My sister Renay is your host – you can read all about her here.
Have you been dreaming of an overseas holiday with your kids but are feeling a little unsure about how to do it? Would you like other mums and kids to travel with, so you can get a break and your children can make friends? Do you crave time to relax and not to be the organiser and entertainer all the time? Do you want to expose your children to other cultures and see them learn and grow in a new environment, becoming more aware and understanding of the world around them?
Join Renay (and a fabulous local guide) in Borneo for a fantastic holiday where just about everything is included, and you will have incredible experiences learning about ancient tribes and culture, spotting orangutans, sun bears and pygmy elephants, swimming and snorkeling, seeing turtles and so much more. All you have to do is book the flights to get there – after that, just relax. I hope you can join this fabulous trip.
Day 1: Kota Kinabalu; Grandis Hotel
Arrival at Kota Kinabalu Airport, transfer & check into Grandis Hotel in Kota Kinabalu.
Welcome dinner – I can’t wait to get to know you!
Day 2: Kota Kinabalu
Mari Mari Cultural Village – this is the best cultural experience I have ever been to! It’s so hands on and the kids will love it. We have a traditional lunch here with local traditional dance.
In the afternoon we will board the North Borneo Sunset Cruise with dinner onboard. Everyone will sleep well!
All meals and activities included.
Day 3: Kota Kinabalu
Today we take a small boat over to Abdul Rahman National Park for swimming and snorkeling at Sapi and Manukan Islands. If the zipline is running you can zipline between the islands – it’s amazing. The islands are fun and the water is a beautiful blue.
In the afternoon we will do a short Kota Kinabalu walking tour, and then pool time and dinner. Our hotel is also above a shopping centre and movie theare if anyone needs downtime.
All meals and activities included.
Day 4: Kota Kinabalu/Kinabalu National Park/Kundasang; Kundasang Pine Resort
Today we will drive to Tamparuli Town and watch local Kadazan dance performance and walk across the hanging bridge. We will then stop at Nabalu Native Market for handicraft shopping and local fruit and produce. We will visit to Kundasang Memorial Park which is an incredible memorial to Australian POWs held in Borneo during WW2 and who were marched in the Sandakan Death March.
All meals and activities included.
Day 5: Kundasang/Sabah Tea/Bilit, Kinabatangan River
In the morning we will visit a tea plantation and tea factory and try our hand at picking the leaves in traditional costume. We will then drive overland to the Kinabatangan River for an evening wildlife safari.
All meals and activities included.
Day 6: Morning Cruise/Jungle Trek/Bilit, Kinabatangan River
Before breakfast we will take an early morning cruise to see wildlife and birdlife. During the day join a batik painting craft session and guided jungle walk. In the late afternoon, we will join a second boat cruise in search for more wildlife that gather along the Kinabatangan River. Tonight, learn the cultural dance of Sabah.
All meals and activities included.
Day 7: Kinabatangan/Rainforest Discovery Centre/Fire Flies/Sepilok Jungle Resort
After breakfast we will return to Sandakan, stopping at Gonmatong Cave – we have seen wild orangutans here and the cave is huge and full of swallows and bats! Enjoy a guided walk at Rainforest Discovery Centre and check into Sepilok Jungle Resort – we love this pool! In the late afternoon, we visit a Fisherman Village, and in the evening take a mangrove river cruise to watch fireflies.
All meals and activities included.
Day 8: Sepilok Orangutan/Sun Bear/Sepilok Jungle Resort
Full day excursion at the world famous Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre – morning and afternoon sessions. We can walk there from the hotel so it’s super easy, and great for kids with the pool at the hotel. We will also visit the Bornean Sun Bear Center. In the afternoon relax at the swimming pool or go for a foot massage.
All meals and activities included.
Day 9: Selingan Turtle Island
Today we will set off to Selingan Turtle Island and enjoy swimming and snorkeling with turtle watching activities on the sandy beach in the evening
Hotel : Selingan Island Chalet
All meals and activities included.
Day 10: Turtle Island/Sandakan
After breakfast, return to the mainland and visit to Labuk Bay Proboscis Sanctuary – these monkeys are AMAZING! The Agnes Keith Museum (fascinating!) and lunch at the English Tea House. After lunch, check into the Sabah Hotel for a swim and a rest.
Tonight, we will have a farewell dinner at local Seafood Restaurant. All meals and activities included.
Day 11: Departure Sandakan Airport:
Today, free day until departure transfer to Sandakan Airport for your onwards journey. I’ll miss you!
Meals: Breakfast
I’m Evie, I’m a travel obsessed solo mum who loves helping other mums travel and explore the world with their kids. You can check out my travels here on the blog or at my Instagram page at @mumpacktravel
We will stay at the Grandis Hotel in Kota Kinabalu – Emmie and I have stayed here previously and we really liked it for its huge rooms, rooftop pools with views over the ocean and location. We will also stay at the Kundasang Perkasa or Kinabalu Pines Hotel in Kundasang, and wonderful yet humble Sepilok Jungle Resort – we have stayed here a few times and it’s swimming pool is so fun with its handmade slides. In the Kinabatangan we will stay in the gorgeous Adventure Lodge in the jungle and our last night is at the Sabah Hotel in Sandakan.
Our trips are land only so you will need to book your flights to Borneo.
Trip 1 begins in Kota Kinabalu and ends in Sandakan. When you book your flights you can book return to Kota Kinabalu or you could book return to Singapore or Kuala Lumpur, and then connections into Kota Kinabalu and back out from Sandakan.
Trip 2 starts in Sandakan and finishes in Kota Kinabalu!
I am happy to help you with flights!
Once you land in Sandakan almost everything is included:
I’ve left the flight booking to you but I’m happy to help. The easiest way is to book a return flight to Singapore or Kuala Lumpur and then fly into Kota Kinabalu and out of Sandakan.
There are lots of airlines that fly these routes, but as it is school holidays I’d suggest booking as soon as you can. Air Asia and Scoot are great budget airlines, and Qantas, Malaysian, Singapore Airlines and other full service can also get you there. Reach out if you’d like a hand.
Everyone who comes with us must have travel insurance. I recommend Cover-More insurance – I’ve used them since 1997 when I first went backpacking and they’ve always been amazing. I recently used Southern Cross Travel who were also excellent when my daughter Emmie was sick in Japan. You can use any insurance company you like – just make sure you read the PDS and make sure you’re well covered.
Super important – please read our Terms and Conditions here.
Then complete our booking form and I’ll be in touch!
You can email me at evie@mumpacktravel.com if you have any more questions.
Just fill in this form and then I can book you in! Can’t wait!