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On the mainland you should not miss a visit to Taman Negara National Park, with over 4,000 square kilometers of virgin forest and home to over 200 varieties of animals and just as many species of plants, trees and blooms.

Drift silently down the meandering rivers, and see the kingfishers, monkeys, hornbills, and other exotic birds and animals as they watch you from the water's edge or from the treetops. Take a walk in the clouds and join the birds, 25 metres above the ground, on the canopy walkway. Take a hike and take the plunge, into waters that are crystal clear and cool, rejuvenated by the spray of waterfalls and crisp mountain air.

Alternatively head for Malaysian Borneo, The states of Sarawak and Sabah offer totally different things: Sarawak is famed for the White Rajahs (the Brooke family) It is also known for its indigenous people who practice the "art" of head shrinking, see them and see the way they live in their "longhouses" Or visit the Mulu caves (one of the most extensive cave systems on the planet) See 600ft waterfalls and one of the world's largest colonies of bats.

Sabah offers a wilderness experience. From the side of Mount Kinabalu, to its natural fauna and flora to its inhabitants - "The old men of the mountains" or Orang Utans to you and me, can be seen in the world renowned Sepilok sanctuary. From Sandakan you can travel to Sipadan Island and see turtle colonies.

Eco tourism is rapidly becoming an excellent way for developing countries to bring in foreign revenue by preserving their rainforests. Money spent directly in the local economy helps give economic value to forest preservation. The locals, along with the government, can see the importance of keeping the forest intact. Eco-tourism can provide local people with economic assistance by offering them employment opportunities as wildlife guides and rangers for parks, and as workers in the service force of hotels and lodges.

This employment provides a relatively even flow of income often higher than they would receive from selling their marginal, small-scale agricultural crops at market. With eco-tourism, income is earned from preserving the ecosystem, and forest clearing is discouraged because it is detrimental to income. Similarly, eco tourism can reduce the need for poaching and hunting of forest animals for income.

Eco tourism also provides the opportunity for wider intellectual development for locals educated as wildlife guides. With an education, their children will have a better chance of breaking out of their subsistence lifestyle and improving their livelihood. Finally, local communities can earn supplementary from the fabrication on handicrafts.

Malaysian eco destinations