Two-minute guide to Borneo

The forests of Borneo have captivated biologists, photographers, and intrepid travellers for decades. It is a lost world of unique wildlife, towering trees, pristine beaches and traditional communities which is rapidly opening up to tourism.

Of the four states which make up the island, it is the Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak which are most well-equipped for visitors, but even so each still offers exciting opportunities for authentic, local experiences.

Experiencing the rainforest in Borneo is not just about discovering its unique and spectacular wildlife. However exciting a glimpse of an orang-utan high up in the canopy may be, it is the people of the forest who offer a real insight into what life among the trees is like.

Luxurious lodges and remote resorts abound, but responsibletravel.com recommends trading in your hotel room for at least a night or two for stay in a traditional community longhouse. Often shared with a dozen local families and in the heart of the rainforest this may not sound like holiday heaven, however the warmth of the welcome is infectious, and after an evening of dancing, singing and a cheeky glass or three of rice wine travellers are seduced by the cultural riches.

Ulu Ai, in Sarawak is one of Malaysian Borneo’s only remaining tracts of rainforest not under the protection of a park or reserve. Instead it is the local Iban communities who are stewards of this jungle. Visitors bring in vital income and place value on keeping their forest intact. Longhouse stays are common, as is the opportunity for guided walks and to participate in everyday jungle life. In neighbouring Batang Ai National Park it is again the Iban communities which act as the guardians of the forest and welcome tourists to their homes.

For a chance to really get lost in the jungle, travellers should consider Indonesian Kalimantan. Much less visited than the Malaysian states of Sabah or Sarawak, this vast region’s forests still need to be navigated by river, and its people remain largely untouched by tourism. It is also home to the vast majority of Borneo’s orang-utans, and responsible tourism here can have a real positive impact on conservation and communities.

Admittedly it is harder to reach than Sabah – there are no international flights so tourists have to travel via Jakarta, and travellers here will need to be prepared to rough-it. However it is worth the effort. Real life, rather than glossy tourism abounds here, and volunteers at its myriad of orang-utan rescue centres will find they can make a real, positive difference through their support and time.

Tanjung Puting National Park is road-free haven for orang-utans, proboscis monkeys, gibbons and over 200 species of birds, where tourists travel quietly on foot or by Klotok boat. It offers travellers the chance to really leave the beaten-track behind, and to appreciate the everyday wonder of the rainforest and its inhabitants. For tourists moved to help, the Orangutan Foundation runs a number of rehabilitation and release centres here, including the Camp Leakey Research Centre. Visitor fees are an important source of income, while volunteers who help with construction and maintenance projects often also gain exclusive access to wild orang-utan habitats.

As the world’s third largest island, travellers will need to pick and choose their experiences carefully. Rather than rushing around trying to fit everything in, travellers should take their time slow down and experience the authentic Borneo. Allowing two or three more days into an itinerary for longer rainforest walks with local guides, to stay overnight in an Iban longhouse, to cruise slowly down a river trying to spot orang-utans and proboscis monkeys or to spend time watching turtles hatching at Selingan Island will give tourists an experience much more deeply rooted in the people and environments of Borneo. And a much more inspiring holiday memories.

For more advice on authentic travel in Borneo visit responsibletravel.com’s 2 minute travel guides to Borneo and Sabah – http://www.responsibletravel.com/holidays/borneo and http://www.responsibletravel.com/holidays/sabah-and-sarawak