Borneo offers magical wildlife and truly unique nature. Mikkel, our Product Manager for Asia, visited the island in March 2025. Read his account and discover whether he managed to check all the experiences off his wishlist below.
“Borneo, that’s something with orangutans.”
And yes, it’s true that Borneo is indeed home to the world’s largest population of orangutans, but Borneo and its wildlife have more to offer than only this red-haired great ape. In the island’s numerous rainforests, you might be lucky enough to encounter Borneo’s ‘The Big 5’, which besides orangutans, includes the adorable pygmy elephant, the quirky proboscis monkey, the colourful hornbill, and the majestic saltwater crocodile.
As I journey through Borneo’s rainforests, I’m hoping to witness all five.
It starts off well as I greet the semi-wild orangutans at the Semenggoh Wildlife Centre, where they roam freely in the vast rainforest area. Some days, they approach the centre’s feeding platforms, and during my visit, a total of 10 orangutans were swinging through the treetops, including two mothers with their adorable little orangutan babies. A truly unforgettable experience.
A few days later, I find myself on the Kinabatangan River on a safari, intently gazing at the trees lining the rainforest. Whenever my eyes spot something, the small motorised boat turns off its engine, and almost silently, we drift closer to what stirs on the horizon. Gradually, silvered leaf monkeys, macaques, and proboscis monkeys come into view, while a flock of hornbills soars elegantly above us. A wild and adventurous moment.
This time, however, I don’t get to meet the endemic pygmy elephant. And despite my earnest attempts to distinguish between fallen tree trunks and crocodiles, these too remain unticked on my ‘Big 5 List’. Wildlife is something that always fascinates me, much like the weather.
Both are beyond reach and control, which I find liberating, even when it challenges my desires for specific experiences – for it simply opens the door to yet another travel chapter in the future.
Mikkel,
TourCompass – From tourist to traveller
Are you dreaming of experiencing Borneo’s wild animals and perhaps being lucky enough to spot Borneo’s Big Five? Check out our tours to Borneo and make your dream come true.
Discover the highlights of Borneo in Sabah & Sarawak. Join us on a journey through charming cities and enchanting rainforests where dreams come true, and meet orangutans, proboscis monkeys, and pygmy elephants.
Discover the contrasts of Malaysia, from the skyline of Kuala Lumpur to the rainforests of Borneo in Sabah, and explore the fascinating wildlife along the life-giving waterways of the Kinabatangan River.
From the vibrant city life of Kuala Lumpur to the wild natural beauty of Borneo’s Sarawak rainforests. Encounter orangutans and the Iban tribe for an authentic experience that can’t be found anywhere else in the world.
Look forward to Sabah’s diverse nature and wildlife on a tour to the lofty peaks of Mt. Kinabalu and the rainforest along the Kinabatangan River. Conclude your journey on the paradise island of Gaya Island, with sand between your toes.
Discover the highlights of Borneo in Sabah & Sarawak. Join us on a journey through charming cities and enchanting rainforests where dreams come true, and meet orangutans, proboscis monkeys, and pygmy elephants.
Discover the contrasts of Malaysia, from the skyline of Kuala Lumpur to the rainforests of Borneo in Sabah, and explore the fascinating wildlife along the life-giving waterways of the Kinabatangan River.
From the vibrant city life of Kuala Lumpur to the wild natural beauty of Borneo’s Sarawak rainforests. Encounter orangutans and the Iban tribe for an authentic experience that can’t be found anywhere else in the world.
Look forward to Sabah’s diverse nature and wildlife on a tour to the lofty peaks of Mt. Kinabalu and the rainforest along the Kinabatangan River. Conclude your journey on the paradise island of Gaya Island, with sand between your toes.
