After Greenland and New Guinea, Borneo is the third largest island in the world. This Southeast Asian island is known for its gorgeous beaches and ancient, biodiverse rainforests. These 130 million year old rainforests are home to over 15,000 species of plants. Borneo’s dense jungles also host hundreds of mammals, including orangutans and proboscis monkeys. Shared by three nations—Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei—Borneo offers a diverse and rich experience.
It is no wonder then that most Borneo group tours take travelers on a thrilling adventure through jungles. Sabah’s Danum Valley, Maliau Basin, and Sarawak’s jungle covering 80% of its landmass are just some of the favorite Borneo travel destinations. Borneo is after all known for its eco-tourism and wildlife. However, beyond Borneo’s dazzling forests and jungles is this giant island’s captivating ethnic diversity and culture. Indeed, Borneo is an island that just keeps on giving.
Below are some unique experiences you can only do in Borneo.
Borneo Highlights and Features
1. Get up close with large turtles in Sipadan
Sure, swimming with turtles is an activity you can do in most tropical destinations. However, in Borneo, this experience gets magnified thanks to its large hawksbill turtles. Imagine going under the crystal clear waters and kneeling on a sandy seabed to gawk at these gentle shelled creatures. As you await for your encounter with the turtles, you also get to marvel at the breathtaking marine life that you can only see in Borneo. Swim among barracudas, manta rays, eagle rays, and more. It is easy to see why Sipadan is among the best diving spots in Malaysia.
2. Cruise along the river
There is something about river tours in Borneo that set them apart from the rest. Perhaps it is because this tour gives one an intimate look at the sprawling wildlife unique to the island. As you cruise along the Kinabatangan river, prepare to encounter the smallest elephants in Asia, proboscis monkeys, and even traditional tribesmen. Conclude your cruise with a stay on one of the eco-lodges hidden in the jungle. The next day, join a birdwatching activity and checkout the caves nearby.
3. Meet indigenous tribes
An experience in the jungle is incomplete without an encounter with its inhabitants. The once truly nomadic Penan tribe offer a glimpse into the harmony between the jungle and its human inhabitants. You can witness how the tribe’s needs are provided for by the jungle—including water, food, and shelter. To see the Penan, you must take a thrilling helicopter ride to Long Lellang and then a canoe ride to go deep into the rainforest.
Borneo is truly a colorful destination but what is even more phenomenal is that these colors are all natural. A Borneo photography adventure will capture the colors that give Borneo its own character. From the greens of the jungle to the vibrant colors of the local tribes, your camera will be working overtime.
Although more and more tourists are visiting Borneo over the years, it remains to be one of the most underrated destinations in the world. Joining Borneo group tours today will give you an intimate and unhindered experience of the island.
Join Photofly Travel Club’s Borneo Group Tour.
