Travel Guide to Sabah of Borneo: Into the Jungle Malaysia

Sabah, the Pearl of Borneo, is a well-known destination with spectacular natural scenery and diverse cultural groups. Within this Sabah Travel Guide, you can have a look and some imagine of what you'll experience when you finally arrive in Sabah, including the schedule, Kota Kinabalu, Semporna, and other most famous destinations in Sabah, and an itinerary for your information!

Why You Should Visit Sabah?

There are not many places like Sabah, which provides you with sightseeing, culture immersion, water sports, and mountain activities in the meantime with its uniqueness and richness and different from other East Asian islands or resorts since not many places have such good reservations on biodiversity and abundant natural resources. You don't have to fly between cities and national parks to enjoy all of them, they're all in Sabah. It's natural, and if you want, you can be part of the local nature.

Bird Watching in Borneo

When Is the Best Time to Visit Sabah?

Most of the time, there's a dry and rainy season in Sabah, you can feel warm and even hot but not swelter. It's suggested to visit Sabah during the dry season, which is from April to September. It's rather hot but sunny, suitable for you to enjoy all kinds of adventures, no matter whether you want outdoor hiking, diving, or just sunbathing. But if plan to travel between October to March, you'll meet greener scenery as rain washes the dust in the forest, but during the rainy season, it might not be very suitable for water-related activities like surfing or diving cause wave becomes dangerous.

What to Do in Sabah?

Kota Kinabalu: Too Many Irresistible Reasons to Come

Kota Kinabalu is often the first city tourists will meet in Sabah, a city for culture explorers and foodies. You can begin exploring from Filipino Market, a famous market and a good place for food, crafts, and souvenirs. Menara Tun Mustapha is a landmark in Sabah, a tall water tower worth visiting as it provides you with a panorama view of the whole city. If you'll spend a Sunday in Sabah, don't miss Gaya Street Market, which only opens on Sundays. If you're not a tourist fascinated by specific destinations, there are wonderful coastal walkways and night markets in Sabah waiting for you to explore!

Kota Kinabalu

Mount Kinabalu: More Than Climbing

What does the land and sunrise look like from the highest point of Southeast Asia? You can try it on the peak of Mount Kinabalu at the height of 4,095m (13, 435 ft), but this is a mountain more than climbing, since there is more vegetation on this mountain than in all of Europe, and you can experience how flora and fauna change as you reaching to the top step by step. You never know what you'll meet during the next turn, especially on Mount Kinabalu, which will bring you more fun.

Kinabalu National Park

Sandakan: Jump off the Deck and Dive Here

Sandakan is the second largest city in Sabah, located in the middle point of Sabah's east coastline, and is the main gate to many other islands like Sipadan Island and Mabul Island. Many tourists regard here as one of the best diving points they've ever met. You can easily encounter turtles near Sipadan, hammerhead sharks near Barracuda Point, and other fishes living in the coral reefs.

Kinabatangan River: Come and Meet Your Big-nose Friend

Kinabatangan River is the longest river in Sabah and the second longest river in Malaysia, nourishing the land it flows through and bringing richness of biodiversity. The famous stars living along the Kinabatangan River are proboscis monkeys, with their huge, long noses swinging in the forests near the river. Tourists can join a boat safari to find proboscis monkeys and their friends: slow loris, crocodiles, Irrawaddy dolphins, and more waiting for you to see! You'll never get bored on Kinabatangan.

Proboscis Monkeys

Danum Valley: Cross the History of Our Planet

How long do you think an ecosystem can last? 1000 years or 10000 years? In the magical Danum Valley jungle, the ecosystem here existed for 130 million years, and most of it remains untouched. If you stay long enough, you may have the opportunity to meet all 340 species of birds, 124 species of mammals, and many other reptiles and amphibians living inside the forests, and, these living historical relics, tell you how diversified and flourished our planet can be.

Semporna: It's PERFECT

Semporna means "perfect" in Malay. What does a "perfect" place look like? Jelly-like crystal blue sea is only one facet of perfect. Under the water, Semporna shows you what the "paradises" look like for divers, from one to another in the Tun Sakaran Marine Park. It's so beautiful and unreal that the local government has to better protect it by allocating a diving quota in Sipadan Island with 250 permits every day. Nobody can resist it. And yes, write down what you see and send a postcard from the Mataking Island underwater post office!

Cyrstal-Clear Semporna

How Many Days in Sabah Is Enough?

As a mature tourism destination, there are plenty of options provided for you to feel Sabah's beauty.

If you are coming to Sabah for the first time, then a six-day plan may be good, such a length of time can usually see the representative attractions of Sabah, and ten days is enough for a "deep tour".

