Best time to visit Borneo

Longboat Ride and Longhouse Overnight in Borneo

Spend a few nights with an indigenous community to learn the cultural roots of many cultures of Southeast Asia

Best time: May–August

Longboat Ride and Longhouse Overnight
Longboat Ride and Longhouse Overnight
Longboat Ride and Longhouse Overnight
Longboat Ride and Longhouse Overnight
Longboat Ride and Longhouse Overnight

Borneo offers plenty of options for those interested in local indigenous cultures. Many tribes of Borneo island have used longhouses as homes and also as a key place for communities. Such longhouses are divided into several areas—sleeping, cooking, communal area, and so on. The organisation largely depends on the tribe, on the number of families that inhabit one longhouse, and whether it is set up for tourists.

For some, it is much more comfortable for travellers to stay in a place that welcomes tourists on a regular basis, as it will have additional commodities and locals will be more open to you. It is also a great addition for a longhouse overnight to take a longboat ride, as very often one can reach such a settlement only by river.

The Malaysian part of Borneo welcomes tourists in Sarawak Iban Longhouse. You can get a guide to help ease the journey and communicate easily with the Iban people.

In Kalimantan, you can choose one of many Dayak villages. This ethnicity has about 200 subgroups, each with its own dialect and various traditions. Do not be shocked to see many stalls with weapon and skulls in their longhouses, as this symbolises their glorious history.

A nice stop for a longhouse overnight in Brunei is Labi, which is an Iban settlement. Here, as in previous places, you may find it hard to communicate without a guide, but you still can enjoy watching the routine of local people.

Borneo is a very rainy island with an unpredictable weather, and continuous rainfall may influence your adventure, especially, if you decide to travel via a longboat ride. So it's best to choose your dates in the period between May and August when the chance of rain is the lowest.

Practical info

When is the best time to visit Borneo for a longhouse overnight?

For a longhouse overnight in Borneo, travel between May and August for optimal weather conditions with the lowest probability of rainfall that allows for river travel. As Borneo's weather is usually unpredictable and rainy, planning the trip within this timeframe is advisable. Show more

Where can you find Dayak villages for a longhouse overnight in Kalimantan?

To find a suitable Dayak village for a longhouse overnight stay in Kalimantan, explore various regions like the Barito River and its surrounding areas, tributaries of the Kahayan River, or the Mentaya River. Each village has unique dialects and traditions that provide visitors with tailored experiences aligned with their preferences. Show more

What are the areas that make up a longhouse?

The longhouse comprises sleeping quarters, central communal areas, and cooking spaces. Depending on the tribe and the number of families hosted, arrangements may differ, but communal sleeping, a central household area for cooking and social activities, and shared social spaces are standard. Tourists can expect various commodities unique to the area that make their stay more comfortable. Show more

What type of guide should you consider hiring for a longhouse overnight stay in Sarawak Iban Longhouse?

An experienced local guide is essential for a fulfilling visit in Sarawak Iban Longhouse. The guide should be well-versed in the Iban culture and language, ensuring effective communication and navigating cultural nuances. Visitors can also opt to use travel agencies for guided tours that offer relevant services and recommendations for a better experience. Show more

Are there any local commodities that are unique to the longhouse settlements?

Besides experiencing rich cultural performances such as dance and music, Borneo's longhouse settlements offer unique commodities such as traditional textiles, carvings and natural-based medicines, showcasing the creativity and diversity of the Sub-ethnic groups. In addition, tourists can enjoy various local delicacies like Rice Tuak, Tapai, Songket Rice, and Nasi Kandar Masakan Padang. Show more

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Last updated: by Eleonora Provozin