What to pack for Borneo

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What to take when you are travelling to Borneo 

Many of our Borneo tours involve visiting national parks and areas of jungle where you will stay in accommodation such as a park chalets and basic wooden lodges. You are likely to do some travelling by boat as well as trekking and you will almost certainly be spending a lot of time outdoors. All visitors to Borneo should therefore think carefully about what they need to pack, especially if visiting areas of rainforest for example, Danum Valley, the Kinabatangan River region, the Deramakot Forest Reserve or Batang Ai National Park.

Our mantra is always not to over pack, as you will more than likely find that much of the stuff you pack will lie in your case unused. However, when travelling in Borneo, it is very important to think ahead about what you might need to take because outside of the main cities, you might struggle to find shops where you can buy things when you are there.

Here is a list of suggestions of items that you might like to consider packing when you travel to Borneo. Not all of these will be necessary for every tour of Borneo, so if in doubt, ask your travel consultant before adding it to your suitcase!

  • A Variety of waterproof, zip lock bags for things that you want to keep separate, e.g. dirty cloths.
  • A small waterproof diving-bag to keep your passports, phone and camera in and a supply of empty plastic bags will invariably come in handy.
  • A small lightweight and water-resistant rucksack is essential for treks and daytrips.
  • Light comfortable clothing (shorts, loose fitting shirts, T-shirts, long-sleeved shirt, long trousers, sarong for evenings).
  • Quick-drying lycra ‘cycling’ shorts. For tours that include time in the jungle, if you plan on wearing shorts, then a pair of lycra cycling style shorts to go underneath provide added protection from bugs and leeches.
  • Comfortable, sturdy and quick drying walking shoes or boots with good grip.
  • A lightweight raincoat or poncho.
  • A practical swimming costume.
  • Quick-drying waterproof sandals or flip flops.
  • A thin quick-drying towel.
  • A sun hat and sun block.
  • A refillable water bottle.
  • A basic first aid kit containing plasters, cream for insect bites, painkillers, rehydration salts and water purification tablets.
  • Personal toiletries (biodegrable soap, toothbrush, toothpaste).
  • Insect repellent (tropical strength containing 30-50% DEET is the most effective).
  • A head torch or flashlight (with spare batteries if required).
  • A whistle.
  • A portable phone charger.
  • Leech socks, for tours that include trekking in jungle areas (e.g. Danum Valley, Mulu or Tabin).

If your tour of Borneo includes an overnight stay in the Batang Ai National Park (for example at Nanga Sumpa or Lubok Kasai lodges) or in Bako National Park, you will leave your main luggage in Kuching and take a smaller bag on the tour. Most hotels in Kuching, Kota Kinabalu or Sandakan will store your luggage safely when you go on such overnight trips.

Mt Kinabalu and other climbs                                                                                                                                          If your tour includes climbing Mt Kinabalu, Mt Trusmadi, Mt Mulu, the Pinnacles or any other mountain or volcano in Borneo which takes more than one day, then you should also take note of the following recommendations. *

  • Light-weight gloves to protect from rope burn or sharp rocks (Mulu Pinnacles & Mount Kinabalu Climb)
  • A waterproof jacket.
  • A warm lightweight jumper or fleece.
  • Warm, lightweight trousers (not denim).
  • A beanie / woollen hat.
  • A head-torch (head-mounted is ideal for any night climbs).
  • A whistle (in case of emergencies).

*Bamboo Travel will provide you with a full kit list for your climb along with other useful tips and safety information before you depart.

Borneo packing FAQs 

What clothes should I bring?                                                                                                                                                                    The tropical days are hot and humid and we recommend light, comfortable cotton shirts. Casual wear is acceptable for most occasions in the city; on trips to the interior, shorts and T-shirts may be more appropriate. For most trips, bring swimming costumes, as there are chances to slake off the tropical heat with a swim in a river or dip at a waterfall. Please remember, however, to respect local modesty. Light rain wear is a must as invariably there will be encounters with rain. On trips to the longhouses don’t forget thin towels and sun hats (to protect against the tropical sun). In the evenings slip into a comfortable sarong. These items can be locally obtained easily and cheaply. Thin or lightweight long-sleeved shirts and long trousers will protect you from mosquitos in the evenings. If you are climbing Mount Kinabalu you will need some warm clothing (fleece, thick socks, beanie / woollen hat, etc.).

What footwear do you recommend?                                                                                                                                                      For trips to the interior that require a great deal of hiking through primary rainforest or rugged terrain, comfortable hiking or walking shoes that can handle jungle streams or muddy trails are recommended. For shorter trips that do not require a great deal of walking, a good pair of sneakers will do. A pair of flip-flop, slippers or tevas should be included. Note: It is often difficult to find footwear in large sizes in Sarawak & Sabah. If you are visiting Ulu Ai, Nanga Sumpa and Lubok Kasai bring both good walking / hiking shoes for use on the jungle trails and waterproof sandals to wear when you travelling by longboat. For example, when you visit the waterfall or stop for a riverside picnic you will be getting in and out of the boat and your footwear will get wet. If you wear waterproof sandals (with good grip) you do not need to change shoes or walk barefoot in the river or on the pebble beaches.

What equipment do you recommend?                                                                                                                                                    If you plan to scale the pinnacles in Mulu or climb Mount Kinabalu, include a pair of light gardening gloves for good grip and protection against rough and sharp surfaces. For long treks in the jungle that require you to remain overnight in jungle shelters, it is essential that you bring along a light sleeping bag. A torch light or better still a head torch (don’t forget to bring extra bulbs and batteries) is always useful and a must if you wish to go caving. As with other trips, a small backpack and water bottle will come in handy. Bring along plastic bags to keep clothes and cameras dry in case of rain. Dry bags are also useful for keeping cameras dry, particularly if your tour includes a number of boat trips.

If I go jungle trekking do I need to worry about leeches?                                                                                                                Leeches are commonly found in the rainforest and you may encounter them on jungle treks in some places in Sabah and Sarawak. If a leech bites you, don’t worry too much. Leech bites may be irritating but they are generally not considered harmful. You can easily remove a leech by using your finger nail to detach it or by flicking it a few times. The wound may continue to bleed for a little while but this usually stops. When you get back to your room wash the wound with soap and water. You can minimise your chances of getting leech bites by using insect repellent and by wearing leech socks. Leeches are very common at Tabin, Deramakot and Danum Valley in Sabah so leech socks are recommended. Likewise for the Red Ape Trail in Sarawak. Leeches are sometimes found along the jungle trails at Ulu Ai. Leeches are not usually encountered on treks at Bako National Park.

Can I buy leech socks in Sarawak and Sabah?                                                                                                                                     If you're visiting an area where leech socks are advised, we recommend taking them with you. However, if you need to buy some while you are in Borneo, leech socks can sometimes be found in a few local shops in the main cities of Sabah and Sarawak. The only place we have found that occasionally stocks leech stocks in Sarawak is Greek’s Outgear Discovery, located on the 2nd floor of the Sarawak Plaza shopping complex on Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman in the centre of Kuching. In Kota Kinabalu, we found leech socks for sale at Borneo Outdoor Gear in the Suria Sabah shopping mall at 1 Jalan Tun Faud Stephens and at Tech City Outdoor Shop at No. 5 Jalan Gaya, next to Jesselton Point. But do speak to your guide in these cities before setting out to find them as they may have more up-to-date advice. Tabin Wildlife Resort & Borneo Rainforest Lodge in Danum Valley also sometimes have them for sale.