Honeymoon in Borneo
Highlights
Sandakan | Sepilok Nature Reserve | Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary | Kinabatangan River Cruise | Abai Village | Danum Valley | Kadazanduun ancient burial site | Kota Kinabalu | Gaya Island |
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about this vacation or need help finding one we're very happy to help. The Travel Team.
Toll free 1-866-821-6866 Calling from outside the US? rosy@responsibletravel.comDeparture information
Responsible tourism
As the pioneers of responsible tourism, we screen every trip so you can travel knowing your vacation will help support conservation and local people.
We work with the Orangutan Appeal UK, the only not-for-profit charity that works directly with the Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary in Sandakan. Clients have the option to sponsor an orphaned Orangutan named Canyon who was being kept illegally as a pet and was taken in by the sanctuary when she was 2 years old. She is now 5 years old and progressing well. The money goes directly to the Sanctuary in Sepilok to continue their excellent work. Clients receive an ‘adoption certificate’ and regular email updates on the progress of Canyon and of course if you’re lucky you may see her when you visit the Centre.Our local ground operator/s own and operate a number of eco-lodges which are included in this itinerary. Accommodation has been locally built and is run and operated by local people. The main purpose of these trips is to interact and contribute to local communities and projects and understand the need to minimize any negative impact on the local environment. Our ground agents only employ local guides to accompany our clients. All food in the lodges is sourced locally, helping the local rural communities wherever possible.
The Impacts of this Trip
On this tour, you will visit the famous Sepilok Rehabilitation Centre in Sabah, founded in 1964, to rehabilitate orphan orang-utans. The site is 43 square kilometres of protected land at the edge of Kabili Sepilok Forest Reserve. Today around 60 to 80 orang-utans are living free in the reserve. The facility provides medical care for orphaned and confiscated orang-utans as well as dozens of other wildlife species. Some of the other animals which end up being treated at the center include sun bears, gibbons, Sumatran rhinos and the occasional injured elephants.
During the tour you also have the opportunity to visit The Borneo Sun Bear Centre, a conservation center with the aim to raise awareness and encourage research on the world’s smallest bear. Found throughout mainland Asia, Sumatra in Indonesia and Borneo, the exact number of Sun bears in the wild is unknown, making it even more pressing to reduce pressure on a species that is classified as “vulnerable” on the IUCN Red List and at risk of becoming endangered unless circumstances threatening their survival improve. The BSBCC, the first and only facility of its kind in the world, is a non-governmental organisation set up in 2008 through collaboration of the Sabah Forestry Department, Sabah Wildlife Department and LEAP.
You will also visit Selingan Island which is an important turtle hatchery for the green and hawksbill turtles. The turtle conservation program in Sabah is the oldest in the world and with the most detailed statistics and research. The Island is funded by the Sabah State Government, is closely monitored and visitor numbers are strictly limited. Those that are staying on the Island are not allowed on the beach without the resident Park Ranger between sunset and sunrise to avoid disturbance to any potential nesting turtles. Permanent park staff monitor the turtles, protect the hatcheries and tag the turtles for research purposes. By staying here and enjoying such a fantastic experience it allows visitors to learn the importance of this turtle preservation program.
From Selingan Island you will transfer across to the lovely Abai Jungle Lodge. This Lodge operates a tree planting and lunch programme with the local Abai villagers as part of your time there. This programme has been introduced by the Lodge as a way to directly contribute money to the local village community, plus it helps guests learn a little about the way this traditional community lives. The Lodge owners pay a small fee to plant a tree in the village with the proceeds going to the villager whose land it is planted on – the choice of villager plot rotates around the village to keep it as fair as possible.
As a wedding gift to the honeymoon couple, we offer to sponsor an orphaned orang-utan called Bella from the Sepilok Orang Utan Centre in Sandakan in their name for 1 year. Honeymooners will receive a certificate, photos and update.
