Reviews

An amazing trip with Borneo Eco Tours. From start to finish we were thrilled with this tour. From Hanif who sorted all admin nothing was too much trouble, prompt and efficient. We were lucky enough to be allocated Lee as our guide. Such an interesting and informative man who clearly loves his job. He took us out on all of our river cruises and went out of his way to show us as much wildlife as possible. We also sat in on one of his talks which was also incredibly interesting. Sakua Lodge was a lovely place to stay too, very attentive staff and extremely well run.
We cannot rate Borneo Eco Tours highly enough and feel privileged to have met Lee. Thank you.

An amazing trip with Borneo Eco Tours. From start to finish we were thrilled with this tour. From Hanif who sorted all admin nothing was too much trouble, prompt and efficient. We were lucky enough to be allocated Lee as our guide. Such an interesting and informative man who clearly loves his job. He took us out on all of our river cruises and went out of his way to show us as much wildlife as possible. We also sat in on one of his talks which was also incredibly interesting. Sakua Lodge was a lovely place to stay too, very attentive staff and extremely well run.
We cannot rate Borneo Eco Tours highly enough and feel privileged to have met Lee. Thank you.

The trip with Borneo Ecotours was really awesome. We have spend a great time there visiting the stunning nature and fantastic wildlife. This was really an exceptional adventure. Everything was very well organized and the places we stayed offered an incredible comfort that was beyond my expectation. The staff was always very friendly and helpful.

The trip with Borneo Ecotours was really awesome. We have spend a great time there visiting the stunning nature and fantastic wildlife. This was really an exceptional adventure. Everything was very well organized and the places we stayed offered an incredible comfort that was beyond my expectation. The staff was always very friendly and helpful.

We had a great trip on Borneo organized by Borneo Eco Tours. It was great. Everywhere we were received by a privat guide. And in case of questions Brandon was stand-by on whatsapp almost 24/7. Amazing service!
Due to bad weather our trip had to be rescheduled on the spot, but that was all handled with great care and turned out even better than what we had in mind before. Thank you Brandon!

We had a great trip on Borneo organized by Borneo Eco Tours. It was great. Everywhere we were received by a privat guide. And in case of questions Brandon was stand-by on whatsapp almost 24/7. Amazing service!
Due to bad weather our trip had to be rescheduled on the spot, but that was all handled with great care and turned out even better than what we had in mind before. Thank you Brandon!

Borneo Eco Tours were very attentive and provided good support and service throughout our trip. Our thanks to Jonathan and Ferdinand, both excellent guides, and very informative.

We started by travelling to Turtle Selingan Island, boat ride very comfortable. Wifi in minibus to port. No signal or wifi on Selingan island though which was slightly annoying (as had office to run too in London). A wonderful experience watching turtles come up on beach to lay eggs, which rangers collect, and then transfer to hatchery, we then were allowed to release some baby turtles which had already hatched back into the sea (this was all at night about 9pm). Accommodation leaves a lot to be desired; worst we have ever stayed in, VERY basic, changed rooms to B5 which was one of the better ones (no cockroaches under the bed which was a start!). Was it worth it; yes, one night of slumming it to see the turtles...definitely. If I had any gripes, it was provide wifi (even if it has to be paid for) and improve the rooms....

We then went on to Sandakan, visiting the Sepilok Orangutan sanctuary to watch the orangutans feeding platform (you're about 10 foot away so good views) saw 2 plus the macaques. However this was supposed to be the highlight of our tour and we left very disappointed. The shop was closed, and the young orangutan area also closed. they could make so much more of this venue. I understand that humans can't have interaction with the orangutans but with a glass partition walk way/tunnel one could walk through the area that they play or feed to view them up close would be a much better experience.

The sun bear sanctuary was actually slightly better as the walk way over the top of the bears provided ample opportunity to view and watch them.

We then travelled by boat to Sukau Rainforest Lodge where accommodation was a lot better. Again good boat ride and lots of information on the way down with stops to view monkeys and crocodile along the way. 3 boat rides during our 3 days here, viewing everything from the orangutans living amongst the lodges, to proboscis monkeys, various types of macaques, crocs to lots of different birds. Only failed to see the elephants :(. Food choices although buffet were good and provided enough choice for everyone.

