travel guide to sabah

Kopivosian and Welcome

Some describe it as a natural playground . Some say it's simply unique , as it offers a great array of travel options coasts to coast.

Some say the hospitality of Sabah is its pride. We say the above is all true!

Regions of Sabah

Sabah is located on the northern part of the Borneo Island, and is part of Malaysia. Let's explore the destination by area.

Signature Attractions

Sabah's signature attractions range from nature based to cultural attractions with the intention of conservation and preservation in mind.

Things to do

From unigue, only-in-Sabah adventures to visiting world heritage sites, here's what you can do when in Sabah

Highlights / Promo

Before You Travel

Sabah in the news, camping trips piqued visitor interest to sabah at matta fair, lampoopalooza 2024: a fusion of art, light and community empowerment illuminates kota kinabalu, second time win for sabah tourism board, tawau airport receives first international flight, doubled sales at malaysia international travel mart (mitm) 2023, kinabalu unesco global geopark.

Ultimate Guide to Sabah, Borneo: Top Places & Itineraries

Sabah is one of the most diverse places we have ever visited. It is located in Malaysia , on the northern half of the island of Borneo. We were enticed to go to Sabah to see orangutans and proboscis monkeys in their natural habitat. There are very few places in the world to see these creatures in the wild. 

Orangutans are on the critically endangered list and can only be seen in the wild in Sumatra and Borneo. Reminding me of the creepy dude at the bar, proboscis monkeys are endemic to Borneo. These unique monkeys are so amazing to see in real life. However, due to palm plantation deforestation, they are losing their homes at alarming rates.

Sabah also has so much more to offer. It is teeming with exotic wildlife, beautiful beaches, an epic mountain hike, and world-class scuba diving. Sabah is perfect as part of a bigger Malaysia trip or for a Borneo wildlife holiday! Whether you plan to come for a family vacation or a backpacking trip, Sabah is a wonderful destination nestled in Southeast Asia.

Check out this guide to Sabah as it covers all the best places to visit to help you plan your trip!

Content and photographs provided by Yana Kogan and Timon .

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase or booking through one of our links we may earn a small commission (don’t worry, it’s at no extra cost to you).

Best Time to Visit Sabah, Borneo

The best time to visit Sabah is not as cut and dry as most places. There are different rainy seasons for the east and west of Sabah. When one has more rain, the other is drier. Overall though, March through October is the driest part of the year. Most of Sabah is rainforest, so it is possible for rain at any time of the year.

Currency in Sabah, Borneo

The Malaysian Ringgit (RM) is the national currency in Malaysia and Sabah. As of April 2022, the Ringgit is worth:

• $1 USD = 4.35 RM
• €1 = 4.60 RM

Religion and Language in Sabah, Borneo

Sabah is not as conservative as West Malaysia, such as the Kuala Lumpur area. The majority of people are Muslim, but there are also small pockets of practicing Christians. Malay is the official language of Malaysia. However, English is widely spoken in Kota Kinabalu and the majority of tourism and hospitality businesses around the island.

As always, a few phrases in the native language are good to learn. We found that just saying “thank you” in Malay brings a very friendly response.

• Hello – Helo
• Good morning – Selamat pagi
• Good evening – Selamat petang
• How are you? – Apa khabar
• Thank you – Terima kasih
• I am – Saya
• Your welcome – Sama-sama

Food in Sabah, Borneo

There are typically three types of food you can find in Sabah – traditional Malay, Indian/Bangladeshi, and Chinese. Many of the dishes in Sabah are heavily influenced by Chinese cuisine. Most of the population and places to visit are on the coast, so seafood is widely available.

Malay food is not the best for vegetarians. However, roti canai, similar to a flaky naan beard, was our lifesaver and so delicious. We ate it every day, typically for breakfast and snacking. Also make sure to try teh tarik, a frothy delicious tea.

Some common dishes in Malaysia with typical prices:

• Roti canai – traditional bread with dipping sauces 4 RM – 6 RM
• Telur mata – sunny side eggs 4 RM – 6 RM
• Telur dadar – omelette 8 RM – 10 RM
• Thosai – similar to Indian dosa 12 RM
• Mee goreng – fried noodles 12 RM – 20 RM
• Nasi goreng – fried rice 12 RM – 20 RM
• Teh Tarik – Black tea with condensed milk (frothy) – 4 RM – 6 RM
• Teh “O” – tea with sugar – 4 RM – 6 RM
• Kopi – coffee 4 RM – 6 RM

A few useful words on food/drinks in Malay

• Panas / Sejuk – Hot/Cold for drinks
• Sayur – vegetables
• Tidak ayam – no chicken

Accommodation in Sabah, Borneo

The accommodation is expensive relative to the rest of Southeast Asia. Budget hostels and dorms start from 20 RM to 36 RM ($5 – $8 USD) depending on the area. Basic private double rooms start from 70 RM ($16 USD) per night. A budget room in Sabah also typically means really poor standards. Not all hotels charge it, but legally, hotels and guesthouses are required to charge a tourist tax of 10 RM per night.

One thing we noticed was that prices were ALWAYS higher as a walk-in. We would book ahead, or walk in to check out the room, and if we decided to stay, book the room online. The best prices typically were on  Booking.com .

Transportation in Sabah, Borneo

Getting to Sabah is best with AirAsia, a budget airline based in Kuala Lumpur. They have cheap flights to Sabah from different airports in Asia. A flight from Kuala Lumpur to Sabah is 120 RM ($30 USD) when booking 4+ weeks in advance.

Bus Transport  in Sabah is available between all major cities. Bus departures typically leave from Kota Kinabalu each hour to destinations, such as Sandakan, Semporna, or Tawau. There are several bus companies with similar fares. At the time of writing, the fares were as follows:

• Kota Kinabalu to Mount Kinabalu 25 RM
• Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan 45 RM
• Sandakan to Semporna 45 RM
• Semporna to Tawau 20 RM

Motorbikes  are available for rent in Kota Kinabalu for 45 RM/day.

Car hire companies  are located near the airport in Kota Kinabalu. The price for a small car, such as a Viva, is around 100 RM/day, or a larger Toyota SUV for 200 RM/day.

Grab Car  is excellent and available in all cities in Sabah. When traveling with multiple people, it is often the same price or cheaper than the bus. For example, a Grab Car from Kota Kinabalu to Mount Kinabalu for 80 RM, or from Semporna to Tawau for 65 RM.

Top Places to Visit in Sabah, Borneo

1. what to do in kota kinabalu.

The main city in Sabah – Kota Kinabalu – is filled with hotels, restaurants, and lively night markets. The Filipino market and night market, both centrally located by the waterfront, have local produce, meat, fish, and freshly prepared dinners. There are local BBQ restaurants that cook fresh seafood. Make sure to negotiate.

Gaya street has many bars and Chinese and Malay restaurants. Definitely stop by Yee Fung Laksa on Gaya Street for the best Laksa in all of Malaysia. For 19RM, you get a steaming hot bowl of the good stuff. Trust us on this one! It is worth a stop outside of town to the Kota Kinabalu City Mosque. The reflection of the mosque on the moat is a really awesome photo opportunity.

High-End Stay:   Shangri-La Tanjung Aru Resort  is located near the city and with a private beach. Rooms start at 800 RM ($190).

2. The Best Beaches in Sabah at the Tip of Borneo

The Tip of Borneo is a picturesque spot on the northernmost point of Borneo. The rocky shoreline is a perfect backdrop for sunset. Some of the best beaches on mainland Borneo are located just south of the tip. The large Kalampunian Beach has several beach cottages and a few restaurants, although a bit rundown. We preferred a smaller more private beach and tent camping at the Secret Place.

High-End Stay:   Kudat Riviera Beach Villas  is located at private beaches with three stunning villas to choose from starting at 1380 RM ($330).

3. Hiking Mount Kinabalu 

Mount Kinabalu is the tallest mountain in Malaysia and one of the highest in Southeast Asia. The hike is expensive at $350 – $400 per person and with limited permits. However, the views from the summit are some of the best of any mountain in SE Asia. Mount Kinabalu is a strenuous hike ascending over 2,200 meters (7,300 feet) and was one of our highlights in Sabah.

Check out our full post on  hiking Mount Kinabalu  for more information.

High-End Stay:   Sutera Sanctuary Lodges Kinabalu Park  is located in the national park with rooms starting at 200 RM ($50 USD).

4. Borneo Wildlife in Sepilok & Sandakan

Sandakan is the gateway to visiting several attractions in the area. We found the waterfront to be quite dirty and pretty smelly. Sepilok is popular for animal sanctuaries to visit. The well-known Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Center should not be missed.

The orangutan nursery is just too cute and the twice-daily feeding is a great way to get up and close to adult orangutans. The feedings are at 10 AM and 3 PM, the latter of which is less crowded. Located next door is the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Center. Sun Bears are the smallest bears in the world and are threatened by deforestation and illegal hunting. This center is home to 42 sun bears and is open between 10 AM and 3 PM.

There is a proboscis monkey sanctuary in Labuk Bay. However, we do not recommend visiting this attraction. The owner of this “sanctuary” owns the palm plantation surrounding the park, which displaced the monkeys in the first place. Proboscis monkeys can easily be seen in the wild elsewhere in Sabah (see  Kinabatangan River ). From Sandakan, it is possible to visit Turtle Island to see nesting turtles in June.

Entrance Costs:  The entry to the Orangutan and Sun Bear conservation are both 30 RM.

High-End Stay:   Sepilok Forest Edge Resort  is located next to the sanctuaries and has chalets starting from 290 RM ($70 USD).

5. Borneo Rainforest Tours at the Kinabatangan River

Borneo is known for its superb wildlife. The Kinabatangan River is one of the best places in Borneo to see wildlife due to its easy accessibility. Here you can easily see proboscis monkeys, orangutans, pygmy elephants, crocodiles, snakes, exotic birds, and many more in just a couple of days.

Most homestays and resorts are located near Sukau, a village upriver next to palm plantations. There are a few resorts located downriver that are more remote. While staying on the Kinabatangan, resorts usually have an all-inclusive package rate that includes meals, river cruises, and jungle walks. There are a few budget backpackers and homestays on the Kinabatangan, and there are several high-end resorts, leaving few options in between.

Mid-Range Stay :  Borneo Natural Sukau Bilit Resort  has all-inclusive packages for two people at one of their cottages for 1,060 RM ($250 USD/room).

6. Stunning Beaches and Views at Bohey Dulang

An amazing day trip to the beautiful Bohey Dulang island is definitely worth it. The views are incredible and the beaches are some of the best in Sabah. You can arrange a trip from the port town of Semporna, which is the gateway to Bohey Dulang and Sipadan.

However, if it weren’t for these two things, there is absolutely no reason for anyone to ever visit Semporna. It is a filthy city with no redeeming qualities. Streets are littered with trash and an absurd amount of pollution/plastics in the water. I would avoid the cheapest backpackers here, they are truly horrible. Semporna is the necessary evil to get to some amazing places, so get in and out as fast as possible!

Mid-Range Stay :  The Village  is a new and modern hotel with private rooms for 180 RM ($40 USD).

7. Scuba Diving at Sipadan

Sipadan is one of the best dive sites in the world. Doesn’t it seem like you hear that in so many countries? With over 150 combined dives in some incredible places, we can attest to it being one of our favorites! With stringent laws for the protection of the marine environment, there are now only 120 daily permits for diving at Sipadan.

Sipadan is known for its incredible marine diversity. The island is an inactive volcano, with a sloping wall that has a drop-off of 600 meters (2,000 feet) to the seabed. It is home to green and hawksbill turtles, massive schools of barracuda and big-eye trevally, manta rays, reef sharks (white tip/blacktip/grey), as well as an occasional spotting of whale sharks and hammerhead sharks.

Several websites state it is cheaper to stay in Semporna, and maybe it is, but we recommend staying on Mabul Island. Mabul Island has diving as well, which is subpar relative to Sipadan, but it’s inexpensive and has tons of massive turtles.

Mid-Range Stay :  Billabong Scuba  has overwater chalets for 150 RM per person including all meals (price for divers) ($35 USD).

One-Week Itinerary for Sabah, Borneo

Day 1  – Arrive in Kota Kinabalu and check out the Filipino night market and nearby KK night market.

Day 2  – Take a bus to Mount Kinabalu, enjoy views of the park and pick one of the nine shorter hikes near the base of Mount Kinabalu.

Day 3  – Transport to Sandakan/Sepilok, and check out the sun bear conservation and afternoon orangutan sanctuary feeding.

Day 4  – Transport to Semporna.

Day 5  – Bohey Dulang day tour.

Day 6  – Scuba diving at the world-famous Sipadan (permits required).

Day 7  – Return to Semporna and take a flight from Tawau to Kota Kinabalu to finish your one-week trip!

Two-Week Itinerary for Sabah, Borneo

Day 2  – Stop at the Kota Kinabalu City Mosque on the way to Kudat. Spend the afternoon at the beach, and watch the sunset at the tip of Borneo.

Day 3  – Beach day.

Day 4  – Travel to Mount Kinabalu.

Day 5  – Hiking day one up to Labuan Rata Guesthouse  (permits required) .

Day 6  – Summit Mount Kinabalu and descend the mountain, staying the night in Ranau.

Day 7  – Travel day from Ranau to Sandakan. Go to the sun bear conservation and the 3:30 pm feeding at the Orangutan Sanctuary.

Day 8  – Travel day from Sandakan to Semporna.

Day 9  – Boat to Mabul Island, scuba diving at Mabul Island.

Day 10  – Scuba diving at Mabul Island.

Day 11  – Scuba diving at the world-famous Sipadan (permits required).

Day 12  – Return to Semporna.

Day 13  – Day trip to Bohey Dulang, afternoon transport to Tawau, flight to Kota Kinabalu.

Day 14  – End your two-week holiday in Sabah!

That’s it – we hope you enjoy exploring Sabah, Borneo!

Planning a trip to Malaysia? Check out our favorite books and travel guides!

About the Author:

Yana & Timon met at college in Boston, Massachusetts. After graduating, they started their professional careers. They moved to San Francisco in 2010, a city they loved living in for nearly six years. After working and saving up money for several years, they quit their jobs and set off on an adventure of a lifetime. They started living a nomadic lifestyle in December 2015 and have not looked back since.

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Sabah Travel Guide

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Until European powers gained a foothold at the northern tip of Borneo in the nineteenth century, the tribal peoples of Sabah had only minimal contact with the outside world. Since then – and particularly since joining the Malaysian Federation in 1963 – these groups have largely exchanged traditional ways for a collective Malaysian identity. As Sabah’s cultural landscape has changed, so has its environment: the logging industry has been allowed to exploit huge swathes of the rainforests, with cleared regions used to plant oil palm – a monoculture that makes a poor habitat for wildlife. On the other hand, many locals would argue, this agro-industry provides work for thousands, and generates much-needed income into the state coffers.

Brief history

The people of sabah.

• Sabah's Interior

Kinabalu National Park Travel Guide

From lahad datu to the maliau basin, maliau basin, north of kk, poring hot springs, pulau labuan, southwest of kk, sungai kinabatangan, day-trips from kk, kota kinabalu, the markets, sabah state museum, day-trips from kota kinabalu.

While arguments rage between campaigners, corporations and politicians, tourists continue to enjoy the remaining natural riches of “the land below the wind” (so called because Sabah’s 72,500 square kilometres lie just south of the typhoon belt). The terrain ranges from wild, swampy, mangrove-tangled coastal areas, through the dazzling greens of paddy fields and pristine rainforests, to the dizzy heights of the Crocker mountain range – home to the highest peak between the Himalayas and New Guinea, Gunung Kinabalu (Mount Kinabalu). Although habitats for Sabah’s indigenous animals have shrunk dramatically, the remaining forests still offer some of the best wildlife-watching opportunities in Malaysia. Offshore, damaging fishing practices have as elsewhere in the region taken their toll, but marine parks protect areas of magnificent coral – most famously around Sipadan – and the attendant sea life.

Sabah’s urban centres are not especially attractive or historically rich, thanks to World War II bombs and hurried urban redevelopment. While places like KK (Kota Kinabalu) and Sandakan lack notable buildings, however, they abound in atmosphere and energy, plus good places to eat and sleep. That said, Sabah’s remarkable natural attractions are the major draw for most visitors.

The Klias Peninsula south of KK offers activity-based day-trips such as whitewater rafting or firefly cruises, while with more time you could visit the island of Pulau Tiga; you may also need to transit through duty-free Labuan on the way to Brunei. North of KK lie the beaches and coconut groves of the Kudat Peninsula, where it’s possible to visit longhouses belonging to the Rungus tribe; the northernmost point, the Tip of Borneo, features windy shorelines and splendid isolation.

Heading east from KK, things get truly exciting. Dominating the landscape are the huge granite shelves of the awesome Gunung Kinabalu, a major attraction as getting up and down involves spending just one night on the mountain. Further east is Sandakan, a rapidly modernizing town with offshore attractions including the Turtle Islands National Park. Back on the mainland, at the nearby Sepilok Orang-utan Rehabilitation Centre and Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary, you can get a ringside view of animals at feeding times.

