Borneo luxury wildlife and beach holiday

Planet

Wherever possible we use locally run and managed accommodation; we use a combination of eco-lodges and locally run hotels. As a result of this we minimise the impact on the local environment at the same time as providing the traveller with a high level of comfort. This is a private safari which means that your impact on the environment and wildlife is kept to a minimum at all times resulting in you also being likely to see more! We try to always use accommodation that savours every drop of precious water; from using environmentally friendly flushing toilets, saving rain water for washing to using solar power for heating. Accommodation when travelling will vary, but we do try to be environmentally friendly as possible, promoting the use of local eco-lodges where we can. Please bear in mind that it is not always possible to find eco-friendly accommodation in some remote destinations. If this is the case then we make every effort to alert the management of the accommodation in question of ways to improve their service with the environment in mind. We try to use shared transfers where possible to minimise the carbon emissions from the vehicles used.

Our UK operations reflect our standards abroad in that 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 attempt to do this through recycling of any office waste including paper, plastic, cans, glass, refuse, in partnership with the Borough of Brighton & Hove. Our clients are always advised on the best way to do this when away. We recommend using environmentally friendly shampoos, soaps and toiletries, to avoid leaving any litter (whether its biodegradable or not).

The Sepilok Nature Resort starting in 1991 when the owners John and Judy lovingly planted all the trees and flowers in the large compound. Now the trees have grown and become a magnificent landscaped gardens and thousands of acres of tropical rainforest. Within this rainforest you will hear and see Gibbons, Hornbills, fruit bats, butterflies and many different bird species. Sukau Rainforest Lodge feature energy saving lightbulbs, inverter air-conditioners, in-house generators and solar heaters for hot water supply. They use recycled cooking oil to light lamps at night, harvest rainwater, installed dual flush toilets, feature recycling bins for everyone to use and equipped their river boats with outboard engines and electric motors to minimise noise and pollution. Also, the lodge features no tv or radio, using less electricity at the lodge and not admitting any noise into the surrounding environment.

People

Where possible, we always try to use local suppliers in preference to others, whether this is in the provisions, accommodation, transport or equipment. Through the employment of our local ground operators, who use local guides and drivers, money is therefore fed directly back into individual families and villages that would not otherwise benefit from tourism, as well as giving more jobs to local people. Great guiding is essential on wildlife adventures and few people know a place better than the locals. W e whole-heartedly do not believe in taking jobs from local populations for our own needs. Every year the Sukau Rainforest Lodge give away part of their profit to BEST society, which is their non-profit organisation that is responsible for all the work in the community and environment.

Our promise is to give our guests a real, once in a lifetime experience. We believe this comes in the way of tailormade safaris, which does not include large tourist groups or busloads of people. A combination of experiencing local wildlife, nature and culture, which can only be done by the people who know it best, the locals. Therefore, we work closely with our carefully selected local guides and hotels to make sure that all experiences are authentic. We believe the best way to learn about and enjoy the experience of being on safari with us is to make the effort to mingle with the local people, taste new foods and try new experiences. We make sure tourists have the opportunity to buy local souvenirs and handicrafts, assisting further to contribute to their community, and always give support to local communities and conservation agencies. We advise people not to bargain just for the sake of it and because it is "the things to do"; you should pay what you feel the object is worth to yourself and the vendor, bearing in mind local cultures.