Borneo is a bucket record vacation spot for a lot of, synonymous with orangutans and rainforest lodges. It’s the third-largest island on the planet and is split into thirds belonging to Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei.
Borneo has one of many oldest rainforests on the planet and is understood for its biodiversity. But it surely hasn’t been with out its points. Palm oil plantations have taken over a good portion of the forest, considerably affecting the animals there.
The excellent news is that the federal government and native charities take conservation and reforestation critically, guaranteeing this island can proceed providing distinctive vacationer experiences.
March, April, and Might are the best times to visit Borneo. These months have the least rainfall, and temperatures aren’t comparatively as excessive as in summer time. Might and September can also be a bit cheaper and fewer aggressive in the case of securing accommodation. You’ll additionally be capable of take pleasure in smaller crowds at standard vacationer spots.
Malaysian Borneo is house to 2 standard trip locations: Sandakan and Kota Kinabalu, each within the Sabah area to the north of the island. Throughout our family trip to the island, we visited the suggestions beneath.
Half One: Rainforest Adventures Close to Sandakan
Our first base was close to Sandakan, particularly the small city of Sepilok, the place we had been handled to many wildlife viewing alternatives and submerged in nature. The Sepilok Forest Edge Resort presents an unbelievable lodging expertise within the Borneo rainforest, positioned in Sandakan and only a brief 20-minute drive from the Sandakan airport.
Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre
Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, previously referred to as Pusat Pemuliharaan Orang Utan Sepilok, was arrange in 1964 by Barbara Harrison, an English girl. This middle cares for orphaned and injured orangutans and prepares them to return to the rainforest, if potential.
You possibly can go to the middle with a information or by yourself. Guides are sometimes significantly better at recognizing the orangutans within the bushes. Their purple hair camouflages them nicely in opposition to the branches, in order that they’re not at all times straightforward to see. Meals is put out on raised platforms on two events in the course of the day —be sure to verify when the feeding instances are, as you’re extra prone to see orangutans then.
Borneo Solar Bear Conservation Sanctuary
You won’t have to go far to reach the Borneo Sun Bear Conservation Sanctuary – it’s just across the car park from the Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre.
Sun bears are the world’s smallest breed and the second most endangered. Their name comes from the golden crescent shape on their chest. Most bears here were previously kept as pets or by people who wanted to trade their body parts (particularly the gallbladder) for medicinal use. By visiting the center, you will support the center in caring for the bears and drawing attention to the practices that have harmed them.
Rainforest Discovery Centre
Additionally, in Sepilok, the Rainforest Discovery Centre is the place you possibly can study extra in regards to the ecosystems and biodiversity in Borneo’s rainforests.
The middle has a cover walkway, permitting you to expertise the rainforest from a distinct perspective. They will stroll amongst the rainforest cover and hopefully spot some wildlife. The indoor part of the middle additionally has exhibitions and shows that present details about the natural world of Borneo and the conservation challenges dealing with the rainforest.
The Rainforest Discovery Centre additionally presents loads of nature trails with wildlife recognizing and bird-watching alternatives. Take into account reserving an evening tour of the paths right here, the place you’ll hopefully be capable of spot a few of Borneo’s nocturnal animals.
Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary
Positioned in Labuk Bay, round 38 kilometers from Sandakan, Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary is a privately owned reserve that’s house to those strange-looking creatures. Proboscis monkeys are endemic to Borneo and simply recognizable by their massive, distinctive noses!
There are two statement platforms and a number of other feeding instances a day (these complement the monkey’s pure weight-reduction plan) – attempt to time your go to with certainly one of these. Guarantee you’ve your digital camera prepared; we’ve got some nice photographs right here.
Half Two: Exploring the Kinabatangan River
The Kinabatangan River is certainly one of Borneo’s main rivers and the longest in Sabah. It’s a unbelievable location for river cruises and wildlife recognizing. It’s a biodiversity hotspot and residential to lots of Borneo’s endemic residents, together with the hornbill, orangutan, pygmy elephant, proboscis monkey, crocodile, and extra.
As a result of Kinabatangan River’s significance when it comes to biodiversity, conservation efforts are ongoing to guard the animals’ pure habitats. A number of tour operators supply river cruises alongside the Kinabatangan River.
One of the simplest ways to expertise the Kinabatangan River is to remain in a waterfront lodge. We stayed at Sukau Rainforest Lodge, the place David Attenborough stayed when he filmed in Borneo. Stays typically embrace wildlife treks and river cruises with a information. The Kinabatangan River is a specific spotlight for birdwatchers, as early morning boat excursions help you see many various species.
Half Three: Discovering Nature’s Wonders in Kota Kinabalu
You possibly can fly from Sandakan to Kota Kinabalu (the airplane journey is lower than an hour) or journey by automobile (rent a driver, taxi, or rental automobile).
The street between Sandakan and Kota Kinabalu is uncomfortable and takes 4 to 5 hours. Nevertheless, touring by automobile means that you can cease and see the next sights: Sabah Tea Resort, Gomantong Caves, and the Agnes Keith Home.
We stayed on the Shangri La Rasa Ria in Koto Kinabalu.
Mount Kinabalu
Mount Kinabalu is a part of the Kinabalu Nationwide Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Web site. At 4,095 meters above sea stage, it’s the highest peak in Malaysia and the third highest in Southeast Asia.
Climbing to the highest of Mount Kinabalu is a well-liked exercise. You’ll want a climbing allow and a information – so it’s finest to e-book by a tour operator who can arrange all of that for you. The preferred climbing route is the Summit Path, which is able to take you to Low’s Peak, the best level on Mount Kinabalu.
Most climbers select to do a two-day climb, beginning early within the morning to achieve the summit for dawn on the second day. You possibly can e-book a keep at Laban Rata (fundamental however enough lodging), about 3,273 meters up the mountain.
You will have to be match to achieve the highest. Though the climb is difficult, the views from the highest of the mountain are unbeatable.
In case you don’t wish to climb a mountain, there are many nice trails within the nationwide park, too. These will allow you to see a number of the native natural world, akin to pitcher crops and orchids. You would possibly even see a Rafflesia flower within the space. Guides are inclined to let one another know when one blooms regionally.
Poring Sizzling Springs
Poring Sizzling Springs is round 136 kilometers from Kota Kinabalu. You will see that pure sizzling springs and revel in bathing within the swimming pools (nice in the event you’ve simply climbed Mount Kinabalu), surrounded by lush tropical rainforests.
There’s a cover walkway right here (one of many longest in Southeast Asia), a butterfly farm, gardens, and loads of strolling trails. Poring Sizzling Springs additionally has altering rooms and a restaurant, making it a wonderful place to spend the day comfortably.
Sabah, Malaysia: A Northern Borneo Rainforest Journey
In Northern Borneo, you’re assured to have once-in-a-lifetime experiences in the case of wildlife viewing. Not solely that, this island additionally presents many nice alternatives to find out about conservation and reforestation. So, if Borneo is just not already in your bucket record, add it and plan your journey quickly!
TheFamilyConscience.com is a parenting and journey household journey weblog. I’m a social employee and a mum or dad to 2 youngsters, a teen and a tween. I’m significantly eager on sustainable and academic journey.
