Borneo, Malaysia is the third largest island in the world known as the tourists’ haven for leisure and amusement through its breathtaking scenery and wildlife adventures that the island offers. You will find in Borneo some endangered and exotic creatures like orangutans, tarsiers, proboscis monkeys, and many others.

Malaysian Borneo or also known as East Malaysia has two states, Sarawak and Sabah. You can go here through the two key cities, Kota Kinabalu and Kuching. You will find here several beautiful parks and sanctuaries which are homes of many endangered species and various wildlife that rarely seen anywhere in the world.

Sabah Borneo

Come and experience Malaysia’s best nature of wildlife adventure with a ride on the Kinabatangan River. This enjoyable floating safari provides the opportunity to have a close encounter with kingfishers, hornbills, long-nosed proboscis monkeys, and pygmy elephants.

Another great place to visit in Sabah is the Tabin Wildlife Reserve. This main forest is home to Malaysia’s large animals like orangutans, rhinos, and elephants. If you love bird watching, you can find in the swamp lands and jungle some species and birds such as eagles, owls, and hornbills. You might as well take the chance to visit the mud volcano and immerse yourself in muddy pools during the day.

Experience close encounter with orangutans at Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary. You can stroll on the footpath through tall tropical trees to watch these fascinating endangered mammals. Sepilok is the right place to witness rare animals that you would not see anywhere else in the world.

If you love to venture underwater then you should not miss to visit one of the world’s top diving destination the Sipadan Island. Endless live scenes of various marine life that showcase everything from reef basking green turtles to schools of barracuda. This beautiful underwater world is filled with different coral formations and colorful scenes of angelfish, sea fans, anemones, triggerfish, and many more.

Witness and be amazed of the Hawksbill and Green turtles returning ashore to lay their eggs at Turtle Island Park. Know how these ancient creatures survived and the way how the locals conserve and save these rare turtles from extinction.

Feel the thrill being in the midst of the jungle and enjoy the forest trails at Danum Valley Conservation Area. Do trekking while bird watching, taking pictures, and observing wildlife.

Sarawak, Borneo

Do not miss to visit here the magnificent coastal reserve, the Bako National Park, just a few hours away from Kuching. Enjoy nature abundant of sand stone cliffs, mangrove swamps, and seaside forest loaded with bountiful living creatures like the flying lemurs, pit vipers, proboscis monkeys, and many others.

If you love to explore caves, go to Gunung Mulu National Park and explore the unique limestone structures covered by thick tropical forest. Witness bats in millions as they come out from the cave chambers at dusk. Trek through the midst of the jungle towards the mountains to see the stunning, dagger like, one-of-a-kind blade sharp Pinnacles.

Bats go out at night to hunt for insects from the large caves of Niah National Park. Jungle pathways follow through hill and lowland rainforest to showcase various wild animals like hornbills, flying lizards, monitor lizards, monkeys, and many more.

A hydroelectric dam formed a lake reservoir that has become sanctuary of wildlife situated in the midst of the jungle and they call it Batang Ai National Park. You will see here rare rainforest animals like hornbills, gibbons, and orangutans. You can go with an Iban guide and learn the tradition lifestyle of the Iban as you spend time in a longhouse.

The Sepilok boasts of its 40 sq. km. permanent reserve with flourishing main jungle where the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre is established. This is where the confiscated, injured, or orphaned orangutans take refuge. Visitors can enjoy watching them during feeding sessions twice daily before they go back into the jungle.

In Selingan where the Turtle National Park is situated consists of three islands where Hawksbill and Green turtles come to lay their eggs on the beaches.

The Malaysia’s top wildlife viewing location is in Sukau where the Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary stretches as far as 27,000 ha along Sabah’s Kinabatangan River. You can find here four primate colonies living in the same area; the grey langur, maroon langur, silvered langur, and the proboscis monkey.

Around the month of June, you can see here the Borneon pygmy elephants which are considered distinct species of the elephants in Asia.

