Borneo with teenagers vacation

Planet

Caring for the planet underpins our travel philosophy, and Borneo is one of the clearest examples of this in action. With some of the oldest rainforest on Earth and ecosystems under real pressure, travel here needs to be handled with care. That’s why this itinerary is designed to spread visitors more evenly, including time in Sarawak, a lesser-visited region of Malaysian Borneo. By encouraging travel beyond the main hotspots, tourism helps support protected forest areas while reducing pressure on more heavily visited locations.
Experiences are chosen for their low environmental impact, with activities such as hiking and boat journeys that allow you to explore nature at a slower pace. Accommodation brings you close to the surrounding rainforest, encouraging a deeper connection with the natural world, while our pre-departure guidance shares practical ways to reduce waste and tread more lightly while traveling.
Wildlife protection is central to travel in Borneo. We only work with national parks, reserves and rehabilitation centers that meet our animal welfare standards, developed in partnership with independent experts Animondial. Their guidance helps ensure animal experiences focus on conservation, habitat protection and long-term welfare, not entertainment.
As a company, we aim to reduce our own footprint too. Our UK team works largely paper-free from a B-Corp-certified office and partners with Earthly to support nature-based projects that remove carbon, restore biodiversity and protect ecosystems. A contribution is included in each trip, helping safeguard the landscapes that make journeys through Borneo so special.

People

We believe travel should bring you closer to the people who call a place home, and local connections are a key part of what makes this Borneo journey so special. Throughout the trip, you stay in small-scale, characterful places that offer a more personal experience while directly supporting local businesses and employment.
A real highlight is the overnight stay in an Iban longhouse. Here, you’re welcomed into the community, with income from your visit going straight to the families who live there. You’ll visit a local market to buy ingredients for the evening meal and have opportunities to purchase locally made goods, ensuring your spending benefits the community in a direct and meaningful way. Tourism has also supported practical improvements here, such as solar panels that provide power for the longhouse.
In towns like Kuching and in smaller communities around Batang Ai, we encourage time in locally run cafés, markets and shops, helping keep tourism income within the region. These everyday interactions give you a better sense of daily life while supporting small, independent ventures.
Behind the scenes, we work with long-established local partners based in Borneo who help shape each itinerary and provide valuable local insight. On excursions, you’ll be accompanied by knowledgeable local guides, such as during visits to places like Semenggoh Wildlife Centre. They are paid fairly and bring real depth to your experience, ensuring tourism creates positive opportunities for the people who live and work here.