Borneo Family Holiday Review with Intrepid Travel
Looking for an off the beaten track adventure holiday for your family? We joined the Intrepid Borneo Family Holiday with our kids and it was one of the most unforgettable trips we have taken together. From orangutans and jungle adventures to turtle hatchlings and village life, the whole experience was a great mix of nature, culture, and adventure.
If you are looking at visiting Borneo with your family or looking for an Intrepid Borneo Family Holiday Review in particular, here’s an overview of the best things to do in Sabah, Borneo.
Intrepid Travel Boreno Family Holiday Review
While I have been on group tours in the past, including a few with Intrepid which I really enjoyed, this is the first time we have joined a family group tour so I wasn’t sure what to expect.
We travelled July 2025 on the Borneo Family Holiday including Turtle Island. Our kids, ages 10 and 12 years old were joined by their 7-year-old cousin.
The itinerary was perfectly suited to their ages. The trip pace is balanced, the activities are varied, and our group had a great mix of kids. Every day brought a fresh adventure.
Here’s a full breakdown of our journey below:
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Kota Kinabalu
The Borneo Family Holiday with Intrepid starts and ends in Kota Kinabalu, we flew from Melbourne with Malaysian Airlines a few days before the tour began as there aren’t any included activities there and we wanted to see the nearby islands and explore the city itself.
The joining hotel on our tour is clean and basic, but we knew there was no pool, and with the heat and humidity it really is worth splurging on something nicer if you are staying those extra days.
The Shangri-La Tanjung Aru is about a 15 minute taxi away from the centre and our top pick if you like the resort vibe and some down time before or after your trip.
We spent our first afternoon exploring the city. Kota Kinabalu itself is a city on the coast of Sabah. It is super hot and humid to walk around during the day, however the evenings are lovely.
We visited the famous Gaya street food markets which are held every Friday and Saturday nights. These are a great way to try the local delicacies so if you can be there during these days, it’s great. The food is delicious and cheap, and the fresh juices are always great to keep cool.
There are also food markets at Tanjug Aru beach and the sunset over the water is the best in the area.
Day Trip to Mamutik & Sapi Islands
The islands are a must see while staying in Kota Kinabalu. The Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park is absolutely beautiful. There are a few different islands to visit and some of them you can stay overnight but with only one day we chose to visit 2 islands closest by boat around 20 minutes away.
We booked our ferry tickets the day before at Jesselton Point and hired snorkelling gear and flippers easily at the terminal.
Mamutik Island: This was our first stop, and we spent the morning here. The water is shallow and has calm waters perfect for snorkelling with kids. We saw lots of tropical fish including lots of clown fish and even a little baby shark, the kids absolutely loved it. There was also a huge goanna walking up on the sand, a highlight for all of the kids around.
There are beach activities here too like banana boats and jetskis etc to for those who want an adrenaline hit. Otherwise you can just lay on the sand and soak up the sun.
Sapi Island: Absolutely stunning. Great for swimming, and relaxing surrounded by nature. You can snorkel here but we didn’t see as much as at Mamatik Island, Sapi is more for swimming and chill time. We also brought coconuts too which were delicious and refreshing.
Food options on both islands are basic but sufficient, we found a good little spot to enjoy some seafood and local dishes. Make sure to pack snacks, plenty of water, and reef-safe sunscreen. Water shoes are also helpful on rocky parts of the beach. We didn’t have them but saw many people who did.
Resort Day
As we knew our tour would be busy, we wanted a chill day, so we planned a day to relax at the resort before it started. The Shangri La Tanjug Aru is right on the beach and you can do as much or as little as you want there.
The kids loved the water park, and games. The infinity pool is perfect for the adults to chill. There are various restaurants offering both local and international meals.
If you aren’t staying there, you can purchase a day pass or even a day room which gives you access to all of the facilities. There are a couple of different restaurants too for meals.
The sunset over La Tanjug Aru beach is stunning, and the Sunset Bar at the Shangri La is one of the most popular spots to enjoy it with dinner.
9-Day Borneo Family Holiday – Intrepid Travel
The first day of the tour starts with a meeting in the evening to meet the group and go over details so you can either arrive earlier that day or a few days before like we did. The meeting a great way to meet your group and the families you are travelling with. We were 5 families travelling together from Australia and the UK with kids aged 7 – 16 years old, 18 people in total plus our tour leader. Our tour leader organised a welcome dinner for everyone to get to know each other before departing the next day.
