Hello everyone...I am new here but i hope you dont mind me reaching out for advice. We are a family of 4 (children will be 7 and almost-5) and are going to be in Borneo in August this year (2023) for a bit over 3 weeks. We are mainly interested in the wildlife, but also keen to get a feeling for the culture and lifestyle. Children are good travellers (don't expect luxury) and whilst not on a very tight budget we won't be able to splash multiple $k for short tours.
We are currently looking at three possible itinerary options, and was wondering whether you have any comments/advice as to suitability and anything else. Note that we land/depart from BSB in Brunei: for all itineraries, we are landing the day before the itinerary starts, and departing the day (evening) after it ends, since we feel more comfortable with some buffer time
OPTION 1:
BSB-Miri (land)
Niah National Park (2 nights)
Boat from Belaga-Sibu
fly to Kuching (4 nights)
fly to Sandakan - Sepilok (2-3 nights), Kinabatangan (2-3 nights)
Travel (land) to Poring Hot Springs (1 night)
KK (4 nights - though possibly Big Fin for a couple)
KK-BSB (either fly or ferry via Labuan)
OPTION 2:
BSB-Kuching (fly), Kuching (4 nights)
fly to Sandakan - Sepilok (2-3 nights), Kinabatangan (2-3 nights) Travel (land) to Poring Hot Springs (1 night)
Travel (land) to Kota Belud (Big Fin, 2 nights)
KK (3 nights)
Fly to Mulu, Gunung Mulu NP (3 nights)
Fly to Miri (1 night)
Travel to BSB (land)
OPTION 3:
BSB-Kuching (fly), Kuching (3 nights)
Bus to Pontianak, spending a night in Sambas and one in Singkawang
Pontianak/Sukadana/Gunung Palung (6 nights)
Travel back to Kuching (plane if flights resume, if not bus) - 2 nights in Kuching
Fly to KK, 2-3 nights with Big Fin
Travel to tip of Borneo (1-2 nights there)
Travel back to KK (1-2 nights)
KK-BSB (either fly or ferry via Labuan)