Let's take this exotic journey together!
Just the word "Borneo" conjures up images of steamy jungles, exotic wildlife and maybe even headhunters! Today's Borneo may not be the extreme wilderness of the past, but it remains a fascinating place to visit with much to offer. Borneo is the third largest island on Earth (after Greenland and New Guinea). For context, it is three times larger than Britain.
Borneo is shared by three countries: Indonesia (73%), Malaysia (26%) and Brunei (1%). In terms of tourism, Malaysia is the most popular destination and has the best infrastructure. Indonesia is more 'off the grid', and Brunei doesn't really cater to tourism.
The Malaysian part of Borneo is further divided into two states, Sabah and Sarawak. During our 12 day tour, we will spend 7 days in Sabah, 3 days in Sarawak, 1 day in Brunei and 1 day in Singapore at the end.
For many, the highlight of our visit will be the three days we spend on river safari at the Kinabatangan Wetlands Resort. While there, guests will enjoy multiple trips on the river looking for elephants, monkeys, orangutans and multiple species of hornbill birds.
We will also spend time with local Rotarians. Haliburton Rotary and TravelMaven have already spent time with Rotarians there, and they look forward to seeing us again in Kota Kinabalu, Brunei and Kuching.
In the end, Rotary BORNEO offers a truly exotic once-in-a-lifetime experience for those attending the Taipei Convention. Most Canadians don't really know much about this place, but this is the perfect opportunity to learn. By ending our tour in Singapore, some may want to stay a few more days in that ultramodern city (ask Barry for details).
PLEASE NOTE: Rotary BORNEO will follow the 2026 Rotary International Convention. As such, it begins in Taipei on Thursday June 18 and ends in Singapore on Monday June 29. Guests should book their flights from Canada accordingly. (However, the 6 regional flights in this tour are included in the Land Package price.)
THIS IS A DEMANDING TOUR: This tour does not include a lot of walking or climbing, but the climate in Borneo is hot and humid, and we will spend time in the jungle. If anyone is concerned about their ability to manage this, please ask Barry for more details.
TOUR DETAILS
LAND PACKAGE: C$5,480
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: C$1,840
BEGINS IN TAIPEI: Thu Jun 18, 2026
ENDS IN SINGAPORE: Mon Jun 29, 2026
HOTELS: 4 star & 3 star
GROUP: Max 18 guests (14 Remaining)
DURATION: 12 days (11 hotel nights)
Rotary Tour Team
Rotary Tours are a fundraiser for the Rotary Club of Haliburton. Ursula Devolin (President 2021/22) chairs the club's Rotary Tours Committee, while her husband Barry (TravelMaven Tours) designs and operates the tours.
DAILY AGENDA
DAY 1 (Thu Jun 18) Fly Taipei to Kota Kinabalu (D)
Guests will meet at Taipei Airport for a midday direct flight to Kota Kinabalu, the largest city in Malaysian Borneo and the starting point of our adventure. Upon arrival, we’ll transfer to our downtown hotel, where guests will have time to settle in and enjoy a swim or relax. In the evening, we’ll come together for our Welcome to Borneo dinner, where we’ll enjoy a variety of local flavors.
DAY 2 (Fri Jun 19) Kota Kinabalu Day (B,L)
On our first full day in Borneo we will tour sights around Kota Kinabalu, including a visit to the Mari Mari Cultural Village. The visit offers a fascinating look at local customs, crafts, and architecture. In the evening, guests will have free time to enjoy the city’s vibrant food scene, whether dining at one of the many restaurants along the scenic waterfront or sampling local dishes at the nearby night market.
Mari Mari Cultural Village
DAY 3 (Sat Jun 20) Rotary Day (B,D)
Local Rotarians are eager to welcome their Canadian counterparts to Borneo. While the final itinerary will be confirmed closer to our arrival, the day will be dedicated to visiting a variety of Rotary projects around the city. Along the way, we’ll have the chance to see Kota Kinabalu from a local perspective and build connections through shared service and fellowship.
