- The delight in seeing baby sea turtles make their way to the ocean at Turtle Island Marine Park.
- The pride in reaching the summit of Mount Kinabalu.
- The feeling of awe, inspired by the architecture of the Kota Kinabalu City Mosque.
- The surprise of coming face-to-face with tropical fish in the waters near Sipadan Island.
- The joy in catching a glimpse of the rare pygmy elephant on the shores of the Kinabatangan River.
- The excitement in seeing orangutan families make their homes at the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre.
- The exhilaration of zip-lining between islands at Tunku Abdul Rahman Park.
Best Things to Do in Borneo
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Things to do in Borneo - Expert's guide
1. Kinabalu National Park
Arguably the most famous location in Borneo, Kinabalu National Park boasts more than its status as the first UNESCO World Heritage Site in Malaysia.
Home to various rare plants, such as carnivorous pitcher plants and corpse-flowers, Kinabalu Park also hosts the mountain for which it is named. Standing at 4095.2 meters (13435.7 feet), Mount Kinabalu is the highest peak in Malaysia. When travelers are not climbing its summit, they can visit the refreshing waters of Poring Hot Springs, located conveniently near the mountainside.
2. Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre
Located in Sabah, Malaysia, the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre protects between 60 and 80 orangutan families. At the same time as they make their homes in the surrounding rainforest, the orangutans are observed by researchers and travelers alike.
From convenient walkways, travelers may (safely) view the orangutans in their natural habitats and know that they are contributing to their continued existence in a peaceful environment. If they are lucky, travelers may also see pygmy elephants being housed at the sanctuary, an event that is rare to occur anywhere beyond shorelines.
3. Kota Kinabalu City Mosque
The Kota Kinabalu City Mosque is a spectacular architectural marvel located in the Sabah region of Malaysia. With space to accommodate between 9,000 and 12,000 people, it is no surprise that the landmark is frequented by other individuals besides worshipers.
Built to float atop the lagoon it is located on, the image of the Kota Kinabalu City Mosque that is reflected in the surrounding water makes for iconic photo opportunities. Access to the site is free after registration with Kota Kinabalu City Mosque Tourism Management.
4. Sipadan Island
Near Sabah, Malaysia, Sipadan Island is a hidden gem for travelers looking for aquatic
Adventures. As it is the only oceanic island in Malaysia, it is a prime habitat for sea creatures of all sizes that nestle among the nearby coral reef. This reef, while smaller in comparison with other tropical reefs, makes up for its size difference by hosting a large sea-turtle population. Book your tours to Sipadan Island in advance, as the spot is a popular one and only a few diving permits are handed out per day!
5. Tunku Abdul Rahman Park
Tunku Abdul Rahman Park is a Malaysian national park that is unique for more than its ideal location off the coast of Sabah. Instead of being built on one, contiguous area of land, Tunku Abdul Rahman Park is actually comprised of five different islands: Pulau Gaya, Pulau Sapi, Pulau Manukan, Pulau Mamutik and Pulau Sulug.
Since each of these islands is beautiful in their own rights, many guided tours of Borneo include them all. To facilitate this, there are a handful of resorts in the park and even an above-water zipline that extends between Pulau Gaya and Pulau Sapi islands.
6. Gunung Mulu National Park
While the karst topography that Gunung Mulu National Park is known for attracts researchers, it also brings a significant number of tourists. The heavy limestone deposits in the area have made for astounding valleys, caves, and sinkholes that travelers may safely explore on guided tours in Borneo.
Below ground, the Sarawak Chamber is the world’s largest cave chamber. Swiftlets and bats make their homes in its stony ceilings. Beyond the caves are some 3,500 different plant species and Gunung Mulu, a 2,377 meter (7,799 foot) sandstone pinnacle that overlooks the entire park.
7. Turtle Island Marine Park
Much like its counterpart, Tunku Abdul Rahman Park, Turtle Island Marine Park is not made of one island, but three. Selingan, Bakungan Kecil and Gulisaan are all a part of Malaysia’s portion of Turtle Island Marine Park, with another 10 islands being a part of the Phillipines.
Despite geographic differences, the two countries work together to protect the various species of wild sea-turtles that come to lay their eggs on the islands. In order to maintain this protection, Selingan (affectionately called “Turtle Island”) is the only one of the three that visitors can actually step foot on in order to watch the turtles hatch and make their way to the ocean.
8. Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary
Where Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre oversees the protection of orangutan families, the Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary watches over Proboscis monkeys. Located in dense mangrove forests near the coastline of Sabah, Malaysia, the Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary is home to hundreds of the species that are its namesake.
Native to Borneo, Proboscis monkeys may be viewed by travelers in their natural existence from different tree-top platforms. For those who cannot get enough of the monkeys in one day, lodging accommodations are available at the sanctuary.
9. Kinabatangan River
A critical river that flows through Malaysia, the Kinabatangan River not only sustains the local populations of people that make their homes on its banks, but also the rare animals and plants. Travelers on guided cruises in Borneo will find themselves immersed in warm weather that is supplemented with the various calls of tropical birds.
Common sights along the way include pygmy elephants, Proboscis monkeys, orangutans, and crocodiles. Travelers can count themselves lucky if they also encounter rare monitor lizards, jaguars, and hornbills.
10. Kuching
A charming, contemporary city with coastal views and nearby rainforests is hard to find, yet Kuching fits the bill. More than its colorful architecture and friendly citizens is its affinity for cats.
Known internationally as “the city of cats” (“kuching” is the Malay word for “cat), the city rivals Ancient Egypt in its treatment of felines. Travelers will notice cat-themed art, museums, and stores that all attest to the fact that Kuching is unlike any other city in the world.
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