For most tourists, it would be some kind of combination that includes a five- to six-day classic Sabah tour, with two days in cities (mainly Kota Kinabalu), and three days on different islands.

Having some excursions near Kota Kinabalu, Semporna, and Sandakan with unforgettable diving memories, biodiversity, various cultures, and tasty food in a six-day trip is fantastic, you can experience the hustle and bustle vibe of Southeast Asian lives in the different markets of Kota Kinabalu, drift on the Kinabatangan River in search of wonderful animals and surrounded by the natural feeling, and then swim in the jelly-like sea. Want to stay a bit longer? Check the 10-day itinerary we made for you!

How to Explore Sabah?

【Day 1】Arrive in town, after settling in the hotel, have a city walk in downtown Kota Kinabalu and pay a visit to Masjid Negeri Sabah (Sabah State Mosque) and have a local dinner.

【Day 2】Take a walk in Kota Kinabalu Port in the morning, and you may want to bring some souvenirs near Kota Kinabalu City Centre which has many shopping malls nearby. In the afternoon, explore the Filipino Market and enjoy the sunset at Tanjung Aru Beach.

【Day 3】Climb Signal Hill and reach the Observatory Platform in the southern part of Kota Kinabalu to have a panorama view of the city and find the historic Atkinson Clock Tower. And back to town to have a free wander.

【Day 4】After a good rest, depart from Kota Kinabalu to Mount Kinabalu, which will take approximately 2 to 3 hours drive. Reach the camping site from Timpohon Gate to Pendant Hut, and prepare for climbing.

【Day 5 】Go warriors! To embrace the first sunlight on Mount Kinabalu, enjoy it and carefully get back.

【Day 6】 Go to Sandakan. Spend some time tidying up and exploring the city by visiting the Sandakan Heritage Trail and Heritage Museum. St. Michael and All Angels Church is also worth visiting.

【Day 7】Float on the Kinabatangan River, and see if you can find your big-nose friends. And go back to Sandakan.

【Day 8 -10】Fly to Semporna, yes, it's time to relax. There are many islands for you to choose to stay on, like Sipadan Island, Mabul Island, Mataking Island, and so on. They're not very far from each other, so choose the one that suits you and jump into the crystal sea!

How to Get to Sabah?

Sabah is located in East Malaysia, and for most visitors, flying is the best way to get to Sabah. Kota Kinabalu has an international airport not far from the downtown. Usually, it would take you 30 minutes to shuttle from the airport to your hotel in the city center.

How to Get Around Sabah?

Unlike most Southeast Asian countries where drivers sit on the right-hand side of the car, Malaysians drive on the left-hand side of the road. Think twice if you want to rent a car but you're not used to driving on the left-hand side. It's suggested to hire a driver, which may be one of the most flexible ways to get around Sabah as the scenic spots are separate.

Where to Stay in Sabah?

As a mature tourism destination, Sabah provides visitors with all kinds of resort and staycation options.

In Kota Kinabalu

Since many tourists would fly to Kota Kinabalu first, most of them would stay in the City Center area for some days. Tanjong Aru is a coastal area where you can enjoy beaches and sunset. Philippine Market is another hot spot for short stays as the market will provide all kinds of local crafts. Gaya Island is a tranquil island near Kota Kinabalu for you to have some inner peace.

Near Semporna

If diving is what you are looking for, then there's no better place to stay other than the Semporna area. There are many islands for you can spend some days. Sipadan is one of the most famous choices with mature facilities. Mabul Island offers a range of options from budget hotels to luxury water bungalows. While Pom Pom Island and Kapalai Island are more like an adventure to paradise which provides you with stunning underwater scenery and a quiet stay.

Sabah Travel Tips

Special Visa Tips for Entering Sabah

For most tourists, no special visa is needed to enter Sabah, Malaysia if you hold a passport that is valid for more than 6 months. This includes citizens from the U.S., Australia, Canada, the UK, etc. So bring your valid passport and take care of it, as you're traveling abroad.

Other Kinds of Stuff to Bring With You

As this is a tropical area, it's suggested to bring mosquito repellent to prevent biting. And bring long sleeves and pants if you are going hiking. High SPF Sunscreen is also recommended to prevent you from getting burned by the sunlight. Some coastal resorts are far from medical facilities, so bring some common medicines.

Pack Up Your Bag to Sabah With Us

Does it sound interesting enough for you to visit Sabah? Whether it's the spectacular Mount Kinabalu or the breathtaking Semporna, your eyes will never feel bored. No matter what you want to experience, the modernity in Kota Kinabalu or forget yourself in the stunning Borneo rainforest, they're waiting there for you. So pack up your bag, it's time to Sabah!