Hi all I’m traveling to Singapore in January for 5 weeks away. Where are good countries to visit this time of the year. I want to see Oranutans and beach life. Apart from thialand. Where is easier to get to ? Is it not worth going to the Gilli islands due to time of the year? And where are the best beaches in Malaysia ? And where to avoid
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26 helpful votes Orang Utans can be seen at Singapore Zoo and at Borneo (east Malaysia). would suggest you post your questions about Borneo in the Malaysia forum.
January is during the northeast monsoon for the east coast of Malaysia where the best beaches are so the resorts are closed. Perhaps you can consider Langkawi which is on the west coast though the water isn’t crystal clear.
Edited: 08 September 2024, 06:35Koh lipe has amazing beaches and you can get there from langkawi via boat.
Langkawi beaches aren’t that good so if you want amazing beaches then miss it out.
January will be the worst weather for borneo.
We don’t know your interests so what are you looking for.
Any reason you don't wany to go to Thailand? If so that would rule out Koh Lipe (which is otherwise a good option). As noted, if you are interested in Malaysia, Langkawi is the best bet - beaches are fine. As far as Indonesia is concerned, January is weather season for for the Gilli islands, so probably not recommended.
If you want to see Orang utans in the wild, there are a few options in Sabah or Sarawak states of Malaysia on Borneo island but January is typically a rainly month in Borneo. To see orang utans in the wild, you need to go for a multi-day trip in the forest but there is no assurance on whether or how many orang utans you will be able to see. There are other places Borneo where you can see Orang utans in rehab centres. However, if you are happy to see animals outside their natural habitats, then you might as well see them in Singapore Zoo.
For beaches, I found beaches around Phuket or Krabi in Thailand to be better than Langkawi or other Malaysian beaches.
