Why go to Borneo?
Borneo is one of the few places where you can experience orangutans in their habitat. The old rainforest attracts many wildlife experts and conservationists from around the world to explore and study the rich ecosystem and unique wildlife that can only be experienced on this island. It is a chance for normal travelers like us to experience the exotic land and wildlife without going on an expedition, while learning how important it is for humanity to conserve this last bit of Earth's lungs.
When To Visit Borneo and Brunei?
May to September is considered the high season, but due to the average temperature of 32°C with 80% humidity all year round, it is best not to stress yourself out about when to visit. I was there in June, and the weather was a mix of rain and sun, but almost always humid as expected.
How to Get to Borneo and Brunei?
Browse through Skyscanner or Expedia to find a cheap flight from where you live to Kuala Lumpur. From Kuala Lumpur, you can fly to Kuching via AirAsia.
How To Get Around Borneo and Brunei?
The best thing about Malaysia is that everyone speaks English, so traveling around the city via buses is very easy and convenient. In big cities like Kuching, Uber or taxis are also great options if you are willing to spend a little more. In Brunei, it is easiest to negotiate with a taxi to take you to the few landmarks that are not walkable from the center.
In between cities, night buses are widely available with different comfort levels at the main bus stations. Keep in mind that Borneo doesn't have a developed transport infrastructure due to its thick rainforests, so traveling a seemingly small distance may take hours longer than usual. Also, traveling from Brunei to Kinabalu requires you to go through 4-6 immigrations (I lost count after a while) due to complex immigration and border crossings, so don't expect to sleep on that route.
Note: Mulu National Park is very difficult to travel by land (requiring boats, cars, and hiking), so going by plane from Miri or Kuching is the easiest option. MASWings serves this route regularly for around $30 one way.
Which tourist SIM card is best for Borneo And Brunei?
The internet in the Malaysian side of Borneo is excellent, with affordable prices, abundant data, and extensive coverage throughout the island. I used a Maxis SIM card and did not encounter any issues while traveling there.
Brunei, on the other hand, is a different question. Since we will be there for around 3 days, I don't think it is economical to buy a SIM card, so we will have to rely on the WIFI available. The problem is the accommodation I listed above doesn't have WIFI, so I ended up having to rely on a nearby restaurant. Drop by De Royalle Cafe for some snacks and unlimited WIFI.
Tips: To stay connected with your loved ones at home, make sure to have a VPN service like NordVPN installed before traveling. This will enable you to bypass any local Internet censorship you might encounter while in Malaysia.
Daily Budget
This place is quite affordable compared to all the other countries in the world. If you are planning a trip here, you can expect to spend around $25 - $45 USD per day per person, which should include accommodation and three meals.
Please keep in mind that these are suggested daily budgets based on my own style of travel, which leans more towards the budget side of things. If you aim to stick to this budget, anticipate sleeping in dormitories, dining out only occasionally, and being comfortable with the cheapest and most convenient modes of transportation, which often involve a considerable amount of walking.
What to Pack for Borneo, Malaysia?
As you may already know, I am an advocate of light traveling, and indeed, packing light for a journey like this is a unique art form. Here are some packing tips for your upcoming trip to Brunei:
- Walking/Hiking Shoes: With all the walking and possible hiking during your travel, a comfortable pair of shoes is a must. I recommend the Timberland 3-Eye Classic Boat Shoes that are my go-to pair for long strolls and hikes.
- Breathable Shirts: Given the potential for hot weather, pack a few breathable shirts for your outdoor adventures.
- Shorts/Jeans: Anticipate lots of walking during your travels? Be sure to pack some breathable shorts and a pair of Levi's jeans for when the weather cools. For women, leggings are excellent for both hot and cold climates, so consider packing some as well.
- Outer Shell Jacket: An outer shell jacket is great for windy or rainy conditions. I highly recommend the Columbia Watertight Jacket (for women). It's lightweight, breathable, and even comes in a cool orange color.
- Microfiber Towel: A Microfiber towel is the ideal backpacker's towel due to its lightness, quick drying, and compressibility.
- Swim Suits: A swim trunk is a must-pack item if you are planning to visit Brunei in the summer, just in case there is a body of water you can jump in.
- Camera: You should also pack a good camera for your trip so that you can capture all the beautiful experiences you might have. I recommend the Sony a7R V camera together with the Sony 24-70mm f2.8 GM II lens, which is probably the highest-performance camera and lens combination you can get right now.
- Power Bank: Keep your electronics charged on the go with a 20,000+ mAh Power Bank.
- Water Bottle: The Hydro Flask Trail Water Bottle is a great insulated water bottle to have with you in cities or on hiking trails. It is lightweight and can keep your water cold or warm for more than 12 hours. It's a total game-changer.
- Universal Adapter: You'll need just one universal adapter to plug in your electronics in any country you visit.
- Packing Cubes: Packing Cubes will help you save space in your backpack and keep all your belongings organized.
- Daypack: The Langly Alpha Globetrotter is my go-to everyday camera backpack. It's large enough to carry all my travel gear, and it comes with plenty of slots and pouches. Plus, it's stylish as hell!
- Large Backpack: You will need a large backpack to carry all of your stuff. I recommend the Osprey Atmos AG 65L backpack. With excellent weight distribution and a lifetime guarantee, you can't go wrong with Osprey.
For more information on what I pack in my backpack for this trip, check out: My Packing List: 60 Travel Essentials.