Borneo has so much to offer its visitors – from beautiful jungles to wonderful beaches, from city bustle to island paradise. however here’s exactly how to get the most out of this big island without costs all your annual leave.
Borneo is a genuine traveller’s paradise. So many cultures as well as so much wildlife exist right here it’s almost overwhelming. You might spend your whole life checking out this culturally replete equatorial island.
The Malaysian specify of Sabah in Borneo’s north is the most occupied as well as established part of the island, which makes it the most available part of the island. Sabah is house to incredible world-class reef dive sites, Southeast Asia’s tallest mountain as well as one of the most diverse jungle habitats on the planet. It’s likewise where you can discover pigmy elephants as well as orang-utans in the wild.
We explored this stunning tropical region from west to east, from the funding to central jungles, as well as blissful islands as well as reefs – here’s our important guide to Sabah, Borneo.
But this all takes time. So if you’re time bad as well as want to get the most out of your time on the world’s third largest island, here’s what you requirement to do.
How to check out Sabah, Borneo in a week
Kota Kinabalu – 2 days
Sandwiched between the sea as well as Southeast Asia’s tallest mountain install Kinabalu – Sabah’s funding city has a interesting personality. It’s a blend of fishing village quaintness, wild outpost ruggedness as well as the exotic yet cosmopolitan air of a developed, post-colonial city.
Kota Kinabalu – or KK as the locals phone call it – still provides off the feeling of being in a Malaysian city. In truth it’s a bit like somebody took a cutting from Kuala Lumpur as well as replanted it right here in Borneo.
Spend your time right here checking out the hectic markets, trying your hand at batik painting at the Sabah foundation as well as discovering about the tribes of Sabah at the Mari Mari cultural Village.
Stay at Le Meridien KK – closest to the markets, the port as well as the nightlife of KK. The hotel likewise looks west for some incredible sunsets over the ocean.
Gaya Island – 2 days
From the hectic port, take a short 10-minute boat trip to Gaya Island. This is the biggest island of the little offshore archipelago on the west coast.
If the dash as well as bustle of KK has you wanting somewhere to relax, this is the location to do it. whatever slows down here. relax in the gorgeous Gaya Island resort with its spectacular pools or down at the personal beach.
Or if you’re feeling energetic, take a guided hike with the small rainforest with the resort’s own naturalist as well as conservationist Justin Juhun. Over the last 10 years, Justin has toiled away to produce the tracks that roam with the island’s jungle. He’s likewise specific that he has found a new types of mammal right here on Gaya!
The conservation centre he has developed on Gaya Island resort is a true possession to the hotel as well as to Borneo as a whole, as well as well worth inspecting out.
Extra activities
Depending on what you enjoy doing as well as exactly how active you want to be, right here are two concepts for you to add on to your trip.
Climb install Kinabulu – 1-2 days
Mount Kinabalu – the greatest peak in Borneo – towers over KK as well as features on the specify flag of Sabah. For the adventurous, the climb to its summit is a must, though it takes at least a day to complete.
For more information, inspect out Sabah Tourism’s info guide here.
Meet orang-utans – 2+ days
Seeing these incredible primates, the largest in Asia, is an incredible experience. You can see them in the wild, however it’s challenging as well as the possibility is low as they roam the vast, dense jungles nomadically. This will take more time.
However, there are sanctuaries in Sabah where you can experience these incredible creatures close up. They’re well cared for as well as in these sanctuaries, as well as their living conditions are carefully monitored.
The only issue is these sanctuaries as well as their natural habitats are in the north or the east of Sabah, so more travel – away from KK as well as the east – is your only option.
Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation center in Sandakan is linked to the specify wildlife Department, which part of the tourism Ministry.
Rehabilitated orang utans are release in both Danum Valley as well as likewise Tabin wildlife – both locations have lodging as well as guides.
The lower Kinabatangan River is likewise where you can go for wildlife sightings.
Whatever you select to do while you’re here, whether it’s hiking with the jungle, climbing mountains, diving with turtles or just unwinding on the beach, you’re guaranteed a unique experience.
Diversity is the word of the day right here in Borneo. three different nations have stakes in this island. Indonesia holds insurance claim tomost of Borneo, while in the west is the principality of Brunei as well as Malaysia has two big specifies in the northwest. With the many native tribes likewise discovered throughout the island.
There’s fantastic diversity in wildlife as well as landscapes right here too. From the peak of Borneo’s tallest mountain to its deep ocean reefs there’s so much to see.
What would you select to perform in Borneo? tell us in the comments!
Images by Mr as well as Mrs romance utilizing an OM-D E-M 5 mark II Olympus as well as a Hero4 GoPro camera. We visited Borneo as guests of Sabah Tourism