An Introduction To Sabah

With a population of just over 3 million people, the state of Sabah covers 73,000 Square km and has a diverse range of sights and activities for the traveler – from lush jungle to towering mountains as well as some very nice beaches. Everything you need to have an unforgettable travel experience is available in Sabah. This state is a nature-loving adventurer’s paradise. Sabah is famous for eco-tourism.

Things To See & Do In Sabah

There’s no denying that many tourists to Sabah are drawn to the impressive Mount Kinabalu first and foremost. Mount Kinabalu, at 4096m (about 13,350 ft) is the highest peak in South-East Asia. It draws over 40,000 climbers every year. You don’t have to be specially trained to reach the summit, just reasonably fit and in good health.

That's me near the summit of Mount Kinabalu, Sabah

The reason why Mount Kinabalu is so popular is that its height is challenging enough for anyone yet it is not covered with snow at the peak, thus you can climb it without special snow equipment or training. I have personally climbed to the top and I can tell you, it’s an exhillarating feeling. The temperature at the summit of Mount Kinabalu is between 0 to 4 degrees Celsius. Further down from the mountain is Poring Forest Reserve. There are lots of things to do here - from jungle trekking to canopy walking atop 200 feet tall trees to having a picnic at the waterfalls to watching butterflies. But the main attraction in Poring are the hot springs. Many climbers head for these hot springs in Poring to soothe their aching muscles after the climb up Mount Kinabalu.

But for those who are not too keen on mountain climbing, you can have a pleasant stay at the Kinabalu National Park, located at the foot of Mount Kinabalu and still see the majestic mountain from up close. Various comfortable accommodation in the form of dorms, chalets or bungalows are available. There are also jungle trails you can walk through to see the wonderful flora and fauna found at the mountain.

If you like the sun and the sea, don’t miss going for a picnic or snorkeling at the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park. This is a group of 5 islands just off the West coast of Sabah, the main one being Pulau Manukan or Manukan Island. It only takes a 15 minute motorboat ride to the islands. When you pull up at the jetty, just look down into the sea and you will be able to see right to the corals at the bottom. The waters will be full of colorful salt-water fishes of many types. You will be fascinated at the color and diversity of the fishes and marine life there. In fact the fishes are so tame that if you held out a piece of bread in the water, they would eat it right out of your hand!

For scuba diving enthusiasts, there are lots of great dive spots all along the coast of Sabah. The most famous and beautiful is off the island of Sipadan on the East coast of Sabah. The famous French explorer Jacques Cousteau once described Sipadan island as one of the most beautiful dive spots in the world.

If you like animals, go to the Lok Kawi Wildlife Park. It has a wonderful collection of animals of all kinds.

The Lok Kawi Wildlife Park zoo

Don’t miss the animal show while you’re there. They have Orang Utans, Parrots, Hornbills and baby Pythons performing for you!  Read more about all these exciting activities and attractions in my page, Kota Kinabalu Top Day Trips.

You can touch a live baby python at the Lok Kawi Wildlife Park

Another place to watch beautiful animals is the Sepilok Orang Utan Sanctuary in Sandakan. Here you can find many species of Orang Utans bred in their natural habitat. If you like adventure and thrills and spills, go white water rafting at the Padas River. This is shooting the rapids at its best.

If you wish to be close to nature, go and stay at the famous Sukau Lodge right in the heart of the virgin rainforests of Sabah. You can take a leisurely cruise down the Kinabatangan River and catch a glimpse of the shy Proboscis Monkey and many other animals. The Proboscis Monkey is the species of monkey with the oddest and biggest nose. You’ve got to see it to believe it!

