The term "ecotourism" is thrown around a lot these days, but along the banks of the Kinabatangan river in Malaysian Borneo, the quiet village of Sukau is creating a unique sustainable success story. It's luring travelers from all over Asia and Europe with authentic homestay experiences, and the people of Sukau are putting tourism dollars back into their community.
Red Ape Encounters offers several packages for travelers looking to see a bit of wildlife; RAE will set you up with a place to stay, take you cruising along the river, Orang Utans spotting in the rainforest, and even teach you a few words of Malay.
Most of the money that runs through RAE--about 87 percent--makes it way back to the community through services like homestay, transport and field guiding, according to a recent article in Malaysia's New Straits Times. Five percent goes towards a conservation fund to protect the area's wildlife and natural resources. An RAE-associated NGO has also instensively trained villagers as nature guides and research assistants, giving them employment opportunities.
Average January temperatures in Borneo are at a balmy 78 degrees. It is the rainy season, but the tropical showers come in cool bursts and don't last long. And something about a riverboat ride at dawn strikes us as a big improvement over a morning commute.
Related Stories:
· Eco-toursim spells prosperity [New Straits Times]
· Red Ape Encounters [Official Site]
· Discover Borneo [Official Site]
· Malaysia Travel coverage [Jaunted]
[Photo: Phil Eadie]]]>