City: Sabah
Top Things to do in Sabah
Top Hotels in Sabah
- 1. Shangri-La Rasa Ria, Kota Kinabalu
- 2. Shangri-La Tanjung Aru, Kota Kinabalu
- 3. Hotel Grandis
- 4. The Pacific Sutera Hotel - Sutera Harbor Resort
- 5. Hilton Kota Kinabalu
- 6. Cititel Express Kota Kinabalu
- 7. Hyatt Regency Kinabalu
- 8. Le Meridien Kota Kinabalu
- 9. The Magellan Sutera Resort
- 10. Promenade Hotel Kota Kinabulu
What to do and see in Sabah, Malaysia: The Best Nature & Parks
Sabah (Malay pronunciation: [saˈbah]) is a state of Malaysia located on the northern portion of Borneo Island. Sabah has land borders with the Malaysian state of Sarawak to the southwest, and Indonesia's Kalimantan region to the south. The Federal Territory of Labuan is an island just off the Sabah coast. Sabah shares maritime borders with Vietnam in the west and the Philippines to the north and east. Kota Kinabalu is the capital city, the economic centre of the state and the seat of the Sabah state government. Other major towns in Sabah include Sandakan and Tawau. As of the 2015 census in Malaysia, the state's population is 3,543,500. Sabah has an equatorial climate with tropical rainforests and abundant animal and plant species. The state has long mountain ranges on the west side which form part of the Crocker Range National Park. Kinabatangan River, second longest river in Malaysia runs through Sabah and Mount Kinabalu is the highest point of Sabah as well as of Malaysia.
Restaurants in Sabah
1. Danum Valley Conservation Area
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 136 reviews
Reviewed By lazybrilliance
This place is the real deal - virgin rainforest and an amazing lodge. It is expensive but completely worth it. You will not be disappointed.
2. Sipadan National Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 380 reviews
Reviewed By viviensly
60mins speedboat ride from Semporna jetty with Celebes Explorer dive center, departure at 07:30. Upon arrival, the boat pack on the shore, jump off the vessel then we had to sign in at the Island Registration, individually. 1st dive: Barracuda Point Wall/ drift dive Dive time: 60mins Marine life: white tips shark (resting) 2nd dive: South Point Slope/ drift dive Marine life: Cyclone School of Big Eye Trevally, Giant Green Turtles, White tip sharks (resting and circling) and Napoleon Wrasse. 3rd dive: Turtle Tomb/ Cave Wall/ drift dive Marine life: GREEN HUMPHEAD PARROTFISHS (40mins), Giant Green Turtle & Barracuda Fishes Highlight: 1) REMEMBER: you are there for scuba diving and nothing else. 2) divers must be experienced with drift and buoyancy control to avoid damaging sensitive to marine life. 3) no fresh water, basic toilet (many soiled & dirty cubicles, no washing material or drying material available on the island. 4) limited jetty access, you are lucky if your operator can dock on the very poor constructed wood bridge. 5) check with your operator best/ highest chance to see Green Humphead Parrot Fishes.
3. Turtle Island Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 715 reviews
Reviewed By AR548739 - London, United Kingdom
We booked direct through crystal quest, it was easy, Fatima was fantastic and responded quickly everytime she was very helpful from begining to end. After a few emails back and forth it was booked and we didnt have to pay anything until the day. Her email is - [email protected] The trip was fantastic, the work they do on the island is brilliant, if it wasn't for them the eggs wouldnt stand a chance.
