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December 31, 2022

Borneo With Kids

Borneo, Malaysia

When we went: 

June 2022

Itinerary:

Day 1: Fly from Singapore to KK, KK to Sandakan (stay overnight Sandakan)

Day 2: Orangutan rescue center, travel by boat to Sukau Rainforest Lodge

Day 3: River cruising on the Kinabatangan River (SRL)

Day 4: River cruising Kinabatangan River (SRL

Day 5: Leave River Lodge and travel to Lahad Datu, Borneo Rainforest Lodge

Day 6: Explore around BRL

Day 7: Morning at BRL, Transfer out. (overnight in Lahad Datu)

Day 8: Fly to KK. Enjoy time at the beach

Day 9-10 Stay at beach and don’t get too many fly bites

Where we stayed:

Sandakan: Sepilok Forest Edge Resort

Kinabatangan: Sukau Rainforest Lodge

Danum Valley: Borneo Rainforest Lodge

Lahad Datau: Bike and Tours Bed and Breakfast 

Kota Kinabalu: Shangri La Rasa Ria

How did we end up in Borneo with our two small kids? The short answer is that flights were super cheap from Singapore. Once I started doing more research I was super intrigued, especially since Borneo is a bit off the beaten track for most tourists.

Borneo is an island that is part Malaysia, part Indonesia, (and a tiny part Brunei) and home to amazing rainforests and animals. In order to see the best the island has to offer, you’ll need to commit some time to getting there. I knew we would want to spend time on the Kinabatangan River, as the boat safaris are an amazing way to see orangutans, monkeys and even elephants in the wild. We started our trip in Sandakan, home to the orangutan rehabilitation center and gateway to the Kinabatangan. We stayed at Sepilok Forest Edge Resort which had a variety of room types and decent restaurant and small pool. The rest of our lodging would be fairly pricey on this trip, so we wanted to save a little here. It was great for our first night in Borneo – we had a refreshing dip in the pool, delicious dinner and magical walk back to our cabin with a stunning sunset and pitstop to search for the frogs we could hear everywhere.

We were picked up early the next day to go to the Orangutan Rehabilitation Center next door. This is a must do when visiting Borneo with kids. It was a great introduction for us to learn about these amazing animals and what the center is doing to get them back out into the wild. We watched an introductory video about the Orangutans then walked with our guide on the boardwalks through the complex looking for Orangutans. There are specific feeding times for Orangutans at the centre, which means you should be there then as they gather around the feeding platforms. When we went the feeding times were 10am and 3pm. There is also a nursery where baby orangutans learn to play before getting released to the forest – too cute!

Next we were off to start the river portion of our journey in Borneo. We rode a boat about 2 hours from Sandakan to the Sukau Rainforest Lodge. We found this mode of transport relaxing compared to being in a car, with lots to see including our first orangutans in the wild. Pulling up to the Sukau Rainforest Lodge felt magical. It rains almost every day here and we loved how the dock and pathways were misty after the recent rain. Sukau Rainforest Lodge is upscale, and feels like grown up camp. The rooms are all freestanding and a lovely walk through the forest. The dining area is on the river, and 3 meals a day are included in the stay. We enjoyed the food here and the boat rides even more. Each day we would go out in the boat looking for animals. We brought lifejackets with us, which I would recommend for littles under 7 when traveling with kids to Borneo. They fit them well and were in better shape than the jackets on the boat. While boating we saw orangutans, crocodiles, proboscis monkeys, macaques, hornbills, and even pygmy elephants! This was such a great part of our trip and I think the kids especially loved being on the water and the river allows you to see the animals so well! 

After three nights at the Sukau Rainforest Lodge, we transferred by boat to a van that brought us on a two hour drive through palm plantations to Lahad Datu. Once in Lahad Datu we went to the office for Borneo Rainforest Lodge, the only place to stay in Danum Valley, deep in the rainforest. It was another 2.5 hour drive on a bumpy gravel road in a 4WD to the gorgeous Borneo Rainforest Lodge. The rainforest here in the Danum Valley is 148 million years old, making it one of the oldest in the world, and highly protected. Lunch was ready and waiting for us and as we dined, an orangutan strolled past us along the river. So casual! Our room was lovely, and even came with an outdoor bathtub. After getting settled in, we stopped by the gift shop to buy our leech socks and “Adidas Kampong” shoes, which we would need for trekking around the forest. The shop had leech socks for adults and children, and we were glad we’d brought the kids their own rubber boots, as it is very muddy and these also offer some additional protection against the leeches, which are everywhere. 

Each guest at the lodge is assigned a guide, who organizes hikes and helps you understand the rainforest. We especially enjoyed the night activities, when more creatures were out and about. The canopy walk is another must-do while staying with kids in Danum Valley.