We work with the Orangutan Appeal UK, the only not-for-profit charity that works directly with the Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary in Sandakan. Clients have the option to sponsor an orphaned Orangutan named Canyon who was being kept illegally as a pet and was taken in by the sanctuary when she was 2 years old. She is now 5 years old and progressing well. The money goes directly to the Sanctuary in Sepilok to continue their excellent work. Clients receive an ‘adoption certificate’ and regular email updates on the progress of Canyon and of course if you’re lucky you may see her when you visit the Centre.Our local ground operator/s own and operate a number of eco-lodges which are included in this itinerary. Accommodation has been locally built and is run and operated by local people. The main purpose of these trips is to interact and contribute to local communities and projects and understand the need to minimize any negative impact on the local environment. Our ground agents only employ local guides to accompany our clients. All food in the lodges is sourced locally, helping the local rural communities wherever possible.
The Impacts of this Trip
On this tour, you will visit the famous Sepilok Rehabilitation Centre in Sabah, founded in 1964, to rehabilitate orphan orang-utans. The site is 43 square kilometres of protected land at the edge of Kabili Sepilok Forest Reserve. Today around 60 to 80 orang-utans are living free in the reserve. The facility provides medical care for orphaned and confiscated orang-utans as well as dozens of other wildlife species. Some of the other animals which end up being treated at the center include sun bears, gibbons, Sumatran rhinos and the occasional injured elephants.
During the tour you also have the opportunity to visit The Borneo Sun Bear Centre, a conservation center with the aim to raise awareness and encourage research on the world’s smallest bear. Found throughout mainland Asia, Sumatra in Indonesia and Borneo, the exact number of Sun bears in the wild is unknown, making it even more pressing to reduce pressure on a species that is classified as “vulnerable” on the IUCN Red List and at risk of becoming endangered unless circumstances threatening their survival improve. The BSBCC, the first and only facility of its kind in the world, is a non-governmental organisation set up in 2008 through collaboration of the Sabah Forestry Department, Sabah Wildlife Department and LEAP.
You will also visit Selingan Island which is an important turtle hatchery for the green and hawksbill turtles. The turtle conservation program in Sabah is the oldest in the world and with the most detailed statistics and research. The Island is funded by the Sabah State Government, is closely monitored and visitor numbers are strictly limited. Those that are staying on the Island are not allowed on the beach without the resident Park Ranger between sunset and sunrise to avoid disturbance to any potential nesting turtles. Permanent park staff monitor the turtles, protect the hatcheries and tag the turtles for research purposes. By staying here and enjoying such a fantastic experience it allows visitors to learn the importance of this turtle preservation program.
From Selingan Island you will transfer across to the lovely Abai Jungle Lodge. This Lodge operates a tree planting and lunch programme with the local Abai villagers as part of your time there. This programme has been introduced by the Lodge as a way to directly contribute money to the local village community, plus it helps guests learn a little about the way this traditional community lives. The Lodge owners pay a small fee to plant a tree in the village with the proceeds going to the villager whose land it is planted on – the choice of villager plot rotates around the village to keep it as fair as possible.
As a wedding gift to the honeymoon couple, we offer to sponsor an orphaned orang-utan called Bella from the Sepilok Orang Utan Centre in Sandakan in their name for 1 year. Honeymooners will receive a certificate, photos and update.
8 Reviews of Honeymoon in Borneo
Reviewed on 26 Oct 2014 by Rachel Duncan
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Seeing the amazing wildlife Borneo has to offer so closely.
Knowledgeable guides giving a really personal service and getting to know what we wanted to see the most.
Great quality accommodation
2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Take plenty of quick dry clothes to wear for the trekking in Darrum Valley
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Taking part in the tree planting project and having lunch at one of the riverside villages. All the accommodation stayed in had some eco credentials.
4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Fantastic - best vacation we have ever been on!
Reviewed on 09 Jul 2012 by Hannah Rousell
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Trekking in the Danum Valley was a definite highlight - from sitting on our sundeck listening to the hornbill calls to walking the canopy walkway in the dawn mist before breakfast and climbing to the highest viewpoint before returning for a fabulous buffet lunch. We saw so many things - orangutans, monkeys, spiders, snakes - a proper jungle experience (including the leeches!)
2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
You won't regret it! The Malaysian people are extremely friendly and have a genuine desire to make sure you enjoy your stay to the max. We wanted adventure, a spot of luxury and a honeymoon to remember and we certainly got it! A great balance of R & R, action, adventure, culture, wildlife and some more R & R.
