Borneo river and jungle wildlife adventure

Planet

Our local Borneo ground agents employ only local guides and drivers thereby keeping all moneys paid to staff in the local community. Where possible, food served to guests at the lodges is sourced locally thereby providing a further income to local residents.
This trip includes a stay at Sukau Rainforest Lodge, where the focus is on minimizing environmental impact while enhancing the value of local communities and the surrounding ecosystem. The lodge offers guests a chance to actively participate in conservation efforts. We aim to ensure that the natural beauty of Kinabatangan is preserved for future generations. Every international adult guest that stays at Sukau Rainforest Lodge will help contribute RM32 to Conservation Contribution. The lodge also endorses the 17 United Nation Sustainable Development Goals as a tool for formulating their sustainability strategy as part of a global effort to bring about positive change. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), also known as the Global Goals, were adopted by the United Nations in 2015 as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that by 2030 all people enjoy peace and prosperity.
All 20 of Deluxe Rooms and 20 Villas are equipped with energy saving light bulbs and inverter air-conditioners. The garden and corridors are lit up by kerosene oil lamps and they recycle their cooking oil to light lamps along the boardwalks. The lodge currently uses solar heaters to supply hot water to the Deluxe Rooms and guests are encouraged to switch off lights and air-conditioners when leaving rooms. We practice rainwater harvesting, which makes our lodge 100% self-reliant on water. The rainwater harvested is filtered and chlorinated for kitchen use, and washing purposes. The Deluxe Rooms are supplied by 4 units of 78.69 gallons of Crystal Solar Heating Systems and guests are encouraged to conserve water by minimizing toilet flushing and making use of the dual flushing system. Guest linens and towels are not replaced when they are staying at the lodge for only 2 nights (only upon request).
The Lodge is equipped with septic tanks so that no harmful waste is discharged into the environment. Organic materials are turned into compost, while non bio-degradable materials are separated and sent to Sandakan for disposal and recycling. The lodges uses the BioSolv Treatment System, which is a greener and better alternative in sewage treatment which helps minimise the impact of water pollution. Guests are requested to recycle their recyclable items and place them into the bins located at the open deck of the lodge. Drinking water is provided in glass bottles in all rooms not plastic and guests are asked to bring along their own water bottle, which they can reuse and refill for free anytime from the water dispensers.
Since 2000 the community and environmental profit society, Borneo Ecotourism Solutions and Technologies Society (BEST), has organized many projects. They include supplying 90 water tanks to local families, three medical camps, and the ongoing Kinabatangan Wildlife Corridor Rehabilitation Project (KWICORP). Sukau Rainforest Lodge contribute RM4.00 and RM8.00 respectively for every international guest (totalling RM50, 000.00/ USD 16,400 annually) who stay at the lodge in addition to contribution from guests. We started collecting RM 20.00 per guest as conservation levies in 2009; this goes towards the Kinabatangan Corridor of Life Tourism Operators Association (KiTA) and BEST Society to enhance conservation along the Kinabatangan.
Bunga Raya Island Resort has recently been granted Gold Certification for accommodation sustainability by Travelife. • The resort has been confirmed as supporting local farmers and reducing transportation missions by using organic ingredients in their kitchens. The resort’s protected areas ensure the safe preservation of native species and their natural habitats and they engage with the local community through workshops, events and conservation initiatives, fostering meaningful connections between the guests and the island. The resort also follow safe environmental practices such as rainwater harvesting to eliminating single-use plastics.
Utan Rainforest Lodge supports sustainability by donating a portion of its profits to the Sabah Forestry Department, helping community and environmental initiatives. Guests contribute to this cause by staying at the lodge. The lodge employs eco-friendly practices such as LED lightbulbs, inverter air-conditioners, in-house generators, rainwater harvesting, dual flush toilets, recycling bins, and no TVs or radios. Riverboats use electric troller motors to reduce noise and pollution when wildlife is spotted. The lodge aligns with the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals, aiming to minimise environmental impact while enriching local communities and preserving the wildlife forest reserve for future generations.

People

Our local Borneo ground agents employ only local guides and drivers thereby keeping all moneys paid to staff in the local community. Where possible, food served to guests at the lodges is sourced locally thereby providing a further income to local residents.
Where possible Sukau Rainforest Lodge provides employment opportunities for the local community with 80% of the staff being locals. The jetty, plank walks, open deck, wall panelling, wooden benches, and deck tables/chairs are all testimony of their capabilities. Senior staff were recruited from outside to transfer their skills to the locals and help provide consistent service. Most of the local staff could not speak English when they joined the staff. In response management have instituted training and brought in overseas tourism student interns to help them understand different cultures and the needs of tourists to develop communication skills and speak English. A few staff have been sent for nature guide training to maximise their natural ability as wildlife spotters for the river cruises and jungle walks. The management also encourages ongoing personal development including book reading and a mentoring program that provides leadership training for local staff.
In conjunction with Orangutan Appeal UK, for every booking to Borneo we adopt our chosen Sepilok orangutan, Archie, in your names for a year. Orangutan Appeal UK works to support the orangutans of Sepilok Rehabilitation Centre which provides 24hr essential care for orphaned and injured orangutans with the aim to rehabilitate them into the wilds of the adjacent Kabili Sepilok Forest Reserve and beyond. Funds from the adoption costs go towards funding the Centre’s work providing food, medical care and a safe refuge for the orangutans as well as being an important educational tool for visitors.