Malaysia (Sabah and Sarawak), Asia

Borneo in January

The heart of the northeast monsoon. Wildlife trips still run, but expect rain, muddy trails, flooding risk, and rough seas. Chinese New Year brings regional visitors.

TradeoffsHot and wet, highs near 86F (30C), heavy rain on the east coast and in Kuching

Mount Kinabalu above Kundasang, Sabah, Borneo — BorneoPhoto: kallerna, CC BY-SA 4.0

The straight answer

January is a month of real tradeoffs in Borneo. The heart of the northeast monsoon. Wildlife trips still run, but expect rain, muddy trails, flooding risk, and rough seas. Chinese New Year brings regional visitors.

Weather: Hot and wet, highs near 86F (30C), heavy rain on the east coast and in Kuching
Crowds: 2 of 5
Prices: 2 of 5

What January is like in Borneo

January is the heart of the northeast monsoon in Borneo. It is hot and wet, with highs near 86F (30C) and heavy rain on the east coast and in Kuching. Wildlife trips still run, but expect muddy trails, a risk of flooding, and rough seas that can affect island and dive trips. Chinese New Year may bring a spike of regional visitors late in the month.

This month suits flexible travelers who mainly want to see orangutans at Sepilok and do not mind rain. Families can still enjoy the Sepilok and sun bear loop, with leech socks and rain gear. For river cruises, diving, and hiking in better weather, April through August is a much safer bet.

Make the most of January

What is especially good about Borneo this month.

Sepilok in the rain

The orangutan feeding times still run, and the rain keeps the forest green and cool.

Chinese New Year in Kota Kinabalu and Kuching

Both cities have large Chinese communities, so the holiday brings lanterns and celebrations, if it falls this month.

Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre

Right next to Sepilok, it is an easy extra hour and a big hit with kids.

What to pack for January

A good rain jacket
Leech socks
Quick-dry clothing
A dry bag for phones and cameras

Our timing tip

Plan Sepilok and short river trips first, and keep flexible days for boat trips that the monsoon seas may cancel.

Book Borneo for January.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Borneo
Opens a hotel search for Borneo in January, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for January
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in Borneo
Whole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
Rentals on Vrbo
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in Borneo
Timed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Borneo for January. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

What's on in January

Chinese New Year

Late January to mid February, varies by lunar calendar

Kota Kinabalu and Kuching have large Chinese communities. Some shops close and regional travel spikes.

Things to do in Borneo

Full guide

Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre

Feeding times draw the most visitors. The adjacent Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre is worth the extra hour.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Kinabatangan River

Dawn and dusk boat cruises for proboscis monkeys, hornbills, crocodiles, and sometimes pygmy elephants. Drier months are best.

Tickets and tours →

Mount Kinabalu

Climbs require a permit, a licensed guide, and an overnight at Laban Rata. Permits are limited and book out months ahead for midyear.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Danum Valley

Primary rainforest with some of the best wild orangutan and gibbon viewing in Borneo. Lodges are limited, so book early.

Tickets and tours →

Gunung Mulu National Park

Huge caves, the Pinnacles limestone spires, and a bat exodus at dusk. Reached by small plane from Miri or Kota Kinabalu.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Sipadan and Semporna

World-class diving with daily permit limits. April through December usually brings the best visibility.

Tickets and tours →

Beat the crowds

Travel in April, May, or September instead of July and August. The weather is similar and lodges and permits are easier to secure.
Book Kinabalu permits and Kinabatangan and Danum Valley lodges early; they are the real bottleneck, not crowds on the trail.
At Sepilok, arrive for the morning opening rather than feeding time to avoid the tour bus rush.
For Sipadan, pick a dive operator with guaranteed permit days; other days you dive nearby Mabul and Kapalai, which are excellent in their own right.

Know before you go

Mount Kinabalu climbs require a permit, a licensed guide, and accommodation at Laban Rata; trails can close temporarily after heavy rain or rockfall.
Sipadan access is limited to a fixed number of divers per day, allocated through licensed dive operators.
Turtle Islands Park allows only a small number of overnight visitors, so the few spaces sell out early in nesting season.
During the heaviest monsoon rains (December to February), river levels rise, some jungle trails close, and boat trips can be cancelled.