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So, you’ve decided to take the plunge and explore Malaysia—but where do you even begin? With its dual geography split between Peninsular Malaysia and Malaysian Borneo, plus a landscape that shifts from glittering skyscrapers to ancient rainforests, planning a longer itinerary here can feel overwhelming.
I get it—because I was there too. This 3-week itinerary is your shortcut through the planning chaos. It’s designed to help you experience both Peninsular Malaysia and Borneo, hit three UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and have plenty of opportunities to see wildlife in its natural habitat. This Malaysia travel plan gives you a well-balanced route with all the logistics worked out – let’s get started.
Why visit Malaysia?
Malaysia is a feast for the senses – literally and metaphorically. There is so much to see and do in this beautiful country, and those experiences vary wildly, from the incredible wildlife in Malaysian Borneo to two UNESCO Heritage cities on mainland Malaysia.
In 2024, I spent six incredible weeks traveling through Malaysia, on an itinerary that let me experience the best of both worlds: the beautiful beaches of Langkawi, the urban buzz of Kuala Lumpur, the cultural richness of Penang and Malacca, and the rare magic of encountering orangutans in Borneo’s rainforests.
One moment I was cruising silently down the Kinabatangan River, watching proboscis monkeys leap through the trees in the golden light of dusk. Days earlier, I was pedalling through historic streets in a blinged-out teddy bear trishaw in Malacca. Malaysia is nothing if not full of surprises.
Malaysia is also great for people who want to explore Asia, but with a little bit more comfort and a little bit less chaos. It’s one of the most modern countries in Southeast Asia, with excellent transport links, high quality hotels and excellent shopping – especially important for those practical things you might need when travelling. If it’s your first time travelling in Asia, it’s the perfect choice. And if you’re a seasoned traveller, you’ll appreciate the comfortable and functioning transport infrastructure even more!
I learn from reading well researched historical novels about the countries I visit. If you’re like me, check out my list of novels about Malaysia before you go.
3 Week Malaysia Itinerary – Your interactive Map for golden beaches, heritage buildings and bear watching
After 6 weeks in Malaysia, here’s the exact itinerary I’d do again if I only had three weeks in Malaysia. I’ve assumed that you are flying long-haul into Kuala Lumpur Airport – whether that’s from the US, Europe or Australia.
Week 1 – Beaches, mangrove forests and the incredible, UNESCO-listed George Town
Day 1 – Fly from Kuala Lumpur to Langkawi
Transport: fly 1h from Kuala Lumpur to Langkawi with Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia or Firefly.
Start your Malaysia itinerary by arriving in Kuala Lumpur Airport, and transfering by plane to Langkawi, a beautiful island in the north of Malaysia. Once you get to Langkawi Airport, get a Grab from the airport to your hotel. The main beach town Pantai Cenang is only around 15 minutes away, so you’ll soon be relaxing.
If you’re worried about adding an extra flight after a long-haul travel experience, or your flight arrives too late, consider spending the night in Kuala Lumpur and flying the next morning. There are excellent sleeping pods in Kuala Lumpur Airport – I’ve used these twice when I either had a long layover (6h+) or a late flight in/early flight out.
You could also stay in central Kuala Lumpur (although this is a long way from the airport) or at an apartment like this one near the airport that I used for many transfers (I’ve been to Kuala Lumpur Airport a lot in the past year).
Accommodation options for Langkawi
Day 2-4 – Langkawi: relax on golden beaches and spot your first monkeys, eagles and crocodiles in the mangrove forest
Langkawi is the perfect place to recover from jet lag, relax and take advantage of the islands beautiful beaches. The main town of Pantai Cenang as a long, golden beach with deep blue water that stretches for miles. The beach has sun beds for hire, and if you’re feeling like an adrenaline rush would help dispel your jet lag, you can try water sports like paragliding.
