How to Visit Borneo in a Sustainable Way

By Brett Stadelmann

Borneo is one of the most biodiverse places on earth, offering an extraordinary adventure for travellers seeking varied landscapes, exotic wildlife, and rich cultures. However, with great beauty comes great responsibility.

This guide will tell you how to explore Borneo while leaving a positive impact on the environment and local communities.

Choose Eco-Friendly Accommodations

Staying in eco-friendly accommodations is one of the most impactful ways to travel sustainably in Borneo. By choosing lodges or resorts that prioritise sustainability, you help protect the island’s ecosystems while supporting local conservation efforts. 

Eco-lodges in Borneo often use renewable energy sources, such as solar or hydroelectric power, and are designed to minimise their environmental footprint by reducing waste, conserving water, and using biodegradable products.

When selecting a place to stay, look for accommodations that hold certifications such as Green Globe or EarthCheck. Visitors can have peace of mind that these accommodations are complying with global standards for sustainable tourism

What’s more, many of these eco-friendly accommodations support local communities, creating jobs and empowering indigenous groups through tourism. Knowing this can enhance your travel experience as you know your visit to Borneo isn’t negatively impacting the wider community, instead it’s providing a positive, long-term impact on the region.

Logging near Crocker Range National Park, Borneo
Logging near Crocker Range National Park. Borneo has lost more than half of its rainforests in the past half century.[47]
Credit: Dr. Alexey Yakovlev – Logging in Borneo
Source

Support Local Communities 

Supporting local communities is essential for sustainable travel in Borneo. If you buy from local businesses, hire local guides, and purchase local, handmade crafts as souvenirs, you contribute to the local economy and help preserve the cultural heritage of indigenous groups. Also, eating at locally-owned restaurants where ingredients are sourced from nearby farmers, ensures that your money stays within the community.

The benefits of supporting local communities are far-reaching. Economic support enables locals to maintain their traditional lifestyles, while also reducing their reliance on bad practices such as illegal logging or wildlife poaching. Beyond the financial benefits, investing in local businesses can also empower local communities to take ownership of tourism as it can foster pride in their culture.

Respect Wildlife

Borneo is home to some of the world’s most unique and endangered wildlife, including orangutans, pygmy elephants, and proboscis monkeys. Responsible wildlife tourism is crucial in ensuring that your visit helps protect, rather than harm, these species and their habitats. 

Choose certified wildlife sanctuaries which prioritise the welfare of animals and focus on rehabilitation and reintroduction into the wild.

  • If you adhere to the following guidelines, you can minimise your environmental impact. 
  • Avoid unethical animal encounters such as handling or riding wildlife. 
  • Never feed wild animals as it can disrupt their natural behaviour. 
  • Stick to marked trails to prevent damage to fragile ecosystems. 
  • Use biodegradable products, avoid single-use plastics and always dispose of rubbish properly.

Choose Responsible Tour Operators

When planning your trip, choose tour operators who prioritise sustainability and only offer responsible Borneo wildlife tours. These companies play a key role in reducing tourism’s environmental footprint by implementing eco-friendly practices and supporting local conservation efforts. 

Look for tour operators involved in conservation projects such as reforestation efforts or habitat restoration. For example, some companies collaborate with local NGOs to plant trees or protect endangered species. Another huge factor of responsible tourism is employing local guides which guarantees an investment into the local communities. 

When researching tour operators, check if they hold international certifications such as Travelife or the Rainforest Alliance, which assess sustainability standards in areas such as wildlife conservation, carbon reduction, and community involvement. If you can’t find this, the majority of responsible tour operators will have a dedicated page on their website regarding their involvement, efforts, and possibly even awards relating to sustainability.

By choosing a certified, eco-conscious operator, you can explore Borneo in a way that aligns with your environmental values. This way, you can be confident that your adventure leaves a positive impact on the natural world and the local communities.

Minimise Your Carbon Footprint

It’s no secret that reducing your carbon footprint is an essential part of travelling sustainably. Visitors to Borneo should try to opt for slower travel options, i.e. via boat, wherever possible instead of taking domestic flights. This reduces your carbon emissions and allows you to experience Borneo’s landscapes and wildlife more closely.

In cities or national parks, choose eco-friendly transportation options like cycling, walking, or electric vehicles, all of which contribute to minimising pollution.

Another way to offset your impact is by participating in credible carbon offset programs. These programs allow you to compensate for your emissions by funding projects like reforestation, renewable energy, or conservation initiatives, many of which directly benefit regions like Borneo.

Additionally, travelling light can reduce fuel consumption on planes and other transport modes. By making small adjustments to how you travel and what you carry, you can significantly reduce your carbon footprint while helping to protect Borneo’s extraordinary natural beauty.

Be a Responsible Visitor

Being a responsible visitor starts with educating yourself about Borneo’s environmental and cultural issues before you arrive. Understanding the challenges faced by local ecosystems and indigenous communities will help you make informed choices during your trip.

To minimise your environmental impact, avoid visiting over-touristed areas during peak seasons, which can put unnecessary pressure on wildlife and local infrastructure. Instead, explore lesser-known regions to distribute your money more evenly and help preserve Borneo’s most fragile habitats.

It’s also essential to follow local customs and show respect to indigenous communities. Dress modestly, ask for permission before taking photos of people, and learn a few basic phrases in the local language. If you respect these customs, you’ll undoubtedly feel more connected to the culture and create positive relationships with the communities you visit.

Summary 

If you make the conscious effort to travel sustainably in Borneo, you can enjoy its natural wonders and contribute to the conservation of its unique wildlife and culture. It’s about leaving the lightest possible footprint and ensuring that future generations will also have the chance to experience this remarkable destination.