For A Trip In The Wild – Borneo Island

The Borneo Island is in the center of Maritime South East Asia and belongs to the Archipelago of Great Sunda Island, off the north western shore of the Malaysian Borneo Island.   It shares its Northern region of Sabah and Sarawak with Malaysia and between the two is the sultanate of Brunei. Its southern region of Kalimantan is under Indonesia.

On its north and northwest is the South China Sea, to its north-east is the Sulu Sea, the Celebes Sea and the Makassar Straits flank it from the east and to its south is the Java Sea and the Karimata Strait.

Borneo’s highest peak – Mount Kinabulu (4,095 meters high) in Sabah also make it the sixth highest Island of the world. With an area of about 743, 330 square kilometers, it is also the third largest Island in the world.

The Borneo Island is surrounded by the Malay Peninsula and Sumatra in the west, the Java Islands in the South, the Island of Sulawesi in the east and Philippines in the northeast.

When to go

Borneo has a tropical climate. The average temperature lingers around 26 degree Celsius. It receives a heavy rainfall; maximum in the months from October to May, though no season is a dry season here.

Avoiding this season would be good idea. The remaining year is all good to visit Borneo.

How to reach

The Island of Borneo is well connected to Malaysia and other major countries by air. Kuching in Sarawak and the Kota Kinabalu in Sabah region are the major airports here, though other cities too have airports.

There are good roadways connecting the cities in the island. Rivers are of course a vital route here, with a number of ferries plying to Borneo and to the cities within.

Attractions in Borneo

Most of the attractions in this Island centre on wildlife and nature.

The Sabah Region

The ecologically rich region of Sabah is adorned by parks, beaches, Islands and rainforests in abundance. Some of the must visit beaches here are The Tanjung Aru beach, the Paulau Kapalai Island with a stretch of coral reefs called the Ligitan Reefs, the Pullau Lankayan Island in the Sulu Sea with reefs that are home to leopard sharks, marbles stingrays and giant groupers and the Layang Layang Islands where in reefs you can spot dolphins and whales as well.  The Mabul Island and the Mantanani archipelago have pretty beaches and so do the Mataking Island, Sipadan Island, Tiga Island, the Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park and the Turtle Island as well. All these have great sites for diving and snorkeling.

Parks and rainforests add to the scenic beauty of the Sabah region of this Island. The Kinabalu Park, with an area of 754 square kilometers mostly has large mountains, the highest one being the Kinabalu Mountain. The park is home to a rich flora and fauna like which include 1,200 species of orchids, variety of snakes as well as exotic birds like warbles and mountain black eyes.

Safari to Danum Valley, a 43 square kilometers of rainforest, with its wild life and mountains, is certainly not to be missed out. Activities here include trekking, night walks and bird-watching.

The Tawau Hills Park offers the tourists luxuriant rainforest and rare species of plants such as the Mengaris tree. You can also spot mammals here like macaques and the clouded leopard. Another reserve with a rich wildlife here is the Crocker Range National Park, home to Orang Utans and Tarsier.

The Kinabatangan Wildlife Safaris along the Kinabatangan River and floodplain have a rich biodiversity and are home to Orang-Utans, the Gibbon, nocturnal flying lemur, slow loris, tarsiers and birds like serpent eagles, rhinoceros hornbills among others.

Asian Elephant too migrate here in the drier months. Aquatic lives of the Kinabatangan River include the freshwater rays, sharks, crocodiles and wild otters. A lodge just on the bank of the river can also arrange for jungle trekking and boat trips.

The Sepilok Orang-Utan Sanctuary set in 15 square miles of rainforest was set in 1964. You can enjoy bird-watching, trekking and river trips as well while here.

Mount Kinabalu offers a breathtaking view of sunrise over the Sabah state and is also home to the Poring Hot Springs, a natural open air spa amidst the tropical rainforest here. It has been designated as the UNESCO world heritage site.

Another nature reserve worth visiting is the Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary. To the north east of Lahad Datu is the Tabin Wildlife Reserve, home to the Island’s three largest mammals – the Asian elephant, Sumatran Rhinoceros and the Tembadau buffalo among other wild species

Thirty kilometers away from Sandakan are the Gomantong Caves, home to two large caves with millions of swiflets known to have therapeutic qualities. Madai Caves too have a collection of these birds.

The Rafflesia Centre in Tambunan is home to the unique Rafflesia flowers and a teaching centre on the same.

Cultural and historical attractions in Sabah are in plenty. The capital of Sabah is Kota Kinabalu, with a reflection of Chinese and European architecture, is a modern city against the background of sunsets and sunrise behind the magnificent mountains. A fine example of contemporary architecture here is the State Mosque. The Sabah state Museum is another landmark here built in 1985. In the complex are theme based museums like the Science and Education Centre, Heritage Village, Sabah Art gallery and Museum of Islamic civilization. The museum is also home to the Ethno-botanical Garden.

Other landmarks of Sabah state are the Menara Tun Mustapha, Atkinson Clock Tower and the Signal Hill Observatory.

Other traditional villages in Sabah include the Mengkabong Water Village, the Monsopiad Cultural Village, and the agricultural town of Lahad Datu, Sandakan that serves as a gateway to some eco treasures of the region, the beach town of Semporna and the Island federal territory off the Sabah coast which holds traditional night markets.

The Sarawak Region

The Sarawak region is equally rich in nature and wild life reserves.

Located on way to Api Mountain in Mulu Park, Pinnacles are a series of 45 meters high limestone formations that give an enchanting view. The Semenggoh Wildlife Rehab is dedicated to protect the Orang Utan. Another centre for them and other animals is the Matang Wildlife Centre.

The Miri Crocodile Farm is the and the Jong’s Crocodile Farma are mainly home to crocodiles, though they have developed their own mini zoos.

The Satang Island near Santubong is listed as a turtle sanctuary. In the Kelabit Highlands is the Sawarak’s highest peak at 2,423 meters – Gunung Murud, rich in flora and fauna.

The rain Sarawak rainforests – Bako, Mulu and Niah, have a rich biodiversity and rare and rich wildlife.

The Bako National Park is home to a rich flora like the wild pitcher plants and orchids and a variety of fauna like Silverleaf monkeys, cheeky Macaques and the rare proboscis monkeys. The Mulu National Park has the largest cave systems of the world and is accessed by a mesmerizing boat or air trip.

The Niah national park too is known for its caves with birds like hornbills, eagles and swiflets flocking here.Other national parks here are the Tanjing Datu towards the westernmost tip of Sarawak with beaches and mountainous ranges. In the Lundu area is the Gunung Gading national park, home to Rafflesias. The Batang Ali Park, the Kubah National Park and the Lambir Hills are another nature reserves in Sarawak.  You can enjoy a refreshing visit to the Sarawak Rivers like Lemanak, Skrang and Rejang.

Besides these there are cities like Kuching, cultural villages, Damai Beach and a number of museums for you to explore in Sarawak.

Brunei

The country of Brunei does not stay behind when it comes to tourist attractions. It too has rainforest parks like Merimbun Heritage Park, the Ulu Temburong National Park and the Luagan Lalak Recreational Park, all rich in wildlife. The tranquil beach of Sri Kenangan too is an attraction for tourists here.

Of the cultural centres, the Brunei Museum, The Jame Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque, the Tamu Kianggeh market and the Royal Regalia Building are the major landmarks.

With eco adventures, snorkeling and diving sites and fishing and breathtaking rainforests that bring you in proximity with rare flora and fauna, a trip to Borneo promises a delightful and mesmerizing experience.