Travelogue from Borneo: Orangutans and more

Borneo offers magical wildlife and truly unique nature. Mikkel, our Product Manager for Asia, visited the island in March 2025. Read his account and discover whether he managed to check all the experiences off his wishlist below.

“Borneo, that’s something with orangutans.”

And yes, it’s true that Borneo is indeed home to the world’s largest population of orangutans, but Borneo and its wildlife have more to offer than only this red-haired great ape. In the island’s numerous rainforests, you might be lucky enough to encounter Borneo’s ‘The Big 5’, which besides orangutans, includes the adorable pygmy elephant, the quirky proboscis monkey, the colourful hornbill, and the majestic saltwater crocodile.

As I journey through Borneo’s rainforests, I’m hoping to witness all five.

It starts off well as I greet the semi-wild orangutans at the Semenggoh Wildlife Centre, where they roam freely in the vast rainforest area. Some days, they approach the centre’s feeding platforms, and during my visit, a total of 10 orangutans were swinging through the treetops, including two mothers with their adorable little orangutan babies. A truly unforgettable experience.

A few days later, I find myself on the Kinabatangan River on a safari, intently gazing at the trees lining the rainforest. Whenever my eyes spot something, the small motorised boat turns off its engine, and almost silently, we drift closer to what stirs on the horizon. Gradually, silvered leaf monkeys, macaques, and proboscis monkeys come into view, while a flock of hornbills soars elegantly above us. A wild and adventurous moment.

This time, however, I don’t get to meet the endemic pygmy elephant. And despite my earnest attempts to distinguish between fallen tree trunks and crocodiles, these too remain unticked on my ‘Big 5 List’. Wildlife is something that always fascinates me, much like the weather.

Both are beyond reach and control, which I find liberating, even when it challenges my desires for specific experiences – for it simply opens the door to yet another travel chapter in the future.

Mikkel,

TourCompass – From tourist to traveller

Are you dreaming of experiencing Borneo’s wild animals and perhaps being lucky enough to spot Borneo’s Big Five? Check out our tours to Borneo and make your dream come true.