Borneo boasts sandy beaches, luscious scenery and luxury hotels, but what distinguishes this huge island from its Asian neighbours is the abundant wildlife. Most famous are the orangutans, easily inspected in Sabah's Sepilok sanctuary, but Borneo also has Probiscus monkeys, turtles and exotic birds. For adventure, climb Mount Kinabalu or stay in a village longhouse. 
Recommended tour operator: Trailfinders
Trailfinders says
Its pristine white sand beaches are some of the most appealing in all of Asia. However, it would be a mistake to treat Borneo as merely a “fly and flop” destination. In addition to a superb coastline, it also boasts lush tropical jungles, a fascinating cultural heritage and exciting adventure tours.
One of the best places to stay in Borneo is Shangri-La’s Rasa Ria Resort in Kota Kinabalu (pictured above right). The hotel has a magical beachfront location and its own nature reserve, plus it’s ideally located close to many of the key sights.
We recommend you take a 2-day tour into Sabah to visit the Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary, which takes care of the endangered apes before they are reintroduced to the wild. Another highlight is Turtle Island National Park where you can venture out at night to view sea turtles nesting in the sand. The best months for turtle sightings are July to October.
For more adventurous visitors, a spectacular overnight climb of Mount Kinabalu can be arranged; at 13,400ft, it’s south-east Asia’s highest peak.
Borneo is a great destination in its own right, but also makes an unusual and rewarding stopover on the way to Australia or New Zealand. Trailfinders’ award-winning consultants have personal experience of Borneo and can tailor-make any trip to your individual needs.
Click here for more about Borneo tours and Trailfinders’ latest special offers.
