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

I loved staying in the longhouse at the Sabah Tea Plantation, it was a real experience and the evening entertainment was fantastic too, as the local school children came to show us their national dance in full costume. My most magical moment was at Sepilok Orang-utan Rehabilitation Centre when I got to see the orang-utans really close up when walking back along the board-walk; I also got to see them in the wild in Danum Valley which was very lucky indeed, particularly as it was a baby with its mother. Wildlife spotting along the Kinabatangan River was superb. The area is teaming with nature, from the proboscis monkeys sitting the trees to the hornbills flying around and the wild boar and crocodiles at the edge of the river – magical!

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

1) There ARE leeches a plenty on this tour! Top tip: Make sure you wear leech socks if you do any trekking; they do work, just make sure you spray your walking boots and socks with deet before you venture out into the jungle! Try not to spray the leeches directly with deet, it isn't good for the environment, you can flick them off, but use my avoidance tactics and you won't get any at all! 2) Take a sleeping bag liner, in some of the places visited, you may prefer to use your own bed linen. 3) If the itinerary says a 'stream hike', take sensible footwear, hiking sandals or something similar, flip flops don't make the grade! 4) Don't use flash photography on the wildlife, it is cruel and frightens off the creatures for other people to see! 5) Take a bag that can be carried like a rucksack, you need to carry for bag over short distances on the tour and if you aren't very strong, being lumbered with a 20kg holdall isn't fun. 6) The river trip takes 2 hours, take something soft to sit on, like a towel or pillow!

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

The holiday did benefit local people as most of the lodges were locally run and we used taxis and buses driven by local people. I thought it was good to take part in the tree planting, but planting a tree each would have been good, rather than only 5 per group (there were nine people in my group). I thought there should have been better controls on photography, as the guides allowed people to use flash photography on the night tours and this disturbed a number of birds sleeping low in the canopy - visitors should be encouraged to capture certain experiences in memory, rather than on memory card, this particularly relates to the Kintbantangan River areas and Danum Valley. Better leech avoidance guidelines should be given, so tour leaders don't end up spraying leeches with deet, as this is detrimental to the environment. Also, when swimming in the local rivers (as we could at the tree plantation and Danum Valley) people should be encouraged to wear natural insect repellents so as not to pollute the streams and rivers with deet.

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

I really enjoyed the trip but it is quite physical with lots of trekking and early starts, so having a few days rest at the end is definitely recommended. It was an absolute joy to see the orang-utans in the wild at Danum Valley but I guess I left feeling that the protected area was just a drop in the ocean compared to the area being logged or cut down for oil palm which made me feel sad. I suppose that visiting the area at least makes a statement that you think it is worth saving and might make the government of Borneo sit up and take note!

Read the operator's response here:

We would like to thank Alicia for her comments. With reference to that regarding use of DEET, many of our guides and tour leaders in SE Asia, on a personal level, would agree with her. However, it remains the case that the British Foreign Office with whom we work closely and the World Health Organisation in their notes regarding precautions to prevent contracting malaria, recommend a DEET based insect repellant as particularly effective. Our tour leaders are trained to discuss appropriate use of the products and limiting them to when they are needed, however, ultimately that is the customers' decision. We also have every sympathy with Alicia's comments about flash photography of wildlife at night - and whilst it is not ideal, there is no doubt that travellers want to see the wildlife and also to photograph it. Perhaps this is a necessary evil as a vital part of encouraging governments to stop logging or planting fuel crops and instead concentrate resources on the creation of national parks.

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

Danum Valley was the highlight - the accommodation was incredible and the walks and wildlife excellent.

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

Do everything, get involved.

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

Yes - great use of local guides.

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

Excellent.