New Birdlife & Wildlife Journeys to Borneo with Borneo Experts Aqua-Firma

Truro, United Kingdom, May 19, 2012 --(PR.com)-- Borneo, the world’s third largest island after Greenland and New Guinea, is a remarkable area for viewing tropical wildlife both in its rainforests and vibrant coral reefs. Aqua-Firma’s new Birdlife and Wildlife Journeys make the absolute best of terra firma nature watching opportunities in the region, providing their local experts for privately guided exploration.

Borneo is famous as the home of one of our closest relatives, the Bornean Orangutan, and to encounter one of these charismatic and intelligent Apes in its wild environment is truly an emotional experience that will stay with you long after the journey itself. Although Orangutans may be the best known of Borneo’s mammals, the island boasts an impressive 222 species of warm blooded inhabitants. Travellers on Aqua-Firma’s Birdlife & Wildlife Journeys are accompanied by their expert guides to provide good chances of encountering animals as diverse as unique Bornean Pygmy Elephants, agile Giant Flying Squirrels, Gibbons, long nosed Proboscis Monkeys and the Slow Loris with its huge night adapted eyes. Rarely seen, but nevertheless present in the island’s forests are highly endangered creatures such as the Sumatran Rhino and boldly marked Clouded Leopard.

For birdwatchers Borneo provides exceptional opportunities to view a range of 620 species that inhabit the island; from the gaudy and spectacular tropical show-offs such as the Rhinoceros Hornbill, lavishly painted Wrinkled Hornbills and Great Argus Pheasants; to winged treasures endemic to Borneo such as Whiteheads Spider Hunter and luminous Short-tailed Green Magpie. It is with such harder to find creatures that Aqua-Firma’s expertly guided tailor made journeys come into their own – with use of extensive local knowledge and journeys that are highly flexible and tailored to each traveller’s particular balance of interest in wildlife, birdlife, botany, beetles and anything else. Seeing Orangutans in the wild is an ambition of many travellers to Borneo and these privately guided journeys are providing regular encounters.

Aqua-Firma’s extensive experience working in Borneo, with its team of country experts, guide book writers and marine scientists, means they can offer the very best in wildlife viewing in regions across the island. Habitats range from the mist enveloped high altitude forests of Mount Kinabalu, dense coastal mangroves and lowland forests of the Kinabatangan River, towering primary forests of Danum Valley and the mud volcanoes of the Tabin Wildlife Reserve. Although somewhat busy, Aqua-Firma incorporates a visit to the Sepilok Orangutan rehabilitation centre before setting out in search of wild Orangutans and the 9 other species of primates found in the Kinabatangan River Delta area. Sepilok provides an excellent introduction to Orangutans and the issues surrounding them and the fate of their rainforest realm, before setting out to look for them in truly wild rainforest surrounds.

Should travellers’ passions extend to Borneo’s equally fascinating marine world, Aqua-Firma’s experienced team of marine scientists and professional divers can take you snorkelling and diving in islands such as Sipadan, Lankayan and Mataking; the Layang Layang atoll, famed for congregations of Hammerhead Sharks; and Indonesia’s Derawan Archipelago. Aqua-Fima’s extensive experience, attention to detail and flexibility is provided for less than specialist operators offer relatively inflexible set group itineraries.

For further information about Aqua-Firma’s journeys to Borneo, please visit www.aqua-firma.com .

Notes to Editors

1. Aqua-Firma’s Birdlife & Wildlife of Borneo Journeys are available tailored and privately guided at any time of the year.

Prices: from 13 days for £2,590 pp sharing starting and ending Kota Kinabalu in Malaysia

2. These journeys include all flights within Borneo which means that these journeys are ATOL protected under Aqua-Firma’s ATOL bond no. 6947. The company can also arrange international flights and additional travel in the region.

3. Aqua-Firma specialises in expert led tailor made and small group exploration of wilderness and wildlife where land meets water. Their modes of exploration include inspiring combinations of:

· Wildlife & marine life safaris
· Conservation in action experiences
· Snorkelling & scuba diving
· Photographic journeys
· Polar sailing and small ship voyages
· Expert led photography holidays
· Canoe and lodge safaris
· Rafting expeditions
· Yacht charters
· Family adventures
· Trekking, hiking & mountain biking adventures

For further press information and photography please contact Steve Frankham* at
Aqua-Firma Worldwide Ltd. on 0844 412 0848 / 01428 620012 or email
steve@aqua-firma.co.uk

Steve Frankham is author of the Footprint guide to Borneo.