Borneo - Exotic Island Paradise
by: Walter Rajah

SABAH is Malaysia's premier nature adventure destination situated in
the northern tip of
Borneo Island, the third largest island in the world.
Sabah is popular for its wildlife conservation attractions, rain forest,
surrounding nature and islands, beach resorts, tropical white sandy
beaches, crystal clear water, and its warm and friendly people. If you are
thinking of visiting
Borneo, these places of interest and activities will
whet your appetite!

Mount Kinabalu
Let me begin with my favorite place and definitely not to be missed if you
are visiting
Borneo, Mt. Kinabalu (4,093m). It is the summit of Borneo
and the tallest mountain in South East Asia. This mountain is sacred to
the locals. Thousands from around the world have trekked to its peak. At
the feet of this mountain is Kinabalu National Park, a botanical paradise
where rare plants are found: rare orchids, nepenthes pitcher plants and
the rafflesia, the largest flower in the world.

Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre
If you haven’t heard yet, the most popular native of Borneo is the Orang
Utan. The world-famous
Sepilok Rehabilitation Centre enables visitors
to come in close contact with these amazing animals. This sanctuary
allows visitors to witness an exciting conservation programme in action.
Set in 43 square km of beautiful rainforest, the sanctuary helps once
captive Orang Utans learn to fend for themselves in the wild. Watch how
these orphaned Orang Utans being taught to climb, and then go to a
platform where you can witness them coming in from within the forest
for their daily meals of milk and bananas.

Danum Valley Rain Forest
If nature is close to your heart, then this next destination I am going to
introduce you is a must visit, Danum Valley. Danum Valley is nestled
deep in the rain forest of
Borneo where nature is at its most pristine. As
you travel deeper and deeper into the jungle, you will suddenly come
across a magical paradise of the
Borneo Rainforest Lodge (BRL),
erected overlooking the magnificent setting of the Segama River and
flanked by tall hill ranges. BRL is an impressive resort, designed by
naturalists and built on stilts using traditional timber materials, and has
the comfort of a 3-Star Hotel. I totally recommend Danum Valley to those
who yearn to see wildlife in a primeval
Borneo rainforest - the rare
Sumatran rhino, proboscis monkeys, Orang Utan, elephants and over
275 species of birds.

Tunku Abdul Rahman Island Park
When you think you have enough of sightseeing and you want to take a
day’s break idling around to charge your energy, then I suggest you take
a 30-minute boat trip to
Tunku Abdul Rahman Park. The park is made
up of five beautiful islands and is a well-known sanctuary where peace
and tranquility prevails. The tropical white sandy beaches are ideal for
relaxing and tanning. The crystal clear water is fantastic if you fancy
snorkeling or watching the sea lives and corals. The park is also a great
spot for a BBQ picnic under the long hours of golden sunshine. Other
activities include windsurfing, fishing, parasailing, kayaking and bird
watching.

Borneo Golfing Holidays
If golf is your sport, then try the numerous high quality golf courses in
Sabah. One of the courses as described by its designer - “I had to
create a masterpiece by combining the natural splendor of the
mountains and the seas, with ingenious architecture, and create a first
class championship course to provide an enjoyable, yet challenging
game for top professional golfers and amateurs alike' - Graham Marsh.
Enough words said for the quality of golf courses here.

White-Water Rafting in Borneo
For the true adventure seeker looking for an adrenaline-pumping activity,
Sabah offers some of the most exhilarating thrills in the world. My
scariest experience, only because I am not a good swimmer, is white-
water rafting down the Padas River (a grade-3 river). Whilst trying to
negotiate the rapids along this raging river for a distance of about 5
kilometers, do enjoy the breathtaking view that the surrounding rain
forest does offer. However, be warned, don’t take your eyes off the
rapids and waves too long!

Borneo Scuba Diving
Off the North Eastern coast of Borneo lies a tiny jewel of an island,
Sipadan, with a marine ecosystem so perfect and unique that it is world
renowned as one of the best dive spots in the world. Sipadan Island
rises as a pristine Coral Sea mount, 650 meters from the floor of the
Sulawesi Sea. This pinnacle off the eastern coast of Borneo is an
oceanic magnet for marine life. As soon as you enter the crystal clear
waters of
Sipadan Island, you’ll understand why you have endured a
journey that has taken you halfway around the world. As you begin to
descend into this tropical water, you'll also understand why the World
Wildlife Fund says, 'No other spot on the planet has more marine life
than this island.'








About The Author
Walter Rajah is owner of Exploration Borneo Tours. Visit his site at http://
www.
explorationborneo.com for more information and images of Borneo – The Exotic
Island Paradise.
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