Borneo

[Fox-]

Hi guys,

Last year I roadtripped around Australia. This year I did the same around California. I had a fantastic time on both trips. However next year she seems pretty set on going to Borneo, which it must be said is not exactly my first choice.

Now, at first glance this doesnt seem to be the ideal road-tripping sort of place. Anyone been? Can you guys tell me more? Is it the sort of place you can hire a car and do your own thing or what? Worth combining with a stopover in Singapore I'd imagine?

[Bing o]

Fox- said:

Hi guys,

Last year I roadtripped around Australia. This year I did the same around California. I had a fantastic time on both trips. However next year she seems pretty set on going to Borneo, which it must be said is not exactly my first choice.

Now, at first glance this doesnt seem to be the ideal road-tripping sort of place. Anyone been? Can you guys tell me more? Is it the sort of place you can hire a car and do your own thing or what? Worth combining with a stopover in Singapore I'd imagine?

I didn't think Borneo had many roads!!? Definitely stop off in Singapore for a few days though.

[fieldl]

Ive been to Kota Kinabalu this year. From memory there is a pretty good post by berw that lists how and what to do. There were a lot of backpacker types knocking around. They seemed to use buses to travel around. The distances between places are quite high. Didn't see any reason why you couldn't hire a car and drive. Ive done similar in other parts pf malayasia without a problem.

Maybe worth looking at flying into KL and then out. Unless you want to go to SG.

[Noger]

You could probably "road trip" across the Malaysian part of Borneo, Sabah and Sarawak. There are lots of varied things to do, the coast has amazing diving and beaches. Mount Kinabalu can be climbed. Orangutans. Longs houses. Jungle, lots of jungle ! And Brunei if you fancy it.

Interesting, but more backpacker-ish than road-trip really.

But you could probably get 90% of it (minus the Orangs) just going up into Peninsular Malaysia from Singapore, Cameron Highlands and then the coast for beach. Still wouldn't drive it through !

The rest - the Indonesian bit.....not a chance ! Boat trip, yes, but roads are hard to come by

We went to Central Kalimantan a few years ago. SG to Jakata. Flight to Semerang. Flight to Panglang Bun. Then 2 day boat trip up river.

Fantastic trip, but fairly "hard".

[JuniorD]

Do a search, have been a few borneo threads. I enjoyed it.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[havoc]

Lovely place, but more 'activity' rather than 'road trip' - do a lot of research before you go and plan/book a few things in advance, particularly if you want to go to Sandakan (and I would - Sepilok orang sanctuary is very worthwhile and Turtle Island apparently needs advance-booking).

Oh - and book into the Tanjung Aru - best hotel in Sabah (just outside Kota Kinabalu), with a small private beach and free speedboat transfers to the national-park islands (Tunku Abdul Rahman, I think) opposite. Best sunsets I've ever seen too, from the sundowner bar there.

[Fox-]

What sort of budget per person based on 2 sharing for 2 weeks would you recommend for this sort of trip? I'm not really into the whole fine food and dining thing, so whilst I wouldnt want to camp I don't need to stay in 5 star places either.

Thanks for all the opinions so far guys