Malaysia (Sabah and Sarawak), Asia
Borneo in May
Dry enough, fewer visitors than midsummer, and Sabah's Kaamatan harvest festival runs all month.
The straight answer
May is one of the best months of the year to visit Borneo. Dry enough, fewer visitors than midsummer, and Sabah's Kaamatan harvest festival runs all month.
- Weather
- Highs near 90F (32C), humid, afternoon showers
- Crowds
- 3 of 5
- Prices
- 3 of 5
What May is like in Borneo
May is dry enough, with highs near 90F (32C), humid air, and afternoon showers. There are fewer visitors than midsummer. Sabah's Kaamatan harvest festival runs all month, peaking at the end, with rice wine, traditional dress, and the Unduk Ngadau pageant.
This month suits families, wildlife lovers, and culture fans. It is one of the best months to go. If you want to see turtles nesting, wait until July. Book Kinabalu permits early. Families can do the Sepilok, sun bear, and Kinabatangan loop in three to four easy days, and the drier weather makes the river cruises especially good.
Make the most of May
What is especially good about Borneo this month.
Kaamatan harvest festival
Kadazan-Dusun harvest celebrations with rice wine, traditional dress, and the Unduk Ngadau pageant.
Wildlife cruises
The Kinabatangan River offers great sightings of proboscis monkeys and hornbills.
Gunung Mulu National Park
Huge caves, limestone spires, and a bat exodus at dusk.
What to pack for May
- Light rain jacket
- Leech socks
- Binoculars
- Insect repellent
Our timing tip
Plan to be in Kota Kinabalu at the end of May for the peak of the Kaamatan festival.
Book Borneo for May.
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- Hotels for May
Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in BorneoOpens a hotel search for Borneo in May, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
- Rentals on Vrbo
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in BorneoWhole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
- Tours and tickets
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in BorneoTimed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Borneo for May. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
What's on in May
Kaamatan (Sabah Harvest Festival)
Throughout May, peaking at the end of the month
Kadazan-Dusun harvest celebrations with rice wine, traditional dress, and the Unduk Ngadau pageant.
Things to do in Borneo
Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre
Feeding times draw the most visitors. The adjacent Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre is worth the extra hour.
Kinabatangan River
Dawn and dusk boat cruises for proboscis monkeys, hornbills, crocodiles, and sometimes pygmy elephants. Drier months are best.
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.
Danum Valley
Primary rainforest with some of the best wild orangutan and gibbon viewing in Borneo. Lodges are limited, so book early.
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.
Sipadan and Semporna
World-class diving with daily permit limits. April through December usually brings the best visibility.
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.
Borneo in May, quick answers
Is May a good time to visit Borneo?
May is one of the best months of the year to visit Borneo. Dry enough, fewer visitors than midsummer, and Sabah's Kaamatan harvest festival runs all month.
What is the weather like in Borneo in May?
Highs near 90F (32C), humid, afternoon showers.
Is Borneo crowded in May?
Crowds in Borneo are moderate in May; timed bookings still help at the biggest sights.
What is happening in Borneo in May?
Kaamatan (Sabah Harvest Festival) (throughout may, peaking at the end of the month).
Keep planning Borneo.
The months either side, and the best one if this is not it.
Also at their best in May
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