For the perfect Easter family holiday combining adventure and beach luxury then we would recommend visiting Borneo.
April is a perfect time of year to visit Borneo with temperatures ranging from 25 to 32 degrees and a wonderful way to spend the Easter school holidays. It has something for every member of the family, amazing wildlife, tropical jungle and idyllic beaches.
You can fly from London to Kota Kinabalu with only one stop in Kuala Lumpur and the transit time is only 1 hour. Most of the flights arrive around midday and you can be on the beach by 2 or 3pm. I would recommend staying at the Shangri-La Rasa Ria, which is about a 40-minute drive from the airport. As you step out of your taxi you are transported into a lush tropical environment, 64 acres to be precise, and walk through the hotel and there is the white sandy beach leading onto the turquoise sea of Pantai Dalit.
Aerial Shangri-la Rasa Ria
This beautiful hotel is set in a nature reserve so is surrounded by birds and butterflies. I would recommend a room in the Garden Wing if you are travelling with children. It is nearer the adventure playground and slippery slid pool. There are jungle trails and if you are very adventurous, the “Breakfast with a View” could be on your itinerary. You will trek up Mt Kinabalu to see a Borneo sun rise. An absolutely magical sight. Although a few days relaxing and winding down to a slower pace is so therapeutic. A must is the canopy walk through the reserve and experience the jungle from the trees, watching the orangutans carry on their daily routine around you. It is a wonderful way to experience this beautiful natural world without disturbing any of the animals.
On to Sepilok on your Borneo adventure
After a couple of days, a trip to Sepilok for some adventure, you can fly from Kato Kinabalu to Sandakan. It is a short 45-minute flight and then transfer to Sepilok in 20 minutes. From now on Wi-Fi and connectivity will be in short supply but this is family time! Sepilok Nature Resort is only a 5-minute walk from the Sun Bear Sanctuary and Orangutan Reserve so perfectly situated. The accommodation is made up of wooden chalets with terraces overlooking the lake. It is mesmerising watching the wildlife from the deck. The guides have a fabulous knowledge of the fauna and flora, like all Malay they are so friendly and cannot do enough to help. I think the food at the lodge is the best in the area. At least 2 nights stay here is recommended.
If you are prepared to go really basic but clean, I would recommend a night stay on Selingan Island. This is a perfect place watch the turtles laying their eggs and the hatchlings making their way to the sea is a magical experience. It is extremely regulated, and the rangers collect you from the lodge and take you to the beach. This is to make sure you do not disturb the female turtles. There is no handling of the hatchlings either. If the lodge is too basic, no A/C and shared facilities, saying that they are super clean, miss this excursion out.
Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge
From Sandakan I would take a river cruise to Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge. This takes about 1.5 hours but some of the cruises offer a lunch on the way. It is lovely watching the birds and monkeys at the side of the river and this takes about 2.5 hours. The accommodation at the Lodge is simple but clean and makes a point of impacting the natural habitat as little as possible.
There is a pool so everyone can have a cooling swim. Plus the kids can muck about in it after a day wildlife watching. The guides are amazing and point out the wildlife hidden around you. There are orangutans, crocodiles, wild boar, a plethora of birds and if you are lucky you may spy some pygmy elephants or proboscis monkeys. Again, a couple of nights there is well worth it.
Tabin Wildlife Reserve in Borneo
From there I would then travel to Tabin Wildlife Reserve. It is a 2-hour trip and some of it on dirt roads but seeing the sights and sounds along the way make up for it. The Reserve is dedicated to conservation and replanting the rainforest and has been established for over 20 years. This is a great place to introduce your children to restoration of the rainforests. They can join in planting trees and the guides are brilliant and keeping the children’s interest. Everyone there is passionate about preserving this delicate ecosystem and love educating the next generation. There are birds a plenty, orangutans, elephants the list is endless.
A couple of nights at the Reserve then back to Sandakan and a flight to Kota Kinabalu. I would spend the last few days back in 5* luxury. Either staying at the Shangri-La Rasa Ria again or try the Shangri-La Tanjung Aru Resort, only 10 minutes from the city, before flying back to the UK.
Shangri-la Tanjung Aru Resort
This is a magical trip and a fantastic holiday for all the family.
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