DAY 4 (Sun Jun 21) Brunei Day (B,D)
Today, we’ll take a short flight to the small but fascinating nation of Brunei, to see the sights in the company of local Rotarians. One of the most iconic landmarks is the palace of the Sultan, Omar Ali Saifuddien III. While we don't expect an audience with the Sultan, we will see many interesting places in his kingdom. In the evening, we'll fly back to Kota Kinabalu.
The Abode of Peace, Brunei
DAY 5 (Mon Jun 22) Fly Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan; Orangutan & Sun Bear Centres (B,L,D)
We'll depart Kota Kinabalu for a midday flight to Sandakan, gateway to the Borean jungle. Upon arrival, we’ll explore the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, a safe haven for orphaned and injured orangutans. Next, we’ll visit the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre, dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and protection of the smallest bear species before heading into Sandakan to overnight.
DAY 6 (Tue Jun 23) Up the river to the Kinabatangan Wetlands Resort (B,L,D)
After breakfast and checkout, we’ll begin our safari adventure with a skiff ride along the Borneo coast and up the Kinabatangan River. As we travel inland, the scenery shifts to dense rainforest teeming with wildlife. Our destination is the renowned Kinabatangan Wetlands Resort, where we’ll spend two days immersed in the heart of the Bornean jungle.
Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre
DAY 7 (Wed Jun 24) Kinabatangan Wetlands Resort (B,L,D)
For many, this day will be the highlight of our trip. Our day will begin before sunrise on a boat on the river looking for wildlife in the trees and on the shore. After returning to the lodge mid-morning, we will enjoy a walk in the jungle before heading off for another river safari in the afternoon. After dinner, our guides will take us back into the jungle to observe nocturnal animals.
DAY 8 (Thu Jun 25) Boat to Sandakan; fly to Kuching (B)
After an early breakfast, we'll catch a boat back to Sandakan, transfer to the airport, then fly to Kuching via Kota Kinabalu. Upon arrival in Kuching, we’ll check in to our hotel, and Barry will lead a short orientation walk around the nearby area, pointing out a variety of restaurants, cafes, and local spots where guests can enjoy dinner and get a feel for the city’s vibrant atmosphere.
Kinabatangan River Safari
DAY 9 (Fri Jun 26) Kuching Day (B,D)
Kuching is a charming and walkable city. We’ll begin the day with a visit to the Borneo Cultures Museum, an excellent introduction to Sarawak providing centuries of context for this place. After the museum visit, guests will have a free afternoon to explore the city. In the evening, we’ll come together for a group dinner at a local restaurant near the hotel.
DAY 10 (Sat Jun 27) Rotary Day (B,D)
On this day, we’ll be joined by several Rotarians from Kuching who will guide us through their city. We’ll visit a selection of local Rotary projects, gaining insight into the community initiatives they support and the challenges they address. It’s a unique opportunity to connect with fellow Rotarians and Rotary projects. We'll end the day with our Farewell Dinner.
Kuching Riverfront
DAY 11 (Sun Jun 28) Fly Kuching to Singapore; Chinatown Walking Tour (B,L)
After breakfast and check-out, we'll head to the airport for the short flight to Singapore, arriving in the early afternoon. After checking in at the Capri Hotel China Square, Barry will lead a walking tour through some of the vibrant neighborhoods surrounding the hotel. In the evening we'll have a casual dinner in a Hawker Centre where guests can sample a variety of local dishes in a lively and authentic setting.
DAY 12 (Mon Jun 29) End of tour; fly home (B)
Our tour officially ends after breakfast this morning. While many in the group will begin their journeys home, others may wish to extend their stay and spend an extra day or two exploring the vibrant city of Singapore. Depending on how many guests want to stay, and for how long, Barry will be happy to book rooms and organize tours of the city.
Marina Bay Complex, Singapore