Best time to visit Borneo
Heat & humidity wrap around you like a heavy blanket – so slow down and enjoy living on “island time”.![]()
A true tropical island, Borneo hovers between 27-32°C year-round, with frequent rains replenishing its green jungles. Those here to hike, bike or volunteer should be aware that they’ll be doing so in a near-sauna – although Mount Kinabalu’s chilly summit provides some respite. April to September are the driest months, and generally considered the best time to visit Borneo but showers can occur at any time. The island is sheltered from the worst of South East Asia’s weather, so although monsoons occur, cyclones don’t.
Borneo, month by month
Our Borneo Vacations
Borneo orangutan vacation
Trekking, wildlife and beach adventure vacation to Borneo
From
US $3675
13 days
ex flights
Borneo tour, Great Apes and Beach escapes
Explore bustling cities, lush jungles and paradise beaches.
From
£1785
9 days
ex flights
Borneo tailor made vacations, wildlife & beaches
A luxury tour of the best wildlife & beaches of Sabah
From
US $3735
14 days
ex flights
Orangutan photography in Borneo
Develop your photography skills in Borneo
From
£2375 to £2565
10 days
ex flights
Sarawak family vacation
An action-packed vacation got the whole family to enjoy!
From
£1088
9 days
ex flights
Borneo Mount Kinabalu Climb Vacation
Adventure vacation to see wildlife and climb Mt Kinabalu
From
US $2960
13 days
ex flights
Sepilok Weather Chart
MIN °C
MAX °C
RAIN (mm)
JAN
23
29
443
FEB
23
30
278
MAR
24
31
188
APR
24
32
120
MAY
24
32
154
JUN
23
32
190
JUL
23
32
184
AUG
23
32
241
SEP
23
32
231
OCT
23
32
230
NOV
23
31
300
DEC
23
30
435
Responsible Travel recommends
Kate Tyler, from our volunteering experts Odyssey World, shares her best time to visit Borneo:
“If you are looking to go to the Kinabatangan River area in Sabah I would avoid going between December and April because the weather is atrocious. The rain is so heavy. Borneo is a year-round destination but when the rain is at its heaviest it can really hinder your experience. It can be really humid. The best time is probably from end of April through to October, so it’s perfect for a summer vacation destination.”
“If you are looking to go to the Kinabatangan River area in Sabah I would avoid going between December and April because the weather is atrocious. The rain is so heavy. Borneo is a year-round destination but when the rain is at its heaviest it can really hinder your experience. It can be really humid. The best time is probably from end of April through to October, so it’s perfect for a summer vacation destination.”
Our wildlife pick: Diving with whale sharks
Borneo’s clear waters are idyllic for diving year-round, but scuba divers in search of some of the more impressive species should head to Lankayan in April or May to glimpse enormous whale sharks, or to Sipadan in July or August for the best chance of swimming with turtles heading to the shore to nest.Our top Borneo Vacation
Borneo orangutan vacation
Trekking, wildlife and beach adventure vacation to Borneo
From
US $3675
13 days
ex flights
Tailor made:
This trip can be tailor made throughout the year to suit your requirements
This trip can be tailor made throughout the year to suit your requirements
Travel Team
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Festivals & events
Borneo International Kite Festival
Gigantic, flying works of art are created each September at the Borneo International Kite Festival. Held at a disused airport in Bintulu, Sarawak, the festival has grown enormously since its inception in 2005, and there are kite making competitions and kite flying championships – fliers come from across the globe to compete.
Erau
Every other September, the town of Tenggarong in East Kalimantan hosts one of Indonesia’s oldest festivals: Erau. Held since the 16th century, Erau’s modern incarnation sees traditional performances from the region’s Dayak people, as well as folk festivities from several invited countries around the world. There are also food and craft markets and sporting events.
Did you know...?
... that the Rainforest World Music Festival is held in the Sarawak Cultural Village? During the second week of July each year, indigenous musicians in wonderful costumes along with performers from across the world come together in this three-day celebration of the diversity of world music, attended by up to 30,000 people.
More about Borneo
Borneo has enticed travelers, biologists and photographers for decades. Our Borneo travel guide takes you to the world's third largest island.
Borneo is divided between the Malaysian provinces of Sabah and Sarawak, Indonesian Kalimantan and the Kingdom of Brunei. Read our guide on where to go in Borneo.
There is such a variety of things to do in Borneo - the difficulty is knowing where to start. We've picked out of top activities across each region of Borneo.
Sabah is sublime. One of the most bio-diverse regions in Asia, it boasts mountain ranges, rainforests, marine national parks and a vast cultural heritage.
Sarawak is one state among many in Borneo, but it is one where the stories - from orangutan rescue to indigenous tales - just keep coming.
Kalimantan is Indonesian Borneo. The same size as Botswana, it is most famous for its rainforests and resident orangutans. Read more in our Kalimantan guide.
With so many untouched areas of rainforest, mangroves and mountains, there are primates and predators, elephants and birds everywhere. Read more in our Borneo wildlife guide.
Borneo is certainly suited for the more intrepid family - but you don't need to be hardened jungle adventurers to enjoy a family vacation in Borneo.
First time travelers to Borneo might find themselves overwhelmed with options - where to go, what to do and see.
Here's our Borneo travel advice - for fans of turtles, wannabe volunteers and those who want to get that bit further off the beaten track...
There's bad news (immense deforestation) and good (volunteer placements). Read more about responsible tourism in Borneo to find out how to make the most of your vacation.
Find all our Borneo guides in one place, from volunteering to luxury vacations and travel guides on Sabah and Sarawak.
