Over 168,000 Acres of Rainforest Converted to Sanctuary to Protect Orangutans and Other Animals. Borneo: Into the Wild. Explore the renowned Danum Valley Conservation Area and its extraordinary. Satellite Tracking Reveals Threats To Borneo Pygmy Elephants. Danum Valley Conservation Area, Sabah. Development and behavior of wild infant-juvenile East Bornean orangutans. Nature freak paradise - Review of Borneo Rainforest Lodge, Danum Valley Conservation Area, Malaysia. My wife and I stayed here for four nights to celebrate my 4. Though BRL represents the most expensive lodgings I have ever seriously considered, it’s unique, heart- of- the- jungle location, expert guides, amazing food, elegant rooms and flawless personal service combine to create a valuable and indulgent luxury/wilderness experience. Our deluxe riverside chalet with the outdoor bath overlooking the rainforest and river was a treat—comfortable bedding, waterfall shower, mini fridge with complimentary soft drinks and drinking water, room safe, hairdryer, the works. It was the perfect place to unwind after a long, sweaty trek along the many haunting, leech- infested trails. From our balcony we spotted orang utan, hornbills, crazy lizards, squirrels, eagles and sunbirds to say nothing of the incredible sunsets, (brief) thunderstorms or members of the jungle chorus. The night life here is actually louder than the noise outside our flat in Soho. The dreaded drive between orientation in Lahad Datu and the Danum Valley is really not that bad during the dry season though I would seriously recommend trying to get yourselves aboard one of their sturdy, air- conditioned 4x. We hired one of the former, at considerable expense, to deliver us to our next destination on Sungai Kinabatangan and, comfort- wise (combined with the friendliness and skill of our driver), this was worth every extra Ringgit. Denny, our English- speaking guide for the week, had previously worked for the BBC’s Expedition Borneo series and went out of his way to help us appreciate the forest he loves with such enthusiasm and passion. At first— because the wildlife is actually quite sparse, in the canopy, or tends to hide during the heat of the day— I mistakenly thought his wildlife- spotting skills were mediocre at best. However, after going on some 1. I realized how difficult it is to spot and track game in this intricate and dense environment. This is not the African veldt and tracking here is done as much by hearing and by smell as by sight and actual tracks. In this regard, I came to appreciate why Denny is one of the resort’s top guides—and informally leading the team on points for animals spotted. Thus, only through patience, perseverance and Denny’s considerable knowledge and skills were my wife and I able to enjoy so many incredible wildlife encounters—red leaf monkeys by the dozen, wild, well- behaved macaques(!) orang utan of all ages (especially King, the 3. Danum Valley MalaysiaI chose Danum Valley Conservation Area in northern Borneo because it's one of the. At night I had the great fortune to encounter the slow loris, tangaloon(sp?), flying squirrel, mouse deer, palm civet, sleeping birds, gibbon spiders, long- legged centipedes, lantern bugs and- - a personal highlight—flying lemurs actually flying! Impressively, Denny predicted not only when these lemurs would start to fight but also the exact moment they would take to the air—one of many situations where he improved my understanding of the ecosystem simply by explaining a noise, behavior or peculiar odor. He also took us to a remote wallow of the critically endangered Borneo rhinoceros and while we only got so close as to spot fresh tracks and whiff their urine (joy!) it was a thrill to get off the main trails and into the serious bush. For the slightly less energetic, there’s still loads to see around the grounds, by the river and on the boardwalk nature trail—the only places you’re allowed to walk without a guide. Hell, binoculars were even useful during mealtime. Unfortunately, my wife developed a chest- infection midway through our stay but was still able to come on half the treks and very much enjoyed recuperating in such luxurious and tranquil surroundings. The staff were always very gracious and accommodating in this regard, often asking after her, bringing extra beverages, etc. Be forewarned, however: there are no doctors or medical services available here, the shop stocks only the most basic medicines and the closest doctor is all the way back in Lahad Datu. Luckily, we were prepared for such eventualities and had the necessary antibiotics and pain remedies on hand. For a resort of this caliber, not having at least a nurse on site was somewhat disappointing. As for the food: At first, special dishes were prepared to accommodate the wife’s vegetarian diet but once the chefs realized she was more than happy with the sprawling buffet, such extra efforts were soon aborted. All meals were not only delicious but nourishing— full of healthy protein and perfectly cooked veg—which is crucial for the manic and motivated nature freak among us who feels compelled to take every trek on offer (in general, four per day, varying between 1 and 4 hours: before and after breakfast, 1. The bar was well- stocked and the bartender, Sam, prepares a mean cocktail or fresh papaya juice when necessary. On my actual birthday the staff ambushed me with a delicious cake and a surprisingly tuneful rendition of happy birthday, much to my conniving wife’s amusement and my profound embarrassment. Gear- wise, I recommend purchasing thigh- high, elastic- closure leech socks beforehand (I ordered mine off Amazon) as opposed to using the calf- high, lace- tie ones on sale at the lodge. I would also recommend a good torch if you’re intent on taking night treks—these I found much more intimate and rewarding