Deeper into the oil-palm plantations of east Sabah lies the protected Kinabatangan River, where visitors can take boat trips to see wild proboscis monkeys, elephants and orang-utans. Further south, the Danum Valley Conservation Area offers a spectacular canopy walkway, with the choice of staying at a luxury lodge or a humbler research centre. Alternatively try the more affordable Tabin Wildlife Reserve, with a mud volcano and an elephant colony. In the deep south, accessible via the boom town of Tawau, nestles the untouched forest sector of the Maliau Basin, now open for challenging trekking.

For divers, the offshore islands near the southern town of Semporna are the jewel in Sabah’s crown. Sipadan offers world-class diving off coral walls, while its neighbour Mabul is known for its fabulous macro (small-scale) marine life. These two are simply the best known, and the area can keep divers and snorkellers enchanted for days.

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3 days  / from 450 USD

The Cameron Highlands in a Nutshell

Experience Malaysia's largest and most impressive hill station, the Cameron Highlands, in all their glory, with this compact trip. Let your picturesque surroundings soak in as you visit the famous Batu Caves, the Lata Iskandar Waterfalls and a local tea plantation.

Little is known of Sabah’s early history, though archeological finds in limestone caves indicate that the northern tip of Borneo has been inhabited for well over ten thousand years. Chinese merchants were trading with local settlements by 700 AD, and by the fourteenth century the area was under the sway of the sultans of Brunei and Sulu.

Colonialism

Europe’s superpowers first arrived in 1521, when the ships of Portuguese navigator Ferdinand Magellan stopped off at Brunei before sailing northwards. Almost 250 years later, in 1763, colonial settlement began when one Captain Cowley established a short-lived trading post on Pulau Balambangan, an island north of Kudat, on behalf of the British East India Company. Further colonial involvement came in 1846, when Pulau Labuan (at the mouth of Brunei Bay) was ceded to the British by the Sultan of Brunei. By 1881 the British North Borneo Chartered Company had full sovereignty over northern Borneo.

First steps were then taken towards making the territory pay its way: rubber, tobacco and, after 1885, timber were commercially harvested. By 1905 a rail line linked the coastal town of Jesselton (later Kota Kinabalu) with the resource-rich interior. When the company introduced taxes, the locals were understandably displeased and some resisted; Mat Salleh, the son of a Bajau chief, and his followers sacked the company’s settlement on Pulau Gaya in 1897. Another uprising, in Rundum in 1915, resulted in the slaughter of hundreds of Murut tribespeople by British forces.

World War II

On New Year’s Day 1942, Japanese imperial forces invaded Pulau Labuan; Sandakan fell less than three weeks later. By the time the Japanese surrendered on September 9, 1945, almost nothing of Jesselton and Sandakan remained standing (although the worst structural damage was inflicted by Allied bombing). Even worse were the hardships endured by civilians and captured Allied troops, the most notorious of which were the Death Marches of 1945.

Towards independence

Unable to finance the postwar rebuilding of North Borneo, the Chartered Company sold the territory to the British Crown in 1946, and Jesselton was declared the new capital of the Crown Colony of North Borneo. Within fifteen years, however, plans had been laid for an independent federation consisting of Malaya, Singapore, Sarawak, North Borneo and (it was intended) Brunei. The Federation was proclaimed at midnight on September 15, 1963, with North Borneo renamed Sabah.

Modern politics

Relations with federal Kuala Lumpur have seldom been smooth, but differences had seemed to narrow until, in 1985, the opposition Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS), led by the Christian Joseph Pairin Kitingan, was returned to office in the state elections. This was the first time a non-Muslim had attained power in a Malaysian state. Anti-federal feelings were worsened by much of the profits from Sabah’s flourishing crude oil exports being siphoned off to KL.

Nowadays, with PBS having joined the country’s ruling BN coalition, central government is following a policy of patching up long-running, cross-state disunity to realize a vision of a multi-ethnic – but Muslim-dominated – nation.

Although many traditions have died out, Sabah’s three-million-plus population includes more than a dozen recognized ethnic groups, and numerous dialects are still in use. The peoples of the Kadazan/Dusun tribes constitute the largest indigenous group; then there are the Murut of the southwest, and Sabah’s so-called “sea gypsies”, the Bajau. In recent years, Sabah has also seen an influx of Filipino and Indonesian immigrants, particularly on its east coast.

Town and village tamus (markets), usually held weekly, are a wonderful opportunity for visitors to take in the colourful mixture of cultures. Large tamus include those held on Sundays in the state capital Kota Kinabalu (KK) and in the small town of Kota Belud, two hours north by bus. The biggest annual festival is the Pesta Kaamatan, a harvest festival celebrated in May by the Kadazan/Dusun.

While the west may have majestic Gunung Kinabalu, East Sabah is the destination of choice for animal encounters. Around former capital Sandakan alone, visitors can see orang-utans in Sepilok, proboscis monkeys at Labuk Bay – and there are no prizes for guessing the attraction at the Turtle Islands National Park.

Next stop on the itinerary is the Kinabatangan River, where lodges arrange longboat journeys to see pygmy elephants, orang-utans and more in the wild. Further into the interior, there is the option of visiting Danum Valley, a primary rainforest area with a majestic canopy walkway, or the equally appealing Tabin Wildlife Reserve.

Back on the coast, divers especially are pulled to Semporna, the jumping-off point for the myriad flora and fauna hidden in the waters surrounding Palau Sipadan, Palau Mabul and numerous other islands. Serious trekkers keen to explore the Maliau Basin, referred to by some as “Sabah’s Lost World”, set off by 4WD from the frontier boom town Tawau.

Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary

Set amid mangrove forest and reached via a track through an oil-palm plantation, Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary functions as a companion to the more famous orang-utan sanctuary at Sepilok. Most visitors come on a day-trip from Sandakan or Sepilok, which is significantly closer, but it’s also possible to stay overnight.

Two large observation platforms, each with two feeding times, offer perfect vantage points from which to view the long-nosed proboscis monkeys; at the same time you can also see silverleaf monkeys scavenge fruit left behind, and there’s some fantastic birdlife including hornbills. On a day-trip you could see all four feedings if you like, or even leave after just one, but it’s more usual to see one from each platform.

Other activities

If you make arrangements in advance then it’s possible to combine watching the monkey feeding with other activities. These include a short jungle trek or a bird-watching walk (each 1hr; RM30) or a boat trip (2hr; RM250/boat) to a fishing village. If you’re staying the night then you can also sign up for a firefly walk (45min; RM20) and a morning birdwatching walk (1hr; RM30).

The town of Sepilok, 25km west of Sandakan, is best known for its Orang-utan Rehabilitation Centre. That’s not the only attraction, though, as the Rainforest Discovery Centre is worth visiting for its canopy walkway. There are also plans to open a conservation centre for Malayan sun bears, the world’s smallest bear species. See wsunbears.wildlifedirect.org for the latest news.

Set up in 1964 and occupying a 43-square-kilometre patch of lowland rainforest, the Sepilok Orang-utan Rehabilitation Centre is one of only a few such sanctuaries. It’s also among Sabah’s most popular tourist sites, with over two hundred people crowding onto the viewing platform during feeding hours on most days. In general it’s best to go for the afternoon session, as most tour buses come in the morning.

Leave valuables in the free lockers, along with food, drink and insect repellent (which can be harmful to the orang-utans if they ingest it). There’s little shade on the viewing platform, so bring a hat. You’ll find a café near the information centre.

The feeding station is a ten-minute walk from the entrance, so arrive with plenty of time. There are usually at least a couple of orang-utans waiting for their meal, often the very young ones, and they immediately cluster round the warden as he sets out the fruit. Others may soon come along, swinging, shimmying and strolling towards their breakfast or lunch, jealously watched by gangs of macaques that loiter around for scraps.

If you have time, stick around after feeding time and take one of several trails through the forest; you’ll need to register at reception. Besides the pleasure of the walk, there’s a chance you may see one or more orang-utans.

Orang-utans at Sepilok

Orang-utans – tail-less, red-haired apes (their name means “man of the forest” in Malay) – can reach a height of around 1.65m, and can live to over thirty years old. Solitary but not aggressively territorial, these primates live a largely arboreal existence, eating fruit, leaves, bark and the occasional insect.

Most of the orang-utans at the Sepilok centre are victims of forest clearance; many have been orphaned, injured and traumatized in the process. Some have also been kept as pets, something now prohibited by law, which means that their survival instincts remain undeveloped. Orang-utans are trained at Sepilok to fend for themselves in the wild. Although not always successful, the training process has seen many animals reintroduced to their natural habitat.

Turtle Islands National Park

Peeping out of the Sulu Sea 40km north of Sandakan, three tiny islands comprise the TURTLE ISLANDS NATIONAL PARK. They are favoured egg-laying sites of green and hawksbill turtles, which haul themselves laboriously above the high-tide mark to bury their clutches of eggs almost every night of the year. Although all three islands – Pulau Selingan, Pulau Bakungan Kecil and Pulau Gulisan – hold hatcheries, tourists can only visit Selingan.

All the action is at night. As well as seeing a mother turtle laying her eggs, you can watch as the park wardens release newly hatched turtles that waddle, Chaplin-like, into the sea to face an uncertain future. Before dark there’s plenty of time – arguably too much time, given the lack of facilities – for swimming, snorkelling (equipment rental RM25) and sunbathing. Take precautions against sandflies, which can be voracious especially when it rains.

Sabah's Interior

The highway southeast out of KK claws its way up onto the ridges of the Crocker mountain range, passing Gunung Alab (1964m). The mountains separate the state’s west coast and the swampy Klias Peninsula from the area christened the interior in the days of the Chartered Company. The former isolation of this sparsely populated region ended at the start of the twentieth century, when a rail line was built between Jesselton (modern-day KK) and Tenom to transport the raw materials being produced by the region’s thriving rubber industry.

Today, oil-palm cultivation takes precedence, though the Kadazan/Dusun and Murut peoples still cultivate rice, maize and cocoa.

Sabah holds no more impressive sight than Gunung Kinabalu (Mount Kinabalu), 85km northeast of KK and plainly visible from the west coast. Revered as “aki nabalu” (home of the spirits of the dead) by the Kadazan/Dusun, it’s 4095m high and dominates the 750 square kilometres of KINABALU NATIONAL PARK, a World Heritage Site renowned for its ecology, flora and geology. Although there are other hikes within the park, the prospect of reaching the summit fires the imagination of Malaysian and foreign tourists alike.

Gunung Kinabulu: the climb

Conquering Gunung Kinabalu today is far easier than it was in 1858, when Spenser St John, British consul-general to the native states of Borneo, found his progress blocked by Kadazan “shaking their spears and giving us other hostile signs”. Hugh Low, then British colonial secretary on Pulau Labuan, had made the first recorded ascent of the mountain seven years earlier, though he baulked at climbing its highest peak, considering it “inaccessible to any but winged animals”. The peak – subsequently named after Low – was finally conquered in 1888 by John Whitehead.

Here we detail the Timpohon trail to the top as it is by far the most popular, although a longer and quieter route up, the Mesilau trail, starts 17km east of the park HQ, and offers a greater chance of spotting wildlife.

The first day

The summit route begins with an optional but time-saving minibus ride (25min; RM16.50/vehicle) to the start of the Timpohon trail. The day’s climb to the mountain huts at Laban Rata takes between five and seven hours, depending on your fitness and trail conditions. Roots and stones along the trail serve as steps, with wooden “ladders” laid up the muddier stretches. There are regular rest shelters with toilets along the path.

To Layang Layang

The air gets progressively cooler as you climb, but the walk is still hard and sweaty, and you’ll be glad of the water tanks and rest point at Layang Layang (2621m), three hours into the climb. Around this point, if the weather is kind, incredible views of the hills, sea and clouds start to unfold below you.

To Laban Rata

At just above 3000m, a detour to the left brings hikers to Pondok Paka, a large overhanging rock that was the site of overnight camps on early expeditions. It’s a further 6km to Laban Rata, which lies at 3272m. The final 2km, dominated by large boulders and steep slippery rock surfaces, are demanding even for the fittest, particularly considering the lower oxygen levels. The rewards are the view of the mighty granite slopes of the Panar Laban rock face, plus the promise of reaching your accommodation.

The second day

Most climbers get up at 2.30am for the final ascent, although those who are particularly fit might leave slightly later to avoid getting to the summit too long before sunrise.

To the summit

The trail crosses the sheer Panar Laban rock face, past the Sayat Sayat hut and onwards to the summit at Low’s Peak. Although ropes, handrails and wooden steps help in places, it’s a stiff climb at the very least. You’ll also be doing it in pitch darkness so headlamps are an advantage and a powerful torch a must. Climbers should also be aware of the symptoms of altitude sickness.

After the final push, the beautiful spectacle of sunrise at Low’s Peak will rob you of any remaining breath. Remember that it’ll be bitingly cold, so bring very warm clothing for that brief photo stop at the summit.

Descending from the mountain

After all that toil, it’s back to Laban Rata for a hearty breakfast – prepare to be shocked when you see the sharp drops along the trail, which were not visible in the dark. Then it’s time to head back down to park HQ, which usually takes three to five hours. As your leg muscles ache from the relentless downhill trudge – which is likely to get worse the next day – take a moment to reflect on the fact that the record time for the annual Kinabalu Climbathon is just over two and a half hours. That’s up and down.

Preparing to climb Gunung Kinabulu

Climbing the mountain has become a must-do in Borneo itineraries. For the thousands of people who come here annually to haul themselves up, the process is made easier by a well-defined, 8.5-kilometre-long path that weaves up through jungle on the southern side to the bare granite of the summit.

Despite its popularity, it’s a very tough trek and not to be undertaken lightly. Even given perfect weather conditions, there’s a remorseless, freezing, final pre-dawn ascent to contend with and it’s quite possible to suffer from altitude sickness and not get to the top. Bad weather can also scupper an ascent, or at least make it a pretty miserable experience.

Don’t undertake the challenge unless you are fully prepared with suitable clothing and in good general health. If you suffer from vertigo then you shouldn’t have a problem on the route up to Laban Rata (where there’s foliage to hide any drops), or even for the summit ascent (since it’s in the dark), but the way down from the summit may cause you problems.

Booking ahead

If you want to do the climb in just one day – an option only available from tour operators based in KK – then you can substantially cut costs. This does, however, mean an exceptionally long and tiring day on the mountain, while the view from the top will almost certainly be obscured by clouds by the time you get there. Getting a permit for a day-trip can also be difficult. All in all, it isn’t really worth it.

For the vast majority of visitors, therefore, ascending and descending Gunung Kinabalu takes two days. The standard route begins at the park HQ, two hours from KK and 1588m up. It’s possible to arrive on the morning of the climb, but spending the previous night in the area is a good idea; it gives time to acclimatize and means you can make an earlier start in the morning. Climbers then have to spend a night two-thirds of the way up the mountain in huts at Laban Rata, allowing for a final dawn ascent.

The accommodation on the mountain is often booked up long in advance, although tour operators in KK may be able to offer a package at short notice for an additional fee; you can also call direct in the hope of a cancellation. Avoid booking packages with overseas tour operators, which can work out a lot more expensive.

What to bring

Essential items to carry with you include a torch (preferably a headlamp), headache tablets, suntan lotion, energy boosters (such as nuts, fruit and muesli bars), and a water bottle (there’s unfiltered but drinkable water along the trail). Wear waterproof shoes or hiking boots with a good tread, and bring a few layers of warm clothing for the summit; the Laban Rata resthouse has a few jackets for rent, but you need to call ahead to reserve one. Most guides do not carry first-aid kits, so it’s best to bring your own.

The morning of the climb

Get to the park HQ as early as possible: the last group usually sets off by 11am, but ideally you should be here by 9am, in order to reach Laban Rata before the hot water runs out in the showers. Call in at the Sutera Sanctuary Lodges reception to confirm your place at Laban Rata, then go next door to the Sabah Parks office to pay the various fees.

Besides the climbing permit, conservation fee and insurance, you must pay for a guide. All those charges are mandatory; some climbers also opt to pay for a porter (maximum load 10kg). If you’re alone, ask whether you can join another group for company and to save on the guide fee. Lockers and a safe room are available at the HQ to deposit valuables or even your pack.

Kinabalu flora and fauna

If you dash headlong up and down Gunung Kinabalu and then depart, as many visitors do, you’ll miss out on many of the national park’s riches. Its diverse terrains have spawned an incredible variety of plants and animals, and you are far more likely to appreciate them by walking some of the lower trails (see Around the park headquarters) at a leisurely pace.

Around a third of the park’s area is covered by lowland dipterocarp forest, characterized by massive, buttressed trees and allowing only sparse growth at ground level. The world’s largest flower, the parasitic – and elusive – Rafflesia, occasionally blooms in the lowland forest. Between 900m and 1800m, you’ll come across the oaks, chestnuts, ferns and mosses (including the Dawsonia – the world’s tallest moss) of the montane forest.

