SABAH

Selangor Tours | Sabah at a glance | Sabah  Location | Sabah Attractions

Click for up to 75% off hotels in: Kota Kinabalu | Lauban | Sandakan

SABAH AT A GLANCE:

The State of Sabah, Malaysia's second largest state and northernmost province is located in East Malaysia - also known as Borneo, with Sarawak.  Its natural attractions entice travelers in search of a different kind of Southeast Asian experience.  Those with a taste for adventure will find that Sabah has almost everything.  Most visitors head straight for Mount Kinabalu, which, at 4,100m, is one of the highest mountains in Southeast Asia.  Sabah is also legendary among nature lovers.  Its lush tropical forests have more than their fair share of unique wildlife.  And their easily accessible national parks and reserves ensure that certain animals, such as the rare orang utans can be seen in their natural environment.  One can choose to jungle trek, explore caves, try water rafting, visit secluded beaches, dive in remote tropical islands, or visit longhouses to meet their genuine friendly and hospitable people and be intrigued by their traditional lifestyles.  Sabah is simple yet sophisticated.  It has retained its traditional charms despite keeping up with modernization.  Sabah will certainly impress you with its unique and unspoiled character.  Nature lovers will love Sabah, a mountainous place with lush tropical rainforests.  Visit Kinabalu National Park, is popular with climbers, orchid lovers, bird and butterfly watchers.  Near the National Park headquarters is Poring Hot Spring, a refreshing refuge to visitors.  But Sabah's natural wealth still attracts other prospectors.  Sabah's proximity with Indonesia and Philippines ensures both nations claim parts of the state as their own.  There are close cultural ties with the Philippines although Sabah shares strong Islamic traditions with Peninsula Malaysia.  Scenic grandeur and fascinating wildlife are the main attractions in Sabah.  Just offshore from the capital, Kota Kinabalu, the huge Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park (12,174 acres) is made up of the islands of Gaya, Mamutik, Manukan, Sapi and Sulug.  The islands have some of the best beaches in Borneo and wildlife varies from monkeys and bearded pigs to corals and tropical marine life.  Not far from the Kalimantan border, Batu Punggul has an adventure-camp resort, jungle walks, canoeing and cave visits.  The resort is accessible only by boat, and the area is home to many longhouse-dwelling tribes.  North of the capital, Kota Belud is the venue of one of Sabah's largest open-air Sunday markets and get-togethers (called a amu).  It attracts all manner of vendors, selling everything from magic pills to cattle.  Mt Kinabalu is one of Sabah's major attractions.  It's one of the easiest mountains in the world to climb and the views from the top are sensational - especially at sunset.  Sabah has a wide diversity of flora and fauna, as well as one of the world's largest rainforests.  Sabah's people comprise 31 different indigenous groups, including the Kadazans, Muruts, Bajaus, Kedayans, Sulu, Bisaya, Rumanau, Minokok, and Rungus.  For many visitors, the primary attractions of Sabah are its outstanding national parks, which include Kinabalu National Park, the Crocker Range Park, and the Sepilok Orang Utan Sanctuary.  Others come to enjoy the islands of Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park and the diver's paradise of Pulau Sipadan. 

LOCATION:
Located at the northeast corner of Borneo, Sabah was known in ancient times as the "Land Below The Wind" because it lies below the typhoon belt.  Sabah's terrain is rugged, with Mt.  Kinabalu, at 4,101m, dominating the surrounding landscape.  International access to Malaysia's eastern gateway is through Sabah's capital, Kota Kinabalu, which receives flights from Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru, Kuching, Singapore, Hong Kong, Manila, Brunei, Jakarta, Seoul, and Taipei.  Domestic travel in this vast state is via daily flights between Labuan, Sandakan, Lahad Datu, and Tawau, though large areas are still inaccessible.  A rail network stretches from Kota Kinabalu to Tenom, and buses, taxis, and boats are also available.

HISTORY:

Sabah's natural riches have drawn both traders and raiders for centuries.  Its history dates back to 1881.  Sabah was then known as North Borneo and was administered by the British North Borneo Company.  The British continued to rule the colony until 1942 when the Japanese invaded it.  However, Britain recaptured the state in 1946 and converted it into a Crown Colony.  The British rule ended in 1963 when the state obtained its independence by joining the Federation of Malaysia.
 