Poring Hot Springs
The drive to the Poring Hot Springs was a couple of hours so we left early morning. We stopped by a little market where we picked up some souvenirs and it had the most beautiful views of Mount Kinabalu. We tried some local fruits and snacks.
The canopy walk through the treetops was beautiful and our family had no issues with it, although, it was challenging for some in the heat and humidity. There are lots of steps to walk up, so you need to have a decent fitness level, but the group did well including all of the kids. The views are beautiful and it’s a great feeling to be surrounded by nature.
A dip in the hot springs was well earned afterwards. They aren’t actually all hot, with the weather we didn’t want to be swimming in hot water. We swam in the cooler pools, there was a mixture of different temperatures. There are bathrooms to change if needed onsite.
That evening we stayed in a reconstructed longhouse on a tea plantation. It was very rustic but full of character, really got us out of our comfort zone as it isn’t something that we are used to.
Jungle Adventure
Another long drive this day, about 5 hours to the Kinabatangan River but it wasn’t too bad as we had breaks along the way. The kids had already gotten to know each other and sat at the back of the bus together, playing games and chatting the whole way.
Once at the river we packed our small backpacks for our 2 night stay before taking a boat upriver to our jungle eco camp.
We didn’t know what to expect here, just knew that we would be sleeping in huts in the jungle and not much more, but it ended up being a real adventure.
Our accommodation was deep in nature, surrounded by rainforest. The huts are really basic, we were high off the ground looking over the river and slept on mattresses with mosquito nets. The outdoor bathroom is underneath the huts with cold bucket showers, and solar-powered lights. Again, very basic, and it was a challenge for some, but it was only 2 nights and it’s the best way to experience this place, the kids thought it was the best ever.
We took a couple of wildlife cruises and were lucky to spot lots of monkeys including the proboscis monkeys, macaques, and even wild orangutans swinging in the trees. There were plenty of crocodiles laying on the banks of the river too, really cool.
Our night walk through the jungle was another highlight, this is where we were glad to have hired boots because it bucketed down raining a few hours before (the only rain we had on our trip thankfully). It was definitely an experience to remember; the kids had the best time being able to squelch through the mud and search for nocturnal animals.
On our morning walk we were lucky to spot 3 orangutans, one with a baby, it was so special. Wish I had brought my camera along at this point but it was too big and bulky.
With no WIFI in the jungle downtime for the kids included playing cards, games, telling jokes, and just hanging out like the old days. It was fantastic to see kids just being kids.
Tip: Hire gumboots and buy leech socks for the walks, the tracks are muddy. Make sure to bring a torch, insect repellent, and rain jacket.
Cultural Day
Our jungle camp activities included a fantastic cultural day. We all enjoyed getting hands-on with a traditional cooking class and eating what we made for lunch. We watched some traditional dances and the kids got to play the instruments.
There was an optional tree planting activity which the kids absolutely loved. You get to plant your own tree in the jungle which helps the habitat for the orangutans. We all got a bit muddy and dirty, but it was a fun and unique experience.
Sandakan: Orangutans & Sun Bears
After saying goodbye to our jungle camp, we travelled to Sandakan. After a couple of days of wilderness, it was nice to be back in a nice hotel with proper showers and a big pool.
Most of us didn’t move all afternoon. We lounged by the pool with drinks while the kids swam and recovered from the jungle heat. Even had a surprise visit from a goanna who came for a swim too.
The next day was a standout day for everyone as it’s why most people visit the area.
Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre:
Set within a lush rainforest reserve, the centre is dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating, and reintroducing orphaned and injured orangutans back into the wild. Watching orangutans swing in during feeding time was amazing.
The nursery area was especially touching too watching the baby orangutans. It gives you a glimpse into the early stages of the orangutans’ journey, watching the younger ones learn to climb and play is not only beautiful but also highlights the importance of conservation and protecting endangered species.
Tip: It is really hot and humid in here and they don’t allow any bags or water inside, only your phone or camera, so make sure to be hydrated before entry. There is a café to buy water, ice cream and snacks after.
Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre:
Just next door to the orangutans is home to the world’s smallest bear species. This centre rescues sun bears that have been orphaned, kept illegally as pets, or displaced by deforestation.