than the nightly drives, to each their own. Unfortunately the tiger leeches did find their way to my warm and tasty midsection a couple of times but these were easily and painlessly removed by a squirt of insect repellant and a flick. Both times they had inched their way between the buttons of my trekking shirt so maybe a jersey (unstylishly tucked into your trousers, of course) might be a better way forward. High- strength bug repellant is therefore a must, especially as the mossies are out in force and the beds don’t come with nets—which is fine because on hot nights you really don’t want anything between you and the ceiling fan. That, and you probably want to keep your indoor lights to a minimum after dark as they will, and do, attract all manner of creepy crawly (and their predators). As mentioned by previous reviewers you get very, very sweaty here and even dry, freshly- laundered clothes are soon soaked with moisture. Apparently May/June is the best time to visit climate- wise as during the rainy season, while cooler, the leech situation is even more unpleasant and the trails become very slippery necessitating walking sticks. It sounds— and is— a bit unpleasant physically but in my skewed opinion the privilege of walking through ancient, teeming jungle makes the whole experience more than worthwhile (and rounding out each walk with a forceful shower, gorgeous accommodation and a hearty meal makes it all that much more special). My only negative comment on BRL concerns the difficulty of booking—the website is confusing, doesn’t load very well and queries are not answered in anything resembling a timely manner. My deposit took weeks to clear and I felt I had to keep the pressure on to make sure our reservations were confirmed—annoying when you’re trying to book flights simultaneously. There was also no effort made to find out where we were lodged in Lahad Datu prior to our trip and it was only by sheer coincidence that the office was briefly open upon our arrival in LD to sort out the details of our transfer. That being said, all misgivings and frustration with the front office disappeared upon arrival at the lodge itself where the receptionists were exceeding helpful and Edmundo, the head guide, was always checking up on guests and eager to engage in conversation— even on controversial issues regarding coal deposits and the fate of Borneo’s remaining wilderness. For whatever reason—maybe because of my birthday or the fact we booked deluxe or the way we hit the bar and purchased pricey extras like laundry (lots and lots of laundry)—though my wife and I are “regular” people, we were always made to feel like VIP’s. That, and the fact that our ultra- expensive stay contributed to the protection of such a vital and imperiled ecosystem makes the Borneo Rainforest Lodge one of the best places I have ever stayed on planet earth. Speaking as a biologist, orang putih and unabashed nature junkie, this was truly (clich. Sabah Tours & Daytrips in Malaysian Borneo. Sandakan Wildlife Adventures. Sandakan, the former capital of Sabah, is a busy port town located at the entrance of a picturesque bay on the East Coast of Sabah. The town serves as the jumping off point for a range of nature- based attractions and wildlife adventures including Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, Selingan Turtle Islands, the Kinabatangan River and Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary. Set up in 1. 96. 4, the Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre is a sanctuary for injured, orphaned or rescued orang utans who are trained how to survive in the forest. Upon graduation rehabilitated orang utan are released into the surrounding forest. Many of the orang utan return to the centre at the twice daily feeding times, giving visitors a unique chance to get close to orang utan. The Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC) officially opened in October 2. The centre is located within walking distance of the orangutan centre. Most of our Sandakan tours include visits to both orangutan and sun bear centres. The third major attraction at Sepilok is the Rainforest Discovery Centre which has an excellent 3. The Kinabatangan River has gained a justified reputation as one of the top wildlife watching destinations in Southeast Asia. The 5. 60- kilometre Kinabatangan River passes through a diverse range of habitats which support a remarkable diversity of wildlife; including proboscis monkeys, orangutan, gibbons, elephants, tarsiers, slow loris, crocodiles, freshwater sharks, Irrawaddy dolphins and a variety birds. We offer a range of multi- day tours focusing on the wildlife attractions of the Kinabatangan. These trips include overnight accommodation at the Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge at Sukau and the Abai Jungle Lodge. Some trips combine stays at both of these lodges. Selingan Island is located approximately 4. Sandakan and is accessed via a 1- hour speedboat ride. Selingan is a nesting site for both green and hawksbill turtles. Although turtles lay eggs all year round the best time to visit Selingan is between July and October when the sea conditions are calmer and the number of turtle landings is higher. We can arrange overnight trips to Selingan. Accommodation consists of 1- 2 star chalets. Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary is located about 3. Sandakan and consists of small patches of mangrove forest surrounded by plantation land. As there is insufficient food the monkeys receive a supplementary diet. At most feeding times proboscis monkeys descend from the nearby trees and head to the wooden platform for a free meal. These monkeys are wild but highly habituated and often get very close to visitors. Labuk Bay offers excellent photo opportunities.
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