From a fortuitous encounter with wild proboscis monkeys, to a luxury yacht safari cruise on the Kinabatangan River, the rainforests, mountains and villages of Northern Borneo presented a series of unforgettable moments on a recent Asian Trails’ inspection trip led by our Malaysia and Singapore General Manager Julien Collot.

The 12-day journey took our group through the Malaysian states of Sarawak and Sabah, with also a stop in the Sultanate of Brunei. This region effortlessly blends exceptional cultural richness with breathtaking nature.

On arrival in the Sarawak state capital of Kuching, the group enjoyed a leisurely stroll among the old shophouses in the Jalan Main Bazaar and discovered the city’s true character amid narrow streets where quaint cafes, cozy bars and charming restaurants accommodate all tastes.

An evening bicycle tour through picturesque Malay riverside villages unveiled stately colonial buildings, revealing Kuching’s multi-layered heritage.

The next day’s activities commenced with a serene boat ride through the Kuching Wetlands in Santubong. This beautiful estuary is a haven of flora and fauna and the team were lucky to spot some native wildlife, including proboscis monkeys, alligators and elusive Irrawaddy dolphins.

After interacting with nature, the next call was Sarawak Cultural Village to learn about Sarawak’s various indigenous tribes. This living, open-air museum gives a deep insight into the diverse societies that make Sarawak so unique.

Next, our intrepid adventurers headed into Bako National Park, an area famed for its pristine ecosystems, thriving mangroves, primeval rainforests and secluded beaches framed by rugged cliffs.

A one-hour-plus drive south led to Annah Rais, a traditional longhouse village of the Bidayuh tribe where our team listened to intriguing stories about ancient head hunter warriors.

A call was then made at the Semenggoh Orangutan Sanctuary to observe amazing conservation work and see endangered orangutans swinging through the trees in a protected reserve, ahead of their rehabilitation into their natural habitat. This was a truly humbling experience.

Changing the pace, our staff took a 90-minute flight to Mulu National Park where even the airport is part of the pure nature. Landing at this strip gave a feeling of arriving in an untouched world.

The first call was the Deer and Lang Caves – just in time to catch the famous bat exodus at sunset. This is a mesmerising sight, involving millions of bats swirling across the sky in search of their nightly feed of mosquitoes.

Exploration of the Wind and Clearwater Caves revealed one of the world’s longest underground rivers and the cool waters provided an invigorating dip. In the afternoon, another short flight took the group to Miri, a city close to the border with Brunei. Highlights included a visit to the Water Village and a glimpse of the Sultan’s Palace.

Continuing onwards into the heart of Sabah, a scenic three-hour drive through rolling hills led to the Sabah Tea Plantation to witness tea cultivation techniques and sample refreshing brews. This was followed by Kinabalu Park, home to a picturesque botanical garden, as well as Malaysia’s highest mountain, 4,095-metres-high Mount Kinabalu.

It is highly recommend to stay for a night or two in this area to explore this World Heritage area’s trekking trails. Our team called in at the Mari Mari Cultural Village, set in a lush rainforest setting, to learn about Sabah’s indigenous groups.

An island-hopping quest followed to identify the best beaches around the Kota Kinabalu area. These ranged from serene and empty to others that were livelier.  We can recommend the best options to suit beach-goers’ differing desires.

The inspection continued with a seven-hour drive along a scenic route from Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan. The ride along winding, mountainous roads was nothing short of stunning. Once in Sandakan, a river safari on the Kinabatangan River was undertaken on a powerful speedboat.

Changing vessels, the group enjoyed one of the newest modes of travel on this waterway, a luxury yacht cruise with a dedicated crew and four private ensuite cabins. This premium product is set to be popular among high-end guests, so stay tuned for the official launch soon!

The next day, the team departed early on a bumpy, but scenic two-hour drive to explore Lahad Datu. This involved a thrilling 4WD off-road adventure through palm plantations and onwards to a new lodge on the edge of the Tabin Wildlife Reserve.

Visitors may see orangutans, gibbons, leopard cats, flying foxes and elephants on land and Irrawaddy dolphins in waterways. The sunset cruises, night safaris and forest treks were particularly memorable.

Reflecting on this incredible experience, Julien Collot said: “The incredible diversity and beauty of Borneo, its rich cultures and untamed nature took my breath away.

“Although it can be a challenging destination logistically, it is one that delivers rewards with unique and authentic moments amid unforgettable landscapes.”

The ideal time to visit Northern Borneo is between April and October. For more details about planning a trip to this destination, please contact our team at Asian Trails Malaysia