SELIRONG ISLAND
You can take a boat which leaves early, at around 5.45am, as soon as the boatman
can navigate in the pre-dawn light. Speed down the Brunei River and across the calm
water of inner Brunei Bay as the sun begins to rise, reaching Selirong Island early,
when the natural habitants are active and you are most likely to encounter the amazing
array of wildlife living amongst its tangle of mangroves, vines, palms and trees.
Selirong Forest Recreation Park is a preserved area solely for outdoor recreation,
research and nature education. This mangrove wonderland is a breeding ground for
the marine life that populates Brunei Bay. It is also a bird-watchers delight. With
pristine mangrove forests, the chances of sighting wildlife are good; especially
the proboscis monkey which is endemic to the island of Borneo. At certain times
of the year, migratory birds alight here to make this their nesting ground and with
other denizens of the mangrove forest, make this island, a naturalist's dream.
Try to walk quietly along the 2 km of elevated timber boardwalks. Stop to hear and
watch the parade of unique mammals, resident and migratory birds, bats, reptiles,
fish, crustaceans, and of course proboscis monkeys. There is also a chance that
you will see a green turtle or salt water crocodile in the mangrove channels.
A guide will highlight features of the island's unique eco-system, and advise where
and what to look for as you move along the waterway channels and elevated boardwalks.