Looking for an experience where you can have your cake and
eat it too? (Let's be honest, who isn't?) Well, this is the 'have-it-all' trip
for you. Borneo is a tantalising mix of
rainforest adventure and beach paradise topped with lashings of nature and wildlife.
And then of course there's the icing on the cake which is the fact that Borneo
is totally remote, retaining that increasingly rare 'off-the-beaten-track'
quality we love so dearly.
To see
the best of the rainforest you'll spend time at Sepilok nature reserve, a
hidden retreat surrounded by tropical plants, grasses and trees. Here you're
within walking distance of world renowned Kabili-Sepilok Forest Reserve where
you can find the last wild Orang-Utans of Northern Borneo; and if this isn't
reason alone to visit, rich traditional style and rustic lodges make this the
perfect place to relax after your long plane journey. Another rainforest
highlight on this trip is staying in your own deluxe wooden rainforest chalet
in the Danum Valley.
From here you can enjoy multiple nature trails during the day and exciting
night drives after dark to hunt out the nocturnal animals. The canopy walkway
is also a great way to get up close and personal with the rainforest and all
that lies within it. Keep your eyes open and ears peeled; it won't be like
anything you're used to - no sirens, no built up areas, just rich green lush
vegetation and the sound of it coming to life. Forget concrete jungles; this is
the real thing.
In
between playing king of the jungle we suggest a stop off at Lankayan
Island, a tiny island in the Sulu
Sea which has been declared a Marine Protected Area. The tropical
islet is fringed with pure white sandy beaches where you'll stay in wooden
beach front chalets. Lankayan island is fast emerging as one of the hottest
dive sites in the world with endless reefs and mysterious wrecks so don?t
forget your PADI. However, if diving doesn't rock your boat then why not watch
nesting turtles or baby turtles hatching.
Before
heading home you simply must sneak in 3 nights at Sipadan-Kapalai dive site, a
water village built on stilts over the Ligitan reefs. With no land in sight
save a mile-long stretch of powdery sand, this place is an experience from
start to finish. Surrounded by turquoise water this place is a real sea
urchin's dream, whether you dive off the pier for a swim or head out to Sipadan
or Mabul for some deeper diving, there is an abundance of marine activity to
keep you busy.
So, if
you're salivating at the thought of nature, wildlife and tropical waters it's
time to get out your Tarzan suit and head for the jungle. You'll be living
proof that if you really want, you can have your cake and eat it too - so
why settle for less?
