When to visit - Borneo

On the whole, the best months to visit Borneo are between May and October when rainfall is low (compared to the monsoon months between November and March) and the humidity is more manageable. This time of year is also the fruiting season in the forests making it the best time of year to see wildlife in Borneo, as the creatures of the rainforest are at their most active and easy to spot, especially in the Kinabatangan River area and the interior of Sabah. Be aware that Borneo has a predominantly hot tropical climate and weather conditions are quite localized, with much of the land being covered in dense rainforest, so you are always liable to see a bit of rain at whatever time of year you visit. See our range of tours in Borneo.

The months of March and April and October, either side of the busier summer period are good times of year to visit Borneo. Rainfall is not at its peak and the cost of travelling is usually significantly lower than in the busy summer months. The heaviest rain in Borneo has finished by mid-March making it a good destination for a holiday over Easter. October sees rainfall rising again but there are still plenty of sunny days.

The wettest time of year in Borneo (both Sarawak and Sabah) tends to be between November and March and although there are often drier and sunnier windows within these months, these are unpredictable and the increased rainfall can make the roads and walking trails in places like Danum Valley and the Batang Ai National Park very muddy. The rainfall on the west coast of Sabah is usually less than the interior, meaning that the beaches around Kota Kinabalu are often relatively dry from November to March.

See our full range of travel experiences in Borneo.