Unlocking Borneo from above

• Assist conservationists with scientific research and potentially discover new species
• Encounter rarely seen wildlife in the world’s tallest tropical trees
• Learn new rope and climbing skills in this off-grid custom camp

February 2026; Ultra-luxury adventure travel company, Cookson Adventures, has designed a first-of-its-kind hanging camp in what is an otherwise-off-limits conservation area in the heart of Borneo’s jungle. At this private camp, guests’ feet won’t touch the ground for up to three days as they stay up amongst the tallest tropical trees ever recorded on Earth.

Suspended in an isolated pocket that few humans have ever seen, guests can expect a leave-no-trace setup where the likes of zipwires and ropes connect designated sleeping stations, communal lounges and even rainfall showers within the trees – a truly off-grid and unique hideaway strung up some 100ft/30m high in Borneo’s rainforest canopy, approximately the height of a ten-storey building.

Accessible only by rope, guests will see the region’s extraordinary biodiversity that can be found in the rainforest canopy as well as assist leading scientists tasked with researching and gaining a better understanding of this complex canopy ecosystem.

The renowned US biologist, Dr. Meg Lowan, referred to the rainforest canopy as our world’s “8th continent” as it’s a vast, largely unexplored world teeming with unique life and vital ecological functions. This elevated ecosystem, which supports an estimated 60–90% of rainforest species, supplies shelter, food, medicines, and fresh water, serving as a vital “roof” for the forest below. Despite its importance, the canopy remains significantly under-studied due to access challenges, leaving this rarely visited treetop realm full of potential for the discovery of new species. As part of this camp, the private client will be joining and platforming researchers that will be studying this unique environment, with the special opportunity to spend a prolonged time in it.

Along with a plethora of hornbills and tropical birds gliding through the trees, the likes of orangutans, gibbons, red-leaf monkeys and flying squirrels are just some of the camp’s wild neighbours. From above, guests may hear the rustle of elephants and clouded leopards far below on the forest floor. With expert ornithologists to top botanists, guests might be helping to collect samples of rare plant life, setting up light traps to observe smaller insect species or putting up mist nets to help study the jungle’s local bats and birdlife.

This extraordinary adventure begins with a weekend of rope and climbing training to build confidence, expertly organised by Cookson Adventures in partnership with a world-renowned team of rope specialists who will construct the treetop hideaway high above the forest floor. This highly qualified team have decades of experience in creating treetop camps for film productions and wildlife documentaries to facilitate rare wildlife encounters. For the particularly committed, the experience can culminate in a recognised rope-access qualification.

The Cookson Adventures team will further elevate the experience to include expedition tents, private chefs, comfortable bedding and outdoor bathrooms. For some, the greatest luxury lies in stillness: reading and reflecting. For those with an appetite for adventure will find themselves immersed in a lattice of ropes, nets and platforms, with opportunities for abseiling, traversing and zip-lining under expert guidance. Each morning, guests will awaken to the jungle stirring around them, and as evening falls, they’ll watch the sun sink below the canopy, sundowner in hand, in one of the most extraordinary settings on Earth.

After the excitement of life in the sky, Borneo is the perfect destination to experience with a wraparound adventure that could include a few days of private yachting, world-class diving, jungle trekking or visits to remote local communities.