TRAIL TALES
First hand tales from the places we know best.
Our team spends countless days in the field, exploring hidden corners and wild places few every reach. These journals capture their stories and encounters along the way, bringing each destination to life. It’s your window into the adventure and a chance to get under the skin of a place before you even set foot there.
- By Grace Chan
- |
Following a series of destinations we’ve been going to since interstate travel is allowed. We’ve recently gone to Sayap Substation, one of the four substations surrounding the majestic Mount Kinabalu or Akinabalu (Grandfather) as we called it. Upon arriving at...
- By Jessica Yew
- |
Fresh out of the restricted movement order imposed by the Malaysian government, Charlie and I decided that there is no better time than now to jump back into our traveling shoes, and see what the forests hold after an extended...
- By Jessica Yew
- |
After a short jaunt in Sandakan with our friends Anton & Linn, we continued our journey to one of my favorite spots on the Kinabatangan Floodplains – the Tungog Rainforest Eco Camp. We simply call it the Eco Camp. 100% owned and...
- By Jessica Yew
- |
If I get to choose my spirit animal, it would be the gibbon. Their whooping calls are magic to my ears and I love nothing more than to watch them swing so effortlessly from tree to tree. The dramatic form...
- By Magdalene Thien
- |
It all started with a deep yearning for fernweh, a German word meaning an ache to get away and travel to a distant place, a feeling even stronger than wanderlust. I simply call it an “itch” to escape concrete buildings...
- By Cassey Ashley Sua
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Whether you’re a seasoned birder or you just enjoy pleasant surprises while out on a trek, Malaysian Borneo’s extensive fleet of birds is guaranteed to stir awe and imagination with vibrant colors, extraordinary calls, and intricate nest-architecture. From way up...
- By Cassey Ashley Sua
- |
Malaysian Borneo is no stranger to some of the most unique and fascinating wildlife species in the world – most of which will not occur anywhere else outside of Borneo. Danum Valley has been one of the top destinations for...
- By Nicholas Heard
- |
From the moment of conceptualisation, Make-A-Wish Malaysia has made it their mission to grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and transformation. Since 2016 Sticky Rice Travel has been helping Make-A-Wish to...
- By Nicholas Heard
- |
Borneo’s Rainforest World Music Festival With July fast approaching now is the time to begin planning your Rainforest World Music Festival 2019 adventure in Sarawak’s capital of Kuching. The festival starts on Friday 12th July running over the weekend until...
- By Nicholas Heard
- |
About Maliau Basin Nestled amongst Borneo’s interior lies Maliau Basin, aptly named Sabah’s Lost World due to its isolation and the fact that it was unexplored by outsiders until the early 1980’s. The unique geological bowl formation of the basin...
- By Nicholas Heard
- |
Sticky Rice Travel heads to India When you talk about going to India in search of wildlife it might be surprising to consider India as a country suitable for such a form of tourism. With a population of over one...
- By Estelle Eilish
- |
April marks the fifth year since Bedley Asun joined Sticky Rice Travel as one of our nature guides and he is still the same charismatic, driven and witty individual we all know and love. Living in the montane area in...
- By Estelle Eilish
- |
Community Based Tourism, alternative livelihoods for ruraland remote communities If you find yourself wanting to do more as a conscious traveler, community based tourism (CBT) is a great approach to offer your assistance during your travels. CBT has the potential...
- By Nicholas Heard
- |
No visit to Sabah is complete without climbing Mount Kinabalu. For those that have travelled to Malaysian Borneo and experienced the wondrous beauty of Mount Kinabalu I’m sure all would agree that it is definitely a destination not to be...
- By Estelle Eilish S George
- |
Forsake – A Shoe For Every Environment Shoes set to conquer any environment Owning a pair of shoes that are able to withstand the rowdy and tricky conditions that nature can throw at you seems like wishful thinking but that’s...