Higher up (1800–2600m), the cloudforest supports a huge range of flowering plants: around a thousand orchids and 26 varieties of rhododendron have been identified, including Low’s rhododendron with its enormous yellow flowers. The hanging lichen that drapes across branches of stunted trees lends a magical feel to the landscape at this height. It’s at this altitude, too, that you’re most likely to see the park’s most famous plants – its nine species of insectivorous pitcher plants (Nepenthes) whose cups secrete a nectar that first attracts insects and then drowns them, as they are unable to escape up the slippery sides of the pitcher.

Higher still, above 2600m, only the most tenacious plantlife can survive – like the agonizingly gnarled sayat-sayat tree, and the heath rhododendron found only on Mount Kinabalu – while beyond 3300m, soil gives way to granite. Here, grasses, sedges and the elegant blooms of Low’s buttercup are all that flourish.

Although orang-utans, Bornean gibbons and tarsiers are among mammals that dwell in the park, you’re unlikely to see anything more exotic than squirrels, rats and tree shrews, or conceivably a mouse deer or a bearded pig if you’re lucky. The higher reaches of Gunung Kinabalu boast two types of birds seen nowhere else in the world – the Kinabalu friendly warbler and Kinabalu mountain blackbird. Lower down, look out for hornbills and eagles, as well as the Malaysian tree pie, identifiable by its foot-long tail. You’re bound to see plenty of insects: butterflies and moths flit through the trees, while the forest floor is home to creatures like the trilobite beetle, whose orange-and-black armour-plating lends it a fearsome aspect.

Mountain Torq

If merely walking up to the summit isn’t enough of a challenge, then Asia’s first via ferrata – pathways of rungs, ropes, rails and planks running along sheer cliffsides – may provide the adrenaline rush you are looking for. It’s exhilarating stuff with some incredible views, yet it’s safe because you’re always clipped onto something. Of the two routes, one is suitable for anyone over ten years old, the other has a minimum age of seventeen.

Located close to Laban Rata, the Mountain Torq centre also runs climbing and abseiling courses. Participants can arrange to stay at the Pendant Hut instead of at Laban Rata.

Ten kilometres along the road from Poring to Ranau, KUNDASANG is little more than a junction where simple stalls sell fruit and vegetables. It is, however, worth a stop for those interested in the World War II history of Borneo.

Kundasang War Memorial

The Kundasang war memorial commemorates the victims of the Sandakan Death Marches of 1945, when Japanese troops force-marched POWs from Sandakan to Ranau. No soldiers are buried here.

The site has been extensively renovated, and now includes an information centre that shows an Australian documentary about the death marches, plus three peaceful and well-tended memorial gardens (Australian, British and Bornean).

Sabah’s main trunk road continues southeast from Sandakan and the Sungai Kinabatangan to Lahad Datu. This unenthralling town offers access to two excellent rainforest areas: Danum Valley Conservation Area and Tabin Wildlife Reserve. Further south, Semporna draws scuba divers headed for the world-renowned Pulau Sipadan. It’s possible to stay in town or in an island resort; the latter range from backpacker shacks to luxurious retreats.

The main road around Sabah stops at the busy, noisy town of Tawau, from which ferries depart for Indonesian Kalimantan. Also from Tawau, 4WDs head daily for Keningau along rough routes that complete a ring road of sorts. This is also the way to the Maliau Basin, a magnet for trekkers although only accessible within expensive tour packages.

Danum Valley Conservation Area

Spanning 438 square kilometres, over ninety percent of its primary dipterocarp rainforest, the Danum Valley Conservation Area (DVCA) is contained within a sprawling logging concession. Wildlife includes bearded pigs, orang-utans, proboscis monkeys, clouded leopards and elephants, as well as reptiles, fish, insects and more than 320 bird species. Short hiking trails are limited to the eastern side, where the tourist accommodation is located. The remainder is pristine forest, out of bounds to all but researchers.

Travellers usually only visit the chaotic, traffic-clogged town of SEMPORNA because they plan to scuba dive and snorkel off nearby islands such as Sipadan, Mabul and Kapalai. While some divers base themselves on the islands, particularly Mabul, a backpacker scene has developed in Semporna since staying inexpensively can release funds for an extra dive or two. It also gives access to the more northerly islands, not usually visited from Mabul.

Semporna broadly consists of three sections: downtown, the commercial centre where buses and minivans stop; Semporna Seafront, home to dive operators (there are yet more out in the resorts themselves) and most tourist accommodation (plus an ATM in front of the Giant supermarket); and the jetty-lined Jalan Kastam, which holds more dive kiosks, a few cafés and the business-oriented Seafest Hotel.

The sea gypsies

Generations of Muslim Bajau and Suluk peoples have farmed the Celebes and Sulu seas for fish, sea cucumbers, shells and other marine products. Often dubbed sea gypsies, these people were originally nomads who lived aboard intricately carved wooden boats called lepa-lepa. Most are now settled in Semporna or on the islands around it, but their love of (and dependence upon) the sea remains strong, and the traditional red and yellow sails of the Bajau boats can sometimes still be seen billowing in the breeze. Every April, the Regatta Lepa Semporna (wetawau.com/Semporna/LEPA/LEPA.htm) sees the boats converge on the town for two days. Amid traditional singing and dancing, as well as sea sports and competitions, awards are given for the best lepa-lepa.

Islands around Semporna

Visitors come to Semporna not to hang out in town, but to explore the magnificent islands offshore. The prime destination for divers is Pulau Sipadan, but nearby Pulau Mabul and Pulau Kapalai are also renowned for marine life, and the latter in particular offers great snorkelling.

These well-known islands are, however, just the beginning. Sibuan, for example, on the edge of the chain and just over 45 minutes by boat from Semporna, has a breathtaking beach and shallow coral reefs. On Mantubuan there’s amazing pristine coral and very good visibility – a popular dive is to a section of very rare black coral (actually white), where you swim through a forest of what resemble underwater Christmas trees.

Pulau Sipadan

Acclaimed by Jacques Cousteau as “an untouched piece of art”, Sipadan is a cornucopia of marine life, its waters teeming with turtles, moray eels, sharks, barracuda, vast schools of colourful tropical fish, and a diversity of coral comparable to that at Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.

There is no accommodation on the island and thanks to Sipadan’s popularity, a permit system limits the number of divers each day. As a result, dive shops and resorts will typically require you to dive with them at other islands for three or four days before you get a day at Sipadan; you should also book well in advance. Dive shops regularly take less experienced divers, but you are likely to enjoy your time here more if you have some experience and preferably Advanced Open Water certification – there can be fairly strong drifts and some of the best dives go below 20m. At the very least you should be sure that you have enough buoyancy control to avoid damaging the coral.

You can also use the same permit to snorkel in Sipadan, but it’s hard to justify the huge premium over snorkelling trips to the other islands.

Most of the dozen-plus commonly visited dive sites around Sipadan offer the chance to see abundant turtles and white-tip sharks. The most popular, Barracuda Point, is a drift dive where divers hold onto rocks while shoals of barracuda pass by. Another great site is the Drop-off, close to the jetty, where you often find large schools of barracuda, bump-head parrot fish and Napoleon wrasse. Close to here is the entrance to Turtle Cave, a watery grave for the skeletal remains of turtles that have strayed in and become lost; fatal accidents have occurred when divers have gone in without proper guidance.

Pulau Mabul

Mabul, the chain’s largest island, holds the lion’s share of accommodation. It’s evenly split between posh resorts and affordable guesthouses; many of the latter are on the western side of the island, also home to a lively stilt-village inhabited by Bajau fisherfolk. Although there’s a beach on the eastern side, development means that this is not a very picturesque island and non-divers are not likely to find much to do (other than, perhaps, laze around the more upmarket resorts). Litter is also a major problem on the western side.

Visibility in the water can be 20m or more but it’s much less reliable than at Sipadan, particularly from July to September. Actually, though, the muck diving – seeking out creatures in the sediment – is famous here. Divemasters tend to prefer Mabul to Sipadan: while the latter has the big-ticket attractions like sharks and turtles, Mabul rewards patience. Among the marine life close to the island are seahorses – including the rare pygmy seahorse – frog fish, cuttlefish, mimic octopus, lion fish, stone fish, ribbon eels, mandarin fish and crocodile fish.

Pulau Kapalai

Little more than a sand bar, tiny Kapalai is exquisite and other-wordly. It has room only for one resort and an expensive one at that, although its reef is enjoyed by many visitors who are staying on Mabul. Again, the main attractions are the macro life: divers go looking for pygmy seahorses, harlequin ghost pipefish, frog fish and mandarin fish.

Pulau Pom Pom

The diving at Pom Pom Island itself is not the best in the area, but the island is lovely and a real desert-island escape which even has a relatively affordable resort. You also have access to plenty of other islands if diving is your passion.

Pulau Mataking

This great little island had only a single resort at the time of research, though another was under construction. Dive boats come here sometimes, as Mataking is renowned for turtles and magnificent rays, as well as interesting hammerhead nudibranchs.

Tabin Wildlife Reserve

Tabin Wildlife Reserve, a government-owned tract of land twice the size of Singapore, holds a single resort managed by a private company. It’s around 44km northeast of Lahad Datu airport, where the reserve office is based, of which the last 25km is unsurfaced. Although just eleven percent primary dipterocarp forest, Tabin offers excellent opportunities to see wildlife. Indeed, charismatic manager Fernando argues that Tabin’s strength as a habitat is in its combination of primary forest, secondary forest and plantation (which is rich in fruit for animals to eat).

Both hiking and night drives offer opportunities to come across pygmy elephants, macaques or wild boar as they cross the tracks from the forest to the plantations in search of food; orang-utans can also be spotted, and even the rare clouded leopard. Birdwatchers can look out for such endemic species as the Bornean bristlehead, blue-headed pitta and all eight local species of hornbills.

A visit to Tabin will typically include a walk to a mud volcano, used by animals as a mineral lick; a nearby tower allows guests to observe the scene and you can even sleep there by arrangement. Serious trekkers can explore the virgin forest of the Core Area, although this is not part of the normal schedule.

Sabah’s last true wilderness, and one of the world’s oldest rainforests, the MALIAU BASIN CONSERVATION AREA (wborneoforestheritage.org.my) remains barely explored; most visitors are scientists or researchers. Featuring various types of forest including lower montane, heath and dipterocarp, the basin is home to an impressive range of large mammals, notably the Borneo pygmy elephant, clouded leopard, Malayan sun bear and banteng (wild cattle), while birds include rare species found otherwise only at Gunung Kinabalu and Gunung Trus Madi.

To visit you must be on a tour, for which Borneo Nature Tours (wborneonaturetours.com) are the sole providers. The standard five-day itinerary starts at Tawau, a five-hour drive from the park, and includes long and strenuous hikes suitable only for the fit. You’ll need a doctor’s certificate to prove this, plus insurance that covers helicopter evacuation. The itinerary follows a circular route, spending the first and last night in dorms at the spartan Agathis Camp close to the park entrance, and the rest at the similarly basic Nepenthes (aka Camel Trophy) Camp, six hours’ walk deeper. Also included are night drives and a side-trip to the Maliau Falls.

Sabah’s trunk highway hurries through the northern suburbs of KK to the more pastoral environs of Tuaran. From here, the atap houses of the Bajau water villages, Mengkabong and Penimbawan, are only a stone’s throw away. Just outside Tuaran, the main road forks, with the eastern branch heading towards Gunung Kinabalu National Park and Ranau, then onwards to Sandakan.

Continuing north instead, the main road arrives at bustling Kota Belud, where a weekly tamu attracts tribespeople from all over the region. Beyond, the landscape becomes more colourful: jewel-bright paddy fields and stilted wooden houses line the road for much of the way up to the Kudat Peninsula, with Gunung Kinabalu dominating the far distance.

On the way to Kudat, the first administrative capital of the East India Company, it’s possible to stay at a Rungus longhouse in Kampung Bavanggazo. North of town the area known as the Tip of Borneo has quiet beaches and a few guesthouses. Remote islands reached from the peninsula include Pulau Banggi and Pulau Mantanani.

Kampung Bavanggazo

Although the shift to modern housing means that few traditional Rungus longhouses survive, a couple have been constructed in KAMPUNG BAVANGGAZO, 98km north of KK, to give tourists a chance to spend the night. In addition to room-only prices, it’s possible to book a package including dinner, breakfast and a tribal dance performance – call a couple of days ahead, to make sure that a performance is scheduled. Other activities include an early-morning jungle trek.

For six days of the week, KOTA BELUD, 75km northeast of KK, is a busy but undistinguished town; arriving tourists usually head straight to the jetty for Pulau Mantanani. Early on Sunday, however, the town springs to life as hordes of villagers congregate at Sabah’s largest weekly tamu. Fulfilling a social as well as commercial role, the market draws Rungus, Kadazan/Dusun and Bajau indigenous groups.

Though the market’s popularity among KK’s tour operators means there are always a few tourists, you won’t see many souvenirs for sale: instead you’re far more likely to come across dried fish, chains of yeast beads (used to make rice wine), buffalo, betel nut and tudung saji (colourful food covers used to keep flies at bay). Arrive early – if you’re coming from KK, set off by 8am at the latest.

Kota Belud’s annual tamu besar, or “big market”, usually held in October, sees cultural performances, traditional horseback games and handicraft demonstrations in addition to the more typical stalls.

Overlooking Marudu Bay, Kudat is a friendly town centred on the intersection of Jalan Ibrahim Arshad and Jalan Lo Thien Chock. The latter, the main street, holds some of Sabah’s oldest wooden shophouses and a Standard Chartered Bank. During a visit, leave time to peek at the central, orange-hued Chinese temple close to the Ria Hotel, plus the stilt village and the harbour, now significantly quieter than in the days when Kudat had an active fishing industry.

The Kudat Peninsula is home to the Rungus people, members of the wider Kadazan/Dusun ethnic group. Like most, the Rungus have gradually modernized, but many still hold their traditions dear. Older people in the kampungs still dress in black, and only two generations ago some Rungus wore coils of brass and copper on their bodies.

The architectural style of the traditional longhouse is distinctive too, built with outwards leaning walls and decorated with motifs and imagery from farming and nature. Today though, most dwellings are made from sheets of corrugated zinc, whose durability makes it preferable to the traditional materials like timber, tree bark, rattan and nipah leaves.

Pulau Banggi

The island of Pulau Banggi, 40km north of Kudat and accessible by daily ferry, is the largest in Sabah. It’s mostly flat but has lovely beaches, including one close to the jetty at the main settlement Karakit, and is worth a visit just for the boat ride and an amble on the beach. There are few tourist facilities; to dive the reefs here, for example, you’d need to make arrangements with a tour company in KK.

Pulau Mantanani

Popular with KK tour operators as a day-trip destination, Pulau Mantanani is actually a collection of three tiny islands 40km off the coast from Kota Belud (from where you can take a boat) that also holds a few resorts. It’s a lot of travel for a single day, but a lovely place to stay for a night or two; snorkelling, kayaking and scuba diving are available by arrangement.

The Tip of Borneo

Promoted as a tourist attraction in recent years, the thin promontory known as the Tip of Borneo (Tanjung Simpang Mengayau) has seen limited development but retains a great deal of charm. It’s easy to see what keeps visitors coming: cliffs drop away to steep, forested hills and waves crash onto the golden sandy beaches. While it’s well worth a visit – or, better, a night or two – if you’re in the vicinity, whether it’s worth a special journey all the way from KK is more debatable.

At the tip itself, Sabah Tourism has built a car park where steps lead down to a viewing area and a monumental globe. It’s busiest at the weekend, when local families visit; no buses or minivans come this way, so you’ll need to use your own transport, or a taxi.

The Poring Hot Springs were developed during World War II by the Japanese, who installed wooden tubs that have been replaced by tiled versions. Don’t come expecting natural pools, luxury or solitude, but it can be a good place to relax aching muscles after descending from Mount Kinabalu.

There are also a few other attractions within the site, including an orchid garden, a butterfly farm, a canopy walkway and a few walking trails. Outside the gates you’ll see signs advertising places to see Rafflesia flowers but these are best avoided: the plants have often been dug up and brought to Poring from more remote areas.

Accommodation in the Sabah hot springs area

The official accommodation within the hot springs area is run by Sutera Sanctuary Lodges and is very expensive. Luckily a handful of more affordable (if unexceptional) lodges lie just outside the entrance, with a great option in the jungle nearby.

A short distance west of the Klias Peninsula, PULAU LABUAN is not strictly part of Sabah, being Federal Territory governed directly from KL. Labuan town holds few tourist attractions, but its centre has decent eating, good mid-range accommodation and a lively nightlife. Some worthwhile sights lie beyond the town, while scuba divers are attracted by the chance to dive four wrecks. You might also want to take advantage of the island’s duty-free prices while passing through.

