How much time to spend in Kuala Lumpur and Borneo?

Hi there,

I need some expert advice on these two destinations for a 15-day trip. We land in KL and plan to stay for 2 days before heading to Borneo and finishing with an island for snorkeling. For those who’ve been, what are your must-sees? We were thinking of spending the last 3 days on the Perhentian Islands, unless you’ve got another island to recommend near Borneo. Thanks for your tips and help!

Hi

KL is max 3 days ;)

Hi there, I think 2 days in Kuala Lumpur is the minimum. I’d recommend not missing the famous fountain show at KLCC Park. Feel free to check out this article on KL—it’s got plenty of info: https://www.voyagetranquille.com/visiter-kuala-lumpur/

As for Borneo, I haven’t been yet, but for the Perhentian Islands, I’d 100% recommend them. Just make sure to book your hotel well in advance.

Otherwise, there’s Redang Island, which is nearby and really nice. You can check out this other article: https://www.voyagetranquille.com/decouvrir-la-malaisie/

Hi there,

... then head to Borneo and finish with an island for snorkeling. For those who’ve been before, what are your must-sees?

I assume you’re talking about Malaysian Borneo (Sabah and Sarawak) and not Indonesian Borneo (Kalimantan). It really depends on how long your trip is: I spent 3 weeks in Sabah and Sarawak last September, but you could easily stay longer.

Here’s my travel journal: Borneo, a nature paradise on VoyageForum.

The main attractions are mostly nature, forests, and wildlife, with a bit of city (Kuching) and ethnological sites (Sarawak’s interior): Kuching and its surrounding area (several national parks), the Kapit region, Gunung Mulu National Park, the Brunei coast up north, around Mount Kinabalu, all of eastern Sabah, and the Semporna archipelago for diving or snorkeling.

You could also spend 2 days in the Sultanate of Brunei (two stunning mosques, Ulu Temburong National Park). Don’t go to Borneo for less than 2 weeks—the distances are huge.

We were thinking of spending the last 3 days on the Perhentian Islands, unless you’ve got a closer island to recommend near Borneo,

For the Perhentian Islands, it depends on the season: summer gets crowded, and January–February is monsoon season (no boats, places closed). September–October–November is ideal. But if you’re already in Borneo, it’d be a shame to go to the Perhentians—you could stay on one of the islands around Semporna, where Sipadan offers some of the world’s best diving and snorkeling.

Thanks! Do you have any ideas for accommodations near the islands around Borneo, by the way? Thanks

Thanks, do you have any ideas for accommodations near the islands around Borneo? Thanks

On the islands of Tunku Abdul Rahman Park facing Kota Kinabalu, there’s a luxurious resort on Manukan Island (Balinese-style villas) along a beautiful beach, but avoid weekends. The turquoise sea is stunning, but I was disappointed by the lack of wildlife compared to what I’d read.

In the Semporna archipelago, there’s a luxury resort on the dreamy Pom Pom Island. On Pulau Mabul (the departure point for Sipadan), there are 2 or 3 luxury overwater resorts and about twenty guesthouses in all categories, from basic to upscale—a great selection.

On Pulau Mabul, we stayed at Mabul Paradise Lodge, but you can find better for not much more money.

Avoid staying in Semporna—you’d have nightmares🙁

Hi, do you know the Pom Pom Mussah Poteh Resort on Pom Pom Island? It’s not the most luxurious resort—I’m waiting for their response—but Poteh has availability... Thanks!

Do you know the Pom Pom Mussah Poteh Resort on Pom Pom?

No, I don’t know it :-