Borneo is the third largest island in the world covering over 700,000km2 and is home to 673 bird species, including 358 resident birds, 59 of which are endemic species only found in Borneo. Here’s our guide to some of the resident species found across Borneo, from the iconic hornbill to the tiny Bornean blue flycatcher.
Head deep into Borneo’s ancient rainforests, traverse walkways through the canopy and cruise along the murky waters of Sungai Kinabatangan in search of ‘Borneo’s Big 5’. Here is our guide to the top five iconic wild species to be found across this extraordinary island.
Turtles have been around for 120 million years, they are one of the oldest creatures to roam the planet alongside crocodiles.
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The river begins its journey in the immense mountains of southwest Sabah, winding its way around the glorious Borneo landscape before finally merging with the glimmering Sulu Sea. Boat rides up and down the river allow visitors to admire at leisure some of the intriguing wildlife on view, including saltwater crocodiles, Asian pygmy elephants, ten species of primate (including Borneo’s indigenous proboscis monkey and orangutan), and a fantastic array of over 250 species of birds.
Large parts of the land surrounding the upper river has unfortunately suffered deforestation, but Lower Kinabatangan still remains one of the best places in Sabah – if not in the whole of Southeast Asia – to catch a glimpse of one of these magnificent animals. As well as the fascinating wildlife, the Kinabatangan area boasts beautiful limestone caves at Gomantong Hill, captivating mangrove swamps, stunning oxbow lakes and miles and miles of virtually untouched riverine and dry land forests.
With a range of simple yet comfortable lodges dotted along the riverbank, a few days spent on the Kinabatangan River in the company of an expert naturalist will reward you with some of the most captivating wildlife encounters in Asia.