While there’s little reason to spend time in the undistinguished town of Ranau, it’s the main hub for travelling between Kinabalu National Park and eastern Sabah. The first day of each month sees a large and lively tamu (market), 1km out of town towards Sandakan; there’s also a smaller tamu every Saturday.

Sabah Tea Garden

The Sabah Tea Garden is a well-run organic tea plantation that makes a great place to stay for a night or two, but may also be worth a daytime visit if you’re passing through. Contact them in advance to arrange hikes and factory tours, as it’s very popular with groups and gets busy. Ask also about visiting the fish massage place nearby, where surprisingly large river fish nibble at customers’ dead skin.

Following the coast southwest of KK, the highway passes through Kinarut and Papar before reaching Beaufort, the main access point for the Klias Peninsula. This is prime country for day-trips organized by tour operators in KK, whether for whitewater rafting, proboscis-monkey watching or firefly tours. Offshore is Pulau Tiga, the setting for the first series of the TV show Survivor.

Named after Leicester P. Beaufort, an early governor of British North Borneo, BEAUFORT is a quiet, uneventful town whose commercial significance has declined since the sealed road from KK into the interior lessened the importance of its rail link with Tenom. The town’s position on the banks of the Padas leaves it prone to flooding, which explains why its shophouses are raised on steps.

It’s also the river that attracts most of the tourists who visit the town – Beaufort is the starting point for many whitewater rafting trips. Otherwise, once you’ve poked around in the market, inspected angular St Paul’s Church at the top of town and taken a walk past the stilt houses on the riverbank, you’ve exhausted its sights.

The Klias Peninsula

Thirty kilometres west of Beaufort, and served by regular minivans from the centre of town, the Klias Peninsula is an area of flat marshland that’s popular with KK-based tour operators for proboscis monkey or firefly tours.

The most westerly settlement on the Klias Peninsula, tiny MENUMBOK has no accommodation. It’s notable only for the jetty that links it to Labuan; a couple of cafés here may be useful when waiting for a boat.

Around an hour northeast of Beaufort, or 45 minutes from Menumbok, at the northern point of the peninsula, KUALA PENYU is the departure point for Pulau Tiga National Park. It’s a simple grid of streets with little more than a few stores, filled with basic supplies, and a couple of kedai kopis.

Pulau Tiga National Park

In the South China Sea, 12km north of Kuala Penyu, Pulau Tiga National Park once consisted of three islands, but wave erosion has reduced one to a mere sand bar. Of the remaining two, Tiga and Kalampunian Damit, only the former holds any accommodation. It acquired a degree of fame in 2001 as the location of the first series of the American reality-TV show Survivor.

Most visitors today content themselves with relaxing on the sandy beaches and snorkelling or diving in the azure sea, but it’s possible to hike right around the island in six hours. An easy twenty-minute walk to the centre of Pulau Tiga leads to a couple of (lukewarm) mud volcanoes. Slip and slide around there, then walk 1.2km further to clean up at lovely Pagong-Pagong beach. Be warned, though, that walking can be hard going if your feet and flip-flops are muddy.

Just 1km northeast of Pulau Tiga, Kalampunian Damit is also known locally as Pulau Ular (Snake Island), because it attracts a species of venomous sea snake called the yellow-lipped sea krait. The island is normally visited as part of a morning trip from Pulau Tiga Resort, combined with some snorkelling. It used to be possible to see dozens of snakes on a good day, but now they seem to be much more scarce and some visitors come away disappointed.

Southeast of Sandakan Bay, Sabah’s longest river – the 560km Sungai Kinabatangan – ends its journey to the Sulu Sea. Whereas logging has had an adverse impact on the river’s ecology upstream, the creation of the Lower Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary has kept its lower reaches largely free of development. This is the largest forested flood plain in Malaysia, laden with oxbow lakes, mangrove and grass swamps, and distinctive vegetation including massive fig trees overhanging the water’s edge.

The sanctuary offers some of Sabah’s best opportunities for seeing wildlife. Although some tour operators offer day-trips from Sandakan, it’s much better to stay overnight given the travel time; the ideal is a two-night stay. Although there are a few exceptions, most lodges are located either in or around the villages of Sukau or Bilit. From November to April, the rainy season can lead to flooding at some lodges – at its worst in January – and even force their closure.

Gomantong Caves

The Gomantong Caves are vast limestone cavities inhabited by swiftlets whose nests are harvested twice a year (normally Feb–April and July–Sept) for the bird’s-nest-soup trade. The caves are also home to a huge number of bats, and the enormous piles of guano (droppings) give them a distinctive acrid smell.

There are two main caves. The black cave, smaller but only a ten-minute walk from the ticket office, mostly contains black nests, a combination of twigs and bird saliva. The white cave is rarely visited by tourists as it’s another hour away, but nest collectors go there for the more valuable white nests, made from pure saliva. Note that the guano attracts a huge number of cockroaches, so don’t wear flip-flops or sandals.

There’s nowhere to stay or eat in and around Gomantong, so plan to leave the caves well before dark if you are not on a tour.

Lower Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary

Despite Sabah’s rather haphazard approach to making the most of its superb natural resources, the designation of the Lower Kinabatangan as a wildlife sanctuary in 2005 was a commendable move. That said, sanctuary status is one level below that of a national park, so villages and agricultural development have been allowed to crisscross the protected sections. Furthermore, only the area immediately alongside the river is protected; as animals have lost their habitats when the surrounding areas have been converted into palm-oil plantations, they have effectively been pushed into the narrow protected corridor.

This means that it is highly likely that, over a number of boat rides and short treks, you will see elephants (if they are in the area), orang-utans, proboscis monkeys, macaques and gibbons. The resident birdlife is equally impressive. With luck, visitors get glimpses of hornbills, brahminy kites, crested serpent eagles, egrets, exquisite blue-banded and stork-billed kingfishers, and oriental darters, which dive underwater to find food and then sit on the shore, their wings stretched out to dry. The river itself holds freshwater sharks, crocodiles and rays, and a great variety of fish species.

Sukau and Bilit

The first tourist lodges on the Sungai Kinabatangan opened around the kampung of Sukau, 134km from Sandakan by road or 87km by boat. Still the easiest place to reach, it’s particularly popular with independent travellers as it’s possible to stay in the village itself on a B&B basis then charter boats as needed. Most of the all-inclusive lodges are on the riverbanks close to the village.

Many would argue, however, that Sukau is a victim of over-development. In July and August in particular, dozens of boats converge along the same narrow tributaries at the same times and shatter any sense of peace. Although many boats now use quieter electric motors when the current allows, some still do not.

Once tourism became well established in Sukau, a few operators decided to open lodges further upriver around the kampung of Bilit. Although not the undeveloped spot it once was, Bilit remains quieter than Sukau partly because there’s no public transport to the village – it’s upstream of Sukau and reached via a lower-quality road.

Good day-trip options from KK include Mari Mari Cultural Village and Monsopiad Cultural Village for anyone interested in local culture, or taking a ride south on the North Borneo Railway if you fancy a taste of colonial Sabah. Also south of KK is the Tambunan Rafflesia Reserve , where you may be able to see the world’s largest flowering plant. The most popular attraction of all, however, are the beaches of Tunku Abdul Rahman Park just offshore.

Mari Mari Cultural Village

A newer alternative to the similar Monsopiad Cultural Village, with rather more of a theme park feel but also more interaction right from the start: groups have to assign a leader who will introduce them to the costumed “tribal leader” at the village entrance. Inside, visitors are taken on a whistle-stop tour through the longhouses and customs of Sabah’s various tribes.

Activities and demonstrations include rice wine tasting, beekeeping for honey and glue production, starting a fire using bamboo, bouncing on a trampoline, making sweets and using a blowpipe. Towards the end there’s a dance show, followed by a buffet meal. It may all feel a little phoney but, taken in the right spirit, it is also great fun and you come away both entertained and educated.

Monsopiad Cultural Village

Based around the tale of a legendary head-hunter, Monsopiad Cultural Village provides an introduction to the history and traditions of the Kadazan people. Tours are led by knowledgeable guides who take visitors to a hut where Monsopiad’s grisly harvest of 42 skulls is displayed, and then explain traditions such as the rituals practised by the bobohizan (priestess). Next comes the chance to taste lihing (rice wine) and test your accuracy with a blowpipe and sling. Finally there’s a dance show with scope for a little audience participation.

Although the exhibits and activities are interesting, the entrance price is high and the slightly dated approach has stiff competition from the newer Mari Mari Cultural Village. That said, it has an advantage in that it deals with people from a single tribe – and in the place where they lived – rather than taking a scattergun approach to tribal culture.

North Borneo Railway

You don’t have to be a railway buff to appreciate the romance of taking a steam train along the 36km of the colonial-era North Borneo Railway from Tanjung Aru station to the small town of Papar. The locomotive is a wood-burning British Vulcan, while the five carriages were built to a 1900s-style design in the 1970s.

Tambunan Rafflesia Reserve

If you feel you really must see a Rafflesia in flower while you are in Sabah, then the prospects at the Tambunan Rafflesia Reserve , often visited as a day-trip from KK, are good. As each bloom lasts for only a few days, however, it’s essential to check ahead. Assuming that one is flowering, expect a walk of up to two hours in total.

Tunku Abdul Rahman Park

Named after Malaysia’s first prime minister, and just a short boat trip away from KK, the five islands of Tunku Abdul Rahman Park (TAR Park) represent the most westerly ripples of the Crocker mountain range. The islands’ forests, beaches and coral reefs lie within 8km of the city, with park territory as close as 3km off the mainland. The three most often visited are Manukan , Mamutik and Sapi , and it’s easy to book a day’s island hopping. Try to avoid weekends and public holidays when facilities are often overstretched; don’t expect desert island solitude at any time.

Snorkelling is popular around the islands. Although careless tourists have damaged much of the coral, there’s enough marine life around to make it worthwhile. Scuba divers will find the best conditions from January to March, although visibility is still typically just 5m.

The site of the British North Borneo Chartered Company’s first outpost in the region, Pulau Gaya is the closest of the islands to KK and also the largest. It doesn’t feature on standard island-hopping routes; tourists can only visit by chartering a boat, staying at one of the island’s resorts, or booking a tour with an operator such as Tanjung Aru Tours & Travel ( w go2borneo.com ).

If you do make it over, you’ll find idyllic stretches of sand such as Polis Beach as well as lovely hiking trails; Downbelow ( t 012 866 1935, w divedownbelow.com ) runs a dive shop. The eastern end is taken up by a stilt village inhabited by Filipino immigrants.

Though far smaller than its neighbour Gaya, Pulau Sapi also has trails and is home to macaques and hornbills; with the best beaches of any of the islands, it’s popular with swimmers, snorkellers and picnickers. Sapi has simple facilities including toilets, a small café (daily 8am–4pm) and changing rooms. There’s also a dive shop, 50 Bar (daily 9am–1pm; t 013 854 5567), charging a steep RM250 per dive.

The park HQ is situated on crescent-shaped Pulau Manukan , site of a former stone quarry and now the most developed island. Indeed Manukan has become something of a victim of its own success, drawing hundreds of visitors on a busy day. That said, the beach is attractive, watersports are good and there’s a café serving a buffet (RM95) or à la carte meals – nasi lemak or curry laksa cost RM18. To escape the crowds, take the thirty-minute walk to Sunset Point.

Across a narrow channel from Manukan, tiny Pulau Mamutik is a snorkeller’s delight. The island is surrounded by coral gardens with the best stretch off the beach at the southwest, towards the back of where the boat drops you, but it’s necessary either to clamber over rocks or to swim right round.

Borneo Divers ( w borneodivers.info ) have a small dive shop, offering better prices to walk-in customers than you’ll get by booking ahead. Head out on the first boats of the day if that’s your plan; it’s much more cost-effective to do two or three dives than just one.

The last island of the group, Pulau Sulug , is the most remote and consequently the quietest, though its lovely coral makes it popular with divers. It has no facilities, and few boats visit.

It’s possible to camp on the three main islands for just RM5; tents can be rented for RM30, but don’t rely too much on availability.

While first impressions of KOTA KINABALU, which everyone calls KK, may be of a rather utilitarian concrete sprawl, many visitors end up charmed by its lively buzz and the friendliness of its citizens. As well as good places to eat, it also has excellent transport links and is the headquarters of most of the main tour operators.

The best of the city’s few specific sights are its markets, the Sabah Museum and the Mari Mari Cultural Village. A further highlight lies offshore in the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park, whose popular islands are just a short trip away by boat.

Modern-day KK can trace its history back to 1882, when the British North Borneo Chartered Company established an outpost on nearby Pulau Gaya. After followers of the Bajau rebel, Mat Salleh, burned that down in 1897, the Company chose a mainland site – a fishing village called Api-Api – to develop as a new town. Renamed Jesselton after Sir Charles Jessel, the vice-chairman of the Chartered Company, the town prospered. By 1905 the Trans-Borneo Railway reached from Jesselton to Beaufort, allowing rubber to be transported efficiently from the interior to the coast.

The Japanese invasion of North Borneo in 1942 marked the start of three and a half years of military occupation; little of old Jesselton survived the resultant Allied bombing. In 1968 the name was changed to Kota Kinabalu and city planners set about expanding outwards into the sea. Interconnecting concrete buildings have been constructed on the reclaimed land – the Sinsuran and Segama complexes and Asia City in particular have developed their own identities. Progress has been startling, and today, with a population of over a quarter of a million, KK is a beehive of activity once again.

A lively street market is held along Jalan Gaya every Sunday morning, with stalls selling items as disparate as herbal teas, handicrafts, orchids and rabbits. In addition, a huddle of markets on the waterfront are open daily, and together form one of the city’s highlights. Approaching from the northeast, you first reach the labyrinthine Central Market, which includes a fish market that’s at its best very early in the morning. Next comes the Handicraft Market, also known as the Filipino Market thanks to the ethnicity of many of its stallholders. Around sundown, the area west of here becomes a gargantuan night food market; further west still is the waterfront parade of bars and restaurants.

Styled after Murut and Rungus longhouses, the buildings of the Sabah State Museum are set in grounds that also hold several splendid steam engines. The botanical garden in front of the museum is bordered by finely crafted traditional houses, representing all Sabah’s major tribes and known as the Heritage Village (Kampung Warisan).

The other highlight of the complex, the ethnographic collection in the main building, includes human skulls dating from Sabah’s head-hunting days, and a sininggazanak, a totemic wooden figurine placed in the field of a Kadazan man who died without heirs. Photographs in the history gallery depict the city when Jalan Gaya still constituted the waterfront, lined with lean-tos thatched with nipah-palm leaves.

Exhibits on oil drilling in the Science and Technology Centre next door are less than gripping; head instead to the Art Gallery upstairs, where the centrepiece is a giant string of Rungus beads, created by Chee Sing Teck, hanging from the ceiling.

Good day-trip options from KK include Mari Mari Cultural Village and Monsopiad Cultural Village for anyone interested in local culture, or taking a ride south on the North Borneo Railway if you fancy a taste of colonial Sabah. Also south of KK is the Tambunan Rafflesia Reserve, where you may be able to see the world’s largest flowering plant. The most popular attraction of all, however, are the beaches of Tunku Abdul Rahman Park just offshore.

If you feel you really must see a Rafflesia in flower while you are in Sabah, then the prospects at the Tambunan Rafflesia Reserve, often visited as a day-trip from KK, are good. As each bloom lasts for only a few days, however, it’s essential to check ahead. Assuming that one is flowering, expect a walk of up to two hours in total.

Named after Malaysia’s first prime minister, and just a short boat trip away from KK, the five islands of Tunku Abdul Rahman Park (TAR Park) represent the most westerly ripples of the Crocker mountain range. The islands’ forests, beaches and coral reefs lie within 8km of the city, with park territory as close as 3km off the mainland. The three most often visited are Manukan, Mamutik and Sapi, and it’s easy to book a day’s island hopping. Try to avoid weekends and public holidays when facilities are often overstretched; don’t expect desert island solitude at any time.

The site of the British North Borneo Chartered Company’s first outpost in the region, Pulau Gaya is the closest of the islands to KK and also the largest. It doesn’t feature on standard island-hopping routes; tourists can only visit by chartering a boat, staying at one of the island’s resorts, or booking a tour with an operator such as Tanjung Aru Tours & Travel (wgo2borneo.com).

If you do make it over, you’ll find idyllic stretches of sand such as Polis Beach as well as lovely hiking trails; Downbelow (t012 866 1935, wdivedownbelow.com) runs a dive shop. The eastern end is taken up by a stilt village inhabited by Filipino immigrants.

Though far smaller than its neighbour Gaya, Pulau Sapi also has trails and is home to macaques and hornbills; with the best beaches of any of the islands, it’s popular with swimmers, snorkellers and picnickers. Sapi has simple facilities including toilets, a small café (daily 8am–4pm) and changing rooms. There’s also a dive shop, 50 Bar (daily 9am–1pm; t013 854 5567), charging a steep RM250 per dive.