ATTRACTIONS:

The Longhouses of Sabah:  These longhouses, which are built from wood, can accommodate up to 20 families! Activities such as cooking, weaving, and beading are all done in a common place for all residents.  Visitors are welcomed to spend a night or two in these houses.  Most of these long houses are found among the Rungus tribe near Kudat town.  Tamus are traditional open-air fairs where natives sell a wide variety of local food, agricultural produces, and traditional crafts.  Rural Sabahans take this opportunity to peddle their wares for city folks to buy, barter, or trade.  Tamus also acts as a social place for community members to meet and chat.  It is indeed a colorful 'bazaar' that should not be missed. 

Kinabalu:  Picture yourself in a country where the attractions are as varied as its inhabitants.  Exciting and unspoiled beaches, isolated tropical islands, fascinating culture, colorful and beautiful marine life, spectacular countryside dominated by an awesome mountain, and genuine friendliness and hospitality of the people.  Put this equation together and you will get Kinabalu, "Nature at its Peak". The Kinabalu region is on the west coast of Sabah, "The Land Below the Wind".  Herein lies Southeast Asia's highest peak, the mystical Mount Kinabalu, which rises a grand 4,101m above sea level.  Kinabalu holds the promises of many exhilarating moments for its visitors.  Tour Kota Kinabalu, the bustling capital city of Sabah, or retreat to Kinabalu Park, a paradise for naturalists, botanists, bird watchers, mountaineers, or just about anyone who wants to be close to nature.  Kota Kinabalu (KK), Sabah's state capital on the west coast, is the gateway to the rest of Sabah.  It has a population of about 300,000 and is a relatively new town.  The original town was destroyed during World War II.  This is a sprawling, relaxed town that affords a splendid view of the sunset over offshore islands.  KK has mushroomed in size within the last decade and now has one of the most striking buildings in the country.  The largest ethnic group is the Kadazans/Dusuns who make up about one-third of Sabah's population.  They are prosperous agricultural people and are the main producers of rice in the state though many have now gone into different professions.  Their system of beliefs revolves around their rice planting and harvesting with female priestess called "Bobohizan" presiding over the rituals.  The many subgroups of the Kadazan/Dusun include the Rungus, Lotud, Tambanuo, Kimarangan., Sanayou, Minokok, and Tenggera.  Kinabalu is reachable by both air and sea.  There are regular daily flights serviced by Malaysia Airlines.  KK is also linked by international flights to places like Singapore, Hong Kong, and Manila.  Labuan is an island that is located approximately 8km off the coast of the state of Sabah at the mouth of the Brunei Bay.  It comprises of one main island and six smaller ones, thus covering an area of 92 sq. km.  It is also centrally located in the middle of the Asia-Pacific region.  Labuan's inhabitants are very cosmopolitan.  They come from all walks of life and from various regions around the world, thus creating a diverse and stimulating society.  Once a part of the Sultanate of Brunei, Labuan was ceded to the British in 1846.  It remained under the British rule for 115 years except for the three years when it was under the Japanese occupation.  With the increasing change in colonization, Labuan was ceded to the state of Sabah in 1963.  Subsequently, its administration was handed to the Federal Government of Malaysia in 1984.  Recognizing Labuan's strategic location and proximity to major shipping routes and offshore oil and gas fields, the Federal Government launched a long-term development program to jump-start Labuan's stagnating economy and to encourage the influx of both domestic and foreign investments.  As Malaysia's only deepwater anchorage, Labuan is a free port, a Federal Territory, and an International Offshore Financial Centre (IOFC).  Pulau Layang-Layang is a diver's paradise, Sabah's Layang-Layang is actually a new name for an oceanic atoll once called "Swallow Reefs".  Situated approximately 300km northwest of KK, Layang-Layang is a tiny oceanic island surrounded by a coral atoll.  It is among the famous Spratlys, which is a collection of about 600 islands, reefs, and atolls strategically located in the South China Sea.  There are some who rate Layang-Layang as an exclusive dive location.  The island has even been nicknamed "Big Fish" or the "Wall Diving Mecca of Southeast Asia".  Layang-Layang covers only six hectares but an atoll over 7km long and 2km wide surrounds it.  The atoll features a 2000m sheer drop around its rim, thus making it an excellent dive site.  Located far from land and human encroachment, its waters are crystal clear with visibility averaging 50-60m.  