Mangrove forest tour – Kilim Geopark
On day 3 or 4, depending on your jet lag, I recommend visiting the beautiful UNESCO-listed Kilim Geopark, a protected biodiversity area where you can see your first monkeys swinging through the trees. You’ll also see crocodiles, enter the thrilling Bat Cave and if you’re lucky, spot eagles soaring overhead.
You’ll need a guided tour to take a boat into the swamp. Our guide shared excellent knowledge about the different animals and birds found in the mangrove forest, as well as encouraging eagles to swoop down towards us for delicious scraps of raw meat. You can do a guided small boat tour (as I did) or you can kayak down the serene river – I’ve put highly rated options for both below.
Day 4 – Travel from Langkawi to George Town, Penang
Transport: See the FAQ Section below for full details – this is the most complex journey on the itinerary.
- Fly from Langkawi Airport to Penang Airport. Airlines offering this short flight include AirAsia and Firefly (the budget arm of Malaysia Airlines).
- Take the ferry from Kuah Jetty in Langkawi to the mainland, and then the bus to George Town – the option I chose. If you choose this option, make sure you get the ferry to Kuala Perlis (not Kuala Kedah).
On day 4, it’s time to leave the paradise of Langkawi behind and head towards more cultural offerings in George Town, Penang. As you’re heading to George Town, consider reading one of the novels set in the town from my list of books about Southeast Asia. The Gift of Rain will really elevate your understanding of George Town’s history and culture.
Accommodation options in George Town:
Budget options are clustered around either Little India or Chulia Street (known as backpacker street). I stayed at Red Inn Court, a hostel/hotel in a historic building. I had a private room, but heard that the dorms were a bit small.
Day 5 – 7: George Town, Penang: Explore this multi-cultural melting pot
Along with Hoi An in Vietnam, George Town is one of my favourite places in Asia – even after almost ten months of travelling. It’s a fascinating mix of Malay, Chinese, Indian and British heritage, with gorgeous buildings from all these cultures scattered across the town. It’s also a thriving modern city, with an incredible food scene and enough cafes to keep even me happy.
I’ve written a full guide to George Town, but here are a few suggestions to start you off:
- Explore the town looking for famous street art, including the pieces by Ernest Zacharevic, who was employed to revitalise the city through street art in 2012.
- Visit the stunningly reconstructed Blue Mansion, or Cheong Fatt Tze House, to admire the painstaking reconstruction of this masterpiece, which once belonged to one of George Town’s most prominent Chinese merchants.
- Visit the Clan Jetties, the historic waterside homes of the five different Chinese clans who once lived in Penang. Some jetties are touristy, and others more authentic, so you can get a real range of experiences.
- Admire the Khoo Khongsi Clan House, one of the most ornate buildings in Penang, and the Goddess of Mercy Temple, the oldest Chinese temple in the city.
There is so much to see and do in George Town that you’ll love your time in this thriving city!
Week 2 – Cave temples, Malaysia’s oldest forest and the vibrant Kuala Lumpur
Day 8 – Travel from Penang to Ipoh
Transport: Ipoh is easily reached from Penang by train. Use the Straits Ferry to cross back to Penang Sentral, the major train, ferry and bus terminal at Butterworth. Once at Penang Sentral, you have two options:
✔ Train – 1-2 hours, approximately $11
✔ Bus – 2.5-3.5 hours depending on your departure point, approximately $5 – $8 depending on the bus class
There are also buses directly from the Komtar in George Town – a short Grab ride from most hotels. These departures are less frequent.
Use this 12GoAsia link to book bus tickets or the official KTM Malaysian Train website to book train tickets.
Today is a travel day from Penang to Ipoh. Given that the journey is short, I recommend spending an extra morning soaking up all that George Town has to offer before heading to Ipoh in the afternoon. Once you arrive in Ipoh, head out to explore the city centre and feast on even more street art in the city’s famous Mural Lane, or visit the Platform 9 1/2 Harry Potter Cafe and try on some Hogwarts robes.