We also went on a boardwalk during our 3 days and then finished back in Sandakan, with the memorial park and the education rainforest centre, both again very interesting, and information provided by Jonathan again very good.

Transferring us back to airport for our next fight...

Wouldn't hesitate to recommend Borneo Eco Tours, guides and service excellent, and Sukau Rainforest lodge. Sepilok Orangutan sanctuary...don't set your hopes too high; you'll see more of them at the lodge living wild than at the sanctuary....

Borneo Eco Tours were very attentive and provided good support and service throughout our trip. Our thanks to Jonathan and Ferdinand, both excellent guides, and very informative.

We started by travelling to Turtle Selingan Island, boat ride very comfortable. Wifi in minibus to port. No signal or wifi on Selingan island though which was slightly annoying (as had office to run too in London). A wonderful experience watching turtles come up on beach to lay eggs, which rangers collect, and then transfer to hatchery, we then were allowed to release some baby turtles which had already hatched back into the sea (this was all at night about 9pm). Accommodation leaves a lot to be desired; worst we have ever stayed in, VERY basic, changed rooms to B5 which was one of the better ones (no cockroaches under the bed which was a start!). Was it worth it; yes, one night of slumming it to see the turtles...definitely. If I had any gripes, it was provide wifi (even if it has to be paid for) and improve the rooms....

We then went on to Sandakan, visiting the Sepilok Orangutan sanctuary to watch the orangutans feeding platform (you're about 10 foot away so good views) saw 2 plus the macaques. However this was supposed to be the highlight of our tour and we left very disappointed. The shop was closed, and the young orangutan area also closed. they could make so much more of this venue. I understand that humans can't have interaction with the orangutans but with a glass partition walk way/tunnel one could walk through the area that they play or feed to view them up close would be a much better experience.

The sun bear sanctuary was actually slightly better as the walk way over the top of the bears provided ample opportunity to view and watch them.

We then travelled by boat to Sukau Rainforest Lodge where accommodation was a lot better. Again good boat ride and lots of information on the way down with stops to view monkeys and crocodile along the way. 3 boat rides during our 3 days here, viewing everything from the orangutans living amongst the lodges, to proboscis monkeys, various types of macaques, crocs to lots of different birds. Only failed to see the elephants :(. Food choices although buffet were good and provided enough choice for everyone.

We also went on a boardwalk during our 3 days and then finished back in Sandakan, with the memorial park and the education rainforest centre, both again very interesting, and information provided by Jonathan again very good.

Transferring us back to airport for our next fight...

Wouldn't hesitate to recommend Borneo Eco Tours, guides and service excellent, and Sukau Rainforest lodge. Sepilok Orangutan sanctuary...don't set your hopes too high; you'll see more of them at the lodge living wild than at the sanctuary....

Communication from central office (Brandon and Audrey) was great. We had to make a last minute adjustment to our planned trip due to bad weather but this was all handled very smoothly.
Our guide, Jon, was amazing - very knowledgable, great fun, and brilliant eye for spotting wildlife.
Jungle trek from Sukau lodge with Lee was also a highlight.
Sukau lodge was incredible - staff were all lovely, location was awesome, rooms spacious and well equipped.

Communication from central office (Brandon and Audrey) was great. We had to make a last minute adjustment to our planned trip due to bad weather but this was all handled very smoothly.
Our guide, Jon, was amazing - very knowledgable, great fun, and brilliant eye for spotting wildlife.
Jungle trek from Sukau lodge with Lee was also a highlight.
Sukau lodge was incredible - staff were all lovely, location was awesome, rooms spacious and well equipped.

We created some beautiful memories, it was a trip of a lifetime. The lodge is magical and all the staff there are brilliant. They went above a beyond during our stay. We loved every moment!

We created some beautiful memories, it was a trip of a lifetime. The lodge is magical and all the staff there are brilliant. They went above a beyond during our stay. We loved every moment!

Excellent guide extremely knowledgeable about wildlife and plants. We enjoyed three boat trips over our two nights. Sukau rainforest lodge is superb.

Excellent guide extremely knowledgeable about wildlife and plants. We enjoyed three boat trips over our two nights. Sukau rainforest lodge is superb.

