Borneo (Klias) River Cruise & Fireflies Tour in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia

Borneo (Klias) River Cruise & Fireflies Tour

Outty Ranking 78 4.5 · 134 traveler reviews9 hoursFrom $50
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Outty Ranking

78/100

Strongly Recommended. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

4.5/5

Based on 134 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Borneo (Klias) River Cruise & Fireflies Tour worth booking?

Borneo (Klias) River Cruise & Fireflies Tour is a 9-hour experience in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, from $50 per person. It scores 78 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.5/5 rating across 134 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
78 / 100
Rating
4.5/5 (134)
Duration
9 hours
From
$50 per person

It's one of the perfect trip that you can get while having a vacation at Kota Kinabalu, We offer a satisfactional tour experience execute by our high experience tour guide in Kota Kinabalu,

What you get

    About this experience

    It's one of the perfect trip that you can get while having a vacation at Kota Kinabalu, We offer a satisfactional tour experience execute by our high experience tour guide in Kota Kinabalu,

    What's included

    Included

    • Dinner
    • All Fees and Taxes
    • Tea and coffee

    Not included

    • Snacks
    • Tipping
    • Bottled water

    What you'll see and do

    1. Klias Wetlands

      Pick up start at 1pm from all hotels around Kota Kinabalu city area until finish. Then proceed to Klias for 2hours/132km journey by van/minibus. Klias arrival at 4pm, you get to relax and enjoy hi tea (coffee, tea, and local snacks). 1st rivercruise start at 4.50pm and you will see the icon Proboscis Monkey in its natural habitat and also some sighting of other animals along the mangrove area. You will be serve buffet of local Malaysian cuisine for dinner before embark for the 2nd cruising along the river to watch the magical fireflies flickering through the night. By 7.30pm, you will get on the bus/van for the journey back to Kota Kinabalu city for hotel drop off and mark of the end of the tour.

      240 minutes here · Admission included

    Where it starts and ends

    Hotel pickup

    Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 15 minutes before departure.

    Options you can book

    • Outskirts(RasaRiaResort/Nexus)

      Hi tea & Dinner minivan Pickup included

    • Klias River Cruising & Fireflies Tour

      hi tea & Dinner mini Van Pickup included

    Before you book

    Cancellation
    For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
    Languages
    en
    Ticket
    Mobile Only
    Runs on
    Every day
    Group size
    Up to 30 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    Only In Borneo Tours

    Know before you go

    • Wheelchair accessible
    • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
    • Specialized infant seats are available
    • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
    • All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

    Photos

    Borneo (Klias) River Cruise & Fireflies Tour in Kota Kinabalu, photo 2Male Proboscis searching for food, Borneo (Klias) River Cruise & Fireflies Tour in Kota Kinabaluboat, Borneo (Klias) River Cruise & Fireflies Tour in Kota KinabaluBorneo (Klias) River Cruise & Fireflies Tour in Kota Kinabalu, photo 5Borneo (Klias) River Cruise & Fireflies Tour in Kota Kinabalu, photo 6Klias sunset on evening, Borneo (Klias) River Cruise & Fireflies Tour in Kota Kinabalu

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 133 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    The guide

    8 mentions

    Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    Food and drink

    8 mentions

    The tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.

    Value for money

    2 mentions

    Travelers feel they got more than they paid for.

    Good for families

    2 mentions

    Reviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.

    Traveler reviews

    133 verified traveler reviews for Borneo (Klias) River Cruise & Fireflies Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    93
    4 star
    24
    3 star
    10
    2 star
    5
    1 star
    1
    Sort
    Christopher_G · July 2026

    Highly Recommend!!!! Many Monkeys!!!

    My family and I (kids 9 and 12) flew halfway around the world hoping to see these monkeys. I researched many river cruises trying to find the best river and wildlife opportunity. This did not disappoint! We saw like 8-10 monkeys up close, two crocodiles, birds, etc. The whole tour was great. Fireflies were fun to watch. Guide was excellent. Highly recommend and was the highlight of our trip to Kota Kinabalu.

