• Several vaccinations are advised before travelling to Borneo; consult your GP or travel clinic six to eight weeks before departure to ensure you have time to complete all the series of injections.
• Malaria is also present, so you will need to bring anti-malarial medication. Wearing long sleeves and trousers is also advised, as well as insect repellent. This also protects against dengue fever. Remember, malaria can develop up to a year after exposure, so keep an eye on any symptoms.
• Citronella is the favoured repellent for many travellers. However, this should be avoided as it attracts hornets – giant wasps with an extraordinarily painful sting.
• Tap water is unsafe to drink – also be wary of ice in drinks and unpeeled fruit and vegetables.
• Avoid eating bushmeat such as monkeys or bats as these are often carriers of diseases – as well as often being inadvisable for environmental reasons.
• Mt Kinabalu is 4,095m above sea level, so if attempting to climb to the summit you should be aware of the symptoms of altitude sickness. The climb ascends over 2,500m in less than 24 hours, so there is little time for your body to acclimatise.
• Leeches are present in the lowland jungles. These are more unpleasant than dangerous, but you can buy “leech socks” which are effective at stopping them, and keep your trousers tucked into your socks or boots.
• Borneo is incredibly hot and humid, so keep well hydrated at all times.
• Bring a basic first aid kit and medication for sickness and diarrhoea if planning to trek or cycle in remote regions.
• If you need to be hospitalised, travel to the mainland may be necessary, so be sure you have comprehensive travel insurance which covers medical evacuation, along with any other activities you may be doing, such as high-altitude hikes, windsurfing or diving.
• Forest fires in Central Kalimantan cause serious air pollution which is getting more and more dangerous each year; 2015's fires have been described as a "crime against humanity". Travellers with respiratory problems should exercise precautions, and all travellers are advised to check with their holiday company on the severity of the smog in the region they are travelling to - especially if visiting Kalimantan, although pollution also spreads into Sabah and Sarawak. You should ask if face masks are available when in the worst affected areas.

Visit the CDC website for up to date health information on Malaysia and Indonesia

Borneo in general is a safe destination with relatively low crime rates. Tourists should exercise the usual precautions – not walking alone at night, not leaving valuables such as cameras and smart phones on display, using registered taxis, etc.

In recent years there have been a few kidnappings of tourists and locals around the east coast of Sabah. Thanks to its proximity to the Philippines, this area is at a higher risk of this kind of activity. Travel to this area is largely trouble-free, but stay up to date with government travel advice on the FCO website to be sure.

If you are travelling independently in this region – and particularly from the airport at Lahad Datu to your accommodation, you should be sure you are using transport organised by reputable companies.

Traffic accidents are not uncommon. Choose your driver wisely, and always wear a helmet if travelling by motorbike or moped.

Malaysia and Indonesia are largely conservative, Muslim countries, and you should dress modestly, particularly in rural areas, to avoid causing offence. This is even more important in Indonesia.

Homosexuality is not widely accepted (homosexual acts are illegal in Malaysia and taboo in Indonesia), so same-sex couples are advised to act discretely in public.

"It says you'll get an adventure and you do. Don't expect your home comforts here." - Penny Earle

"Listen to the guides for guidance and information about the animals. Respect the fact that you're a guest in the home of a variety of wild animals." - Fiona Trolley

"If you are going walking, watch out for the leeches, there are lots of them - pack leech socks." - Alison Robb

"Bring warm clothes if you are going to climb Kinabalu! I was freezing." - Paul Spencer

"Many animals are high up and difficult to see. We knew exactly what we were going to and thought the experience was unbelievable, but some people hadn't expected this and were disappointed." - Gillian Slater

"Don't move on too quickly to next location as you'll spend all your time travelling." - Susan Spiller

"Book early in Sabah. We met many people who wanted to climb the mountain or stay in a particular lodge but everything was booked." - Phil Pinchen

"Be as mentally, physically and emotionally healthy as you can as so to put 100% effort into your adventure, as it is priceless"... - Sherryn Page

"Bring lots of clothes during rainy-season, a week after washing they are still wet." - Barbara Hoerist

"Take your large back pack for the full duration and a smaller one for each section." - Jennifer Beard

"Talk to the local people - they have so much passion and many stories to tell." - Deanne Ward-Thompson