borneo
FEATURE 25
THE ADVENTURE BORNEO
With lush rainforests, beautiful beaches and abundant wildlife, Borneo is a magnet for travellers seeking a holiday experience packed with natural wonders, says Lauren Jarvis
ISLAND B
orneo, the largest island in Asia, is the preserve of three countries: Brunei and Malaysia (comprising the states of Sabah and Sarawak) to the north and Indo- nesia (Kalimantan) to the south (which cov- ers almost three-quarters of the island). Home to one of the world’s oldest rainforests, Borneo is a hotbed of biodiversity and one of just two places in the world where it’s still possible to see orangutans in the wild, the other being the Indonesian island of Sumatra. “Sabah is the gateway to Borneo’s wonderful
array of wildlife,” says Nigel Fisher, Director of adventure travel company, Wild Frontiers. “It has some fantastic national parks where it’s possible to see some incredible and rare species, staying in jungle lodges. Sarawak tends to appeal to cultural travellers, interested in meeting the region’s tribal people, the Iban, and sleeping in traditional longhouses, which is a unique experience.”
While Malaysian Sabah and Sarawak are most
frequently featured in tour itineraries, Indonesian Kalimantan has far less infrastructure, making travel more challenging, and for this reason, it’s not usually included as a tour option. However, more operators are now offering the
tiny, sovereign state of Brunei. An interesting mix of tradition and modernity, the country’s capital, Bandar Seri Begawan, combines golden mosques with sparkling fountains, and its natural attractions are also worth exploring. “Brunei remains a fairly conservative, oil- rich Islamic nation, which occupies less than one per cent of Borneo’s landmass, but it should defi nitely appeal to travellers wanting to get further off the beaten track,” suggests Gemma Wilson, Far East Product Manager for luxury tour operator Western & Oriental. “It has untouched jungle, yielding top-class eco-
tourism, and adventure choices like river rafting and jungle trekking opportunities,” she added.
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Borneo’s beaches and marine life are also drawing visitors to the island. “Pristine undeveloped beaches and Robinson
Crusoe-style islands such as Gaya Island within the Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park are becoming increasingly popular,” says Watson, while Borneo’s waters offer some of the world’s best dive sites and the chance to
“Untouched rainforest, abundant wildlife, intrepid treks and incredible beaches make Borneo the perfect choice for a
well-rounded holiday” OSCAR LOPERO, PRODUCT MANAGER, TRAVEL 2
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