Are you planning to visit Borneo?

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.

While visiting the famous city of Kuching, Sarawak, here are 8 things you should not miss.

1. Have a taste of Kuching’s Kolo-mee?

A delicious noodle delicacy made of cooked noodles added with slices of pork barbeque, sprinkled with spring onions and a bowl of soup. It is available at most food stalls and coffee shops in Kuching. The Kuchingites enjoy this simple yet great tasting dish with much gusto. Another delicious dish that you must taste is a specialty in Sarawak, the spicy Sarawak laksa.

2. For just 30 sen, you can enjoy boat riding to the other side of the Kuching River.

Enjoy the moment while having a slow yet mesmerizing boat ride across the beautiful river. This five minute river cruising on a non-motorized boat leads to the pride of all Kuchingites, the Kuching Waterfront.

3. Relax at the Waterfront.

This worldclass Waterfront is the best place to relax especially at sunset while enjoying a cup of local hot tea with milk – teh tarik Watch the boats slide by the river or just let time pass by.

4. Patronize the local pepper industry.

The world’s famous Sarawak pepper is a must experience too. Grab different variety of pepper stuff, from pepper perfume to pepper sweets.

5. Buy a Pua Kumbu?

The Iban tribe, as inspired by their dreams, have created this beautifully handwoven cloth called pua kumbu. This piece of art boasts its excellent workmanship and well blended colors.

6. Explore the national parks.

Enjoy the great adventure of your life that Sarawak national parks can offer. Have a close encounter with wildlife like you have never experienced before. Begin exploring the popular Bako National Park and you will surely crave for more.

7. Bring home some beautiful pottery.

The Sarawakian pottery best reflects the best of native culture. You can choose from a variety of pot designs and styles such as vases, pen holders, jars and many more.

8. Enjoy the Sarawak Culture Village – MUST DO!

Popularly known as the Asia’s best living museum, the Sarawak Cultural Village perfectly displays the Sarawak’s native inhabitants; their lifestyle, the culture, and homes. This 14 acre village, which is 45 minutes away from the city of Kuching, will surely amaze you with fabulous diversity of people and their culture. The Sarawak Cultural Village is a place that you should not miss in your life.

Image by: parththefirst, makahiki aka Rahiman Madli

Kuching is also known as Cat City. It’s because Kuching, which sounds similiar to ‘Kucing’ in Malay words which bring the meaning of cat.If you want to visit a fascinating place studded with glamorous attraction, Kuching is the right place for you.

You could get allured by the variety of dining and shopping experiences or mesmerized by the backyard of this famous city of Malaysia blooming with natural diversity. Whatever kind of adventure you desire to experience, Kuching can provide you the great assurance of full satisfaction. You can see amazing sceneries along the city’t riverside. With an open view to the Bungo Mountains, the boulevard is the best location to internalize the culture and life of Kuching.

Among the best attractions you can find in Kuching are; Jong’s Crocodile Farm, Bako National Park, Cat Museum and Monuments, the historical village of Sawarak Cultural Village, the wildlife park of Semenggoh Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, Sarawak Museum, the town square called Kuching Esplanade, and another historical village of Annah Rais Longhouse.

Bako National Park in Sarawak is the oldest national park where you can find the one of a kind Proboscis monkey. If you are bound for Kuching, never miss to visit the park’s thriving forestry, mangroves, fauna, and flora lush. The trekking routes that vary in terrain and difficulty have 16 different color codes that you can venture to. The top of the list for enjoyable trekking includes a circular route called Lintang Trail, the longest trail Limau, the hilltop areas of Tajor Train, and Paku trail, the flat ground for easy trekking.

What you will enjoy much with this national park while trekking is the opportunity to venture all seven ecosystems like mixed dipterocarp forest, health, forest, cliff, beach, swamp, and mangrove. The carnivorous pitcher plant is the main attraction among the plant life that exists in the place. You will also have a close encounter with different wildlife inhabitants like 150 different species of birds, flying lizards, monitor lizards, wild boar, macaques, owls, frogs, crabs, snakes, bats, and flying squirrels in addition to the famous proboscis monkey.

Image by Casperwatt, hafizul® – (busy), Mathieu Castel

Along the eastern part of Malaysia you can find its largest state of Sarawak. It is situated on the northwest coast area of Borneo, the world’s third largest island. When wildlife adventurers come to Malaysia, Sarawak is their best option. You will find forests in this state as its valuable asset and the main theme for Sarawak National Parks such as Bako, Lambir Hills, Similajau, Talang Satang, Niah, and Gunung Mulu.

Bako National Park

From the provincial capital of Kuching, Bako can be easily reached in just 45 minutes away. It boasts as the best of all parks in Sarawak. You will have the closest opportunities to watch the wildlife and take photos. Visiting particularly at dawn or dusk is the best time to have full wildlife encounter. Trekkers can find great trails here as well. As the most popular parks in Sarawak, you will also find a variety of interesting activities.

Talang Satang National Park

Talang Satang is one of the first national park in Sarawak  that having unique marine landscape developed for turtle conservation. You will find here several marine wonders of its inhabitants. The islands of Pulau Talang-Talang Kecil, Pulau Satang Kecil, Pulau Satang Besar, Pulau Talang-Talang Besar comprised the park.

Lambir Hills National Park

You can reach Lambir by traveling 30 km from Miri town. This park possesses valuable assets for educational and recreational adventures. Experience the park’s beautiful waterfalls, high tree tower and the primary, secondary and tertiary trails.

Niah National Park

What make Niah National Park distinct are its archeological assets. This large cave is the home of human remains for 30,000 to 40,000 years. As a matter of fact, the Southeast Asia’s  oldest human remains were discovered here. The Painted Cave is also a featured unique attraction adorned by early human inhabitants. The Malaysian government has granted both caves the prestige being the National Historical Monuments.

Similajau National Park

The unique coastal region of Similajau is famous of its rich scenery. Its strategic location can be easily reached from the town of Bintulu. You will found several amazing tourist havens like Sebubong Pool, Golden Beach, Batu Anchau, View Point, Turtle Beach, Selunsur Rapid, Batu Mandi, and the trails.

Gunung Mulu National Park

Tourists are lured by the clear forest streams, rainforests, and the variety of wildlife that can be found in the most popular among Sarawak parks, the Gunung Mulu National Park. Its huge limestone caves pose marvelous attractions and the best in Gunung Mulu. The park features several caves such as the Deer Cave, the worlds largest cave passage; Clearwater Cave, the Southeast Asia’s longest cave; and Sarawak Chamber, the largest natural chamber in the world.

Image by duke88, canorus, Alan Cressler, Edgar Thissen, Manuel Beers