The park HQ is situated on crescent-shaped Pulau Manukan, site of a former stone quarry and now the most developed island. Indeed Manukan has become something of a victim of its own success, drawing hundreds of visitors on a busy day. That said, the beach is attractive, watersports are good and there’s a café serving a buffet (RM95) or à la carte meals – nasi lemak or curry laksa cost RM18. To escape the crowds, take the thirty-minute walk to Sunset Point.

Borneo Divers (wborneodivers.info) have a small dive shop, offering better prices to walk-in customers than you’ll get by booking ahead. Head out on the first boats of the day if that’s your plan; it’s much more cost-effective to do two or three dives than just one.

The last island of the group, Pulau Sulug, is the most remote and consequently the quietest, though its lovely coral makes it popular with divers. It has no facilities, and few boats visit.

Accommodation in Tunku Abdul Rahman Park

A lively street market is held along Jalan Gaya every Sunday morning, with stalls selling items as disparate as herbal teas, handicrafts, orchids and rabbits. In addition, a huddle of markets on the waterfront are open daily, and together form one of the city’s highlights. Approaching from the northeast, you first reach the labyrinthine Central Market , which includes a fish market that’s at its best very early in the morning. Next comes the Handicraft Market , also known as the Filipino Market thanks to the ethnicity of many of its stallholders. Around sundown, the area west of here becomes a gargantuan night food market ; further west still is the waterfront parade of bars and restaurants.

The other highlight of the complex, the ethnographic collection in the main building, includes human skulls dating from Sabah’s head-hunting days, and a sininggazanak , a totemic wooden figurine placed in the field of a Kadazan man who died without heirs. Photographs in the history gallery depict the city when Jalan Gaya still constituted the waterfront, lined with lean-tos thatched with nipah-palm leaves.

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Sabah occupies a relatively small chunk of the world’s third-largest island, Borneo, yet what a punch it packs: the treasure of turquoise-fringed desert islands with coral reefs swarming with marine biodiversity; trekkers' paradise Mt Kinabalu reaching 13435ft (4095m) into the clouds; and jungles pulsing with a menagerie of bug-eyed tarsiers, gibbons, pythons, clouded leopards and huge crocs. Around 55% of Sabah is forest, and protected areas such as the Maliau Basin and the Danum Valley Conservation Area are more accessible than ever.

Attractions

Must-see attractions.

Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre

Around 25km north of Sandakan, and covering 40 sq km of the Kabili-Sepilok Forest Reserve, this inspiring, world-famous centre welcomes orphaned and…

Tawau Hills Park

This small reserve has forested hills rising dramatically from the surrounding plain. If getting into the Maliau Basin or Danum Valley feels like too much…

Agop Batu Tulug

This hill, 2km north of the Batuh Putih bridge, features three caves housing the ancestors of local Orang Sungai (People of the River). Because the…

Pantai Tempurung

Borneo's loveliest beach is a long, almost-pristine stretch of white sand, lapped at by clear waters. The waves are gentle and great for swimming. You…

Gomantong Caves

Imagine a cathedral-like inner chamber shot with splinters of sunlight and a cave floor swarming with cockroaches, and you have the Gomantong Caves. The…

Sandakan Memorial Park

A beautiful rainforest garden marks the site of a Japanese POW camp and the starting point for the infamous WWII 'death marches' to Ranau. Of the 1793…

Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park

The islands of Manukan, Gaya, Sapi, Mamutik and Sulug, and the reefs in between, make up the 49-sq-km Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park. Only a short boat…

Tun Sakaran Marine Park

Also known as the Semporna Islands Marine Park, this 350-sq-km protected area, a short boat ride from Semporna, comprises eight islands and two reefs…

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May 22, 2019 • 6 min read

One of the world’s most prominent peaks, Mount Kinabalu soars up from sea level to 4095m, making Borneo the planet’s third highest island (after Hawaii…

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Sabah and beyond

The Best Things to do in Sabah, Borneo: 14 Treasures in The Land Below the Wind

Searching for a tropical getaway that blends the jungle with the city? Well, Sabah is just that, and then some. Add these brilliant things to do in Sabah to your bucket list RN.

First up, let me give you a little geography lesson: Sabah is a state in Malaysia in the northern region of the popular island of Borneo . 

Very much like the rest of Malaysia , Sabah is a melting pot of cultures – from the bustling city of Kota Kinabalu to the tribal communities you can meet at the Mari Mari centre. The influence of modern, foreign, and ancient civilisations is still alive and kicking. 

Safe to say, it’s one of the most mind blowing areas I’ve ever travelled to. 

Add to this activities that range from climbing mountains to river cruises surrounded by incredible wildlife, and everything in between, and it’s no wonder then that visiting Sabah is one of the best things to do in Malaysia.

Excited? You should be. Read on to discover the best things to do in Sabah, Borneo. 

Fancy sleeping deep in the forest? The Sukau Rainforest Lodge has suites in Kinabatangan, surrounded by lush jungle wildlife. 

Top 5 Things to do in Sabah, Malaysia

Explore kota kinabalu.

If you’re heading to Sabah, you’ll likely begin your trip at Kota Kinabalu – it would be criminal not to spend a couple of days here. As the state’s capital, many of the best things to do in Sabah are either in or nearby Kota Kinabalu, or KK as the locals call it.

Some of the city’s highlights include relaxing on Tanjung Aru Beach, learning about native cultures at the Sabah State Museum, and viewing the oldest building in Sabah – the Atkinson Clock Tower. 

Even walking down Gaya Street (more on this later, pals) will yield many amazing sights – and tastes.

Looking for somewhere to dine? The largest native ethnic group of the state is the Kadazan Dusun, so for some authentic cuisine, I recommend you check out D’Place Kinabalu. 

I’m not kidding when I say that this was some of the best food I ate on my Borneo trip. This restaurant is unmissable with its bamboo decor, dishes served in palm leaves, and traditional dancers performing every night. 

Note: If you’re trying to find the restaurant, you might see online it says it is currently closed – rest assured they have reopened (yay!) and can be found at the 2nd Floor of Plaza Shell. 

Visit the Orangutans at Sepilok Animal Sanctuaries

This is my favourite thing to do in Sabah – Orangutan translates to ‘man of the forest’ in Malay. So, visiting them while here is a must. 

You can spot these gentle creatures at Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre in the Kabili-Sepilok Forest Reserve in Sandakan, Sabah. This reserve has rehabilitated orphaned orangutans since 1964 to teach them to live independently in the wild.

Although you can’t touch the animals, you can see them up close at feeding times. This usually happens at 10 am and 3 pm at the feeding platform. Come a little earlier, at 9 am, to see a video introducing the centre and its work.

See Malaysia’s Native Bears at a Sun Bear Conservation Centre

Across the road from the Orangutan sanctuary is the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre, another animal rehabilitation base. This centre focuses on the world’s smallest bears and the only ones native to Malaysia – sun bears.

The centre is relatively new, as it only opened to the public in 2014. Not only does the centre provide educational tours and signs along the way, but you can see about 42 bears now living in the large forest environment. 

I won’t lie – it’s a lot harder to spot these bears than the orangutans, but if you’re patient enough (and get there around feeding time), you’ll likely spot these cheeky creatures gobbling below.

The centre is open daily from ​9:00 am to 3.30 pm, and tickets cost 50RM for tourists.

Spot Wildlife on Kinabatangan River Excursions

The Kinabatangan River in Borneo is the longest in Sabah, stretching from southeast to southwest of the province and has a vast diversity of wildlife, putting it among Borneo’s top things to do .

Taking a Kinabatangan River safari is a great way to see its natural beauty and do some animal spotting. On the cruise, you’ll likely see orangutans (if you’re lucky), a lot of Proboscis monkeys, various bird species, and some crocodiles.

Some lodges can help you arrange a river cruise, but if you want to book one on your own, you can do so through the likes of G Adventures – this 8-day Borneo adventure is an exhaustive adventure through the jungle and includes a Kinabatangan River cruise.

Climb Malaysia’s Tallest Peak at Kinabalu National Park

Do you have what it takes to climb Mount Kinabalu — the tallest mountain in Malaysia? This one may be the most challenging of all the adventurous things to do in Sabah. While it takes about two days to complete, the views are worth it. 

However, if you’re not up to the tough task, you can explore the other beauties of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Besides hiking up the mountain, you can tackle more minor summits and nature trails or just walk around the lush garden. 

These hikes are short but offer incredible views at the end, with the opportunity to do some squirrel, bird, and plant spotting in between.

Brilliant Things to See & Do in Sabah

Try street foods on gaya street .

Remember when I said Malaysia is a melting pot of cultures? Well, a large group of its demographic is Chinese. So, it is no surprise that one place you can’t miss while here is China Town in Gaya Street. 

While locals call it Gaya Street, it stretches across several blocks. On Sundays, it buzzes with friendly chatter as it’s market day. 

Here tourists and locals alike can buy all kinds of foods, trinkets, and goods – you must try the pineapple buns, beef stew from Peppermint, and Honey Lush’s indulgent soft serve.

Take an Early Morning Kelenap Oxbow Lake River Cruise

Situated on the lower part of the Kinabatangan River is the Kelenap Oxbow Lake – a particularly stunning part of the region.

I’ve cruised this lake at most times of the day but found that it was best as an early morning trip down the narrow channel. This is the best time to go animal spotting as, like you, they’ve probably just woken up. 

Expect to see monkeys, birds, crocodiles, and maybe an Orangutan or two (it’s pretty rare though) on your journey. Though, to be totally honest, I enjoyed the lush views equally as much as the wildlife-spotting.

Delve into Bornean Culture at Mari Mari Cultural Village 

Deep in the Sabah countryside, away from the city, you’ll find the Mari Mari Cultural Village , which transports you back in time. To be totally honest, I usually dislike visiting cultural villages, but this trip was different.

While the entire experience only took around two hours, we saw the traditional lives and customs of five indigenous tribes. On these tours, you experience delightful treats like cooking demonstrations, cultural performances, and tasty food. 

Take in the Beauty of KK’s Floating Mosque

As the largest mosque in the city, it’s no surprise that Masjid Bandaraya had to pull out all of the stops. Not only is it gorgeous and full of intricate artwork, but it also sits above the ground on an artificial lagoon. 

Of course, the inside is equally as gorgeous with more intricate designs. Non-Malaysian visitors can enter daily for a fee of 5 RM.

Note: Dress appropriately (cover arms and legs, and hair for ladies), but if you forget, you can rent cover-ups for 5RM.

Unique Things to See & Do in Sabah: Hidden Gems That Are Off the Beaten Track

Test your bravery at the gomantong caves.

Possibly one of my favourite things to do in Sabah is to visit the Gomantong Caves – these caverns in the Sandakan Division are magnificent in stature. Although they boast a fair share of creepy-crawly residents, it was a highlight of my previous Borneo trip. 

While there, we learnt about the Chinese delicacy called ‘Bird’s nest soup’, which sounds exactly like what it is. Walking along the boardwalk deeper into the cave’s majestic walls, you’ll likely see a few bats, cockroaches on the ground, and swiftlet birds that call this place home. 

The cave does have a sour smell (blame the bat guano) . But if you can stay there until around 6 pm, you’ll see about two million bats fly out for their nightly hunts. It’s an incredible sight.

Tip: Wear covered shoes to avoid bringing any cockroaches home.

Shop at the Nabalu Market

On the way to and from Kinabalu National Park, stop by this cute market in Kundasang town. It’s a favourite among tourists and locals and opens daily until 5 pm. 

You can expect many stalls with friendly vendors selling fresh produce, handmade crafts, and traditional foods. So, it is the ideal spot to pick up those last-minute souvenirs.

Besides the shopping opportunities, it has impressive views of Mount Kinabalu, which might grant a visit. As it gets quite busy, try to arrive early or late in the evening. 

Ease Your Muscles at the Poring Hot Spring

After a long day of exploring and hiking, what is the best thing to do in Sabah? A dip in a natural hot spring for oh so cheap (only 50RM for entrance). 

You’ll find these sulphur-rich baths about 40km outside Kinabalu National Park, near Ranau. While temperatures can reach 45°C to 60°C, people believe the baths have a healing benefit that helps with skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis. 

Oh, and if you’d like some privacy, there is also an indoor bath.

Note: As expected, these springs have a strong sulphur smell. Not exactly the rosewater and lavender scents I was used to at a spa, but it didn’t marr the experience!

Splash in the Kipungit and Langganan Waterfalls

Not too far from the healing waters of the Poring Hot Springs are the Kipungit and Langanan waterfalls. 

Kipungit is the closest to the springs and only takes a 10-minute hike. Langanan, on the other hand, takes about a two-hour trek and is more remote. However, it is worth the walk as Langanan is the tallest waterfall in Poring. 

You can swim in both waterfalls as they’re cool but not cold. Add this as a treat after dipping in the hot springs if the exploration bug still has you.

Explore the Maliau Basin

Looking for an off-the-beaten-track experience in Sabah? Few come as close as Maliau Basin. 

In fact, the Maliau Basin Conservation Area is one of the least explored places in Sabah – so much so that people nicknamed it ‘Sabah’s Lost World’.

While the Maliau River flows through it, it is a bowl of almost untouched forests, with most left unmapped. So, the only way to get here is to book a tour from Kota Kinabalu or Tawau – this one from Amazing Borneo Tours is my top pick. 

But be warned: Before joining, you need a fitness certificate and travel insurance. It’s not for the faint-hearted.

Things to do in Sabah: Practical Tips for Your Trip

How long to visit in sabah .

It depends on what you want to do and see but I recommend at least 7 days in Sabah. Kota Kinabalu needs at least two days alone, and then that gives you around a week to head out into the jungle and explore. 

Best Time to Visit Sabah

The best time to visit Sabah is any time between May and September. I’ve raved before about how it’s one of the best places to visit in July because trees will begin fruiting, which gives you the best chance to spot some orangutans in the wild.

Where Should I Stay in Sabah? 

Nexus resort & spa .

I’ve stayed at Nexus Resort before and loved it. It boasts reasonable rates for a high-quality resort – with 8 restaurants, a golf course, spa, and comfortable rooms adorned in classic Borneo decor.

Plus, ending your day with a massage at the resort’s spa is the ultimate treat.

Check Rates and Availability

The Aru Hotel at Aru Suites (Luxury) 

If you’re looking for luxury accommodation near the beach, the Aru Hotel is the place to be. It’s close to Tanjung Aru Beach and features an outdoor swimming pool overlooking the beach and city. 

Recommended Tours in Sabah

• Full-Day Snorkelling Tour from Kota Kinabalu
• Borneo Diving Tour For Beginners
• 3 Day Kinabatangan River Tour
• Sandakan Mangrove Sunset Cruise with Dinner

Things to do in Sabah: Map 

Best Things to do in Sabah: Read Next

• Incredible Things to do in Borneo
• Things to do in Malaysia
• Where to Travel in July

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I’m Julianna Barnaby - a professional travel writer and geek extraordinaire. I started The Discoveries Of to help you to discover the best of new destinations from around the world.

Discovering new places is a thrill - whether it’s close to home, a new country or continent, I write to help you explore more and explore differently.

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12 fantastic things to do in sabah – full guide 2024.

Table of Contents

Sabah is one of the most beautiful and fascinating parts of the world. Sabah is packed with wildlife, natural beauty and adventure. There are so many amazing things to do in Sabah in 2024 – it can be hard to narrow it down.

In this article we will recommend the best things to do in Sabah in to make sure you don’t miss anything. We have included prices and locations to help you plan your own independent budget adventures in Sabah. 

Don’t miss our step by step 10 day itinerary for Sabah . Independent budget and totally epic self guided itinerary for Sabah. Alternatively, if you’re short of time you may be interested in our 5 day itinerary for Sabah

Map of the best things to do in Sabah

What is it like to visit Sabah? (best things to do in Sabah)

Sabah is a state in East Malaysia on the island of Borneo that shares a land border with Indonesia, Brunei and the Malaysian state of Sarawak. Located in Borneo, Sabah is a tropical climate with mountains, jungles and oceans with coral reef and crystal clear waters. Sabah is hot throughout the year and often experience tropical downpours. The mountains are a little cooler due to the altitude. 

1 See Orangutans up close

In Sabah you can see orangutans in their natural habitat. We have intentionally put this at the start of our list because it is the reason that many people visit Sabah. The Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary is a wooden platform that leads through the jungle where you witness orangutans in their natural habitat. There are no cages, fences or bars separating you from the jungle where orangutans live. Sometimes it is possible to see these majestic animals very close up when they actually climb onto the walkway.

Seeing orangutans in their natural habitat is one of the most epic and memorable things that you can do in Sabah. There are different ways to see orangutans in their natural habitat. The easiest and most reliable way to get close to Orangutans is to visit them at the Sepilok orangutan sanctuary located near Sandakan. This sanctuary has two daily feeding times and the orangutans reliably gather at the feeding platform during these times. One thing that we love about the Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary is that the orangutans are genuinely free and it is the humans that are restricted to remaining on the platforms in the viewing area.

The Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary is open daily from 8.45am – 4pm (closed for lunch from 12pm – 2pm). There are TWO feeding times per day 10am and 3pm. We recommend arriving around 30 minutes early as the orangutans also like to arrive early for their food. 

Prices are as follows: RM15 (2 – 17 year olds), RM30 (adults) and RM10 camera fee (phone cameras FREE of charge). 

You are not allowed to bring any bags into the Sepilok Orangutan sanctuary. There is however a free locker area available to leave bags.

Top tip: If you would like to see these majestic creatures close up we recommend visiting during the afternoon feeding time. Aim to arrive around 2pm – and you may be able to see the orangutans climbing on the walkways. 

If you would like to see orangutans in the wild you can also organize orangutan tours in Sabah. A tour to see orangutans in the wild is likely to take a couple of days and maybe quite expensive. However, if you are determined to see these beautiful creatures in the wild then Sabah offers lots of great opportunities.

2 Take an island hopping trip in Kota Kinabalu

If you are planning to visit Kota Kinabalu you can arrange a cheap one day island hopping trip to some of the local islands close to the city. The Kota Kinabalu island hopping trip is very affordable and allows you to visit and experience some of the beautiful Sabah islands. The water is clear, however this is not the best option for snorkeling if you are hoping to see beautiful coral reef and sea life. 

There are 4 islands that you can visit. Once you are on a tour they will give you timings and provide a boat between the islands. 

• Gaya island – the biggest island 
• Manukan island – busy and developed 
• Mamutik island – nice small quiet island – nice snorkeling
• Sapi island – small and lovely island just next to Gaya – nice beach but minimal snorkeling

You can see a little bit of coral reef and there is some sea life in the area, however it does not compare to other locations around Sabah. Tickets can be arranged on the same day at the ferry jetty in Kota Kinabalu. We recommend arriving between 8am – 10am.

• 1 island: Adult RM35 Child RM30
• 2 island: Adult RM45 Child RM40
• 3 island: Adult RM55 Child RM50
• 4 island: Adult RM65 Child RM60

Rental of snorkel and fins should cost around RM10 and can also be arranged at the jetty. You also need to pay an island conservation fee (ONE fee per adult of RM20). Keep the ticket as this can be presented at each island. 

TOP TIP: We found the snorkeling quite controlled and restricted. There are netted areas to stay in. Some areas also have lots of sea urchins. There is also a risk of toxic stone fish on the seabed. Avoid touching sea life and do not walk on the coral. If you are looking for amazing snorkeling consider Semporna or Marbul. 

3 Go for a sea kayaking adventure

Another fun way to explore the beautiful Sabah sea is to take a sea kayak. Many costal resorts and hotels in Sabah offer sea Kayak Rental. Prices vary but it normally costs around RM30 – RM50 per hour (roughly £6 – £10 or $8 – $13). If you stay on Mabul island you can rent a transparent kayak at the Seahorse Resort (near Mabul backpackers).

This is a fun and novel way to explore the crystal clear coast of Mabul. Be aware that transparent Kayaks are not as buoyant or stable as standard Kayaks. We also recommend that you wear a life jacket and only attempt Kayaking in good weather.

4 Stay at a mountain homestay – best things to do in Sabah

If you have a little bit of free time in Sabah we recommend spending some time in a mountain home stay in the Kinabalu valley. This beautiful area has loads of great things to do and also affords breathtaking views of Mount Kinabalu. The climate in this region is also cooler due to the high altitude.

Kundasang is the most popular and iconic place to take a mountain home stay. Just be aware that most properties are listed as “home stays”. Some are apartments, some are guest houses and some are more developed hotels. There are other GREAT options further down the valley towards Ranau.

We absolutely LOVED our stay at the Pogimpaan Homestay . This small property really is a hidden gem in the Sabah Mountains. Pogimpaan Homestay is beautiful, well kept and affords a breathtaking view of Mount Kinabalu and the surrounding hills. It is also a great location to explore Kundasang, Ranau, and Poring. We do recommend having access to your own vehicle if you plan to stay here because this location is quite remote. 

5 Climb mount Kinabalu 

If you’re up for a real challenge and you are willing to pay the high financial price – it is possible to climb up Mount kinabalu. Kinabalu is a very high and challenging Mountain. The summit is called Low’s Peak and 4095m altitude. To climb Kinabalu you will need to get a permit and tour package. The most common type of permit is a 2day, 1night permit. Stay at the Laban Rata Rest house (part way up the mountain). This is very basic dorm style accommodation. You then wake up very early and climb to the summit for sunrise. The weather at the summit is variable. Many mornings the summit is cold, windy and 

• Limited climb permits per day (several hundred)
• Range of packages available ranging in price between RM1,200 and RM2,500.
• Different lengths and include different things.
• A good package should include a guide, food, accommodation and permits.

Book through the official website to ensure you get a legal and official permit

6 See the world’s largest and rarest flower

Find out more about seeing the rafflesia flower in Malaysia

In Sabah it is also possible to see the world’s largest flower. The Rafflesia is genuinely a remarkable and unique flower and if you get the chance to see it we highly recommend it. The best place to see Rafflesia flowers in Sabah is in Poring close to the hot springs. 

The Rafflesia flower is truly unique amongst flowers. For a start Rafflesia is extremely rare and almost impossible to cultivate outside its natural ecosystem. Rafflesia flowers have no leaves, stems or roots. Furthermore this bizarre flower is also parasitic and exudes a strong odor of rotten meat. This attracts carion flies which the Rafflesia flower uses for cross-pollination. Rafflesia flowers are best known for being the largest flower in the world, a mature Rafflesia can be between 60cm and 80cm in diameter.

There are a couple of Rafflesia Gardens in Poring which may have Rafflesia flowers in bloom. Each Rafflesia Bud takes around 9 months to mature and then flowers tend to bloom for around 5 days only. The Rafflesia Gardens in Poring tend to have several Rafflesia premature buds at any given time.

On average, they are likely to have Rafflesia blooming at least one time every 4 to 8 weeks. So you do still need to be lucky to catch a bud blooming. You can also try calling in advance to see if they have a Rafflesia flower blooming. They generally charge RM20 to see these beautiful flowers.

Vienna Rafflesia Garden: +6019 744 3097 or +6013 560 7619

Top tip: The Rafflesia Gardens are also located close to the Poring Hotspring and canopy walkway. 

7 Visit a dairy farm in the hills

Visiting a dairy farm may not be the first thing that you associate with the wild mountains of Sabah. However, this is genuinely one of the awesome things to do if you are staying in the Kinabalu valley. The Desa dairy farm is located high up in the hills close to Mount Kinabalu. This is a TOP PICK for families.

This dairy farm supplies dairy products such as fresh milk, cheese, yoghurt and ice cream to many locations around Sabah. At the Desa dairy farm it is possible to see the cattle, learn about dairy production and sample fresh milk products. The soft serve ice cream and frozen yoghurt is especially popular and we highly recommend trying this. The panoramic location of this dairy farm also affords stunning views of the Kinabalu Valley and surrounding mountains.

We highly recommend a visit to the Desa dairy farm if you are planning to visit Kundasang or the Kinabalu valley. The Desa dairy farm is also great value for money. Entrance tickets only cost RM5 for adults, RM4 for children 7-12 years old, and FREE four children 6 years old and below. The Desa dairy farm is open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tickets are only available in advance and must be booked through their official ticket website.

Desa Dairy farm ticket website

8 Try incredible seafood

Sabah has a reputation for great seafood. Sabah has an impressive variety of delicious Seafood. In Sabah you can try an array of fresh fish, shellfish, squid and lobster. You can even find speciality seafood like succulent mantis shrimp in Sabah. This is the chance to try something unique and new. We particularly enjoyed the butter shrimp and the crab in Sandakan.

We also LOVED trying mantis shrimp. This strange creature looks like an alien life form but the flesh is tender, succulent and slightly sweet. If you stay on the islands in Sabah, fresh fish is likely to be your staple food. You can get very meaty and delicious fish very cheaply. 

Seafood in Sabah is very tasty but not very cheap. The cheapest way to enjoy seafood is to find a very local street food BBQ where you may pay around RM10-15  to try fish, crabs or shrimp. If you go to a seafood restaurant, expect to pay RM50 – RM250 per dish (depending on the type or seafood and the size). Even on the islands a fresh lobster is likely to start at around RM150.

There are cheaper places in the world to enjoy fresh seafood. However the variety of seafood in Sabah and the unique methods of preparing Seafood are genuinely impressive and well worth the experience.If you are hoping to try amazing Seafood in Sabah we recommend heading east. Sandakan, Semporna and the islands are the best location for seafood. Don’t miss Sim Sim 88 in Sandakan for a super tasty seafood meal.

9 Take a dip at a hot spring

Hot Springs may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you are thinking of Sabah. However, there is an awesome hot spring located in Poring not too far from Mount Kinabalu. The Poring hot springs are lots of fun and cheap to visit. There are several different hot spring pools that you can try.

At the top there are some hot spring baths which are almost too hot to touch. As you walk down the hill you can see small hot spring baths that can be filled up using a tap, and some larger hot spring pools. There is one hot spring pool that is big enough to swim in. At the hot springs there are also changing rooms, toilets and showers.

The prices for the hot springs are as follows: RM15 for adults, RM10 for children (7 – 17 years old), children 6 years and below are FREE. The Poring hot springs are open daily from 8am – 3pm. 

TOP TIP: if you plan to visit the hot springs, consider making time to try the canopy walkway and also to visit one of the Rafflesia Gardens nearby.

10 Try a canopy walkway

Right next to the Poring hot spring is an impressive canopy walkway. This canopy walkway is a series of suspended rope Bridges which provide an impressive view of the jungle canopy and surrounding mountains. This canopy walkway is impressively high, we do not recommend this for anyone who has a fear of heights.

To get to the start of a canopy walkway you need to take a steep 10 minute walk up the jungle Hill and then climb to the start of the walkway course. The height and the rope bridge style of this canopy walkway creates a very exhilarating experience. This is also an excellent way to spot jungle wildlife in Sabah.

Opening hours: 9am – 4pm (closed on mondays)

Adults RM5 

Children RM2.50 (under 18 years old)

11 See the big nose monkeys (Proboscis monkeys)

One of the more unique things to do in Sabah is see the bizarre proboscis monkeys. These strange specimens are probably the most unique and unusual looking monkeys in the world, with their long protruding noses. In Saba the proboscis monkeys are not particularly rare, so there is a good chance of seeing them if you get yourself to the right places.

The best way to see proboscis monkeys in the wild is to take a river cruise along the Kinabatangan river. As you journey down this river you are very likely to see proboscis monkeys sitting in the trees and playing in the canopy. 

12 Experience some of THE BEST diving in the world

Find out about the best Mabul island resorts

No article on things to do in Sabah would be complete without a mention of the amazing diving. In Sabah you can visit some of the best diving locations in the world. Sipadan has a reputation for being one of the best diving spots in the world. The range of depths, water currents and temperature leads to a unique and impressive biodiversity.

In this area you can see a wide range of marine animals including reef sharks, turtles, tropical fish and you can even see the stunning barracuda tornados. It is quite expensive to get a permit to dive at Sipadan and many diving schools require a minimum number of dives or an advanced diving certificate.

You can also try diving in cheaper locations nearby. Marbul is also a great location for diving and you can stay on this island relatively cheaply. 

Dive in Mabul RM100 per dive (roughly £20 or $25)

Dive in Sipadan RM1,200 – RM1,500 (roughly £240 or $300)

The cheapest and BEST way to dive in Mabul and Sipadan is to arrange your accommodation and trip through the Mabul Backpackers Hostel located on Mabul island. 

Mabul Backpackers offer the CHEAPEST accomodation in the Mabul Sipidan area and arrange diving trips (RM100) and snorkelling trips (RM50) in the area.

13 Go snorkeling in Semporna

Another great way to experience the amazing oceans in Sabah is to take a snorkeling trip. If you don’t have enough time to visit the small islands consider taking a snorkeling trip from Semporna . In Semporna you can arrange snorkeling day trips which visit several islands and top snorkeling spots.

The water is beautifully clear and there is some very impressive coral reef and ocean life to experience. HERE are some of the islands that you can visit for snorkeling near Semporna:

Bohey Dulang island – no swimming, trek up a steep jungle trail to an impressive viewpoint

Mantabuan island, Sibuan island, Kapalai island, Mataking island and Timba Timba island

Snorkeling island hopping trips in Semporna normally cost in the range of RM120 – RM200 per person (for a shared boat trip) and normally include equipment rental (snorkel, mask, fins and a life jacket) and lunch. 

TOP TIP: Bohey Dulang island has an amazing viewpoint but they don’t let kids under 12 years old hike (honestly this rule seems ridiculous – our 5 year old is seriously better at jungle trekking than many adults!). AND they don’t even let people swim near the island. SO, if you have young kids, organize a trip that does not include Bohey Dulang island.

14 Try local chocolate

If you don’t believe Sabah has it all – you can even try LOCAL chocolate here. If you are interested in trying Sabah chocolate and learning about the chocolate making process you need to get yourself over to Tawau – a small city located in the south east of Sabah not far from the Indonesian border. This town has a lovely national park and a chocolate museum – The Teck Guan Cocoa Museum. Book in advance for demonstrations and a tour.

There is also a chocolate village in the hills outside Tawau. This is a beautiful and peaceful destination to relax and sample some local chocolate products. Unless you are very keen we wouldn’t recommend travelling to Tawau just to visit the museum. BUT this is a great activity if you plan to travel through Tawau or intend to visit any other attractions in the area.

The chocolate museum in Tawau city is small, cute and fun. RM35 for adults, RM25 for children (6 – 12 years old) and RM10 for infants (3 – 5 years old). 0-2 years old FREE. Please pre-book at least 1-2 days in advance (at least two adults required). You can book by phone: +6016 8269579 or +6089 772277

Need somewhere to stay?

Don’t miss these AMAZING hotels in Kota Kinabalu

Life loving, adventure chasing, Mum of 3 who loves travel. Over 10 years of travel writing experience. Emma now loves to give the best tips to help other travel loving parents plan adventures with their kids. Whether you need to find the best accommodation or just need to know how to pack your bag Emma is that travelling mum who love to help you.

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10 Best Things To Do In Sabah, Malaysia, Including Less-Touristy & Iconic Attractions

Things to do in Sabah, Malaysia

When it comes to discovering Malaysia’s best nature spots, a trip to Sabah is unmissable. Best known for its serene hiking trails and sun-kissed beaches, the state is also home to overlooked attractions that aren’t clogged with crowds. 

With some planning, those itching to see the misty landscapes of Kundasang and enjoy the seaside in Semporna can find new places to experience. We’ve got a list of 10 things to do in Sabah to discover its lesser-known and iconic attractions. Read on to find out more:

Table of Contents

1. Try sky-biking with a gorgeous mountain view at Mont K Bike

2. have lunch by the sea at pitas floating coral bar, 3. go parasailing & paddleboarding to discover the islands of sabah, 4. sleep under the stars and go camping in kota belud, 5. spend a night in sabah’s countryside at kiulu farmstay, 6. hang out with adorable alpacas at alpaca club, 7. take a trip to japan at hidden hills kundasang, 8. go on a cruise through a wetland or on a lake to spot local wildlife, 9. traverse sabah’s longest canopy walkway at rainforest discovery centre, 10. learn more about local culture & weave baskets at marais center, best things to do in sabah, malaysia, in 2023, plan your trip to sabah here and go off the beaten path.

Riding a bicycle comes as second nature to most of us. But picture this: pedalling a bicycle in mid-air on a cable . At Mont K Bike in Ranau, you can experience this exhilarating activity with a stunning backdrop of Mount Kinabalu against sunny skies.

Whether you’re braving the journey alone or with your best pal, you’ll get to pedal on a cable set 30 metres up in the air on one of two bicycles. The cycling rail stretches about 100 metres long, and you can stop to admire the view or strike a pose for photos as you venture across it.

You’ll find Mont K Bike tucked within Ranau Rabbit Farm – so if your travel buddy or little ones prefer to sit this adventure out, they can cuddle adorable bunnies for a fun ground-level activity at the farm.

Price (Skybike): RM90/pax (Malaysians) | RM150/pax (Standard tickets) Address: Ranau Rabbit Farm, Kampung Kigiok, 89300 Ranau, Sabah Opening hours: 9am-6pm, Daily Contact: +6019-832 9868

You may have heard of floating resorts , with many of them peppered across Sabah’s stunning islands. But wait until you hear about Floating Coral Bar, located in the middle of the sea off Pitas, on an untouched private island with no hotels. 

When you arrive, find just a bridge and an observation deck, as well as tables and chairs to accommodate just over 50 people. All these are set on a 1-km stretch of naturally-formed coral bar.