I booked the 3D/2N Tour to danum valley field centre.
I stayed in a hostel, which is a huge and at my time empty room with a lot of beds an space, only the tour guides stayed there as well. Theres a female dorm as well.
They picked me up at my hotel with a little delay, but everything went fine, driver was friendly.
Our tour guide, Edzel, was a nice flexible and friendly guide. We've been a group of 5 people so it was very personal an individual experience. Weather wasnt reall good but we always managed to find a way to make some tours. On the 2. Day (full day) we made a big hike through the jungle to some waterpools next to a river, where we took a bath and had our lunch (rice with vegetable and chicken).
A night ride was included in the price, which i liked.
We've been lucky to see orang utans, civic cats, allkind of insects and different monkeys. One orang utan even made his nest right next to the street so all the wild life photographers and scientist (and tourists like me) could observe his behaviour.
The atmosphere is really relaxed, you have no Internet (wifi or mobile).
The food is quite good, you will be served a breakfast, lunch and dinner.
They have been very flexible, i left littlebit earlier because it was raining so much and we have been worried the river might flood the street, which eventually happened, but the pick up truck had no problems with the deep water and bumpy road.
They dropped me for my flight and i could even take an earlier one because they had a free seat.
I would definetely recommend this Trip!! Even tho its not cheap.

I booked the 3D/2N Tour to danum valley field centre.
I stayed in a hostel, which is a huge and at my time empty room with a lot of beds an space, only the tour guides stayed there as well. Theres a female dorm as well.
They picked me up at my hotel with a little delay, but everything went fine, driver was friendly.
Our tour guide, Edzel, was a nice flexible and friendly guide. We've been a group of 5 people so it was very personal an individual experience. Weather wasnt reall good but we always managed to find a way to make some tours. On the 2. Day (full day) we made a big hike through the jungle to some waterpools next to a river, where we took a bath and had our lunch (rice with vegetable and chicken).
A night ride was included in the price, which i liked.
We've been lucky to see orang utans, civic cats, allkind of insects and different monkeys. One orang utan even made his nest right next to the street so all the wild life photographers and scientist (and tourists like me) could observe his behaviour.
The atmosphere is really relaxed, you have no Internet (wifi or mobile).
The food is quite good, you will be served a breakfast, lunch and dinner.
They have been very flexible, i left littlebit earlier because it was raining so much and we have been worried the river might flood the street, which eventually happened, but the pick up truck had no problems with the deep water and bumpy road.
They dropped me for my flight and i could even take an earlier one because they had a free seat.
I would definetely recommend this Trip!! Even tho its not cheap.

Our family of four (two teenage children) booked the 5D/4N River and Rainforest tour. We caught the early morning flight from KK into Sandakan, and the rest of the trip we were in the hands of the tour company.
First stop is the Sepilok Orangutan Rehab Centre. I was really looking forward to seeing this, and I don't know what effect Covid has had, but it was really underwhelming. We arrived about 8:50am and sat down in the movie room to watch an old 20 minute documentary on the Centre that began at 9am. We then slowly made our way to the feeding area to await the 10am feeding. One fairly disinterested Orangutan turned up but was soon off when the macaques took over and ate all the food. Normally you would then tour the nursery but it was closed, supposedly due to "storm damage" but that sounded a little trite to me. You could then go and see some sun bears, but that was just like Singapore Zoo. That took all morning and the bus left to go back to Sandakan around noon. I think I would have preferred to look around Sandakan city and the war cemetery.

