Tailor-made trips for 2027 & 2028
Gay Borneo Luxury Tours & Vacations
Tailor-made, always
Every trip built from scratch around your dates, pace and preferences.
Your own specialist
One named person and a 24-hour number while you travel.
Hundreds of five-star reviews
Rated Excellent on Trustpilot across ten years of LGBTQ+ luxury travel.
Borneo is the largest island in Asia and it has just over 18 million inhabitants. It’s mostly governed by Indonesia. Parts of the island are governed by Malaysia and Brunei.
Needless to say, the island is not gay-friendly. It is, however, a fascinating place that it home to one of the world’s oldest rainforests.
Tours in Borneo
Our itineraries are here to inspire you. Everything we do is tailor-made, so our team will customize one around your dates, pace and preferences.
The Headhunters Of Borneo
Tailor-made VacationIf you're looking for an exotic adventure then look no further. This itinerary will take you deep into the rainforest of Borneo where you'll follow the headhunter's trail. Borneo has one of the world's oldest rainforests and it's full of vibrant wildlife. You'll get the chance to meet some orangutangs: they are native to this part of the world and you won't see them anywhere else.
12 days tailor-made from $3,375 per person View trip
Welcome To The Jungles Of Malaysia & Borneo
Tailor-made VacationFrom the bright lights of Kuala Lumpur to Borneo, you'll stay in a native Iban longhouse, sail the Lemanak River and trek through Batang Ai national park. The adventure will conclude in Tioman Island, hailed as one of the world's most beautiful islands by TIME Magazine. This is a great way discover the flora and fauna of two rarely visited countries.
12 days tailor-made from $3,640 per person View tripStellar service. Stellar products. Stellar people and it gets so much better when you pick up the phone and call.
Anthony S.
Super client centred service. From first contact I have had warm, efficient, friendly and flexible service.
John
I’m confident in giving Out Of Office a 5-star review! They are one of the leaders in this space without a doubt.
Tiberiu
Borneo in pictures
Is Borneo LGBTQ+ friendly?
Most Borneo trips take place in the Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak, and Malaysia is one of the more restrictive countries in the region for LGBTQ+ people: same-sex relations are illegal, and there is no legal recognition or protection.
On a wildlife trip, that matters less than it might sound. Days are spent with private guides in the rainforest, on the rivers and with the orangutans, and the eco-lodges and hotels we use are used to international couples sharing a room.
Discretion is still sensible. Keep public affection for your room, and be aware that attitudes in Kota Kinabalu, Kuching and rural communities are conservative. We plan Borneo with guides and lodges we trust to welcome same-sex couples, and will talk you through what to expect before you decide.
Travel Guides in Borneo
Most LGBTQ+ Friendly Countries in Asia: Thailand, Taiwan, Japan & More
Gay travel in Asia is a story of contrasts. Thailand now has marriage equality and one of the region’s most visible LGBTQ+ travel scenes. Taiwan became the first place in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage in 2019. Yet in Japan, where Tokyo has one of the world’s largest concentrations of gay bars, same-sex couples still cannot marry nationally.
Read
A Gay Guide to Phuket
With its beautiful white-sand beaches, diverse collection of gay-friendly luxury hotels and nightlife that is world-renowned, Phuket is a must-visit destination for the discerning LGBT traveler looking for that perfect tropical beach break. And with Thailand's Ministry of Justice having recently announced plans to work on formally legalising gay rights for its out and proud LGBT community, there's never been a better time to head to this island paradise.
Read
Visit Mongolia before everyone else does
It might not be the first country you think of for a holiday, but there is no reason why it shouldn't be. This Southern Asian country has more to offer than you think and we advise visiting sooner rather than later.
ReadPlanning a Trip to Borneo
General information
Borneo boasts some of the world’s most incredible wildlife, equatorial rainforests and a vibrant indigenous culture.
Gay travellers should exercise caution when travelling to Borneo. Public displays of affection are not advised.
We can put together a tailor-made itinerary for you, ensuring you’ll be staying in hotels that welcome gay couples. We would not, however, advise travelling to the smaller part of the island governed by Brunei. It is deeply conservative.