After leaving the Borneo Rainforest Lodge we were back in Lahad Datu, and decided to spend the night before flying back to Kota Kinabalu. We stayed at a local guesthouse called Bike and Tours Bed and Breakfast. The rooms were simple and our kids loved the little pool they had out back. The real star here though was the food. We could see why locals flock here on Sunday nights for their famous dinner. Highly recommend. 

We flew back to Kota Kinabalu with a group who were off to Mecca on their Umrah, which was quite the experience. We wanted to spend a few days on the beach so we opted for the family-friendly Shangri La Rasa Ria. This hotel is technically on the beach, but the water is very far from the hotel over sand infested with biting sand flies. We opted to stay at the pool most of the time and our kids loved the water slides. There is a kids club and extensive playground but the property in general feels tired and too big. Perhaps we were spoiled on the first part of our trip but we did not love our stay here. 

Going to Borneo with kids is an unforgettable experience. I highly recommend this family adventure if you’re looking for something a bit off the beaten path in southeast asia. 

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Family Travel Guides & Tips to Keep Parents Sane Bali Guides in Link Below👇👇👇 💌 alison@semicuratedlife.com
  • After 3 years living in Bali and staying at MANY places, here are 5 more we’d stay at again:

📍Save this post for your next trip to Bali with kids! 

1. Bali Eco Stay. We first stayed here 10 years ago on our honeymoon and it was just as great with kids. If you want to see firsthand what sustainability and working with the local community looks like, stay here. Think meals prepared with ingredients from the property and handicraft classes taught by a local grandfather. There is no pool, just swimming in streams and the on-site waterfall. Heaven. @baliecostay 

2. Rimba by Ayana. Besides the largest indoor/outdoor kids club in Bali, this place has so much to do. Pools, tram rides, elevators to the private beach, cultural dinners and an amazing spa - you’ll never need to leave the resort for everyone in the family to have a good time. @rimbabyayana 

3. Munduk Moding Plantation. We loved our stay here in a working coffee plantation. There is a slew of activities each day from horseback riding, guided plantation tours, cooking classes and even making crafts out of recycled plastic. The pools and hot tubs have amazing views over the rest of Bali. @mundukmodingplantation 

4. Coral View Villas. This is the perfect base for families to explore Amed. The beachfront villas are perfect for families and the snorkeling off the beach is world class. There is no kids club here but our kids couldn’t care less, spending their time running around the gardens, splashing in the pool and treasure hunting on the beach. @coral_view_villas 

5. Subak Tabola Villa. If you want your family to experience the true magic of Bali, book a stay here for a couple nights. Located in Sidemen, one of the most beautiful countrysides in all of Bali, you’ll be able to wake up early with Mama Ati to participate in daily prayers and join school children in the afternoon to make traditional offerings or learn Balinese dance or try your hand at gamelan music. @subaktabola_villa
  • Who else has taken their kids on a rush hour train in Tokyo 😅

It’s cultural, right?! 😂
  • When I first moved abroad I felt like I needed to keep so much of our lives from America the same. Cooking familiar dishes, keeping up the same pace of life… 

But so much has changed these past few years. I’ve learned to slow down, to find ways to make life easier and that allow me to spend more time with my family. Food delivery has been a godsend.

Follow @semicuratedlife for more on how we’re living the American Dream OUTSIDE the United States 🇺🇸
  • Planning a trip to Bali with kids? 😅✨
I’ve been there—literally. After 3 years of living in Bali with two little ones, I’ve created the guide I wish I had when we first arrived.

This isn’t just a list of cute cafés and tourist traps—it’s a comprehensive, parent-approved playbook for making your Bali trip unforgettable (and actually enjoyable 🙌).

✔️ 125+ kid-friendly activities
✔️ Where to stay by region + budget
✔️ Emergency info, rainy day plans, diaper brand recs & more
✔️ Created by a real mom who’s explored every corner of the island

Whether you’re coming for two weeks or two months, this guide will help you skip the overwhelm and focus on making memories. 💛

The link for my Bali guide is in my bio! 👆🏼

#balifamilytravel #baliwithkids #travelwithkids #familyadventure #momswhotravel #balitravelguide #bali2025 #familyvacationplanning
  • Many of you have asked why we’re leaving Bali and moving to Portugal. 🇵🇹 

The main reason why is that we want to be closer to our families. It is currently a minimum travel time of 30 hours to get to our families in the US. We’re looking forward to being able to pop back for a few days here and there when we want to or need to! 

