Wildlife in Borneo

“I strongly believe that Borneo is one of the most unique and biodiverse places on this planet, and that the world's remaining wild spaces provide more than ecological services and opportunities for economic development; they also provide deep spiritual nourishment for ourselves and future generations of Sabahans and visitors alike.”
– David Attenborough

Borneo is a land of many layers. Politically, it is divided into three countries: Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei. Geographically, it is the world’s third largest island, its highest peak Mount Kinabalu is a four-thousander, and it has one of the oldest rainforests in the world. Which is where the ecological layers release that spiritual nourishment so beautifully described by Sir David Attenborough.

As well as famously being home to the endangered orangutan, it is a natural habitat for the Borneo elephant, proboscis monkey, Bornean clouded leopard and so many more. Moving out to the littoral layers, Borneo’s coast proffers peat swamp forests and mangroves, where birds really do rule the roost. Thankfully, many of the wildlife-rich areas are still undeveloped when it comes to tourism, and herein lies a fine line. Responsible wildlife vacations will guide you through these delicate habitats but also support conservation organisations that work tirelessly with local communities to protect them from development and exploitation; these being the less savoury layers to Borneo’s natural nirvana.

There are three ways to see these rust-haired beauties in Borneo. Although seeing is the operative word, because touching is forbidden. No human contact is allowed in Borneo with orangutans in order to prevent the spread of disease which might put their existence at even more risk. The most popular way to see them is in superb wildlife sanctuaries, founded to rehabilitate orangutans that have been injured, orphaned or kept illegally as pets. Leading sanctuaries include Semenggoh, Matang and Sepilok wildlife sanctuaries, all in Malaysian Borneo. The former two are in the state of Sarawak and the latter in Sabah.

There are a growing number of wildlife sanctuaries in Indonesian Borneo too, such as Ketapang in the West Kalimantan region, run by International Animal Rescue. Or Samboja Lestari, which is in an area of restored tropical rainforest near the city of Balikipapan in East Kalimantan. The latter was founded by Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation (BOS), and sun bears are also given a safe haven here. Many of these sanctuaries are popular for conservation volunteering vacations, volunteering being the second way to get to see orangutans in Borneo. Although, be warned, no physical contact is allowed on these trips either due to the risk of disease (a common cold can kill and orangutan), but you will be doing invaluable work to support the orangutans.

The other more adventurous way to see orangutans is to head into the wild with an expert guide and conservationist, either on foot or by boat. There are of course no guarantees of sightings, but you do get to explore the wonders of Borneo’s rainforests and, if you manage to earn an Attenborough-esque moment spotting the great red haired wonder in the trees, even better. One of the best places for doing this is the Kinabtangan River in the Sabah region of Malaysian Borneo.

“The Danum Valley really stands out; the rainforest is stunningly beautiful, pristine primary rainforest which is teeming with life. Our guide was fantastic and really informative and personable and we spotted five orangutan and a number with tiny babies.” – Anna Dockeray, in our vacation reviews

These are the smallest elephants in Asia, and guaranteed to get a big ‘awwwww’ from anyone lucky enough to see one in the wild. Their small size with everything looking a little out of proportion, such as the big ears and long tail that can sometimes even drag on the ground, is thought to be simply because of their isolation as a species. Some of the more accessible areas to see them include the Danum Valley in the Sabah region which boasts walking trails and an elevated walkway through its mass of virgin rainforest. A boat safari down Sabah’s Kinabtangan River may also bring you into contact with them as they drink or bathe. Kinabatangan is also a great place to volunteer on conservation projects to help protect these great creatures.

“Seeing a pygmy elephant and a wild orangutan with baby beside the Kinabatangan River were the most memorable moments of this vacation...Possibly the best ever.” – Glen Porter, in our Borneo vacation reviews

They can be found all over Borneo, although their preferred habitats are along the coastal swamp areas or riverbanks as they are fond of a bit of swimming. Also great jumpers, of course, and one of the greatest sights is seeing them jumping from tree to tree, with a final double somersault pike into the likes of the Kinabtangan River or along the beaches of Bako National Park in the Sarawak region. Danum Valley is another favourite place for serious monkey business, other primates in Borneo’s habitats including gibbons, langurs, macaques, the tarsier and the slow loris, which is nocturnal.

“When we were at Kinabatangan River we spent the first evening before sunset searching the river banks for proboscis monkeys among other things and were treated to a fantastic standoff between the males on one side of the river leaping 10-15m from tree to tree and then males on the opposite side responding. The noise and energy was impressive!” – Anna Dockeray, from our Borneo vacation reviews

One of the most elusive creatures in the lowland forests is the endangered Sunda clouded leopard, so-called because the irregular dark ovals on its coat resemble clouds. As they inhabit the wild mountainous interior, it is hard to know exact numbers, but wildlife experts say there are anywhere between 5,000 to 11,000 clouded leopard on Borneo, with sightings in Tabin Wildlife Reserve in the Sabah region as well as Danum Valley and along the Kinabatangan River. But they are rare.

“If I had to identify some highlights I might pick out spotting the pygmy elephants on the Kinabatangan River, watching the flying squirrels fly at MY Nature Resort, the canopy walk at Danum Valley and the beautiful beaches at Rasa Ria and Gaya. We saw orangutans, macaques and hornbills at almost every location we visited, as well as mouse deer, wild boar, proboscis monkeys, monitor lizards, tarantulas and, on one ocassion, a clouded leopard.” – Peter Green, from our Borneo vacation reviews