Borneo – worth discovering
It is the largest island in Asia and shared by 3 nations – Brunei, Indonesia and Malaysia. The Malaysian corner of the island is the most popular and made of the provinces Sarawak and Sabah. It is known for its wildlife including clouded leopards and orangutans. The beaches and rainforest are also a great reason to visit Borneo. A virtual paradise on earth for anyone who shares a love for plants, wildlife, and adventure.
Kota Kinabalu is the capital of Sabah and where you would fly into. From there you can trek up the 4 095 metre Mount Kinabalu. You need to book a package to climb the peak and to make use of a guide. If that is too active for you, then you can enjoy some of the walking trails in the low-lying rainforest that surround the peak.
The Borneo rainforest is estimated to be around 140 million years old, making it one of the oldest rainforests in the world. This makes the air in Borneo lovely and fresh. The national parks in Sarawak can largely be explored without a permit or mandatory guide, while some other parks require that you hire a guide.
It is one of two countries where you can still find orangutans in the wild, the other being Sumatra. Visit the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation centre in East Sabah. It has more than 4500 hectares of equatorial rainforest set aside and a good time to visit is during feeding time. Alternatively, take a river cruise along the Kinabatangan River for the slight chance of seeing a wild orangutan.
Sipadan is hailed as one of the finest dive locations in the world, formed as a coral island atop an undersea mountain which rises 600 metres from the sea floor. There are more than 3 000 types of fish and hundreds of coral species. Conservationists now only issue 120 permits per day to preserve the fragile reefs; you must organize your diving well in advance to ensure a permit. Mabul as it offers some of the best muck diving in the world and is also considered the premier dive site for underwater macro photography.
Miles of pristine and wild beaches will give you plenty of opportunities to unwind after a few days of trekking. Enjoy Tanjung Aru, with very few tourists, just a few minutes south of Kota Kinabalu.
Things to keep in mind when travelling around Borneo: Be considerate to their customs and traditions – both cultural and religious. Dress modestly, your shoulders and knees should be covered especially when visiting places of worship. Don’t give money or gifts to the locals as they see it as insulting. Get permission before taking photos of the local people.
Contact me if you would like to experience this unique country