Welcome to Sabah

Pint-sized Sabah occupies a relatively small chunk of the world’s third largest island, yet what a colourful punch it packs: the treasure of turquoise-fringed desert islands with coral reefs swarming with marine biodiversity; trekkers' paradise Mt Kinabalu reaching 4095m into the clouds; and jungles pulsing with a menagerie of bug-eyed tarsiers, gibbons, pythons, clouded leopards and huge crocs. Around 55% of Sabah... Read More

Top experiences in Sabah

Recent articles

Birdwatching in Malaysia: an essential guide

More than 750 bird species can be found under Malaysia’s chattering jungle canopies – that’s a whole lot of feathers for a relatively small nation. Whether you’re an avid birder or a newbie who doesn’t know a heron from a hornbill, the wild plumages, delicate calls and orchestrated movements of Malaysia’s birds are sure to delight.

Numerous birds of prey swoop their way around Malaysia, including the crested serpent eagle. Image by Stanley Chou / Getty Images Sport / Getty Images
Greg Benchwick
Lonely Planet Writer

Why not to skip Kota Kinabalu: 7 reasons to stick around Sabah’s capital

Often just a transit stop for travellers headed to the wild jungles and pristine coral reefs of eastern Sabah, Kota Kinabalu offers much to those who decide to stay on – from fantastic seafood to tropical island-hopping, orangutan encounters to a steam train ride into a bygone era.

Just a short hop from Kuala Lumpur, and a mere 40-minute flight from Brunei, Kota Kinabalu (KK) also makes a great case for tying in a stopover within a stopover if you've already visited Southeast Asia's major flight hubs and are keen to break up a long international flight in a new destination. Read on for seven great ways to make the most of it.
Sarah Reid
Lonely Planet Writer

Diving Sipadan: strong currents, steep walls and sea life in abundance

The name Sipadan is uttered with reverence by divers, and with good reason. The underwater topography of this tiny 40-acre island, 36km south of the Malaysian port of Semporna in the Celebes Sea, is immense. There are a dozen or so excellent dives off Sipadan and on any given day you can expect to see sharks, numerous green turtles, schools of jackfish and barracuda. If you’re particularly lucky, you may catch sight of the most elusive denizens of the deep: the island is one of the last strongholds of the scalloped hammerhead shark.

A vast wall plunges 600m just a few metres from the shore, making for spectacular wall and drift dives, while the hundreds of coral species growing on top of the extinct volcanic cone that forms Sipadan are home to more than 3000 species of fish. These include larger pelagic species – white-tip reef sharks and grey reef sharks – as well as devil and eagle rays, and the strong currents that flow around the island attract large schools of barracuda, as well as occasional giant manta rays and whale sharks.
Anna Kaminski
Lonely Planet Writer
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Travel guides

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Sabah adventures

$1699 Nature & wildlife

Borneo – Sabah Adventure

Revive your sense of adventure on this jam-packed tour. Hike rainforest trails and summit Mt Kinabalu to watch the sunrise. Our CEOs will provide nature lovers and photographers of all skill levels with an introduction to the highlights of remote Sabah, helping you frame great snapshots of tropical birds and giant flowers. Visit the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre and meet these special creatures. And after all the excitement and exercise, there will still be the chance to see baby turtles in their natural habitat. Get off the beaten track and discover the best of Sabah.
$155.99 Scenic railway

North Borneo Railway Train Ride from Kota Kinabalu to Papar

Board the North Borneo Railway to discover the lush landscape of the coastal and rural regions of Sabah. Experience the nostalgic romance of an old steam train and relive the memories of a bygone era. Pass through villages, coastal towns, paddy fields, rainforests, and rubber and coffee plantations on this North Borneo rail excursion. Ride the North Borneo Railway train from Kota Kinabalu to Papar to experience the days of the British Colonial Office, when people traveled by steam train into the heart of Sabah. The trains are refurbished to re-create the atmosphere of stepping onto a train in the 1900s. The North Borneo Railway runs for 36 miles (60 km) between Kota Kinabalu, the state capital of Sabah, and Papar, an agricultural town, known as the rice bowl of Sabah.Board the train at Tanjung Aru Station. As the train pulls out of the station, travel into the countryside and admire the pastoral landscape. Continuing to the coast of Lokawi Bay, take in the picturesque views of the South China Sea. Stop at Kinarut, a traditional trading village, then visit Tien Shi Temple, a Buddhist temple at the foot of the hill, and explore the local shops nearby. Reboard the train and pass through Kawang, home to the Kawang Forest Reserve. Cross the Papar River over a steel bridge to arrive in Papar, where you can visit the local wet market to get a taste of simple rural life in Sabah. Meander around the area and meet the friendly locals. Then, hop on board the train for a scenic ride back to Kota Kinabalu and enjoy a typical tiffin colonial lunch.

$946.66 Small group tours

2-Day Small-Group Tour: Kinabalu National Park and Poring Hot Springs from Sabah

Discover the rich natural environment of Malaysia on this 2-day guided tour of the Kinabalu National Park and Poring Hot Springs from Sabah. Walk among the park’s wildlife and plant life on a trek along the suspended canopy and enjoy a guided tour of the mountain garden of Mount Kinabalu. Then, relax as you take a dip in the mineral-infused pools of the Poring Hot Springs. On your small-group tour, enjoy a more personalized and in-depth experience, with the flexibility to determine your own schedule according to your guide’s suggestions.
$713.08 Small group tours

3-Day Discovering Danum Valley Bike Tour from Lahad Datu

Discovering Danum Valley is designed for you to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and breakaway from the hectic work life. Explore the lush tropical rainforest of Danum Valley with your nature guide and snap with you memories of this majestic, mystical Borneo jungle.
$2294 Nature & wildlife

Best of Borneo

Still wild and mysterious even after all these years, Borneo is one of those places that’s become synonymous with adventure travel. Come see what all the fuss is about on this 14-day journey through the Malaysian states of Sarawak and Sabah. There, you’ll encounter wild orangutans, proboscis monkeys, and other creatures of the rainforest, visit hot springs and waterfalls, and get a better understanding of the local Dayak people by spending the night in a traditional village. Adventure never goes out of style; it just becomes more classic.
$280 Water sports

3-Day PADI Open Water Diver Course in Kota Kinabalu

The PADI Open Water Diver course in Kota Kinabalu (KK), Sabah at the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park (TARP) is fun, serious and taught in small groups (4:1). To gain certification you must successfully complete the entire three day course with one of our Professional PADI diving instructors which is overlooked by a PADI Course Director from England, the highest level of a diving instructor in the world who ensures the highest quality and safe PADI diving courses is taught daily in Kota Kinabalu.
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