Borneo
Iban tribe, Sarawak
Sarawak Laksa
Sun Bear Tanjung Aru Beach, Kota Kinabalu
Straddling the equator and dominated by ancient rainforest, Borneo is a unique destination that delivers both a visual feast and symphony of sound at every turn. Borneo’ s exotic Malaysian sections are comprised of Sabah and Sarawak, both of which abound with extraordinary landscapes, rich indigenous culture, age-old traditions, immense biodiversity and amazing wildlife.
For most travellers, it is the awesome animal experiences which are the island’ s greatest attraction. The spectacular rainforests teem with thousands of unique and endangered species including showstopping orang-utans, distinctive proboscis monkeys, timid pygmy elephants, elusive Bornean clouded leopards, shy sun bears and wide-eyed western tarsiers to name but a few. Plus, you can watch a huge bat exodus in one of the world’ s largest cave systems!
If you’ re out of luck spotting creatures in the wild, excellent rehabilitation and conservation centres provide a close-up view of orang-utans and sun bears.
To really get into the swing of Borneo life, indulge in some soft adventure. From trekking through jungle to cascading waterfalls and dipping in freshwater pools, to climbing the lofty heights of Mount Kinabalu and zipping along the serpentine Kinabatangan River by longtail boat, there is something to keep everyone enthralled.
For a cultural insight, delve into the depths of the rainforest for an overnight stay at the traditional longhouse dwellings of the Iban tribes. Remote and happily disconnected from modern life, spending time with these former headhunters offers a fascinating window into their world of ancient customs and ceremonies.
In contrast to the natural attractions, the Sabah capital Kota Kinabalu bustles with fishing boats, street stalls and gleaming shopping malls whilst historic Sandakan has religious relics, colonial mansions and haunting mementoes of WWII. Sarawak’ s capital, Kuching, features colonial buildings, incense-filled Chinese temples, the stately Istana Palace and the impressive Sarawak Museum.
Once touring experiences are complete, Borneo’ s powder-soft sandy beaches are heavenly places to unwind and reflect on this island’ s bountiful treasures. Take your pick from somewhere relaxing and informal, to secluded luxury and smaller idyllic islands.
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