Approximately<a href="http://www.oxfordbusinessgroup.com/news/brunei-darussalam%E2%80%99s-tourism-industry-see-stronger-support" target="_blank" target="_blank"> 70% of</a> Brunei is covered in pristine rainforest. The country has had a "no-cut" policy since the 1990s, leaving virgin forests such as 212-square-mile Ulu Temburong National Park (pictured here) completely untouched.
Pristine rainforest —
Approximately 70% of Brunei is covered in pristine rainforest. The country has had a "no-cut" policy since the 1990s, leaving virgin forests such as 212-square-mile Ulu Temburong National Park (pictured here) completely untouched.
Andreas Kotzke & Leslie Chiang
One of the oldest rainforests in the world, Brunei's corner of Borneo is also one of the most pristine.
Beautiful Borneo —
One of the oldest rainforests in the world, Brunei's corner of Borneo is also one of the most pristine.
Andreas Kotzke & Leslie Chiang
Proboscis monkey sightings, mangrove forests, sunrise canopy walks, traditional longhouses -- the remote jungle is full of natural experiences. But it's not the easiest place to reach.
Into the jungle —
Proboscis monkey sightings, mangrove forests, sunrise canopy walks, traditional longhouses -- the remote jungle is full of natural experiences. But it's not the easiest place to reach.
Andreas Kotzke & Leslie Chiang
From the capital of Bandar Seri Begawan, the two-hour-long shlepp begins with a ferry journey, followed by ground transfer, and finally a 45-minute traditional longboat ride.
Trek to paradise —
From the capital of Bandar Seri Begawan, the two-hour-long shlepp begins with a ferry journey, followed by ground transfer, and finally a 45-minute traditional longboat ride.
Andreas Kotzke & Leslie Chiang
"I have been trying to tell the locals, the government, and even other operators, that we have to get ready for this," Leslie Chiang, founder of <a href="https://borneoguide.com/" target="_blank" target="_blank">Borneo Guide</a> and <a href="http://www.sumbilingecovillage.hostel.com/" target="_blank" target="_blank">Sumbiling Eco Village</a>, tells CNN.
Easy access —
"I have been trying to tell the locals, the government, and even other operators, that we have to get ready for this," Leslie Chiang, founder of Borneo Guide and Sumbiling Eco Village, tells CNN.
ROMEO GACAD/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
"There will be an impact," says Chiang. "Once the bridge is built, we're talking about 20 minutes easily by car to reach the area (before the longboat ride). So we have to prepare for an influx of tourists."
Preservation plans —
"There will be an impact," says Chiang. "Once the bridge is built, we're talking about 20 minutes easily by car to reach the area (before the longboat ride). So we have to prepare for an influx of tourists."
Andreas Kotzke & Leslie Chiang
A few jungle retreats already serve environmentally conscious travelers, including the independently run Sumbiling Eco Village. Sitting alongside the Temburong River, which flows from the Brunei Bay into the interior, the village is shaded by the dense canopy.
Eco retreats —
A few jungle retreats already serve environmentally conscious travelers, including the independently run Sumbiling Eco Village. Sitting alongside the Temburong River, which flows from the Brunei Bay into the interior, the village is shaded by the dense canopy.
Andreas Kotzke & Leslie Chiang
It's a low-key, no-frills experience. Guests at the lodge dine on local specialties such as bamboo chicken -- packed with herbs and greens.
Forest eats —
It's a low-key, no-frills experience. Guests at the lodge dine on local specialties such as bamboo chicken -- packed with herbs and greens.
Andreas Kotzke & Leslie Chiang
The area is best explored via a 4.4-mile matrix of boardwalks, trails and elevated walkways, such as the 50-meter-high canopy walk -- reached by climbing up roughly 1,000 steps, and a series of vertical steel ladders.
Canopy walk —
The area is best explored via a 4.4-mile matrix of boardwalks, trails and elevated walkways, such as the 50-meter-high canopy walk -- reached by climbing up roughly 1,000 steps, and a series of vertical steel ladders.
Andreas Kotzke & Leslie Chiang
"Every district in Brunei has beautiful rainforest but Temburong is away from the mainstream," says Chiang. "Here, it's like I found paradise. We have to treat the area in a proper way so it's not destroyed by tourism."
Away from it all —
"Every district in Brunei has beautiful rainforest but Temburong is away from the mainstream," says Chiang. "Here, it's like I found paradise. We have to treat the area in a proper way so it's not destroyed by tourism."
Andreas Kotzke & Leslie Chiang