Things to see and do Borneo

To be able to observe nasal monkeys in the best conditions, this private sanctuary was opened by the owner of an eco-responsible plantation. These red and debonair primates, known as monyet belanda in Malay, are particularly photogenic and endearing. There are about 300 within the boundaries of this 600-hectare park. The times for attending their feedings are at 9:30 and 14:30 in Platform A and at 11:30 and 16:30 in Platform B.

Opened in 2022, this vast museum houses an impressive collection of arts and crafts from Borneo's various communities. In a highly successful scenography and flamboyant architectural setting, traditional costumes, weapons, ceramics and musical instruments bear witness to the rich traditions of the region. The museum also features interactive exhibits on farming practices, handicrafts, dance and local ceremonies. An essential starting point for discovering local culture.

Founded in 1891 by rajah Charles Brooke and renowned as one of the finest exhibitions in Southeast Asia, this museum boasts an exceptional ethnographic collection. At the rajah's invitation, anthropologist Alfred Wallace, a contemporary of Charles Darwin, worked for two years to open the museum. Following Sarawak's independence in 1963, naturalist and archaeologist Tom Harrison, then on secondment to the museum, contributed to its renown when he discovered a 39,000-year-old skull in the Niah cave in the center of the region.

On the second floor, photographs dating from the late ^19th and early ^20th centuries show the various Dayak tribes in traditional dress. Primitive arts and crafts from the longhouses are also represented: trophy skulls from the days of the headhunters, masks worn for harvest festivals, fertility rites, spiritual dances and funeral ceremonies. Those with a sinister appearance, revolting eyes and oversized ears are reserved for macabre dances.

A gallery features kramen, precious wooden totems carved and erected by the Orang Ulu at the entrance to their homes to protect them from evil spirits. Some of these traditions still survive today, such as basket-making and certain animist beliefs. So, before staying in a longhouse with a tribe, a visit to the Sarawak Museum is essential for a better understanding of these precious cultures.

The Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre is world-renowned for its exemplary work in primate protection. He takes in orphans, captive monkeys and the wounded. After the necessary care and survival training for the youngest, they are released into the wild. Unfortunately, some of them cannot be reintegrated and remain in the centre. Monkeys are fed twice a day, bananas and milk. There are nearly 200 of them living on the reserve, and they only come if they are hungry. Thus, the guarantee of seeing them is not guaranteed and their number on the platforms varies according to the days. The centre attracts a large number of tourists, and almost all stop here at least one night before continuing on to Sipadan, Kinabatangan or Sukau. Nonchalant apes are fed at 10am and 3pm and it is better to arrive 30 minutes before in order to optimize the chances of observing them from the equipped platforms. Very shy in their natural environment, it is in Sepilok that you will have the best chance to see them and bring back unforgettable photos. The influx of tourists can make the experience somewhat unpleasant, but most of them only stay for about 20 minutes and leave with a smile on their face. Also, to enjoy a little more calm, try to stay until the doors close at 11am or 4pm. Be sure to visit the outdoor nursery before you leave.

At the foot of Mount Santubong, this cultural village offers visitors faithful reproductions of the habitat and lifestyle of seven ethnic groups and communities living in Sarawak. Visitors are invited to discover the lifestyles of the Bidayuh, Iban, Orang Ulu, Melanaus, Penan, Chinese and Malays. Inside each house, a representative of the community guides the visitor through the architecture, habitat, traditions and crafts: they practice their art, play music, shoot blowpipes or weave, cook and prepare sago. Although a re-enactment is always artificial, this one is worth the detour for its actors' willingness to share their customs with you in a living way. The only one of its kind in Malaysia, the project is run by the communities and their representatives, not by a profit-driven private company. What's more, the diversity of the tribes and communities also informs us about the history of Sarawak's settlement. In a half-day visit, you can get a broad overview of Sarawak's diversity, something almost impossible in a single trip to Borneo. The tour ends with a 45-minute folk dance show held in the late morning and afternoon. A stop at the restaurant, where you can sample local specialities at reasonable prices, is a must.

