92 338 9222
From within Thailand: 092 338 9222
If for any reason you are unable to reach the G Adventures local office, please call the numbers listed below to connect with their Sales team, who will happily assist you.
Toll-free, North America only: 1 888 800 4100
Calls from UK: 0344 272 0000
Calls from Germany: 0800 365 1000
Calls from Australia: 1 300 796 618
Calls from New Zealand: 0800 333 307
Outside North America, Australia, New Zealand, Germany and the UK: +1 416 260 0999
Packing List
See our blog post of staff-recommended gear to help you pack for your upcoming travels. You must be able to carry your own luggage—up stairs, on and off of transport, and during 15 to 20 minute walks. Bring one small or medium backpack or rolling bag (22-30lb) and one daypack for daily items. Space is limited on transportation, so oversized bags cannot travel.
As you prepare your packing list, we recommend checking average weather conditions for your destination.
- Light windproof/waterproof jacket or umbrella
- Sun hat
- Personal clothing for hot weather (t-shirts, shorts, etc.)
- Hiking pants – convertible/zip-off and quick dry recommended)
- Daypack – a normal book bag is fine for this
- Hiking boots/sturdy walking shoes
- Sport sandals or flip-flops
- Sunblock
- Sunglasses
- Watch or alarm clock (or use your phone)
- Flashlight or headlamp (or use your phone)
- Light-weight silk sleep sheet
- Travel pillow
- Clothes for religious sites – knees and shoulders must be covered
- Shawl or scarf (for temple visits)
- Small Flashlight
- Toiletries – your hotels will have soap and shampoo
- Camera (or use your phone)
- First-aid kit, including: lip salve, aspirin, bandaids, anti-histamine, Dramamine, Imodium or similar tablets for mild cases of diarrhea, electrolyte powder, insect repellent, extra prescription drugs you may be taking
- Money belt
- Water bottle
- Phone/tablet for internet – most hotels have WiFi
- Chargers for electronics as well converters/adapters, if needed
- AirTags or Tile trackers
- Packing cubes
- Earplugs
- Snacks – packing a few granola bars is a good idea; you can also buy snacks when you get there too, so don’t go crazy
- Resealable plastic bags
- Reading/writing material
- Hand sanitizer/baby wipes
- Passport (with photocopies)
- Any entry visas or vaccination certificates required
- Travel insurance ID card
- Flight itinerary/boarding pass(es)
- USD/EUR cash
- Credit/debit card
- G Adventures service voucher(s)
- Classroom action plans for your group
*Laundry: Laundry facilities are sometimes offered at the hotels. You can also use a local laundromat, if necessary. We recommend packing enough clothes so you don’t have to do laundry.
Passports and Visas
Travelers are responsible for securing all required travel documents and meeting the entry requirements for every country on their itinerary, including applicable transit/layover countries.
- → Read GEEO’s Guidance for Borneo (detailed instructions with official links and resources)
PASSPORT
All travelers must have a passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your trip dates with enough blank pages for stamps. Need to apply or renew? Start here.
ENTRY/VISA REQUIREMENTS
Visa rules change frequently—always verify the latest requirements on the U.S. State Department Country Information Pages. Non-U.S. passport holders should verify requirements with your country’s official government resources. You can also use Sherpa, a third-party service and trusted G Adventures partner to look up the latest requirements.
Money Exchange
The local currency on Borneo in Sabah is the Malaysian Ringgit (MYR). For current exchange rates, visit www.xe.com.
Credit/Debit Cards: Credit cards (especially Visa and Mastercard) are accepted at many hotels, shops, and restaurants, but not everywhere. Some vendors may also charge an international transaction fee, so check with your bank before you travel.
Cash: For small purchases, tipping, or places that don’t take cards, we recommend using ATMs to withdraw local currency while traveling. If you bring U.S. dollars to exchange, the bills must be new, unmarked, and in excellent condition—damaged or older notes are often rejected.
Emergency Funds: Bring at least $200 USD (or the equivalent in local currency) in cash for emergencies in case of ATM or card issues. Always carry more rather than less to avoid feeling short of funds while traveling.
See the Estimated Trip Costs section at the bottom of this page for budgeting guidance.
For more advice, see our post, Smart Travel Finances: Your Guide to Money, ATMs, Fees, and Safety Abroad
Tipping
Tipping is optional but appreciated and goes a long way for the people who look after you on the trip. If you are happy with the service, use these ballpark amounts and adjust as you see fit:
– Service providers/Waiters: 10% of the bill.
– Local guides and drivers: $1.50-3.50 USD per person per day.
– G Adventures tour leader (CEO): $20-25 USD per person per week.
