The ultimate solo travel guide to Borneo: Everything you need to know

Welcome to Borneo: featuring mountainous rainforest threaded with majestic rivers, tropical white-sand beaches, fascinating cities and jaw-dropping wildlife you can’t find anywhere else on the globe. This special, far-flung island is about exploration and adventure with a side of beachy relaxation, and deservedly lands up on many people’s dream travel lists.

Its equatorial rainforest is, of course, the star attraction of a group solo trip to Borneo, being one of the oldest in the world and full of globally important flora and fauna. Solo travellers can seek out the likes of sun bears, orangutans and pygmy elephants, or journey its winding rivers by longboat, accompanied by flickering fireflies.

Borneo boasts a wealth of unique wild charm, in fact, including Gunung Mulu National Park – home to the colossal Deer Cave and its show stopping sunset exodus of millions of bats. It’s just one of the many astonishing experiences awaiting solo travellers, along with swimming waterfalls, diving colourful coral reefs, spending time with tribes or kicking back on unspoilt beaches.

With scenic cities and superb cuisine to boot – from Sarawak laksa to butter prawns to the endemic bambagan mango – there’s no better way to leave the everyday behind than immersing yourself in Bornean beauty. Read on for everything you need to know about group solo travel in Borneo; or learn more about group solo travel with Flash Pack.

Borneo travel facts

The world’s third largest island, Borneo is shared by three different countries, split into Indonesian Kalimantan, the Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak and the tiny nation of Brunei. Given it’s largely covered by dense rainforest (Sarawak’s alone is about the size of Austria) with roots stretching back 130 million years, it’s a destination of incredible biodiversity, including species found nowhere else on Earth, with plenty still unexplored. Facing threats such as deforestation, it’s unsurprising that much of it is protected, with Unesco noting that Sabah’s Kinabalu Park is globally important for its exceptional plant life. Intrepid trekkers might find the famed Rafflesia arnoldii: the world’s largest (and possibly smelliest) flower.

Is Borneo good for solo travel?

Imagine waking up to the exotic sounds of the rainforest before setting out for a day of wildlife-spotting, jungle hiking or lazing on a tropical beach? A group solo trip to Borneo is a wanderluster’s dream, from the cosmopolitan city fun and street food of Kota Kinabalu to spotting proboscis monkeys, discovering vast caves and experiencing rural tribal life deep in the ancient forest. With so much island adventure, one way of exploring its wonders is a trip carefully curated by local experts. With Flash Pack, you travel with a small group of like-minded travellers, with all transfers and accommodation sorted in advance. Bornean splendour with zero stress.

Best places to visit in Borneo

If you want to make the most of the rich culture, exciting wildlife and stunning tropical waters, what should you do on a group solo trip to Borneo? Flash Pack’s 13-day escape showcases the island’s best, blending a taste of local tradition with wild adventure. You’ll take in riverside city Kuching before spending a night as guests of the Iban tribe (once known as ‘headhunters’). There’ll be jungle hiking in Unesco-listed Gunung Mulu and Bornean beach life on the islands of Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park. As for the animal world, try hanging with orangutans and sun bears, or take a nocturnal river safari on the Kinabatangan to spot herds of elephants.

Where to stay as a solo traveller in Borneo

When it comes to hotels in Borneo, rural guest houses may spring to mind. But there are plenty of other accommodation options, from luxurious city hotels in cosmopolitan Kota Kinabalu to rustic riverside lodges. Experience tribal life by staying in a rainforest longhouse upriver from Kuching, or pop by four-star beachfront chalets on Gaya Island, complete with infinity pools. Comfortable bungalows in the heart of Gunung Mulu National Park and brightly styled chalets in the secluded Lower Kinabatangan-Segama Wetlands nature reserve are also a good bet. With Flash Pack, we’ll sort the planning, and our room-share system means staying in beautiful, local and original hotels without the sting of pricey solo supplements (although if you’d like to pay extra for your own private room, that’s fine too).

