The Ultimate Adventure Through Wild Borneo

Marta Marinelli, raised in Italy’s serene Prosecco Hills, dreamed of global adventures, inspired by her father's travel stories. Her passion evolved into a career, backed by a decade of studies including degrees in international tourism and destination management. She’s worked in the adventure travel sector since 2012, living in Italy, the UK, and now sunny Portugal.

Over twenty years, Marta has explored over 55 countries, visiting remote areas like Ghana, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Haiti and Nepal’s Upper Mustang region. As a Senior Adventure Expansion Manager at Much Better Adventures, she focuses on creating life-changing experiences, ranging from multi-activity adventures, challenging treks to ultimate adventures in iconic places. She loves the challenge of finding the best local adventure hosts around the world, collaborating on adventures that offer genuine immersion, pushing beyond the beaten path and working on exclusive itineraries that challenge your comfort zone.

What makes her tick? Enabling people to live adventure-rich lives while positively impacting and empowering local communities around the world, generating sustainable opportunities for both the host, guides, community, and the environment.

If you wish to extend your trip and climb the famous Kinabalu summit, the easiest way is to fly from Kuching to Kota Kinabalu (1.5 hr direct flights with AirAsia or other airlines). Permits need to be obtained far in advance and you can reserve via local agencies.

The tap water in Borneo may not always agree with the stomach for those who haven't been in Malaysia for a while. You might find purified water in some of the accommodation which you can use to fill up each morning, so be sure to pack a reusable water bottle or two. To avoid plastic waste where filtered water is not available, we suggest bringing water purification tablets or a different purification system for extra safety. Please find more info here.

The Semenggoh Wildlife Center, set in a nature reserve in Sarawak, is one of the best places in Borneo to view semi-wild orangutans. The orangutans have been rescued from captivity and trained to survive in the surrounding forest reserve. The park has been around since 1975, and was established with three aims: to rescue, care for and rehabilitate endangered wildlife back into the wild, to conduct research on endangered species and captive breeding programs, and finally to educate the general public on wildlife conservation. A variety of animals are under its care, but it is the orangutan rehabilitation program which has been the most recognized and the most successful. Newly rehabilitated orangutans are then released into Kubah National Park.

By visiting Semenggoh and other genuine rehabilitation centers in Borneo, you are supporting projects that are working tirelessly to help save the orangutans and their habitats. This is an example of how responsible tourism can have a real, tangible benefit and how you as a traveler can help save some of the wildlife you have traveled around the world to see. You'll be asked to follow a specific code of conduct to ensure your visit is responsible (such as by keeping a safe distance from the orangutans and keeping noise levels to a minimum), and please bear in mind that sightings are never 100% guaranteed, as the animals are free to roam in the large protected forest area where they live.

At Much Better Adventures, we work hard to accommodate dietary requirements and allergies so your trip is safe, inclusive and enjoyable. That said, options can vary by country, location and accommodation, and in some places options may be limited or unavailable. The information below has been provided by your host so you’re fully informed about what will be possible on your trip depending on your individual requirements. This information should be read carefully prior to your trip to ensure that you are adequately prepared for the situation ‘on the ground’.

Once you have booked on your trip, please fill out your passenger information form asap with any dietary requirements. Once you complete your passenger information, your dietary needs and any allergies are automatically shared with your host and, in turn, your guide. Please submit this as early as possible so they can plan accordingly and deliver the best experience. Please also remind your guide about your dietary requirements upon arrival, as mentioning these in person allows your guide to comprehend individual preferences and limitations as soon as you arrive.

BACKGROUND

Borneo's cuisine is shaped by its dense rainforest interior, long river systems and coastal geography, drawing on Indigenous traditions of the Dayak and other ethnic groups alongside Malay, Chinese and colonial influences that reflect the island's complex cultural history. Meals tend to be simple and ingredient-led, featuring rice, freshwater fish, wild vegetables, jungle ferns and pork in non-Muslim communities, with coconut, chilli and fermented condiments used widely across the island. Dietary diversity varies considerably depending on whether travellers are in coastal towns, interior longhouse communities or the Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak, and vegetarians may find options more limited outside urban areas. Travellers with specific dietary requirements should plan ahead, particularly for more remote stretches, and guides will be essential in communicating needs and ensuring suitable meals are arranged with local hosts and communities.

