Borneo or Kalimantan? (1 Viewer)

[iraqbabbler]

I'm not sure if this is the right place to post this question.
I am considering a birding trip to Borneo, but I see that Sabah is quite expensive (guides, lodges, etc), so I was wondering if going to the Indonesian part of the island would be cheaper.

I am NOT interested in fancy lodges and exceptional luxury, and I don't want to pay for that. I want to see birds!
I've been to peninsular Malaysia before, but not to Borneo.

 

[lgonz1008]

Honestly it's really hard to compare the two, since Kalimantan is heavily neglected compared to Sabah (and even Sarawak to a lesser extent).

If your goal is to just explore Borneo and don't mind going rustic, I think exploring Sarawak might be the budget friendly option that still gets plenty of birds.

Personally, I decided to bite the bullet and pay to visit Sabah next year, it's expensive, since it's a whirlwind trip to find as many of the specialties of the region and visits to the pheasants and pitta hides (as these species are impossible elsewhere).

If you have time, even Sabah can be budget friendly if done at your own pace. Some places in Sabah that are birding hotspots and budget friendly include Sepilok, Kinabatangang River and Mt. Kinabalu, I've heard that Tabin Wildlife Reserve is also budget friendly (compared to Danum Valley), but that's open to interpretation and what your budget is.


Kalimantan is extremely underbirded from an international perspective (and even Indonesian birders go to Sabah to find some of the megas there), but if you have time and are fine going to the interior, places like Sungai Wain Protected Forest, Taman Nasional Tanjung Puting and PT Limbang Ganeca look like they have some good species and habitat (but not sure if many of the Borneo megas are in those areas).

 

[iraqbabbler]

I think exploring Sarawak might be the budget friendly option that still gets plenty of birds.

Thanks! I'll look into that.

Some places in Sabah that are birding hotspots and budget friendly include Sepilok, Kinabatangang River and Mt. Kinabalu, I've heard that Tabin Wildlife Reserve is also budget friendly

But would I be able to hire birding guides locally there?

and what your budget is.

I had in mind around US$200 per day max, but it seems that won't get you far in Sabah. I've birded remote Hokkaido and it didn't cost me as much! It seems like Sabah is a ripoff.

places like Sungai Wain Protected Forest, Taman Nasional Tanjung Puting and PT Limbang Ganeca look like they have some good species and habitat (but not sure if many of the Borneo megas are in those areas).

Again, can local guides be hired (found?) there? If so, I'd have no problem with that.

 

[James Lowther]

Worth bearing in mind that most Bornean endemic species are found in the mountains and many are restricted to Sabah.
Cheers
James

 

[DMW]

I would suggest forgetting Kalimantan for a first visit to Borneo unless you have a lot of time.

It's still possible to bird in the Malaysian parts on a reasonable budget. Mt Kinabalu can be done very cheaply by staying in budget accommodation just outside the park - the birding is great and most of the montane specialties can be seen here. Easy access by public transport.

The Rafflesia Centre / Gunung Alab has a couple of species that are easier than on Kinabalu, and can be birded freely from the public road.

Rainforest Discovery Centre at Sepilok is likewise very inexpensive and a good place to see a decent variety of lowland forest species, with affordable accommodation within easy walking distance.

You can do Kinabatangan cheaply on tourist boats but better to pay more for a dedicated boat with a bird guide - Romzi is the go-to and his cousin(?) has an affordable homestay.

The "cheap" option at Danum, DVFC seems to be no longer very affordable, but should still be within your $200 budget.

If you want to see Bulwer's Pheasant and Bornean Peacock Pheasant, you will just have to pay-up. Contact the hide owners direct to make a booking. I really enjoyed the Entomology Camp at Trus Madi, despite the cost. It's a terrific place.

Don't discount Sarawak either. Bakelelan is a nice place to spend a few days, and Paya Maga is superb. Both can be done independently on a moderate budget.

 

[iraqbabbler]

Thanks for the replies, but how do I go about finding and contacting local guides at those places? I don't feel confident enough to go searching for birds in forested areas.

 

[lgonz1008]

Thanks for the replies, but how do I go about finding and contacting local guides at those places? I don't feel confident enough to go searching for birds in forested areas.

Many of these places in Sabah have guides hanging out by the entrance you can work a price with and hire the day of the trip.

The DVFC is not possible in the $200 a day budget, even the basic, shared room is close to $1500USD for 4 days per person, but it does include guide (many times shared with other visitors), transportation in and out, and food.

If you book ahead of time, you'll deal with guides that have a bigger reach and would expect a bigger pay too.