Variety of birds are also found in the area like the crow, oriole, drongo, spiderhunter, 8 species of hornbill, flowpecker, oriental darter, and many more.

Your entire adventure includes Sandakan City tour, watch ashore for egg laying turtles, drop by the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, and wildlife viewing via river cruise. Sit back and relax as wildlife beauty gradually unfolds. The cost AS OF 2008 is around RM1,880 per person with a minimum of 2 persons.

Itinerary

1st Day: Sandakan – Selingan
At ETD 0740hrs you are expected at Sandakan airport. Then 30 minutes after, you will board the jetty for one hour travel to Selingan Island. Get a cottage. You are now free to explore the island. After dinner, the Park Ranger will guide you with others to watch the Green Turtle lay eggs.

2nd Day: Selingan – Sandakan – Sepilok
Go back to Sandakan by boat then go to Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre. See the feeding of the Orangutans while trekking through the forest. Proceed to Sandakan jetty to cruise along Kinabatangan, the longest river in Sabah, and take the chance to see wildlife and birds in rainforest habitats, wetland, and virgin mangrove. Cruise the river with electric motor in the late afternoon to view the ten species of monkeys including Proboscis monkeys.

3rd Day: Sukau
At 6 am you will board the river cruise along Kinabatangan River to view the wildlife and birds. Then you will head to the Kelenanap ox-bow lake for a brief walk in the jungle. The move on to see more wildlife through river cruise in the afternoon. After dinner, you can spot nocturnal animals, birds, and crocodiles via night safari cruise at additional fee. Spend the night in rainforest lodge.

4th Day: Sukau – Sandakan
You will then return to Sandakan by boat after breakfast. You will have a short tour at water village, The Australian War Memorial, and The Agnes Keith House in Sandakan town after lunch. You will then proceed to the airport for your departure flight.

You will be housed in Park HQ, a rainforest eco-lodge with 20 rooms which is world renown. Solar heaters supply hot water. All rooms are complete with hot shower, bathroom, mosquito netting, ceiling fan, and a twin bed. You will certainly find this as the most green and environmentally friendly lodge.

However, it excludes airfare of around US$58/person via Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan then back to Kota Kinabalu. You can visit here anytime of the year.

You can reach Sandakan by air from Kuching Airport at Kota Kinabalu. Daily flights are also available from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA). The flight from Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan is recommended so you can arrive on time during the 10 am Orangutan feeding at Sepilok Nature Resort, or you will have to stay overnight at Sepilok Nature Resort.

The entire tour starts and ends in Sandakan. You can also spend your leisure time at Lankayan Island Dive Resort at the end of the tour.

The Sukau Rainforest Lodge has its own power and water supply through solar energy and rainwater. It is made of hardwood stilts. There is a bathroom in each room with solar hot water shower. In order to minimize noise and air pollution, the river safari tours use electric motors.

The Sukau Rainforest Lodge was named “Tourism for Tommorow Award 1997” by British Airways. It has also garnered “Green Hotelier of the Year 1999” and “International Hotel and Restaurant Association Environment Award 1999”.

For every overseas guest who stays will correspond to a donation of US$1 (RM 3.2) for every adult to Sukau Ecotourism Research and Development Center (SERDC).

The lodge supports the local inhabitants of the area, the Orang Sungei, or commonly called the people of the river. Hiring and training of the locals are a priority. The community is the main source of other services and boats are also bought from them.

The special elephant pass is purposely built for the migrating elephants that move back into the jungle. This unique event happens every quarter.

Image by stephendoyle1981, cabreney.jm

Diving Spots

Sabah is the center of the best diving locations in Malaysia. You can also find other great diving destinations like Pulau Tenggol, Pulau Lang Tengah, Pulau Tioman, Kapalai, Mabul, Pulua Kapas, Pulau Redang, and Pulau Perhentian. The breathtaking marine life and coral here make scuba diving a memorable one. The waters surrounding Sabah varies in depth which makes marine attraction different from the sea of Peninsular Malaysia. Layang Layang or Pulau Sipadan is the usual choice by most divers.

