BORNEO FAMILY & PRIVATE PREMIUM

10 Days Luxury Wildlife, Culture & Island Journey Led by Women

Sepilok – Kinabatangan – Kundasang – Dusun Highlands – Dinawan Island – Kota Kinabalu

10 Days / 9 Nights | Sabah, Malaysian Borneo | Premium Private Journey

Discover Borneo through an elegant private journey combining orangutan conservation, rainforest wildlife, indigenous culture, mountain landscapes and tropical islands.

Inspired by the original Borneo Family Holiday Comfort itinerary, this premium version keeps the strongest experiences — Sepilok orangutans, sun bears, Kinabatangan wildlife, elephant conservation, Mount Kinabalu, Dusun culture, Everything Pineapple and Dinawan Island — while upgrading the journey with private services, luxury accommodation, private boats, dedicated female leadership and a slower pace.

PREMIUM PRIVATE UPGRADE

Private tour from start to finish
Dedicated female tour leader
Private luxury vehicle
Premium domestic flight where practical
5-star hotels and luxury rainforest resorts
Luxury river lodge
Luxury mountain resort
Luxury island resort
Private wildlife cruises
Private snorkeling boat
Private marine biologist experience
Women-led community experiences
Conservation-focused activities
Premium local dining
Airport transfers included
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Every Day

This is not a women-only tour. It is a premium private tour led by women.

JOURNEY HIGHLIGHTS

Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre
Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre
Rainforest Discovery Centre
Kinabatangan River
Private wildlife safari
Proboscis monkeys
Orangutans
Hornbills
Crocodiles
Pygmy elephants
RESPECT elephant conservation
Elephant grass planting
Kundasang
Mount Kinabalu views
Dusun village
Traditional Bornean food
Local coffee
Bee farm
Everything Pineapple
Women-led community enterprise
Dinawan Island
Marine conservation
Private snorkeling
Marine biologist
Coral reef exploration
Tropical beaches
Kota Kinabalu
Sabah cuisine
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Every Day

The original itinerary specifically combines Sepilok wildlife, Kinabatangan cruises, elephant conservation, Kundasang, a Dusun village, Everything Pineapple and Dinawan Island marine experiences.

DAY 1 – SANDAKAN → SEPILOK

Welcome to Borneo

Overnight: Sepilok – Luxury Rainforest Resort

Arrive at Sandakan Airport.

Your private female tour leader welcomes you.

Private luxury transfer to Sepilok.

Rather than staying in Sandakan, begin immediately in the rainforest.

Check into your luxury rainforest resort.

Enjoy a relaxed afternoon surrounded by tropical forest.

PRIVATE BORNEO WELCOME DINNER

Meet your local naturalist and tour leader.

Enjoy a premium dinner featuring Sabah cuisine.

Your guide introduces the wildlife, conservation and cultural experiences ahead.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Luxury Rainforest Resort
Transportation: Private Luxury Vehicle

The original tour transfers guests from Sandakan Airport directly to Sepilok and begins with a welcome dinner.

DAY 2 – SEPILOK

Orangutans, Sun Bears & Rainforest

Overnight: Sepilok – Luxury Rainforest Resort

Enjoy breakfast.

Today is dedicated to Borneo’s extraordinary wildlife.

SEPILOK ORANGUTAN REHABILITATION CENTRE

Visit the renowned rehabilitation centre.

Observe orangutans in designated viewing areas and learn about their rehabilitation and conservation.

Your private naturalist explains:

Orangutan behavior
Rainforest ecology
Rehabilitation
Habitat protection
Conservation challenges

The original itinerary includes the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre and its nursery.

BORNEAN SUN BEAR CONSERVATION CENTRE

Continue to the conservation centre.

Learn about the rescue and rehabilitation of Bornean sun bears.

Enjoy a premium lunch.

RAINFOREST DISCOVERY EXPERIENCE

Explore the rainforest around Sepilok.

Optional canopy walk and guided forest experience.

Look for:

Tropical birds
Macaques
Butterflies
Forest insects
Ancient trees

Return to your luxury resort.

Enjoy an afternoon spa or pool time.

Premium dinner in the rainforest.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Luxury Rainforest Resort
Transportation: Private Luxury Vehicle

DAY 3 – SEPILOK → KINABATANGAN

Into Borneo’s Wildlife Corridor

Overnight: Luxury River Lodge

Enjoy breakfast.

Private transfer toward the Kinabatangan River.

Instead of a long group transfer, travel privately at a comfortable pace.

Enjoy lunch en route.

Arrive at your luxury riverside lodge.

