Sabah is one of the thirteen States in Malaysia situated on the island of Borneo. This second largest state shares the island with Sarawak, another Malysian state, Brunei and Indonesian’s Kalimantan. It is a land abundant with natural beauty, exotic flora and fauna, fascinating underwater marine life, and warm hospitable people from a multi faceted society of various ethnic communities.
The state Sabah is located in the heart of South East Asia with direct flights from major cities such as Brunei, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taipei and Kaoshiung in Taiwan, Manila, Seoul, Tokyo and Osaka in Japan, Guangzhou and Shanghai in China and Sydney. Kota Kinabalu, the capital, is connected to the Malaysian Capital, Kuala Lumpur, by more than 70 flights weekly. Last December saw another milestone for Sabah tourism industry as SilkAir, the regional wing of Singapore Airlines, provided the latest air link to Sabah by flying twice a week from Singapore to Kota Kinabalu.
Today Sabah has 10.000 rooms in world-class hotels and resorts to bed and breakfast lodges and remote islands resorts. Its vast collection of wildlife, nature and culture yearns for the curious visitors. Sabah’s rich natural heritage is guarded and managed in a number of parks and protected areas throughout the state. Sabah is known for its virgin rainforest, beautiful idyllic islands and also for the world class Conservation and Wildlife Sanctuaries. It is truly a traveller’s haven for Nature, Adventure or just a ‘relax-do-nothing’ leisure holiday.
Sabah is a unique land, a melting pot of many indigenous and immigrant groups. The population of slightly over 2.98 million comprises over 30 different races and over 80 different dialects, each group having its own colourful culture, tradition, festival and customs.
Mount Kinabalu located within Kinabalu Park, Malaysia’s First World Heritage Site, and Sepilok Orang-Utan Rehabilitation centre are both undoubtedly the flagships of Sabah’s nature an wildlife attractions. A wide range of primates, brids, reptiles, rhinos, elephants, turtles and much more can be seen in these locations. Another attraction are the many exotic islands with their white sandy beaches and hidden treasures, surrounded by pristine waters where a rich marine life abounds. Islands in Sabah can also be a 10-minute boat ride from the city such as the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park.
