What’s special about Borneo as a holiday destination?
(Chris) You can combine some superb wildlife watching in some of the most pristine rainforests on Earth with top class accommodation – the country has some of the best jungle lodges I’ve ever stayed in. Also, the people are incredibly welcoming – it’s hard to get across just how much they want to make your holiday special, and how hard they will work to make that come true.
(Immy) Borneo had a special atmosphere – quite different from other places I’ve been and there’s a lot of wildlife. I’d never been anywhere so remote, nor to a rainforest before. It was amazing.
What were your highlights?
(Chris) I’ve been to Borneo before, but what made it so special for me this time was sharing it with Immy, and seeing it through her eyes. Young people see things differently – they like, notice and ask different things. A real highlight for me was when Immy spotted a huge wild male orang (with face plates) on a boat trip along a tributary of the Kinabatangan River. The guides were superb, but Immy saw it before any of them, and the look on her face when she realised she’d been the first to spot it was priceless! She talked about it for a long time afterwards.
(Immy) The orangutan park (Sepilok) was great. We got to see the orangs being fed in the morning, and it was so brilliant we went back in the afternoon as well. Someone comes and puts a massive bunch of bananas out and the orangs come swinging in. Oh, and in one place we stopped at a pool. I put my feet in and lots of fish came and nibbled on them. It was tickly, but nice.
What was the accommodation like?
(Chris) In general the lodges are very good. The food’s very carefully prepared and hygienic (important when you’re travelling with children), and there’s a good choice – you can get western meals if you want, though it’s a great opportunity to introduce your children to Malaysian food. Sepilok Jungle Resort is a stone’s throw away from the orangutan sanctuary and surrounding rainforest. The rooms are spacious and the resort is situated in beautiful gardens; it even has its own lagoon.
(Immy) I really liked Kinabatangan Nature Lodge which is by the river. We were all in chalets and had to walk along a jungle walkway to get from our chalet to everywhere else – that was really cool. Seeing elephants on our boat safari was great too.
Briefly, where did you go?
(Chris) We spent two nights in Kota Kinabalu and then flew to Sandakan before transferring to Sepilok where we visited the Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre. We stopped at the Gomantong Caves and then drove to the Kinabatangan River. The wildlife watching there is superb – seeing hornbills, orangs, elephants and proboscis monkeys on boat trips along the river is hard to beat.
Any advice regarding travelling long-haul, and to the tropics, with young children?
(Chris) Don’t underestimate how humid it is – make sure you take it slowly for the first couple of days in order to acclimatise. Take a wide-brimmed hat, binoculars (for everyone, including the kids), and insect repellent. And, if you’re buying street food, make sure you watch it being cooked in front of you.
But don’t be afraid to take your kids long-haul. There are plenty of ways to keep them entertained on the flight(s), and they gain so much from the experience of going somewhere totally different! And why not start with Malaysia? They speak English, have superb guides and wildlife, the people are incredibly friendly, and it’s very safe.
Would you go back?
(Immy) Definitely. 100% yes.
We offer a small group family adventure to Borneo, or can tailor make an itinerary, bespoke to your family, if you prefer. Contact us for more information.