We had lunch in Sandakan - which was tasty and satisfying once we worked out how it all functioned. From there the real adventure began and we boarded the boat for the 3 hour trip up river to the Sukau Lodge. Along the way we saw the odd croc and a few packs of monkeys which was fun. The Lodge itself was very nice, the rooms extremely comfortable (we had villas 5 and 6) and the food was good. Food is primarily Asian, buffet style, so the whole family could pick and choose what they preferred (which saves plenty of hassle with my picky eaters). The small boat river tours were early morning and late evening, and we did a night tour for which you needed to pay extra (for some reason). We saw lots of wildlife and the kids were never bored. The pigtail macaques and the proboscis monkeys were great to watch as they are very animated. We did eventually find an orangutan, but they are solitary animals and don't move around much. Still, at least we saw one; it's quite possible you can come to Sukau and not see any. The odd Hornbill was also spotted, some nice Kingfishers and a few other birds. Lots of crocs!
From Sukau we then went back up river a short way and boarded a mini van to Lahad Datu to go to Danum Valley. The drive to Lahad Datu is fairly flat, and takes about 2 hours through non-stop palm oil plantations. Lahad Datu is an oil palm town and only mildly interesting, but you stop at the Borneo RainForest Lodge office for check in and a welcome cup of coffee (great coffee!). The office is comfortable and air conditioned and I wasn't in all that much of a hurry to leave (asking for a second cup of coffee.). We then boarded a 4WD Landcruiser for the 3 hour drive into the Danum Valley and Borneo Rainforest Lodge (BRL). The road is unsurfaced, and quite challenging in sections - the (competent) driver often used second gear, and occasionally needed first gear/low range to get through the difficult sections. Along the way we saw an orangutan - I have no idea how they spot them when they are driving on a road in that condition1. The schlep in was worth it though. The BRL is magnificent, and in many ways the highlight of the trip. The accommodation is great - we stayed in Deluxe 1 and 2, the food is incredible, the beer cold and the location magnificent. We did the 4 1/2 hour trek to the top of the hill, and the canopy walk - both were very rewarding. The trek requires a degree of fitness, and it's very sweaty. Not so much hot as humid (the canopy of the forest keeps it in shade.). Some parts of the track up are difficult, but the degree of difficulty progresses as you go further; hence it's always possible to turn back. An injury up there though could be quite an issue. We are not jungle people - we're ocean people - so we didn't look like the experienced trekkers in their specialised gear; leech socks, hiking boots etc. Leeches are a problem and my white shirt had plenty of red patches at the conclusion of the trek. My daughter however did it in shorts, t/shirt and running shoes, and didn't get a bite. There aren't many mosquitos (apparently the leeches eat 'em) which made my wife happy. Apart from the orang-utans (we saw one at the BRL and another one on the way out too) my highlight was the rhinoceros hornbill. You can hear them constantly, but I finally saw a magnificent pair on the final evening and another pair in flight the next morning. Alas, all too soon it was time to leave - I think we could have used just one more day - and we did the big 3 hour 4WD mud bash back to Lahad Datu.

Unfortunately, this was where things went a bit pear shaped. Everything had been like clockwork up to that point, but catching the last plane of the day to KK didn't work due to a thunderstorm. Lahad Datu is more an airstrip than an airport, and when the incoming flight was diverted, that was it. Plane cancelled. Thanks for coming. After much investigation, the airline said they could book us on the same flight in two days' time! I organised with my agent in Australia to buy whole new tickets for an earlier time the next day - but I lost my existing connections and hotel booking in KK (now an insurance claim). BRL to their credit heard of the problem (Lahad Datu is a small town and news travels fast) and they had people back at the terminal to help out. Rizwan found us a hotel and organised transport to and from. It was much appreciated. The hotel of course was extremely basic, but clean, but still it was a lot of waiting around. However, the kids took it well and it became part of the adventure. We ate at the local Chinese because they sold beer, but the town also has plenty of Malay restaurants where the food looks great. Unfortunately of course, they don't sell alcohol! Still we did do breakfast at the Malay place next door to our hotel and it was fine - the local coffee notwithstanding. Too sweet. We did eventually make it to our hotel in Singapore - 36 hours after we left BRL.

Overall though, our entire time in Sabah was very special and I'm sure the kids will remember it forever.

Our family of four (two teenage children) booked the 5D/4N River and Rainforest tour. We caught the early morning flight from KK into Sandakan, and the rest of the trip we were in the hands of the tour company.
First stop is the Sepilok Orangutan Rehab Centre. I was really looking forward to seeing this, and I don't know what effect Covid has had, but it was really underwhelming. We arrived about 8:50am and sat down in the movie room to watch an old 20 minute documentary on the Centre that began at 9am. We then slowly made our way to the feeding area to await the 10am feeding. One fairly disinterested Orangutan turned up but was soon off when the macaques took over and ate all the food. Normally you would then tour the nursery but it was closed, supposedly due to "storm damage" but that sounded a little trite to me. You could then go and see some sun bears, but that was just like Singapore Zoo. That took all morning and the bus left to go back to Sandakan around noon. I think I would have preferred to look around Sandakan city and the war cemetery.

