By Azeera Az.
What a better way to be up close and personal with Sabah’s beautiful nature and wildlife by taking a mangrove tour via Stand Up Paddling! The SMB girls had the amazing opportunity to paddle along the river of Serusup Lake in Tuaran, guided by two main guides from Borneo Travel, Joe and Ben.
It takes approximately 45 minutes to get to Serusup Lake from Kota Kinabalu city. And in case you need help with transportation, Borneo Travel provides pick-up service from your hotel!
As soon as we arrived at the location, we were greeted with welcome snacks and drinks accompanied by the peaceful view of the lake. After settling in, our guides briefed us about Stand Up Paddling where we were taught to identify the parts of our gears before learning how to stand and paddle on water.
We definitely recommend beginners to try their first SUP experience here, as the river water is more calm and has lesser currents compared to beach SUPs. It takes a while to adjust standing on the board. But if you still find it hard to balance yourself, you can always opt to kneel and paddle.
As Joe and Ben led us for the mangrove tour, we were able to discover various types of flora and fauna along the river. Unfortunately for us, there were no Proboscis monkeys in sight that day. But for the lucky ones, you’ll be able to meet with different types of wildlife such as Proboscis monkeys, long tailed macaques, beavers, and even various types of birds including eagles and kingfishers!
It is a challenge to avoid colliding your board with the Mangrove trees. But then again, it won’t be an adventure without overcoming some obstacles. Plus, your guides will always be there to assist you. The tour is a four-kilometre paddling journey and it will definitely be a body workout for beginners. By the end of the adventure, you will be rewarded with a mesmerising view of Sabah’s beautiful sunset.
As the orange sky slowly transitions to night, we took a boat ride back to the main point and ended the day with dinner before heading home to the city. But if you are up for another adventure, you wouldn’t want to miss participating in the fireflies cruise where you’ll be surrounded with tiny beaming fireflies under a star-filled sky.
For more information:
Borneo Travel
Address: Lot F-3-1, Tanjung Aru, Jalan Mat Salleh, Kota Kinabalu.
W: www.diveintoborneo.com
Instagram: borneo_travel
Whatsapp & Wechat: 012 851 4305 – Joe (Borneo Travel)
Kakao ID: Joe2212
