tourist destination in Malaysia: Sepilok Orang Utan Sanctuary, Sabah

tourist destination in Malaysia: Sabah
Sepilok Orang Utan Sanctuary

The Sepilok Orang Utan Sanctuary is a fascinating place where visitors can observe trainers teaching orphaned or displaced Orang Utan apes to climb in their natural habitat. At this rehabilitation centre, captive animals are retrained for life in the jungle.The centre allows a close-up view of these arboreal creatures.

The best time to visit is at 10.00 am and again at 2.30 pm when the primates emerge from the forest for their daily ration of bananas and milk. You can see the orang utans being fed from a platform in the centre. Nicknamed the 'Wild Man of Borneo', the orang utans are returned to the forest when they can fend for themselves.

Aside from the orang utan, over 200 species of birds and a variety of wild plants can be found within the 5.666 hectares of forest reserve.

source: tourism malaysia

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tourist destination in Malaysia: Pulau Tiga Marine Park, Sabah

tourist destination in Malaysia: Sabah
Pulau Tiga Marine Park

Pulau Tiga is the largest of the three islands that make up Pulau Tiga Park. Its beautiful landscape and unspoilt natural environment has attracted CBS TV Network of the USA to use this island as the main location for the popular ‘Survivor’ Programme, dubbing it the ‘Survivor Island’.

This island was formed through the eruption of several mud volcanoes. The last explosion happened in 1941 and since then the volcanoes have remained relatively passive. Several small mud volcanoes spewing cool, mineral-rich mud can still be found near the summit of the island. The notion that this mineral rich mud is good for your skin makes mud-bathing a must-do activity on this island.

The island’s lush green jungle serves as a soothing backdrop, while the fine, white sand beaches and the clear unpolluted water are a wonder for nature lovers. The coral reefs encircling the island are home to many species of fish and other marine life. Among the activities that await you here are diving, non-motorised water sports, trekking, bird watching and mud bathing.

The Park Headquarters is situated on the southern side of the island, not far from Pulau Tiga Resort, the only resort facility available on the island.

source: tourism malaysia

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tourist destination in Malaysia: Madai Caves, Sabah

tourist destination in malaysia: Sabah
Madai Caves

The Madai Caves are an important place for harvesting birds' nests. These nests are considered a delicacy and something of a medicine among the Chinese, and the export market is huge. The village at the entrance of the largest cave comes alive twice a year when the Idahan tribe comes to harvest the birds' nests from various parts of the caves. It is a special communal event, almost like a festival. The harvesting is a dramatic event with the men risking their lives to pry precious nests from the cave roof. Nowadays, the harvesters are hired. The Idahans have held their rights to the Madai Caves for over 20 generations.

To visit the caves, permission must be obtained from the Idahan elders. Visitors may visit the District Office in Lahad Datu town to make prior arrangements for entrance permission.

source: tourism malaysia

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tourist destination in malaysia: Sabah

tourist destination in Malaysia: Layang Layang Island, Sabah

tourist destination in Malaysia: Sabah
Layang Layang Island

Layang Layang, meaning kite, is fast becoming another one of Malaysia's premier dive destinations after the world-famous Sipadan Island. This oceanic atoll is situated in the South China Sea about 300km north-west of Kota Kinabalu, the capital of Sabah.

The little land mass supports a luxurious 90-room dive resort, a Malaysian Naval base and a nesting colony for several sea-faring migratory birds. The reef topography is essentially made up of a rich growth of hard corals; some so shallow that they break the sea surface during low tides, but most begin at depths of about 5m right down to the ocean floor.

Some of the marine animals observed around the 14 dive sites include black-tip sharks, hammerheads, jacks barracudas, bump-head parrotfish, lionfish, moray eels, turtles, nudibranches, gobies and the ghost pipe fish.

tourist destination in Malaysia: Sabah

source: tourism malaysia

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tourist destination in Malaysia: Kinabalu Park, Sabah

tourist destination in Malaysia: Sabah
Kinabalu Park

The Kinabalu Park covers an area of 754 sq km and is made up of Mount Kinabalu, Mount Tambayukon and the foothills. It was gazetted to preserve this valuable natural environment. The mountains have a fascinating geological history, taking 'just' a million years to form. The mighty Mount Kinabalu is actually a granite massif that was later thrust upwards through the crust of the surface.

