Top 10 Sarawak vacations
The hardest part about writing this page? Narrowing down our best Sarawak vacations to just 10.
Our top 10 Sarawak vacations are a mix of small group and tailor made tours. But what they all have in common is that they delve deep into the natural and cultural wonders of this island state on Malaysian Borneo. Learn about fearsome headhunters, pirate attacks on forts and modern-day efforts to preserve Sarawak’s stunning wildlife. It’s an amazing feeling, to wake up every morning knowing that another adventure is on the cards. Whether that’s watching as orangutans swing down from the trees, to night time treks and tree house stays in the rainforest, street food tours in city markets or exploring tribal traditions by staying in the home of a local family.
Our top 10 Sarawak vacations are a mix of small group and tailor made tours. But what they all have in common is that they delve deep into the natural and cultural wonders of this island state on Malaysian Borneo. Learn about fearsome headhunters, pirate attacks on forts and modern-day efforts to preserve Sarawak’s stunning wildlife. It’s an amazing feeling, to wake up every morning knowing that another adventure is on the cards. Whether that’s watching as orangutans swing down from the trees, to night time treks and tree house stays in the rainforest, street food tours in city markets or exploring tribal traditions by staying in the home of a local family.
1. Trek, pedal and paddle
Multi activity vacations are an immersive way to travel Sarawak, getting you into remote parts of the state that most visitors never reach and, crucially, traveling at a slower pace. Beyond the fun of river kayaking, rainforest trekking and riding bikes over a suspension bridge, homestays and farm tours show you how tribal communities really live while directly benefiting them economically.
Our top selling trip: Multi activity vacation
2. Expand your Malaysia horizons
Combine getting to know Sarawak’s incredible wildlife with a stay at a luxurious beach resort on Labuan Island, off the coast of Sabah. Support the conservation of endangered orangutans – the king of the swingers – big-nosed proboscis monkeys, bats, insects and reptiles with guided tours of a succession of national parks. Then reward your efforts with swimming, snorkelling and stunning sunsets on the sands.Our top selling trip: Wildlife and beach vacation
3. Wild at heart
It’s not just the animals that are wild in Sarawak – several tribes continued head-hunting into the 20th century. Spend a week watching the monkeys of Bako National Park, and the rescued orangutans at Semenggoh Rehab Centre. Then enjoy a couple of nights with an Iban tribe in Batang Ai National Park, experiencing their ways of life through traditional ceremonies and day-to-day tasks.Our top selling trip: Wild heart of Borneo
4. High end hi jinks
A guided tour of the Semenggoh Orangutan Rehab Centre ties in with a culinary tour of the state capital, Kuching. Once you’ve explored the local cuisine, and met some of Sarawak’s curious monkey population in Bako National Park, fly on to Kota Kinabalu in Sabah, for a stay at a luxurious resort on Gaya Island. Here you can visit and support the resort’s sanctuary for endangered green sea turtles.
Our top selling trip: Luxury beach vacation
5. Aping behaviour
Sarawak’s remaining orangutans are endangered, threatened by poaching and habitat destruction. Orangutan conservation volunteering vacations take place at Matang Wildlife Centre, close to Kuching. Participants aged 15 and above can help with a range of physical tasks in construction and maintenance (sorry, no monkey cuddling) and make a real contribution to preserving Sarawak’s fragile wildlife.Our top selling trip: Orangutan volunteering
6. Adventurous families
Sarawak might seem an unusual destination for vacations with the kids, but for adventurous families it will prove incredible fun. Watch orangutans swing down from the trees, keep an eye out for crocodiles on a river cruise, sleep in a rainforest treehouse, try some river kayaking, then finish with a few days chilling on the beach by the South China Sea. Perfect for everyone from eight to 80.Our top selling trip: Family vacation
7. Hit the road
The best way to explore Sarawak is by bike, getting off the beaten tourist track into rural landscapes and communities where slow travel really opens up the culture. A typical bike safari might take you from the capital, Kuching, to national parks and seaside towns. And fuel-wise, expect to be well fed on authentic regional cuisine, an opportunity to learn about Sarawak’s different ethnic groups.
Our top selling trip: Cycling vacation
8. A walk on the wild side
Dive into the weird and wonderful wildlife of Borneo with a vacation whisking you between national parks such as Mulu and Bako. These tours provide valuable income for communities through the use of local accommodation and guides. The latter will provide fascinating running commentaries on the birds, reptiles and monkeys you encounter, as well as many plant species. Wildlife photographers especially will be in paradise.Our top selling trip: Wildlife vacation
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9. Sarawak to Sabah
Passing briefly through tiny but amazingly wealthy Brunei, which lies entirely within Sarawak’s borders, this overland tour takes you from Sarawak to Sabah, from steamy rainforests to hairy orangutans, from remote longhouses belonging to tribes that were once fearsome head hunters to golden beaches and mud volcanoes. It’s two weeks of tailor made adventure seasoned with cultural discovery.
Our top selling trip: Sarawak, Sabah and Brunei vacation
10. Epic cycling
Ride 1,400km over 12 days across Borneo, starting in Kuching and finishing in Kota Kinabalu in Sabah. A handful of challenging climbs are interspersed with tranquil fishing villages, national parks, coastal stretches by the South China Sea, mangrove forests and plantations. Not only is this an especially culturally immersive way to travel, but by eating and sleeping locally throughout, remote communities benefit directly from your trip too.Our top selling trip: Cross-Borneo cycling tour
Responsible Travel would like to thank the Sarawak tourist board for their sponsorship of this guide
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Make the most of your time with our map of highlights and suggested itineraries.
There's lots to do in Sarawak from trekking in national parks to tribal homestays.
The culture and heritage of the Lun Bawang people is at the core of Sarawak community tourism.
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Community led conservation projects in Sarawak offer life affirming experiences for visitors.
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Batang Ai National Park is a superb place to see endangered orangutan in the wild.
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The fascinating heritage of the Brooke dynasty can be seen across Sarawak.
Sarawak wildlife ranges from endangered orangutans to proboscis monkeys and sea turtles.
Sarawak multi activity vacations let you experience stunning natural landscapes and tribal culture.
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Wildlife issues are integral to responsible tourism in Sarawak - read on to learn more.
