City

The city of Kota Kinabalu on the west coast of the island is the gateway to Borneo for most visitors. Arriving in the modern metropolis, you'd hardly guess you were standing on an island of dense tropical jungles, skull hunters and wildlife. Still, the city of Kota Kinabalu is worth a brief visit before plunging into the whirlwind of Bornean adventure. Here you'll find an excellent dining scene, especially top-notch fish and seafood,…

Village

Nowadays, tourists hardly come across a traditional ethnic village in the Bornean jungle anymore. If you still want to learn about the culture, history and gastronomy of the indigenous people of Borneo, head to the cultural village of Mari Mari. This living open-air museum is a collection of examples of the traditional life of Borneo's main ethnic groups. Each tour lasts 3 hours and includes dance performances, various craft demonstrations,…

City

Sandakan is the largest city in eastern Borneo and acts as a base for exploring the wildlife of the area. The harbour itself is rather smaller, but you can soak up the local atmosphere and see a few sights. [btn "Book a hotel in Sandakan" https://www.booking.com/city/my/sandakan.cs.html?aid=2380460;label=p-sabah-sandakan] Sandakan is a great base for trips to Sepiloku, the Kinabatangan River and also to some of the islands. What to see in…

Village

A small settlement on the edge of the jungle is the first stop on your journey to explore the local wildlife. Thanks to local rescue stations, you can come face to face with orangutans and Malayan bears, plus there's a great Rainforest Discovery Centre with treetop trails and plenty of activities. [btn "The best accommodation in Sepilok" https://www.booking.com/city/my/sepilok.cs.html?aid=2380460;label=p-sabah-sepilok] Sepilok is really just a…

City

The small port town of Lahad Datu is the gateway to the lesser-known jungle areas where wildlife watching is common. Tours from here take in the Danum Valley, home to one of the oldest jungles in the world, and the Tabin Nature Reserve, famous for its high chance of spotting Bornean elephants. [btn "Book accommodation in Lahad Datu" https://www.booking.com/city/my/lahad-datu.en-gb.html?aid=2380460;label=p-sabah-lahaddatu] Accommodation in…

City

The forgotten northern tip of Borneo with the town of Kudat is the place to experience the true tropics. Beautiful long beaches, wild coves and peaceful life under the hot sun. The area also has historical significance, Kudat was one of the first towns in Borneo and many interesting ethnic tribes still live in the area today. [btn "Book a hotel in Kudat" https://www.booking.com/city/my/kudat.cs.html?aid=2380460;label=p-sabah-kudat] What to…