The Kinabatangan River is a protected forest area known for high concentrations of Bornean wildlife.

PRIVATE AFTERNOON RIVER SAFARI

Board your private wildlife boat.

Cruise quietly along the river.

Look for:

Proboscis monkeys
Orangutans
Pygmy elephants
Hornbills
Kingfishers
Crocodiles
Macaques

Return to the lodge.

Enjoy dinner overlooking the river.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Luxury River Lodge
Transportation: Private Vehicle + Private River Boat

DAY 4 – KINABATANGAN RIVER

Wildlife, Conservation & Night Safari

Overnight: Luxury River Lodge

Wake early to the sounds of the rainforest.

Enjoy breakfast.

PRIVATE MORNING SAFARI

Board your private boat at sunrise.

Search for wildlife along the riverbanks.

Your naturalist explains the ecosystem and animal behavior.

Return to the lodge for lunch.

RESPECT ELEPHANT CONSERVATION

Visit a conservation project dedicated to protecting Bornean pygmy elephants.

Learn about habitat protection and human-elephant coexistence.

Participate in an appropriate conservation activity such as planting elephant grass.

The original family itinerary includes a visit to the RESPonsible Elephant Conservation Trust and elephant grass planting.

Return to the lodge.

Relax during the afternoon.

PRIVATE EVENING WILDLIFE CRUISE

As daylight fades, return to the river.

Look for nocturnal wildlife.

Dinner at the lodge.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Luxury River Lodge
Transportation: Private River Boat

DAY 5 – KINABATANGAN → KUNDASANG

Rainforest to Mount Kinabalu

Overnight: Luxury Mountain Resort

Enjoy breakfast.

One final morning wildlife cruise can be arranged according to river and wildlife conditions.

Then depart Kinabatangan.

PREMIUM TRANSFER OPTION

For a truly premium program, the long road journey can be replaced or shortened with a domestic flight connection where schedules and routing permit, followed by private luxury road transfer into the highlands.

This avoids spending an entire day in a vehicle.

Arrive in Kundasang.

The original itinerary describes approximately five hours of travel to Kundasang and highlights views of Mount Kinabalu when weather permits.

MOUNT KINABALU VIEWPOINT

Enjoy panoramic mountain scenery.

Check into your luxury mountain resort.

Relax.

Optional:

Highland tea
Spa
Farm visit
Scenic walk
Private photography

Enjoy dinner featuring fresh highland produce.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Luxury Mountain Resort
Transportation: Private Vehicle + Flight Option

DAY 6 – KUNDASANG → DUSUN VILLAGE → DINAWAN ISLAND

Women, Culture & Island Life

Overnight: Luxury Island Resort – Dinawan

Enjoy breakfast.

Leave the mountains and continue toward the coast.

PRIVATE DUSUN VILLAGE EXPERIENCE

Visit a local Dusun family.

Experience traditional Bornean hospitality.

Enjoy a home-style lunch.

Taste local specialties such as linopot, traditional rice wrapped in leaves.

The original itinerary includes a Dusun village visit and home-cooked local dishes.

VILLAGE WALK

Take a private guided walk.

Discover:

Tropical gardens
Local farms
Bee keeping
Coffee production
Village life

WOMEN SUPPORTING WOMEN

Meet the women behind Everything Pineapple, a community enterprise supporting local women socially and economically.

Learn how local products are developed.

Taste:

Pineapple jam
Pineapple products
Local snacks
Fresh fruit

The original itinerary specifically features Everything Pineapple as a women-empowering community project.

Continue to the coast.

Board your private boat to Dinawan Island.

Arrive at your luxury island resort.

Enjoy sunset.

Premium island dinner.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Luxury Island Resort
Transportation: Private Vehicle + Private Boat

DAY 7 – DINAWAN ISLAND

Marine Conservation & Private Snorkeling

Overnight: Luxury Island Resort

Enjoy breakfast beside the sea.

Today focuses on marine conservation.

PRIVATE MARINE ECOSYSTEM EXPERIENCE

Meet a marine specialist.

Learn about:

Coral reefs
Marine biodiversity
Reef damage
Reef recovery
Tropical fish
Responsible tourism

Then board your private boat.

PRIVATE SNORKELING WITH MARINE BIOLOGIST

Explore the nearby house reef.

Identify coral and marine species with your specialist.

The original itinerary includes a marine ecosystem program followed by snorkeling with a marine biologist.

Enjoy a private island lunch.

Afternoon at leisure.

