Borneo Orangutans, Kinabatangan River & Private Jet Safari with Abercrombie & Kent
There are places in the world where nature feels truly alive.
Untamed, immersive and deeply humbling.
Borneo is one of those places.
As part of the extraordinary 25-day “Wildlife Safari: Around the World by Private Jet” with Abercrombie & Kent, Malaysia was our third destination. And by this point in the journey, something quite special had already begun to unfold.
Not just in terms of the wildlife and landscapes we were experiencing, but in the connections between the group.
When you travel together on an adventure of this scale, sharing early mornings, extraordinary sightings and unforgettable moments, friendships naturally form. There is a sense of camaraderie, of shared wonder, that amplifies every experience.
For Juliet from the JL Creative team, working as photographer, videographer and Photo Enrichment Coach, this added a deeply meaningful layer to the assignment.
It was not just about capturing what we saw.
It was about capturing how it felt.
Arriving in Borneo: Sandakan & The Gateway to the Wild
Our private jet touched down in Sandakan, a coastal city rich in history and surrounded by some of the most biodiverse rainforest on Earth.
From the moment we arrived, the atmosphere shifted.
The air was warmer, heavier, filled with the scent of the jungle and the distant sounds of wildlife.
We stayed at the beautiful Four Points by Sheraton Sandakan, which overlooks the calm waters of Sandakan Bay.
It was a perfect base.
Comfortable, relaxed and ideally located for our daily explorations into the surrounding wilderness.
From a photography perspective, it also offered a gentle introduction to the environment. Soft coastal light, reflections on the water and the transition from urban to wild.
The Magic of Shared Experience
By the time we reached Malaysia, the group had already begun to bond in a really special way.
There is something about travel like this that brings people together quickly.
Shared excitement, anticipation, and awe.
Moments like spotting rare wildlife, exploring new landscapes or simply sitting together after a full day of adventure create connections that feel genuine and lasting.
As a photographer, these human moments are just as important as the wildlife.
The laughter. The conversations. The quiet moments of reflection.
They tell the story of the journey in a way that is deeply personal.
Sepilok: Conservation and Close Encounters
Our first excursion took us into the heart of Borneo’s conservation efforts at Sepilok.
We visited the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre, a sanctuary dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating sun bears, the smallest bear species in the world.
Often referred to as “honey bears” due to their love of honey, these animals are both fascinating and vulnerable.
There are 44 rescued bears at the centre, living within a natural environment as they are prepared for potential reintroduction into the wild.
Walking along the boardwalk, quietly scanning the forest, we were fortunate enough to spot several of them.
For Juliet, moments like this draw heavily on her experience photographing wildlife in Africa.
The patience, observation, and to read behaviour and anticipate movement.
These are universal skills in wildlife photography, whether you are tracking lions on the savannah or searching for bears in the rainforest.
Into the Canopy: Monkeys of Borneo
The afternoon brought us deeper into the jungle, where we encountered two of Borneo’s most charismatic primates.
Macaques and the wonderfully distinctive Proboscis monkey.
With their unusually large noses and expressive faces, proboscis monkeys are endlessly fascinating to observe.
We were incredibly close to them.
Watching their social dynamics unfold, seeing how they moved through the trees and interacted with one another.
The canopy above became a stage of constant movement.
From a photography perspective, this is both thrilling and challenging.
Light filters through the trees in unpredictable ways, subjects move quickly and often without warning.
But it is exactly this unpredictability that makes it so rewarding.
Orangutans: A Moment That Stays With You
One of the most unforgettable experiences of our time in Malaysia was encountering wild Orangutan in the depths of the rainforest.
These critically endangered primates are incredibly intelligent, gentle and deeply expressive.
We spent time observing a magnificent adult male, calm, composed and completely at ease in his environment.
Nearby, younger orangutans played high in the treetops, full of energy and curiosity.
There is something profoundly moving about seeing orangutans in the wild.
It is a reminder of both the beauty of the natural world and the importance of protecting it.
Photographing them requires sensitivity.
Distance must be respected. Movements must be calm.
It is about being present, observing and capturing moments without intrusion.
