Anyone been to Borneo?

[Evamaisie]

Hi
has anybody been to Borneo and did you need malarial medication to go?

thanks!

Yes and yes but only for particular areas. As far as I remember Kota Kinabalu is fine but we needed it for the Kinabatangan part of the trip.

Thanks for your reply. I was basically wondering if it is possible to see orangutans and wildlife without going to malaria areas as I can’t take the tablets

Might be worth a check with a travel specialist, there are several options. DS went after GCSE exams and had doxycycline as I wanted to avoid mefloquine (lariam)Not sure what the current recommendations are though.

The North of Borneo is relative safe and they don't recommend anti malarials at all. All amazing places for orangutans!

I just got back from Madagascar and am just finishing my course of anti malarials, and I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy!

We're using Malarone and it's horrendous! My wife has had weakness, sore throat, dehydration and really vivid dreams when she actually manages to sleep (insomnia)... and I've had permanent diarrhoea, a splitting headache, stomach cramps, insomnia, weakness... it's a nightmare! Definitely trying the other next time.

I'm actually looking at the pill as we speak really dreading it. I've been bed-bound all day!

My father was there in the Army in the 1960s. Hot and sweaty was how he described it. Needed loads of jabs first. Mind you, he was getting shot at from time to time.

We went to see the orangutans and didn’t need malaria medication . We did have a few jabs before we went though.

enjoy! It’s the best holiday we have had with the kids.

Totally possible. We saw both and didn't need any anti- malarials. I think there's only a risk in some quite remote areas which you'd be unlikely to be visiting. Do need various jabs though.

Fab site for travel health.
https://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/destinations/asia-east/malaysia

I don’t remember taking any malarial tablets when we went a few years ago. In fact there were fewer bugs there than Spain!

I've been all over Borneo without anti-malarials - I used a lot of DEET

Thank you for the advice and the website link above. I think given an additional health risk I have then it is best to seek my doctor’s advice first!

For what it’s worth, myself and DCs all took Malarone with zero side-effects.

Have been to Borneo, booked everything ourselves twice

It is extremely hot & humid !

Did not have malaria medication, but have had vaccines for other travel destinations previously

Saw orangutans, sun bears, long nosed monkeys, bats, birds, but from a distance. We hired a local guide

We also went scuba diving for a week near Sipidan near the islands of Mabul, Bohey Dulang, & it was amazing loads of turtles, corals & sea creatures. This is within the marine park area.

We went to the Sepilok orangutan sanctuary
The sun bears are located next door

We also took a trip on a boat to see the mangrove forests

I don't recall taking Malarone when I went, but I've taken it when going to other places without any issue.

Don't miss the Proboscis monkeys, they are the craziest things ever! I went to Sepilok and saw the sun bears in their hammocks too.