Ethical guide / tours in national parks

Question

Hello! We are a group of students studying a master in Environment and Developmen, who are visiting Borneo to do fieldwork, but also have a week before the study to experience the wil nature.

However, we are concerned about finding a guide / tour which cooperates with the local (Iban) people, rather than exploiting them, and would prefer that the tour happens on their terms.

We are very interested in visitng Batang Ai, as this is within reach of our Itineary. Do anyone know of ethical travel agencies or ideally local guides from the Iban people who they could put us in contact with?

Thanks a lot

ZulkefliZA · Accepted Answer

Hello Fanny,

I just want to let you know that all tour guide is knowledgeable and in my opinion not necessary iban tourist guide ( but you can try to request tour guide from iban tribe).

I can't help you much regarding this matter since I'm from penisular Malaysia, but I think you can try to approach any travel and tour company in Sarawak, and also request for a tourist guide.

As in my knowledge, nature guide usually have green identity card while city tourist guide have a blue identity card.

It is a good choice to travel with tourist guide because some information given by them are pure and not in Google search.

Hope you can get a good tourist guide, and good luck for your studies.

Regards : Zul

esorlegin · Answer

James - lives in Kuching but is from Sibu - his email is saratour68@yahoo.com

Maybe he can offer advice or perhaps guide you (he is very busy, so make plans well in advance)

We have 'broken trail' to places not visited by tourists and been to longhouses that have not had a western visitor.

FYI - Batang Ai is 'developed' - it has a Hilton Hotel. There are many, better, alternatives

VICSARAWAK · Answer

Hi! Good Morning. For travel agents, you may choose from this website https://www.sarawaktourism.com/TourPackageByCountry.aspx?cid=148 or you can try to see from paradesa website to see their packages which suits you.

Ethical guide / tours in national parks - Sarawak Forum

Ethical guide / tours in national parks

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