As the third-largest island in the world, Borneo provides a rainforest haven for endangered orang-utans, clouded leopards, sun bears and pygmy elephants to name just a few species of animals. There are also tropical birds in rainforests that are millions of years old. We have a variety of trips to offer you, all centred around adventures with and around wildlife. You will trek and explore through the animals hidden and unique habitats and learn about the importance of environmentally friendly tourism. As well as this, if human culture is something more suited to you then our trip to Sarawak is for you. You will experience the legendary Iban tribes – creating an authentic experience for all visitors.
Whether you are looking for a family adventure, or solo mission – we have something for everyone. The best time to visit Borneo and have the adventure of a life-time is between March and October although it can be visited at any time – it is just a little bit wetter during the rainy season!
Borneo is an exotic island that has one of the most diverse social groups in the world. The jungles of Borneo contain some of the finest, undisturbed areas of rainforest, with endemic species of animal and plant seldom far from any spot in the country. Although the jungle is a huge part of Borneo, it offers much more in the way of culture; from the native tribes, as well as spectacular mountains, caves and river systems.
Arguably Indonesia is the most diverse and interesting country you will ever visit. Spread over three time zones it is as large as Europe and with over 17,000 islands, about 6,000 of which are inhabited which are scattered over both sides of the equator. The largest are Java, Sumatra, Borneo (shared with Brunei and Malaysia), New Guinea (shared with Papua New Guinea), and Sulawesi. Indonesia shares land borders with Malaysia on Borneo, Papua New Guinea on the island of New Guinea, and East Timor on the island of Timor.
The capital, Jakarta, is on Java and is the nation’s largest city.
The population is around 238 million.
Indonesia is a republic with a presidential system. Power is concentrated in the central government.
Indonesia has the largest economy in South East Asia and in 2010 was the 27th biggest exporting country in the world. The industry sector is the economys largest followed by the service sector and agriculture.
Indonesian (Bahasa Indonesia) is the official language of Indonesia.
Indonesia is the world’s most populous Muslim majority country. Approximately 85% are Muslims consisting of Shias and Sunnis, 12% Christians (9% Protestant and 3% Catholic), 1.8% Hindu, 0.4% Buddhist and other.
The best time to travel to Borneo is generally between March and October, when conditions are typically drier and ideal for exploring the rainforest, cruising wildlife-rich rivers and visiting tropical islands. During these months trails are easier to access and wildlife spotting – including orangutans and proboscis monkeys – is often at its best, while the warmer, calmer seas also provide good conditions for snorkelling and diving around Borneo’s coral reefs.
“Borneo has always been one of our favourite destinations, offering an incredible mix of wildlife, rainforest, rivers, and local communities. We nurture this passion through immersive experiences, from exploring remote jungles and rivers by kayak to visiting villages where culture and tradition remain strong. Here, you can encounter extraordinary wildlife—orangutans, wild chimps, and a dazzling variety of birds—while experiencing the richness of Borneo’s landscapes and people. Travelling in these remote areas has its challenges, from rugged terrain to basic infrastructure, but every moment reveals nature and culture at their most remarkable.”
Whatever you want from your trip, our team of experts are ready to help.
These are trips which are perfectly created, organised, and lead specifically for you. If you are considering one of our wildlife, multi-activity adventures, small group trips or family holiday adventures then we would be delighted to design a tailormade itinerary, to meet your interests, travel dates and accommodation requirements. Just get in touch!
Learn MoreWe operate small group holidays for a maximum of 8-12 persons. As well as multi-activity trips we offer trekking trips, kayaking, rafting, wildlife, cycling and photography. These small group trips make ideal holidays for singles and couples, particularly for those wishing to visit Madagascar, the Galapagos islands, explore Borneo or kayak the Komodo Dragon islands, Indonesia.
Learn MoreWe are delighted to offer a number of specialist trips, depending on your interests. We organise a number of specialist holidays such as family adventure holidays that can be designed to meet the requirements for children of certain ages. We also design unique and interesting luxury holidays and honeymoon trips as well trips for celebrating special events and anniversaries.
Learn MoreVisas are required by all visitors and are normally valid for a stay of up to 30 days. A 30 day tourist visa is issued upon arrival at no charge. This does not need to be organised before you go. Please ensure you have at least 6 months left on your passport before it expires.
Please note, if your flights transit the USA, you will also need to complete the online ‘ESTA’ Form “electronic system for travel authorization”. https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/
Please note, if your flights transit a country, you will also need to check if an additional visa is required as a number of countries now require a transit visa
Ringgit (R) = 100 sen. Notes are in denominations of R100, 50, 10, 5 and 1. Coins are in denominations of 50, 20, 10, 5 and 1 sen. There are also a large number of commemorative coins in various denominations which are legal tender. U.S. Dollars generally are not widely accepted. At the same time, money changers are common in larger towns and cities – GB Pound are quite easy to change.
You can also use the “Money Exchange Offices” located inside the Shopping Malls as well as on the main roads in all major cities like Kuala Lumpur and Kinabalu. Automatic cash dispensers are found in larger towns and cities. Most machines take all credit cards, as well as Cirrus and Plus cards. Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted, as are bank debit cards. Please do remember that most banks charge a fee for cash withdrawals whilst abroad. It is recommended that you call your bank a few days prior to travelling to Malaysia and provide them with your dates of entry and exit to the country. Due to a recent change in bank policy, many people have encountered problems trying to withdraw cash from ATMs around the country as they have not informed their bank of their trip. If you want to bring traveller’s cheques, they can be taken in either UK sterling or in US dollars.
For your convenience we have partnered up with a currency exchange company that offer you next day
delivery on any currency orders. Please note not all currencies are available. Order details along with any
terms and conditions can be found at https://ttngtravel.money/pioneerexpeditions
Adequate travel insurance is mandatory for everyone who participates in a Pioneer expedition. Please ensure your travel insurance covers you for your activities. Please note Mt Kinabalu is above 4000m, so if you are planning to climb Mt Kinabalu you will need to ensure your travel insurance policy specifically includes this.
Please bring a copy of your insurance policy and contact numbers to give to your expedition leader in case of illness or accident.
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