Subsequent erosion removed thousands of feet of the overlying sand and mud stone, exposing this massif. During the Ice Age, glaciers running across the summit smoothed it out, but the jagged peaks that stood out above the ice surface remained unaffected, retaining the extremely ragged surfaces. This rugged mountain is the focal point of the National Park.

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tourist destination in Malaysia: Sabah

source: tourism malaysia

tourist destination in Malaysia: Rafflesia Centre, Sabah

tourist destination in Malaysia: Sabah
Rafflesia Centre

The centre serves as the entrance to the virgin Forest Reserves around it. For those who do not wish to go jungle trekking, the centre provides information on the largest flower in the world. The unique feature of the reserve is the high occurrence of the world's largest flower, the Rafflesia Precei. Jungle trekking and the sight of a Rafflesia in full bloom make the Rafflesia Forest Reserve an interesting place to visit.

The natural vegetation here is of the oak or chestnut types. Large trees, especially of Shoreas, can be found on ridges and slopes. One Shorea with a girth of just under 600cm was found at an elevation of 1350m.

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tourist destination in Malaysia

tourist destination in Malaysia: Danum Valley, Sabah

tourist destination in Malaysia: Sabah
Danum Valley

The Danum Valley Conservation Area, 83km south-west of Lahad Datu, is blessed with a startling diversity of tropical flora and fauna. This vast Eden-like basin is home to the rare Sumatran Rhinoceros, orang utans, gibbons, mousedeer and the beautiful clouded leopard. Some 270 species of birds have been recorded in the area. The Danum Field Research Centre is located within the confines of the 440 sq km forest reserve.

It also boasts one of the first eco-resorts in Sabah, known as the Borneo Rainforest Lodge. This comfortable resort has a restaurant, bar and comfortable chalets overlooking the Danum River. Jungle treks, river swimming, bird watching, night jungle tours and excursions to nearby logging sites and timber mills are some of the activities offered here.

Key Tips

Be sure to bring a jumper. Yes, you're in the tropics, but the jungle can get surprisingly cool at night, partly because the sunlight rarely reaches the jungle floor through the canopy.

Accommodation Booking

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tourist destination in Malaysia: Lankayan Island, Sabah

tourist destination in Malaysia: Sabah
Lankayan Island

Lankayan Island is a virtually uninhabited island located in the Sulu Sea. This tiny island is covered by thick tropical jungle that is surrounded by smooth, white sand - the perfect getaway.

It has the only dive resort in Malaysia's Sulu Sea called the Lankayan Island Dive Resort and is one of the best spots for whale shark sightings. The location of the whale shark is usually indicated by flocks of seabirds screeching high above the placid surface. With luck, divers and snorkellers may get close to this gentle giant, although it won't stay close for long.

During the day you can witness black-tip sharks swimming about by the beach. At night, hawksbill and green turtles may be spotted coming to shore. Large stretches of beautiful hard and soft corals belonging to numerous genera can also be found here, the perfect habitat for colourful juvenile fishes.

Among the 40 dive sites is Lankayan Wreck, where the remains of an ocean-going fishing boat can be explored. This wreck now hosts many different species of fish from small glassfish, harlequin ghost pipefish, painted frogfish to giant grouper and marbled stingrays.

Despite the remoteness, the island has all the amenities of a tropical resort. Visitors can stay in wooden bungalows that blend into the natural surroundings. Indeed, Lankayan is not only for discerning divers but for anyone who appreciates the tranquility of a paradise island that offers beautiful sunrises, spectacular sunsets and magnificent seascapes.

Key Tips

Lankayan's speciality is 'macro' diving - looking for beautiful tiny creatures - although 'big fish' pelagic diving is also available.

How to get there

By Air
Guests will have to catch the morning flight from Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan.

By Sea
Speedboat transfer is from the Sandakan Yacht Club to Pulau Lankayan, takes about an hour and a half.

Who to contact

For more information, please contact Sabah Tourist Office Tel: +6088-248 698 / 211 732

Accommodation Overview

Lankayan is a resort island with comfortable amenities.

