Borneo (Malaysia)

Borneo

Malaysian Borneo is home to beautiful Sabah.  The second largest state in Malaysia, it is a land of adventure rich in natural diversity, beautiful beaches and unique cultures.  Home to the world’s largest flower, one of the world’s top dive sites and one of the highest mountains in South East Asia, Sabah has it all.  Backpackers will revel in all that this beautiful land has to see and do.

Sabah offers everything from verdant rainforests and coral reefs to majestic mountains and unique wildlife.  The warm, friendly locals are wonderfully hospitable and make a visit to Sabah even more memorable.

The cultural diversity in Sabah can be attributed to the 32 officially recognized ethnic groups that can be found there today.  The Chinese are the largest non-native ethnic group and so influence life in Sabah.   

Kota Kinabalu is the city capital of Sabah and also the capital of the West Coast Division of Sabah.  Located on the Northwest Coast of Borneo Island against the backdrop of Mount Kinabalu, this stunning ‘Nature Resort City’ stretches along the coast and towards the inland.  This popular tourism getaway is one of East Malaysia’s busiest industrial and commercial hubs and features many attractions such as a wildlife park and cultural village.

Sepilok is home to an orang utan sanctuary, which rehabilitates orphaned baby orang utan.  A popular tourist attraction, it offers visitors a chance to view the animals in their natural habitat.  There is a viewing gallery and feeding platform where the apes are fed milk and bananas. 

Poring is also popular with tourists who come to unwind and de-stress in the Poring Hot Springs.  The hot sulphuric minerals are claimed to have healing properties and relax aching muscles.  Poring is also home to a butterfly farm, Orchid Conservation Centre, tropical garden, canopy walkway, and Rafflesia flower site.

Unique wildlife and beautiful landscapes make Sabah a must visit.  With a wealth of things to see and do, it is an ideal destination for the adventurous backpacker.   

Diving
Sabah is home to several dive spots that have been rated among the top ten in the world.  The clear blue waters and coral reefs provide superb diving conditions.  Explore the underwater and you might even come across rare or endangered sea creatures such as green and hawksbill turtles, napolean wrasse, giant clams, countless species of sharks or schools of barracuda and jacks.

Shopping
Sabah has seen a big increase in the amount of shopping malls in the region, particularly in Kota Kinabalu, making it a popular choice for shopping enthusiasts.  Every Sunday morning, Gaya Street is closed to traffic and a Fair takes place.  Shop here for anything from sarongs, fruits and flowers, arts and craft to footwear, antiques, souvenirs, cakes, herbs and even pets!

Orang utan sanctuary
Visit the orang utan centre on the edge of the Kabili-Sepilok Forest Reserve.  This 43sq km rainforest stretches out to the Bay of Sandakan is home to over 250 species of bird including kingfishers, hornbills, pittas and flycatchers.  As well as birdlife and orangutans, trekkers may be lucky enough to spot Bornean gibbons, proboscis monkeys and leaf monkeys.

Poring
Here you can de-stress at the Poring Hot Springs, which is supposed to have healing properties for skin diseases.  Poring is also where you can find the world’s biggest flower, the Refflesia.  Visit the orchid garden which contains most of the native species, and the butterfly farm where you can watch these beautiful creatures flutter from plant to plant.

Dining
The cuisine in Sabah reflects the multi-cultural population with everything from Malay, Chinese, Indian, Japanese and Nyonya to a choice of Western dishes served at a variety of restaurants, coffee shops and hotels.  Kota Kinabalu is the best place to go for variety and quality.

Nightlife
The capital is also the best place to go for a night on the town.  Kota Kinabalu has quiet and sedate bars for those looking for a chat over a few drinks, while there are also a number of places offering live bands and DJs if you’re looking for a livelier night out.