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
My husband and I were looking for a vacation which would enable us to see a different culture, as well as wildlife in its natural habitat without feeling like we were part of a massive touring group. We certainly felt that this was achieved and at no point did we feel that we were "patronising the local community".
4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
10/10. Saving up for the next trip!
Reviewed on 14 Apr 2012 by Leah Brinton
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Abai Jungle lodge - so remote and romantic, plus tons of wildlife. It felt like the first time you visited a zoo.
2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Appreciate how much waiting time is involved in traveling around to different places - lots of flights means lots of waiting times and early mornings. Make sure your book is in your hand luggage!
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
To some extent. Obviously our presence helped sustain jobs, and tree planting raised our awareness of the deforestation issue (although this is only lip service to tree planting - you plant within 50 yards of where they are grown, and the trees are subsequently replanted somewhere else within the week).
4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Good balance of activities, busy but also quite relaxing. Would do again.
Reviewed on 10 Oct 2012 by Nerys Williams
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The whole vacation was amazing! We knew it would be really good, but it exceeded our hopes entirely! Seeing the magnificent wildlife in their natural environment was no doubt the highlight of our vacation - orang utans, proboscis monkeys & other species of monkeys, Bornean gibbons, pygmy elephants, a wonderful variety of birds, monitor lizards, pit-vipers, flying squirrels, crocodiles, bearded pigs, insects & many more! Also, we enjoyed learning about the rehabilitation of the orang utans & it was so nice to see that it was not a zoo environment that the young orang utans were in. The nature & jungle treks were fascinating too. Swimming in the natural jacuzzi was brilliant with even a free pedicure from the fish! The Malaysian people were so welcoming & kind, we particularly enjoyed the experience of visiting a local village - their food was the best food that we had throughout the whole vacation. The last part of our honeymoon was totally amazing, we relaxed at The Shangri-La Rasa Ria resort and had a fantastic time taking in the views and the beach. Scuba diving was breathtaking!! The coral reefs were magical! The weather was also brilliant, lovely & warm. We enjoyed it all and would definitely go back!
2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Take plenty of waterproof & breathable clothing, it gets extremely hot & sweaty and the rain pours down at times.
Personally we wouldn't stay at the Sepilok Jungle Resort again, it wasn't as nice as our other accommodations. It needed a bit of a clean and there were ants & other bugs all over the bed.
After we had arrived in Borneo, we were told by quite a few travelers that they were visiting a turtle island where you could observe & help with releasing young turtles - we were quite disappointed by this as we had not been told by our tour operators and really would have liked to have visited here.
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes, we were part of a tree planting project that was ongoing and we had already paid for it before hand. We visited the Abai village when we stayed at the Abai jungle lodge & met some of the villagers, saw the school, were cooked lunch by the villagers which was really lovely. Included in the price of our vacation also was the opportunity to adopt a young orang utan that is/was being rehabilitated. In our lodges there was the option of having air-conditioning that you could pay for (although we had ceiling fans anyway), but the lodge staff explained that it was optional as it did have an effect on the environment, so we didn't opt for it. The locals seemed to care very much for their environment & surroundings and the native wildlife which was great to see & experience. Recycling was a big thing there too.
4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
I'd give this vacation a 10 out of 10 and would definitely go again. I can't give it 5 stars as I have been very fortunate to go on many similar wildlife watching vacations including South Africa, Uganda & India and they were all great! But Borneo is an amazing place and I would like to return again in a few years. It's been on my list of places to visit but somehow I never thought I'd be lucky enough to get to go, but I did!!
Reviewed on 04 Sep 2012 by Adam Manson
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The many fantastic wildlife opportunities and varied ways of seeing them from the turtles laying eggs on Selingan Island, to dawn and dusk river cruises on the Kinabatangan river. At Tabin exciting safari drives were undertaken including night drives and with the guides sharp eyes animals were sure to be spotted! The highlight was returning from Danum Valley to see a male Orangutan next to the road eating fruit on a tree, relaxed in our presence and was a truly memorable sighting.
2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Be prepared to live out of a suitcase, be prepared for the insects and be prepared for early and late activities- the jungle is not a place for those adverse to multiple activities in one day. At Tabin there were 4 activities a day, great for viewing wildlife and seeing the jungle but you definitely need some stamina!