Choose:

Kayaking
Beach relaxation
Private photography
Paddleboarding
Spa
Sunset walk

Enjoy dinner on the island.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Luxury Island Resort
Transportation: Private Boat

DAY 8 – DINAWAN ISLAND → KOTA KINABALU

Tropical Island to Sabah’s Capital

Overnight: Kota Kinabalu – 5-Star Luxury Hotel

Enjoy breakfast.

Take one final morning snorkeling experience if sea conditions permit.

Enjoy lunch.

Private boat transfer back to the mainland.

Continue by private luxury vehicle to Kota Kinabalu.

The original itinerary returns from Dinawan Island to Kota Kinabalu after a morning snorkeling experience.

Check into your 5-star hotel.

Enjoy an afternoon at leisure.

PRIVATE KOTA KINABALU WATERFRONT EXPERIENCE

Explore the waterfront at sunset.

Enjoy a premium dinner overlooking the South China Sea.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: 5-Star Luxury Hotel
Transportation: Private Boat + Private Luxury Vehicle

DAY 9 – KOTA KINABALU

Culture, Wellness & Slow Borneo

Overnight: Kota Kinabalu – 5-Star Luxury Hotel

Enjoy a relaxed breakfast.

Today is intentionally flexible.

OPTION 1 – SABAH CULTURE

Explore local cultural traditions with a private guide.

OPTION 2 – WOMEN-LED ARTISAN EXPERIENCE

Meet local women producing traditional crafts.

OPTION 3 – FOOD EXPERIENCE

Private Sabah culinary tour led by a female food specialist.

OPTION 4 – WELLNESS

Private spa and wellness experience.

OPTION 5 – ISLAND ESCAPE

Private boat excursion within the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park.

Enjoy lunch.

Afternoon free.

FAREWELL DINNER

Enjoy a premium final dinner featuring Sabah cuisine.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: 5-Star Luxury Hotel
Transportation: Private Luxury Vehicle / Private Boat

DAY 10 – KOTA KINABALU

Farewell Borneo

Enjoy your final breakfast.

Depending on your international flight time:

Sunrise waterfront walk
Private yoga
Sabah coffee
Spa
Local market
Artisan shopping

Enjoy your final lunch.

Private luxury transfer to Kota Kinabalu International Airport.

Your Borneo Family & Private Premium Tour Led by Women ends in Sabah.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Transportation: Private Luxury Vehicle

PREMIUM TRANSPORTATION

PRIVATE + FLIGHT WHERE IT MAKES SENSE

The original program relies primarily on private vehicle and boat transportation.

For Vietnam Women Travel’s premium version:

Sandakan Airport → Sepilok

Private luxury vehicle

Sepilok → Kinabatangan

Private luxury vehicle

Kinabatangan → Kundasang

Flight option + private transfer where operationally practical

Kundasang → Dusun Village

Private luxury vehicle

Village → Dinawan Island

Private luxury vehicle + private boat

Dinawan Island → Kota Kinabalu

Private boat + private luxury vehicle

Kota Kinabalu

Private luxury vehicle

Airport Transfer

Private luxury vehicle

No unnecessary long-distance road journeys where a suitable domestic flight can materially improve comfort and travel time.

PREMIUM ACCOMMODATION

Luxury Rainforest, River, Mountain & Island Resorts

The original itinerary uses resorts, a jungle lodge, a mountain resort and tented villas on Dinawan Island.

Vietnam Women Travel upgrades the concept to:

Sepilok

Luxury Rainforest Resort – 2 Nights

Kinabatangan

Luxury River Lodge – 2 Nights

Kundasang

Luxury Mountain Resort – 1 Night

Dinawan Island

Luxury Island Resort – 2 Nights

Kota Kinabalu

5-Star Luxury Hotel – 2 Nights

Total: 9 Nights

NO BASIC TENTED VILLA

The original Dinawan accommodation is a comfortable air-conditioned tented villa with private toilet and shower facilities.

For the premium version, select the best available private beachfront villa/suite rather than standard tented accommodation.

MEALS INCLUDED

BREAKFAST + LUNCH + DINNER EVERY DAY

The original itinerary includes 8 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 5 dinners.

Vietnam Women Travel upgrades this to:

Breakfast

Every morning.

Lunch

Every day, including:

Rainforest dining
Village lunch
River lodge lunch
Island lunch

Dinner

Every evening, including:

Welcome dinner
Jungle dinner
River dinner
Island seafood
Kota Kinabalu farewell dinner

LOCAL FOOD EXPERIENCES

Sabah seafood
Dusun cuisine
Local coffee
Tropical fruits
Pineapple products
Traditional rice dishes
Malaysian specialties

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Every Day

WOMEN-LED BORNEO

Women Supporting Women

This itinerary has a particularly strong connection to the Vietnam Women Travel philosophy because the original route already includes Everything Pineapple, a community project designed to empower local women socially and financially.

