Borneo Wildlife

Indigenous tribes, playful primates and ancient emerald rainforests: the biodiverse island of Borneo is a veritable treasure trove of resource-rich natural attractions.

From the world’s oldest rainforest to craggy mountains, swamps, and valleys where wide rivers wind lazily toward the crystal waters of the South China Sea, these magical settings combine with Borneo’s tropical animals and laidback beach retreats to make the island a must on any wildlife-lover’s list.

What to spot on a Borneo adventure?

Borneo has played a big role in the development of the theory of evolution. Scientists have been busy finding and naming new species here since Alfred Wallace developed his theories on natural selection in the 19th century. With such a mix of habitats and climates, Borneo has the ideal conditions for a huge variety of species to thrive throughout its rainforests, swamps and mangroves. The island plays host to an enormous assortment of uniquely endangered wildlife, such as the charming and gentle orangutan, noisy proboscis monkey, diminutive pygmy elephant and elusive but stunningly beautiful clouded leopard. Flora and fauna abound in this Eden-like sanctuary, with a staggering 15,000 species of flowering plants and 3,000 species of tree, in addition to rare orchids, 12 species of rafflesia (the world’s largest flower) and in excess of 600 bird species. All of this contributes to what is an incredibly diverse area and makes for the ultimate Borneo holiday

Orangutans

As the jungle awakens with the calls and chatter of wild animals, you catch a glimpse of bright orange hair through the emerald-green rainforest, covering lithe and dextrous limbs and a pensive face which lives up to the name “man of the forest”. The orangutan is the epitome of any Borneo wildlife holiday. With grasping hands and feet as well as long arms that may reach two metres in length, the orangutan swings slowly through the tree canopy of Borneo. When night approaches they make nests of vegetation in which to sleep. Spotting orangutans in the wild can be hard work, but it is always worth it to see them in their natural habitat. We also give clients the opportunity to visit the Sepilok Rehabilitation Centre, where injured and orphaned orangutans are nursed back to health so they can be reintroduced into the wild. Seeing orangutans here may not match the thrill of spotting them in the wild, and we wouldn’t suggest it as an alternative, but the opportunity to see them in close proximity is not to be missed. Visiting the Centre will contribute to this vital conservation project and complement your encounters with wild orangutans.

Sun Bears

The smallest and most arboreal of all bear species, the sun bear is difficult to study in the wild and is threatened by deforestation and the illegal wildlife trade. Sun bears get their name from the pale crescent-shaped patch of fur on their chest, which is said to resemble the rising sun. They are also sometimes known as honey bears due to their predilection for raiding beehives. Sun bears occur at low densities and can be difficult to spot in the wild, but by visiting the biodiversity hotspot of Danum Valley you can get the chance to look for these fascinating animals both on the ground and in the trees. They are largely nocturnal, so if you have your heart set on spotting one, join your guide as night falls and venture into the rainforest with torch in hand. Guaranteed sun bear sightings can be had at the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre, in Sandakan. Here ex-captive bears are raised and cared for in safe conditions that will prepare them for an eventual return to the wild. Though the bears are unable to roam through the nearby Kabili-Sepilok Forest Reserve for their own safety, it is a joy to see them revelling in their natural habitat after having endured the terrors of their past.

Pygmy Elephants

The smallest and most secretive of all elephants, the Borneo pygmy elephant is a forest-dwelling subspecies of the Asian elephant. They are said to have a gentle nature and can sometimes be found bathing in rivers. Seeing one is a real treat. Generally measuring between 5 and 8 ft in height, Borneo’s elephants are on average about 25% smaller than other Asian elephants. Their diminutive size is matched by the lower aggression that these pachyderms exhibit towards their own kind and other species. Boat journeys along the Kinabatangan River are one of the best ways to spot wildlife in Borneo, and elephants can certainly make an appearance amongst the various birds, monkeys and aquatic creatures that call the Kinabatangan home. Small herds and solitary males come to the river to drink, bathe, and cool off from the heat. Mothers can sometimes be seen helping their calves to climb the muddy riverbanks.

Clouded Leopards

Crocodiles lurk within Borneo’s many rivers, but on land, the largest predator you’ll encounter is a cat just over 6 ft from nose to tail. Little is known about the Sunda clouded leopard and sighting one of these secretive felines is a real rarity. The Sunda clouded leopard has the rare distinction of being one of the few carnivorans discovered in the 21st century. Take “discovered” with a grain of salt, however: scientists were well aware of their existence, but prior to 2007, it was thought that the clouded leopards living in Borneo and Sumatra were the same species as those living across a number of other areas in Southeast Asia, all the way up to the Himalayan foothills. Clouded leopards generally weigh between 12 and 26kg. These cats are named after the distinctive “clouds” on their coat, have an exceptionally long tail for balancing, can descend tree trunks head-first, and even climb while hanging upside down under branches. Clouded leopards are nocturnal and elusive creatures that are rare to see on safari. Your best chance lies in a visit to the Deramakot Forest Reserve, thought by some to be the best place in all of Asia for clouded leopard sightings.

Rhinoceros Hornbill

Hornbills are Borneo’s most extravagantly adorned birds. Eight species can be found on the island, with the rhinoceros hornbill being the most well-known. This particular species appears on some Malaysian currency and is the country’s national bird. Rhinoceros hornbills can be found all across Borneo. Look for openings in the forest canopy, such as the mud volcano at Tabin Wildlife Reserve. Sightings are also likely when travelling along the Kinabatangan River, as the birds can be seen perching on treetops or flying overhead. The rhinoceros hornbill is the largest of Borneo’s eight hornbill species, with a wingspan of 5-6 ft. They are truly magnificent to watch in flight.