etraveladmin Legendary Borneo Rainforests conjure up images of towering trees, abundant wildlife, and wild foreboding rainforests teeming with raging rivers. Only great explorers would venture there, after all, it was the home of the Headhunter. These are the best activities in Malaysian Borneo.
Activities in Borneo
Malaysian Borneo today is not the same as it was 50 years ago. The rain forest was decimated at an alarming rate from the 1970s to the 1990s, becoming garden furniture and chopsticks. Much of its jungle and habitat were destroyed.
Unfortunately, forests in Borneo are still being cleared to make way for oil palm plantations, and poaching of endangered species such as orangutans and clouded leopards is on the rise; however, there is a ray of hope.
Borneo in Malaysia is divided into two provinces. Sarawak and Sabah Each destination is worth a trip in and of itself, but we’d like to share our top picks for both provinces.
Climbing Mount Kinabalu,
Southeast Asia’s highest peak at 4095 metres, over two days. A two-hour bus ride from Kota Kinabalu will bring you to the park’s entrance, where you can book your climb, guide, accommodations, and climb.
It is recommended that you obtain your permits in Kota Kinabalu prior to your trip, but being Dave and Deb, we of course purchased them on the spot, right after the bus dropped us off at the park. However, we had secured a climb for the following day with dorm accommodations at Laban Rata at 3500 metres.
Orangutan Rehabilitation Center
Visiting our next destination in Borneo was by far one of the most heartwarming experiences of my life.
Orangutan Rehabilitation Center in Sepilok
In Borneo, the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre is a must-see. We stayed at the Sepilok Jungle Resort, which is right next to the park. A lodge in the middle of the jungle, complete with boardwalks and canopy walks that wind through the grounds. It’s a short walk to the Sepilok Rehabilitation Centre, where we were treated to a video that explained the centre and its accomplishments.
Very interesting, but the pièce de résistance is unquestionably the Orangutans. We arrive at the feeding platform after walking along the jungle path with monkeys playing in the trees. During their feeding time, the orangutans can choose to return for a hearty meal of fruit and vitamin milk.
They are orangutans that have been injured, rescued, or orphaned and have been nursed back to health before being released back into the jungle.
They can return for a feast whenever they want to ease their transition. We enjoyed our time in Sepilok, Sabah, so much that we returned to Sarawak, Borneo’s other province, to see the orangutans again.
Semenggok Rehabilitation Centre is a much less visited rehab facility, but it is just as effective and fulfilling, in my opinion. Dave, myself, and another couple were the only ones watching the Orangutans eat their bananas. Seeing the orangutans here was an emotional experience.
Kinabatangan River Wildlife Safari
Take a boat up The Sungai (river) Kinabatangan, right into the heart of Borneo’s jungle, and spend a few days in this rustic camp. Your meals and wildlife safaris are included, but you must bring your own alcohol. It won’t be necessary, however, because the days are jam-packed.
Borneo’s Wildlife
On our safaris, we saw some incredible wildlife. It was the best place we’d ever seen hornbills. It was amazing to see them in the wild. Birds with massive hornbill beaks flew through the air with ease. We also saw the following amazing Borneo wildlife:
- Elephants Pygmy
- Monkeys with Proboscism
- Scorpions
- Crocodiles
- Cats with Civets
- Leopards with cloudy fur
- Lizards that keep watch
Trekking in the Jungle
Borneo is well-known for its untamed jungles. Even today, daring explorers venture into uncharted territory. We went on some incredible jungle treks in search of wildlife.
- Morning Safari: Get up at 6:00 a.m. for a morning safari on the boat to see what’s going on on the river. The Proboscis Monkey is best seen in the morning.
- Mid-morning Safari: This trek will take you into the jungle by foot, where you will learn about plant life and smaller amphibians such as the world’s smallest frog.
- Afternoon Safari: There is an afternoon safari where you can see a variety of wildlife, including monitor lizards, wild orangutans, Proboscis monkeys, and civet cats.
- Night Safari: After dinner, it’s time to go on a night safari in search of crocodiles.
Dive Sipadan
Borneo is known for having some of the best diving sites on the planet, with Sipadan Island topping the list. Sabah Diving Guide has detailed information on the best places to dive in Borneo.
Kuala Lumpur
After spending some time in the jungle, finish your Sabah adventure in the city of Kota Kinabalu. It’s an excellent place to rest after climbing Mount Kinabalu or to refresh after spending time on the river or in the rainforest.
Gaya Street is a great place to go for drinks and nightlife.
The floating mosque of Lika’s Bay is a must-see because it appears to float in the water.
Don’t forget to spend time at the beach!
Sarawak Attractions
Gunung Mulu National Park in Sarawak Borneo had so much to offer that it should not be missed. Flying into it in a twin-engine plane gives you the impression that you are already in the middle of nowhere.
The Pinnacles Trek
We were dropped off on the beach and then hiked 8 kilometres through the jungle, crossing two rivers along the way. We eventually made our way back to camp 5 in the middle of the jungle, where we stayed the night before our climb to the pinnacles.
Our guide led us up a strenuous climb first thing in the morning. We were climbing through a slippery and steep jungle at first, but about 3/4 of the way up, we came to the first of seventeen aluminium ladders. This is where things get interesting. Rope and ladder climbing over crevasses and drops.
The Deer Cave
We went to Deer Cave after returning to Gunung Mulu Park Headquarters. It is the world’s largest cave chamber, and we were treated to a view of 2 million bats flying out at dusk to feed on insects.
It was one of the most incredible sights I’d ever seen in my life. In front of our eyes, a massive black cloud snaked through the sky, performing an arial ballet.
National Park of Bako
That brings us to the end of our Malaysian Borneo adventure, where we finally got a close-up look at the Proboscis Monkey at Bako National Park. The elusive Proboscis Monkey can be found in Bako
National Park in Sarawak Borneo.
The Proboscis Monkey is a strange monkey that is only found on the island of Borneo. The Proboscis Monkey is a golden brown monkey with a potbelly and a snout nose that can be found all over Bako. Walk quietly through the trails, stop to listen for a while, and you’ll soon find yourself in the midst of a family playing and feeding above.
Kuching
When you’ve had your fill of Sarawak’s rainforests, jungles, and river cruises, unwind in the City of Cats. Yes, you heard me correctly. When walking around Kuching, you will notice many statues of cats.
There are so many amazing things to do in Borneo that it would take months to do them all.
It truly is one of the world’s best adventure destinations. Let us hope that the Malaysian government begins to take care of it so that Borneo can be enjoyed for many years to come.
