Things to Do in Malaysia

Malaysian Borneo is one of the last great strongholds of rainforest wildlife: orangutans, pygmy elephants, proboscis monkeys and hornbills in forest that has stood for 130 million years, alongside Southeast Asia’s highest peak and world-class diving.

Our placements are in Borneo, where conservation work is set against exactly the habitat loss that makes it necessary.

The best things to do in Malaysia

1. Orangutan sanctuaries

Sepilok near Sandakan is the best-known rehabilitation centre, where orphaned and rescued orangutans are prepared for release into the surrounding forest reserve. Feeding platform viewings are timed, and the adjacent Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre is worth the same trip.

2. The Kinabatangan River

Borneo’s wildlife corridor. Dawn and dusk boat cruises along the river deliver proboscis monkeys, macaques, hornbills, crocodiles and — with luck — wild orangutans and pygmy elephants. Staying in a riverside lodge for two nights gives you four cruises and the best chances.

3. Mount Kinabalu

At 4,095 metres, the highest peak between the Himalayas and New Guinea. The standard climb is two days with an overnight at Laban Rata and a pre-dawn summit push to watch sunrise above the clouds. Permits are limited and must be booked well in advance.

4. Sipadan and Semporna

Sipadan is regularly ranked among the world’s top dive sites — a seamount wall with turtles, barracuda tornadoes and reef sharks. Permits are strictly limited daily, so book far ahead. Mabul and Kapalai nearby offer superb macro diving without a permit.

5. Danum Valley and the deep forest

Primary lowland rainforest, one of the most biodiverse places on earth: canopy walkways, night drives and the chance of clouded leopard. Expensive to reach but the closest thing to untouched Borneo.

6. Kota Kinabalu and the islands

The Sabah capital has a famous waterfront night market and sunsets over the South China Sea. Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park is a fifteen-minute boat ride offshore for easy snorkelling beaches.

When to visit Malaysia

Borneo is tropical and humid year-round. The drier months, roughly March to October, are best for climbing Kinabalu and for diving, with sea conditions calmest around April to August. The wetter months bring heavier afternoon rain but the forest is at its most active and prices drop.

Getting around

Domestic flights connect Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan and Tawau, which is the practical way to move around Sabah. Roads are reasonable but distances are long and slow. Most wildlife destinations are reached by a combination of transfer and boat, usually arranged as part of a lodge stay.

Seeing Malaysia as a volunteer

Borneo placements sit close to the conservation sites the projects support. Our Malaysia placements are based in Borneo, include accommodation, meals, airport pickup and 24/7 in-country support, and leave evenings and weekends free — which is exactly when most of this list gets ticked off. See volunteer programs in Malaysia for live prices and dates, or read our complete guide to volunteering in Malaysia for costs, visas and safety.

Malaysia travel FAQs

Where can I see wild orangutans in Borneo?

Sepilok offers reliable sightings of rehabilitated animals; genuinely wild orangutans are most often seen along the Kinabatangan River and in Danum Valley, though sightings are never guaranteed.

Do I need to book Mount Kinabalu in advance?

Yes — climbing permits and the mountain hut are capped and often sell out months ahead, especially in peak season. It cannot reliably be arranged last minute.

Is diving Sipadan easy to arrange?

Permits are limited to a small number per day and allocated through licensed operators, usually requiring you to stay several nights with them. Plan it well in advance.

What is the weather like in Borneo?

Hot and humid all year, with rain possible in any month. There is no true dry season, but March to October is generally drier and better for the mountain and the sea.

Photo: kallerna / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)