Traveling in Sarawak with kids
Dense jungle, proboscis monkeys' dangling from trees, and a smiling indigenous community - Sarawak is perfect for families in search of adventure![]()
Traveling in Sarawak with kids is about inspiring their little minds with intriguing cultural experiences, exploring wildlife they’ve only ever dreamt of, and trying new things. They might get bored walking round the supermarket, but they’ll probably trek for miles in the rainforest; you might think they’re picky eaters, but if they watch an Iban cooking fish in a bamboo stem over an open fire and our money’s on them trying it. You’ll need to be an adventurous family and you’ll need sun lotion and insect spray too, but open your mind to the Sarawakian way of life and it’ll really open your kids’ eyes.
Our Sarawak family Vacations
Sarawak family vacation
An action-packed vacation got the whole family to enjoy!
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9 days
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Sarawak and Sabah tour, Orangutans & Ibans
Explore Borneo's unique culture, heritage and wildlife
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13 days
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Activities for families in Sarawak
Sarawak Cultural Village.
Craft making, cooking, singing songs – this ‘living museum’ that does local life with bells on. Sprawled across 17 acres, there are 150 village inhabitants happy to demonstrate the diverse customs of Sarawak’s ethnicities. Kids love it, and you’ll get to watch them squirm with embarrassment as you try your hand at tribal dancing.
Craft making, cooking, singing songs – this ‘living museum’ that does local life with bells on. Sprawled across 17 acres, there are 150 village inhabitants happy to demonstrate the diverse customs of Sarawak’s ethnicities. Kids love it, and you’ll get to watch them squirm with embarrassment as you try your hand at tribal dancing.
Kuching Cat Museum.
Just in case the heavens really open, it’s always good to have an alternative activity to trekking lined up for your kids – cue, the Kuching Cat Museum, an homage to al things feline housing 2,000 exhibits, artifacts and statues about cats of the world. A bit bonkers, but brilliant for a rainy day.
Just in case the heavens really open, it’s always good to have an alternative activity to trekking lined up for your kids – cue, the Kuching Cat Museum, an homage to al things feline housing 2,000 exhibits, artifacts and statues about cats of the world. A bit bonkers, but brilliant for a rainy day.
Caves
Sarawak is home to some of the world’s most fascinating cave systems – the Sarawak Chamber at Gunung Mulu National Park is the largest cave in the world standing at 2,000ft long, while the ‘Rock Hole’ at Lobang Batu is a cave within a mountainside that’s bathed in ethereal shades of green and blue.
Sarawak is home to some of the world’s most fascinating cave systems – the Sarawak Chamber at Gunung Mulu National Park is the largest cave in the world standing at 2,000ft long, while the ‘Rock Hole’ at Lobang Batu is a cave within a mountainside that’s bathed in ethereal shades of green and blue.
Our top Sarawak family Vacation
Sarawak family vacation
An action-packed vacation got the whole family to enjoy!
From
£995
9 days
ex flights
Tailor made:
Everything is tweak-able, giving you the freedom to build a unique and personal trip for your chosen date. Upgrade your accommodation for all - or just part - of your trip, slow down the pace with few extra nights here and there or add a few more active adventures along the way.
Everything is tweak-able, giving you the freedom to build a unique and personal trip for your chosen date. Upgrade your accommodation for all - or just part - of your trip, slow down the pace with few extra nights here and there or add a few more active adventures along the way.
Travel Team
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Responsible travel asks the experts
Stef Studley, from our supplier Regent Vacation, shares her opinion on Sarawak as a family destination: “I’ve organised trips for families to Sarawak before, but it tends to be a destination for not very young children because a lot of the time the accommodation can be of a standard that wouldn’t work with a baby or toddler, but if you’ve got a family with children that are interested in the outdoors and wildlife, and not computer games, then I think it works as a destination for 5-years-old and above. I think a lot of people regard Sarawak as a slightly poor relation to Sabah, but that doesn’t do it justice: it can be a lot quieter than Sabah, which is no bad thing and it has such a lot to offer, particularly in terms of cultural experiences as well as wonderful wildlife; it’s a great balance for families.”
Nicki Hollamby, from our supplier Audley Travel, shares her tips on traveling in Sarawak with kids: “If I was doing a family trip to Borneo, I’d spend half the time in Sarawak because you can base yourself in Kuching and do daytrips. It’s a brilliant city with plenty of character, and it’s more of a cultural capital, whereas in Sabah, it’s all wildlife and beach. In Sarawak you can stay overnight with communities, which – when done properly – is really great for both the tourists and the tribes. Then you can go kayaking through the mangroves looking for the river dolphins and visit Bako National Park, but it’s a daytrip so it’s not too intense for kids. Then you come back to your comfortable hotel in the evening, go out and eat some of the local food, go to the markets... but you’re not really isolated in the rainforest, and I think that’s really good for families.”
Responsible Travel would like to thank the Sarawak tourist board for their sponsorship of this guide
More about Sarawak
Learn the best time to visit Sarawak in terms of the weather with our month by month guide.
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.
There are some 30 Sarawak national parks, all extraordinary, all very different.
Sarawak adventure vacations take you into some of Asia's most spectacular natural landscapes.
The Rainforest World Music Festival is one of Sarawak's greatest cultural events.
Community led conservation projects in Sarawak offer life affirming experiences for visitors.
With over 20 Important Bird Areas and plenty of national parks too, Sarawak is birdwatching bliss.
Batang Ai National Park is a superb place to see endangered orangutan in the wild.
Exploring the culture in Sarawak is one of the key reasons to visit the Land of the Hornbills.
Discover the picturesque riverside gateway to Sarawak and Malaysian Borneo - Kuching.
The joys of a short tour to Sarawak are as clear as the waters of its many dive sites.
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.
Sibu is the gateway to the Rajang river basin, which offers a distinct tribal culture.
Narrowing our Sarawak trips down to just 10 was a tricky business, but we managed...just.
If you’re searching for Sarawak travel advice , check out these tips from our friends.
Wildlife issues are integral to responsible tourism in Sarawak - read on to learn more.
