A Small-Group Adventure in Borneo – Why We Loved It (and Why You Might Too!)
I decided to “bookend” the trip with a little luxury. We eased into the adventure with four days at the beachfront Shangri-La Rasa Ria, much appreciated after a long journey. At the other end, we treated ourselves to two nights at the Fullerton Bay Hotel in Singapore, enjoying the skyline views, the rooftop pool and bar, cocktails in Raffles and the Singapore chilli crab.
But in between? That’s what this holiday was all about. Why a Small-Group Tour?
I’ve travelled in all sorts of ways - independently, as a couple, with friends, with family - but there’s something unique about small-group travel. Travelling this way is such great value and completely stress-free, with all the logistics handled by people who organise these adventures week in, week out.
Our group brought together 4 like-minded families from across the world. For Edie, it was brilliant. She quickly made friends with the other children on the trip and suddenly she wasn’t just “on holiday with Mum and Dad” - she was sharing jungle boat rides and campfire marshmallows with a little gang of new mates.
Our Local Guide – The Heart of the Trip!
We were lucky to have Sheila as our local guide - warm, knowledgeable, and endlessly patient. She led us to places we’d never have found on our own and along the way shared her knowledge of Borneo’s culture and of the incredible wildlife we were lucky enough to encounter.
Sheila took us to local restaurants we might have been hesitant to try independently - not because we’re fussy, but because it’s reassuring to know they’ve been checked for safety and quality. It meant we could tuck into authentic dishes, confident that our taste buds (and stomachs) would thank us.
More Than Just Sightseeing
One of the things I most enjoyed about our trip was that Intrepid delivered as promised:
• Supporting local businesses • Going off the beaten path • Focusing on sustainable travel that gives back to the communities • Creating meaningful connections with people and places
In our case, we had the chance to take part in a community project, planting grass for the endangered Bornean pygmy elephants. The idea is simple but powerful - by planting grass away from local villages, the elephants have a food source that keeps them from wandering into farmland. It felt good to contribute, even in a small way.
The Honest Bits – Compromises and Considerations
Small-group travel isn’t for everyone, and there are some compromises to bear in mind:
• You don’t hand-pick the accommodation - standards vary but every place is carefully chosen for its location, character or unique experience. • There can be long travel days. Our longest journey was five hours, with plenty of stops along the way. • You need a certain level of sociability given that you’re sharing your holiday with other travellers. However, it’s not claustrophobic and you’ll still have opportunities for time to yourself.
For us, these were small trade-offs for the experiences we gained, the places we reached, the people we met and the stress-free logistics.
Who It’s For
There are small-group adventures for every style of travel, at different comfort levels and price points and in destinations all over the world.
This style of travel is perfect for families but it’s also ideal for those who once roamed the world with a backpack and a guidebook and now want an adventure that’s still exciting but with a little more comfort and structure.
For solo travellers, there are trips designed especially for you but in truth you’re welcome on any small-group tour. You get the independence of travelling on your own but with the reassurance of a ready-made group to explore with. The same applies to backpackers – there are fantastic, excellent value tours you can weave into your travels.
Whatever the style, you still get to explore the wild places and meet the locals but with the reassurance of a safe, hosted environment.
Would We Do It Again?
Absolutely. We all loved it and we’re already planning our next small-group trip.
Get In Touch
I work with fantastic suppliers who offer experiences just like our own Intrepid adventure. I can help you choose the perfect itinerary and arrange the whole package – flights, stopovers and extra nights at the destination. Wherever you want to go next, I can help you find the perfect adventure.
