Sarawak wildlife & beach vacation
Highlights
Kuching | Trekking in Bako National Park | traditional Iban longhouses | Semenggoh orangutan sanctuary | proboscis monkeys and orangutans | Mulu National Park | world's longest treetop canopy | sunset flight of the bats from Deer Cave | see Asia's longest underground river | longboat river tour | trek the famous Headhunters' Trail | stay in a traditional Iban longhouse | relax on Labuan Island | Kota Kinabalu |
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.com
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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.
As a global operator, we take our role in the tourism industry very seriously. We recognise the impact that tourism has on local communities and the environment and we plan and operate all our tours with this front of our minds. We believe that every tour operator must be responsible in the way they conduct their business, to ensure the welfare of all people and the conservation of the environment.We are committed to operating in a responsible manner, incorporating the principles of sustainable development in the way we provide our travelers with real life experiences. We believe that responsible travel is about the attitude you take with you and the choices you make when traveling - to respect and benefit local people, their cultures, economy and the environment.
One of the many advantages of traveling in small groups is the flexibility it gives us getting from A to B. We take care to use local transport on this trip, utilising local boats along the coast and waterways of Sarawak and preferring to explore the jungle trails and pathways on foot to make the most of wildlife spotting opportunities. Walking and trekking obviously being the most eco-friendly of transport methods, providing the only thing left behind is footprints!
Visits to projects such as the Semenggoh Orangutan Sanctuary and our entrance fees into the National Parks also assist in financially supporting vital conservation projects and preserving the environment for future generations.
As company our responsibilities don’t stop when our tours end. Our own in house foundation has been in operation for over 10 years; a not-for-profit fund that has distributed over AU$3 million to more than 70 non-government organisations since 2002, from health care, education, human rights, child welfare, sustainable development and in environmental and wildlife protection. Donations come from our travelers and are then matched by us dollar for dollar.
The Impacts of this Trip
On this trip to Borneo travelers will encounter local communities along the riverbanks and stay overnight with our Iban hosts. The benefits of this are obvious for both parties; as well as the financial benefit to the local community, this gives us as travelers a privileged insight into a culture and lifestyle very different from our own. As part of our commitment to traveling without impact, we recommend that our travelers come prepared for this experience and are aware that dress standards are conservative in many rural areas. We recommend loose, lightweight clothing so as not to offend, particularly in areas outside of the major cities, where much of this trip is spent.
As a further part of our commitment to responsible travel this trips stays in a combination of small, locally owned hotels, and more basic, dormitory accommodations in Mulu and Bako National Parks. As mentioned above we also have a night in a traditional Iban Longhouse. We source produce locally throughout the trip, eat at local restaurants and encourage our travelers to purchase souvenirs from local artisans and recruit our on the ground team, including group leader from the local community. These small factors not allow us a fantastic insight into the country and a snap shot of day to day life, but it also puts valuable financial resources back into the local economy, creating jobs and supporting local businesses.
As a global operator, we take our role in the tourism industry very seriously. We recognise the impact that tourism has on local communities and the environment and we plan and operate all our tours with this front of our minds. We believe that every tour operator must be responsible in the way they conduct their business, to ensure the welfare of all people and the conservation of the environment.We are committed to operating in a responsible manner, incorporating the principles of sustainable development in the way we provide our travelers with real life experiences. We believe that responsible travel is about the attitude you take with you and the choices you make when traveling - to respect and benefit local people, their cultures, economy and the environment.
One of the many advantages of traveling in small groups is the flexibility it gives us getting from A to B. We take care to use local transport on this trip, utilising local boats along the coast and waterways of Sarawak and preferring to explore the jungle trails and pathways on foot to make the most of wildlife spotting opportunities. Walking and trekking obviously being the most eco-friendly of transport methods, providing the only thing left behind is footprints!
Visits to projects such as the Semenggoh Orangutan Sanctuary and our entrance fees into the National Parks also assist in financially supporting vital conservation projects and preserving the environment for future generations.
As company our responsibilities don’t stop when our tours end. Our own in house foundation has been in operation for over 10 years; a not-for-profit fund that has distributed over AU$3 million to more than 70 non-government organisations since 2002, from health care, education, human rights, child welfare, sustainable development and in environmental and wildlife protection. Donations come from our travelers and are then matched by us dollar for dollar.
The Impacts of this Trip
On this trip to Borneo travelers will encounter local communities along the riverbanks and stay overnight with our Iban hosts. The benefits of this are obvious for both parties; as well as the financial benefit to the local community, this gives us as travelers a privileged insight into a culture and lifestyle very different from our own. As part of our commitment to traveling without impact, we recommend that our travelers come prepared for this experience and are aware that dress standards are conservative in many rural areas. We recommend loose, lightweight clothing so as not to offend, particularly in areas outside of the major cities, where much of this trip is spent.
As a further part of our commitment to responsible travel this trips stays in a combination of small, locally owned hotels, and more basic, dormitory accommodations in Mulu and Bako National Parks. As mentioned above we also have a night in a traditional Iban Longhouse. We source produce locally throughout the trip, eat at local restaurants and encourage our travelers to purchase souvenirs from local artisans and recruit our on the ground team, including group leader from the local community. These small factors not allow us a fantastic insight into the country and a snap shot of day to day life, but it also puts valuable financial resources back into the local economy, creating jobs and supporting local businesses.
4 Reviews of Sarawak wildlife & beach vacation
Reviewed on 08 Jul 2019 by Matt Green
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The most memorable aspect of the vacation for me was the sheer abundance and diversity of wildlife we encountered in every location we visited.
2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Keep in mind that there are not a lot of activities included within the vacation itself, therefore make sure to have a budget that allows you to participate in as many of the activities as possible while you are there.
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
I definitely believe that we helped to support local communities, notably when we spent some time with local families in Juanillama.
4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
10 out of 10!
Reviewed on 30 Apr 2019 by Heidi Gabrielsen
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Reviewed on 21 May 2018 by Bettina Buomberger
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Jungle walk at night and the Perhentian islands
2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
It's very hot and humid all the time. Be prepared. There are several travel days in between where you are really only sitting on a bus... So bring your book
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Support of locals yes. As we used local guides, local drivers and local accommodation. The local guides picked up trash during our trips which I liked
4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
It was great. I really enjoyed it. We had an amazing guide and we were only a group of 3. Don't know how much different it would be with a bigger group.
Reviewed on 19 Sep 2011 by Kirsty Howland
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Definitely climbing Mount Kinabalu. But very closely followed by the wildlife from orangutans, wild elephants to the sea turtles.
2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Be prepared for the climb. Do some exercise to get your legs ready for constant up hill (doesn't need to be too extreme just enough to be prepared). The infrastructure and facilities are a lot more westernised than i was expecting, don't go too overboard on packing lots of thing you don't think you can buy... you probably can. Including hats and gloves for the mountain!
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
The information and advice we were given about local communities, cultures, and ways of life was spot on. I knew how to dress appropriately, how we were benefiting those we were meeting and never felt like we were imposing on others. Everyone greeted us warmly and were so pleased to be our hosts.
4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Excellent. A whirlwind tour of Sabah, so never felt too rushed. Plenty of time to take things in and relax but still squeezing in a lot to 2 weeks. Some accommodation was very basic, so be ready for that but in the main it was clean, safe and comfortable. Our tour leader, Stacey, was great. Patient with us all when trying to gather 12 very different people together and always smiling. Having someone who spoke Malay and knew the people we were staying with made it feel very welcoming and organised. You should definitely book on this trip!
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