Hold tight

Borneo’s orang-utans are (in)famously threatened. Their rainforest habitat is reduced to a patchwork of reserves, surrounded by plantations. Visiting a reserve brings vital support and funding to protect these intelligent primates, whose survival now depends on conservation areas such as Danum Valley, a 170 square mile patch of original rainforest. 130 million years old, with a staggering 8.8 million plant species, this remarkable place is home to diverse wildlife, including very rare creatures such as the orang-utan, Bornean pygmy elephant, Spectacled Flowerpecker, and the sun bear. The park has a busy tree nursery, and works hard to repopulate the forest, as well as protect the existing trees.

Hidden in Danum’s leafy heart, the luxurious Borneo Rainforest Lodge is dedicated to wildlife spotting. It’s highly sought after, so book well in advance!