24th Borneo Safari International Off-Road Challenge (2014)

January 16, 2015

Here I keep my promise sharing my Borneo Safari trip joined last year. Borneo Safari is an international off-road adventure covering 1000km of some of the most challenging and varied off-road terrains in the world with 4-wheels drive. the concept of the Borneo Safari expedition unique in motorsport, is based on an adventure track with 4WD through some of the world's most incredibly beautiful yet most agonizingly difficult jungle terrains.

Borneo Safari International Off-Road

The Borneo Safari is designed as a competitive expedition to bring out the spirit of adventure, teamwork, skillful and safe driving and to bring out the very best in man and machine. It is neither a motor rally nor a race! The participants will travel through the mountains and valley's and across the streams and rivers, they will have their endurance, stamina and skill tested to the limit.

Borneo Safari International Off-Road

Borneo Safari is an annual year-end event organized by Sabah Four Wheel Drive Association (SFWDA). It was started out as Kinabalu Four Wheel Drive Club (KFWDC) in 1988 by 2 local off-road enthusiasts namely Doctor J.S. Sidhu and Mr Gideon Mosito. The club has grown tremendously throughout the year and has gone international with ever-growing new members. On the 31 March 2012, under the leadership of past president, Ir. Edward Lingkapo, KFWDC was upgraded from a club to an association which now called Sabah Four Wheel Drive Association.

Borneo Safari International Off-Road

The 24th Borneo Safari International Off-Road Challenge themed as Adventure Xtreme Imbak Canyon, will witness a 4WD convoy of more than 230 vehicles with over 500 participants of international and local participants from 5 countries. Flagging off at Sabah Tourism Board office at Gaya Street, Kota Kinabalu on 26 October 2014, this has attracted huge crowds for South East Asia's biggest extreme off-road event

Borneo Safari International Off-Road

The participants are divided into media team, tag-on team (public), scout and recce team, marshall team, racer team and etc. Each team will have a chuck wagon who responsible for meal preparation.

Borneo Safari International Off-Road

This was our campsite. For the first night, we were not managed to go to the destined campsite and thus we stayed here for a night.

Borneo Safari International Off-Road

If not mistaken, that was our only night we had the fish as a meal.

Borneo Safari International Off-Road

Some of us chose not to stay at the camp set up on the soft mud and decided to stay at the thatched cottage at the riverside.

Borneo Safari International Off-Road

To my surprise, the coverage of Borneo Safari event was out in local Chinese newspaper on the second day. I was told that the journalist purposely asked the driver to send her out to town for WIFI access to email her article. Thumbs up for her effort.

Borneo Safari International Off-Road

We were moving in a team. As there is no phone signal inside the thick forest, our ways of communication is via the walkies-talkie.

Borneo Safari International Off-Road

The riverside nearby our camp on second night!

Borneo Safari International Off-Road

In Sabah outskirts area, I don't see any Petronas,Shell, Caltex, Petron petrol station which is very common in Peninsular Malaysia. If we are lucky, we will have small station like this (shown in above picture). The rate of petrol and diesel is much higher compared to town. For example, if the standard rate of petrol is RM2.30/liter, here you need to buy at RM2.50/liter or even higher. Some petrol station are not station, it is just a residential house which only local knows they are selling. So imagine you rent a car in Sabah and you go to suburbs, suddenly you need to restock when the fuel gonna finish, will you be in tension? LOL I will for certain! One more thing, I was told some of the petrol station operators are not authorized, which mean they have no license and they tend to sell at higher price!

Borneo Safari International Off-Road

We supposed went into the jungle for the very first day but had to change our plans as the river which we need to pass through was overflowing and the cars could not cross over it. Our plans of getting into the adventure was dragged till the third day.

Borneo Safari International Off-Road

The Borneo Safari International Off-Road Challenge allows us to embrace rough terrain, mud and grub, the dense forest and the wonders it has to offer which after all, is where the beauty lies.

Borneo Safari International Off-Road

Being dubbed as the premier off-road event and one of the toughest 4*4 wheels events in the world, it traverses some of the most challenging terrains in the world and requires determination, strength and endurance to conquer.

Borneo Safari International Off-Road

The route is not easy. Apart from the soft muddy ground which almost all cars will stuck, all the cars need to pass through the narrow pathway which is a cliff. I can't imagine what if the car fell down....

Borneo Safari International Off-Road

We did not go into Tawai waterfall, instead we continued our journey to the next destination. But God never stop to test us, we stuck again and can't cross the river.

Borneo Safari International Off-Road

The water was rising so fast which our media leader's (Hillary) car was stuck in the middle of the river and can't even move or winched. This is why we stayed a night here which I have no idea what place is this. Fortunately, the driver and passengers were saved but their belongings could not.

Borneo Safari International Off-Road

To avoid his car being swept away by the fiery river, we tied our cars together. 10+ cars holding the back of Hillary's car while at another riverside, there were also cars holding the front part. This was touching!