- By Estelle Eilish S George
- |
Great things are often done when man meets the mountain If you are looking for ways to reduce your impact during your travels look no further, we’ve put together 10 ways to be a responsible traveller. A common misconception concerning...
- By Dean Jais
- |
KUCHING: THE CAPITAL CITY OF SARAWAK Kuching: The capital city of Sarawak We couldn’t contain our excitement when we got news that we would be going on a familiarization trip to the capital city of Sarawak – Kuching; a destination named...
- By Nicholas Heard
- |
CROCKER RANGE Discovering the little known hike from Gunung (Mount) Alab to Mahua Waterfall in Sabah’s Crocker Range has proven to be a great little getaway not too far from Kota Kinabalu. Thirsty for adventure and the chance to get out of...
- By Nicholas Heard
- |
BORNEO WILDLIFE ENCOUNTERS Sabah, the Malaysian state of North Borneo, is home to some of the best wildlife encounters in Asia. We’ve provided you with our top 10 list of wildlife encounters to be had on the world’s third largest...
- By Nicholas Heard
- |
Looking for an off the beaten track itinerary for your next adventure holiday in Borneo? Finding secluded, undisturbed destinations in Borneo without the tourist crowd is easy if you know where to look. Here at Sticky Rice Travel we have...
- By Nicholas Heard
- |
Sepilok: the best chance to see sun bears and orangutans in Sabah Sepilok located 26km from the seaside town of Sandakan may be your best chance to see orangutans and sun bears in Sabah. Tropical rainforests are probably one of...
- By Sonny Royal
- |
Visitors to Sabah rarely get the opportunity to experience the local culture and the people that are at the heart of the state’s ethnic diversity. More often than not tourists will rarely step off the well-trodden trail in search of...
- By Sonny Royal
- |
In June, the Sticky Rice Travel team packed their backpacks and ventured up to the sleepy village of Sayap that is situated about 2hrs drive from Kota Kinabalu nestled on the north-west face of Mount Kinabalu. Fringed by cloudy forested...
- By Nicholas Heard
- |
The Kinabatangan River ecosystem is a popular destination for anyone wanting to immerse themselves in an abundance of biodiversity and to see some of Sabah’s most iconic wildlife. More often than not most visitors head to the upper Kinabatangan to...
- By Eva Petrus
- |
Nicca and I went to visit Tabin Wildlife Reserve last month to familiarise ourselves with this incredible natural area that is home to some of Borneo’s most iconic species. We definitely had an enjoyable experience there! Tabin Wildlife Reserve is located in...
- By Nicholas Heard
- |
‘It was like walking on the moon, completely bizarre and unique, it’s like nothing else’ It had been a steamy couple of days in Kota Kinabalu, the ocean breeze just enough to offer some respite from the humidity. We were...
- By Nicholas Heard
- |
Danum Valley Conservation Area Nestled in the far north-east of the third largest island in the world, within the Malaysian state of Sabah lies an equatorial haven for tropical biodiversity known as the Danum Valley Conservation Area. The 130-million-year-old ecosystem is...
- By Stasha Van Houten
- |
Danum Valley Conservation Area is a 472 square kilometer preserve, and a paradise for wildlife enthusiasts, nature lovers, and scientists. The untouched and predominantly lowland dipterocarp rainforest is home to over 500 species of mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians, and a...
- By Jesse Kip
- |
Rachel Taylor and Jody Daunton touched down in Kota Kinabalu in early April with seventeen days to explore and a jam-packed itinerary. As the founders, creators, and editors of Another Escape, they came to tell stories, and teamed up with Sticky...
- By Jesse Kip
- |
Sticky Rice Travel’s latest video takes you down the waterways of the great Kinabatangan River. As the second-longest river in Malaysia, spanning 560 kilometers through a diverse range of habitats, the Kinabatangan floodplain has some of the highest concentrations of wildlife in...
- By Jesse Kip
- |
“Where’d you get those shoes?” That question usually comes up after your first river crossing in the jungles of Borneo. After an awkward dance over a series of slippery rocks, you inevitably end up ankle-deep in water, your hiking boots...