How to get to Borneo

Flights into Borneo from Europe, Australia or New Zealand involve a transfer in an Asian hub, often Kuala Lumpur, Singapore or Hong Kong, and most international flights touch down in Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI) or Kuching International Airport (KCH) in Malaysian Borneo. However, it might be worth looking into the smaller Sandakan Airport (SDK) too, which lands you close to many of the island’s wildlife experiences. From the US, flights often have long layovers or two connections. For trips to Brunei or Indonesian Kalimantan, Brunei International Airport (BWN) and Sultan Aji Muhammad Sulaiman Sepinggan International Airport (BPN) are options, and fans of slow travel can find ferries linking Java with Kalimantan. 

How to get around Borneo

The rugged montane forest terrain and the island’s size means flying is the most practical option for most travellers within Borneo. Most towns have airports for domestic flights; for more rural areas you’ll probably find yourself on a propeller plane. Travelling by road? There are buses between cities and towns, plus private drivers and car hire, while in-city taxis and ride-hailing apps are available. However, going by water is an unmissable part of Bornean travel; sail to islands and cruise the river via express boat and sampan. All internal travel is included with Flash Pack, including private transfers, flights and scenic longboats.

Best time to visit Borneo

With its equatorial, tropical climate, Borneo’s temperatures don’t swing wildly through the year but can vary by area, averaging 32ºC (90ºF) in the lowlands and 21ºC (70ºF) in the highlands. The “dry” season is March to November, though you should still expect some showers (this is rainforest territory, after all). It’s also popular for wildlife spotting, particularly in June and July: orangutans are picking fruit, turtle season begins and waters are great for diving. July is often cited as festival month, but there’s plenty year-round, including the Borneo Bird Festival in October and the huge three-day Rainforest World Music Festival in June.

Borneo travel itineraries

Wildlife encounters, river rides, rainforest treks and tropical beach fun are all part of Flash Pack’s epic two-week expedition through Borneo, combining wild adventure with relaxation and human connection. From Kuching in Sarawak, you’ll take a longboat upriver to experience tribal life, before a trip to the mountainous Gunung Mulu National Park to hike and explore the world’s biggest caves. There’s scenic calm, with gentle bike rides, rainforest foraging and crab fishing, as well as wildlife close up – hanging with proboscis monkeys in Sabah and a moonlit safari spotting pygmy elephants and crocodiles on the Kinabatangan River. Don’t forget idyllic island beaches and street food feasts, too.

What to pack for solo travel in Borneo

You’ll need your passport, insurance documents and money – currency is the Malaysian Ringgit; e-wallets and credit/debit cards are widely accepted but some cash is advisable. Plugs are type G (the same as the UK) so grab an adaptor if needed, as well as sun protection and mosquito repellent. Long-sleeved tops, swimwear and comfortable walking shoes are a good idea, and consider that modest dress is required at certain sites and in more rural areas. Given the unpredictable rain and humidity, lightweight waterproof clothing is a must, plus zippable plastic bags to keep valuables dry. Don’t forget that all-important camera.

Solo travel advice for Borneo

It’s fair to say Borneo is a true bucket-list destination for solo travellers, with its vast covering of ancient rainforest, array of endemic wildlife, thriving culture and secluded, picture-perfect beaches – not to mention the coral reefs and delicious cuisine with Malay, Chinese and indigenous roots. To make sure you hit all the unmissable highlights of this farflung island, as well as tap into unique local experiences in a secure, stress-free way, check out Flash Pack’s group solo Borneo escape, put together by local experts and including all accommodation and internal travel.

Is it safe to travel solo in Borneo?

Malaysian Borneo is generally regarded as safe to visit. However, do check out the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (for UK solo travellers), the Department of State Travel Advisories (for US solo travellers) or your country’s local government guidelines for the latest advice before travelling, and ensure you have adequate travel insurance. 

Travellers should take usual sensible precautions against crime, such as being aware of your surroundings and your belongings, and not walking alone at night. Visitors must avoid coastal eastern Sabah, including islands and dive sites, due to the threat of kidnapping. On Flash Pack trips, you’ll have the constant support of your local Pack Leader, as well as a group of like-minded fellow solo travellers to explore with. 

Ready for your next adventure? Try group solo travel to Borneo with Flash Pack – designed exclusively for people in their 30s and 40s, seeking the independence of solo travel within the safety of a group.

A cool 98% of Flashpackers arrive solo to join our group adventures. So, you’ll be in good company – whether you’re a first-time solo traveller or a seasoned pro looking for like-minded new friends.

Images: iStock, Unsplash