The bears live in large, forested enclosures designed to mimic their natural habitat, where you can watch them forage, climb trees, and even nap in the treetops.
These activities start in the morning and we had free time by the pool in the late afternoon before heading out for dinner in Sandakan.
Turtle Island
While the whole tour was an incredible experience, they certainly left the best until last with Turtle island.
When choosing the trip, there are 2 family holiday options, one is a “comfort” option which usually has higher quality accommodations. However, it didn’t include turtle island, which was the main reason we chose the “original” type trip. Although our accommodation was mostly basic, the experience was well worth it.
Turtle Island is a serene, tropical sanctuary located in the Sulu Sea, far from the hustle of everyday life. While it’s not a resort, this peaceful island plays a vital role in the conservation and protection of endangered green sea turtles.
As part of a government-run marine park, the island is dedicated to preserving the species through active nesting programs, hatchling releases, and public education. It’s a rare opportunity to witness marine conservation in action, all while surrounded by white sand beaches and crystal clear waters.
After checking in we spent the rest of the day at the beach swimming and snorkelling.
There is nowhere to hire snorkels so you need to bring your own. They have limited snorkels to buy before you board the boat but they are terrible quality, and not many so if you like to snorkel, make sure to prepare before hand.
Magical Nesting Experiences
We had the most incredible and unexpected experience late afternoon when one of the wild nests became active suddenly and more than a hundred baby turtles hatched before our eyes and walked to the water all together.
Generally, the eggs are collected by rangers to protect them from being eaten by wildlife but this one must have been missed so we felt so lucky to have witnessed such a magical moment and it was a huge surprise.
We watched a beautiful sunset that evening and then waited in the dining hall until rangers called us to witness one of nature’s most magical moments: a green sea turtle laying her eggs. Absolutely one of the most mesmerising things I have seen in my life.
We also got to watch the release of baby hatchlings into the sea which was beautiful and had we not seen the wild hatchlings in the day it would have been incredible in itself, however we were also all still on such a high from our day experience.
Tip: This evening is a late one, and you don’t know when the turtles will arrive, it could be any time. Bring cards or activities to keep kids entertained while waiting, and pack red-light torches to avoid disturbing the turtles.
Sandakan War Memorial
We stopped at the Sandakan War Memorial in the morning. Set within beautifully landscaped gardens, the memorial honours the thousands of Australian and British prisoners of war who perished during the Sandakan Death Marches in World War II
The stop is a short one before heading to the airport for our short flight back to Kota Kinabalu.
We enjoyed one final group dinner to say goodbye to our new friends ending our adventure of a lifetime.
Final Thoughts
This trip was truly unforgettable for our family. Borneo is bursting with wildlife and cultural depth, and the Intrepid Borneo Family Holiday had the perfect balance of being adventurous but also manageable which is really important when travelling kids.
It was educational but fun and thanks to our tour leader it all went smoothly which made for a stress-free trip for us as parents.
Intrepid are all about sustainable travel and they use local operators for everything on the tour. Their tours don’t just visit the big cities, they get off the beaten track. We ate at local restaurants, stayed in local accommodation, and participated in local activities.
The food we ate was mostly local. There was lots of rice, noodles, vegetables, eggs and meat. Although there were some international options at some of the restaurants.
Whether it was spotting wildlife, learning about the culture, or releasing baby turtles into the sea, we got to see the Sabah area of Borneo in depth, not just skim the surface and our kids haven’t stopped talking about it since we got home.
Would We Recommend It?
For families like ours, absolutely. This is ideal for families with primary or high school kids that are adventurous and ready to experience something real, raw, and totally different away from the typical tourist trail.
If you usually gravitate toward luxury resorts and prefer a high level of comfort, this tour might be a quite a shift. But that’s also what makes it so special. While parts of the trip, such as sleeping in the jungle were physically and mentally challenging, they have become the moments we now talk about the most.
For us, it wasn’t just a holiday, it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Tour Details
Tour Name: Borneo Family Holiday with Intrepid Travel
Duration: 9 Days (with 3 nights add on before our trip)
Age recommendation: The tour says from 5 years and up, however we recommend little older unless your child is used to camping, and is adventurous.
Highlights: Jungle Wildlife, Orangutans, Turtle Island, Cultural Immersion
Website: Intrepid Borneo Family Holiday