We’re also feeling really sad about leaving Bali. We love our life and community and friends here. Starting over again feels daunting but being clear on the reasons we’re doing this makes us know we’re doing the right thing. I’ll be posting more about our move and the process of it all here so stay tuned for more in the coming months. ❤️
  • And snacks. Snacks all over the place. People handing out snacks as you walk down the terminal 😂
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•
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After 3 years living in Bali and staying at MANY places, here are 5 more we’d stay at again: 📍Save this post for your next trip to Bali with kids! 1. Bali Eco Stay. We first stayed here 10 years ago on our honeymoon and it was just as great with kids. If you want to see firsthand what sustainability and working with the local community looks like, stay here. Think meals prepared with ingredients from the property and handicraft classes taught by a local grandfather. There is no pool, just swimming in streams and the on-site waterfall. Heaven. @baliecostay 2. Rimba by Ayana. Besides the largest indoor/outdoor kids club in Bali, this place has so much to do. Pools, tram rides, elevators to the private beach, cultural dinners and an amazing spa - you’ll never need to leave the resort for everyone in the family to have a good time. @rimbabyayana 3. Munduk Moding Plantation. We loved our stay here in a working coffee plantation. There is a slew of activities each day from horseback riding, guided plantation tours, cooking classes and even making crafts out of recycled plastic. The pools and hot tubs have amazing views over the rest of Bali. @mundukmodingplantation 4. Coral View Villas. This is the perfect base for families to explore Amed. The beachfront villas are perfect for families and the snorkeling off the beach is world class. There is no kids club here but our kids couldn’t care less, spending their time running around the gardens, splashing in the pool and treasure hunting on the beach. @coral_view_villas 5. Subak Tabola Villa. If you want your family to experience the true magic of Bali, book a stay here for a couple nights. Located in Sidemen, one of the most beautiful countrysides in all of Bali, you’ll be able to wake up early with Mama Ati to participate in daily prayers and join school children in the afternoon to make traditional offerings or learn Balinese dance or try your hand at gamelan music. @subaktabola_villa
3 days ago
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•
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Who else has taken their kids on a rush hour train in Tokyo 😅 It’s cultural, right?! 😂
6 days ago
View on Instagram |
2/6
@semicuratedlife
@semicuratedlife
•
Follow
When I first moved abroad I felt like I needed to keep so much of our lives from America the same. Cooking familiar dishes, keeping up the same pace of life… But so much has changed these past few years. I’ve learned to slow down, to find ways to make life easier and that allow me to spend more time with my family. Food delivery has been a godsend. Follow @semicuratedlife for more on how we’re living the American Dream OUTSIDE the United States 🇺🇸
1 week ago
View on Instagram |
3/6
@semicuratedlife
@semicuratedlife
•
Follow
Planning a trip to Bali with kids? 😅✨ I’ve been there—literally. After 3 years of living in Bali with two little ones, I’ve created the guide I wish I had when we first arrived. This isn’t just a list of cute cafés and tourist traps—it’s a comprehensive, parent-approved playbook for making your Bali trip unforgettable (and actually enjoyable 🙌). ✔️ 125+ kid-friendly activities ✔️ Where to stay by region + budget ✔️ Emergency info, rainy day plans, diaper brand recs & more ✔️ Created by a real mom who’s explored every corner of the island Whether you’re coming for two weeks or two months, this guide will help you skip the overwhelm and focus on making memories. 💛 The link for my Bali guide is in my bio! 👆🏼 #balifamilytravel #baliwithkids #travelwithkids #familyadventure #momswhotravel #balitravelguide #bali2025 #familyvacationplanning
1 week ago
View on Instagram |
4/6
Many of you have asked why we’re leaving Bali and moving to Portugal. 🇵🇹 

The main reason why is that we want to be closer to our families. It is currently a minimum travel time of 30 hours to get to our families in the US. We’re looking forward to being able to pop back for a few days here and there when we want to or need to! 

We’re also feeling really sad about leaving Bali. We love our life and community and friends here. Starting over again feels daunting but being clear on the reasons we’re doing this makes us know we’re doing the right thing. I’ll be posting more about our move and the process of it all here so stay tuned for more in the coming months. ❤️
Many of you have asked why we’re leaving Bali and moving to Portugal. 🇵🇹 

The main reason why is that we want to be closer to our families. It is currently a minimum travel time of 30 hours to get to our families in the US. We’re looking forward to being able to pop back for a few days here and there when we want to or need to! 

We’re also feeling really sad about leaving Bali. We love our life and community and friends here. Starting over again feels daunting but being clear on the reasons we’re doing this makes us know we’re doing the right thing. I’ll be posting more about our move and the process of it all here so stay tuned for more in the coming months. ❤️
Many of you have asked why we’re leaving Bali and moving to Portugal. 🇵🇹 

The main reason why is that we want to be closer to our families. It is currently a minimum travel time of 30 hours to get to our families in the US. We’re looking forward to being able to pop back for a few days here and there when we want to or need to! 

