Looking for an experience where you can have your cake and eat it too? (Let’s be honest, who isn’t?) Our Borneo trip is a ‘have-it-all’ experience: a tantalising mix of remote rainforest adventure and beach paradise topped with lashings of nature and wildlife. Borneo has that rare quality we love so much – totally ‘off-the-beaten-track’ and wonderfully authentic.meet borneo’s urang-utansTo see the best of the rainforest head for the Sepilok nature reserve, a hidden retreat surrounded by tropical plants, grasses and trees, within walking distance of world renowned Kabili-Sepilok Forest Reserve.  Meet the last wild Orang-Utans of Northern Borneo and visit traditional style rustic lodges… the perfect place to relax after your long plane journey.

your own rainforest hideaway

Stay in your own deluxe wooden rainforest chalet in the Danum Valley.  From here, set off on various nature trails during the day, exciting night drives after dark to watch the nocturnal animals, and canopy walkways to get even more intimate with the rainforest and all that lies within it.  Keep your eyes open and ears peeled; it won’t be like anything you’re used to – no sirens, no built up areas, just rich green lush vegetation and the sound of it coming to life. Forget concrete jungles; this is the real thing.

scuba diving on lankayan island

In between playing king of the jungle stop off at Lankayan Island, a tiny island in the Sulu Sea which is a Marine Protected Area. The tropical islet is fringed with pure white sandy beaches and you’ll stay in wooden beach front chalets.

Lankayan island is fast emerging as one of the hottest dive sites in the world with endless reefs and mysterious wrecks (don’t forget your PADI!) However, if diving doesn’t rock your boat then you can watch another phenomenon: baby turtles hatching and taking their first dash to sea.

a stilted water village

Before heading home, sneak in 3 nights scuba diving the corals at the Gayana Eco resort, Kota Kinabalu. Sleeping in your luxury stilted hut above the turquiose water, you’ll be safe in the knowledge that while you relax you’re also helping protect the marine environment. What more could you want?

So, if you’re salivating at the thought of nature, wildlife and tropical waters it’s time to get out your Tarzan suit and head for the jungle.