More than 52 new species of animals and plants were identified on the island of Borneo in 2006, according to scientists.

The discoveries, described in a report compiled by conservation group WWF, include 30 unique fish species, two tree frog species, 16 ginger species, three tree species and a colour-changing snake. The WWF says that these findings further highlight the need to conserve the habitat and species of the world’s third largest island. Borneo is the third largest island in the world, and comprises three separate countries - Malaysia (Sabah and Sarawak), Indonesia (Kalimantan) and the Sultanate of Brunei. It is one of the last remaining areas on earth where development for the sake of tourism has not destroyed the potential wonders of the area. 

The Borneo jungles are some of the oldest undisturbed areas of rainforest in the world. Some of the best and most spectacular areas of rainforest have been incorporated into National Parks, which to some extent, are a good enough reason to make the effort to visit Borneo.

You cannot help but be captivated by the wonderful diversity of plant and wildlife to be found. No visit is complete without sighting the “wild man from Borneo” - the Orang-utan - either in the wild or in one of the rehabilitation centres in Sabah, Sarawak or Kalimantan.

At Sukau in the East of Sabah, you will find hornbills, egrets, macaques, elephants and sea eagles, as well as wild orang-utans and the Proboscis Monkeys which are found only in the coastal mangroves of Borneo.

Borneo was the home of some of the last of the world’ s headhunters. It is only about 40 years since the last heads were taken by some members of the Iban tribes of Sarawak. Some of the older tribesmen have a head or two to their names. Relics of the head-hunting days can still be seen in some of the villages.

Bottom line, adventure in Borneo can be whatever you from the climbing to the peak mountains to diving in some of the world’s most pristine underwater gardens.