Ipoh accommodation:
- For a traditional hotel experience, try the highly-rated Sojourn Spa Hotel, rated 8.6 from over 1.4k reviews.
- One of the few options in the tourist centre of the city is the Do Something Guest House, with a score of 8 from over 100 reviews.
Day 9 – Ipoh: explore incredible cave temples and urban lanes
While Ipoh doesn’t have as much to do as George Town, there’s still plenty to keep you busy in the city CNN describes as Asia’s most underrated city – visit before the tourist crowds start flooding the city. Start early to make sure you see everything in just one day!
Check out my 1 day in Ipoh itinerary for the full details, but highlights include:
- Visiting temples cut into incredible caves in the countryside surrounding Ipoh
- Exploring Concubine Lane, a market street at the heart of colonial and modern Ipoh
- Taking a short boat trip on the beautiful Mirror Lake
Day 10 – Travel to the beautiful Cameron Highlands
Transport: 2.5 hour bus journey from Ipoh. Roads are windy so consider taking motion sickness medication.
The Cameron Highlands are one of the most beautiful parts of Malaysia, set high in the mountains near Ipoh. This area was ‘discovered’ by the British colonial elite, who valued the cooler climate and ability to produce typically British fruit like strawberries. One of the reasons I wanted to come to Malaysia was to visit this area, after reading Tan Twan Eng’s beautiful novel ‘The Garden of Evening Mists’, found on my list of books about Malaysia.
Once you get to the Cameron Highlands, I recommend relaxing for the afternoon by having a traditional English Afternoon Tea – as this was such a colonial hotspot, there are scones and clotted cream everywhere, even in minimarkets. But if you want the real experience, head to one of the many tea rooms, hotels and cafes offering this wonderful meal, including:
- The Jim Thompson Tea Room at the Cameron Highlands Resort for a deluxe experience
- The Lord’s Cafe, helpfully located in central Tanah Rata
- The Lakehouse, between Tanah Rata and Ringlet for a quieter, more rural ambience
Cameron Highlands accommodation
There are two main towns for tourists in the Cameron Higlands: Tanah Rata and Brinchang. I stayed in Tanah Rata as it was easily accessible by bus and the best location for visiting the Mossy Forest.
- The Hiker’s Sleep Port offers budget accommodation in the centre of Tanah Rata, with dorms and basic private rooms. It has a score of 8.9 from nearly 700 reviews.
- For 3* accommodation, try the Silvan Garden, which offers scenic views on the edge of town
Day 11 – Cameron Highlands Nature & Hiking: Mossy Forest + Tea Plantations
Practicalities: there aren’t any Mossy Forest tours to book online, but it’s easy to book one via your guest house/hotel or once you get to the Cameron Highlands.
Accessibility: while much of the Mossy Forest is relatively flat and easy to walk on, there are sections which involve scrambling up and down using ropes, and aren’t suitable for people with mobility issues.
The Cameron Highlands are extremely famous for hiking, and if that’s your thing, spend today hiking along one of the many trails in the area. There’s lots of information about different hikes available when you get to the Cameron Highlands – for some of the trails, you’ll need a permit.
If you prefer a more relaxed adventure, opt for a trip to the Mossy Forest, which I visited during my trip to the Cameron Highlands in July 2024.
The beautiful Mossy Forest is famous for being the oldest forest in Malaysia. You’ll hop in a Land Rover and head up into the mountains, before entering the forest, a magical, misty space full of lichens, ferns, and yes, moss. The walk through the forest isn’t long, but it can be scrambly. Your guide will explain more about the forest ecosystem.
You’ll also visit one of the famous local tea plantations – another reason the British loved the area. These are stunningly beautiful, and you’ll get the chance to take photos before visiting the tea factory and most importantly, a cafe for tasting the delicious tea.
