Sabah is one of the larger states in Malaysia and lies on the northern part of Borneo island. The state’s capital city is Kota Kinabalu which lies on the western coast of the state.  Other towns such Sandakan and Tawau are located along the state’s coastline, right up to its eastern shores, which faces the Sulu and Celebes seas.

Sabah has more than 30 different ethnic races that speak over 80 local dialects between them.  The main groups of people in Sabah are the Kadazandusuns, Bajau, and Murut, who are predominantly agrarians.

Sabah State Capital, Kota Kinabalu

Kota Kinabalu is a coastal city that is protected largely by small islands. Its colonial heritage is seen in some old city buildings, but mostly this city is becoming cosmopolitan.

With the Kota Kinabalu Airport just 15 minutes away, travelers can get comfortable almost immediately with this coastal city.

Gunung Kinabalu
No trip to Sabah is complete without getting at least to the first base of Mount Kinabalu. At over 4000 meters high, Mt Kinabalu is one of Southeast Asia’s highest mountains. Visitors can climb up 3000 meters to Laban Rata, a half-way stop, before the final ascension. The top of the mountain is rocky and jagged. However, realising the popularity of the climb up the mountain, steps have been carved and ropes installed in particularly steep areas to help climbers.

Danum Valley
Danum Valley is located about 80 kilometres from Lahad Datu on the state’s east coast. Touted as the last remaining areas of rainforest in Asia, the Danum Valley conservation area was set up in the mid 80s due to its tremendous biodiversity value.

Danum Valley Conservation Area holds over 320 species of trees within one hectare – so diverse is its flora and fauna.  Trees up to 50 meters with buttresses encircled by lianas are common to behold here.

Sepilok
The Orang Utan would probably know Sepilok on sight- as this town is internationally known as the Orang Utan Sanctuary. It first started as a rehabilitation centre for young abandoned orang utan to recover and be introduced back into the wild.

Today, Sepilok is one of the leading training centres for the rehabilitation of these gentle mammals that are indigenous to Borneo.

Sipadan
Sipadan island is synonymous with being one of the world’s best diving sites, the world’s most beautiful underwater sea habitats, and more. An oceanic island rising 600m from the seabed, Sipadan is formed by live coral formations that have grown upwards from an extinct volcanic cone thousands of years ago. It has one of the richest marine habitats in the world, hosting more than 3000 species of coral.