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Sabah, a destination so complete it caters to the desires of all potential
visitors, answering to the call of peace and solitude on a beach, great views on
one of the world's highest peaks, adventure in old-world rainforests and an
underwater paradise of coral reefs.
The varying ecosystems of this island paradise are home to hundreds of unique
and diverse creatures, from the endangered orang-utan, Sumatran rhino and the
crazy proboscis monkey, to the giant rafflesia flower, the world's largest
collections of pitcher plants and orchids, and the swarming schools of
barracuda, sharks, jacks, tuna and bumphead wrasse, each contributing to the
creation of a rainbow of inexhaustible beauty and constant wonder.
Completing the natural wonder that is Sabah, 34 unique ethnic groups have made
this island their home, creating a cultural melting pot that is unique in its
diversity yet unified in its natural friendliness and warmth. A visit to Sabah
will open your eyes and heart, offering an experience that is unparalleled in
this world.
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Tourist Attractions
Mount Kinabalu
Poring Springs/Jungle
Canopy Walk
Tunku Abdul Rahman Park
White-Water Rafting
North Borneo
Railway
Monsopiad - Heritage Cultural Village
Sepilok Orang-Utan Rehabilitation Centre - Sandakan
Selingan - Turtle Islands
Kinabatangan River
Sandakan Australian Memorial
Rungus Longhouse
Kota Belud
Sipadan - A Diver's Paradise
Danum Valley
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Mount Kinabalu
Towering over the state capital is Mount Kinabalu, at 4095 metres, South-East
Asia's highest peak and the pride of Sabah. Fraught with legends and myths, the
mountain has been a powerful draw for mountain climbers and spiritual seekers
alike, many sensing that a trip to this area would not be complete without
standing on its majestic peak at sunrise. The surrounding 754-kilometre national
park is home to rare species of orchids and pitcher plants, as well as the
elusive rafflesia, the world's largest flower. The well-worn hiking trails and
the park naturalist offer an intimate introduction into the wonders of this
mountain jungle ecosystem.
Only a two-hour drive from Kota Kinabalu, the mountain can be enjoyed several
ways:
Mount Kinabalu Climb
No previous climbing experience is required in order to scale this awesome
giant; however, you should be in very good physical condition to accomplish this
difficult climb. Transfer to Kinabalu Park and register at headquarters before
proceeding to Timpohon gate, where a mountain guide will accompany you to 11,000
feet for an overnight stay at Laban Rata. At 3:00 am, climb to the summit and
witness an awesome sunrise.
Kinabalu Park and Poring Spring Day Tour
After the drive from Kota Kinabalu, join a jungle-guided walk with the park
naturalist. After lunch at the mountain retreat, proceed to Poring hot spring,
east of Kinabalu Park headquarters. Visit the jungle canopy walkway and dip in
the hot sulfuric waters of the natural springs.
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Poring Springs / Jungle Canopy
Walk
At the base of Mount Kinabalu lies a tropical lowland rainforest, home to a vast
array of flora and fauna unique to this region. Recent sightings of orang-utans
in the canopy surrounding Poring have rekindled hope that this area's ecosystem
has been regenerated to suit the fragile habitat of this beautiful creature,
once relegated to the remotest interior jungles. Explore the jungle trails
leading up to the treetop canopy walkways, 50 metres above the forest floor. The
longest canopy bridge in Sabah, hang suspended over the forest floor as you gain
a bird's-eye view of jungle life on high.
After this short trek into the jungle, take an opportunity to soak away your
aching muscles in the natural, hot sulfuric baths - the main draw of Poring.
These natural sulfur springs have been the source of natural healing for
centuries. Public baths and private cabanas are available for this unique Sabah
experience.
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Tunku Abdul Rahman Park
Lying off the coast of Kota Kinabalu, the five islands of Pulau Gaya, Manukan,
Mamutik, Sapi and Sulug and their surrounding coral reefs make up the Tunku
Abdul Rahman Park, a national marine reserve, aiming to protect and regenerate
the fragile marine ecosystem surrounding the state's capital. The crystal clear
waters and white sandy beaches make this a perfect island getaway.
Shuttle service to the five islands is readily available from the marina and
takes between 10 and 15 minutes. Upon arrival, bask in the sun on the clear,
white sandy beaches, swim and snorkel or explore the island jungle trails.
Easily accessible, these islands are a terrific playground for swimming,
waterskiing, parasailing, and picnicking. Accommodation is also available on
three of the islands for those who need a true island escape.
Snorkelling - Colourful beyond imagination, the waters around these islands
promise snorkellers good visibility at about 16 metres. Magnificent coral reefs
hugging the shoreline afford views of pink and green parrot fish and turquoise
moon wrasses, darting around brain coral, staghorn coral, boulder coral, feather
stars and sea fans.
Scuba Diving - It is possible to attain PADI certification over a period of two
to four days. Open water, intermediate and advanced instruction is available
through reputable instructors. Kota Kinabalu offers excellent facilities and a
marvelous training ground to gain a more intimate glimpse of the world under the
sea.