Divers will therefore get a clear view of the amazing underwater habitats.  As it is bathed in tropical conditions of 7.5 degrees north to the equator and 114 degrees east of the meridian, its waters are warm with surface temperatures ranging between 21-32 degrees Celsius.  One of Layang-Layang's biggest attractions is the Hammerhead Shark.  Manta rays with fin spans of over 10ft are also found here.  Other pelagic species that are found regularly include tuna, barracuda, and reef sharks.  The eastern end of the atoll is home to thousands of migratory birds.  Hence Layang-Layang is not only a diver's paradise but also a bird watchers' haven.  The island can be reached by plane or cruise boats.  The flight takes about 2 hours while the cruise takes 16 hours from KK.  Pulau Sipadan is acknowledged as one of the best diving and unique spots in Southeast Asia.  Located off the small coastal town of Semporna on Sabah's eastern coast.  Just 15 feet from the beach, the water turns indigo blue as the sea drops abruptly to 2,850 ft deep! It is rather awe-inspiring.  Myriad of colorful tropical fish swim in the warm water near the surface whereas huge groupers nose about.  Moreover, the water gets so dark that one would not really know what lurks below.  This famous feature won Sipadan island a "Best Beach Dive in the World" award in 1993.  The sea is overflowing with marine life.  The main attraction for divers is the rich and unique variety of corals both soft and hard.  Reef fish of every shape and hue can be found in these waters.  Colorful butterfly fishes, angel fishes, damsel fishes of electric blue and bright orange colors inhabit the coral reefs, thus adding to the splendor of the underwater havens.  Between April and September, the Green and Hawksbill turtles will come ashore in droves to nest in the soft golden sands of Sipadan.  When you dive during this time, you are bound to encounter these harmless denizens of the deep.  A beautiful white-sand beach fringes Sipadan but the real beauty of this island is in its waters.  The season for diving is from mid-February to mid-December.  Visibility ranges from 60 feet to over 200 feet.  Several dive spots have even been identified and given exotic names after the variety of corals and marine life that are unique to these spots.  There is the "Hanging Gardens", the "Barracuda Point", and the exciting "Turtle Cavern".  Professional diving companies operate on the island, complete with water, electricity, food, drinks, and comfortable accommodation for an unforgettable experience.  To get there, one can take the 45-minute boat ride from Semporna.  Tunku Abdul Rahman Park is a State Park created to protect the natural environment, including the coral reefs, marine life, the fauna and flora.  This park is lying from 3km to 8km off Kota Kinabalu which comprises of 5 islands.  They are Gaya Island, Manukan Island, Mamutik Island, Sapi Island and Sulug Island.  During the British rule in 1882, a trading settlement was set up in Gaya Island by British North Borneo Chartered Company.  This company later shifted to the mainland Kota Kinabalu.  After 92 years, finally in 1974,Gaya Island and the whole of Pulau Sapi was gazetted as the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park, named after the first Prime Minister of Malaysia.  This gazetted place covers an area of 8,990 acres (3,638 hectares).  In 1979, it was increased to 12, 185 acres (4,929 hectares) with the inclusion of the other 3 nearby islands of Manukan Island, Mamutik Island and Sulug Island.  All these islands can be visited all year round.  Humidity remains quite high throughout the year.  Temperatures are normally between 23.8 - 29.4 degrees Celsius.  The islands are basically made up of sandstones and sedimentary rocks.  According to some experts, about a million years ago during the Ice Age, major changes in the sea level causes portions of the mainland being cut off by the sea, thus forming the islands we see today.  Most of the these islands forming cliffs, caves, honeycombs and deep crevasses along the shore are actually formation of sandstones.  In all the 5 islands, all types of flora and fauna can be found here.  Along the shoreline, you can see a lot of beautiful shoreline vegetations such as Pandanus Dubius and Podocarpus Polystachyus.  The tallest of them all are the Keruings with narrow crowns of large dark green leaves, and their, 2-wing fruits that litters the trails.   Human activities in recent years have replaced the original vegetation on the other island with casuarina and coconut palms, mango and etc.  The most common animals that you can find here are rats, squirrels, monkeys, pied hornbills, monitor lizards and various types of snakes.  The hard to find and rarely seen are bearded pigs and scaly pangolins commonly known as Anteaters to Asian.

TOURS FROM SABAH: