Reservations

Luxury Travel

Reservations

Luxury Travel

Get to know Sabah, Malaysian Borneo

Get to know Sabah, Malaysian Borneo

What's it all about?

Situated in the north of Borneo Island, Sabah is a diverse Malaysian state offering unique culture, exotic food, and off-the-scale biodiversity. This is a destination that will appeal to those with adventurous taste buds – thanks to its tangled jungle, challenging mountains and underwater surprises – as well as explorer families and couples looking for romantic settings. Kota Kinabalu is the state capital of Sabah. known as KK by the locals, and a modern city with international influences alongside its cultural heritage.

This is a feature from Issue 10 of Charitable Traveller. Click to read more from this issue.

Community connections

Community tourism aims to boost sustainability, improve the livelihood of locals by helping them develop and manage tourism themselves and offers visitors an authentic window into Sabah’s culture. The region is home to more than thirty ethnic groups speaking over 80 languages and each with their own customs. Visit communities to get involved in paddy planting, rubber tapping, and river fishing, play traditional instruments and games, create handicrafts or cook local dishes. In the Mari Mari Cultural Village you can watch clothes being made from jackfruit bark or see a blowpipe demonstration.

Underwater Love

Diving is big in Sabah and Sipadan Island is one of the top-rated dive spots in the world, famous for its prolific turtles. At nearby islands like Mabul, Kapalai and Mataking, large marine life like sharks and tiny vivid sea creatures and colourful corals are guaranteed sightings.

Relax at the beach

Sabah is gifted with a long coastline and hundreds of islands with stretches of white sandy beaches and crystal clear turquoise water. Head here to try water sports like scuba diving or snorkelling or just plain relaxing. A cruise is a great way to explore the coast. Whether you’re looking for a quiet cruise to appreciate Sabah’s famously fiery sunsets, or a pumped-up party on the South China Sea, North Borneo has it.

The forest around Kinabatangan River is home to 10 species of primate

Thrilling Adventures

Activities can start almost as soon as you land in Sabah. Just off KK is Tunku Abdul Rahman Park, a group of five islands with a 25 metre zipline – the Coral Flyer – connecting Gaya to Sapi. If you don’t mind getting wet, the raging Padas River offers grade four to five white water rafting, or head to the Kiulu River for a milder ride.
The three highest mountains in Malaysia are all in Sabah, but UNESCO World Heritage recognised Mount Kinabalu is the highest, at 4,095 metres. Climbing this mystical granite peak is a great way to appreciate Sabah’s scenery. It’s one of the youngest mountains in the world (between 7-8 million years) and a biodiverse hotspot home to the world’s largest flower, the carnivorous Rafflesia. Extreme thrill seekers can take the via ferrata on Mount Kinabalu (meaning iron road and comprising a series of metal staples that allow you to climb steep rock sections), which is the world’s highest at 3.776 metres. 

Jungle Look

Sandakan is Sabah’s wildlife capital. Head to the famous Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre to see these auburn primates close-up, learn about their plight, and how they are rescued and released. Next door is the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre, and the nearby Rainforest Discover Centre with it’s canopy walkway for bird watching. Cruise the Kinabatangan River to spot wild orang utan, the nosy proboscis monkey, pretty hornbill birds, and, if you’re lucky, a Bornean pygmy elephant!

And another thing...

Tree planting is a great activity you can do in Sabah that makes a positive impact…

Good for Nature 
Planting trees provides shelter and food for animals, insects and birds, enriches the soil for further growth, and absorbs carbon.

Good for communities
APE Malaysia’s tree-planting activities are supported by local family-run tree nurseries in the Sukau villages, while KK Wetlands., which plants in the Sulaman Lake Forest Reserve and Lemaas Forest Reserve, employs locals to monitor growth.

Good For You
Plant a tree to commemorate a special occasion like an engagement, or remember a loved one.

This is a feature from Issue 10 of Charitable Traveller. Click to read more from this issue.