TIPS BEFORE YOU BOOK YOUR TOURS
- Check out on the website if the tour company is licenced. All licenced companies has permits (KKKP permit) and must be registered with Registrar of Companies. Beware of freelance licensed guides who operate without limited company and KKKP permits
- Check out to ensure the company uses licensed vehicles (Bas Persiaran permit) to carry tourists. Only licensed vehicles have insurance cover. Beware of freelance licensed guides who operate unlicensed vehicles without a proper office. Unlicensed vehicles can be stopped anytime when on tour by the tourism police and officers from the Ministry of Tourism enforcement division. Better be safe than sorry.
TIPS BEFORE YOUR ARRIVAL
- Request for a copy of your tour itinerary before arrival with the email and telephone contacts.
TIPS DURING THE TOUR
- Note departure time of tour each day and ensure you have tickets for domestic flights.
- Carry your identity papers or a copy of these papers with you.
- Do not leave your valuables inside your vehicle at all times even when it is for a short while.
- Make sure that all tours are guided by local Malaysian licensed guides who hold either a blue, green, pink or yellow badge.
- Notify your guide or our office immediately if you have any problem.
- Encourage drivers to stop engines when vehicles and boats are parked.
- Conserve electricity and water.
- Dress sensibly. For some tours, you may need to buy leech socks to protect against leech bites.
- Drink plenty of liquid to prevent dehydration.
- Use biodegradable products. Bring biodegradable insect repellent (Citronella).
- Be careful not to introduce any plants or animals into the environment. Introduced species can destroy ecosystems. Do not collect your own `souvenirs’ from the rainforest.
- Abide by local regulations.
- Support the local economy by buying locally made goods and foodstuff but do not buy items from endangered species.
- Encourage or participate in the local conservation project such as tree planting or help a local charity.
TIPS AFTER THE TOUR
- Provide feedback upon completion of tour on our tour comment form or on our website and facebook.
- Share your experiences with your family, friends and community when you return home.
MARINE
- Use licensed river boats that are not overloaded (no more than 12 passengers) and wear a life jacket.
- Keep pollutants out of waterways. Do not dump any objects or waste over the side of a boat, even if you think that it is biodegradable.
- Encourage drivers to switch off their engines when vehicles and boats are parked.
- On wildlife river tours, follow the directions of the guide when you are being seated in the boat.
- Respect the integrity of coral reefs. Do not touch, stand on, or break off pieces of coral. Damaged reefs can take years or even decades to regenerate.
JUNGLE TREKKING
- Stay on the trail to minimize damage to the surrounding area.
- Use pre-existing campsites for camping where possible.
- Reflect on the biodiversity of your new surroundings and how they differ from what you are accustomed to.
CULTURAL
- Take off your shoes before entering a house. Ask for permission when you take photographs of local people.
- Respect the sensitivities of local people. There are accepted dress codes at certain places including places of worship.
- Appreciate and protect cultural heritage. Avoid touching rock or cave art, carvings, and monuments.
- Respect differences in culture. It is important to recognize that while different, other thought patterns and ideas of time are equally valid as your own.
- Take time to listen to people who are willing to share. Ask them questions and learn about their culture.
WILDLIFE
- On wildlife river tours, follow the directions of the guide when you are being seated in the boat.
- Do not disturb, harass or feed wildlife. Do not leave personal belongings unattended in locations with wildlife.
- Avoid touching animals or handling bird eggs or baby birds.
- Never come between a mother and her young. This will put both you and the animals in danger.
- Reflect on the biodiversity of your new surroundings and how they differ from what you are accustomed to.
- Wear attire in natural colours and avoid substances with perfumes.
- Be patient when viewing wildlife and give the animals plenty of space.
EQUIPMENT CARE/PHOTOGRAPHY
- Bring a spare battery, soft lens cloth and monopod if you have one.
- Don’t leave your camera lying in the sun.
- Clean your camera at least once a day .
- If you stay in an air-conditioned hotel room, allow plenty of time for your camera lenses to adjust to outside temperature after you come out of the hotel.