5 independent reviews for Borneo luxury holidays, tailor made
Reviews for Borneo luxury holidays, tailor made
Gill Grubb review 14 Jun 2023
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Seeing wild Orang utans, Proboscis monkeys and Leopard cats.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
It rained every day. We needed more light-weight, quick-dry clothes.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
5-6 out of 10. Not one of our bestRead the operator's response here:
We're so sorry to hear that you didn't enjoy your trip as much as you hoped in Borneo, especially as you managed to see such incredible wildlife. Your
specialist Rob has already contacted you and has taken on board your feedback. We will both share this with our partners in Borneo and use this to review the
experiences we offer in future.
Serena Nevitt review 13 Aug 2019
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Staying in a mangrove swamp, or the nature reserve. Somewhere authentically genuinely wild.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
DO take leach socks and bug spray. DON'T take a change of clothes for the evening or any cosmetics whilst touring the jungle or river. Do give yourself time to enjoy each place (2 nights is ideal) and some tine to rest on the beach at the end.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
I felt local people benefitted but with regards to Gaya Island in particular we felt the 'eco-resort' description was unjustified and used to lure visitors. The marine park does not really exist as talking to locals, it seems this is designated but not at all protected. The sea was full of plastic which nobody except tourists cleans up. Whilst this is a government issue, the hotel itself seems to think that banning water bottles and straws is enough. They still change the beds and towels every day even if you ask them not to and have non-insulated rooms which let all the aircon out which is left on along with the lights by the maids all day. The shop is full of non-reef safe sunscreen and the other local hotels (in the protected area) spray pesticides to control mosquitos. It was really upsetting.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Fantastic. A really refreshing holiday with so many once-in-a-lifetime experiences we'll never forget.Dawn Collins review 15 Jul 2017
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
There really were too many to mention...but I think seeing the pygmy elephants on the Kinabatangan River2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Make sure you take the right clothing, and plenty of insect repellent, invest in a good pair of binoculars if interested in the wildlife3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
We took part in a tree planting project and also stayed with a tribe at the Lemanak Longhouse. My observations of Malaysian Borneo while I was there is that it is a country that realizes the wonderful things that it has and has put laws and regulations in place in order to conserve its natural wildlife/habitat alongside helping the people who live in these areas. - I was very impressed with the way the government and the separate commissions work in Borneo.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
We had the most amazing time, our tour operator listened to our original spec and the sort or people we are and took this all into consideration when planning the itinerary. My lifetime goal of visiting Sepilok and seeing the orangutans has been achieved along with seeing them in the wild which I never expected!Brigitte Gehring review 2 Apr 2016
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Spotting a mother and baby orangutan in Tabin2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
If you love nature and animals do not hesitate to book! Definitely come with an attitude of enjoying nature and whatever it may bring. Use this time to getaway from it all and recharge in nature. The fact that you are visitingis helping the eco-tourism in Borneo as well as giving you a chance to getaway from it all and recharge in nature. Every place we visited gave us a different experience: Sepilok Rehabilitation Center - semi-wild adult and young orangutans that we could watch for hours (ensure to definitely have a full day there, the tour with the guide is too quick); Kinabatangan River3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes. It is bringing jobs and educating everyone involved to understand how we can help and support.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Unbelievable! I cannot wait to go back!!Deborah Flint review 27 Apr 2014
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
We had lots so hard to choose, but this is our top three: - Sitting on the Kinabantan River in a small boat watching proboscis monkeys fall asleep in the trees at sunset with a cup of coffee in our hands! Magical. - Seeing wild Pygmy elephants on the riverbank and hearing their sounds as they call to each other - Gaya Island Resort - Coming back after breakfast to a bath filled with beautiful pink petals, the customary towel swans and soft music playing followed by a man knocking at the door with a bottle of champagne. Amazing!2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Spend more time on the Kinabantan River - it's an amazing place and with the palm oil plantations growing by the day it makes the rare experience of seeing animals in the wild all the more special. Accommodation is basic but the memories of the animals will far exceed that. We wished we'd spend an extra day there and less time at the Rasa Ria in Kota Kinabalu. In all honesty I’m not sure I’d recommend the Rasa Ria. We did a number of the activities and I heard from one of the guests that on a trip to the nightflies locally, a guide recommended catching some nightflies and taking them back to guests rooms. This very much shocked me - more so that the other residents thought this was a good idea. The service in the Rasa Ria is also not great - it’s just too commercial and non-personal for me. Invest in a high quality waterproof jacket for the jungle! You'll probably get one hideous downpour whilst you are there and you'll thank yourself for investing wisely. Same for a rucksack cover - invaluable.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes, especially on the Kinabantan River. The accommodation was very explicit that the food all comes from the local villages and most of the staff came from the local area also. Loved planting a tree that one day might be enjoyed by the proboscis monkeys.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Fantastic - comment from my husband "I normally am ready to come back to work, but this time i absolutely hated it!"Holiday Reviews
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