If you have time later to relax, I recommend the beautiful and serene Growing Seed Cafe, a lovely little spot on the edge of town where you can get delicious coffees and snacks.
Day 12 – Say goodbye to nature and head to the big city
Transport:
- Bus – around 5 hours
- Bus + Train – take the same bus to Ipoh and change to the train if you want more comfort.
Once you get to Kuala Lumpur, use the afternoon to explore Malaysia’s vibrant capital. I recommend heading to Petaling Street market in the afternoon, before going out for dinner – possibly at one of Kuala Lumpur’s many rooftop bars.
This is also a great opportunity to relax by getting a massage, as there are lots of great value options in central Kuala Lumpur. Foot massages are particularly popular, but you can also find full body massages. I recommend looking for a spa that specifically states that they do not tolerate sex tourism – many will have a sign on the door.
Kuala Lumpur Accommodation:
Kuala Lumpur is full of accommodation for every budget, and the best area for you to stay will depend on your priorities for sightseeing. I stayed in the Bukit Bintang area and found it well connected and full of restaurants, bars and shops.
Day 13 – Kuala Lumpur: Explore Malaysia’s vibrant capital city
Today is your opportunity to explore Kuala Lumpur, one of the biggest and most modern cities in Asia. I’ve prepared a full guide on how to spend a day in this busy metropolis, but I recommend the following:
- Visit the rainbow-hued Batu Caves first thing in the morning, to avoid the crowds, heat and monkeys. Check out my full guide to the Batu Caves for everything you need to know.
- Explore the stunning Thean Hou Temple, a modern Chinese temple on a hill with incredible views over the city
- Visit the famous Petronas Towers – if you want to climb them, or visit one of the rooftop bars that get incredible views, book in advance (I found this out the hard way).
Kuala Lumpur is also a shoppers paradise, and if you want to escape the humidity, malls are a huge part of Malaysian culture.
Week 3 – The UNESCO Heritage city of Malacca, snorkelling, and more animal encounters than you can imagine!
Day 14 – UNESCO-listed Malacca: Learn about Malaysia’s long colonial past
Transport: 3 hours by bus from TBS bus station in Kuala Lumpur.
Today you’ll visit Malacca, another UNESCO listed gem in Malaysia that remains relatively unknown to Western tourists. Malacca was one of the Straits Settlements alongside Singapore and George Town. Find out everything you need to know about Malacca in my guide to spending one day in this gorgeous city, but highlights include:
- Marvelling at the pinky-red Dutch colonial buildings in Malacca’s central square
- Shopping (and eating) on Jonker Street, the heart of Malacca
- Visiting the Baba and Nyonya Heritage Museum to learn what life would have been like in 19th century Malacca – best paired with The Ghost Bride, one of my books about Malaysia that’s set in Malacca.
Malacca Accommodation:
- I stayed at Ringo’s Foyer, a hostel with private rooms. It’s about 5 minutes from Jonker Street, and very clean with friendly staff and good aircon.
- For a less hostel but still very affordable option, The Pillohouzze is slightly further away but also has excellent ratings. All rooms have shared bathrooms, and access to a shared terrace.
- For luxury, try the Liu Men Malaka, which is just by the Cheng Hoon Temple. It has a 9.3 rating Booking.com from just under 1000 reviews.
Day 15 – Spend the morning exploring Malacca, before heading back to Kuala Lumpur
Transport: take a bus back to Kuala Lumpur, around 3 hours. Arrive at TBS Bus station.
Spend your morning in Malacca, exploring anything you didn’t get a chance to do the day before. This might include a river cruise through the city, or taking a blinged-up trishaw to spot any last highlights you missed the day before.
Get the bus back to Kuala Lumpur and spend the evening relaxing – tomorrow your Borneo adventure begins!
Kuala Lumpur Accommodation:
Stay at your previous hotel for comfort and ease, or head to one nearer the airport if you have a particularly early flight the next day – at an apartment like this one near the airport.