SPECIAL DIETS Vegetarian -Vegetarian diets can be catered for on this trip, provided your host is informed in advance. While every effort will be made to accommodate your requirements, please note that vegetarian ingredients and specialty meat-free alternatives are not widely available in this destination. As a result, meal options may be somewhat limited and repetitive. Typical vegetarian meals in Malaysia may include dishes such as stir-fried seasonal vegetables, tofu-based dishes, egg dishes, lentil or dhal curry, and rice or rice noodle meals. Local favourites like vegetable fried rice, mee goreng (vegetarian version), and vegetable curry (often prepared with coconut milk) can usually be arranged. Fresh fruit and simple soups are also commonly available. We recommend being flexible with local preparation styles, and bringing any preferred snacks or protein supplements if you require more variety during your trip.

Vegan -Vegan diets can be accommodated on this trip, although they may be more challenging to cater for. While your host will do their best to meet your requirements, please note that vegan-specific ingredients and plant-based alternatives are not widely available in this destination. Due to the remote nature of the itinerary and limited local supply, meal options may be somewhat repetitive. Typical vegan-friendly meals in Malaysia can include simple rice-based dishes, stir-fried seasonal vegetables, tofu, tempeh, vegetable soups, and rice or rice noodle dishes. Many local dishes can be adapted to be vegan by excluding meat, fish sauce, egg, and dairy, for example vegetable fried rice, stir-fried noodles, or vegetable curries prepared with coconut milk. However, we cannot guarantee full variety or specialised vegan substitutes throughout the trip. We strongly recommend bringing your preferred snacks, protein supplements, or meal replacements from home to ensure you have sufficient nutrition and variety during your adventure. Please do consider bringing your favourite snacks or food supplements from home to ensure that you always have enough fuel for your adventure.

Kosher -Fully certified kosher kitchens and supervision are rarely available on this trip and cannot be guaranteed unless expressly confirmed in advance by your host. Where possible, we will do our best to assist, but full kosher preparation standards (including certified supervision, utensils, and separate preparation areas) may not be available in most locations. Vegetarian or vegan meals are often the most reliable alternative, if suitable for you.

Halal -Halal meals can be arranged throughout the trip, provided your host is informed in advance. Please note that halal-certified restaurants or cafés are not widely available in all locations on this itinerary. In many areas, meals will instead be provided from pork-free establishments or local eateries that may use Muslim-friendly ingredients, but do not hold official halal certification. Typical meal options may include grilled or stir-fried chicken or beef from pork-free kitchens, rice-based dishes such as nasi goreng (fried rice) or nasi lemak (without non-halal components), noodle dishes, vegetable curries, soups, and seafood where appropriate. Ingredients such as alcohol-based sauces or non-halal meat products can be excluded upon request, where possible. As certification standards vary by destination and supply is limited in some areas, we are unable to guarantee fully certified halal meals throughout the trip. Where preferred, vegetarian or vegan options are often more consistently available and may provide a more reliable alternative.

INTOLERANCES

Gluten Free -Gluten-free diets can be difficult to accommodate on this trip. While your host will do their best to meet these requirements, please note that gluten-free ingredients are not widely available in this destination. As a result, meal options particularly main courses may be limited and somewhat repetitive, often centred around staples such as steamed rice, rice noodles (bihun), and fresh vegetables. Where possible, naturally gluten-free dishes can be provided, such as grilled or stir-fried meats, fish, eggs, vegetable soups, and simple rice-based meals. However, common ingredients like soy sauce, marinades, and gravies may contain wheat unless specifically substituted. We provide gluten-free soy sauce (Kikkoman brand) for use during meals where applicable. Despite this, we cannot guarantee a completely gluten-free environment due to the risk of cross-contamination in local kitchens and shared cooking spaces. We strongly recommend bringing your preferred gluten-free snacks, protein bars, or supplements from home to ensure you have sufficient suitable options throughout your journey

