Borneo Family Wildlife Adventure

This beachfront property is minutes away from Kota Kinabalu city center and a great stopover point before continuing on to the jungle. Split into two wings, the Kinabalu wing has a more traditional design offering views of Mount Kinabalu or the ocean. The Tanjung offers a more modern feel with views of the South China Sea. Amenities include an extensive range of dining options, tennis courts, a spa, and a large pool with both family-friendly and adults-only sections.

This beachfront property is minutes away from Kota Kinabalu city center and a great stopover point before continuing on to the jungle. Split into two wings, the Kinabalu wing has a more traditional design offering views of Mount Kinabalu or the ocean. The Tanjung offers a more modern feel with views of the South China Sea. Amenities include an extensive range of dining options, tennis courts, a spa, and a large pool with both family-friendly and adults-only sections.

Based on its remote jungle location, accessible only by boat, the 18-room Abai Jungle Lodge provides clean, controlled accommodations. Though, it is important to note that the rooms are quite small. Though certainly not luxury compared to the various Africa safari lodges, the biggest plus for staying here is the location’s rich wildlife experience. Your river cruise and trail walks will provide ample opportunities to see orangutans, langur monkeys, otters, pygmy elephants, and many colorful, wild bird species. Each of the Abai’s stilted water villas provide overhead fans, but there is no air conditioning. The open-air restaurant offers basic Malaysian food choices with large local prawns as a specialty!

Based on its remote jungle location, accessible only by boat, the 18-room Abai Jungle Lodge provides clean, controlled accommodations. Though, it is important to note that the rooms are quite small. Though certainly not luxury compared to the various Africa safari lodges, the biggest plus for staying here is the location’s rich wildlife experience. Your river cruise and trail walks will provide ample opportunities to see orangutans, langur monkeys, otters, pygmy elephants, and many colorful, wild bird species. Each of the Abai’s stilted water villas provide overhead fans, but there is no air conditioning. The open-air restaurant offers basic Malaysian food choices with large local prawns as a specialty!

Though not quite as remote as Abai Jungle Lodge, the eco-friendly, 33-room Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge is set along the Kinabatangan River with a premium setting for abundant wildlife views! We consider the Riverside Lodge to be a model for sustainable tourism, with rainwater filtering, biodegradable building materials, and various projects to support the locals. All 33 rooms include overhead fans with only 10 rooms providing air conditioning (in addition to the dining area). The Kinabatangan Lodge’s rooms are noticeably more spacious than the small rooms of Abai Jungle Lodge. We particularly like the interesting jungle trail behind the lodge, with chances to see red leaf monkeys and wild orangutans on your hike! Much of the wildlife you will see near the Riverside Lodge will complement the flora and fauna you see at Abai Jungle Lodge. The dinners here include fresh river fish as a daily staple!

Though not quite as remote as Abai Jungle Lodge, the eco-friendly, 33-room Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge is set along the Kinabatangan River with a premium setting for abundant wildlife views! We consider the Riverside Lodge to be a model for sustainable tourism, with rainwater filtering, biodegradable building materials, and various projects to support the locals. All 33 rooms include overhead fans with only 10 rooms providing air conditioning (in addition to the dining area). The Kinabatangan Lodge’s rooms are noticeably more spacious than the small rooms of Abai Jungle Lodge. We particularly like the interesting jungle trail behind the lodge, with chances to see red leaf monkeys and wild orangutans on your hike! Much of the wildlife you will see near the Riverside Lodge will complement the flora and fauna you see at Abai Jungle Lodge. The dinners here include fresh river fish as a daily staple!

In contrast to the more spartan accommodations of the Abai Jungle Lodge, the upper 4-star Borneo Rainforest Lodge provides a more high-touch quality jungle lodge, overnight experience. Located 2.5 hours away via a bumpy road from the nearest town, the lodge is set in the flora and fauna of the Danum Valley Conservation Area. This area is the largest protected lowland rainforest, comprised of 108,000 acres and offering nature walks, night walks, and riverboat trips. These experiences provide opportunities to see 124 mammal species, 72 reptile species, 56 different amphibians, and an array of 340 colorful bird species! Among the lodge’s 31 wooden chalets, our favorite is the Premium Deluxe Chalet with a private infinity pool. The spacious dining area and veranda, plus the lodge’s high-quality naturalist guides, compare favorably with our Botswana safari experiences.

In contrast to the more spartan accommodations of the Abai Jungle Lodge, the upper 4-star Borneo Rainforest Lodge provides a more high-touch quality jungle lodge, overnight experience. Located 2.5 hours away via a bumpy road from the nearest town, the lodge is set in the flora and fauna of the Danum Valley Conservation Area. This area is the largest protected lowland rainforest, comprised of 108,000 acres and offering nature walks, night walks, and riverboat trips. These experiences provide opportunities to see 124 mammal species, 72 reptile species, 56 different amphibians, and an array of 340 colorful bird species! Among the lodge’s 31 wooden chalets, our favorite is the Premium Deluxe Chalet with a private infinity pool. The spacious dining area and veranda, plus the lodge’s high-quality naturalist guides, compare favorably with our Botswana safari experiences.

Located in Kuching’s Old Town, this 24-suite, boutique hotel is a great base for exploring the best street food and shopping areas. Originally, two 19th-century shophouses, The Ranee’s décor is contemporary and each room is individually designed. Most rooms feature en-suite bathrooms and balconies or terraces. The two dining options, the M Bar & Bistro and the Café Trio, offer a range of both international dishes and local specialties.

Located in Kuching’s Old Town, this 24-suite, boutique hotel is a great base for exploring the best street food and shopping areas. Originally, two 19th-century shophouses, The Ranee’s décor is contemporary and each room is individually designed. Most rooms feature en-suite bathrooms and balconies or terraces. The two dining options, the M Bar & Bistro and the Café Trio, offer a range of both international dishes and local specialties.