We Met Orangutans in Borneo

Last month, a select group from the Vacaay team—including CEO Pete McKeon, and Regional Director for Asia, Catherine Stevens—were fortunate enough to visit the remote island of Borneo for what turned out to be a once-in-a-lifetime, bucket-list experience.

Trekking Into the Jungle

Trekking deep into the jungle in Sarawak in northwestern Borneo, through thick humidity and tangled forest, the team spotted something truly magical: wild orangutans, high in the canopy, moving gracefully through the trees. Something very few have the privilege of witnessing.

A Rare and Endangered Encounter

It’s hard to overstate how rare this is. Seeing orangutans in the wild is no easy feat—these incredible creatures are shy, solitary, and their numbers are tragically dwindling. Borneo and Sumatra are the only places in the world where orangutans still exist in the wild, and even there, deforestation, habitat loss, illegal logging, and palm oil plantations have pushed them dangerously close to extinction.

A Humbling Experience

To witness them moving freely through the trees in their natural environment—completely wild and free— was awe-inspiring. A rare, humbling experience that reminded us just how fragile their future is, and how urgent the need for protection has become.

Our Ongoing Commitment

This experience struck a chord with our entire team. At Vacaay, we're passionate about travel that not only inspires, but also protects. Moments like these reinforce our deep commitment to supporting ethical tourism and championing wildlife conservation.

Because once you’ve locked eyes with an orangutan in the wild, you don’t just walk away unchanged—you walk away ready to help protect the world they live in.

‍