Variety of Diving Experiences

There are varieties of great diving experiences that Malaysia has prepared for its visitors. Pulau Kapalai, Pulau Mabul, and Pulau Lankayan are best spots for muck diving where you can dive in corals and rubbles to watch coral dwellers. Turtle Roack and Pulau Talang Talang are the best for reef diving. You can also find many locations for wreck diving. During second World War, many ships and marine vessels have capsized in the waters of Malaysia and now have become a great spot for wreck diving.

Mabul

Another great location for scuba diving is Mabul, which is just 25 minutes away from Sipadan. This island is popularly known as one of the world’s best spots for muck diving. Rare marine life encounter is the usual experience that Mabul muck diving can offer. Mabul is also the most favorite among macro photographers.

Sipadan Island

Sipadan Island makes your scuba diving experience complete. It is a must visit scuba diving location for those who love diving. Sipadan is famous of its marine living creatures lurking on its clear blue waters. The presence of sea turtles, colorful reef fish, and hammerhead sharks have made Sipadan earned its own reputation. Divers usually head toward Sipadan’s great drop off where one can find great facilities and water conditions.

Layang Layang

Layang Layang is offers unforgettable diving experiences. You can enjoy wonderful wall diving at the coral atoll where hammerhead sharks bask around. Variety of sea creatures like manta rays, triggerfish, and turtles dwell on the reefs. You can enjoy scenic views of different corals. Be sure to visit this place during diving season between March and August.

Images by michaelsieters, divedownbelow, femkekoek

Strategically located on the eastern region, Sipadan Island has become a natural amusement among many visiting tourists. Even the famous Jacques Cousteau fumed regarding the variety of marine life found in Sipadan’s  surrounding waters.

You will find seemingly unlimited under water attractions while scuba diving in this Island. How would it feel watching live turtles basking around sea walls or chewing on sponges and algae? The abundant presence of macro life that populates the reefs is reeling. You can spend your priceless scuba diving moment by just gazing on these minute amazing creatures.

If you are bound for scuba diving in Malaysia, you would find Sipadan as the center of the best scuba diving locations. Here are some very popular diving locations found in Malaysia.

Barracuda Point Reef

As its name literally suggests, Barracuda Point is very popular for barracuda sightings. Some of the barracuda sighting experiences have surpassed the high expectations among reluctant divers. Many divers have shared their weird encounters of swirling whirlpool of blacktail barracuda or chevron so intense that they can’t see a thing through the formation. Many interesting sea creatures like parrot fish, turtles, and grey reef sharks are commonly spotted along this reef.

Coral Garden

If you wish to experience a cool and calm scuba diving, Coral Garden is the best location swarmed with marine life. While scuba diving, you can watch feeding turtles and be amused by the up close experience of macro life with unlimited possibilities. Coral Garden is the most favorite among avid photographers who would want to capture their underwater experiences in Malaysia.

The Drop Off

If you are fond of shore diving, the Drop Off is your best option. Among the great shore diving destinations, the Drop Off is considered as the best not only in Malaysia but in the entire world. The Drop Off is just a short walk from the main beach and through scuba diving you will discover the fascinating world of underwater fully studded with array of colorful coral and sponges hugging to the vertical wall.

You will certainly be amazed watching shrimps, crabs, and other macro life homing on alcoves and crevices. You don’t have to search further to experience wonders of underwater of Malaysia. The Drop Off is the best diving spot if you wish to have a close and personal encounter with live turtles, grey reef sharks, whitetip sharks as well as large schools of bumpheaded parrotfish, barracuda, and jacks.

If you want to have the best scuba diving experience, put Sipadan (or Pulau Sipadan), Malaysia on your top list of options. Don’t simply listen to hearsay, go to Malaysia and discover the underwater wonders yourself.

Image by Miguel Cortés, elecompte