If you’re considering visiting Borneo, Malaysia and wondering, “How much does a river safari in Borneo cost?” you’re in the right place! A river safari in Borneo typically costs between $100–$600+ per person, depending on the length of the safari, accommodation level (dorm, moderate ecolodge or luxury chalet), and what extras you decide to include and exclude!

The Bornean jungle is remote, so most river safari packages are all-inclusive and bundle lodging, guided river cruises, and meals. If you’re looking for a once-in-a-lifetime wildlife experience, this is one of the most affordable places in the world to get it (seriously—tiny elephants and orangutans for around $100? Yes please!)

In this guide, I’ll break exactly what I paid, what was included (and what wasn’t, which can quietly add to your budget), and which package I personally recommend for an incredible safari in Borneo, Malaysia!

This guide is part of my Borneo safari series, where I unpack Kinabatangan river safaris, costs, packages & ecolodges, timing for seeing the incredible wildlife in Sabah! If Borneo’s on your bucket list, you’ll want to explore the rest of the series before you book!

How much does a river safari in Borneo cost?

Typical river safari prices in Borneo

I went on a moderate river cruise safari and ecolodge experience, and the prices for inclusive packages varied by length and room type. For example, you could book a bed in an dorm-style room on property, or a luxury chalet with a bathtub overlooking the river! Safaris in Borneo aren’t like Africa, where you could spend a week or more—most are 2-5 days.

For a moderate ecolodge, including meals and 2 daily river cruises, expect to pay around:

• $220-300 for 2 days and 1 night
• $300-375 for 3 days and 2 nights
• $375-500 for 4 days and 3 nights

These are ranges because you can include upgrades, like from a regular room to a chalet, or add on visits to nearby orangutan and sun bear rehabilitation centers!

How likely are you to actually see the Borneo “Big 5”? Check out my next blog, What wildlife can you see on a river safari in Borneo, Malaysia?

What’s usually included in river safari packages?

The lodges on the Kinabatangan river aren’t accessible without a guide—it’s literally the jungle and it’s a bump ride there from the airport, even with an experienced driver! So because there aren’t nearby restaurants or stores of any kind, the packages include everything you need during your stay:

• Airport pick up and drop off
• 3 meals a day
• Accommodations
• River cruises

This varies a bit from operator to operator, but this is the general package. Keep reading for EXACTLY what I booked and paid, and what it included specifically!

What’s often not included (unexpected or hidden costs!)

• Flights
• Alcohol
• Tips (appreciated, but not expected!
• Extras:
  • Full body raincoat
  • Renting binoculars
  • Leech socks for treks
  • Jungle-strength bug spray. This I HIGHLY recommend bringing with you from home instead of buying it there—I had to email with the resort ahead of time for them to ship it in because I was traveling in somewhere equally remote at the time. It can be a little pricey!

EXACTLY what I paid and the package I booked: What an all-inclusive river safari package actually costs in Borneo

My grand total, including add ons, was $419!

So is Borneo expensive? Absolutely not.

I booked a Kinabatangan river cruise that was 4 days and 3 nights. It was an all-inclusive experience with River Junkie, and it was nothing short of phenomenal! Every aspect of this trip was smooth, from airport pickup to the hearty food to the stories from our local guides, born and raised in Borneo’s jungle villages.

I originally booked the 3D2N Kinabatangan River Safari without Sepilok (perfect for a tight budget!), and I added an extra day and night because I was nervous 3 days wouldn’t be enough time to spot all of the Borneo big 5. And I was right! I didn’t see an orangutan until day 4! 

Want to have the best chance possible of seeing orangutans and other wildlife, or avoiding humidity and rain? Hop over to my guide with the best time to visit Borneo with a month by month breakdown!

What was and wasn’t included in my all-inclusive package

• Comfortable, air conditioned lodging at the Hornbill Lodge, which was perched above the river with an airy outdoor main building and separate chalets and rooms along the banks.
• 3 excellent buffet meals and a snack with tea time every day. The food was Malaysian, with staples like rice and spicy sambal sauce with meat, tofu, veggies, beans, etc.
• Transfer to and from the airport
• 2 cruises + 1 jungle trek a day

I also rented binoculars from the lodge, which I 100% recommend unless you bring your own, and purchased a poncho with the muscle to stand up to the jungle rain (every now and then it would DOWNPOUR while we were out on the uncovered boats, and honestly I don’t think my raincoat from home would have stood up to the buckets coming down!).

Total, I paid $419 for the entire experience staying in a fantastic, air conditioned 6-dorm at the lodge. For a little more, you can stay in a private chalet, but your girl was on a budget! That figure includes my add ons of bug spray, the poncho, and a couple of Tiger beers at dinner.

Is an all-inclusive river safari in Borneo worth the cost?

For me, 100% yes! A Kinabatangan River safari can be an incredible budget-friendly wildlife experience, especially when you consider how expensive many wildlife safaris around the world have become. You’re seeing animals here that exist nowhere else on Earth without the five-figure price tag of African safaris or polar expeditions.

That said, this kind of trip isn’t for everyone. Check out my full review of whether a river safari in Borneo is worth it for my super detailed, honest take. But at a high level, a river safari in Borneo makes the most sense for you if:

• You love remote, nature-first experiences and early mornings
• You’re comfortable spending hours on open boats in heat, sun, rain, and humidity (luxury operators may have a different set up, but our safari boats were open air!)
• You can contend with mosquitoes and tropical conditions
• You’re happy unplugging and spending downtime at a jungle lodge
• You want a true adventure-style experience over luxury amenities

It may not be worth it if you:

• Prefer polished luxury over raw, immersive nature
• Are traveling with young kids (many eco-lodges and operators have age requirements, so always check)
• Don’t want to get in and out of small boats or sit for long periods
• Would be frustrated or unprepared for rain, heat, or changing weather
• Need consistent Wi-Fi or entertainment outside of wildlife activities

I hope this answered your question, “How much does a river safari in Borneo cost?” Let me know if you have any questions in the comments!