Borneo

Featured Island:

Borneo

Country:

Malaysia

Island Capitals:

NA

Population:

18,590,000

Major Airports:

Bandar Seri Begawan International Airport
Kota Kinabalu International Airport
Kuching International Airport

Major Airlines:

Royal Brunei
Air Asia - low cost
Malaysian Airlines

Description:

Borneo is located in the centre of Maritime Southeast Asia. Borneo is surrounded by the South China Sea to the North, Sulu Sea to the North East, Celebes Sea and Makassar Strait to the east, with the Java Sea and Karimata Strait to the south. Borneo is the third largest non-continental island in the world and is divided into three parts, administered by separate countries, Brunei, East Malaysia and Kalimantan.

Borneo has a tropical climate with sunshine throughout the year due to its equatorial location. Temperature will be hot during the day and warm at night except in some mountain areas where temperature can drop much cooler. The rainy season runs from November till January in the monsoon season with the dry season running from May to September.

Borneo is broken up in to the different countries with Indonesian Borneo to the south and Malaysian Borneo to the north, Brunei is broken in to two sections along the North East coast of Malaysian Borneo. This means the Island is broken up in to three political divisions.

The complex nature of the political separation of Borneo coupled with the bio-diversity and natural wonders of this Island makes it a totally unique Island. On one hand you have some of the oldest lush rainforest in the world home to many thousands of plants and animals, and on the other the home of the Sultan of Brunei the Istana Nurul Iman, the largest residential palace in the world.

Borneo is a rapidly developing island but much tradition still remains with indigenous cultures ingrained into the various lifestyles of Borneo's inhabitants. Outside the modern built-up towns and cities life still revolves around the rivers and rainforests and legendary hospitality of the local tribal people.

Highlights

Mount Kinabalu
Empire Resort and Country Club
Canopy walk in Belalong National Park
Sepilok Forest Reserve and Orangutan Sanctuary
Golf

Landmarks / To Dos:

World heritage listed Kinabalu national park is located to the Island of Borneo. Home of Mount Kinabalu the park is a haven for wild life with over 600 species of fern, 330 species of bird and over 100 mammalian species identified. This helped it gain its world heritage status and also help attract many visitors each year.

The Empire Resort and Country Club has everything on offer you could possible need. If you looking for a rejuvenating getaway or a golfers retreat, a family fun adventure or a relaxing spa weekend, alternatively you can spend Ramadan at the Empire.

There are many eco-tours which typically go to the Temburong district by boat then to a native 'longhouse'. It is then followed by a powered boat (by the natives) up the river to the Belalong National Park, a reserve in the Borneo rainforest. There is a canopy walk and research centre at the park headquarters.

Sepilok Forest Reserve and Orangutans Sanctuary is located about 25 kilometers west of Sandakan in the state of Sabah. It was started in 1964 for rescue and rehabilitation of orphaned baby orangutans from logging sites, plantations, and illegal hunting. The orphaned orangutans are trained to survive again in the wild and are released as soon as ready. The sanctuary is located within the Kabili-Sepilok Forest and covers an enormous area. It has become one of Sabah's top tourist attractions.