Borneo exudes the feeling of a less explored destination with hidden ecological treasures. The virgin and secondary forests that dot the continent are a vital sanctuary for dense populations of wildlife, some endemic to Borneo. Orangutans, Borneo pygmy elephants and proboscis monkeys are among the welcoming faces you may see if you visit their natural habitat; yes, eco trips are available. The third largest island in the world after Greenland and Papua New Guinea is no longer a mystery, but is increasingly recommended by travelers as an emerging vacation destination. The island is shared by 3 countries, with the largest portion owned by Indonesia (Kalimantan), followed by Malaysia (Sabah and Sarawak) and Brunei.
Essentially, Borneo will be on the radar of avid divers anticipating a historic dive amidst a luxurious underwater world. Sipadan Island and surrounding dive sites such as Mabul and Kapalai are ranked as the best dive sites in the world due to the diversity of marine life. As for adventure seekers, conquering Mount Kinabalu, the roof of Borneo, is the ultimate challenge on a par with climbing other peaks around the world. As the highest peak between the Himalayas and Papua New Guinea, this 4,095m-high giant usually expresses its majestic character with layers of clouds in between.
Surrounded by azure blue oceans, Borneo is bordered by long stretches of white sand beaches. Interestingly, there are several quiet islands studded in the middle of the oceans close to shore. They are conveniently accessible and the most notable is the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park Marine Park off Kota Kinabalu and the world famous “Survivor Island” called Pulau Tiga.
Borneo also has the largest cave system in the world. Mulu National Park in Sarawak, a World Heritage Site, is considered paradise for travelers physically prepared to face the ecological challenge and alternatively enjoy the opulent ecology of the caves, exceptionally views of bat exodus or exploration of the four caves of the show.
Every time you visit Borneo, you have the opportunity to meet the locals and observe their distinctive cultures. Borneo is home to a mix of indigenous groups, such as the Dayaks and Kadazandusuns. You can get up close and personal when you visit their tribal longhouses in Lemanak, Skrang or Batang Ai in Sarawak and Kudat in Sabah or through homestay visits. Although the people of Borneo understand different backgrounds and practice different customs, most live in harmony, a guarantee that Borneo is a peaceful and safe place to visit.
In addition to the spectacular destinations that Borneo has to offer, you can also enjoy exciting activities such as sightseeing, whitewater rafting, vintage train riding, golfing, shopping, and tasting delicious local food and rice wines. All of these activities can be arranged with your travel agents or accommodation operators.
Getting to Borneo is easy. Borneo is conveniently located in Southeast Asia and is well connected with numerous domestic and international flights. In addition, there are several direct flights linking Borneo such as Perth-Kota Kinabalu, Tokyo-Kota Kinabalu, Hong Kong-Kota Kinabalu, London-Bandar Seri Begawan and Singapore-Kuching. Kota Kinabalu, Kuching and Bandar Seri Begawan also have several flights from the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur. Some airlines to look for are Malaysia Airlines, Royal Brunei Airlines, Airasia, and Dragonair.
Like other destinations elsewhere, a stay in Borneo is just as enjoyable with options ranging from 5-star to budget accommodation, with most of these operators accepting online bookings and some having high ratings on travel portals like Tripadvisor.
