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 Things to do Good for Big Groups
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. 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.
2. Sandakan Memorial Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 775 reviews
Reviewed By OrderintheHouse
In September and October 2017 my wife and I visited delightful Malaysian Borneo visiting attractions in both Sarawak and Sabah. Included in the Sabah section was a visit to Sandakan Memorial Park. A visit to the Sandakan Memorial Park is a reflective and very solemn experience for any visitor to Sandakan. It dedicates the memory of 1793 Australian and 641 British members of the armed forces whilst prisoners of war (POWs) in Borneo during World War II. It highlights the terrible atrocities inflicted upon those POWs who lost their lives on the infamous Death Marches from Sandakan to Ranau, around 220 kilometres inland and close to Kinabalu Park. Only 6 prisoners, all Australians, survived. To my mind it is an essential visit for any Australian traveller to Malaysian Borneo to gain an insight into this important aspect of Australian war history. The Park is adjacent to the site of the original Sandakan POW camp. There are several memorial and interpretive stations around the park for visitors to explore at their own pace via an impressive walking track. The landscaping of the Park including the lake, gardens and trees is very beautifully maintained. The Commemorative Pavilion is also an important aspect of the Park displaying photographic exhibits that tell countless stories of the atrocities inflicted upon these brave POWs by their Japanese captors. A feature in this Pavilion is the decorative gates depicting flowers representing people of the three nations who suffered at Sandakan during the Second World War. Above all, the Park is a chilling reminder to all that in learning to forgive the wrongs of the past we must maintain Memorials such as Sandakan Memorial Park to make sure we never allow these wrongs to be repeated. It’s this reminder that makes this Park so essential to include in any Borneo visit. Equally impressive are the memorial stain glass windows installed since 2005 in St Michael’s Church, Sandakan in memory of the POWs imprisoned in Borneo. I would recommend a visit here also. You need to make arrangements with the Church Office to gain access inside the Church, for a small fee. Another must for travellers interested in this chapter of World War II history is the Sabah Tea Plantation at Ranau. The Plantation is on the very site where the Death Marches ended and viewing further impressive POW memorials is an added bonus to simply buying Sabah tea or enjoying lunch in the Plantation Restaurant. We were deeply moved by all three experiences. .
3. 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.
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. Sandakan Rainforest Discovery Centre (RDC)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 996 reviews
RDC is first and foremost an environmental education centre managed by the Sabah Forestry Department. It has been operating since 1997 but mainly for school visits and organising events for school students and also teacher training courses on environmental education.It was later developed for visitors mainly to sustain the environmental education programme for the future. We formally opened to visitors in August 2007 and is open daily from 8 am to 5 pm. However, visitors are allowed to stay until 7 pm for viewing of the flying squirrels at the 347-m long Canopy Walkway, the only such structure in Southeast Asia.The newly revamped Birders Rest is now with a 90 m-long walkway, an open hall, a small centre and toilets. As of Nov 16th 2013, we have a new operator for the Keruing Cafe whom we hope will provide better services for our visitors.
Reviewed By ROSSHX - Melton Constable, United Kingdom
We sent 3 wonderful days in the Sandakan RFC using the trails, the canopy walk, the towers, early morning walks, night walks as well as lots of time walking forest trails, saw lots of Bornean wildlife, Orangutan, tarser, monkey, otter, snake, hornbills, snakes, flying squirrels and so much more, sorry to leave and defo hope to go back.
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. Labuan War Cemetery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 141 reviews
Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemetery which contains a total number of 3,900 burials. The cemetery lies on the Jalan Tanjong Batu road which leads from the airport to the town. It is less than a kilometre from the airport and about 3 kilometres from the Island's town; Victoria. Within the Cemetery will be found the Labuan Memorial and the Labuan Cremation Memorial.
Reviewed By njwithers - Labuan Island, Malaysia
This memorial to those who died in WW2 is very well maintained and the cemetery is quiet and peaceful. The Remembrance Day ceremonies are held here every year. The staff who maintain the memorial park are to be commended. Also thanks to the Malaysian government and the Malaysian Armed services for their help. A special thanks to the U.K. war graves commission for their support.
8. 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!
9. Kokol Hill
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 130 reviews
Reviewed By padala12
The mountain is so nice with a beautiful view. Best time to go is about 4 to 5pm and have a coffee or tea while waiting for sunset. The place is cool. The is a small hotel name Kokol Heaven. The cafe provide a good view of the mountain and sunset. The sunset view is worth waiting.
10. Bohey Dulang Island
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 144 reviews
Reviewed By NishaJha - Mumbai, India
I liked the view from the top. It's out of the world kind of view. The 650 metre steep hike is a bit difficult but 100% worth it. If not for anything else, Bohey Dulang island should be visited for spectacular views. The breath-taking view of a circular coral reef fringe which is actually a sea-filled volcanic crater. The island has some interesting mythological stories about it. :) There are many other things to do here such as snorkeling, diving, bird watching etc. Good for a day trip. Tip: Wear good hiking shoe.
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