What Everyone Does In Borneo
Sail the Kinabatangan River and discover some of the incredible wildlife, including proboscis monkeys, native tribes and elephants. It’s like something from The Lost World.
What Some People Do In Borneo
Head into Borneo’s rainforst during Rainforest World Music Festival and watch a live show celebrating the islands traditional culture. It’s quite an experience watching a gig in the rainforest – kinda like a scene from Fitzcarraldo.
What No One Else Does In Borneo
Discover The Penan people, a nomadic tribe who live in the rainforest. A guide can take you into the forest to meet them and share a picnic. They live in harmony with the land and their culture is a direct link to our distant hunter-gatherer past.
Getting to Borneo
To get to Borneo you will need to fly to Kuala Lumpur, Singapore or Hong Kong and then get a connecting flight to the island.
Your personal travel specialist, from the first conversation to the flight home.
From your first conversation, you’ll have one dedicated expert looking after your trip from start to finish, getting to know you and taking care of every detail along the way. Your journey starts with a complimentary, no-obligation consultation.
Frequently asked questions
About Borneo
When is the best time to visit Borneo?
Borneo is hot and humid year-round (around 73–91°F), and the drier months from March to October are the best time for wildlife, rainforest trekking and seeing orangutans in Sabah and Sarawak. November to February brings the northeast monsoon and the heaviest rain, though showers are often short and the forest is at its most lush.
Can my trip to Borneo be tailor-made?
Yes. Everything we plan is tailor-made. Our suggested Borneo itineraries are starting points: your specialist shapes the route, the hotels, the pace and the length around your dates and preferences.
Traveling with Out Of Office
What does Out Of Office do?
Out Of Office is a luxury LGBTQ+ travel company specializing in tailor-made vacations and extraordinary journeys around the world. We create bespoke luxury vacations, LGBTQ+ honeymoons, safaris, cruises, beach escapes, private tours and group trips, with every itinerary designed around you. Our travel specialists combine global expertise, first-hand destination knowledge and trusted local partners to create seamless, highly personalized experiences.
Is Out Of Office a gay travel agency?
Out Of Office is an LGBTQ+ owned and run luxury travel specialist, with particular expertise in gay and LGBTQ+ travel. We understand the additional considerations that can come with traveling as an LGBTQ+ person or couple, from local laws and customs to finding genuinely welcoming hotels and experiences.
We welcome every traveler, including friends, families and allies. Many of our clients are not members of the LGBTQ+ community, but choose Out Of Office for our luxury travel expertise, personalized service and discretion.
Do you create tailor-made LGBTQ+ vacations?
Yes. Every tailor-made trip with Out Of Office is designed from scratch around your interests, travel style, budget and the way you want to experience a destination. We can arrange luxury hotels, private transfers, flights, guides, excursions, cruises and special experiences as part of one personalized itinerary. The journeys shown on our website are there to inspire you rather than restrict you; only clearly identified group departures operate as fixed itineraries.
How do you choose LGBTQ+ friendly hotels and destinations?
We combine first-hand destination knowledge with trusted local expertise to recommend luxury hotels, resorts and experiences where LGBTQ+ travelers can feel informed and welcome. We also consider the laws, customs and attitudes of each destination, because LGBTQ+ rights and experiences differ around the world. Our team regularly visit many of the properties we work with and where a destination requires greater awareness, we give you clear and considered advice so that you can make an informed decision about where and how you travel.
We plant trees for every booking
For every booking made with Out Of Office we commit to planting trees in your name to help reduce the impact of travel on future generations. You'll even get a link to see where your trees are planted in the world via our partner Ecologi.
We donate to Rainbow Railroad with every booking
Rainbow Railroad helps LGBTQ+ people escape state-sponsored violence and persecution. A donation goes with every trip we sell, funded by us and never added to your price.
Start Planning Your Trip
Tell us where you would love to go, when you are thinking of traveling and what kind of trip you have in mind. One of our LGBTQ+ travel specialists will create a tailor-made itinerary designed around your destination, style and preferences.
One named specialist, first inquiry to homecoming. No call center, and nothing is charged until you decide to book.