A new Borneo hanging camp allows guests to sleep high in the rainforest canopy while assisting scientists with research in a rarely explored ecosystem. Robbie Hodges reports

Cookson Adventures has launched a Borneo hanging camp that places travellers high above the rainforest floor in one of the most remote and protected parts of the island. Designed as a temporary structure suspended among the tallest tropical trees on Earth, the camp gives guests the chance to live in the canopy for up to three days without touching the ground.

The Borneo hanging camp is located around 30 metres above the forest floor, roughly the height of a ten-storey building. It is built using a network of ropes, platforms and zip lines that connect sleeping areas, communal spaces and even shower facilities. The setup is designed to leave no permanent trace on the environment, reflecting growing interest in low-impact travel experiences in sensitive ecosystems.

Access to the camp is deliberately challenging. Guests must complete rope and climbing training before entering the site, which is reachable only by a combination of driving, helicopter transfer and a final hike. The training is led by experienced rope specialists who have previously worked on wildlife documentaries and film productions. For some participants, the programme can lead to a formal rope-access qualification, adding a skills-based element to the trip.

Once in the canopy, travellers are immersed in a part of the rainforest that is rarely studied. The upper layers of tropical forests are home to a large share of biodiversity, yet remain difficult for scientists to access. US biologist Dr Meg Lowan describes this zone as our world’s “8th continent”, highlighting both its scale and the limited understanding of its ecosystems.

Guests at the Borneo hanging camp are invited to take part in research activities alongside scientists. These may include collecting plant samples, setting up light traps to observe insects, or assisting with the study of bats and birdlife using mist nets. This reflects a wider trend in travel where visitors seek more active roles in conservation and scientific discovery rather than passive observation.

Wildlife encounters are a central part of the experience. The canopy is home to species such as hornbills, gibbons and red-leaf monkeys, while orangutans and flying squirrels may also be spotted moving through the trees. From above, guests may hear elephants or clouded leopards on the forest floor below, offering a different perspective on the rainforest’s layered ecosystem.

Despite its remote setting, the camp includes elements associated with high-end travel. Cookson Adventures provides expedition tents, prepared meals from a private chef and basic washing facilities adapted for use in the trees. The aim is to balance physical challenge with a level of comfort that allows guests to stay for several days.

The experience can be combined with other activities in Borneo such as diving, trekking or visiting local communities. Cookson Adventures offers the four-night, five-day Borneo hanging camp experience from £250,000 for a private group of six. The price includes training, equipment, guiding staff and logistics, but excludes international flights. The best time to visit is between April and October, when conditions are typically drier.