Sabah

Introduction

The floating mosque at sunset

© All Rights Reserved Spinky

Sabah is one of the 13 states of Malaysia, located in the northern half of Borneo. Kota Kinabalu is the state's capital.

Geography

Cities

• Kota Kinabalu, the capital
• Sandakan
• Tawau
• Lahad Datu
• Keningau
• Semporna
• Kudat

Sights and Activities

• Mount Kinabalu - Climb this 4095-metre tall mountain, the tallest in Malaysia, for some stunning views.
• Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre- This centre rehabilitates orangutans that have been orphaned or kept as pets in the hope of reintroducing them to the wild.
• Turtle Islands Park - A conservation park for endangered sea turtles and a chance to see green turtles or hawksbills lay their eggs.
• Tunku Abdul Rahman Park - Five islands off the coast of Kota Kinabalu make up this National Park.
• Pulau Tiga National Park
• Crocker Range National Park
• Tawau Hills Park
• Poring Hot Springs
• Pulau Sipadan - One of the top scuba diving spots in the world.
• Danum Valley Conservation Area - A large section of virgin rainforest in the middle of Sabah about 3 hours from Lahad Datu.
• Tabin Wildlife Reserve - A 120,500 hectare nature reserve on the east coast of Sabah near Lahad Datu.
• Gomantong Caves - millions of swifts and bats call these caves home.
• Tanjung Simpang Mengayau - The Tip of Borneo.
• North Borneo Railway
• Maliau Basin Conservation Area - "Sabah's Lost World", reputedly one of the oldest rainforest jungles in the world.
• Jungle Camps Kinabatangan River
• Homestay Programs in lower Kinabatangan River and around Sabah to experience living in a Long House with Villagers and partecipate to theyr Nature Programs including Jungle and river guided tours and WWF related activities such as Fruit Tree planting a Reforestation plan to help Wildlife survival.
• Tun Sakaran Marine Park - home to some of the world's most biodiverse reefs, and some great diving.

Events and Festivals

Weather

Sabah, like much of Malaysia, has a tropical climate with hot and humid conditions year round. Temperatures usually are around 32 °C during the day and around 24 °C at night. Higher areas, and especially up Mount Kinabalu, temperatures are lower and on the top temperatures can drop to below 0 °C at night!

Although there is no distinctive dry season, the months of June to December in general are wetter than January to April, well, at least along the northwest coast. Along the eastcoast, the months of November to January stand out in having more rain and the drier months are March and April. In general though, rain is possible anytime and sometimes up to 500 mm of rain a month is not unheard of.

Getting There

By Plane

Kota Kinabalu International Airport (IATA: BKI) is Sabah's international gateway and is located 8 kilometres from the city of Kota Kinabalu. It is the second busiest airport in Malaysia. Airlines with flights servicing Kota Kinabalu include Malaysia Airlines, Air Asia, Dragonair, Korean Air and Silk Air.

There are many daily flights to Kota Kinabalu from Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Johor Bahru in the peninsula; Kuching and Miri in Sarawak; Sandakan and Tawau in Sabah. The flight duration is approximately 2.5 hours from the peninsula. Malaysia Airlines and AirAsia service these routes but book at least a month ahead to get good rates. AirAsia and other budget airlines operate from the Terminal 2 of the airport.

By Car

By Boat

Getting Around

By Plane

There are regular flights between the three main airports:Tawau, Sandakan, and the capital Kota Kinabalu. Domestic connections in Sabah are served by MASWings.

By Train

By Car

By Bus

Buses are usually efficient and punctual between main centres. Buses on main routes are often limited to morning departures, afternoon and night travel may not be possible.

By Boat

Eat

Drink

Sleep

Around Sabah try Homestay Programme. An alternative Ecofriendly, Budget and unique taste of Sabah and it's Wildlife.
In Bilit Village In the Lower Kinabatangan River, Zul will lead you in the experience of living with Villagers in the respect of theyr own traditions and in a spartan though proud and decent way and through theyr well organized Packages including Local dances, River cruises and Jungle Walks and WWF supported Tree planting activities.
Partecipating to this Programme helps The Community to develop an alternative way of sustainable economy to face the pressure of Oil Palm and Logging Enterprises to destroy the Forest and the Wildlife that it supports. It also slow the building of Lodges and sophisticated Resorts that spoil the remaining Wilderness and convey Money in foreign pokets.
Remember to bring along Binoculars, Rubber boots and insect repellent to enjoy the experience at it's best