Malaysia: Sabah highlights tour
A true nature tour in the northern tip of Borneo
About this tour
Sabah is mostly covered with oil palm plantations and tropical rainforest (mostly in national parks). Mount Kinabalu is the highest point: not a volcano but an almost 4100m high, granite rock, that is still pushed upwards. From capitol Kota Kinabalu, you will visit Kinabalu National Park and some coral islands in TA Rahman park off the coast. You will fly to Sandakan and continue to Sepilok and the Kinabatangan river. These are the locations for animal spotting: orangutans, proboscis monkeys, crocodiles, elephants, hornbills, snakes and much more. It is wildlife, so there are no guarantees, but it will definitely be an adventure.
What will you do
- visit Kinabalu National Park with a guide
- snorkel at coral island off the coast of Kota Kinabalu
- visit the Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre at Sepilok
- 2 x afternoon and 1 x morning boat cruise at Kinabatangan river area (Bilit/Sukau)
Where
Sabah covers the northern tip of Borneo Island. There are some cities in coastal areas (Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan, Tawau), but the interiors mostly consist of rainforest and oil palm plantations. Your tour starts in Kota Kinabalu, with trips to Kinabalu mountain and islands off the coast, and then continues with a flight to Sandakan. You will travel inlands, to stretches of protected rainforest along the Kinabatangan river.
Itinerary
Day 1
Arrival Kota Kinabalu | A transfer will bring you to your hotel in the city centre. Walk along the coastal bouvelard and sit down for dinner at a night market.
Day 2
Daytrip Kinabalu National Park | A private guide will bring you by car to the Kinabalu National Park. Visit the mountain garden and pick a hiking trail. An optional visit to Poring hotsprings is possible, to hike to the canpy walk. When you are lucky, there might be a Rafflesia-flower blooming.
Day 3
Daytrip to islands off the coast | A boat will bring you to the coral islands in Tuanku Abdul Rahman park. You can spend the day relaxing along the coast, snorkeling and hiking the trails on the island.
Day 4
Flight to Sandakan, transfer to Sepilok | A flight will bring you from Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan. Transfer to your nature lodge in Sepilok. Visit the Orangutan Rehabilitation Centr, at walking distance of your lodge. Enjoy the birds and wild animals in the area. It is possible to include a visit to Selingan Turtle Island in the program. Click here for more information: https://asiatracks.nl/en/blog/sabah-selingan-turtle-island
Day 5
Transfer to Kinabatangan River, afternoon river cruise | A shared transfer by car and boat will bring you to your next nature lodge, in Bilit along the Kinabatangan river. Join the afternoon river cruise, to spot Proboscis monkeys, orangutans, hornbills and other wildlife.
Day 6
Morning and afternoon river cruise | Today's program is a river cruise in the early morning and again in the afternoon. There is so much more wildlife to spot: several birds of prey and many other birds, elephants, crocodiles, snakes, monkeys, etc. Of course, there is no guarantees what you will spot, but the cruises are always exciting.
Day 7
Transfer to Sandakan | A shared transfer by boat and car will bring you back to Sandakan airport or to a hotel.
Additional info
- based on 2 persons and low season prices
- flight from Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan NOT included yet
- based on standard and mid range hotels, subject to availability
- Including CO2-offset
- the program can always be adjusted to your personal wishes
The trip connects with trips on mainland Malaysia and Sarawak. Catch a flight from Sandakan or Kota Kinabalu to your next destination (Kuala Lumpur, Miri, Kuching).
