The amazing animals in Borneo

One of the top reasons many travellers visit Borneo is to see the Borneo orangutan, the only great ape found in Asia. It’s one of only two places in the world where orangutans live, with the other being the island of Sumatra.   I’ve loved these long-haired primates since childhood, so this experience was the lifetime dream come true.

Our first sightings of orangutans were at the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, one of the most important conservation sites in Sabah.  Here, rescued and orphaned orangutans learn essential skills for life in the wild. At Sepilok, you can see orangutans of all ages, from tiny babies in the nursery to older individuals who roam more freely and practise living independently in the surrounding forest.  Sadly, orangutans are a critically endangered animal and with rainforest destruction increasing, the work at Sepilok is vital for protecting the Borneo orangutan.

If you want to visit the sanctuary, you can either book accommodation in Sepilok or take a day trip from Sandakan.

Later in our trip, we spotted orangutans in the wild, during a river safari along the Kinabatangan River.  This trip was easy to book as part of an all-inclusive Borneo wildlife tour and was definitely one of the highlights of our trip.

If you’re hoping to see wildlife in Borneo, pack a good pair of binoculars.  You’ll need patience and a sharp eye, as the animals will be hiding high in the canopy.  However, it’s worth the wait, as the thrill of spotting your first orangutan in unforgettable!

The unusual Borneo proboscis monkey is instantly recognisable thanks to its enormous nose and round belly.  A male’s nose can grow up to an astonishing 18 cm long!  As strange as it looks, the proboscis monkey uses this oversized nose to amplify warning calls and attract mates, making it an important part of their social behaviour.

These monkeys live alongside orangutans along the Kinabatangan River and are much easier to spot because they move in large groups.  They often leap into action when they hear approaching boats, creating a wonderful opportunity for visitors who are wildlife watching.

Sadly, the proboscis monkey is another of the endangered species in Borneo, because of the destruction of its habitat.

For an even closer look, visit The Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary in Labuk Bay,  about 43 km from Sandakan. This sanctuary provides home to more than 60 protected proboscis monkeys and is a great place for anyone hoping to observe on of the most distinctive Borneo monkey species in their natural mangrove habitat.

You could book a Sepilok, Sun Bear and Labuk Bay Tour with lunch.

At the Sun Bear Conservation Centre in Sepilok  (just opposite the Orangutan Sanctuary) we came face to face with the world’s smallest bear. Sun bears are native to Southeast Asia and have a distinctive pale yellow horseshoe marking on their chest.  They also have a very long tongue which helps them get honey from bee hives.

Watching the sun bears close up forage and relax in the forest was a delightful experience.  Don’t miss the opportunity to go when you are visiting the orangutans at Sepilok.

A trip to Turtle Island is a must for wildlife lovers.  Turtle Island Park lies 40km North of Sandakan in the Sulu Sea, and its protected beaches are important nesting and breeding grounds for both Green and Hawksbill Turtles.

During our visit, we watched a mother turtle lay 73 eggs and later saw a basket of tiny hatchlings released to the sea, an unforgettable experience.  We also came across sea cucumbers, starfish, a sea snake, colourful sponges, and a variety of fish in the surrounding waters.

Later, whilst staying in Kota Kinabalu, we visited one of the five islands within the Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park, where the coral reefs are teeming with marine life.  The highlight was a green turtle swimming past us.

For practical tips, check out my post on how to visit Turtle Island Sandakan.

Two species of macaque, the pig-tailed and long-tailed macaque, share the jungles of Borneo with orangutans.  These lively monkeys live in large social groups and spend their time in the lower trees,  making them far easier to spot than orangutans.   We saw plenty of macaques during our safari on the River Kinabatangan, and they didn’t seem at all bothered by the approaching boats.

Watching macaques leap effortlessly between branches was endlessly entertaining.  Amazingly, they never seem to fall, though it often seems close!

The Sabah Wildlife Department has built rope bridges to help wildlife, including macaques and apes, cross fragmented forest areas.  We saw a few macaques attempting these crossings, though not always with confidence!

Orangutans cannot swim, and there have also been sightings of them using these precarious bridges, though unfortunately not during our visit.

The Borneo pygmy elephants are only found in the northeast corner of Borneo.  We were lucky enough to spot a young elephant hiding among the reeds on the banks of the Kinabatangan River.  We even found signs that elephants had passed close to our jungle lodge the night before!

Monitor lizards are common across Sabah.  We often saw them basking by the riverbanks or wandering through the hotel grounds in Sandakan and Kota Kinabalu.  They ae surprisingly unfazed by humans, though you should admire them from a safe distance.

We also saw a few monitor lizards perched in trees on Turtle Island, probably hoping to get lucky with some abandoned turtle eggs.

Night walks revealed a very different side to the jungle and are great for discovering the smaller, more unusual creatures of the rainforest.  I’d highly recommend doing one, even though they can be a bit scary.

The kids were very good at using their fluorescent torch to spot scorpions glowing in the dark.  They also found a praying mantis.