Day 16 – Borneo: Visit the beautiful Rainforest Discovery Centre
Transport: Fly from Kuala Lumpur to Sandakan. Once you arrive at Sandakan Airport, take a Grab taxi for about 20 minutes to Sepilok, where all the sanctuaries are.
Practicalities: If you want to do the night walk at the Rainforest Discovery Centre, book in advance.
Today you’ll head to Malaysian Borneo to start your wildlife experiences! Use your afternoon and/or evening to visit the beautiful Rainforest Discovery Centre. Visiting in the afternoon allows you to enjoy their skywalk and hiking trails, and spot animals including birds or any monkeys or even orangutans that swing past.
If you’d rather relax during the fierce afternoon heat, try a night walk at the Rainforest Discovery Centre, where you’ll get the chance to see nocturnal animals such as flying squirrels and tarsiers.
Sepilok Accommodation
I recommend staying in the Sepilok area near the sanctuaries rather than in Sandakan town, which is about 40 minutes drive from the sanctuaries. Accommodation in Sepilok is limited so book in advance.
- Sepilok Forest Edge Resort – this highly rated resort is one of the higher-end hotels in Sepilok, and one of the nearest to the sanctuaries.
- Borneo Sepilok Rainforest Resort – also highly rated, this is slightly further away but still very walkable to the sanctuaries
- Paganakan Dii – this is in the jungle, a long walk away from the sanctuaries, but offers a real jungle experience, and stunning views. The hotel offers a regular shuttle which leaves three times each day. While the private rooms have air con, I advise avoiding the dorms, as they only have fans and from personal experience, the wooden houses get extremely hot.
Day 17 – See Orangutans and Sun Bears in Sepilok before heading into the jungle
Practicalities: Although it is possible to book a River Kinabatangan Cruise while you’re in Borneo, the quick turnaround from arriving in Borneo to going on the trip will make this a bit stressful. I recommend booking in advance – I used River Junkies and would highly recommend them.
Transport: Your River Kinabatangan tour operator will pick you up at lunchtime for the 3 hour drive to the river.
The next morning is incredibly exciting, as you’ll visit both the Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre and the Sun Bear Conservation Centre. While seeing orangutans in Borneo is a famous bucket list experience, the sun bears are less well known – but the world’s smallest (and most adorable bears) are well worth your time.
Time your visit around orangutan feeding time – look on the website to find out the exact time. As the orangutans roam freely, this is when you are most likely to see them. In contrast, the sun bears can be seen throughout the morning in their enclosures.
Find out more about the Orangutan and Sun Bear Centres in my full Borneo post!
At you’ll be picked up for your tour to the Kinabatangan River. You’ll arrive at your river lodge in time for your first river cruise – hopefully you’ll spot orangutans, proboscis monkeys and macaques, which all love hanging out in the late afternoon.
Day 18 – River Kinabatangan: Cruise on the river, keeping your eyes peeled for the Borneo Big 5
Borneo’s most famous animals are known as the Borneo Big 5 – orangutans, proboscis monkeys, crocodiles, pygmy elephants and the native bird, the Hornbill. If you’re lucky, you can spot all of these along the River Kinabatangan – when I visited in August 2024, I saw everything except pygmy elephants!
You’ll spend the whole day near the River Kinabatangan, with a dawn river cruise followed by a jungle walk in the morning. After lunch and a rest during the hottest part of the day, you’ll head back out onto the river for a late afternoon cruise. In the evening, you can choose between a night walk and a night cruise – giving you the chance to spot nocturnal animals! Find out everything you need to know in my full guide to the River Kinabatangan.
Day 19 – Leave the jungle for Borneo’s capital
Transport: From Sandakan Airport, take a short 40 minute flight to Kota Kinabalu. Land options for this journey are difficult and not recommended.
