Borneo Safari International Off Road Challenge is the region’s biggest extreme offroad event. Every year, it attracts over 1000 participants with more than 500 vehicles, from various nations around the world. The 4×4 action usually kicks off two days before with the pre event scrutineering and sales of merchandise, plus sponsors booths and the Event Briefing on the day before Flag Off . It's the ideal opportunity for offroad enthusiasts and visitors to get a glimpse of the action that awaits during the Borneo Safari International Offroad Challenge.
The main event, scheduled for the last Sunday in October till the first Sunday in November every year, starts with a grand flag off in the heart of the Kota Kinabalu. The crowd of participants are big enough to attract major media attention and the event is even marked in Sabah Tourism Board's yearly event diary
Vehicles with extreme modifications to be able to face the roughest terrains of the Bornean Rainforests are decorated with stickers of the event Sponsors, and fill the roads from the flag off point through to the intended destination, making it an awesome sight to behold. Every year, different destinations are planned well ahead and the state of Sabah, North Borneo, offers almost unlimited jungle trails. This coupled with the elements of surprise that Mother Nature provides, brings on new challenges for its participants every year, guaranteed. Participants can either take part in the Competition Category to compete through a set of Special Stages for the coveted Borneo Safari International Offroad Challenge Championship Title, or join the Expedition Category, for the adventure.
It all began with the inception of the Kinabalu Four Wheel Drive Club (KFWDC), way back in 1989, by local offroad enthusiasts. They initially organised a few offroad outings amongst family and friends, to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life, during weekends and public holidays. As the activity became more popular with a growing number of four wheel drive enthusiasts, a club was registered with the Registrar of Societies.
The KFWDC was engaged to assist in the organisation of the Trans Borneo 4x4 Series, which ran from 1988 to 1990. From the lessons learnt and experience gained from Trans Borneo, the KFWDC, with encouragement from some senior government officials, successfully organised the first Borneo Safari in 1991.
On the 31st of March, 2012, another milestone was achieved with the upgrading of KFWDC from a club to an Association which is now known as the SABAH FOUR WHEEL DRIVE ASSOCIATION (SFWDA).
Since 2012, the Sabah Four Wheel Drive Association has been the organiser of the annual BORNEO SAFARI INTERNATIONAL OFFROAD CHALLENGE. First staged in 1991, it is the oldest and known to be one of the most gruelling offroad expeditions in the region and beyond. Being internationally recognised, we have been fully supported by the Ministry of Tourism through the Sabah Tourism Board and the Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board under their calendar of events. Every year, the Borneo Safari sees an increase in foreign participation. Media coverage of the event includes foreign print and electronic media, besides Malaysia’s own Radio Television Malaysia (RTM), plus mainstream, alternative and social media. An essence of the Borneo Safari has always been to focus on organising charity and community services for the rural underprivileged. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes such as tree planting, basic medical checks, children’s activities and distribution of food relief aid are held to not just to coincide with the Borneo Safari, but all year round. The SFWDA has a dynamic team of appointed committee members, who work pro-bono to organise and manage the event.
The Borneo Safari comprises of two segments. The Competition and The Expedition. Each competitor will be allowed a limited number of support crew and will have to complete a series of Special Stages (SS) for points, that will be added up, to vie for the coveted Borneo Safari Championship Title. The convoy of Officials, Competitors and their crew, Medics and Media will move down the track over the period of 8 days to get from one SS site to another, helping each other long the way to clear obstacles and recover vehicles.
To complete the Expedition sector is an achievement by itself. Participants will also have to work together to help each other complete the route. Along the way, participants will endure the hardships and challenges, fondly dubbed as the ‘Borneo Suffering’, trade yarns at campsites, make life-long friendships along the way. Participating teams and individuals will be nominated for awards announced at the closing dinner on the final day of the event
The concept of the Borneo Safari International Offroad Challenge is a unique motorsport event that takes participants through some of the world’s oldest and most incredibly beautiful, yet agonisingly difficult jungle terrains. Old abandoned logging trails are often used as the route chosen and organisers ensure the participants leave no trace or damage to the ecosystems. The Borneo Safari comprises of both, a competitive and non-competitive expedition to bring out the spirit of adventure, teamwork, skilful and safe driving that challenges both man and machine. Participants will transverse through mountains and valleys and cross streams and rivers. They will have their endurance, stamina and skill tested to the limit. The Borneo Safari is a one of a kind adventure, where all participants who complete the event, whether men or women, enthusiasts or professional, competitors or non-competitors, are all winners in their own right. Every 4x4 offroad enthusiast and those with an adventurous spirit should do the Borneo Safari, at least once in their lifetime!
Once known as North Borneo, Sabah is situated on the beautiful island of Borneo, and is one of the thirteen states that Malaysia is made of. Sabah is the second largest state in Malaysia and shares the island of Borneo with Sarawak, Brunei, and Indonesian Kalimantan. Sabah is richly blessed with nature, diversity, unique cultures, fun adventure, beautiful beaches, and fantastic cuisines for the adventurous taste buds. Sabah has it all, from the world’s largest flower – the Rafflesia, one of the highest mountains in South East Asia – Mount Kinabalu, to one of the world’s top dive sites – Sipadan Island. Sabah is also known for her great natural treasures which include the world-renowned Danum Valley Conservation Area and Tabin which is Sabah’s largest wildlife reserve. Not only will you be amazed by the places to see and things to do here, you will also betreated with unique Sabahan hospitality.
Explore the unique culture and tradition of Sabah and get ready to experience sweet memories to last a lifetime!