Penang, Malaysia

Luxury holidays in Malaysia & Borneo

Malaysia and Borneo Hawker stalls, historic temples, jungle-clad mountains and coral-fringed islands

Malaysia and Borneo with True Travel

A country of vibrant cultures

Malaysia knows how to make an impression. From the buzzing food stalls and soaring skyline of Kuala Lumpur to the spice-filled streets of Penang and the jungle-clad mountains of Borneo, every corner brings something different to the table. Follow your appetite through bustling markets, explore centuries-old temples and colonial streets, then head into the rainforest where orangutans swing through the canopy, proboscis monkeys call from the trees and ancient rivers wind through the wilderness. Add in coral-fringed islands, white-sand beaches and beautifully designed jungle lodges, and Malaysia and Borneo make for one seriously rewarding adventure.

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Orangutan in Borneo

Specialist Tip

In Malaysian Borneo, timing and patience are everything when searching for wildlife. Early morning boat trips along the Kinabatangan River and night walks in the Danum Valley offer the best chances of spotting orangutans, pygmy elephants and rare bird species.

Pete Trangmar, Director of Global Sales

Where we’ve been

Malaysia and Borneo With Us

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Journeys we love

Luxury Malaysia & Borneo Holidays

Each of our journeys starts from a conversation. Every detail, from the route to the hotels, is built and rebuilt around you until it fits. To provide you a taste of what True Travel can create, our team of global destination specialists have created a selection of suggested journeys, from our recent travels. Get in touch to start planning your next adventure.

Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia

Malaysia and Borneo

Borneo: Rainforest, Rivers & Reef

Thirteen days take you deep into Borneo’s forests before ending with five nights on a tropical island. Around Kota Kinabalu and the Kinabatangan River, discover some of the region’s most…
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Kuala Lumpar, Malawi

Malaysia and Borneo

Malaysia & Borneo: City to Jungle

Move from the multicultural streets of Kuala Lumpur into the heart of Borneo’s rainforest, before ending with four nights on Gaya Island over this 13 day trip. After time exploring…
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Anambas Islands, Indonesia

Singapore | Indonesia | Malaysia and Borneo

Singapore, Malaysia & the Anambas Islands

Over 13 days, move from Singapore’s food-filled streets through the rainforests and heritage towns of Malaysia before ending on a private Indonesian island. Singapore sets the tone with its mix…
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EXPLORE MALAYSIA & BORNEO

Places in Malaysia and Borneo

Kinabatangan River Our Favourite Places Kinabatangan River The Kinabatangan River is Sabah's longest waterway, and boat safaris along its banks are widely considered the most reliable way to see Borneo's wildlife in one place. Proboscis monkeys, orangutans, pygmy elephants and hornbills all appear along the river's forested edges, particularly at dawn and dusk. Riverside lodges here run twice-daily boat trips as standard, and the sheer concentration of species in a relatively narrow strip of forest makes this one of the best-value wildlife stops in Borneo.

HOW WE TRAVEL DIFFERENTLY

Experiences in Malaysia and Borneo

Explore a selection of our hand-picked experiences our Travel Designers can build into your holiday, from a street food tour in Penang to searching for Orangutans in Borneo.

Penang Street Food Tour, Malaysia

Malaysia and Borneo

Street food tour of Penang

Explore Penang’s famous street food scene with a local guide, sampling dishes from hawker stalls, markets and family-run eateries. Discover the Malay, Chinese and Indian influences behind the island’s cuisine while tasting some of its most-loved specialities.

Malaysia and Borneo Accommodation

A Taste of Where We Stay

From the ancient rainforest of Borneo to the tropical coastline of Langkawi, Malaysia offers some wonderfully immersive places to stay. We seek out properties that make the most of their surroundings, from the lush setting of The Datai and the riverside wilderness of Sukau Rainforest Lodge to the secluded island feel of Bunga Raya. Each offers a different way to experience this part of the world, with a strong sense of place, thoughtful service and experiences that bring you closer to the landscape and wildlife.

Bungaraya Island Resort

Bungaraya Island Resort

Just a short boat ride from Kota Kinabalu, Bungaraya Island Resort feels a world away from the mainland and offers a peaceful island escape just off the coast of Malaysian Borneo. Set between white-sand beaches and protected rainforest on Gaya Island, the resort's timber villas draw inspiration from traditional Bornean architecture and are tucked among the jungle and shoreline. Beyond the resort, guests can explore rainforest trails, snorkel in clear waters and discover the rich marine life that thrives around the island.