The fantastic Rainforest World Music Festival (www.rwmf.net) is held here every year in late June/early July.

Waterfall. The shortest and easiest path leads to several waterfalls where you can cool off. Allow 1 hour's walk to the last waterfall (cascade 7).

Gunung Gading. This hike requires a good level of fitness. Allow 3.5 hours' walk to the summit and at least 2 hours' descent.

Batu Berkubu. About 2 hours' walk from the summit of Gunung Gading is the former Communist guerrilla base camp. Bring water accordingly.

Once the climb is over, hikers often decide to relax in these hot springs. Although these are not natural pools but artificial ones, it's good to pamper your muscles in the soothing sulphurous waters, surrounded by lush vegetation after hours of walking. The complex also includes a beautiful garden and a suspended walkway above the canopy, both of which are well worth a visit. A mini-waterpark is also available for the younger guests.

Built in 1870, this beautiful Chinese temple is located on the banks of the river and is the oldest temple in Sibu. Icon of the city with its 7-storey pagoda, it is the building not to be missed. Partly destroyed during the Second World War, it was rebuilt in 1957 with decorative objects from China and modified several times in the decades that followed. It is dedicated to Tua Pek Kong, a sailor from Fujian, considered as the incarnation of the god Fu, symbol of prosperity. Tua Pek Kong is revered only in Malaysia and idolatry began in Penang.

On 24 ha, this protected park gives the possibility to observe typical animal and plant species in a very special mangrove environment. You won't miss the goby fish, fiddler crabs or the egrets and kingfishers, each crawling, swimming or flying among the mangroves. To do so, simply follow the 1.5 km stilted route and climb the observation tower to dominate the surroundings.

This company, located at Pontoon^No. 12 on the Waterfront, offers half-hour or hour-long excursions. We appreciate the small, low wooden boats, which are more intimate and relaxing than the usual cruisers. It's the perfect way to admire the city from the water, without getting exhausted, but beware of the mosquitoes at dusk! Don't hesitate to speak directly to the staff if you have any special requests, such as a private tour or outside the posted times.

A 6-hour drive from Sandakan, a 4x4 is needed to reach this beautiful, pristine valley. This is a research center that was recently opened to the public. A wide variety of impeccable and very comfortable accommodation for this remote corner of the jungle is available on site, from dormitories to private bungalows with terraces. Check-in with park staff is mandatory on arrival. This is where you'll get information on the various hikes available and be allocated a guide.

Imbak Waterfall. This large waterfall is the most accessible walking point. You can even drive the kilometer to the center. A few steps up a wooden staircase take you to the observation platform. You can then descend to the foot of the waterfall and bathe in the refreshing waters.

Imbak Forest. From the waterfall, a suspension bridge spans the river. A number of well-maintained trails allow you to explore the beautiful primary forest of Imbak. Allow 40 minutes' walk on easy to medium terrain.

Hiking. Hiking trails take you up into the surrounding mountains. A 2-6 hour hike is possible on steep, slippery trails that require good physical fitness.

Ornithology. A stroll around the center at sunrise will enable you to observe many colorful birds, such as the Asian fairy-bluebird and the rhinoceros hornbill.

For those who want to relax, the beaches are located on the north coast of the island, about kilometres from the ferry terminal.

40 kilometres from Miri, this long beach of fine sand and rocks offers superb sunsets. Its rock formations are impressive, including the famous Horse Stone, a natural stone bridge that evokes a drinking horse. Around the car park, street caterers concoct appetizing local dishes. If it may not be worth a dedicated trip, check with your organizer or driver to see if the beach is on the road when returning from an expedition near Miri.

Main path. The path runs along the coast. It is well signposted by a colour code. 50 minutes are enough to reach a belvedere with a picnic area.

Selunsur rapids. To reach the Selunsur rapids, it takes about 2.5 hours to walk.