After a final dawn river cruise, your tour company will drop you back to your choice of destination – either Sepilok, Sandakan or Sandakan Airport. I recommend heading directly to the airport and flying to Borneo’s capital Kota Kinabalu.
This underrated city is often left off tourist routes in Malaysia. While it’s not as beautiful as George Town, Ipoh or Malacca, it’s a great place to spend your last couple of days in Malaysia. Once you arrive and are checked into your hotel, head out to the seafront to take in one of the world’s best sunsets (according to the Huffington Post).
Kota Kinabalu accommodation:
I would recommend staying either in the centre of Kota Kinabalu, where you have easy access to the waterfront. If you can afford it, you could also stay in one of the major resorts with a private beach.
- I stayed at Capital Express, a small budget hotel that had everything I needed for an excellent stay.
Day 20 – Explore Kota Kinabalu’s hidden gems
Today is your chance to explore Kota Kinabalu. I recommend two main options:
- Spend the morning exploring the city, including the beautiful Floating Mosque before heading on a firefly river cruise in the evening. This will also give you another chance to see proboscis monkeys if you missed them on the River Kinabatangan.
- Head off on one final adventure and visit the beautiful islands of the Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park, where you can snorkel and enjoy other water sports.
Kota Kinabalu also has a busy tourist market near the waterfront for you to get those last souvenirs to help friends and family be a little less jealous of your amazing Malaysian adventure.
Day 21 – Your Malaysian adventure is over – it’s time to fly home
One reason to end your adventure in Kota Kinabalu is that it offers significantly more flexibility on flights than Sandakan Airport. If you’re flying long haul, you’ll find it easier to connect via Kota Kinabalu, with more flights to Kuala Lumpur, as well as to Singapore, Jakarta, Ho Chi Minh City, Penang, Manila, Seoul and Chinese destinations like Beijing and Shanghai. In contrast, from Sandakan, Kuala Lumpur is your only option.
If you want to extend your trip and stay in the same part of Asia, consider a stopover in beautiful Singapore – it’s a fascinating city that blends modern and historic in a completely unique way.
Alternative options – how to customise your itinerary
- For more time in Malacca, switch the time with Ipoh, spending an afternoon and then a morning in Ipoh, and a full day in Malacca
- If you’re not keen on exploring the Cameron Highlands, add an extra day to the beach in Langkawi or Kota Kinabalu
- Equally, if you love hiking and want more time in the forests of the Cameron Highlands, you could skip Kota Kinabalu and fly direct from Sandakan.
- If you want to reduce travel slightly and have less hotel changes, you could visit Malacca as a day trip from Kuala Lumpur. This day trip is highly rated:
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Malaysia?
Best –Dry Season: June to October is considered to be the best time of year to visit Malaysia, including Borneo. This is the dry season and you have the least risk of disruption to your plans.
Worst –Wet season: You should avoid the wet season between November and February, when heavy downpours will make life miserable.
Is Malaysia safe to visit?
One of the most important things to know before visiting Malaysia is that Malaysia is generally very safe. Always check guidance from your government and make sure this is up to date.
✔The British Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) notes that there is a risk of theft, for example bag snatching, across Malaysia. They also highlight the potential of card and ATM fraud. As with any city, be aware of your belongings, particularly in crowded areas. You should also take the usual precautions, particularly at night – e.g. use Grab taxis if you have to go home alone through quiet areas.
✔ As Malaysia is a Muslim country, there are also additional cultural considerations, including wearing appropriate clothing (particularly in religious locations).
✔ If you are LGBTQIA+, you should be aware that same-sex sexual acts are illegal in Malaysia, and the FCDO notes that LGBTQIA+ spaces are sometimes targeted by police.
✔ Government advice: Many governments, including the UK and Irish governments, currently advise against travel to certain parts of Borneo. This is primarily the islands off the coast from Sandakan onwards. This includes the famous diving spots around Seporna (time of writing February 2025). Mainland Sandakan is safe, as is Sepilok. While you can make your own decisions about this, note that travelling to these islands against government advice invalidates your travel insurance.
