subject: Borneo Tours: On A Class Of Its Own [print this page] The Indonesian provinces of East, South, West, and Central Kalimantan occupy a little less than 75% of the total land area. The Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak sit on around 25%. And the tiny country of Brunei has just short of 1% of the total land area.
Borneo is home to the world's most ancient rainforest. At 130 million years old, it's 70 million years older than the infamous Amazon rainforest in South America. Other than this, it is additionally regarded as one of the world's hubs for biodiversity. This is highlighted by the fact that the jungle houses thousands of species of animals, plus much more species of plants.
Sadly, the island has seen substantial deforestation recently. The city population keeps growing in all three countries on the island. In turn, the logging industry is growing on the island too. Also, the construction of hydroelectric dams as well as the exploitation of other minerals and natural resources further the degradation of the island's rainforests. However, not all hope is lost for Borneo. Eco tours are just one of the numerous various things locals are taking advantage of to preserve the beauty of the environment. From the top of Mount Kinabalu to the captivating white sand beaches of Sabah, Borneo eco tour choices are overflowing.
Among the many eco tourism activities in Borneo, diving, hiking, and jungle trekking are probably the most popular. Sipadan Island, off the eastern coast of Sabah, is the primary place in Borneo for divers. Matter of fact, many dive journals around the world list it as a must-visit diving location. Hawksbill and green sea turtles are a big attraction for divers. These animals are said to be seen during every diving trip. With thousands of species of fish and hundreds of types of corals, the waters around the island make up one of the world's richest biodiversities.
Kinabalu National Park, situated on Mount Kinabalu, was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2002. The mountain summit trail is found in this park. Visitors who would like to rise to the peak must be assisted by a park authorized guard. Like a number of other parts on Borneo, UNESCO has identified the mountain and the immediate forests surrounding it as another center of biodiversity.
Borneo tours aren't just restricted to eco-tours. If you're enthusiastic about an even more commercialized form of tourism, the island offers that, too. Kota Kinabalu in the Malaysian state of Sabah is a city where you could experience all the various cultures of Malaysia.
Brunei is yet another must-visit location on the island of Borneo. It might be one of the smallest countries in Southeast Asia, but it's one of the richest. It's rich in history, culture, and tradition. Its monarchy is also probably the most admired and respectable in the world.
