Borneo is blessed with one of the most unique and diverse ecosystems in the world. Borneo is the third largest island in the World. It includes the Malaysian states of Sabah in the north and Sarawak in the south west, the Kingdom of Brunei and tribal Indonesian Kalimantan province in the south and is hence divided amongst 3 countries Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei.
The Borneo rainforests dated 130 million years old is the oldest and the richest rainforest in the world. This unique lowland dipterocarp forest has some very unique and also endemic species. These include the Dayak Fruit bat, the smallest squirrel, the 11cm long pygmy squirrel and the illusive Orang-utan. It also has the very beautiful but parasitic plant Rafflesia, that produces the world’s largest flower which can even be upto one meter in diameter. Borneo shelters a whopping 15000 species of flowering plants, 3000 species of trees, 221 species of mammals and 420 species of birds. It also has around 400 species of fish of which 149 are endemic to Borneo.
Borneo also houses the world heritage site, Kinabalu National Park, with Borneo’s tallest peak the Mt. Kinabalu, standing at 13455ft in Sabah Region. Sabah is also the most popular region amongst wildlifers. With a very diverse and vibrant culture and an unmatched biodiversity, Borneo can easily be called the wildlifer’s Mecca.
Borneo and its parks are easily accessible by public transport. It is well connected by flights from India to Kota Kinabalu International Airport/ Sandakan Airport. Various domestic flights also run between the domestic airports of Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan, Tawau and Lahad Datu Airports. Taxis, express buses, express boats and speed boats also connect Sabah and various places in Borneo.
The Park is home to Borneo’s highest mountain, the Mount Kinabalu that stands at 13455 ft. The park is itself located at 5000 feet at the foothills of this majestic mountain. An extremely diverse park with Majestic mountains, meandering rivers, hot water springs, waterfalls and very unique wildlife. This is Malaysia’s very first UNESCO World Heritage Site.
ACCESS :The park is easily accessible by road with Air conditioned buses, minivans, shared taxis or private taxis. (83 kms from Kota Kinabalu, 3 hours)
SIZE :753.7 sq.km
WILDLIFE:It houses very unique and rich flora of around 6000 species of plants which also includes the Rafflesia, the world’s largest flower, the pitcher plant and more than a 1000 species of Orchids. Its rich fauna includes 90 species of lowland mammals and 22 montane species which includes the Borneo Gibbon, Tarsier, Malay Bear, Grey-leaf Monkey, Red-leaf Monkey, the Orang-utan, the Bay Cat, the Kinabalu Ferret Badger. It also has 61 species of frogs and toads, 40 species of fish, around 200 species of butterfly and 320 species of birds which includes the very rare Kinabalu friendly badger.
ACTIVITIES:Boardwalk, Trekking, river cruise, 4X4 Safaris, Bird Watching.
Sukau is beautifully located on the lower banks of the Kinabatangan River and borders the Kinabatangan Wildlife sanctuary. The Kinabatangan river seems never ending with a length of 560kms and is rich in Borneo’s primates, mainly 10 in number that include the Proboscis Monkey, Maroon Langur and the Borneon Gibbon that are endemic to Borneo.
ACCESS :Sukau is usually accessed via Sandakan which is easily accessible by daily flights between Kota Kinabalu and Sandakan Airport(318 km, 30minutes). Sandakan can also accesed by road by taxis, shared taxis, buses(318km, 6 hours). Sukau can be reached from Sandakan by road(38kms, 2hrs) or by boat(2hours).
SIZE :N/A
WILDLIFE:The palm oil plantations in Sukau home 250 species of birds, 50 species of mammals including 10 primates, reptiles and 90 species of fish. It is not rare to also sight wild boars, crocodiles, flat headed cats, pygmy elephants, otters and snakes and several species of birds.
ACTIVITIES:Boardwalk, Trekking, river cruise, bird watching.
The never ending Kinabatangan river slithers through the sanctuary supporting a very rich and diverse flora and fauna. Located in the lower basin of the Borneon Rainforest, this Sanctuary is probably the most concentrated in wildlife.
ACCESS :The closest town is Sandakan which is easily accessible by daily flights between Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Lumpur and Sandakan Airport(318 km, 30minutes). Sandakan can also accesed by road by taxis, shared taxis, buses(318km, 6 hours). Sandakan Airport to Kinabatangan Sanctuary is 135 kms and takes 4 hours by road.
SIZE :261.03 sq.km
WILDLIFE:The crater is abundant with wildlife. The conservation area has the highest density of Lions in the world, other than that there are herds of Wildebeests, Zebra, Buffalos and Grant’s Gazelles too. It is one of the best places in Africa to see Black Rhinos in the wild. Hyenas are common predators and Cheetahs are also seen in the area. Hippos and Flamingos are seen in and around Lake Magadi. Leopards are present in the park along with Wild Dogs, but are not seen that frequently.
ACTIVITIES:Boardwalk, Trekking, river cruise, bird watching.
Danum valley conservation area is located in a 438 square kilometres of wild rainforest. It can easily be called The Wildlifer’s paradise due to its extreme wilderness with only nature and wildlife to give you company. It is one of the most complex ecosystems in the world. Spectacular waterfalls and mysterious caves are highlights of this Area.
ACCESS :The fastest way to get to Danum from Kuala Lumpur is to take one of the daily KLIA flights directly into Tawau with Malaysia Airlines or Air Asia. From there you have to go to Lahad Datu by bus or taxi, some 120 kilometres (72 miles) from the airport. There are also domestic flights from Kota Kinabalu to Lahad Datu. From Lahad Datu, head out towards Gunung Silam and follow signs to Danum Valley(82kms, 2 hours)
SIZE :438 sq.km
WILDLIFE:More than 120 mammals that also includes several rare and endangered species, 40 fish species, reptiles, amphibians, rare butterflies and insects and over 300 species of birds are found here.
ACTIVITIES:Trekking, Birdwatching.
Tailor-made holidays & tours for the discerning traveller
Probably the greatest wildlife spectacle on planet with over 1,245,000 wildebeest, 200,000 Burchell’s zebra, 18,000 eland and 500,000 Thomson’s Gazelle filling the entire stretch of the landscape.
Aberdare National Park and Masai Mara, internal flight included.
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