Tipping Kitty: On some trips, your CEO may suggest a “tipping kitty” where everyone contributes at the start of the tour, and the CEO uses that pooled amount to tip service providers for the group as a whole (not including your CEO). If your CEO doesn’t mention it and you’d like to use a kitty, we recommend asking about it early in the trip. Your CEO will advise the suggested amount and preferred currency for the kitty.
Vaccinations
GEEO cannot provide any medical advice, so it is very important to consult your doctor or a travel clinic about which vaccinations you will need for your trip. We recommend contacting Passport Health, which has travel clinics located throughout the United States. You can also check the CDC’s recommended vaccinations for your destination. Please take this seriously!
Flights
Wait for official trip confirmation via email from GEEO before booking your flights. Prices tend to be lowest 90–120 days out, but that window varies by route and year. Neither GEEO nor G Adventures bears responsibility for any flights purchased before the trip is confirmed.
This program begins and ends in Kota Kinabalu. Check the itinerary for the required arrival date. Aim to arrive no later than mid-afternoon for the 6 p.m. Day-1 welcome meeting, and consider arriving a day or two early to buffer flight delays and see more of Kota Kinabalu. You can depart any time on the final day of the program.
Plugs and Converters
Malaysia uses Type G plugs (also found in the UK and Ireland), and the voltage is 240V. To use your electronics safely, you’ll need to consider:
1. Adapter (plug shape)
Adapts your U.S. plug to fit another type of socket. See our recommended all-in-one travel adapter in our Gear Recommendations post.
2. Converter / transformer (voltage)
Steps the outlet voltage down to 120V for U.S. appliances that can’t handle higher voltage.
Check what you need: Look on your device’s plug or power brick. “Input: 100-240V” works worldwide—you only need a plug adapter. Any range narrower (e.g., “110-120V” or “Input: 120V”) means you need an adapter and a voltage converter to avoid damage. Converters are inexpensive and available online or in travel stores.
Weather
Borneo has constantly high temperatures, an ever-present chance of rainfall, and an abundance of sunshine. It is a magnificent travel destination year-round.
Historical Monthly Weather Averages
Kota Kinabalu
Sepilok
Average High
Average Low
Rainfall
Extra Services & Costs
EXTRA SERVICES TO PRE-BOOK
Send us an email if you would like to pre-book any of the extra services listed below for your program. Space and availability are limited, and pricing is not guaranteed until booked.
*Extra services are non-refundable within 30 days of your program’s start date.
*Airport transfers require Day 1 arrival/final day departure or pre/post hotel nights booked through GEEO.
*Costs will be added to your final balance.
**My Own Room exceptions apply.
| Private/Single Room | $459 (4 left) |
| Pre-trip Hotel (per night) | Howard Johnson by Wyndham Kota Kinabalu City Centre – Single: $60, Twin/Double: $65 |
| Post-trip Hotel (per night) | Howard Johnson by Wyndham Kota Kinabalu City Centre – Single: $60, Twin/Double: $65 |
| Arrival Airport Transfer (per person) | Kota Kinabalu (BKI) Solo=$30, 2ppl=$15, 3ppl+=$10 |
| Departure Airport Transfer (per person) | Kota Kinabalu (BKI) Solo=$30, 2ppl=$15, 3ppl+=$10 |
Optional On-Site Activities
The following optional activities are booked and paid for locally. Prices shown are the most recent figures from participants and G Adventures. Use them as budgeting estimates only—actual costs may vary. If you arrive early or extend your stay, check out our curated list of Viator tours for additional activity ideas.
-
Jungle Night Walk:70 MYR
Take a night walk on the trails near the Jungle Lodge and look for the unique creatures that are active at night.
-
Jungle Night Walk:50 MYR
Take a night walk on the trails near the Jungle Lodge and look for the unique creatures that are active at night.
Estimated Trip Costs
Use the prices below as ballpark figures to estimate the full cost of your trip and decide what fits your budget.
- GEEO Program Fee: See our price in the top right corner.
- Optional Activities: $20-100 USD
- International Airfare from the United States: Roughly $1,500-2,000 USD
If you require assistance searching for international flights, we would be happy to help you. - Airport Transfers: $10-15 USD
- Insurance: $30-200 USD
Please note: It is mandatory for all of our travelers to have Emergency Medical insurance that covers both emergency evacuation and repatriation to the sum of $200,000 USD. We also strongly recommend purchasing cancellation insurance as an add-on. - Tipping: We recommend $25 USD for your tour leader and another $25 USD for local guides and drivers.
- Meals not listed in the itinerary: $70-95 USD
- Laundry, Drinks, Mobile Data, etc.: Make sure you budget for these types of expenses
- Souvenirs: Variable—at your personal discretion
- Vaccines: Variable—please consult with your primary care provider
- Non-Educator Donation: $100 USD (suggested donation)
This is only for non-educator guests traveling with an educator on a GEEO trip. Educators and retired educators should not make this donation.