Lactose Free -Lactose-free diets can be catered for on this trip, provided your host is informed in advance. In Malaysia, many local dishes are naturally lactose-free. Typical meals include steamed rice with grilled or stir-fried chicken, beef or fish, vegetable dishes, clear soups, and rice noodle-based options. Popular local dishes such as nasi goreng (fried rice), mee goreng (fried noodles), and bihun (rice vermicelli) can usually be prepared without dairy ingredients. Coconut milk is commonly used in Malaysian cooking as a substitute for dairy in certain dishes such as curries, and is generally suitable for lactose-free diets. However, creamy or western-style sauces, desserts, and baked goods may contain milk, butter, or cream unless specifically adjusted. While we will do our best to avoid dairy in meal preparation, availability of specialised lactose-free products (such as lactose-free milk, butter, or cream alternatives) may be limited depending on location.

ALLERGIES

Our host has confirmed that provision for certain mild and severe or life threatening food allergies on this trip may be unreliable. Please get in touch with our Customer Experience team prior to booking to discuss whether your requirements can be accommodated safely on this trip. This will allow us to carefully consider the sensitivity and severity of your allergy, the available provision on the trip and the accessibility of medical care should a reaction occur. Your safety is always our top priority. Please note that when travelling overseas, local ingredients, food preparation methods and labelling standards may vary, particularly in remote areas. It is also worth noting that any allergies may result in more limited options and repetitive provision in some areas. Whilst your guide will help communicate dietary requirements where possible, customers remain responsible for managing their own allergies during the trip.

Sure can! Over 70% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.

Our team of Adventure Hunters co-create exclusive adventures which are run by highly vetted, specialist hosts. The trip is run by our trusted host partner in the destination. We only work with independent, local, in-destination experts who know the very best places to explore and how to stay safe. Read more information about the local teams we partner with. You’ll be introduced to the host straight after making a booking via the Much Better Adventures platform.

Much Better Adventures refer to the UK Government’s official travel advice when designing trips and monitoring trip operations. We recommend that all customers review the practical information available on the UK Government’s FCDO website, where you can find up-to-date advice by searching for your destination(s).

If you are based in the United States, you can also check the latest travel advisories from the U.S. Department of State.

For customers joining from other international locations, we recommend checking the official travel advice issued by your country of residence, as guidance may vary.

We recommend checking out the country-specific information and also talking to a travel nurse.

We automatically convert prices from the local currency that a host receives to your chosen currency. We update our exchange rates daily, so prices displayed on the site are subject to currency fluctuations, which is why you may see them change over time.

If you wish to change the currency you pay in, head to the bottom of the page.

All of our group adventures are specially designed for adults to enjoy as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded. You must be over 18 to join one of our trips.

You're always in good company on one of our adventures.

Our trips typically consist of a mix of solo travelers and small groups of 2 or 3 friends, with most in their 30s-50s.

Our sociable adventures are solo-friendly by design and naturally attract outdoorsy people with a shared mindset; a love for adventure, a desire to push themselves, and meet awesome, like-minded people along the way.

It’s this camaraderie that has so often turned a great adventure into a life-changing one.

Don't just take our word for it:

• 95% of people rate the group dynamics on our trips 5/5
• 90% of people recommend joining a trip to make new friends
• 75% of people have met people on our trips that they would now consider friends

See here for more info about the Much Better Adventures tribe.

Borneo is located within the tropics, so you should expect high humidity and the possibility of rain at any time of the year. The best time to visit is during the dry season from March to October. During these months, the climate is typically tropical, with temperatures ranging from a cool 71°F in the evenings to a sultry 93°F in the daytime. Relative humidity is consistently high and typically around 70-90%.