Sukau Rainforest Lodge

Wildlife takes centre stage at Sukau Rainforest Lodge, a riverside retreat on the banks of the Kinabatangan River. Built on stilts to minimise its impact on the surrounding environment, the lodge combines comfort with immersive wildlife experiences. River safaris and guided excursions offer the chance to spot orangutans, pygmy elephants, proboscis monkeys and a remarkable variety of birdlife in a part of Borneo where wildlife sightings are part of daily life.

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Explore destination guides, travel news and stories from our specialists’ travels around the world, from new hotels and destinations to the experiences worth seeking out. Discover fresh ideas and insider knowledge to inspire your next trip.

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Quick Answers

Common Questions

  • What currency is used in Malaysia?

    The Malaysian Ringgit (MYR) is the currency used throughout both Peninsular Malaysia and Borneo. ATMs are widely available in Kuala Lumpur and larger Borneo towns like Kota Kinabalu, so there’s little need to arrange currency before you travel.

  • What language is spoken in Malaysia?

    Malay (Bahasa Malaysia) is the official language, though Malaysia’s multi-ethnic makeup means Chinese dialects and Tamil are also widely spoken by significant communities, alongside English, which is used confidently throughout tourism and business nationwide. This layered multilingual environment is one of the more distinctive features of daily life here.

  • Do I need a separate immigration check when travelling between Peninsular Malaysia and Borneo?

    Yes, East Malaysia (Sabah and Sarawak, on the island of Borneo) maintains its own immigration control separate from Peninsular Malaysia, so you’ll pass through a checkpoint and have your passport checked again even though you’re travelling within the same country. This surprises many first-time visitors, so allowing a little extra time for this step when connecting through to Borneo is sensible.

  • What time zone is Malaysia in?

    Malaysia operates on a single time zone, Malaysia Time (MYT, UTC+8), across both the peninsula and Borneo, with no daylight saving changes. Despite the geographic distance and separate immigration control between the two regions, there’s no time adjustment needed when travelling between them.

  • Can I drink the tap water in Malaysia?

    Tap water in Kuala Lumpur is treated to a reasonable standard but isn’t recommended for drinking without boiling, and this caution applies more strongly in Borneo’s rural areas and national parks, where water sources are less consistently treated. Bottled or filtered water is provided as standard at hotels and lodges and should be your default throughout.

  • Should I carry cash or are cards widely accepted?

    Cards are widely accepted in Kuala Lumpur and larger Borneo towns, but jungle lodges, local markets and smaller operators typically expect cash, particularly once you’re away from main tourist centres. Ringgit in small denominations is the most useful currency to carry once your itinerary moves into more remote territory.

  • Is tipping expected in Malaysia?

    Tipping isn’t a deeply rooted local tradition, and many restaurants already include a 10 percent service charge on the bill, so additional tipping functions as a genuine thank-you rather than an expectation. A small cash amount for guides on jungle treks or wildlife excursions is appreciated where the experience has been particularly good.

  • What plug sockets are used in Malaysia?

    Malaysia uses Type G sockets, the same three-pin square fitting used in the UK, running at 240V, a legacy of British colonial infrastructure. This applies consistently across both Peninsular Malaysia and Borneo, so there’s no need to pack different adapters for each leg of a combined itinerary.

  • What's the easiest way to stay connected in Malaysia?

    Mobile coverage in Kuala Lumpur and Borneo’s main towns is strong, and a local SIM is inexpensive and easy to arrange on arrival. Coverage drops away significantly once you’re deep in Borneo’s rainforest reserves, where most lodges rely on generator power and offer limited or no wifi, making these stretches a natural disconnection point in the trip.

  • Should I wear leech socks for jungle trekking in Borneo, and are they provided?

    Yes, leech socks are genuinely worth wearing rather than treating as an optional extra, since Borneo’s rainforest floor after rain is home to small land leeches that can find their way in through ordinary boots and socks. Most reputable jungle lodges and trekking operators provide them as standard, but packing your own is a sensible backup if your itinerary involves more than one operator.

  • Is alcohol available in Malaysia given it's a Muslim-majority country?

    Alcohol is available in tourist areas, hotels and Chinese-run restaurants throughout Malaysia, including in Borneo, though it’s less visible and sometimes unavailable in more conservative regions and smaller towns on the East Coast of the peninsula. It’s a straightforward matter of checking with your hotel or specialist for any specific leg of the trip rather than assuming uniform availability everywhere.

  • What should I know before an orangutan encounter in Borneo?

    Orangutan viewing at reputable rehabilitation centres and wild sites is conducted at a respectful distance with no physical contact permitted, both for the animals’ health and for visitor safety, since wild orangutans are considerably stronger than their calm appearance suggests. Flash photography is generally discouraged, and following your guide’s positioning instructions matters more here than the instinct to get closer for a better photograph.

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