Female Tour Leader

Dedicated female leadership throughout the journey.

Women Entrepreneurs

Meet women developing sustainable local businesses.

Women Artisans

Support traditional craft producers.

Women Chefs

Prioritize female-led culinary experiences.

Community Tourism

Keep tourism spending within local communities.

RESPONSIBLE WILDLIFE TRAVEL

WILDLIFE WITH RESPECT

Orangutans

Observe without disturbing natural behavior.

Sun Bears

Support recognized conservation facilities.

Pygmy Elephants

Learn about habitat protection and conservation.

River Wildlife

Maintain respectful distances.

Marine Life

Follow responsible snorkeling practices.

Coral Conservation

Learn how reefs recover and how tourism can reduce damage.

The original tour incorporates orangutan and sun bear conservation, elephant conservation through RESPECT, and marine education with a biologist.

WHY CHOOSE VIETNAM WOMEN TRAVEL?

Premium Private Tours Led by Women

Private From Start to Finish

Your family or private group travels exclusively together.

Luxury Accommodation

Premium rainforest, river, mountain, island and city stays.

Private Wildlife Cruises

No large shared tour boats.

Orangutan Conservation

Meet Borneo’s remarkable great apes through a responsible conservation experience.

Elephant Conservation

Learn about Bornean pygmy elephants and habitat protection.

Women Supporting Women

Connect directly with local women entrepreneurs.

Indigenous Culture

Experience authentic Dusun hospitality.

Marine Conservation

Snorkel with a marine specialist.

Dinawan Island

Enjoy a private island escape.

Premium Transfers

Use flights where they make the journey significantly more comfortable and efficient.

All Meals Included

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Every Day.

10-DAY ROUTE AT A GLANCE

Day	Route	Overnight
1	Sandakan → Sepilok	Sepilok
2	Sepilok – Orangutans & Sun Bears	Sepilok
3	Sepilok → Kinabatangan River	Kinabatangan
4	Kinabatangan – Wildlife & Elephant Conservation	Kinabatangan
5	Kinabatangan → Kundasang	Kundasang
6	Kundasang → Dusun Village → Dinawan Island	Dinawan
7	Dinawan Island – Marine Conservation & Snorkeling	Dinawan
8	Dinawan Island → Kota Kinabalu	Kota Kinabalu
9	Kota Kinabalu – Culture & Wellness	Kota Kinabalu
10	Kota Kinabalu → Airport	—

TOUR SUMMARY

Duration: 10 Days / 9 Nights
Destination: Sabah, Malaysian Borneo
Start: Sandakan / Sepilok
Finish: Kota Kinabalu
Style: Premium Private Wildlife, Culture & Island Journey
Leadership: Female Tour Leader
Accommodation: Luxury Rainforest, River, Mountain & Island Resorts + 5-Star Hotel
Transportation: Private Luxury Vehicles + Private Boats + Flight Option
Guiding: Private Naturalists, Marine Specialists & Cultural Hosts
Activities: Wildlife, Conservation, Culture, Village Life, Snorkeling & Wellness
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Every Day
Group: Private – From 2 Guests

BORNEO FAMILY & PRIVATE PREMIUM

Orangutans. Rainforest. Mountains. Islands.

Begin beneath the rainforest canopy of Sepilok.

Meet rescued orangutans.

Discover Bornean sun bears.

Cruise the Kinabatangan River in search of wild proboscis monkeys, hornbills, crocodiles and pygmy elephants.

Support elephant conservation.

Travel into the cool highlands beneath Mount Kinabalu.

Meet the Dusun people.

Share a traditional village lunch.

Meet women entrepreneurs through Everything Pineapple.

Cross the sea to Dinawan Island.

Learn about coral conservation with a marine biologist.

Snorkel among Borneo’s tropical marine life.

Relax on a private island.

Finish in Kota Kinabalu beside the South China Sea.

The original Borneo Family Holiday Comfort is a 9-day family journey designed for travellers from age five, with wildlife, conservation, Dusun culture and Dinawan Island as its main highlights.

Vietnam Women Travel transforms those family-friendly highlights into a premium private journey suitable for families, couples and private groups — with luxury accommodation, private wildlife experiences, upgraded transportation, women-led community connections and all meals included.

Travel differently.

Travel privately.

Travel with women.

Vietnam Women Travel
Premium Private Tours Led by Women