Borneo!!!

Hey Adam.

Just back from Borneo... blog to follow 😉

So 11 nights.

The 3 nights probably with uncle Tan's wildlife safari?

A few hints and tips:

Diving - Sipadan - (Semporna south east sabah 4hrs bus ride south of Sandakan) - best scuba diving in the that whole region - cheap to do the certification course there as well. Scuba Junkie - is the most popular, has a waiting list for Sipadan dives, Reef Divers next door doesn't just walk in same morning diving Sipadan a few hours later.

Orangutans - Sepilok - about 4hrs bus north of Sandakan, 6hrs south of Kinabalu - Orangutan Rehabilitation Center - get pretty close to the orangutans - people said to me that it was like being in a zoo - fair comment, though most of the people failed to notice that the tourists were the ones behind the bars and the orangutans were free to go off into the jungle as they liked.

Mount Kinabalu - tallest mountain in south east asia, 4095m - takes 2 days to climb, you need to call in advance! (number +60 88243629) - there is a hut/accomadation about 2600m up the mountain but is booked usually for about a month in a advance, you can do this climb independently (ish) for about 250 RM (Malay Ringget) - but you will be reliant on cancellations (usually ~4 a day) - we waited about 24hrs before we could climb. 350+ RM will get you going with a tour group - on a day of your choosing - a few days in advance.

Kota Kinabalu - the city is just a base, a few interesting markets, but mostly malls, SUV's and mosques. There are some nice islands though for 5hr day trips, can't remember all the names, but about 1hr speedboat ride, and about 20 RM plus conservations fees... probably another 20 RM. Good hostels in KK - North Borneo Cabins, Sunflower Lodge, Lucy's Homestay...

Brunei - just a 4hr ferry ride away from KK.... worth a very expensive hostel and a night with some of the wealthiest people on the planet for that extra passport stamp?...

Hope that gives you some ideas... feel free to ask for more specifics.

You've probably already had a good look - Sabah Travel Blogs - adding mine soonish 😊 Reply to this

Hi, I posted a message here but can't see it. Maybe they haven't got it up cos I'm a new user here.

Just want to add some more points to what Ali has mentioned.

Diving - There are a few good diving spots in Sabah. In the west coast where Kota Kinabalu is, you can dive in the nearby islands, e.g. Sapi or Mamutik, just a 20-30mins speedboat ride; in the east coast, of course Sipadan and Mabul are inevitably the best diving spots, but you will need to fly to Tawau (airfare around RM200 on the budget airline www.airasia.com), after that 1 hr to Semporna, and then another hour's boat ride to the island; alternatively, you can take a bus ride down from Sandakan, since you are going to Sandakan. Suggest that you take a flight back after that.

Another place to dive is up north, called Mantanani, you can do a day trip or stay in the chalet on the island. Dugongs are easily sighted in Mantanani.

Mt Kinabalu - if you want to climb, you can book in advance thru an agent here (which i can help) or you can deal direct with Sutera Sanctuary Lodge, number stated in Ali's message. The problem is, you'll have to call them every now and then to check if there is any room available at Laban Rata, the resthouse at 3,000km, the last stop before you hit the summit. After the climb, I'll suggest that you go to Poring Hotspring for a dip in the sulphuric spring water. If you can still climb, trek up the canopy walk and do the suspension bridge. It's fun.

White Water Rafting - drive up to Beaufort Train Station, take the only train (diesel) in Borneo, built by the British, and then get to the starting point of the adrenalin pumping white water rafting along the Padas River. Everyone who has been on this tour will never regret and in fact, love it so much that they want to do it again and again. I personally love it even though I got thrown out of the raft every time (some rafter friends of mine just like to do that to me, so be nice to them 😊.

Proboscis Monkey + Wetland + Fireflies - There are two places you can see Proboscis monkey, one in Kinabatangan River (west coast) and Klias Wetland (east coast). Klias is easily accessed since it's just a 2 hour bus ride away from Kota Kinabalu. To see the long nosed monkey, you just need to take a boat ride along Klias River. At the end of the tour when darkness falls, you will be amazed by the glittering fireflies, dancing along the river bank.

Hope this info is useful for you. Reply to this

thanks people for the advice! its given me some other options for what to do and where to stay! i cant wait to go it looks and sounds absolutely amazing. borneo here i come................ cheers again people Reply to this

thanks again guys. i think i am gonna do uncle tans for the 3 days in sandakan as it seems like the best way to see the jungle in its purest form, well as much as you can get in 3 days anyway!!. while in kk i think its gotta be up the mountain for me and some snorkelling and by the looks of it some interesting food! its such a diverse place i dont think i am gonna get bored!! cheers again people i will be sure to get back to u if i need any more advise. laters

ad Reply to this

$60cdn is about right - watch the excess baggage - only 15kg on AirAsia.

You can go snorkelling in Sipadan and the area as well - but if you're doing the scuba course you'll probably want to go diving more... one other thing to keep in mind is plan on finishing your last dive at least 24hrs before a flight (due to safety)...

Turtle island - I heard they have beaches and sand as well turtles 😊 ... haven't been there though. There may be more... Reply to this

The proper spelling for 'Hai', is 'Hi'...

i'm from Bristol!! (Only joking dudes)...this all sounds great, my girlfriend and I are flying into Sabah tomorrow and can't wait! Thought i'd just let some strangers know....right then....yes.....bye then...anybody??

Nick & Ally

xx Reply to this