A weekend of learning birds at Sayap Substation
Following a series of destinations we’ve been going to since interstate travel is allowed. We’ve recently gone to Sayap Substation, one of the four substations surrounding the majestic Mount Kinabalu or Akinabalu (Grandfather) as we called it. Upon arriving at
Deramakot Dreaming
Fresh out of the restricted movement order imposed by the Malaysian government, Charlie and I decided that there is no better time than now to jump back into our traveling shoes, and see what the forests hold after an extended
Kinabatangan Awaits
After a short jaunt in Sandakan with our friends Anton & Linn, we continued our journey to one of my favorite spots on the Kinabatangan Floodplains – the Tungog Rainforest Eco Camp. We simply call it the Eco Camp. 100% owned and
Exploring Tabin
If I get to choose my spirit animal, it would be the gibbon. Their whooping calls are magic to my ears and I love nothing more than to watch them swing so effortlessly from tree to tree. The dramatic form
Magnificent Maliau
It all started with a deep yearning for fernweh, a German word meaning an ache to get away and travel to a distant place, a feeling even stronger than wanderlust. I simply call it an “itch” to escape concrete buildings
Where All the Birds Flock to in Sabah
Whether you’re a seasoned birder or you just enjoy pleasant surprises while out on a trek, Malaysian Borneo’s extensive fleet of birds is guaranteed to stir awe and imagination with vibrant colors, extraordinary calls, and intricate nest-architecture. From way up
5 Under-rated Wildlife Encounters in Danum Valley
Malaysian Borneo is no stranger to some of the most unique and fascinating wildlife species in the world – most of which will not occur anywhere else outside of Borneo. Danum Valley has been one of the top destinations for
Make A Wish: Suci
From the moment of conceptualisation, Make-A-Wish Malaysia has made it their mission to grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and transformation. Since 2016 Sticky Rice Travel has been helping Make-A-Wish to
Rainforest World Music Festival 2019
Borneo’s Rainforest World Music Festival With July fast approaching now is the time to begin planning your Rainforest World Music Festival 2019 adventure in Sarawak’s capital of Kuching. The festival starts on Friday 12th July running over the weekend until
Maliau Basin: Trekking Sabah’s Lost World
About Maliau Basin Nestled amongst Borneo’s interior lies Maliau Basin, aptly named Sabah’s Lost World due to its isolation and the fact that it was unexplored by outsiders until the early 1980’s. The unique geological bowl formation of the basin
India Trip Report: Feb 2019
Sticky Rice Travel heads to India When you talk about going to India in search of wildlife it might be surprising to consider India as a country suitable for such a form of tourism. With a population of over one
Bedley Takes Borneo
April marks the fifth year since Bedley Asun joined Sticky Rice Travel as one of our nature guides and he is still the same charismatic, driven and witty individual we all know and love. Living in the montane area in
Traveling Like a Local: The Building Blocks of Community Based Tourism
Community Based Tourism, alternative livelihoods for ruraland remote communities If you find yourself wanting to do more as a conscious traveler, community based tourism (CBT) is a great approach to offer your assistance during your travels. CBT has the potential
Climbing Mount Kinabalu
No visit to Sabah is complete without climbing Mount Kinabalu. For those that have travelled to Malaysian Borneo and experienced the wondrous beauty of Mount Kinabalu I’m sure all would agree that it is definitely a destination not to be
Why We Choose Forsake
Forsake – A Shoe For Every Environment Shoes set to conquer any environment Owning a pair of shoes that are able to withstand the rowdy and tricky conditions that nature can throw at you seems like wishful thinking but that’s
10 Ways To Be A Responsible Travelers
Great things are often done when man meets the mountain If you are looking for ways to reduce your impact during your travels look no further, we’ve put together 10 ways to be a responsible traveller. A common misconception concerning
