Malaysia
Sabah
Region
Sabah in northern Borneo is Malaysia's nature destination. In the west you can climb Mount Kinabalu, snorkel off Kota Kinabalu and hike the island forest of Pulau Gaya.
by Felix Gillen
Sabah in northern Borneo is Malaysia's nature destination. In the west you can climb Mount Kinabalu, snorkel off Kota Kinabalu and hike the island forest of Pulau Gaya. The well-known wildlife areas of Sepilok, the Kinabatangan and Danum Valley, as well as the dive sites off Semporna, lie on the east coast, which is covered specifically by official travel advice. Kota Kinabalu is the starting point, with onward travel by bus or domestic flight.
Sabah is vast, and distances are long. Plan for at least one week. Sabah's west, including Kota Kinabalu, the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park islands, and Kinabalu Park, combines well. Mount Kinabalu, at 4,095 meters, is Malaysia's highest mountain. Ascending requires a permit and guide; spots are limited, so book early.The Federal Foreign Office currently advises against travel to Sabah's east coast from Terusan to Tawau, including Sandakan, Lahad Datu, and Semporna, and strongly advises against non-essential trips to its islands and diving areas. This includes Sepilok, Kinabatangan, Danum Valley, and Sipadan. Always check current travel and security advisories before planning.
More places in Sabah
At the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre near Sandakan on the east coast of Sabah in northern Borneo, orphaned orangutans have been prepared for a life in the rainforest since 1964. During feeding times you can watch the great apes from just a few metres away, in a protected forest rather than a zoo.Sepilok lies near Sandakan on Sabah's east coast. Before any planning, check the UK FCDO travel advice, which covers eastern Sabah specifically.Right next door is the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre for rescued sun bears, and a few minutes away the Rainforest Discovery Centre with its canopy walkway.
This port city on Sabah's east coast was the capital of British North Borneo until 1946. Today it is mainly a base for Sepilok, the Kinabatangan and the Turtle Islands.Sandakan lies on Sabah's east coast. Before any planning, check the UK FCDO travel advice, which covers eastern Sabah specifically.In town, the Agnes Keith House and Sandakan Memorial Park recall the colonial era and the Second World War, and the harbour is the place for fresh fish and seafood.
At around 560 kilometres, the Kinabatangan is Sabah's longest river and Malaysia's second longest. On its lower reaches around the village of Sukau in eastern Sabah, you can see proboscis monkeys, orangutans, hornbills and, with luck, Borneo elephants from the boat.The lower Kinabatangan lies in eastern Sabah. Before any planning, check the UK FCDO travel advice, which covers eastern Sabah specifically.Wildlife watching mainly happens on boat trips in the early morning and late afternoon, and you stay in lodges on the riverbank.
Food in Sabah
Hinava
Raw fish, usually mackerel, marinated in lime with chili, ginger, and shallots – the most famous dish of the Kadazan-Dusun.
Sang Nyuk Mee
Noodles with thinly sliced raw pork in hot broth, originally from Tawau and today a classic in Kota Kinabalu.
Tuaran Mee
Fried curly egg noodles from Tuaran north of KK.
Sea harvests
Along the coast, especially in Semporna and Kota Kinabalu, there are fresh fish, crabs, and mussels at fair prices.
Peoples and History
From 1881 until the Japanese occupation in 1942, the British North Borneo Chartered Company administered the territory. In 1946, North Borneo became a British Crown Colony, and on September 16, 1963, it joined the Malaysian Federation as Sabah. According to the state government, 33 indigenous ethnic groups live in Sabah. The largest are the Kadazan-Dusun, alongside the Bajau, Murut, and many smaller groups. At the end of May, the Kadazan-Dusun celebrate Kaamatan, the Harvest Festival.The Bajau on the east coast are traditionally seafarers and divers; around Semporna, some still live on boats and in stilt houses. The Bajau of the west coast are known for their horsemanship. The coexistence of many groups shapes the cuisine, festivals, and markets.
On the Road in Sabah
From Kota KinabaluMost journeys start in Kota Kinabalu. Long-distance buses connect KK with Sandakan, Lahad Datu, and Tawau; these journeys take many hours. Domestic flights are quicker, for example to Sandakan or Tawau, the nearest airport for Semporna. You can reach Kinabalu Park by bus or rental car in about two hours.Danum Valley and many lodges along the Kinabatangan are only accessible via organised transfers, which the accommodations provide.Travel AdviceThe districts on the east and northeast coast, including Sandakan, Kinabatangan, Lahad Datu, Tawau, and Semporna, together with the offshore islands, form the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (ESSZone). The German Federal Foreign Office currently advises against travel to the east coast and strongly advises against non-essential travel to the islands and diving areas between Terusan and Tawau. A separate entry permit also applies to Sabah. Before your trip, read the current travel and security advice from the German Federal Foreign Office, including health-related topics.
