A river safari in Borneo is one of those experiences that looks unreal in photos—orangutans swinging above the river, elephants on the banks, mist rising off the water at sunrise. But it’s also remote, time-intensive to get to, and the jungle = giant leeches, malaria and dengue fever-carrying mosquitos, sudden downpours—you get the picture.

So is Borneo worth visiting really? The short answer is 1000% yes for me—but not for everyone. In this guide, I’m breaking down what a river safari in Borneo really involves, the pros and cons, realistic wildlife expectations, cost, and who this experience makes sense for—all based on my firsthand experiences!

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!

What you actually do on a jungle river safari in Borneo

Let’s clear up the word safari first, because this is not an African-style game drive.

A river safari in Borneo is boat-based wildlife viewing. Your days revolve around slow cruises in an 8-12 seat motorboat on the river at dawn and dusk, when animals are most active. You’re scanning the tree line for movement, shadows, and sounds—a tail here, a flash of orange there, something rustling just out of sight.

A typical day looks like:

• early morning river cruise
• breakfast back at the lodge
• downtime (reading, napping, processing how green everything is, being terrifyingly alone with your thoughts without wifi 😂)
• lunch at the lodge
• snack and tea time
• afternoon or sunset cruise
• dinner and early night or evening jungle hike

Most accommodations are ecolodges along the river. Simple, open air, comfortable, and intentionally low-impact. This isn’t a luxury experience, and it’s not meant to be! Part of the beauty of a remote trip like this is that a monkey can run into the open air dining area during lunch, jump on the table, steal fruit from the basket, and run back out. This literally happened on my second day in Borneo!

If you want the breakdown on the exact package I booked (all-inclusive with my ecolodge, cruises, meals, etc) you’ll find it here!

The pros of a river safari in Borneo

This is why people go—and why, for the right traveler, it absolutely delivers.

• Incredible wildlife density
  You’re in one of the most biodiverse places on Earth, and the river concentrates life in a way that makes sightings realistic, not hypothetical.
• Species you can’t see anywhere else
  Wild Bornean orangutans, proboscis monkeys, pygmy elephants — these aren’t zoo animals or reserves. This is their actual home, and it’s incredible to see an orangutan pluck figs from a tree or watch 2 juvenile male pygmy elephants test their metal! I’ve never had a terrestrial wildlife encounter that rivals this, and it’s the kind of thing you have to see to believe!
• No crowds
  Even at popular lodges, the experience is quiet and spacious. No safari vehicle traffic jams, no elbowing for photos.
• Low-effort wildlife viewing
  You’re not hiking for hours or chasing sightings. You’re sitting in a boat, drifting, watching the jungle reveal itself on its own terms.
• It’s genuinely wild
  Seeing wildlife in Borneo is NOT curated, polished, or performative. That’s rare now! The guides get just as excited as you do when they manage to find an orangutan or elephant in this vast, ancient rainforest!

The cons (what might make it not worth it for you)

This part matters—and if any other blogs or reddit posts gloss over it, that’s a red flag.

• It takes time to get there
  Getting to the river involves flights, transfers, and patience. This is not a “quick add-on” destination. I was traveling in Asia already at the time and it was still a 20 hour journey with an uncomfortable overnight layover in the Kuala Lumper airport.
• It’s hot, humid, and occasionally soggy
  Even in drier months, it’s still a rainforest. Rain happens, clothes never fully dry, and you need to be prepared with full rain gear and coverage for cameras and backpacks at a moment’s notice.
• Wildlife sightings aren’t guaranteed
  This is real nature, not a scripted experience. Like I mentioned before, I was super thankful that I booked a 4th day on my safari because we didn’t see orangutans until the LAST cruise!
• Accommodations are basic
  Comfortable, yes. Luxurious, no. If the idea of basic lodging stresses you out, this may not be your trip. There are private chalets and (typically) air conditioning, but there still often isn’t wifi in the rooms and you won’t find spas, pools, concierges, etc.
• Cost vs comfort can feel mismatched
  You’re paying for access, guides, conservation, and logistics—not amenities.

None of these were dealbreakers for me, but they absolutely could be for someone else!

If any of this worried you, you may feel a little more comfortable planning your trip if you check out my month by month guide on the best times to go for comfort, wildlife, and weather!

What wildlife you can realistically expect to see

Common sightings

• proboscis monkeys
• long-tailed macaques
• short-tailed macaques
• silver leaf monkeys
• crocodiles
• countless birds

Occasional sightings

• orangutans
• pygmy elephants
• rhinoceros hornbill

Rare / highly unlikely sightings

• clouded leopards
• wild cats
• nocturnal species

Seeing orangutans or elephants is possible, not promised. And honestly? That uncertainty is part of what makes the experience feel meaningful rather than transactional.

I go much deeper in my dedicated Borneo wildlife guide! If you want to know the best timing for seeing orangutans and your chances of seeing the Borneo Big 5, you can read my wildlife guide here!

Is Borneo worth the cost?

A jungle river safari in Borneo is one of the most affordable wildlife viewing experiences in the world. You get comfortable lodging, great food, access to protected ecosystems, expert local guides, conservation-focused companies, and a chance to witness wildlife behaving naturally. For me, Borneo was once-in-a-lifetime and I’d love to go back someday to relive it again and again!

Compared to other wildlife experiences, the value comes from:

• seeing rare species in the wild
• minimal crowds
• depth over spectacle

If comfort-per-dollar with luxury amenities and wifi is your metric, this may not feel worth it. If meaning-per-dollar is, it will. This is my full cost breakdown, including the exact all-inclusive package I booked with lodging, cruises, meals, and more!

So is Borneo worth visiting?

Who a jungle river safari in Borneo is worth it for

• wildlife-first travelers
• slow travel lovers
• photographers and nature observers
• people okay with rustic accommodations
• travelers who value experience over comfort

Who might answer no to “is Borneo worth visiting?”

• luxury-first travelers
• people who will be upset without guaranteed sightings
• nightlife or city-focused trips
• anyone uncomfortable being off-grid
• people with young children (be sure to check age requirements for different operators!)

I hope this helped you decide on your question, “Is Borneo worth visiting?” I personally can’t recommend it enough, and it’s one of the best wildlife experiences I’ve ever had. <3