|
 Considered by some to be Malaysia’s frontier state, Sabah is known as a
tropical paradise of natural wonders, scenic beauty, rugged landscapes
and cultural diversity. There are numerous beaches to relax on, enough
reefs to keep you busy exploring for months and the highest of all
Southeast Asian mountains: Mt Kinabalu, which towers at a height of
4101m.
Sabah is generally more expensive than Peninsular Malaysia and Sarawak,
but it's possible to keep costs to a minimum if you stick to the beaten
track.
Sabah is semi-autonomous and has its own immigration controls. On
arrival visitors are likely to be given a visa for two months' stay.
Visas can be renewed at immigration offices at or near most points of
arrival - if no one's at the arrival point, report to an-other
immigration office, even if it's several days later, and explain your
situation to the officials.
Apart from entry to national parks and other reserves, permits are
required to visit Pulau Sipadan, the Danum Valley Conservation Area and
the Maliau Basin.
Kota Kinabalu
 The capital Kota Kinabalu, sits on the edge of the South China Sea
overlooking a cluster of coral-fringed is-lands. With the towering
Crocker Range as a backdrop and the peaks of mighty Mt Kinabalu in the
far distance, the modern suburbs of Kota Kinabalu - as everyone calls it
- sprawl aimlessly for many kilometers along the coast and inland.
Late at night, streets and alleys near the water-front, such as in
Kompleks Sinsuran, are probably best avoided if you are alone. Women
travellers are wise to be cautious about walking around on their own
after dark, though it's probably safer than many Western cities.
Things to do/ see
Sabah's national parks are among the main reasons tourists visit the
state. The parks feature beautiful scenery and a huge collection of
flora and fauna. Budget accommodation is available in or near the major
reserves and, depending on the area and weather, camping is also
possible.
National Parks:
Crocker Range National Park - A huge 139-sq-km area of forested
escarpment overlooking the coast.
Kinabalu National Park – Sabah’s largest national park at 754 sq km, it
is also the state’s most popular. It offers straightforward climbing at
Mt Kinabalu, beautiful forest walks at the park's headquarters and at
Mesilau, and Poring Hot Springs.
Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park – Composed of a group of five islands
with beautiful beaches, providing a perfect venue for snorkeling and
trekking.
Turtle Islands National Park – This is composed of three tiny islands
40km north of Sandakan. The island group is famous for protecting the
nesting ground of green and hawksbill sea turtles.
Opportunities for sightseeing by yourself in Sabah is limited compared
to neighboring Sarawak. Many travelers will have to rely on tour outfits
at some point, whether it's for diving or watching turtles lay eggs. At
the same time, the state's highlights are concentrated in a few spots,
and some (like Mt Kinabalu) are independently accessible.
Getting There
Most visitors arrive at the state capital, Kota Kinabalu, but it is
possible to travel into Sabah overland from Sarawak via Brunei; by boat
from Nunukan (Indonesia) to Taiwan or from Zamboanga (Philippines) to
Sandakan.
Kota Kinabalu's modern international air-port is at Tanjung Aru.
Minivans run to the airport till 10pm from behind Centre Point.
Visit Beautiful Malaysia today! |
