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Borneo safari, rainforests, orangutans and beaches

COUNTRY:
Borneo
DEPARTURES:
This trip can be tailor made throughout the year and can be adapted to suit your interests, budget and requirements as necessary
PRICE:
From £2565 (12 days) excluding flights
VOUCHERS:
Gift vouchers can not be used with this holiday
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Borneo safari, rainforests, orangutans and beaches

Borneo safari, rainforests, orangutans and beaches

This holiday is operated by a primate specialist
Typically trips are expertly guided by a leading specialist with a good knowledge of the area to be visited. Primates are the main focus of attention however most safaris also incorporate other fauna and flora highlights of the destination as well. Primate specialist trips are conducted by local guides and drivers.

How this holiday makes a difference

Environment

Excursions and transfers are done on a shared basis to minimize the carbon emissions from the vehicles and boats used on this safari. Throughout this safari we also, wherever possible promote the use of eco-lodges, and locally built accommodation which results in the traveller having a minimal impact on the surrounding environment. Conservation is also high on our list of priorities and is reflected in the visitation of the famous Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre which supports the protection and conservation of Orangutans throughout the state of Sabah.

If travellers would like to contribute to the protection of primates throughout the world please request further details regarding our work with conservation companies.

Lankayan Island is a nesting site for the green and hawksbill turtles and visitors are encouraged to visit the turtle hatchery, where eggs are collected and kept safe from predation. At the right times of the year, when the eggs hatch, guests can witness the babies being released back into the sea. By staying at Lankayan Island, guests are contributing directly to the conservation of both these turtle species.

We aim to minimise our impact on the environment as much in the UK as we would do in any of our destination countries. We do this through recycling of any office waste including, paper, plastic, cans, glass, refuse, in partnership with the Brighton and Hove Borough. The purpose of our safaris is to contribute to local populations, communities and projects. We give our travellers advice on how to interact with the local population, flora and fauna in order to minimise any negative impact.

Community

Through the employment of our local ground operators who use local guides and drivers, money is fed directly back into individual families and villages that would otherwise not benefit from tourism. We have tried to use lodges that are further away from the usual tourist trail, thus spreading the money spent by tourists further into the communities. This is turn shows the economic importance of the wildlife and natural assets of the area.

In summary the traveller benefits from this safari by being involved with and meeting local people and communities at the same time as promoting the protection and rehabilitation of Orangutans. We advise people not to bargain just for the sake of it and because it is the “thing to do”; you should pay what you feel the object is worth to yourself and the vendor, bearing in mind local cultures.

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Story of the holiday provider

The MD of this wildlife tour operator, an ex-gorilla safari guide, set up the company five years ago from the damp basement in his flat, believing there was a gap in the industry for specialist knowledge on primates. He tailors primate safaris which maximise the opportunity to see as much as possible and offer an unbeatable wildlife experience: unlike a traditional safari, you are on foot and can find yourself 6 metres away from a 200 kg silverback gorilla. Today, the company is thriving, with 8 dedicated ex-guide team members who are eager to share their firsthand experience and enthusiasm.

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Holiday provider no: 446

Borneo safari, rainforests, orangutans and beaches

Reviewed 01 Sep 2011 by Yvonne Jones5 star rating

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?


Seeing animals in their natural environment and seeing an orangutan in the wild so close for the first time.

2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?


Don't hesitate GO.

3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?


Staying at the longhouse was a real life experience and we tried to buy locally made goods guided by our local guide. Most of the places we stayed were eco lodges so we felt that hopefully helped. The more we got to know our guide the more we realised that tourism was important to keep some older customs going by supporting them.

4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?


EXCELLENT.

Reviewed 28 Jul 2011 by Jennifer Hares4 star rating

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?


It was all amazing but the highlight was staying at Rain Forest lodge in the Danum valley... it was a magical place in a superb location. Be prepared to be walking in extremely hot & humid environments, it is quite challenging at times but well worth it.

2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?


Leech sock are mandatory. Don't take nice shoes for the evening because everywhere has a no-shoes rule... save the weight in your suitcase and take flip flops instead!!

3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?


The holiday benefited people in the fact that the hotels and guides had a job because of tourism. The Rain Forest lodge has a re-planting program and also has developed eco-ways of working to minimise their impact on the environment... very impressive.

4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?


Splendid adventure.

Reviewed 18 Sep 2010 by Louise Romanis5 star rating

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?


I cannot isolate just one memorable or exciting part of the holiday - every day my husband and I experienced something amazing! From seeing a plethora of wildlife in the Danum Valley rainforest including various monkeys, insects and birds, to being on a boat on the Kinabatangan River with an elephant bathing next to us, to being 2 feet away from an orangutan and her 2-3 week old baby at Sepilok, to watching a turtle lay her eggs on Lankayan Island and some newly hatched baby turtles make their dash for the Sulu Sea! We will never forget any of it.

2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?


Pack the right items. We followed the suggested packing list from the tour operator which was pretty spot on. For example, leech socks are a must for the forest treks. If you are a keen photographer like my husband and me, take the best camera and lens(es) you can afford - you won't regret carrying it around as you never know what is around the corner. Most importantly though, go with the right attitude of taking every opportunity and experiencing everything you can. Getting up at 5am may not be everyone's ideal on holiday but you won't be disappointed with the wildlife and views you will be rewarded with.

3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?


We learned that each lodge/resort is required to employ at least 30% of their staff from the local community which is great. This means not only that there are employment opportunities but that the local people become educated in conservation and environmental issues through these opportunities. Water conservation is very important as you would expect. In most of the places we stayed there was a place to refill water bottles rather than buying more plastic bottles. Borneo Rainforest Lodge was particularly good as they distil water rather than bringing in water from outside and use solar power to heat water (option to use water heater on cloudy days).

4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?


Excellent! It was organised really well and our guide, Chris, was wonderful.
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Holiday Reviews

We invite every traveller who books a holiday via us to send in a review. Because we don't run the holidays they're completely independent and unedited... remember to read between the lines though, as two people on the same holiday can have different views!

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