The Fab Four Jet Set to Borneo
 

The Fab Four--Thin, Keith, Linda, Muffy--are planning a whirlwind trip to Singapore and Borneo for July. Where should we stay on Borneo? Are there any resorts? We are interested in seeing those big orange primates (don't make me spell orangetangs, sweetie).

I would like some help from Borneo experts--Kathy are you out there? PLEASE!!!

I have to do all the planning myself because my travel companions are useless unless ordering Krug and caviar.

Thank you,
Your old friend, John G.

Hello and welcome back!

I'm sure you've read my Borneo trip report. I'm going to assume that you are going to Malaysian Borneo, Sabah and perhaps Sarawak.

The nicest resorts are in Sabah, a couple of Shangri-Las on the beach. Stay at the one closest to Kota Kinabalu.

I'm rather of a purist about seeing orangs. If I'm going half-way around the world, I want to see them in the wild, I don't want to go to a "rehab center." Where to go depends on your preference. If you really want to see them in the wild, THE place to go is the Borneo Rainforest Lodge in the Danum Valley. It's the only place you can stay in the Danum Valley conservation area, and it is primary rain forest. This was a fabulous experience, absolutely unforgettable. I arranged our trip so that had we not seen any orangs there, we still could have seen some at a rehab center in Sarawak. There are also rehab centers in Sabah.

I also loved the city of Kuching. It is really charming and is a great walking city. Stay on the Exec Floor at the Hilton. We had a suite with a stunning view of the river.

Photos: www.marlandc.com

What other info can I offer?

In February this year we stayed at Shangri- La Rasa Ria Resort. Very good hotel. As Kathie says there is another Shangri-La, the Tangjun Aru which is closer to Kota Kinabalu and probably the one I would choose if I were going again. It was the adjacent sanctuary which attracted me to the Rasa Ria. We took a flight to Sandakan and visited The Sepilok sanctuary. Not quite wild Orangutans but nonetheless a wonderful experience. Lots of other stuff to see at Sandakan. The POW camp where the Ranau death march started is worth a visit.
VERY interesting fish market at Sandakan.

We spent 2 nights st Sukau Rainforrest Lodge--basic accommodations but we did see many orangutans, proboscis monkeys, and other monkeys, birds, in the wild. Absolutely brilliant

IMO it would not be worthwhile to fly to Sandakan and only see the Orangs at the Conservancy. They put bananas out twice a day, and it all depends who may come and eat them. They did have 2 resident orangs who appear. This is like flying in to see a five minute feeding time at the zoo. At the Rainforrest lodge, we saw them swinging about in all their glory.

http://www.ecoclub.com/sukau/philosophy.html

Sepilok is nice to see the big guys. Very hot with bugs but still very worth it! Catch the flying squirel right at sunset too there. And the night bug walk is interesting too!
But for real adventure, take the river cruise to catch the probiscus monkeys. That was really special! you will never forget the sound they make!
Have fun!
Susie

I was in a different part of Borneo-Kalimantan and it was in July, which was hot and sometimes rainy but overall an amazing experience.

I flew into Pankalanbun and was driven to Tanjung Puting National Park at Tanjung Harapan. I stayed at Camp Leaky, which at the time was the base for Birutė Galdikas (Jane Goodall, Dian Fossey, Birutė Galdikas are/were the 3 primate experts). I even met her briefly and her husband and children. Not trying to name drop, only want to indicate that Camp Leaky is a good place for orange primates (orangutans) if the researcher Galdikas wants to be there.

Each day we'd take a dugout canoe from Camp Leaky to the orangutans in Tanjung Puting. We saw several wild orangutans (including big males) and were able to get decent photos of them. Then at the orangutan station we watched feedings that would attract mothers, babies, and juveniles from the forest. I arrived with a group operated by Asia Transpacific, as the last stop on a 2 week trip. Then I remained at Camp Leaky alone. When I was at the park and no guests were visiting I was able to join the orangutans on the dining platform. I was also able to carry babies through the forest on my back. I think you can volunteer for even longer periods of time than I was there.

Camp Leaky was not really a resort but it was very comfortable and for the middle of a jungle, I'd say luxurious. No Krug or caviar. No spas or plunge pools.

Good luck in your trip planning. Asia Transpacific can arrange trips for a private Fab Four party. You could also contact Camp Leaky directly and see how that might work.

Were planning to visit Borneo for ust a couple days. Mom has never been to Brunei, so were spending a day tehre (which is about all you need unless you spend a couple days in the national park, or the Playground amusement park there. Then were doing a day visiting Niah Caves...yes, I know... not another cave system!!! ack!! ;)

Mulu isnt too far from Miri, where we are staying.

BTW, it was less expensive for us to fly to Miri, stay there and drive into Brunei, tan it was to fly and stay in Brunei.

Mark-

Not an answer but a question. Where in Borneo region can we find exceptional snorkeling and skin diving? We have been to the Redang and Prehentian Islnds in Malaysia and they were first rate as were the Simillan Islands off Phuket, Thailand and Koh Tao anf Phi Phi Don. I give you this so if you have info you might compare to one or more of those locations. In Malaysia the huge clams and the technicolor sea anenones attached to huge brain coral were awesome.
We want to combine 5 days in Borneo with 5-6 full days in the Maldives and another side trip to Bangkok for 2-3 days (our third) and another 2 days in KL, Malaysia.

Help, please.

Stan, i usually kiss the person who ask about diving in Sabah. If you think Phi Phi, Similan, Perhentian or Redang are great ... wait until you take a dip in islands off Semporna and Tawau, Sabah. Google "Sipadan" and "Mataking". You'd find all the answers and marinelife you need. They are situated unsung east coast Sabah.

Coastal Semporna is also a great place to see the "Sea Dayak" tribe. They live in stilt huts built in shallow lagoons. Children start to swim as soon as they are out of their mother's wombs. You must bring your best camera to freeze this untouched and timeless place.

FabFour, you may want to add Kinabatangan boat safari into your research list. The usual ones are Sukau, Danum, Sepilok, Turtle Island, Kinabalu Park and Poring Hot Spring. If you're gung-ho and want some off-grid romps, try Maliau Basin, touted as "Lost World of Borneo".

Or do something beyond your wildest dream - climb mt kinabalu. You need 2 days for the flick and you need to book 3-4 months ahead for permits.