As Celebrity Race Across the World returns to screens, Explore Worldwide is spotlighting its small-group adventure tours in Malaysian Borneo. The new series begins in the region.
All details correct at the time of publication (29 October 2026).
The BBC show returns for its fourth series, following four teams as they race across the globe. This year’s contestants will cover 7,500km, starting in Kuching, the vibrant capital of Sarawak in northwest Borneo. From there, they will make their way to Melbourne, Australia.
Previous series of Race Across the World have inspired UK travellers to explore new destinations. China, India and Nepal have all seen increased interest following their appearances on the show.
Explore Worldwide reported a 211% increase in searches for China after the fifth series premiered. Searches for Nepal rose by 41%, while India saw a 39% increase. This trend has become known as the ‘Race Across the World effect’.
Viewers inspired by the latest series can follow a similar route through Borneo. Explore Worldwide offers opportunities to experience Kuching’s culture, food and nature before venturing into the island’s vast wilderness.
Discover Borneo with Explore Worldwide
The eight-day Borneo Sarawak Highlights tour costs from £1,200 per person, excluding flights. The adventure begins in Kuching and includes a visit to Bako National Park.
Here, travellers can explore mangrove forests and spot proboscis monkeys. They can also encounter semi-wild orangutans at the Semenggoh Wildlife Centre.
The journey continues through lush rainforest trails and jungle waterfalls. Travellers then head to Mulu National Park to discover its vast limestone cave systems.
At dusk, thousands of bats emerge from the caves. After dark, visitors can spot luminescent fungi and fireflies on a jungle trek. The tour concludes in Kota Kinabalu, the capital of Sabah.
For a longer adventure, the 16-day Borneo Sarawak and Sabah Discovery tour costs from £3,830 per person, excluding flights. It ventures deeper into Sabah, from the foothills of Mount Kinabalu to the remote jungles of Tabin.
Connect with local communities
Like the television series, Explore’s tours focus on local cultures and communities. Travellers can share a traditional meal with the Dusun community and learn about everyday life in Borneo.
Wildlife encounters are also a key part of the experience. Guests can cruise the Kinabatangan River in search of pygmy elephants and hornbills. They can also visit the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre in Sepilok.
The adventure includes treks to jungle waterfalls, a visit to a volcanic mud pool and overnight stays in rainforest lodges.
Explore Worldwide also offers wildlife-focused tours in Sabah. These include a 10-day adventure from £2,780 per person and a nine-day family tour from £1,420 per person. The family tour is suitable for children aged seven and over.
Explore Worldwide celebrates Borneo’s culture
Michael Edwards, Managing Director at Explore Worldwide, said:
“We’ve been sharing the natural wonders of Borneo with travellers for the last four decades, so it’s fantastic to see it showcased to millions of viewers through Celebrity Race Across the World.
“The joy of this show is that it isn’t just the destinations themselves being showcased, but the people and cultures the contestants encounter along the way. Rather than travelling from A to B, the teams often take less-travelled routes, gaining a real insight into everyday life.
“It’s a brilliant celebration of the kindness, generosity and camaraderie that transcend cultural barriers – everything that travel should be about.
“As a small group travel operator, we see first-hand the impact Race Across the World has, both in the destinations people want to visit and the way they want to experience them.
“There’s a real appetite for adventures that offer meaningful connections with local communities, which have always been at the heart of our tours.
“Our Borneo trips offer opportunities to meet local people, share traditional meals and learn about their cultures and everyday lives. It’s these personal connections that make travelling so special.”
Explore Worldwide has more than 40 years of experience in adventure travel. Its portfolio includes 350 trips across 100 countries, with destinations featured in this year’s Celebrity Race Across the World among its offerings.
For more information, visit www.explore.co.uk.