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tourist destination in Malaysia

source: tourism malaysia

tourist destination in Malaysia: Sabah, Batu Punggul Pinnacle

tourist destination in Malaysia: Sabah

Batu Punggul Pinnacle

Situated on the banks of Sungai Sepulot (Sepulot River) in the remote interior of southern Sabah, not far from the Kalimantan border, Batu Punggul is a limestone massif with amazing views over the jungle from above and with caves below. Accommodation is available at a rustic resort nearby which offers anything from a Murut longhouse or native huts (called sulap), to a hostel or guesthouses, complete with modern facilities.

Cave exploration is an exciting treat of unusual stalactites, stalagmites and bats. The Rafflesia, the world's largest flower, can be found about 25-minutes' walk from the caves. The area is also home to wild orchids. It is possible to climb to the top of the massif for panoramic views of the surrounding forest. At night, there is impressive music coming from the 'jungle symphony'...

As limestone massifs are normally found in coastal areas, the existence of Batu Punggul deep in the interior of Borneo is a source of geological wonder to scientists visiting the area.

Key Tips

Bring long trousers and proper walking shoes for the scramble up the peak and for some protection while caving. Also, the journey to Batu Punggul may take the whole day and it is advisable for visitors to spend the night there before heading back to town.

How to get there

By Road and River
From Kota Kinabalu or Keningau, drive up to Sepulot or Kampung Labang before proceeding to Batu Punggul via motorised boat. The journey by boat takes about two to three hours up the winding Sepulot River.

Who to contact

For more information, please contact Sabah Tourism Office Tel: +6088-248 698 / 211 732

Accommodation Overview

There is just one basic resort in this remote corner of the Sabahan jungle. Camping, though not forbidden, is ill-advised.

tourist destination in Malaysia: Sabah

source: tourism malaysia

tourist destination in Malaysia: Sabah, Mabul Island

tourist destination in Malaysia

Mabul Island

Mabul Island is reputed to be one of the best places for underwater macro-photography in the world. Located in the clear waters of the Celebes Sea off the mainland of Sabah, it is surrounded by gentle sloping reefs two to 40m deep.

Covering some 21 ha., it is considerably larger than the nearby Sipadan Island and is home to the Bajau Laut tribe, one of many ethnic groups in Sabah.

Diving is the main activity on this island, and it can be done all year round. Marine life that can be seen here includes sea horses, exotic starfish, fire gobies, crocodile fish, pipefish and snake eels. There are over eight popular dive spots, each with its own speciality.

Three resorts cater to scuba divers -- two are on the island itself while one is on a converted oil rig platform about 500m offshore. All of the resorts provide day trips for their guests to the nearby Sipadan and Kapalai Islands.

key tips

There's no airport in Semporna, so book your flight to Tawau instead and organise a pick-up from your tour operator for the hour-long drive to the jetty at Semporna.

how to get there

By Sea
To reach Mabul Island, it is a 30-minute boat ride from Semporna and 20 minutes from Sipadan Island.

who to contact

For more information, please contact Sabah Tourism Office Tel: +6088-248 698 / 211 732 or visit their website at http://sipadan-kapalai.com

accommodation overview

Mabul Island is home to three very different resorts, all up-market, and all catering to divers.

tourist destination in Malaysia

source: tourism malaysia

tourist destination in Malaysia: Sabah, Land Below the Wind

tourist destination in Malaysia:

Sabah: Land Below the Wind

Often called the 'Land Below the Wind' because it lies below the typhoon belt, Sabah occupies the eastern part of North Borneo and is East Malaysia's second largest state with an area of 74,500 sq.km. Sabah has the South China Sea on the west and the Sulu and Celebes Seas on the east.

Mountainous and largely carpeted by lush tropical rainforests, its population of nearly two million is made up of 32 colourful ethnic communities.

Kota Kinabalu, the capital, lies in a fertile lowland plain where most commercial and administrative activities are concentrated. But the 'real' Sabah can best be found in its contryside.

Kinabalu Park has been listed as a UNESCO Heritage Site, due to the diversity of plant life and wildlife there. It provides a challenging climb amidst a lush virgin rainforest, where you can find hidden hot springs in cool high altitudes.

Sipadan island off the south eastern coast of Sabah, has been one of the top five dive sites in the world for years. This is attributed to unique underwater goegraphy that encourages proliferation of wildlife. Leatherback turtles, barracuda and white tipped sharks are a common sight while diving in Sipadan.

tourist destination in Malaysia:

source: tourism malaysia