Exploring Sarawak’s Capital: Kuching
KUCHING: THE CAPITAL CITY OF SARAWAK Kuching: The capital city of Sarawak We couldn’t contain our excitement when we got news that we would be going on a familiarization trip to the capital city of Sarawak – Kuching; a destination named
Crocker Range National Park: Gunung Alab Hike
CROCKER RANGE Discovering the little known hike from Gunung (Mount) Alab to Mahua Waterfall in Sabah’s Crocker Range has proven to be a great little getaway not too far from Kota Kinabalu. Thirsty for adventure and the chance to get out of
Top 10 Wildlife Encounters in Sabah, Borneo
BORNEO WILDLIFE ENCOUNTERS Sabah, the Malaysian state of North Borneo, is home to some of the best wildlife encounters in Asia. We’ve provided you with our top 10 list of wildlife encounters to be had on the world’s third largest
Getting Off the Beaten Track in Borneo with Sticky Rice Travel
Looking for an off the beaten track itinerary for your next adventure holiday in Borneo? Finding secluded, undisturbed destinations in Borneo without the tourist crowd is easy if you know where to look. Here at Sticky Rice Travel we have
Sabah’s Orangutan & Sun Bears in Sepilok
Sepilok: the best chance to see sun bears and orangutans in Sabah Sepilok located 26km from the seaside town of Sandakan may be your best chance to see orangutans and sun bears in Sabah. Tropical rainforests are probably one of
Discovering Borneo’s Interior Orou Sapulot
Visitors to Sabah rarely get the opportunity to experience the local culture and the people that are at the heart of the state’s ethnic diversity. More often than not tourists will rarely step off the well-trodden trail in search of
Sayap Village Community Project Kickstarter
In June, the Sticky Rice Travel team packed their backpacks and ventured up to the sleepy village of Sayap that is situated about 2hrs drive from Kota Kinabalu nestled on the north-west face of Mount Kinabalu. Fringed by cloudy forested
Exploring the Lower Kinabatangan
The Kinabatangan River ecosystem is a popular destination for anyone wanting to immerse themselves in an abundance of biodiversity and to see some of Sabah’s most iconic wildlife. More often than not most visitors head to the upper Kinabatangan to
Discovering Tabin Wildlife Reserve
Nicca and I went to visit Tabin Wildlife Reserve last month to familiarise ourselves with this incredible natural area that is home to some of Borneo’s most iconic species. We definitely had an enjoyable experience there! Tabin Wildlife Reserve is located in
‘Peak of Peaks’ – Climbing Mount Kinabalu
‘It was like walking on the moon, completely bizarre and unique, it’s like nothing else’ It had been a steamy couple of days in Kota Kinabalu, the ocean breeze just enough to offer some respite from the humidity. We were
Danum Valley Ancient Rainforest
Danum Valley Conservation Area Nestled in the far north-east of the third largest island in the world, within the Malaysian state of Sabah lies an equatorial haven for tropical biodiversity known as the Danum Valley Conservation Area. The 130-million-year-old ecosystem is
Deep in Danum
Danum Valley Conservation Area is a 472 square kilometer preserve, and a paradise for wildlife enthusiasts, nature lovers, and scientists. The untouched and predominantly lowland dipterocarp rainforest is home to over 500 species of mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians, and a
Another Escape in Borneo
Rachel Taylor and Jody Daunton touched down in Kota Kinabalu in early April with seventeen days to explore and a jam-packed itinerary. As the founders, creators, and editors of Another Escape, they came to tell stories, and teamed up with Sticky
Kinabatangan Floodplain
Sticky Rice Travel’s latest video takes you down the waterways of the great Kinabatangan River. As the second-longest river in Malaysia, spanning 560 kilometers through a diverse range of habitats, the Kinabatangan floodplain has some of the highest concentrations of wildlife in
Adidas Kampung
“Where’d you get those shoes?” That question usually comes up after your first river crossing in the jungles of Borneo. After an awkward dance over a series of slippery rocks, you inevitably end up ankle-deep in water, your hiking boots