Pint-sized Brunei is made up of just two tiny slivers of land on the island of Borneo. One of the last remnants of a reigning empire, the country is flush with riches thanks to its underground oil fields and verdant, natural landscapes. With a vibrant culture, unspoiled rainforests, Islamic monuments and palaces, Brunei’s got it all, and a guided tour will help connect you to its people and exactly what makes the sovereign state tick.
Don’t miss these Brunei attractions
- Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque
- Kampong Ayer floating village
- Aluminium Walkway in Ulu Temburong National Park
- Biking around Bangar
- Scuba diving at Blue Water Wreck
Mosques and floating villages
With the exception of gleaming mosques and the Sultan’s palace, Brunei’s capital, Bandar Seri Begawan (Bandar or BSB for short) is a relatively modest city. From the Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque which serves as a symbol of the Islamic faith, to the Royal Regalia Museum, a walking tour is perfect for seeing its main sites.
BSB is also home to an incredible water village, Kampong Ayer. A true sight to behold, you can join a cruise through the waterways and the hundreds of houses that seem to float on the water. Take the time to meander the boardwalks of this village and you may be invited to join a local family for a meal.
Back to nature
What it lacks in size, Brunei makes up for in natural beauty. Ulu Temburong National Park is perhaps Brunei’s most treasured nature reserve. Get there by temuai, an Iban longboat, and spend time in the dense jungle making a splash in the pristine mountain waterways or high up in the canopy on the Aluminium Walkway.
Scuba diving in Brunei is excellent not only because of its marine life and coral, but due to the several shipwrecks found in its waters, including popular Blue Water Wreck. Photographers rejoice! With an abundance of the nudibranch species, Brunei is a favoured destination for macro photography.