It goes without saying that packing sunscreen will go a long way, as there’ll be nothing but the clear sea, shallow reefs, and blue skies around you.

The floating bar is run by Archangel Borneo Holiday, and an excursion here starts from RM330/pax . The package includes transport, lunch, and free access to water facilities such as kayaking in a clear-bottom boat, snorkelling, and stand-up paddleboarding . 

For lunch, you’ll get to enjoy a hearty and authentic Malaysian meal prepared by Pitas locals. 

This Floating Coral Bar is about a 3-hour drive from Kota Kinabalu, and it takes around 45 minutes from Marina Jetty Kudat to get here by boat. Trips begin at 9am and conclude at 3pm, giving you more than enough time to explore the island.

Pick-up point : Marina Jetty Kudat, Off Jalan Urus Setia, 89058 Kudat, Sabah Contact : +6019-895 4248 | +6014-993 2788

The sheer number of pristine beaches in Sabah means there’s no shortage of water activities to try when you’re island-hopping. While snorkelling is a must-do, you can opt to go parasailing instead – it requires no training and lets you enjoy stunning bird’s-eye views of the sea and sky.

Similar to paragliding, parasailers will fly through the air backed by a parachute-like canopy. The main differences are that you’ll be towed by a boat and dangling aloft over the sea – and, of course, you can avoid the nerve-wracking leaping-off-the-cliff part of paragliding.

Long Beach Watersports have packages (from RM110/pax) that include parasailing, as well as a banana boat ride and snorkelling. Transportation fees are covered between Jesselton Point Ferry Terminal and Manukan and Mamutik Islands, where you can spend a half-day discovering marine life and soaring over the sea.

If you prefer calmer water sports, you can try stand-up paddleboarding at Tanjung Aru Beach . It might just be the best way to bask in the captivating Sabah sunset while leisurely gliding over gentle waves towards the horizon.

Head North Paddle hosts sunset and sunrise paddling sessions, priced from RM110/pax. Your journey out into the waters will be led by a professional guide, so even first-timers can try this activity out.

Paragliding @ Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park: Pick-up point: Jesselton Point Ferry Terminal, Jalan Haji Saman, 88000 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah Contact : +6019-862 4549

Stand-up Paddleboarding @ Tanjung Aru Beach: Address: Lot 21, Kuarters TM Tanjung Aru, Lorong Pinang, Tanjung Aru 88801 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah Contact: +6017-583 2156 | Head North Paddle Kota Kinabalu’s Facebook

As much as we love hotel amenities, waking up to breathtaking views of nature right at our feet is an unbeatable experience. One popular area to spend a night under the stars is Kota Belud , located about 2 hours from Kota Kinabalu.

There are multiple campsites located here, including Tegudon Tourism Village, Nohutu Eco Tourism Campsite, and Polumpung Melangkap View Campsite . These campgrounds let you experience a peaceful night’s sleep under clear skies glittering with stars – all while enjoying unblocked views of Mount Kinabalu and flowing waters just outside your tent. 

But roughing it isn’t for everybody, and we get that. Luckily, these campsites have various kampung-style cabins and essential camping gear available for rent.

To recharge in nature sans gadgets, campers here often dip their feet in the river outside their tents when the tides are calmer. No matter which campground you’re opting for a night’s stay at, the water streaming from the mountain is always clear and cool, even on sunnier days. 

Tegudon Tourism Village: Entrance fee: RM3/pax Address: P/S 291 Tegudon, 89158 Kota Belud, Sabah Contact: +6016-828 2416 | Tegudon Tourism Village’s Facebook

Nohutu Eco Tourism Campsite: Entrance fee: RM3/pax Address: Melangkap Tiong, 89150 Kota Belud, Sabah Opening hours : 2pm (Check-in) | 12pm (Check-out) Contact: +6013-803 4382 | Nohutu Eco Tourism’s Facebook

Polumpung Melangkap View Campsite: Entrance fee: RM6/adult & RM4/child (Malaysians) | RM12/adult & RM8/child (Standard admission) Address: Polumpung Melangkap Baru, 89158 Kota Belud, Sabah Opening hours : 2pm (Check-in) | 12pm (Check-out) Contact: +6011-3624 4723 | Polumpung Melangkap View Campsite’s website

Go beyond Kota Kinabalu’s urban sprawl to discover a village community at Kiulu Farmstay . This hidden eco-lodge lets guests spend the night in rustic bamboo huts, and be treated to an unvarnished glimpse of local village life amidst the Bornean jungles.

Tucked within the misty valley of Kiulu, the farmstay is just over an hour’s drive from the capital city. Lush greenery and a river serve as backdrops for the traditional lodges made almost entirely of bamboo. 

A 2D1N stay in the 2-bedroom Fig House (RM465/night) can accommodate a family of 4 comfortably. Meals and a fun itinerary are included with your stay, so look forward to local delicacies prepared by villagers, and embark on a tour after having your meals. 

Besides soaking up postcard views of paddy fields with a local guide, you can take part in Kiulu’s notable cultural activities: rice processing, blowpiping, and rubber tapping included. 

After dinner, gather with villagers in the common area to share food, rice wine, and stories.  

If you’re looking to explore the scenic Kiulu countryside further, go on a quad bike tour (from RM213/pax). You’ll be part of a guided 3-hour tour travelling through rolling hills, past rivers and quaint villages, to learn more about local village life, flora, and fauna.

Do note that you’ll need a driver’s licence and be at least 18 years of age to operate a quad bike. But if you’re travelling with kids, a double-bike has an optional passenger in-tandem seat. There’ll also be an additional fee of RM10 per person for Community Development Contribution.

Address: Jalan Kiulu Pukak Mantob, Kampung Mantob, 89250 Tamparuli, Sabah Opening hours: 2pm (Check-in) | 10am (Check-out) Contact: +6019-326 3800

Desa Dairy Farm is one of Kundasang’s most popular attractions. But it’s not the only place in the town that lets animal-loving travellers hang out with gentle creatures. Over at Alpaca Club , you can pet and take selfies with fluffy alpacas that roam free in a pen. 

Alpacas are gentle, but sensitive and social creatures, so come ready to give them soft neck pats when you aren’t feeding or snapping photos with them. There are about 10 alpacas at the farm, all brought in from Australia. 

To ensure every visitor has a chance to interact with the animals, 35 people are allowed inside the farm at one time for a 20-minute session. A pack of feed can be purchased for RM3 at the ticket counter.

Admission : RM15/adult | RM10/child | RM2/infant Address: Jalan Cinta Mata Mesilou, 89308 Kundasang, Sabah Opening hours: 9am-5pm, Daily Contact: +6011-5868 3622

One of the best parts about visiting Kundasang is experiencing the cool highland climate. 

Coupled with unparalleled views of Mount Kinabalu, a trip to this hill station will make you feel like you’ve travelled out of Malaysia. Cue Hidden Hills , a themed homestay with a hidden Japanese village attraction that’s open to the public.

While Kundasang is popularly known as the “Little New Zealand” of Sabah, Hidden Hills will have you thinking you’re in Japan with its collection of photo spots speckled across its grounds. 

Find a torii gate, a Japanese tearoom, and a statue of the beloved Totoro from My Neighbor Totoro to pose with. The homestay also lets you rent traditional Japanese costumes, and offers hair-styling services at their Yukata Station for RM38/pax . 

To discover the IG-worthy zones and enjoy views of Mount Kinabalu from here, there’s a small entrance fee for adults (RM5/pax) and children (RM3/pax).

Address : Kampung Dodon Kasigau, 89308 Kundasang, Sabah Opening hours : 9am-5pm, Daily

It isn’t every day that you get to spot a wild Proboscis monkey, as the species can only be found in Borneo. A fun and popular way to see these creatures in the flesh, with their unique long noses and bulging bellies, is by hopping on a Klias River Cruise in Beaufort.

This laidback cruise on an open boat begins at 4pm and takes you deep into Klias Wetland for a leisurely 2-hour ride. During the trip, you can spot Proboscis monkeys clinging onto branches as the area is largely populated by them.

If you prefer less beaten paths, head to Kinabatangan River in Sandakan. This river, which happens to be Malaysia’s second longest, runs through a wildlife sanctuary home to proboscis monkeys, orangutans, and pygmy elephants – which you might just get glimpses of as you traverse it by cruise.

The Last Frontier Resort , hidden on the top of Dutch Hill Bilit amid the Kinabatangan Forest Reserve, has cruises on the river as part of their 3D2N all-inclusive package , with prices starting from RM850 . 

Whether you’re on a morning cruise or trekking through the tropical rainforest, you’ll get to experience Sabah’s natural settings and local wildlife at their most serene and undisturbed.

Klias River Cruise: Fees: RM60/adult | RM40/child Address: Kampong Kota Klias, 89800 Beaufort, Sabah Opening hours: Sat-Thu 3pm-8pm | Fri 4pm-8pm Contact: +6019-807 3159

The Last Frontier Resort: Address: PPM 309 Elopura, Kinabatangan River, 90000 Sandakan, Sabah Contact: +6016-676 5922 | The Last Frontier Resort’s website

Home to a 620-metre-long Rainforest Skywalk, Rainforest Discovery Centre is a lesser-known gem in Sepilok when compared to its more popular neighbours, the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre and Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre.

As one of the most accessible rainforest parks in Sabah, you can explore the forest reserve and its inhabitants from beyond its self-guided nature trails – at a panoramic 27-metres-high, thanks to an impressive canopy walkway dubbed the longest of its kind in the state.

Besides learning about local fauna and flora at the various educational zones here, you can try your luck at spotting rare Bornean endemic birds, flying squirrels, and even orangutans while traversing the forest. 

Rainforest Discovery Centre also hosts various family-friendly activities, including a 180-metre-long Flying Squirrel Zipline over the lake and a night walk .

Admission: RM7/adult & RM3/child (Malaysians) | RM20/adult & RM10/child (Standard admission) Address: Jalan Fabia, Sepilok, 90715 Sandakan, Sabah Opening hours: 8am-5pm, Daily Contact: +6089-533 780

A great way to fully immerse yourself in your travel destination is to learn more about its culture. One place to be to experience locally grown culture is Marais Center in Tenom.

While the town is best known for its coffee production, visitors can get to know more about the Murut people in Sabah through a variety of activities at this village.

Whether it’s weaving baskets from natural materials or cycling past paddy fields to soak up postcard views of mountains and rivers, there won’t be a dull moment spent here. 

You can’t miss the special performance that takes place at the village either, with locals donning their traditional Murut attire and dancing energetically.

With nature just next door and activities galore, you can visit this lesser-known village in Tenom on a day trip away from the crowds and city. Else, opt to spend a night at their guesthouse to truly slip into the shoes of a local. 

Address: Peti Surat 206, Kuala Tomani, Kampung Marais, 89908 Tenom, Sabah Opening hours: Appointment-based Contact: +6016-834 9781

There’s more to conquer in Sabah than just the majestic Mount Kinabalu. With attractions that let you explore the state’s natural beauty – from its crystal-clear sea to the starry skies – there’s certainly something for every type of traveller to discover there.  

To find out what Sabah truly has to offer and flesh out your travel plans, you’ll want to drop by Matta Fair 2023 from 1st-3rd September . At this year’s second instalment happening at MITEC Kuala Lumpur, you’ll get to browse promotions for must-visit destinations at Sabah Tourism booths so you can have a thrilling holiday without breaking the bank.

So if you want to experience everything, from local food and culture to sky-high activities, Sabah might just be the perfect travel destination for you. 

Here’s to safe travels and exciting holidays ahead. 

This post was brought to you by Sabah Tourism Board.

Cover image adapted from: Mont K Skybike, Archangel Borneo Holidays, Sabah Tourism, Hidden Hill Kundasang

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Dive Into Malaysia

Sabah Travel Guide

Sabah is one of the two Malaysia states located in Borneo, also known as Eastern Malaysia. Sabah is on the north eastern part of the island of Borneo and is full of amazing attractions especially if you are a nature lover.

Most famous for its orangutans, in Sabah you can also find so much wildlife, birdlife and sealife. You’ll love it! Its known for its beaches, diving and it has a thriving capital in Kota Kinabalu.

Below, you will find more information about all the fabulous experiences you can have in Sabah as well as all the practical information you need to make it happen.

There are dedicated city guide to the main population centres in Sabah. Click below to find more information on:

• Kota Kinabalu

Guides to other places in Sabah are below.

Want Your Perfect Itinerary For Borneo?

Download our FREE Borneo Itinerary which is perfect for 3 Days to One Month in Borneo.

It includes Sabah and Sarawak sections and is easy to modify to suit your preferences and plans.

Click here to download it now!

Wildlife Experiences

There are some fabulous wildlife experiences in Sabah. Read about the top ones below!

Tabin Wildlife Reserve And Resort: Everything You Need To Know [2024]

Kinabatangan River: Everything You Need To Know

Kinabatangan River Cruise: Best Tours And Everything You Need To Know

Sabah attractions.

There are some amazing attractions in Sabah. Read about the best ones below…

Top 13 Fun Things To Do In Semporna [2024]

Selingan Turtle Island: Everything You Need To Know [2024]

Full Guide To Semporna Island Hopping: Everything You Need To Know [2024]

7 Top Things To Do In Lahad Datu

Sabah accommodation.

There are plenty of great places to stay in Sabah. Read our accommodation guides below…

Top 10 Best Hotel In Semporna, Sabah

Semporna Seaview Hotel Review: Everything You Need To Know About Staying Here

Borneo Natural Sukau Bilit Resort Review: Everything You Need To Know About Staying Here

How to get around sabah.

Below, find our guides to how to travel between places in Sabah as smoothly as possible.

EXACTLY How To Go From Sandakan To Lahad Datu [2024]

EXACTLY How To Go From Tawau To Lahad Datu [2024]

EXACTLY How To Go From Sandakan To Tawau [2024]

EXACTLY How To Go From Sandakan to Semporna [2024]

You can find more information on other destinations in Malaysia across this site.

Sabah Travel Guide - A Complete Itinerary To The Unexplored Part of Malaysia

Where is sabah, how to reach sabah.

Flight Options For Sabah

Travel Tip: 

Visa and Immigration

Currency in sabah, best time to visit sabah.

5- Days Suggested Itinerary for Sabah

What to Pack for Sabah

• Bright coloured summer clothes like dresses, shorts, and t-shirts.
• Dry fit activewear, t-shirts, and shorts.
• Sports Shoes for adventure sports.
• Small towel for use during adventure activities.
• A raincoat/umbrella for the unexpected rains.
• Sunglasses.
• Sunscreen lotion preferably SPF 50+.
• Insect repellant.
• Small backpack to carry your stuff.

Things To Do In Sabah

Adventure Activities

• Mountain Cycling/Biking
• Off-Road Driving
• Crab Catching
• Firefly Watching

Enjoy the beach cafes at the waterfront

Go for a river cruise, people and culture.

Our Experience At Sabah

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KOTA KINABALU, SABAH TOP HOLIDAYS MOMENT FOOD GUIDE

Roads traveled, Food tasted and Experiences garnered!

Sabah travel guide – a complete itinerary to the unexplored part of malaysia, sabah travel guide –  a complete itinerary to the unexplored part of malaysia.

When you hear the word Malaysia the first city that strikes your mind is Kuala Lumpur. Being the capital city and favorite among foreign tourists Kuala Lumpur has attracted a lot of travelers around the world. However, this time we visited Malaysia to explore Sabah. An offbeat yet beautiful state in Malaysia, it has a lot to offer when it comes to people looking for off-beat destinations. Sabah – A complete travel guide and itinerary will give you reasons to explore the unexplored and untouched part of Malaysia. Whenever we visit a place we look forward to many things like beautiful landscapes, local cuisines, people of that place and something that we can take back as learning from there. We were invited to Sabah by Travel Earth and Sabah Tourism to attend a Digital Influencers Conference in Kota Kinabalu , the capital city of the state. Our itinerary for this trip was prepared by Trek Finders . Authur from Trek Finders was our tour guide who ensured that each one of us had the best trip possible.

Where is Sabah?

Sabah is a tropical state of Malaysia in the Borneo area with Kota Kinabalu as it’s capital. This state is an island with a mix of beaches, waterfronts and mountains and Mount Kinabalu as it’s the highest peak. It is covered with rain forests and is green through most part of the year.

How to reach Sabah:

Sabah can be reached from India by air with a hop at Kuala Lumpur. The average flight time takes around 7.5-8 hours with a stopover of around 2 hours at Kuala Lumpur.

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Vishu👫Saumya | #India🇮🇳 (@vishusaumya) on Jul 1, 2019 at 10:52pm PDT

Flight options for Sabah:

The major flight carriers from Delhi are Air Asia, Malindo Air, and Malaysian Airlines. While Air Asia is usually the cheapest option available, Malindo Air and Malaysian Airlines offer luxury at a good price.

Travel Tip: Carry your blanket and water when traveling by Air Asia as everything onboard is chargeable.

