SABAH
KOTA KINABALU
Located 138 kilometers from Kota Kinabalu, Kinabalu National Park spans 754 square kilometers and offers stunning views and natural diversity. The park’s main attraction is Mt. Kinabalu, the highest mountain in Southeast Asia at 4,095 meters. The surrounding slopes, valleys, rivers, and rainforests further enhance the park’s beauty. A protected reserve, Kinabalu National Park is home to rich ecological diversity. Climbing Mt. Kinabalu, though the third largest mountain, is considered one of the easiest, typically taking 2-3 days with no special hiking equipment.
SEPILOK ORANG UTAN SANCTUARY
The Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary is a must-visit for animal lovers. Trainers care for orphaned orangutans, helping them adapt to life in the wild. The best times to see the orangutans up close are at 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., when they come down from the trees for their daily feedings of bananas and milk.
DANUM VALLEY CONSERVATION AREA
Danum Valley, a protected lowland rainforest in Sabah, covers over 400 square kilometers and is home to rare species like orangutans, Wallace Flying Frogs, Sumatran rhinoceros, mouse deer, and blue leopards. Declared a national park in 1976, 90% of the area is dipterocarp forest, with tree canopies reaching 70 meters. The Borneo Rainforest Lodge, the first eco-resort in the area, offers facilities like a restaurant, bar, and chalets for visitors exploring the valley’s diverse ecosystem. Popular activities include jungle treks, river swimming, bird watching, and night tours.
TAMBUNAN RAFFLESIA CENTRE
The Tambunan Rafflesia Centre located at the edge of a forest reserve serves as the point of entry for the Rafflesia Forest Reserve. For those who do not want to or have the time to explore the park, it proves to be the best option to educate themselves about the conservation of world’s largest flower, Rafflesia, which is unique to the Rafflesia Forest Reserve.
LANKAYAN ISLAND
Lankayan Island, a practically virgin island in the Sulu Sea is located at just 1.5-hour boat ride from Sandakan. The island can be counted as one of the best tourist getaways. Situated within the Sea Turtle Corridor, the pristine blue waters of the island proffer an excellent chance to spot the Whale Shark, see the nestings of Hawksbill Turtle and gaze at the colourful fauna. Through the Lankayan Dive Resort, which arranges all the tours, one can avail the facility of getting close to the whale shark. During the period between June and September, one can also see new hatchlings of baby turtles being released. The island is also home to the famous Lankayan Wreck, a popular diving station for divers who visit Sabah.
MABUL ISLAND
Located only about 15 minutes from Sipadan Island, Mabul Island is reputed to house some of the best underwater species of fish and other photographic marine animals. Recognized as one of the best muck-diving sites in the world, the pristine waters surrounding the island give a clear vision of the animals, a supposed boon for underwater photographers. Some of the marine animals one can get a quick look at are blue-ringed octopus, frogfish, moray eels, spike-fin gobies, cuttlefish and cuttlefish.