rich pickings
Borneo’s rainforest, wildlife and unique cultural traditions appeal to the adventurous at heart, but these days the destination doesn’t skimp on its luxury products, says Tamara Thiessen
B
orneo’s relative ‘buoyancy’ as a holiday destination in the face of some recent troubled times for Malaysian tourism
pivots on the soaring demand for nature tourism and a growing desire to see unique but often endangered natural attractions. That applies especially to nature-loving
UK visitors, says Stuart Douglass-Lee, Head of Product at Saga Travel. “The main focus has to be the rare fl ora and
fauna – the Borneo pygmy elephant, the world’s smallest elephant, the fascinating proboscis monkey, and Asia’s only great ape: the orang- utan. The destination is great value and full of natural wonders that appeal to serious and casual wildlife enthusiasts,” he said. The evolution of the tourism product,
particularly hotels, means visitors can count on spotting wildlife from the base of a luxury resort. “Borneo is suited for would-be adventurers and active people looking for a mix of off- the-beaten-track adventure with a smidgeon of resort luxury,” added Douglass-Lee. A trip cherry picking the highlights of the two
Malaysian states, Sabah and Sarawak, and the exotic Sultanate of Brunei presents an experience- rich journey heavy in culture and nature. Such an itinerary is now more attainable with MASwings and Air Asia’s regular ‘shuttle service’ fl ights between the major cities – Kota Kinabalu in Sabah, Kuching in Sarawak and Bandar Seri Begawan (BSB) in Brunei – and rural air services to remote national parks and highland areas. And Brunei’s developing sophistication has seen the once-classic two-day stopover trend to three days or more.
Perfect 10 Biodiversity hotspot: Borneo’s rainforests harbour 5,000 unique plant
species and 500 native animal species. Ethnic colours: Borneo is an ethnic kaleidoscope of 200-plus indigenous tribes. Cultural shows: See dance shows at cultural villages or Malay, Chinese and
indigenous costumes and customs in resort. Mountain magic: Whether you climb the 4,095-metre peak or not Sabah’s
sellingtravel.co.uk
Gunung Kinabalu National Park is a World Heritage wonder of blooms and butterfl ies. Mascot monkey: Borneo is home to 90% of the world’s orang-utans, the
magnetically charming ‘man of the forest’. Potbelly monkey: The mangrove dwelling proboscis monkey is a close
second-most popular and enthralling primate. Longboat journeys: Trips on traditional wooden boats take you deep
into the heart of Borneo’s rainforest. Safe haven: Borneo stands out in Asia as exceptionally safe in terms of both
natural disasters and urban crime. To market: Boneo’s riches are revealed in its handicrafts – beads and basketry and
intricately designed brocades called kain. Tropical islands: The Coral Triangle off Sabah’s east coast is a marine
wonderland and dive, snorkel and beach dream.
What’s new Accommodation/Hotels: Sarawak’s high-end old Royal Mulu Resort has morphed into the
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