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
We did not come across many local people and it felt like it was, a wildlife viewing and jungle experience. It was clear at all the locations conservation whilst minimising environmental impact is undertaken.
4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Once in a lifetime experience to see all of the famous sights in Borneo- we managed to cram them all in whilst other travelers just undertook some of the activities we managed in the timescale. Fantastic to see such diverse birds and wildlife in their natural surroundings and most of all great fun and really felt like a true value for money experience.
Reviewed on 20 Jun 2012 by Katherine Elliot
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The four days spent on the Borneo adventure tour. We saw some amazing wildlife thanks to our fantastic guide, George, who was very knowledgeable and made sure we saw as much as possible.
2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Don't take all your bags on the four day Borneo adventure tour. After being advised this by our airport driver, we left half our luggage at the Tajung Ari resort and they shipped it on to the Rasa Ria resort so it was waiting for us when we got there. There is a lot of getting on and off small boats on the tour and having only one bag between us made it much easier.
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes, we witnessed this first hand with the tree planting day at the Abai Village. This provides an income for local people as well as supporting the environment.
4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
It was fantastic. If I were doing it again, I think I would choose to take a couple more days on the jungle tour and maybe a bit less time at the hotel resort. But other than that it was perfect.
Reviewed on 25 Jul 2011 by Steven Ardagh
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
So many, but perhaps the large adult male Orangutan climbing on to the viewing platform at Sepilok, sending people in all directions as the officials tried to clear the path for him.
2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Danum Valley is a high point (and is the most luxurious of the lodges) so I would definitely recommend staying here a couple of nights. Abai Lodge is also good and probably the best place to see the elephants. Kinabatangan is good for going down small streams on a boat.
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes, it definitely had an ecotourism vibe, mainly focussed on nature, though we did also plant some trees and eat at a local village.
4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
It was our honeymoon and we did 8 days of jungle/trekking/nature and then a week of relaxing near Kota Kinabalu and this worked out really well. The quality of service we received throughout our vacation was outstanding.
Reviewed on 08 Jun 2011 by A.C
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Seeing green turtles laying eggs in the wild, seeing orang-utans and other wildlife like proboscis monkeys, salt water crocodiles, red lipped monkeys, and a whole host of birds. Definitely climbing Mount Kinabulu - the views were spectacular and the sense of achievement brilliant! (We summited in one day). The birds nest caves were fascinating and the fact that we did a fair bit of traveling around meant we got to see different areas of Borneo and met a variety of people. Beach time at the Rasa Ria at the end was great as the rooms were spectacular and the rest was needed and deserved by then!
2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Don't try to pack too much in - we were very tired after moving around so much and being up at 6 each morning but it was worth it! But definitely have some rest time at the end as you might need it. If you summit Kinabulu, summit in one day if at all possible. We were able to as we started early and climbed quickly. It was a clear afternoon and we got the whole mountain to ourselves for some spectacular views. Beware of the sand flies on the beach! Take a good book and be prepared to be patient while waiting for the turtles to hatch etc. Learn a few local words and interact with the Malay people - they are friendly and welcoming. Have a lovers bath at the Rasa Ria on your balcony. If you stay at Sepilok, walk 20 minutes down the road to the rainforest center - it's a great chance to wonder around the rain forest and also walk up in the canopy - look out for flying squirrels! And if you visit the birds nest caves, avoid wearing flip flops!
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
I was impressed by the efforts taken by the conservation projects to minimise the tourism impact on the wildlife and pleased that we made the choice to go with the local companies. For example, I was pleased to see that we were only allowed to see one turtle, and only once she had begun laying. We were also not allowed to use flash photography and had to leave once she had finished to not disturb. The local guides were very knowledgeable and helpful about the wildlife and local areas. The local agents were excellent - well prepared, on time, friendly and knowledgeable and made the whole experience very smooth and stress-free.
4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
It was our honeymoon and it couldn't have gone any better. The local operators were excellent and we were pleased with the efforts towards conservation. The local pick-ups made everything very smooth. There was a lot of traveling involved (and lots of 6am starts) which meant that we were tired quite a lot but we also tried to cram a lot in to 2 weeks. Ending at the Rasa Ria was brilliant and the hotel, its staff and their service are exemplary.
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