4. Mount Kinabalu
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,442 reviews
Reviewed By ShukryAbdullah - Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
Me and my team ( a group of 3 people, 1 man 2 women, all adults 40 years above) went for my Mount Kinabalu climbing trip from December 30 2020 then climbing down on January 1, 2021, after reaching Low's Peak successfully. This is my 11th climb. My other two team members are experienced climbers and have been climbed Mount Kinabalu for the 31th time. We all are local Malaysian living in Kota Kinabalu city center. We celebrated New Year Eve at the base camp of Mount Kinabalu in the Panalaban area where Laban Rata rest house is located at. That was my first time ever celebrating the new year in Mount Kinabalu, the highest mountain in Malaysia and in South East Asia. We spent 2 nights in Panalaban. On December 29, 2020, we took a public cab in Kundasang station near Bandaran Berjaya Kota Kinabalu city center. It was a brand new Toyota Innova. Driver name is Wol. Each of us paid MYR 25 cash to the driver for our group to go to Tahubang Lodge, an accommodation right in front of Kinabalu Park. We spent 1 night staying at Tahubang Lodge. Kinabalu Park entrance is just a 1-minute walk from Tahubang Lodge. During our stay, we are the only guests in Tahubang Lodge on December 29, 2020. On the next day (December 30, 2020) it was a rainy day. I woke up at 4 AM and realized it was heavy rain. When we took our breakfast at 8:00 AM it was still raining. At 9:00 AM we went to the Kinabalu Park registration counter to register for our Mount Kinabalu climbing trip. After that, we received our climber badge card showing our first name and our climber ID number. For tracking and safety check. Our guide is Aaron Brian O'neil Roland or "Aaron" for short. He was a nice guy and very friendly. Rain pours heavily during the middle of our climb to Panabalan Base Camp. Nature trail became like a small river as rainwater flows continuously from top to bottom. It was heavy rain from 10:30 AM to 3 PM - about 2.5 hours straight. Imagine how cold it was. The trail to the base camp became too slippery. The climb became more challenging. Aaron helped us arranging our stuff in our backpack when we need to change from our normal climbing attire to wet attire so we can keep our climb pace without stopping even in heavy rain. We reached the Panalaban area (the basecamp) around 6 PM. We booked for 2 nights there so no need to rush like other climbers. Aaron is very kind. He did not complain much and only talk when asked and when needed. I saw that as a sign of maturity and years of experience since a young age. I've climbed with several other guides before. Aaron is different. Aaron keeps asking about us checking if we are ok or not. He shared his story about life as a full-time mountain guide. He shared many tips and advice about Mount Kinabalu climbing. Feels like we knew him for many years although we just met him because he was so friendly. If you are looking for the best mountain guide for your next Mount Kinabalu climbing trip I personally suggest Aaron be your mountain guide because of his good service. During our 2 nights stay, he checked us regularly. Aaron brought us for a sightseeing trip to several areas around Panalaban. He showed us where Gunting Lagadan Hut is, delivers a briefing about do and donts while being there, he showed the impact from the earthquake that happened in the middle of 2015 that we never see before. Aaron always with us, talking, chatting, laughing and enjoying coffee together with us. He will leave us alone only when we enter our room to get some rest and to sleep. He respects our privacy. Aaron is very knowledgeable about Mount Kinabalu. He became a porter in his teenage years then promoted to become a mountain guide. We stayed at Mokodou Hostel as we did our booking with Sabah Parks. The hostel is behind Laban Rata resthouse. Very clean. We feel safe in Aaron's care. He always is with us most of the time to ensure our safety during our climb to the top peak of Mount Kinabalu in the middle of the dark night challenged by the strong wind. He always is at our side. We appreciate his effort and his attention very much. Aaron motivates us without pushing too much, without shouting and without a sound of anger because of our slow movement due to slight dizziness being on the highest mountain in South East Asia. He always calm. He took care of us from start to finish just like a dear brother. He never let us feel down. He keeps good eye contact and always watching us on our way to Low's Peak. We feel so lucky and so happy to have Aaron as our guide. I am an experienced climber and I've climbed with 10 previous mountain guides before him during our previous trip. Aaron is different. He gave full service as a mountain guide more than what we need. He gave his best effort to guide us and taking care of us as his dear friends without asking anything in return. The way he talks is soft. Not too high and not too low. Aaron talked with passion, not too cocky, and not looking down on you. From our point of view, we saw Aaron as a passionate mountain guide. Guiding and meeting climbers like us were his passion even though he did not mention it for even a word. We saw that in his eyes. He truly loved his job very much. We reached Low's Peak, the top peak of Mount Kinabalu at early morning on January 1, 2021, during the beautiful sunrise of a new year's day all because of Aaron as our motivator and our Mount Kinabalu guide. We will climb Mount Kinabalu again next time with Aaron as our guide for sure. We recommended Aaron as best mountain guide to anyone who want to climb Mount Kinabalu. Thank you for all your kind help, Aaron!
5. Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,168 reviews
Reviewed By Daneli09
Arrived early, had a good meal in the onsite restaurant before going to the feeding platform. Saw dozens of proboscis monkeys and several troops of macaques within arms length on the boardwalk leading to the feeding platform. Travelling between the feeding platforms, we saw hornbills, silver eared monkeys, wild boar and a huge monitor lizard. Great day out.
6. Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,255 reviews
Reviewed By 663heathera - Canberra, Australia
We went here as part of a tour and it was the highlight. From seeing the young orangutans in the nursery with their very attentive keepers to the feeding platforms where the wild orangutans come in, what an experience to see these marvelous animals. to see them climb and swing through the trees. A must do experience.
7. Rasa Ria Reserve by Shangri-La
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 360 reviews
The Rasa Ria Nature Reserve was established by Shangri-La's Rasa Ria Resort & Spa, Kota Kinabalu in collaboration with the State Wildlife Department of Sabah. This protected ecological space aims to facilitate rehabilitation programmes for endangered species of animals as well as those endemic in Sabah. The Rasa Ria Nature Reserve provides a home until they ready to be rehabilitated into their natural habitat. *Following 20 years of joint management between Sabah Wildlife Department (SWD) and Shangri-La’s Rasa Ria Resort & Spa (RRR), the Orangutan Rehabilitation and Conservation Programme has ultimately reached a successful conclusion. The wildlife conservation programme at the Nature Interpretation Centre continues, with expanded conservation education and activities. Visitors can now trek deep into the nature trails with rangers to learn about exotic plants, native to the area and found throughout the in the 64-arce Nature Reserve.
Reviewed By The_Whittemores - Redditch, United Kingdom
Just spent 9 nights at the Rasa Ria in KK and we had an amazing time. The Ocean Wing was great, the extra touches (mini bar, happy hour, balcony bath) are well worth the upgrade. The Rasa Ria team also made our stay extra special. Particular thanks to Aster in reception and Cenavera at breakfast but the list could go on. So many great people who do everything they can to make your stay fabulous. Would highly recommend the hotel and Borneo. Epic trip.
8. Tawau Hills Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 79 reviews
Reviewed By IanG1967 - York, United Kingdom
Visited with family and friends for 2 nights. Organised by 1stopborneo and Shavez doing a top job of it. The park was fantastic, waking to the sounds of the gibbons and rhinoceros hornbills gets your day off to a magical start! Saw troops of red leaf monkeys at close range, 3 types of hornbills, loads of frogs on the night walks and 5 snakes in total during visit and just so many fascinating insects. Lots of easy walking trails and as someone who has visited jungles many times, I highly recommend visiting this gorgeous national park. Very close to Tawau and good accommodation within park, it is absolutely essential that every square inch of this park be protected for the future as so much of Borneo has tragically already been trashed by greedy palm oil companies.
9. Deramakot Forest Reserve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 96 reviews
Reviewed By sukiesue2019
I have just spent 7 days in Deramakot and have to say that the wildlife exceeded all expectations. In reference to the last post, yes the accommodation is basic but we all knew that before we booked so it should not have been any surprise. Whilst there we did suggest that a thorough clean prior to new clients arriving should be instigated, but other than that it was much as expected. As to the food, the cooks we took in with us produced very tasty food, especially given the limited kitchen set up available to them, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. And yes we did break down a couple of times - but only for a couple of minutes, and once the battery was sorted there were no further problems. The vehicles may not have been the most luxuriously comfortable, but for being able to see the animals and to photograph them they were ideal. However, you are not at Deramakot for the rooms or food - the wildlife is the draw and this definitely did not disappoint. Our tour leader, Mike (Adventure Alternative Borneo), was a wizard with the spotlight and we had so many great sightings of leopard cats and the highlight was seeing a flat-headed cat posing beautifully on a log. Along with the binturong, orangs, gibbons, three species of civets, colugos, flying squirrels and numerous birds, we were treated to a wonderful collection of the wildlife of the area. I would wholeheartedly recommend Deramakot (and Mike!) to anyone who appreciates wildlife and particularly if you want to see some of the more bizarre animals that you can find in Borneo. I cannot wait to return.
10. Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,628 reviews
Reviewed By Cosmopolitan587907
We decided to go to the Bornean Sun Bear Center instead of seeing the Orangutans next door. This place does invaluable work for Sun Bears and we saw 3 bears out from the viewing platform and they were adorable. One of the helpers, Becca was very friendly and spoke to us for 20-30 minutes, answering our questions and talking to us about the bears. We even saw an orangutan pop in from next door briefly in the trees! Could not recommend this place enough!
