From City to Jungle Safari: My Borneo Honeymoon and How You Can Experience It Too
Looking for a holiday that combines adventure, wildlife and beautiful beaches? Borneo could be the perfect destination.
Years ago, I travelled to Borneo for my honeymoon, and it remains one of the most memorable trips I have ever taken. What I loved most was the variety. We experienced the excitement of Hong Kong, explored the local culture of Malaysian Borneo, spotted amazing wildlife and finished with a relaxing week on the beach.
It was the perfect balance of adventure and relaxation, and it's an itinerary I would happily recommend to couples, families and anyone looking for something a little different for their next big holiday.
Our Borneo Itinerary
1. Hong Kong: The Perfect City Stopover
Our honeymoon began with a few days in Hong Kong, and it was a fantastic way to start the trip.
From the incredible food, markets, and lively streets, there was always something to see or do. It gave us a taste of city life before heading somewhere completely different. I love the idea of adding a stopover to a long-haul holiday, so that you get to experience another destination along the way.
My suggestion: If you're planning a similar holiday from Ireland, Singapore is another option worth considering, particularly for families looking for an easy-to-navigate city with a great choice of attractions.
2. Kota Kinabalu: Discovering Malaysian Borneo
From Hong Kong, we travelled to Kota Kinabalu, in Sabah, Malaysian Borneo.
We spent time exploring the local area, experiencing the local night market and enjoying the hotel before flying to Sandakan.
3. Sepilok and the Kinabatangan River: A Wildlife Adventure to Remember
One of the absolute highlights of our trip was visiting the famous Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre. Seeing orangutans in a protected environment was amazing, as they’re incredibly difficult to see in the wild.
From there, we spent three days staying at eco-lodges along the Kinabatangan River, surrounded by rainforest and wildlife – proboscis monkeys, pygmy elephants, hornbills, crocodiles and more.
4. Shangri-La Rasa Ria: Finishing with a Week of Beachside Relaxation
After our time in the rainforest, we returned to Kota Kinabalu and travelled over to the Shangri-La Rasa Ria Resort for a full week. It was the perfect way to finish our adventure.
After all the exploring, we could slow down, enjoy the beach and pool, play a round of golf (with monitor lizards roaming the fairways!), relax and spend time enjoying the resort.
For couples, this offers a lovely combination of adventure and indulgence; for families, it's a chance to unwind after the more active part of the trip, with time to enjoy the beach and resort facilities.
Looking back, I think this balance was one of the reasons the holiday worked so well. We experienced so much, but we also had plenty of time to relax.
Why I'd Recommend Sabah, Borneo
Borneo might not be the first destination that springs to mind when planning a long-haul holiday from Ireland, but I think it deserves to be on more people's travel lists due to the combination of destinations and experiences, all in one trip.
Planning Your Borneo Holiday from Ireland
Planning a multi-centre holiday involves more than choosing flights and a few places to stay – transfers, tours and timings all need to work together to make the experience seamless and enjoyable.
That's where I can help.
Having travelled this itinerary myself, I understand the appeal of combining a city stopover, a rainforest adventure and a relaxing beach stay. I can use that experience to help create a trip that suits your travel dates, budget, preferred style of travel and reflects what you want from your holiday.
Could Borneo Be Your Next Big Adventure?
I still look back on our honeymoon to Borneo as the ideal holiday combining city exploring, rainforest adventures and an opportunity to relax at the end. It's a destination I'd love more Irish people to consider, especially if you're looking for something that offers more than a traditional beach holiday.
Whether you're planning a family adventure or a once-in-a-lifetime trip, I'd love to help you explore the possibilities. Get in touch and let's start planning a tailor-made adventure that's right for you.