We’re also feeling really sad about leaving Bali. We love our life and community and friends here. Starting over again feels daunting but being clear on the reasons we’re doing this makes us know we’re doing the right thing. I’ll be posting more about our move and the process of it all here so stay tuned for more in the coming months. ❤️
Many of you have asked why we’re leaving Bali and moving to Portugal. 🇵🇹 

The main reason why is that we want to be closer to our families. It is currently a minimum travel time of 30 hours to get to our families in the US. We’re looking forward to being able to pop back for a few days here and there when we want to or need to! 

We’re also feeling really sad about leaving Bali. We love our life and community and friends here. Starting over again feels daunting but being clear on the reasons we’re doing this makes us know we’re doing the right thing. I’ll be posting more about our move and the process of it all here so stay tuned for more in the coming months. ❤️
Many of you have asked why we’re leaving Bali and moving to Portugal. 🇵🇹 

The main reason why is that we want to be closer to our families. It is currently a minimum travel time of 30 hours to get to our families in the US. We’re looking forward to being able to pop back for a few days here and there when we want to or need to! 

We’re also feeling really sad about leaving Bali. We love our life and community and friends here. Starting over again feels daunting but being clear on the reasons we’re doing this makes us know we’re doing the right thing. I’ll be posting more about our move and the process of it all here so stay tuned for more in the coming months. ❤️
Many of you have asked why we’re leaving Bali and moving to Portugal. 🇵🇹 

The main reason why is that we want to be closer to our families. It is currently a minimum travel time of 30 hours to get to our families in the US. We’re looking forward to being able to pop back for a few days here and there when we want to or need to! 

We’re also feeling really sad about leaving Bali. We love our life and community and friends here. Starting over again feels daunting but being clear on the reasons we’re doing this makes us know we’re doing the right thing. I’ll be posting more about our move and the process of it all here so stay tuned for more in the coming months. ❤️
Many of you have asked why we’re leaving Bali and moving to Portugal. 🇵🇹 

The main reason why is that we want to be closer to our families. It is currently a minimum travel time of 30 hours to get to our families in the US. We’re looking forward to being able to pop back for a few days here and there when we want to or need to! 

We’re also feeling really sad about leaving Bali. We love our life and community and friends here. Starting over again feels daunting but being clear on the reasons we’re doing this makes us know we’re doing the right thing. I’ll be posting more about our move and the process of it all here so stay tuned for more in the coming months. ❤️
Many of you have asked why we’re leaving Bali and moving to Portugal. 🇵🇹 

The main reason why is that we want to be closer to our families. It is currently a minimum travel time of 30 hours to get to our families in the US. We’re looking forward to being able to pop back for a few days here and there when we want to or need to! 

We’re also feeling really sad about leaving Bali. We love our life and community and friends here. Starting over again feels daunting but being clear on the reasons we’re doing this makes us know we’re doing the right thing. I’ll be posting more about our move and the process of it all here so stay tuned for more in the coming months. ❤️
Many of you have asked why we’re leaving Bali and moving to Portugal. 🇵🇹 

The main reason why is that we want to be closer to our families. It is currently a minimum travel time of 30 hours to get to our families in the US. We’re looking forward to being able to pop back for a few days here and there when we want to or need to! 

We’re also feeling really sad about leaving Bali. We love our life and community and friends here. Starting over again feels daunting but being clear on the reasons we’re doing this makes us know we’re doing the right thing. I’ll be posting more about our move and the process of it all here so stay tuned for more in the coming months. ❤️
Many of you have asked why we’re leaving Bali and moving to Portugal. 🇵🇹 

The main reason why is that we want to be closer to our families. It is currently a minimum travel time of 30 hours to get to our families in the US. We’re looking forward to being able to pop back for a few days here and there when we want to or need to! 

We’re also feeling really sad about leaving Bali. We love our life and community and friends here. Starting over again feels daunting but being clear on the reasons we’re doing this makes us know we’re doing the right thing. I’ll be posting more about our move and the process of it all here so stay tuned for more in the coming months. ❤️
@semicuratedlife
@semicuratedlife
•
Follow
Many of you have asked why we’re leaving Bali and moving to Portugal. 🇵🇹 The main reason why is that we want to be closer to our families. It is currently a minimum travel time of 30 hours to get to our families in the US. We’re looking forward to being able to pop back for a few days here and there when we want to or need to! We’re also feeling really sad about leaving Bali. We love our life and community and friends here. Starting over again feels daunting but being clear on the reasons we’re doing this makes us know we’re doing the right thing. I’ll be posting more about our move and the process of it all here so stay tuned for more in the coming months. ❤️
1 week ago
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•
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And snacks. Snacks all over the place. People handing out snacks as you walk down the terminal 😂
2 weeks ago
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