Borneo is the kind of place people talk about but not that many travellers have actually explored.
It’s got orangutans, Mt. Kinabalu (the hike has epic views) and some of the world’s wildest jungles – it’s the intrepid traveller’s dream.
We strongly urge you to check out Borneo for yourself, but in the meantime, here’s some facts.
1. Kinabalu calls to those who love hikes!
Borneo’s home to Mount Kinabalu – the highest peak in South East Asia that holds some out of this world views. Impressed? We are.
Image by Harjono Pjoyobisono
2. It has the oldest rainforest on the planet…
The Borneo rainforest has an estimated age of 130 million years, making it the oldest rainforest in the world.
3. … but it’s under threat
While there is work being done to protect areas of Borneo, logging and land-clearing are considered to be the greatest threats to the nation’s habitats and its wildlife.
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4. There’s an exotic flower that smells like death
The Rafflesia Arnoldii flower, that grows on Mount Kinabalu, smells like a rotten corpse. It’s even been nicknamed the ‘corpse flower’.
Image by kkaplin / Shutterstock
5. That’s also the biggest flower you’ll probably ever see
While it stinks like rotting flesh, the Rafflesia Arnoldii has the title of being the biggest flower in the world.
READ MORE: 7 NEXT-LEVEL TRAVEL EXPERIENCES TO HAVE IN MALAYSIA
6. The island of Borneo is massive
Borneo is the third largest island in the world, right behind Greenland and New Guinea. If you know how big Germany is, Borneo is twice the size.
7. Hence why there’s so many awesome types of plants
Borneo probably has the highest diversity of flora in the world, boasting around 15,000 different species.
Image by Clare Collins-Doyle
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8. Borneo is a true melting pot of cultures
Borneo has a population of 16 million and is home to roughly 200 ethnicities. The locals – a term that covers all ethnicities – are known as Dayaks.
9. Borneo is home to orangutans (but you probably already know this)
The word orangutan translates to ‘person of the forest’ and they can only be found in the jungles of Borneo and Sumatra.
Image by Harjono Pjoyobisono
10. And Borneo has a bunch of other beautifully weird and wonderful creatures that live in the wild
Horned frogs are native to Borneo. They have awesome horn-type things sticking out over their ears. Basically, they look like the devil but are harmless enough.
Now you’ve got the facts, check out our range of small group adventures in Borneo now!
Feature image Ian Stuart