We had lunch in Sandakan - which was tasty and satisfying once we worked out how it all functioned. From there the real adventure began and we boarded the boat for the 3 hour trip up river to the Sukau Lodge. Along the way we saw the odd croc and a few packs of monkeys which was fun. The Lodge itself was very nice, the rooms extremely comfortable (we had villas 5 and 6) and the food was good. Food is primarily Asian, buffet style, so the whole family could pick and choose what they preferred (which saves plenty of hassle with my picky eaters). The small boat river tours were early morning and late evening, and we did a night tour for which you needed to pay extra (for some reason). We saw lots of wildlife and the kids were never bored. The pigtail macaques and the proboscis monkeys were great to watch as they are very animated. We did eventually find an orangutan, but they are solitary animals and don't move around much. Still, at least we saw one; it's quite possible you can come to Sukau and not see any. The odd Hornbill was also spotted, some nice Kingfishers and a few other birds. Lots of crocs!
From Sukau we then went back up river a short way and boarded a mini van to Lahad Datu to go to Danum Valley. The drive to Lahad Datu is fairly flat, and takes about 2 hours through non-stop palm oil plantations. Lahad Datu is an oil palm town and only mildly interesting, but you stop at the Borneo RainForest Lodge office for check in and a welcome cup of coffee (great coffee!). The office is comfortable and air conditioned and I wasn't in all that much of a hurry to leave (asking for a second cup of coffee.). We then boarded a 4WD Landcruiser for the 3 hour drive into the Danum Valley and Borneo Rainforest Lodge (BRL). The road is unsurfaced, and quite challenging in sections - the (competent) driver often used second gear, and occasionally needed first gear/low range to get through the difficult sections. Along the way we saw an orangutan - I have no idea how they spot them when they are driving on a road in that condition1. The schlep in was worth it though. The BRL is magnificent, and in many ways the highlight of the trip. The accommodation is great - we stayed in Deluxe 1 and 2, the food is incredible, the beer cold and the location magnificent. We did the 4 1/2 hour trek to the top of the hill, and the canopy walk - both were very rewarding. The trek requires a degree of fitness, and it's very sweaty. Not so much hot as humid (the canopy of the forest keeps it in shade.). Some parts of the track up are difficult, but the degree of difficulty progresses as you go further; hence it's always possible to turn back. An injury up there though could be quite an issue. We are not jungle people - we're ocean people - so we didn't look like the experienced trekkers in their specialised gear; leech socks, hiking boots etc. Leeches are a problem and my white shirt had plenty of red patches at the conclusion of the trek. My daughter however did it in shorts, t/shirt and running shoes, and didn't get a bite. There aren't many mosquitos (apparently the leeches eat 'em) which made my wife happy. Apart from the orang-utans (we saw one at the BRL and another one on the way out too) my highlight was the rhinoceros hornbill. You can hear them constantly, but I finally saw a magnificent pair on the final evening and another pair in flight the next morning. Alas, all too soon it was time to leave - I think we could have used just one more day - and we did the big 3 hour 4WD mud bash back to Lahad Datu.

Unfortunately, this was where things went a bit pear shaped. Everything had been like clockwork up to that point, but catching the last plane of the day to KK didn't work due to a thunderstorm. Lahad Datu is more an airstrip than an airport, and when the incoming flight was diverted, that was it. Plane cancelled. Thanks for coming. After much investigation, the airline said they could book us on the same flight in two days' time! I organised with my agent in Australia to buy whole new tickets for an earlier time the next day - but I lost my existing connections and hotel booking in KK (now an insurance claim). BRL to their credit heard of the problem (Lahad Datu is a small town and news travels fast) and they had people back at the terminal to help out. Rizwan found us a hotel and organised transport to and from. It was much appreciated. The hotel of course was extremely basic, but clean, but still it was a lot of waiting around. However, the kids took it well and it became part of the adventure. We ate at the local Chinese because they sold beer, but the town also has plenty of Malay restaurants where the food looks great. Unfortunately of course, they don't sell alcohol! Still we did do breakfast at the Malay place next door to our hotel and it was fine - the local coffee notwithstanding. Too sweet. We did eventually make it to our hotel in Singapore - 36 hours after we left BRL.

Overall though, our entire time in Sabah was very special and I'm sure the kids will remember it forever.