    Response from the operator: Dear Sir, Greetings from Only In Borneo Tours Sdn Bhd! Thank you so much for your wonderful review and for choosing Only In Borneo Tours during your visit to Kota Kinabalu. We are delighted to hear that your family had such a memorable experience and that you were able to see so many proboscis monkeys, crocodiles, birds, and our enchanting fireflies. It is especially rewarding to know that the river cruise became the highlight of your trip after traveling halfway around the world. Your kind words about our guide and the overall tour mean a great deal to our team. We will be sure to share your compliments with everyone involved. Thank you once again for your recommendation. We hope to welcome you and your family back to Sabah for another unforgettable Borneo adventure in the future! Warm regards, Management Team

    via Viator

    Travel50750012342 · July 2026

    Klias River Cruise

    Long van ride on some pretty bumpy roads. Guide, Elod, was chatty. Food at the base was reasonable. Saw proboscis monkeys, a pair of hornbills and fireflies. A good day.

    Response from the operator: Hi, Greetings from Only In Borneo Tours Sdn Bhd! Thank you for your feedback. As stated in the itinerary, the journey takes approximately 2 hours. Better wildlife sightings require traveling a little farther from the city centre. Although the journey can be long and challenging, it is often a rewarding experience. Seeing proboscis monkeys, hornbills, and fireflies all in one trip is truly remarkable. We're delighted to hear you had such a memorable wildlife experience. We're also glad to hear that the food met your expectations. 😊 We will be sure to convey your kind regards to Elod as well. Thank you once again for choosing us as your travel partner. We truly appreciate your support and hope to welcome you back for another Borneo adventure in the future. Until then, have a wonderful day ahead! Kind regards, The Management Team

    via Tripadvisor

    Marcela_M · May 2026

    Underwhelming

    Long trip. 4 hours round trip but approximately 75 minutes on the water to see <10 proboscis monkeys and less than 30 minutes to see about 2 bushes of fireflies. Great guide, though.

    Response from the operator: Hi, Greetings from Only In Borneo Tours Sdn Bhd! Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. As stated in the itinerary, the journey takes approximately 2 hours each way, as better wildlife sightings require traveling farther from the city centre. Since both the proboscis monkeys and fireflies live in their natural habitat, every sighting depends on wildlife activity and a little bit of luck. We are pleased that you were able to see both during your tour. We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed your guide, and we will be sure to pass your kind comments on to them. Thank you once again for choosing us as your travel partner. We truly appreciate your support and hope to welcome you back for another Borneo adventure in the future. Kind regards, The Management Team

    via Viator

    jburgess65 · April 2026

    Great trip .. worth while doing

    Great tour. Really worth the money. It was a 4 hour bus trip to get there and back from Kota Kinabalu but worth it. Afternoon tea, 2 1/2 hour boat trip, lots of monkeys, dinner then a 1/2 hour boat trip to see fireflies. Would recommend it.

    Response from the operator: Hi, Greetings from Only In Borneo Tours Sdn Bhd! Thank you for sharing your kind feedback! We’re delighted to hear that you found the tour worthwhile and enjoyed the overall experience. While the journey from Kota Kinabalu is a bit long, we’re glad it was rewarding and filled with memorable moments. It’s wonderful to know you enjoyed the afternoon tea, the river cruise with plenty of monkey sightings, the dinner, and of course the magical firefly experience in the evening. We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you again for another great adventure in the future. Warm regards, The Management Team

    via Tripadvisor

    RedCheshireCat · April 2026

    Great wildlife experience

    After a 2 hour van journey from KK we had a snack at the base camp. It was raining heavily (shorts , sandals and rain poncho recommended) but when the rain stopped we saw several groups of monkeys high in the trees including proboscis and silver leaf monkeys and macaques. We also saw a couple of pairs of hornbills. Our guide gave us lots of interesting information and made us laugh. After a very good dinner we returned to the river where we saw lots of amazing fireflies. We loved this trip.