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White-Water Rafting
For the true adventure seeker, Sabah offers some of the most exhilarating
thrills in the world. A great introduction to the excitement is though a
white-water rafting excursion.
A trip to the Padas River (a grade-3 river) will take you to Tenom in the heart
of the interior. From Beaufort, south of Kota Kinabalu, you will need to board a
local train that winds precariously along the river gorge as it plunges through
the jungle. At Pangi, rafts are lowered into the river and you are off tackling
'The Cobra' and 'The Headhunter' as you careen down the Padas in a rush of white
water.
If Padas presents too much excitement for your adventurous soul, Kiulu River is
an easy grade 2 river just north of the city. Take in the lovely riverside
scenery as you travel down the rapids, with opportunities to bodysurf and lounge
in the warm river pools.
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Monsopiad - Heritage Cultural Village
Borneo is famous, or shall we say infamous, for its legendary headhunters,
warriors from days long past but never forgotten. Experience this rich cultural
heritage at Monsopiad, a cultural village minutes away from Kota Kinabalu centre.
The village centres on the ancestral home of Monsopiad, the son of a village
headman and famed young warrior. See the trophy heads, 42 in all, that this
young man collected in his lifetime hanging from the ancestral house and listen
to tales of the long-ago warriors. You will be relieved to hear that headhunting
was not considered sport and that the spirits of the dead are protected and
honoured even today by the ancestors of the warriors who carried out the
killings.
The village is an exact replica of a traditional village, including farmhouses,
with round log steps and attap roofs. The tangkob, or granary, shows how padi
(rice) was stored after the harvest and local rice winemaking demonstrations.
Experience a cultural show, highlighting dances from various cultural groups
throughout Sabah and taste the local delicacies served in the ancestral
longhouse, where the Headman held audience with the villagers long ago...
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Sepilok Orang-Utan Rehabilitation Centre - Sandakan
Orang-utans, the amazing red-haired ambassadors of Borneo, are a must-see for
any visit to Sabah. However, as the habitats of these lovely creatures are
quickly being destroyed through logging and plantation expansion, they are
increasingly difficult to visit. Fortunately, increased focus on the environment
and the urgent need to protect the rainforest ecosystem has brought attention to
the plight of this giant ape, man's closest relative.
The Sepilok orang-utan sanctuary enables visitors to come into close contact
with the remarkable 'man of the forest' (this is what the Malay name means) and
witness an exciting conservation programme in action. Only 25 kilometres from
Sandakan, the sanctuary was begun in 1964 to help once captive orang-utans learn
to fend for themselves in the wild. After watching orphaned orang-utans being
taught how to climb, visitors proceed to a platform where they can watch the
semi-wild orang-utans come in from their jungle hides for their twice-daily
ration of milk and bananas.
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Selingan - Turtle Islands
The Turtle Islands park, lying some 40 kilometres north of Sandakan, comprises
three islands very close to the Philippines border. The park is famous for its
green and hawksbill turtles, which lay their eggs on the beaches of the islands.
The first turtle hatchery in Malaysia was set up on Seligan in 1966 in order to
protect and conserve the turtles, which were being hunted for their shells and
meat. Today, permanent staff monitors the turtle activities through tagging and
tracking methods.
It is a rare experience to watch the huge green turtles lumber ashore at night
to laboriously dig a hole with their flippers and lay around 100 eggs. Rangers
then transfer these eggs to a hatchery where they are kept safe for the 50 to
60-day incubation period. During the cooler hours around sunset, hatchlings
break out of their shells and scramble up through the sand into the netted area.
Later in the evening, visitors can assist the rangers in taking the baby turtles
down to the beach, where they race for the sea. Only 3% are likely to survive,
but those females that do will return in 20 years or so to the very beach where
they themselves were hatched to repeat the cycle.
Because a conservation programme has been enforced in this area for almost 30
years, an increasing number of turtles are arriving to lay their eggs and
visitors can be certain of seeing turtles arrive nightly throughout the year.
Visitors to the Turtle Islands park depart by boat from the Sandakan harbour for
an overnight visit on Pulau Selingan.
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Kinabatangan River
The greatest concentration of wildlife in Malaysia, and possibly all of Borneo,
can be found along the lower reaches of Sabah's biggest and longest river, the
Kinabatangan. Wild orang-utan, macaques, red and silver leaf monkeys, elephants,
civet cats, crocodiles and dozens of bird species can be viewed in this region.
The most famous creature found along the river is undoubtedly the bizarre
proboscis monkey.
Thanks to their habit of socialising in the mangrove trees along the river banks
in the late afternoon, the proboscis monkeys are very easy to spot. Found only
in Borneo, the male of this species has a large pendulous nose, fat belly, thick
white tail, and a peculiar mixture of colours that make him look as if he is
wearing gray tights, white underpants and an orange jacket. The proboscis monkey
is large and has webbed feet, which make him a strong swimmer. He is remarkably
entertaining to watch as he leaps forcefully into space, seemingly without
thought of where to land, crashing heavily and with maximum noise into a nearby
tree.
