Northeast monsoon
West Sarawak may experience periods of heavier rain. For a trip during this time, we would leave more city and museum buffers and not make open sea excursions the only highlight.
Weather & Seasons · Plan according to your experiences
Best time to visit Kuching. Plan your Borneo adventure.
For a first trip with lots of nature, we would prefer the relatively drier phase from June to September. Rain is still part of it. It also depends on whether you want to hike, watch orangutans or go to the sea.
Tropically warm · Rain is part of it
Classify the seasons for your trip.
Our planning recommendation: For a mix of Bako, city and boating time we would prefer June to September. This is a recommendation based on climate patterns, not a guarantee of dry days for excursions.
Relatively drier phase
The southwest monsoon usually brings drier conditions in comparison. Forest paths remain tropically humid and thunderstorms are still possible; A time buffer is also worthwhile here.
Transitional phases
Changing wind conditions and thunderstorms make the name of the month alone a weak decision-making aid. Shortly before your tour, check the weather conditions and the organizer's instructions.
Overview of every twelve months
Temperature and rain in comparison.
The temperature varies less throughout the year than the amount of rain. In this data series, July has the lowest mean monthly precipitation and January has the highest. From this we derive our preference for a trip between June and September.
| Month | Mean temperature | Rain / month |
|---|---|---|
| January | 25.9°C | 670.4 mm |
| February | 26.1°C | 500.8 mm |
| March | 26.5 °C | 346.2 mm |
| April | 26.8°C | 306.7 mm |
| May | 27.2°C | 267.0 mm |
| June | 27.1°C | 257.4 mm |
| July | 27.0°C | 207.5 mm |
| Aug | 26.9°C | 268.3 mm |
| September | 26.6°C | 243.4 mm |
| October | 26.3 °C | 344.5mm |
| November | 26.3 °C | 341.8mm |
| December | 26.0 °C | 498.0 mm |
The temperature is the monthly average, not an average daily maximum temperature. The precipitation total does not predict which days it will rain or how long a single shower will last. Wet excursion days are possible all year round.
Not every tour has the same season
Plan around the experience that is important to you.
Bako: On-site conditions count
Don't schedule the parking day right before a close flight. Boat arrival and hiking route also depend on weather and tides. A relatively drier travel phase is helpful, but does not replace daily decisions.
Compare Bako variants →Semenggoh: no safe viewing season
There is no guarantee of sightings even at the preferred travel time. If there is enough fruit available in the forest, orangutans can visit the feeding site less often. Do not derive a reliable month for an encounter from this.
View visit and combinations →Satang: Offer April to October
The organizer presented here limits his Satang excursion to April to October. This is a promotional period, not a blanket release of all island boats; Bad weather can also lead to changes.
Compare island and river tours →From the name of the month to the decision
Which period suits you?
More reserve for periods of rain
The higher monthly rainfall suggests a more flexible itinerary. City, museum and food stops should be part of your trip even if your main goal is nature.
Between rainfall maximum and drier phase
In the normal series, the rainfall amounts decrease compared to January and February. April and May are sensible alternatives if you can't travel in the preferred June-September window.
Our first choice for many nature days
In the normal series, these months are significantly below the rainfall at the beginning of the year. Within this window, select available tour dates and your desired program.
More flexibility for the change of season
October is the last month offered for the Satang tour presented here. In November, this island excursion is outside the stated offer period; City, forest and other available tours remain your own decisions.
Your Plan B with its own appeal
A rainy day does not have to be a wasted day.
For a wet half of the day: Museum & Kopitiam
The Borneo Cultures Museum is our first idea for a longer indoor visit. Plan at least two hours. Breakfast or a meal break is appropriate before or after; the old town can be divided into shorter sections between showers.
This replaces a self-planned walk more easily than a tour that has already been booked. Whether you can postpone or cancel a booking depends on the specific conditions.
The city stops in a sensible order →For excursion days: Leave the order open
Plan three or four full days and, if possible, no big boat trip on the day of departure. Once your nature trip is decided, arrange the more flexible city stops around it. A rainy day does not automatically make a cave a suitable replacement activity: access and pathways may also be affected.
Use the itinerary with alternatives →
Practical on the go
What comes with you for your excursion days.
For forest and boat
Light rain protection, a protected pocket for your phone and documents, non-slip shoes and water are part of our packing recommendations. For Bako, shoes with support are more important than a perfect holiday outfit. Spare clothes can be nice after a wet trip.
Shortly before the start
Check the official weather information and the message from your organizer. A general monthly overview says little about wind, thunderstorms or the condition of a particular hiking trail on the day you travel.
Your experience · GetYourGuide
Find the excursions for your travel period.
Select your date for current prices and available options.
Forest & coast · own day out
Check dates & prices ↗Bako day trip
Plan your park day with a boat trip and choose a date with enough time in your stay.
Sea & island time · seasonal offer
Check dates & prices ↗Satang Island Trip
An idea for the season offered from April to October; Execution and options depend on the weather.
Advertising / Affiliate links · Booking with GetYourGuide.Compare all tours →
Answered briefly
Good to know.
The most important answers for your planning.
Can I visit Kuching in the rainy season?
Yes, if you take periods of rain and changes in excursions into account. For a trip focused primarily on open ocean excursions, we would prefer a different period. The city and museum offer additional options.
Is June to September guaranteed to be dry?
No. The recommendation is based on the relatively drier monsoon phase. Kuching remains tropical with high humidity and rainfall.
When will I definitely see orangutans?
There is no safe travel time for an encounter. The animals move freely in the forest. The availability of fruit and the behavior of the animals influence whether they come to the feeding place.
Editorial selection · last revised on October 19, 2026. No personal restaurant, tour or hotel test. Your own routes and budget assumptions are planning suggestions.
Continue planning
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City & Nature
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