Faez (third from left) briefing participants on Borneo Safari 2026…Photo by: Andy street photography
KOTA KINABALU: Route planning in environmentally sensitive forest areas and compliance with regulatory requirements remain key considerations in organising the Borneo Safari International Offroad Challenge, a four-wheel-drive expedition that combines extreme adventure with Sabah’s natural attractions.
Sabah Four-Wheel Drive Association president and organising chairman Faez Datuk Nordin said route management required careful planning and close cooperation with the relevant authorities, particularly the Sabah Forestry Department.
He said these efforts were crucial to ensuring that expeditions through forests, rivers and challenging trails were conducted in an orderly manner, while taking into account the environmental sensitivity of the areas involved.
“If you want to explore Sabah’s forests, come to Borneo Safari,” he said in an informal interview with a Borneo Safari 2026 enthusiast and participant here.
The 34th edition of Borneo Safari, scheduled from Oct 25 to Nov 1, also reflects the continuation of a longstanding tradition now carried forward by the third generation of the event’s original founders.
Faez said that although the event was officially marking its 34th edition, it had spanned 36 years when the two editions cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic were taken into account.
He said securing sponsorships and managing large numbers of participants, in addition to route planning and regulatory compliance, were among the main challenges in organising the event.
Organised by the Sabah Four-Wheel Drive Association, with Isuzu as the main sponsor, the eight-day expedition is expected to attract about 1,700 participants and 650 four-wheel-drive vehicles from Malaysia and abroad.
The expedition will cover routes linking Kota Kinabalu, Telupid and Tongod, with participants navigating diverse terrain that demands driving skills, vehicle endurance and teamwork.
Beyond bringing together the four-wheel-drive community, the event has the potential to increase exposure for Sabah’s adventure tourism destinations and generate economic spin-offs for communities along the routes.
The official flag-off ceremony is scheduled to be officiated by Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin at 8.15 am on Oct 25, in front of the Sabah Tourism Board building along Jalan Gaya here.
Borneo Safari was first organised in 1991, with only 16 vehicles taking part, before growing into a four-wheel-drive event that attracts participants from Malaysia and abroad.
