Borneo is widely considered one of the most beautiful places on the Earth. It is the third largest island by land area; it is also the biggest island that is still considered part of Asia. Interestingly enough, there are actually three different countries that claim some sovereignty over parts of the island; it is unique in this way. The northern parts of the island are governed by Brunei and Malaysia. The southern part of the island is Indonesian. The Indonesian portion consists of about 75% of the island.
The different sovereignties on the island make visiting there an incredible opportunity to experience the juxtaposition of three different nations and cultures in a small space and unique setting. There are many elements of Borneo that borrow from Indonesian, Bruneian, and Malaysian culture. Beyond that though, it can be difficult to travel around at times, as navigating three different governments has some hiccups. Booking your holiday with a professional service is the best way to avoid any kind of confusion. Borneo nature tours go much more swiftly if you hire knowledgeable professionals. The flora and fauna in Borneo is way too beautiful for you to wing it on your own. Here are some of the things you might see if you book a nature tour through a professional tour company.
Flora of Borneo
The Borneo rain forest formed about 140 million years ago, making it one of the oldest rainforests in the world. That kind of undisturbed nature is breathtaking all on its own. According to ecologists who have been studying Borneo for several years, there are around 3,000 different species of trees in the forest. Furthermore, there are about 15,000 unique species of flowering plants.
Because Borneo’s rainforest is so old, many of the different species of flowers and trees are not found anywhere else. Some of them evolved only in that particular rainforest, while others have simply gone extinct elsewhere in the world. There are several different kinds of plants and animals you can only see on Borneo nature tours.
Fauna of Borneo
Of the animals you can only find in Borneo, several species are actually on the endangered list. The Bornean Orangutan, for example, is an endangered animal, and the Bornean rainforest is one of its few remaining habitats. The rainforest is also an important refuge for many animals that live deep in the forest called “endemic forest species”. These species include the Borneo Elephant, which can only be found in Borneo. The Hose’s Palm Civet is another very coveted species found on the island; these animals are responsible for a very specific and very highly regarded kind of coffee called kopi luwak.
Because of its island status and its very old rainforest, Borneo is like a time capsule into a different time. It is also a refuge for several different kinds of plants and animals. A guided nature tour gives you a window into that singular world.