    Response from the operator: Hello, Greetings from Only In Borneo Tours Sdn Bhd! Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback! We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed your trip with us, even with the adventurous rainy start. Nature can be unpredictable, but we’re glad it rewarded you with sightings of proboscis monkeys, silver leaf monkeys, macaques, and even hornbills—it truly is a special experience. It’s also great to know that our guide made the journey both informative and fun for you. We’ll be sure to pass along your kind words to them. We’re especially happy that you enjoyed the dinner and the magical firefly cruise—it’s always a highlight of the tour. Thank you again for choosing us, and we hope to welcome you back for another memorable adventure in the future! Warm regards, The Management Team

    via Tripadvisor

    Good to know

    Duration
    9 hours
    Free cancellation
    Up to 24h before
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Every day
    Price range
    $50 to $55
    Hotel pickup
    Included for all travelers
    Booked in 30 days
    47
    Verdict
    Strongly Recommended

    Why this scores 78

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)65
    Review evidence (18% weight)92
    Booking momentum (14% weight)91
    Value for money (12% weight)100
    Listing quality (10% weight)60
    Local standing (8% weight)44
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    Borneo (Klias) River Cruise & Fireflies Tour: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Kota Kinabalu.

    How much does Borneo (Klias) River Cruise & Fireflies Tour cost?

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    Prices start at $50 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Kota Kinabalu usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.

    How long does Borneo (Klias) River Cruise & Fireflies Tour take?

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    Plan for about 9 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Kota Kinabalu is not rushed.

    Is Borneo (Klias) River Cruise & Fireflies Tour worth it?

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    It holds an Outty Ranking of 78 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.5/5 across 134 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Kota Kinabalu, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

    Can I cancel or reschedule Borneo (Klias) River Cruise & Fireflies Tour?

    +

    Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.

    Is Borneo (Klias) River Cruise & Fireflies Tour suitable for kids and families?

    +

    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 9-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book Borneo (Klias) River Cruise & Fireflies Tour?

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    Around 47 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Kota Kinabalu can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.

    What should I bring or wear?

    +

    Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Kota Kinabalu and add a light layer if any part of the 9-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does Borneo (Klias) River Cruise & Fireflies Tour start and how do I get there?

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    The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Kota Kinabalu within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.

    What are the best things to do in Kota Kinabalu?

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    On Outty we rank every Kota Kinabalu experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Guided Snorkeling Day Trip, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia, Leisure Diving | Fun Dives | 3 Dives in TARP, Kota Kinabalu, Learn to Dive | RAID Open Water 18 Diver Course | Kota Kinabalu. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.

    When is the best time to visit Kota Kinabalu?

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    Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.

    How many days do you need in Kota Kinabalu?

    +

    Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.

    Do I book through Outty or through the operator?

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    Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.

    What is included in Borneo (Klias) River Cruise & Fireflies Tour?

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    Included: Dinner; All Fees and Taxes; and Tea and coffee. Not included: Snacks; Tipping; and Bottled water. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.

    Does Borneo (Klias) River Cruise & Fireflies Tour include hotel pickup?

    +

    Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 110 listed pickup locations in and around Kota Kinabalu. Be ready about 15 minutes before the start time. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.

    What languages is Borneo (Klias) River Cruise & Fireflies Tour offered in?

    +

    It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.

    Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Borneo (Klias) River Cruise & Fireflies Tour?

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    Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.

    Is Borneo (Klias) River Cruise & Fireflies Tour wheelchair or stroller accessible?

    +

    The operator notes: Wheelchair accessible; Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller; Specialized infant seats are available; and Transportation options are wheelchair accessible. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.

    What happens to Borneo (Klias) River Cruise & Fireflies Tour if the weather is bad?

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    This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.

    What do travelers say about Borneo (Klias) River Cruise & Fireflies Tour?

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    Across 134 reviews averaging 4.5 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, food and drink, value for money. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    What booking options are available for Borneo (Klias) River Cruise & Fireflies Tour?

    +

    There are 2 options to choose from, including Outskirts(RasaRiaResort/Nexus), Klias River Cruising & Fireflies Tour. Prices and start times differ by option, so compare them on the booking screen.

    Ready to lock in your spot?

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