Borneo Birding Tours

Our Borneo birding tours not only offer some fantastic tropical birding (targeting many Borneo bird endemics) but we also find several mammalian highlights, such as Orangutan and Asian Elephant. Borneo, known as “Pulau Borneo” in Malay, and as “Kalimantan” in Indonesian is the world’s third-largest island and is the largest island in Asia. The island is comprised of three countries, Malaysia (East Malaysia) and the Sultanate of Brunei in the north, and Indonesia (the states of East, South, West, North, and Central Kalimantan) in the south. East Malaysia (i.e. Bornean Malaysia) is further divided into the states of Sabah and Sarawak – where our Borneo birding tours focus, and the federal territory of Labuan (nearshore islands). East Malaysia is separated from West Malaysia, where we run our Peninsula Malaysia birdwatching tours, by the South China Sea. Borneo, along with the neighboring islands of Sumatra, Java, and Sulawesi are part of the Greater Sunda Islands. There are a great many other islands that form part of the immense Indonesian island chain. It was announced in late 2019 that Indonesia plans to move its capital city from Jakarta (in Java) to a new location in East Kalimantan near to the existing cities of Balikpapan and Samarinda. We have lots of new Indonesia tours coming soon, look out for them here.

Borneo should be firmly planted on every traveler’s and world birder’s dream destination wish list. According to the International Ornithological Congress (IOC) the island of Borneo is home to over 700 bird species, including over 50 Bornean endemic birds, the vast majority of which are possible in just a short trip. BirdLife International recognizes seven Endemic Bird Areas (EBAs) in Malaysia, and 38 EBAs in Indonesia. Six of these EBAs occur in Borneo, four occur in both Malaysian- and Indonesian-controlled Borneo (e.g. Bornean Coastal Zone, Bornean Mountains, Northeast Bornean Islands, and Natuna Islands), with the two others in individually controlled regions e.g. Sabah Lowlands in Malaysian Borneo and Kalimantan Lowlands in Indonesian Borneo. The Bornean Mountains EBA also partially occurs in Brunei.

Read More About Borneo (Malaysia)

Some of the endemic, mouthwatering jewels we search for on our Bornean birding tours include Crimson-headed PartridgeBulwer’s PheasantDulit FrogmouthBornean FrogmouthBornean Ground CuckooWhitehead’s TrogonBornean BarbetWhite-fronted FalconetHose’s BroadbillWhitehead’s BroadbillBlue-headed PittaBornean Banded PittaBlue-banded PittaBlack-crowned PittaBornean Bristlehead (a monotypic family), Black OrioleBornean Green MagpieFriendly Bush WarblerBare-headed LaughingthrushMountain BlackeyeFruithunterWhite-crowned ShamaBornean Forktail, and the last of the ‘Whitehead’s Trio”, Whitehead’s Spiderhunter.

We concentrate our Borneo birding tours in the north of the island, in the Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak. Large areas of these states are carpeted in some of the most lush and spectacular tropical rainforest on the planet, with pristine dipterocarp forests supporting some breathtakingly giant trees. These forests support a wide range of highly sought birds such as numerous members of the pitta, broadbill, trogon, and hornbill families (e.g. the Critically Endangered Helmeted Hornbill). There are plenty of other interesting habitats to explore too, and one of the most impressive and eye-catching of these is the massif of Mount Kinabalu, the highest peak in Borneo (and all of Malaysia) at 13,435 feet (4,095 meters). The mountain is cloaked in beautiful montane cloudforest transforming into montane alpine shrublands and grasslands. Riverine habitats, mangrove swamps, and picturesque white-sand beaches will also provide seriously exciting birds at every turn. Some of the other, non-endemic targets during our trips include the monotypic Rail-babbler and Crested Jay (a monotypic family according to some taxonomies), plus Great ArgusStorm’s StorkChristmas FrigatebirdNicobar PigeonGiant PittaWrinkled HornbillWhite-crowned HornbillOrange-backed Woodpecker, and Straw-headed Bulbul.

It’s not all about the birds in Borneo, though, as the island supports many mammalian treasures, like Bornean OrangutanAsian Elephant (the subspecies here possibly warrants full species status as Bornean Pygmy Elephant), Sumatran Rhinoceros (Bornean endemic subspecies), Sunda Clouded Leopard (Bornean endemic subspecies), Flat-headed CatBearded PigProboscis MonkeyColugoNicobar Crab-eating MacaqueRed Giant Flying SquirrelGreater Oriental ChevrotainMalay Civet, and an array of reptiles, amphibians, and gorgeous butterflies.

In Sabah we stay in wonderful hotels and lodges catering specifically for those interested in watching or photographing wildlife in comfort, as we make our way around Mount Kinabalu, Kinabatangan River, Gomantong Caves, Sepilok Forest Reserve (including excellent canopy walkways), and the amazing Danum Valley where we stay at the world-renowned Borneo Rainforest Lodge – a certain tour highlight. It goes without saying that on this Borneo birding tour we will be enjoying wonderful accommodation, great and tasty local dishes, and very friendly people. While in Sarawak we venture more “off-the-beaten-track”, targeting deep-forest rare endemic birds and we make use of some strategic homestay accommodation that gets us right to the prime blocks of habitat for key birds.

All in all, a great time should be expected on both Borneo birding tours. There is something interesting and unique wherever you look in Borneo, whether it be a bird or another exotic animal! So come and explore this exciting Oriental island with us as we travel in a small group with professional tour leaders supported by expert and knowledgeable local guides to ensure you get the most out of your birding Borneo birding tour.

Download Borneo (Malaysia) Itineraries

Borneo: Sabah Classic Tour July 2024/September 2025

Borneo: Sarawak – Restricted Range Endemics September 2025

Borneo (Malaysia) Gallery

Testimonials from our Borneo (Malaysia) birding tours

We had an excellent experience on the Birding Ecotours Sabah Classic Tour with Andy Walker, the tour leader, and our local guide, both being exceptional birders. They located all the key target birds with skill and tenacity and always worked hard for all members of the group to get good views. So many highlights: the elusive Whitehead's Trogon and Broadbill, the mythical Bornean Ground Cuckoo, the last-minute Bornean Bristlehead, Forktails, Fruithunters, Everett's Thrush…to name just a few truly exceptional birds that were so worth the effort of searching them out. Boating on the Kinabatangen River gave superb views of so many fantastic hornbills and the canopy walkways gave access to great views of many species otherwise unreachable. This was our second time birding with Andy. Excellent birding skills, very well organised, sensitive to needs of group members (photographers/non-photographers), and good company.

Steve and Joanne - On Andy and Borneo

This trip was amazing. This is my second trip with Andy, and he is absolutely amazing. His knowledge and birding skills are extraordinary, and he’s so committed to getting all his tour group a good view of all species possible. He also deals with difficult situations and keeps the group on an even footing. A very professional young man! He was invisibly but constantly working to take care of the eBird lists, lodgings, transportation, schedules and all details that made the trip as seamless as possible.

Claudia - On Andy and Borneo

The birds were spectacular (of course) and both Andy, our Birding Ecotours leader, and our local guide, were excellent in their ability to find and show birds and to shepherd our group.

Bill - On Andy and Borneo

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