Turtle and Golden Beach. These two beaches are quite far from the entrance to the Park. It takes 3 hours of walking in the forest to reach them.

Boat rental. Renting a boat for an hour or a day is certainly one of the nicest options to discover the park.

This reserve is on the tourist itinerary of wildlife enthusiasts thanks to agencies such as Adventure Alternative Borneo or Borneo Adventure. It's a 4-5 hour drive from Sandakan, first on a tarmac road, then by 4x4 on a gravel road and finally a dirt track. Accommodation is in the huts provided for visiting Forest Department officials. Comfort is simple, but rooms and sanitary facilities are very clean. A restaurant provides food and meals are normally included in the package. You should allow at least 2 nights on site, as transit times are particularly long. You will then be entitled to 3 safaris on the reserve's trails.

Safari. You'll explore the area from the back of a converted pick-up truck. It's not possible to leave the forest tracks, which reduces your chances of spotting wildlife. However, DERAMAKOT is considered one of Sabah's best wildlife spots. If you're very lucky, you may spot a clouded leopard. Occasionally, travelers spot a herd of Bornean elephants, which are numerous in this forest, despite the industrial exploitation. Your chances of seeing orangutans, wild cats and civets, red leaf monkeys, macaques and wild boar are also very high. The forest is a birdwatcher's paradise, with the possibility of spotting 7 species of hornbill.

Lambir Hills Park is 52 hectares in size and boasts numerous hiking trails, from the easiest to the most challenging. They are well-marked and color-coded and intersect one another, making it possible to undertake several treks in a single day. Over 157 species of bird have been recorded here, and botanists are still discovering plants. The park is also home to gibbons, clouded leopards and tarsiers. But the chances of spotting them remain slim, especially for inexperienced eyes. A guide is not compulsory, but recommended if you want to learn more about the natural world around you. Good walking shoes, plenty of water and anti-bleeding socks are essential... And of course a swimsuit, for those who wish to cool off en route in one of the magnificent waterfalls.

Main Trail. This 800 m trail takes 12 minutes to complete and leads to all the other trails. Easy.

Latak Waterfall. Bukit Lambir's most popular hike leads to a beautiful 25-meter-high waterfall. A natural pool with a sandy bottom makes it an ideal spot for a wild swim. For greater peace and quiet, come during the week, because at weekends, the place is very popular with picnickers from Miri. 20 minutes. Easy tour.

Pantu. The almost 2 km-long trail leads through the forest to a 40-meter-high observation tower where you can watch the canopy and the birds. 1h. Medium difficulty.

Bukit Pantu. The hill closest to headquarters offers a beautiful view of the park. You can cool off at the Nibong waterfall on the way. 1h35. Moderately priced.

Pantu Waterfall. This popular 2 km trail takes you to another waterfall, a little wilder and less frequented than Latak. 1h45. Moderate.

Bakam. After Pantu Waterfall, the trail continues through dense forest and climbs gradually. 2 hours 40 minutes. Difficult.

Tengkorong & Dinding Waterfalls. These crystal-clear waterfalls have to be earned, but the reward is that you should be alone. 2 hrs.

Bukit Labir. Climbing the park's highest peak (456 m) requires a good level of physical fitness to cope with some tough passages and a long walk in a very wet climate. Note the transition between dipterocarp forest (tall trees) and heather forest with stunted trees. Along the way, you'll be rewarded with some beautiful wild orchids. You can cool off at the Dinding waterfall on the way back. 3h30. Difficult.

Access to the park begins with a boat trip across the River Niah. Then follow the wooden walkways to the caves. Due to the humidity, these can be very slippery, so good footwear is recommended. You'll also need a flashlight to light your way through the caves. A wide-brimmed hat can be useful if you don't want to collect precious bird droppings on your head. The first cave is an hour's walk away. If you return after dark, you may spot some luminescent mushroom species on the way back.

Traders Cave. The Niah caves are home to tens of thousands of swallows and bats. Local villagers collect the swallows' nests, which are worth a fortune on the Chinese gourmet market. Guano is also collected for use as a natural fertilizer. The Grotte des Marchands was once a meeting place for the swallow's nest and guano trade.

Great Cave. The Great Cave measures 250 m wide at the entrance and 60 m high at the highest point, making it one of the largest cave mouths in Malaysia. But it's only once you've gone deep into the bowels of the cave that you discover its gigantism and the singular atmosphere that reigns there, reinforced by the play of light coming down from orifices in the vault and reflecting on the rock formations with their mineral relief, living like a spirit in the cave. It takes a good hour to explore the cave, during which time you must be careful not to slip on the guano-covered floor. It's not a good idea to hold on to the handrails either. The best time to come to the Grande Grotte is at sunset, to enjoy the incredible ballet of swallows returning to their nests while the bats emerge for their nightly stroll.

Painted Cave. The most famous of Niah's caves attracts visitors for its prehistoric cave paintings. The frescoes depict the journey of the dead to the afterlife. The floor is littered with the remains of boat-shaped coffins. The bones contained in these sarcophagi have been transferred to the Sarawak Museum in Kuching. Archaeological research has shown that this cave was inhabited as early as the Paleolithic era 40,000 years ago. The frescoes, on the other hand, date back to the Iron Age, around 800 BC. The Grotte Peinte is the only cave in Borneo to bear unmistakable witness to a very early human presence.

Mulu National Park is famous for its caves and even more so for its pinnacles. This astonishing geological formation is the result of karstification in a limestone environment. Water continues to erode these 40-metre-high peaks, giving them a sharp-edged appearance against the green canopy. Other hikes lasting several days, but requiring good physical fitness, are also possible. A network of marked trails starting from headquarters, of much lesser difficulty, can be undertaken alone. In addition, over 200 km of underground galleries run through the cliffs, in some places forming vast, impressive natural caves.

The Pinnacles. This hike attracts travellers from all over the world eager to discover this geological curiosity. It is organized by Mulu Park and accompanied by professional guides. A high level of physical fitness is required, as the climb to the Pinnacles takes place over very uneven, slippery terrain, and is sometimes vertical. The trek takes 3 days and covers a total of 10 km, with 1,200 metres of ascent. The first day includes a pirogue ride to a native village and Clearwater Cave. From there, a 7.8 km jungle hike on flat riverbank terrain leads back to base camp, in a beautiful spot where you can enjoy a sunset and a refreshing swim after a long hike. The second day starts very early, as the ascent and descent take place in the same day, with 2.4 km of climbing for 2 to 5 hours, depending on the fitness of the participants. The terrain is steep, and the heat and humidity make the effort particularly exhausting. Once past the dipterocarp forest, the ground becomes covered with slippery moss, and some sections are climbed vertically up ladders. As the last part of the climb is dangerous in wet weather, it may have to be cancelled depending on the weather. Once you've reached the promontory, the view is truly breathtaking. You'll stay at the summit for about an hour to enjoy the view, recharge your batteries and have lunch. The descent can be even more difficult than the ascent, as the tired body has to hold its own weight to avoid slipping or falling. It takes between 5 and 10 hours, depending on the terrain and your state of fitness. You return to base camp for a second night. The third day is devoted to returning to the park office.

Fee-paying excursion. Guide required (provided by the park or private). You'll need to bring your own meals, water to base camp, a change of clothes and sleeping gear, a rain poncho and mosquito repellent.

Headhunter's Trail. This tour is organized by local tour operators or large incoming agencies specializing in the destination. It combines boat trips up rivers, jungle trekking and an overnight stay in a traditional longhouse. It follows the route taken by Kayan headhunters during their murderous raids on the populations of the neighboring Limbang valley. Departure is from the park headquarters. The first day is similar to that of the Pinnacles trek. The second day is a 4-5 hour, 12 km trek through the jungle to Kuala Terikan. The afternoon is spent in a longboat to reach the Rumah Bala Lesong longhouse. After an evening and night with the locals, you continue downriver to Naga Medamit. From here, transfer by road to Limbang and Mulu. Fee-paying excursion. Private guide.

Gunung Mulu. The 2,377-meter ascent is undoubtedly the most difficult in Mulu and is only suitable for seasoned hikers. The entire hike takes 4 days and 3 nights.

Paying excursion. Guide required. You'll need to bring your own food, cooking gear, change of clothes, sleeping bag and plenty of water. Huts along the way provide overnight breaks.

Wind & Clearwater Caves. These two caves overlook the Melinau River. Access is by longboat from the park. The first cave comprises two chambers with beautiful geological formations created by water erosion. They are linked by a narrow corridor where the wind rushes in, hence the name. A wide underground river flows through the second chamber. Paying excursion. Guide required. A caving trip organized by the park connects the two caves via a series of narrow underground corridors.

Langs Cave & Deer Cave. The caves are accessible from the park office via a well-marked 3 km platform. Start with the charming Langs Cave and work your way up to the immoderate Deer Cave. Most hikers opt for an afternoon visit, as at sunset thousands of bats emerge from Deer Cave to hunt, provided it's not raining too hard. You can watch this spectacle without paying a visit to the caves. Fee payable. Guide required.

Canopy Walk. For a gentler excursion, you can opt for the Canopy Walk, a 6 km walk, including 620 meters suspended above the canopy, lasting around 2 hours. A supplement of RM50 will be charged.

There are 5 trails of varying difficulty, alternating between areas of rotational cultivation, ancient secondary forest and pristine primary forest. Each hike ends at the river's edge, where a pirogue awaits you. Bring plenty of water and lunch if necessary. Rain gear and good hiking boots are essential.

Padalai. 1.8 km. 1 hour 30 minutes. Easy; Bebiyong. 4 km. 2 hours 30 minutes. Easy; Bilitong. 4.6 km. 4 hours. Medium;Enggam. 8.2 km. 6 hours. Difficult;Sium. 7.6 km. 5 hours 30. Difficult.

Trekking is the order of the day in the Kelabit Highlands. From a simple walk of a few hours in the countryside to a real trek of several days in the mountains, there's something for everyone. Your hosts will be able to give you all the information you need and help you find a guide, which is essential especially for sporty treks.

Hiking. The area around Bario is a great place for easy hikes through the countryside and villages. The scenery is splendid, and bird-watching is also possible.

The best-known routes are Bario-Pa Lungan (2-3h), Bario-Salt Spring (saltwater spring, 1-2h), Bario-Pa Ukat (4h) and Bario-Prayer Mountain (2h).

Hiking. One of the most popular routes links Bario to Ba Kelalan, a 3-day trek with no major difficulties. You'll pass through the following villages: Pa' Lungan (a 4-hour walk), then the next day Pa' Rupai (8 hours), and finally Ba Kelalan (3 hours). This route will give you a good overview of the different types of terrain and longhouses to be found in the Kelabit Highlands. Ask Bario's guides about the cost of their services. They will arrange the necessary accommodation and meals. If you stop at Ba Kelalan, you'll have to pay your guide for the return trip to Bario. Ba Kelalan has an airfield with a flight to Miri.

Another popular route is the Bario Loop, where you will pass through several villages before returning to Bario. This route takes at least 2 days to complete, depending on your level of fitness. It is possible to extend the tour by visiting other villages. Plan your itinerary carefully with your guide, and take into account what's included in the price. If you're setting off for several days, bear in mind that walking in equatorial terrain can be exhausting for the body. It's better to keep the stages short than to be in the red from day one.

The ascent of the Batu Lawi granite peaks is open to experienced hikers, bearing in mind that the highest of the two (2,040 m) requires some climbing. The lower one is accessible to any well-trained hiker, with days ranging from 8 to 10 hours' walking. The return loop to Bario takes three days.
The ascent of Gunung Murud, Sarawak's highest mountain (2,423 m), is reserved for the more experienced and takes six days' walking from Bario.