Borneo is one of those gem’s on a travelers map that was once hard to access. Now, it’s firmly planted on most ‘must travel’ lists of Asia. There’s so much to see and do in this unspoiled part of the world but these three hidden sites deserve to make it onto your travel itinerary:
Tanjung Puting
Orang-utans are without a doubt the most famous animal in Borneo and the majority of travelers want to get a glimpse of one of these majestic creatures during their trip. Tanjung Puting is one of the best places in the world to see orang-utans in their natural habitat. This national park, situated in the Central Kalimantan, covers 415,000 hectares and began as Indonesia’s first orang-utan rehabilitation centre. Staying in a house boat as you float down the Sungai Sekonyer river is arguably the best way to experience this magnificent place.
The Sangalaki Archipelago
Borneo is home to an array of stunning islands and coral reefs such as Tun Sakaran Marine Park and Pulau Sipadan, which are both great for snorkeling and offer romantic seclusion at its best. However, Sangalaki Archipelago is one of the most remote areas of all. Some islands are uninhabited and require a 50 minute boat ride to reach them. Once there though, you’ll experience marine life like never before. There’s everything here from manta rays to hammerhead sharks, pygmy seahorses and green turtles. Bring an underwater camera!
Gunung Mulu National Park
Located among the hills of northern Sarawak, in Gunung Mulu, is where you’ll find Borneo’s incredible cave systems. There are thousands of caverns to explore that have been carved out by natural erosion. This includes the Sarawak Chamber, which is the biggest cave ever to be discovered. Impressive is an understatement. Although it takes a three hour trek to reach the entrance to this cave, some guides claim it’s large enough to house ten Boeing 747s.