Proboscis Monkey

The capital of Sabah is Kota Kinabalu city. Kota Kinabalu is a growing city with many international hotels, trendy shopping malls, delightful eateries and lots more. Bird lovers may be interested in the Kota Kinabalu Bird Sanctuary which has a huge number of species of bird life to see. Other than that, the city is home to the Sabah Museum that displays a huge set of exhibits showing the history and culture of Sabah from hundreds of years ago to the modern era. While at the Sabah Museum, be sure to visit the Cultural Village where actual sized longhouses and other types of houses of the tribal people are reconstructed. You can also find some animals kept there and be able to walk across a suspension bridge (don’t worry, it’s not that high). Also worth a visit in Kota Kinabalu is Signal Hill which offers supreme vistas over the city.

Sabah also has an impressive range of National Parks including:

Kinabalu Park at the foot of Mount Kinabalu, one of the World Heritage Sites

Crocker Range National Park

Tawau Hills

Turtle Islands National Park

Tun Sakaran Marine Park

Pulau Tiga National Park

Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park

The best known of these is Kinabalu Park and this is the one you should head to if you can only do but one of these.

Other towns that are worth a visit are Tambunan (where Sensuron Waterfalls are situated). Another place that’s a little more indicative of a standard Malaysian town is Keningau. There are also many other small towns in Sabah such as Tuaran, Kota Belud, Kudat and Kuala Penyu to name a few. If you are in Kota Belud town over a weekend, go to the bazaar, called ‘Tamu’ by the locals. Here you can buy many unique and interesting items, many of which are made by the locals, at very reasonable prices.

Towards the east, Sandakan is quite a nice place to stop off for a nice seaside stroll – it also has a rich variety of sights such as the Sandakan Memorial Park and Puu Jih Shih Temple.

Also in the east is the very remote Maliau Basin region – it’s a great place to take a hike in natural surroundings (at the Maliau Basin Conservation Area).

Hotels, Guesthouses & Other Accommodation In Sabah, Malaysia

The most hotels in Sabah can be found in the capital of Kota Kinabalu.

The Capital (Kota Kinabalu):

4 & 5 Star:

Megellan Sutera

Shangri-La at Tanjung Aru Resort (STAR), not to be confused with another Shangri-la Hotel in the city centre

Hyatt Hotel

Pacific Sutera

Nexus Karambunai

Promenade Hotel

Le Meridian

3 Star & Below

Beverly Hotel

Jesselton Hotel

Capitol Hotel

Tune Hotel

Other Popular Hotels In Sabah (Outside Kota Kinabalu):

Tuaran Beach Hotel (Tuaran)

Seapark Hotel (Tanjung Aru)

Beringgis Beach Resort (Papar)

Sabah Hotel (Sandakan)

Restaurants & Places To Eat In Sabah

Throughout the state of Sabah you’ll be presented with excellent eating options. There are usually a variety of top end restaurants to hawker vendors selling excellent street food. All you need is a little money and a big appetite to get your fill.

Of course, the capital of Kota Kinabalu has some very good restaurants. Banana leaf rice (usually Indian style curries) are very popular in this region and some of the best can be found in Krishna’s Curry House and Jothy’s Fish Head Curry Restaurant. You can try fresh seafood at reasonable prices at the Ocean Seafood Restaurant. But if you want delicious and fresh seafood at more reasonable prices, go a short distance outside of the city centre to smaller villages such as Kampung Salut and Gayang. You will enjoy a fantastic spread of prawns, crabs, clams, fish and lots more. It’ll be a meal you’ll find hard to forget!

The most authentic Italian food to be found in the city is at Little Italy which offers freshly made pastas, pizzas and accompaniments.

For traditional Malay food that can please even the stingiest of budgets you should head to Restoran Sri Sempelang – a full meal for under $5!

Seri Sempelang Restaurant in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

For something a little more opulent and comfortable (not to mention pricey), and for some of the best views of the city go to Atmosphere, the Revolving Restaurant. The food isn’t bad either.

Excellent Japanese food can be savoured at Wagamama Restaurant.

Other places to eat outside the capital are also abundant. Sandakan boasts one of the finest seafood restaurants in the state in Trig Hill, while Fat Cat offers more traditional Malay food at fair prices.

Semporna has the Pearl City Eatery which has some cracking Malay and Chinese cuisine.