Borneo Safari International Off-Road

I have no idea about this place but for sure it can only be reached with 4WD. Woke up in the morning, this place was cool! Those who like a laid-back vacation with natural breathtaking view, here might be one ^^

Borneo Safari International Off-Road

Ok group photo with my driver, co-driver and my friend. Sorry for my no-makeup look because the clean water supply is an issue for travel on the go in nature. Thus, clean water is mainly for drinking. Honestly, if we can't find a place nearby river as our campsite, we can't take a bath! Yuckss hahaha ok I know you will think so....

Borneo Safari International Off-Road

We supposed stayed a night here but due to the unforeseen circumstances happened, our plans cancelled. Due to the time restriction, we continued our journey heading to Hitachi campsite. This is an aboriginal village nearby Imbak Canyon, which is a Class 1 (Protection) Forest Reserve, all set within the Yayasan Sabah Concession Area.

Borneo Safari International Off-Road

With a total area of 30,000 ha, Imbak Canyon Conservation Area encompassed two ridges top Virgin Jungle Reserves plus the canyon itself and makes a significant contribution to the coverage of the protected area in the centre of Sabah. Imbak Canyon Conservation Area consists of undisturbed pristine lowland rainforest dominated by dipterocarp trees. Due to the shape and location of the valley, it serves as an important water catchment for the Kinabatangan River, the longest river in Sabah.

Borneo Safari International Off-Road

We reached Hitachi campsite very late! All other convoy who reached early already slept. Non-stop long journey ><" By the way, I already fall asleep in the car on the way to here. This place has nothing interesting, no beautiful scenery and named Hitachi because there is abandoned Hitachi machinery at this place. LOL

Borneo Safari International Off-Road

I thought the road in front should be smoother....but I'm wrong....till all the drivers and co-drivers blew off of the tough, tired and long journey!

Borneo Safari International Off-Road

On day 6, again we could not reach Lahad Datu campsite at Silam. Thus, we just stop halfway because it is already late night.

Borneo Safari International Off-Road

As I'm already exhausted, I did not go to the camp area set up for us....lazy to carry the camp bed to walk to the very front and tidy up next morning carrying all the way to the back LOL Hence that night I slept facing the sky... so lucky, that night did not rain.

Borneo Safari International Off-Road

This was our route for 2014.

Borneo Safari International Off-Road

Day 7, the convoy proceeded to Lahad Datu for filling fuel and buying some food before heading to Mamut campsite. Hmm while waiting for the traffic light to turn green inside the car, I saw a boy sitting at the roadside with his head covered with cotton candy. Wondering if the man beside him is his father? If so, why he uses his child to sell the cotton candy that way? I felt pity for him.

Borneo Safari International Off-Road

Before we went up Mamut campsite, the drivers stopped by the roadside to take a shower! I have been told the small cottage is selling pipe water at RM2 per person. It was late night. No one stayed at the cottage, so the drivers just put the money there and enjoy the group bathing...hahaha...This is something new to me...in Peninsular Malaysia, I have never ever seen this...selling pipe water at the roadside!

Borneo Safari International Off-Road

The scenic Mamut campsite is at a highland facing Mount Kinabalu! It is so cool in the late evening and at night! The second night I woke up from a dream because of the cold breeze.

Borneo Safari International Off-Road

I have been told that this car belongs to an Australian couple who reside in Brunei. The only 4WD who set up his camp at the top of the car.

Borneo Safari International Off-Road

See...our campsite covered with the orange and blue canvas! Even though one side of the camp facing hillside and another with just a small opening, it just make no difference staying outside or in the camp at night.

Borneo Safari International Off-Road

I never expect there is a house at Mamut highland. It is a simple own built house. I wonder if they have a car to go to town...the children schooling or not....and etc.

Borneo Safari International Off-Road

In the afternoon, we went down to watch the contestants conquering the rough terrain and get through all the obstacles set for them. All of the contestants' cars are modified and different from ours.

Borneo Safari International Off-Road

We walked some distances and found this place! A small river with crystal clear water!

Borneo Safari International Off-Road

There is a lake down there nearby the place we found the small river. We are told not to go down to the lake as it is poisonous. Somebody told me it was a copper mine while others told me that was a gold mine last time.

Borneo Safari International Off-Road

It is a weird plant I found over there! There is protruding globular things from the surface of the leaves...

Borneo Safari International Off-Road

After taking bath at the small river, it was around 4pm. The place started to surround with heavy fog.

Borneo Safari International Off-Road

My vision was blur.

Borneo Safari International Off-Road

In the very early morning when the sky still dark, one can clearly see all the stars up above. Thanks for Mr Paun for the picture.

Borneo Safari International Off-Road

My 8 days story of the trip will be ended here. I did not get bit by leech and mosquitoes. I did not see any snake also. But one thing inconvenient for a girl if travels with the whole bunch of guys might be the trouble of answering nature call. So I was quite embarrassed somehow when I asked the driver to stop for me and he told all drivers in the team to wait for him because of that reason. It is like public announcement....so everybody knows...(if you are in my situation, you will know how I feel) Therefore, I hope there will be more and more girls joining this year so that we can group in the same car. Moreover, there is no toilet in the jungle, one must find a hidden place with umbrella to settle the 'business' so that nobody see. Hahaha I'm telling all this so that you guys who interested are prepared mentally before joining it.