Of all places on Earth, nowhere epitomises natural beauty quite like Borneo. After all, this is where you can interact with wild orangutans, see Proboscis monkeys swinging high in the canopy and pygmy elephants in their natural habitat.
While this itself is a top-end luxurious experience, having your own private guide, staying in exclusive jungle lodges and going on private jungle hikes, only enhances the comfort level.
Borneo is an island of raw and untamed natural beauty, located between Indonesia, the tiny princely state of Brunei and Malaysia. Apart from the diverse wildlife, Borneo has an entirely new world of tribal cultures and enviable aquatic life to keep you in bliss on a luxury vacation to this stunning corner of the world.
This travel guide will highlight some of the top high-end places to visit, which go far beyond accommodation and personalised service to offer guests an exclusive experience like no other. You can also let go of the homework and let experts over at Sundowner Holidays handle all arrangements for the ultimate luxury trip.
Danum Valley
A luxurious beach and jungle vacation in the heart of some of the primary rainforests of Borneo could be the starting point of your trip to this island.
The upscale Borneo Rainforest Lodge should be your preferred place of stay in Danum Valley and could easily be the highlight of the tour.
This secluded property has wooden chalets matched by excellent attentive service and enjoys a prime location in one of the oldest rainforests of the world.
Apart from orangutans who nest on the grounds here there are excellent chances to see hornbills, gibbons and red-leaf monkeys on any of the numerous trails surrounding the lodge.
The lodge can arrange a private lunch right in the middle of the rainforest with a dedicated guide to accompany you on nature treks, night safaris and canopy walks during the entire duration of your stay.
Gaya Island
The gorgeous Gaya Island is a short distance from Kota Kinabalu airport, via a short boat ride from the jetty. Here you can stay in a private plunge-pool villa at the spectacular Bunga Raya Resort.
The award-winning resort features 48 stilted timber villas in traditional Borneon architecture overlooking the beautiful white sand beach.
While some have private pools on their open deck balconies others have the advantage of surreal views over the South China Sea and the surrounding jungle.
The resort offers top-tier relaxation from a dip at the infinity pool to restorative treatments at the hilltop spa. Exclusive dining can be enjoyed at the beach or at the patio adjoining the wine cellar.
For outdoor activities, your personal guide will take you zip-lining, on canopy walks or on a private diving and snorkeling trip around the island’s coral reefs.
Kuching
Kuching, being the melting point of Chinese, Malay and Indian cultures is a great luxury holiday destination of Borneo.
Your private guide will take you straight to the heart of the well-preserved Old Town through a muddle of narrow alleys lined with museums, restaurants and coffee shops.
The Ranee Boutique Hotel in the heart of the Old Town is the best place to stay in Kuching. Every suite is tastefully designed to reflect Sarawak’s rich colonial heritage.
During your stay, you will have an opportunity to go on a private tour of the Semenggoh Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre to interact with endangered orangutans in their natural habitat.
A private tour of the famous Bako National Park by boat and by foot will be the highlight of your second day in Kuching. This may be the smallest national park in Sarawak, but it is one of the most intriguing.
Not only is it home to proboscis monkeys and silver langurs, it has every type of vegetation that can be found in Borneo.
For an in-depth experience, you can ask your tour operator to arrange for a night stay on Bako Island to explore some of the less-trodden trails to hidden beaches, waterfalls and jungle streams.
Sepilok
Conveniently perched on the edge of the rainforest, the My Nature Resort in Sepilok is a mega hit with luxury-minded travelers and nature lovers alike.
Here your dedicated guide will take you to the Rainforest Discovery Centre for a canopy walk to give you a bird’s eye view of the surrounding rainforest.
You can also opt to go on a night walking tour in an effort to spot some of the elusive nocturnal wildlife which have made this place their home.
Before you depart from My Nature Resort, you will be able to pay a visit to the largest orangutan rehabilitation centre in the world at Sepilok along with the Sun Bear Conservation Centre.
Kinabatangan
The Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge is the universal choice for those travelers seeking a bespoke luxury experience on the best property on the Kinabatangan River and there are many reasons to show why.
Enjoying a remote laid-back setting, unlike anywhere else in Borneo, the region is home to mangrove forests and freshwater swamps.
These water bodies are the prime habitat of freshwater crocodiles and a wide variety of bird life which includes kingfishers and rhinoceros hornbills.
Moreover, the resort has some of the best guides in Borneo who can cater to your every interest such as birdwatcher or wildlife photography and how many pygmy elephants patrol the banks of the river.
The best part of staying here is the luxury of having a certain stretch of the river to yourself. Since accessing the property is only by boat and it’s the only resort in the vicinity, the splendid isolation enhances the overall stay experience.
Mulu
Mulu is located in the dense green forests of Borneo, right next to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Gunung Mulu National Park and the site of the spectacular Mulu Caves.
Mulu Caves are renowned for their tall limestone karst formations of which the Sarawak Chamber is the largest cave in the world, while the Clearwater Cave is the longest in Asia.
A private guide and a park ranger will accompany you on the cave tour and point out the stalagmites and stalactites, most of which are lit up at dusk.
There is a splendid five-star property here by the name of Mulu Marriott Resort & Spa, which features well-appointed rooms, all situated on raised wooden walkways overlooking the Melinau River.
The real luxury of staying in this off-the-beaten-path property is that after a hard day of wildlife viewing and trekking, you can unwind at the spa or take a dip in the pool.
Furthermore, wellness classes are conducted every day for those interested in participating. Simply relax on your private porch in the evening to enjoy elevated jungle views and the sounds of cicadas.
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