The Kinabatangan River: Wildlife in Motion
One of the most exhilarating parts of the Malaysia leg was our time on the Kinabatangan River.
Speeding along the river in small boats, surrounded by dense jungle on either side, was an experience in itself.
The wind on your face. The sound of the water. The sense of anticipation.
Every bend in the river held the possibility of something extraordinary.
And it did not disappoint.
A Jungle Alive with Wildlife
The diversity of wildlife we encountered along the river was incredible.
Proboscis monkeys moved gracefully through the trees.
Orangutans appeared once again, blending seamlessly into their surroundings.
A pygmy elephant emerged at the riverbank, completely unbothered by our presence. A moment that felt both rare and incredibly special.
Massive crocodiles lay motionless on the muddy banks, their presence both fascinating and slightly unnerving.
We spotted a striking Banded mangrove snake coiled in the branches of a mangrove tree, its bold yellow and black markings vivid against the green.
There were flying lemurs, bearded pigs, waterbirds and eagles soaring overhead.
The jungle was alive.
Everywhere you looked, there was something happening.
For a photographer, it was a constant state of alertness and excitement.
Bringing Safari Skills into the Jungle
This is where Juliet’s background in African safari photography truly came into its own.
The principles are the same.
Understanding animal behaviour. Anticipating movement. Working with natural light. Being patient.
But the environment is completely different.
In Africa, you often have open landscapes and clear sightlines.
In Borneo, everything is layered. Dense. Textured.
You are looking through foliage, working with dappled light and constantly shifting compositions.
It requires a different kind of awareness.
And when it all comes together, the results are incredibly rich and immersive.
Evenings of Reflection and Connection
After full days of exploration, the evenings brought a slower pace.
Time to reflect, share stories and relive the highlights of the day.
These moments of connection are such an important part of the journey.
They bring everything together.
And from a storytelling perspective, they add warmth and depth.
A Perfect Farewell: Agnes Keith House
Our final evening in Malaysia was beautifully curated.
We visited the historic Agnes Keith House, a colonial-era home rich in history and character.
A private tour gave us insight into its past, followed by sunset drinks on the veranda.
As the light softened and the day came to a close, it felt like the perfect moment to pause and take it all in.
Dinner followed at the English Tea House, where the atmosphere was relaxed, elegant and full of conversation.
It was a fitting end to an unforgettable chapter.
Storytelling Through Wildlife & Travel Photography
Photographing a journey like this is about more than capturing wildlife.
It is about capturing connection.
Between people. Between places. Between moments.
At JL Creative, this is at the heart of everything we do.
Creating imagery that feels alive, immersive and deeply connected to the experience.
Luxury Travel & Wildlife Photography by JL Creative
From African safaris to Southeast Asian jungles and private jet journeys around the world, JL Creative specialises in capturing experiences in a way that feels natural, vibrant and elevated.
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FAQs About Wildlife Photography in Borneo & Malaysia
What makes Borneo one of the best destinations in the world for wildlife photography?
Borneo is one of the most biodiverse places on Earth, home to an extraordinary range of species that cannot be found anywhere else. From orangutans and proboscis monkeys to pygmy elephants and rare reptiles, the sheer variety of wildlife makes it a dream destination for photographers. The rainforest environment adds another layer of richness, with light filtering through dense canopy and creating beautifully atmospheric scenes.
Is photographing wildlife in the jungle more difficult than on safari?
It is different rather than more difficult. In jungle environments like Borneo, visibility is often limited due to dense vegetation, and light can be more challenging. However, this also creates opportunities for more layered, textured and immersive images. It requires patience and adaptability, but the results can be incredibly rewarding.
What is the best time of day for wildlife photography in Borneo?
Early morning and late afternoon are generally the best times, as wildlife is more active and the light is softer and more flattering. However, in a place like Borneo, wildlife encounters can happen at any time, so it is important to always be ready.
How do you photograph animals ethically in the wild?
Respect is key. At JL Creative, we always prioritise the wellbeing of the animals and the integrity of their environment. This means maintaining a safe distance, avoiding any behaviour that could disturb them and working with experienced guides who understand the ecosystem.
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