It is possible to take an afternoon tour by boat across Sandakan Bay, through
the saltwater swamp forest at the mouth of the Kinabatangan River, and on up to
the first settlement, Kampung Abai, returning to Sandakan at night. Visitors who
prefer an in-depth look at the area's wildlife can stay overnight in Sukau, just
two hours by road from Sandakan, where accommodation is provided.
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Sandakan Australian Memorial
The Australian Memorial, on the site of what was a prisoner-of-war camp now in
Taman Rimba, off Labuk Road, commemorates Allied soldiers who lost their lives
during the Japanese occupation. Some 2400 men, most of them Australian, left
this camp on the infamous 'death march' towards the end of the war, only six of
them surviving to reach Ranau, near Mount Kinabalu, a year later.
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Rungus Longhouse
Kudat, a three-hour drive north of Kota Kinabalu, is famous for its rich
cultural heritage and blending of ethnic groups, its unspoiled natural landscape
and its extensive white sandy beaches. As golf was a favourite British sport,
Kudat also had the distinction of having the first golf club in Sabah,
established in 1930 and affiliated to the prestigious St Andrews club in
Scotland.
The Rungus, a sub-tribe of the Kadazandusun, are the main ethnic group living in
the Kudat region. They are renowned in Sabah as highly skilled artisans, who
traditionally make colourful beaded necklaces from local plant seeds and clay,
with motifs of ancient designs, usually signifying old fables and legends. They
are also highly skilled at basketry and cloth weaving.
The Bavaggazo longhouses are unique attractions for visitors as they were
planned and developed as a cultural centrepiece by the Rungus community at
Kampong Bavaggazzo as a means to display and conserve their cultural heritage
while engaging in an economically sustainable venture. Guests can stay overnight
here, experiencing life in a longhouse while taking part in community activities
such as weaving and bead stringing. Longhouse meals are mainly home grown,
featuring fish and seafood as well as wild ferns and fruits. The evening brings
a festive 'party' atmosphere to the longhouse, with the rhythmic playing of
gongs and villagers resplendent in their traditional black costume, complete
with elaborate beads.
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Kota Belud
For a perfect Sunday outing, Kota Belud is a small town about an 80-kilometre
drive north of Kota Kinabalu, the journey passing through coastal areas and the
foothills of the Crocker Range, often offering a pristine view of dominant Mount
Kinabalu.
'KB' is famous for its cultural blend of various local tribes, particularly the
Bajau, the 'cowboys of the East'. The Bajau, one of Sabah's most interesting
cultural groups, settled both coastal and mountainous regions, raising a sturdy
mountain pony known for its speed and sure-footedness, which they clothe head to
tail in a brightly designed 'medieval' costume of velvet fitted with silver
bells and ribbons. A cultural display of the Bajau horsemen is a must during a
visit to this area.
The tamu, a local open market renowned as the busiest in Sabah, is the
Sunday highlight. A wide variety of wares is available for sale, with a main
focus on staple foods and farm products. This weekly gathering is attended not
only by Malay housewives and Chinese merchants but also Kadazans and Bajaus, who
occasionally turn up on their small horses. Experience this festival of colours
and cultures as you wander through the rows of merchant stalls, tasting local kuihs,
marvelling at the unfamiliar fruits and vegetables and bargaining for local
handicrafts and traditional wares.
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Sipadan - A Diver's Paradise
Considered one of the world's most unique and exquisite dive sites, Sipadan has
one of the richest underwater ecosystems known to man. Watch the swirling packs
of barracuda, swim with schools of large bumphead parrot fish, glide through the
warm waters with gentle manta rays and come face to face with giant sea turtles.
An early morning flight to Tawau, a two-hour drive to Semporna and an hour's
boat trip will bring you to this island paradise. All visitors must be fully
certified, and all divers are required to sign liability release forms. A
minimum stay of at least two nights is recommended to experience the waters
surrounding Sipadan and the nearby Mabul islands.
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Danum Valley
In the heart of the 'lost world' of Danum Valley lies a vital conservation
reserve, Sabah's largest protected area of lowland rainforest. The jungles of
Danum support an impressive array of wildlife, including 124 species of mammals
such as Asian elephants, Sumatran rhino, sun bears and clouded leopards. Trek
through the many paths with a local naturalist or sit quietly near a salt lick
at night to spy some of the world's rarest and most wondrous creatures.
Stay overnight at the Borneo Rainforest Lodge, 23 bungalows built of wood and
stone in the style of traditional Kadazandusun dwellings, that provides the
amenities of a first-class hotel in the heart of the jungle. And if this is a
little too tame, you can always opt for the tented camp, a four-hour trek away
in the very heart of Borneo.
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