Visa and Immigration:

A Malaysian Tourist visa with single entry or multiple entries is valid to travel to Sabah. You may use the following link to apply for Malaysian Tourist Visa (Entri) which usually takes around 4 hours to process and is for 3000INR approximately. There is a very long queue observed at the Kuala Lumpur airport for immigration so it is recommended to plan your connecting flight in such a way that you don’t end up missing it.

Currency in Sabah: 

Sabah trades in Malaysian Ringgit where 1 Malaysian Ringgit is equal to 16.5INR approximately. It is recommended to carry cash from India while traveling to Malaysia as the forex rates offered here are better. You can also use your international credit/debit cards for purchases and cash withdrawals in Malaysia.

Best time to visit Sabah:

5- Days Suggested Itinerary for Sabah:

Here’s our suggested 5-day itinerary for your Sabah Travel Guide:

Take a flight from Delhi to Kota Kinabalu with a stopover at Kuala Lumpur. Reach Kota Kinabalu. Check in to your hotel and spend the day at leisure.

Explore Kota Kinabalu. Visit the City Mosque, Kota Kinabalu Museum, Tanjung Aru Beach and spend the evening at Waterfront with live music at the cafes and pubs.

Start your day with a healthy breakfast at the homestay. Continue your ride in Kiulu valley. At the ending point, transfer to lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch, proceed to Tuaran for River Cruise. The arrival of guests and welcome by Bertitik performances . Depart for the river cruise. Stop at a Kg. Suang Bungan village and walk along the jetty by the mangrove forest. You may spot a monkey or two! Also, experience traditional crab-catching. In the evening it’s time for fireflies! Back to the hotel post firefly watching.  Trek Finders are experienced professionals in curating itineraries for Kota Kinabalu and they can create one for you based on your requirements.

Start your journey back home. Take a flight to Kuala Lumpur. If you wish to spend two days in KL, read the suggested itinerary here!

What to Pack for Sabah:

As it remains dry most of the year so here is the list of items you should pack:

• Bright colored summer clothes like dresses, shorts, and t-shirts.
• Dry fit active wear, t-shirts, and shorts.
• Sports Shoes for adventure sports.
• Small towel for use during adventure activities.
• A raincoat/umbrella for the unexpected rains.
• Sunglasses.
• Sunscreen lotion preferably SPF 50+.
• Insect repellant.
• Small backpack to carry your stuff.

Things to do in Sabah:

Sabah is a house of adventure sports, activities, cultural enlightenment and full of lovely people and good food. During your visit, you can definitely have a holiday full of activities which will leave you zapped for the number of things you would have tried and learned here. In this Sabah Travel Guide we shall give you the reasons for which you should visit and the things to do in Sabah:

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Vishu👫Saumya | #India🇮🇳 (@vishusaumya) on Jun 27, 2019 at 10:58pm PDT

Adventure Activities:

Sabah Travel Guide is incomplete without the plethora of adventure activities to be tried during the visit.  Here is the list of adventure activities we tried:

• Mountain Cycling/Biking
• Off-Road Driving
• Crab Catching
• Firefly Watching

Sabah is known for its beach and sunset. The beach here is full of cafes and pubs which you can enjoy while watching the sunset. You should definitely try the local wine, some exquisite liquor, and good food here at these cafes. The waterfront area at Kota Kinabalu is one of the most famous tourist spots in Sabah. The waterfront is overlooking the floating mosque which is an architectural marvel and looks beautiful.

Go for a River Cruise:

Planning a romantic date with your loved one in Sabah? How about a river cruise to help you enjoy the beauty of nature, the lovely sunset, and the togetherness? We experienced the river cruise in Sabah with  Tembara River Cruise  who took us around the mangrove forest area to experience the nature’s beauty along with a beautiful sunset at the Sulayman Bay.

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Vishu👫Saumya | #India🇮🇳 (@vishusaumya) on Jun 27, 2019 at 12:16am PDT

People and Culture:

We were invited to visit Sabah and attend the Digital Influencers Conference and the Travel Earth awards 2019 which were held in Malaysia between 24th to 29th of July. The entire week was planned in such a way that we were given ample time to explore Sabah, attend the conference, meet a lot of digital influencers across various niche and attend the awards ceremony on the closing night. The entire team of Travel Earth did a commendable job in pulling off the act so well and special thanks to Vitasta and Anuja for taking good care of each and every one of us. The experience of visiting Sabah became even more special when we won the prestigious  Travel Influencer of the Year   award which was also the biggest award for the night. With sweet memories of Sabah, the people of Sabah, the food and the crazy bunch of talented people we had in our group, we bid adieu to this beautiful state in Malaysia.

VishuSaumya

Software professionals who love to travel, explore and most importantly experience the journey called life. We are Vishu and Saumya currently based in NCR. We love to explore life in the best possible way as it comes. Sharing the common interest for food, music and movies, we want to travel the globe and share our stories with the world. We would also love to help someone with the travel itenaries, make memories and cherish them forever.

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• Sabah Destinations

SABAH DESTINATIONS

Sabah, malaysian borneo: south east asia’s raw & wild side.

Where dense and luscious mountainous terrain reveal unparalleled views; marine life reside in clear, turquoise waters; and unbelievable striking hues of the sunset cross paths with idyllic beaches, the Malaysian Borneo state of Sabah is a tropical paradise travellers can turn to for spectacular and pristine natural ambience.

Unlock your adventures and embark on your journey from Sabah’s capital city, Kota Kinabalu, through a boulevard of a rich spectrum of greenery and overarched by ultramarine skies.

Test your luck in search of natural foliage and wildlife unique to Borneo at Danum Valley; hit wetlands like the Kinabatangan River and Weston River abuzz with rare water bird species and speckled with twinkling fireflies; submerge yourself in Semporna, Sabah’s pinnacle of dive spots among diverse marine life; venture up to Low’s Peak Summit at Mount Kinabalu where the highest Via Ferrata is set; or have yourself a sedentary inland trip in the tranquil rainforest of Malaysia’s first UNESCO Heritage Site and recently crowned Global Geopark, Kinabalu Park.

Whether you’re looking for a luxury vacation by the coast or a secluded wonderland in the jungles, get acquainted with Sabah and its wonders with our curated list of only the very best array of tours & packages catering to travellers from all walks of life.

• Mount Kinabalu

Described as the Top 10 epic hikes by Lonely Planet, Mount Kinabalu stands tall at 4,095.2 metres & attracts climbers from all walks of life all year round.

• Kinabalu Park

Home to the majestic Mount Kinabalu, Kinabalu Park flourishes abundantly with unique Bornean wildlife & is Malaysia’s first UNESCO Heritage Site.

• Sipadan Island

Sipadan Island remains a diver’s paradise, where living corals grow atop an extinct undersea volcano rising 600 metres above the seabed.

• Danum Valley

Step into 43,800 hectares of the quintessential Bornean experience – Danum Valley, boasting a variety of wildlife wonders and peppered with adventures.

• Kota Kinabalu City

Before exploring the rest of Sabah, first set foot in the bustling Kota Kinabalu city, where one gets the best of an urban vibe set in tropical paradise.

• Tabin Wildlife Reserve

Spread across 123,000 hectares, Tabin Wildlife Reserve is guaranteed to feed the curiosities of all and give you a taste of Borneo’s nature like nowhere else.

• Turtle Islands

(Selingan/Libaran)

A haven for sea turtles, Turtle Island grants you a rare opportunity to witness turtle landings & hatching as they make their grand dash into the Sulu Sea.

Kudat – Tip of Borneo

Head to the Northernmost Tip of Borneo - where views of both the Sulu & South China Seas are extravagant & the blazing sunset dramatically righteous.

Kinabatangan River - Sukau/Bilit

The Kinabatangan River flows through a remarkably varied terrain within Sandakan & is endowed with one of the richest biodiversities in the world.

Maliau Basin (The Lost World)

Experience and uncover an astounding natural beauty when you enter Maliau Basin - Sabah's Lost World for a jungle adventure beyond your wildest dreams.

• Mount Trusmadi

Presenting its own arduous trek, Mount Trusmadi stands tall & equally proud at 2,642 metres and is Borneo & Malaysia’s second highest mountain.

Poised at the north of Kuala Penyu, Pulau Tiga (Survivor Island) is Borneo’s slice of paradise with its mud volcano ‘spas’, encompassing a tropical getaway.

• Orou Sapulot

A trip to Sapulot will bring you to the Sabah-Kalimantan border where the Murut tribe will transport you back to simpler times more attuned to Mother Nature.

Sabah & Sarawak Dual States

Be it a relaxing getaway or an exciting adventure, the east Malaysian states Sabah & Sarawak checks off all your tropical paradise bucket list & more.

Discover Sabah Multi-Day Full Packages

Commence your discovery through the unmatched wonders of Sabah, Malaysian Borneo with multi-day tours within & departing from the vibrant Kota Kinabalu city.

• Via Ferrata

Mount Kinabalu Via Ferrata is listed by the Guinness World Records as the world’s highest Via Ferrata, and located in the UNESCO World Heritage site of Mount Kinabalu.

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• About Sabah
• Getting to Sabah
• Quick Facts about Sabah
• People and Culture
• Things to Do in Sabah
• Moving Around Sabah
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• Kota Kinabalu City Hotels
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• Bako National Park
• Discover Sabah Multiple Days
• Kinabatangan (Sukau/Bilit)
• Kudat Tip of Borneo
• Maliau Basin
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• Mulu Pinnacles & Caves + Miri
• Sabah & Sarawak Dual States
• Transportation Services
• Mount Kinabalu Climb Packages
• Introduction to Mount Kinabalu
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• Mount Kinabalu Video
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Sabah Travel Guide

Of all Malaysia’s rich tapestry, Sabah perhaps epitomises the country’s most attractive qualities best.  

For all of Kuala Lumpur’s urban modernity, and Penang’s cultural prevalence, Sabah represents ‘team nature’ and for that alone, it will forever remain one of the nation’s foremost hotspots. 

The State has recognised this appeal too. Every strategic investment, infrastructural development and tourism-driven improvement is made with a view to capitalise on the natural delights that grace the likes of Borneo, Kinabalu, Sepilok and Tawau.  

As a result, Sabah is now one of the world’s leading areas for wildlife conservation on the nature side, and for island diving from a more adventurous perspective. These two elements are reason enough to explore the region once business has been concluded. And it’s only going to get better in the years to come. 

The Sabah Tourism Board continues to work tirelessly to diversify Sabah’s offering, without diluting the authenticity and organic traits that are already so popular. Rather, it is focusing on enhancing people’s stay once there – addressing areas of hospitality as evidenced by Hyatt Regency Kinabalu and Ming Garden Hotel & Residences; and accessibility as epitomised by the 19 different domestic and international routes that connect to Sabah. 

Areas of nightlife and the food & drink scene are also being developed to attract a younger demographic of visitors, and in the years to come  it will come as no surprise to see Sabah every bit as popular as its neighbouring counterparts.

TOURISM INSIGHTS: SABAH TOURISM BOARD

The Sabah Tourism Board (STB) was formerly known as Sabah Tourism Promotion Corporation (STPC) and is an agency of the Sabah State Government. It is primarily responsible for marketing and promoting tourism for the State. First established in 1976, STB was re-established as a statutory agency in November, 1985 and now comes under the remit of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture & Environment, Sabah.

Today, STB constitutes five major operational areas: Marketing Division, Research Division, Product Division, Finance & Corporate Services Division, and Support Services Division. The reactivation of its wholly-owned subsidiary company, Sri Pelancongan Sabah Sdn. Bhd. has enabled STB to reorganise and focus its main activities on tourism marketing, promotion and research.

Christina Liew of the Sabah Tourism Board introduced the Association, its aims, and its initiative in line with the State’s overriding missions.

Q&A WITH CHRISTINA LIEW, MINISTER OF TOURISM, CULTURE AND ENVIRONMENT SABAH

Christina Liew (CL):  Since the beginning, Sabah Tourism’s aim was to promote Sabah as a premier destination for nature and adventure in the region. The State has an abundance of attractions that are nature-based, and the Ministry under Sabah Parks (established in 1964) is responsible for developing these hotspots as conservation centres that would attract tourism in the long run. We are very proud to say that Sabah is at the forefront of conservation policies for the country. For example, Kinabalu Park, Malaysia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, was gazetted in 1964, the same year Sabah Parks was set up. The Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park is the first marine park in Malaysia set up in 1974. 

Newer products were introduced over the years, however both the marine and Kinabalu parks are the most frequented attractions for foreign and local tourists until today. Conservation remains the key theme for Sabah. Recently, Sabah Tourism introduced the Rural Tourism programme, an extension of nature-based tourism focusing on communities in rural areas and their lifestyles. Rural Tourism coined the tagline ‘lung-cleansing’ to suggest activities and tours done at lush areas where the air is clean and rejuvenating.  Sabah is also known for fresh seafood for Northern Asia markets. Food is slowly becoming the main attraction for younger travellers.

How would you say Sabah Tourism Board has developed in recent years as a business travel hub and what are the key reasons behind its growing appeal?

(CL):  Up to today, air travel accessibility has increased, especially connecting to Kota Kinabalu. There are more than 180 flights connecting the Kota Kinabalu International Airport to 19 international destinations. Sandakan and Tawau are also receiving direct flights from Kuala Lumpur for visitors who are keen to visit places like Sepilok and Kinabatangan as well as diving off the islands of Semporna. 

Sabah as a cruise destination is being slowly recognised although the cruise terminal port has not been renovated and modernised. Today, the tourism industry is the third biggest income earner for Sabah. In 2017, total arrivals grew 10 percent to 3.684 million or an estimated RM7.829 billion in receipts.

A number of chain hotels are opening in Sabah due to the stable Government and investor-friendly environment. Hilton and Mecure Kota Kinabalu are now operational with Marriott joining the market very soon.

The business sector is eagerly waiting the completion of the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) due in early 2019. Sabah is already receiving large incentive groups, and with the SICC, Sabah will be able to formerly hold business tourism events.

What is in store for Sabah over the course of 2018 and beyond to continue the good work already commenced and to enhance its reputation as a tourism and business travel hub further in the future?

(CL):  For 2018 we will look into new areas. We have plans for developing tourism products for Tawau, which has been a stopover town all these years for visitors to go to Semporna and the islands for diving. We will also be looking at maintenance or upgrading of our basic facilities in public areas, especially airports.

We would like to give a very good first impression for visitors when they land. We would also be focusing on conservation issues such as the status and long-term planning of our large Bornean mammals. After all, Sabah is known for conservation since the very beginning.

Finally, what progress and development would you hope and expect to be able to report back in the future, both in regard to the Sabah Tourism Board as an entity, and to the business travel industry in Sabah as a whole?

(CL):  I would like to see growth in the markets, especially the long-haul markets, so they grow alongside the arrivals coming from China. I would also like to see the creation of newer tourism hotspots, especially on the East Coast of Sabah.

OUTLOOK RECOMMENDS

“We are very proud to say that Sabah is at the forefront of conservation policies for the country.”  – Christina Liew, Sabah Tourism Board HOSPITALITY

Hyatt Regency Kinabalu

Ming Garden Hotel & Residences

Sabah State Museum

Labuan Museum

Danum Valley Conservation Area  

Maliau Basin Conservation Area  

Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre  

Borneo Sun Bear Conservation Centre  

Sungai Kinabatangan

Gomatong Caves

LEISURE TOURS

Diverse Borneo

Mari Mari Cultural Village

Tamu Market of Kota Belud  

Imago Shopping Mall

LANDMARK ATTRACTIONS

Semporna Archipelago

“The stunning sapphire waters and emerald isles of the Semporna Archipelago, home to Bajau sea gypsies in Crayola-coloured boats, are plucked from your most vivid dreams of tropical paradise. Of course few visitors come this way for the islands – rather, it is the ocean and the lure of what lies beneath its surface. This is first and foremost a diving destination – one of the best in the world.”  – Lonely Planet 

Kota Kinabalu

“Kota Kinabalu is a very nice city to stay for a few days. There are many nice sights and attractions. Of course you can shop until you drop in the huge shopping malls. You can enjoy fabulous meals at one of the many hawkers. At the Signal Hill Lookout point you can enjoy fantastic panoramic views over the city. The city also serves as gateway to visitors that are on their way to visit the amazing Tunku Abdul Rahman marine park, padas river for white water rafting, or Mount Kinabalu.”  – Wonderful Malaysia 

Mount Kinabalu

“Mount Kinabalu’s specialty lies in its location at a renowned World Heritage Site – Kinabalu Park. Nature lovers will be delighted to be able to witness the many variations of flora and fauna that are to be found on the mountain at different altitudes… Mount Kinabalu is the highest mountain between the Himalayas and New Guinea. Mount Kinabalu derives its name from the Kadazan word, ‘Aki Nabalu’, meaning ‘the revered place of the dead’. It is one of the safest and most conquerable peaks in the world – provided that you’re reasonably healthy and physically fit.”  – MountKinabalu.com

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