What apps should I download before going to Malaysia?
There are a few key apps that will make 3 weeks in Malaysia significantly easier:
✔ Grab – this is the Malaysian version of Uber, with essentially the same functionality. This is used in all major cities and every destination on this Malaysia itinerary (except of course the River Kinabatangan). Grab also provides food delivery. As a solo female traveller, I particularly like the safety and accountability Grab offers, as I don’t need to barter and can track my journey.
✔ WhatsApp – WhatsApp is frequently used for communication e.g. with tour providers, pre-booked taxis etc.
✔ AirAsia – there are a lot of internal flights on this itinerary and AirAsia are often your best option. Booking via the AirAsia app is quick and easier than their website, which is clunky.
✔Google Translate – although most people speak English, it’s not universal. Having Malay downloaded on Google Translate will help you to communicate even if you don’t have data.
How to do I get from Langkawi to Penang without flying?
If you choose not to fly between Langkawi and Penang, you’ll need to take a ferry from Kuah Jetty in Langkawi to the mainland, and then the bus to George Town. Make sure you get the ferry to Kuala Perlis (not Kuala Kedah).
When booking a bus, there are a number of destinations in Penang to choose from:
✔ Butterworth/Penang Sentral – RECOMMENDED: this is the bus terminal, train station and ferry terminal on the mainland opposite George Town. Buses take around 3.5 hours. If your bus arrives here, take the Straits Ferry across to George Town. The modern Straits Ferry leaves frequently (at least every half hour) and takes around 15 minutes to get to central George Town.
✔ George Town – there are a few buses that transfer directly to central George Town, crossing one of the bridges onto Penang island. However, these aren’t frequent, and it adds a lot of time to the journey as they stop at main bus terminal on Penang island (below) first. It’s a good option however if your hotel is near the Komtar in George Town.
✔Terminal Bas Sungai Nibong – this bus station is on Penang Island itself. It’s quite a long way away from George Town, so I don’t recommend this option unless you’re able to find an alternative.
I use 12GoAsia to book bus tickets across Asia – this link has buses from Kuala Perlis.
You can book the ferry via Redbus.
Should I stay in Sepilok or Sandakan in Borneo?
Sepilok is where you will find the main tourist attractions including the Orangutan Sanctuary, the Sun Bear Conservation Centre and the Rainforest Discovery Centre. It’s 20 minutes from Sandakan Airport and 40 minutes from Sandakan town by Grab or taxi.
Staying in Sepilok ensures you maximise your time in Borneo. Many hotels are walking distance to the sanctuaries or offer regular shuttle buses.
In contrast, Sandakan is about a 40 minute drive from the sanctuaries at Sepilok. Sandakan is not a major tourist destination and unless you’re unable to book in Sepilok, I don’t recommend a hotel in Sandakan.
Three unforgettable weeks, two regions, and countless memories—Malaysia truly has it all. Whether you’re drawn to vibrant cities, UNESCO heritage, tropical beaches, or rare wildlife, this itinerary brings together the best of Peninsular Malaysia and Borneo in one seamless adventure. I hope this guide helps you plan with confidence and excitement. If you found it helpful, feel free to share it—or drop a comment if you have questions or your own tips to add. Safe travels, and enjoy every moment of your Malaysian journey!
Em is a long-term traveller and cultural explorer who spent 6 unforgettable weeks in Malaysia in 2024. From wildlife cruises on the Kinabatangan River to hunting for street art in George Town, Ipoh and Malacca, she’s experienced the country from coast to jungle—and everything in between. Em shares honest, practical guides for adventurous but thoughtful travellers, especially solo and slow travellers who want to go deeper than just ticking boxes. ✅ All photos featured on this blog are from my personal travel experiences. No stock images are used.
