Sabah
Adventure in North Borneo. Mount Kinabalu, world-class diving, and incredible wildlife encounters.
Thomas Brown, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Introduction
Sabah sits on the northern tip of Borneo and is one of the most spectacular destinations in Malaysia. It is best known for Mount Kinabalu, the highest peak in Southeast Asia, but the real draw is the sheer variety of nature. Within a single trip you can hike through UNESCO listed rainforest, watch orangutans in the wild, cruise rivers filled with wildlife, and dive some of the richest coral reefs on Earth.
Most trips begin in Kota Kinabalu on the west coast, the gateway to island hopping in Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park and the famous sunset at Tanjung Aru Beach. From there, many travellers head inland to Kundasang and Kinabalu Park for cool mountain scenery, or across the state to Sandakan and the Kinabatangan River for wildlife encounters with orangutans, proboscis monkeys, and pygmy elephants.
Further south, the Semporna islands offer some of the best diving in the world, with Sipadan often ranked among the planet’s top dive sites. This guide covers the best places to visit in Sabah, how to get around, where to stay, and how to plan an unforgettable Borneo adventure.
Top Attractions in Sabah
Getting there and around
Information on how to reach Sabah and how to get around once you're there is covered in a separate guide. This includes available transport options, entry points, and local mobility.
Sabah Access Guide Coming Soon
Hotels
Accommodation options in Sabah vary by area, price range, and travel style. A dedicated guide breaks down where to stay and what types of lodging are available.
Sabah Hotel Guide Coming Soon
Restaurants
Dining options in Sabah range across local food, casual eateries, and sit-down restaurants. For an overview of what and where to eat, see the full food guide.
Sabah Restaurant Guide Coming Soon