Top Parks & Nature Attractions in Sabah, Malaysia
Nature & Parks in Sabah
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Nature & Parks
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Travellers' Choice Awards winners (including the "Best of the Best" title) are among the top 10% of listings on Tripadvisor, according to the reviews and opinions of travellers across the globe.
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125 places sorted by traveller favourites
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Recommended Outdoor Activities (77)
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National Parks • Nature & Wildlife Areas
Nature & Wildlife Areas • Valleys
Nature & Wildlife Areas • Lookouts
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What travellers are saying
- abmilwMilwaukee, WI711 contributionsWe were told that if the Orangutans want to leave the rehab center they can - that there are no fences or cages, so while they get fed, it does have a zoo feel, but it really isn't. We got lucky and did see a family playing in the trees and on the ropes. They did come to the platform for feeding time. It does get crowded, so just get there early. I would think the Orangutans show up before the food does, if not other animals will. We found this a worthwhile stop, because we got lucky (I dont know how often they do not show). There are 2 areas to see them that provide food. Sunbear side was way less interesting to us. That was more like a zoo with cages, looking at a few bear. Need a couple of hours here.Written 29 September 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Jessica LSingapore, Singapore47 contributionsMount Kinabalu has always been in my bucket list after I have climbed Mount Rinjani at Lombok, Indonesia.
Initially I joined SGTrek to climb with an International group of about 20 pax scheduled on 9 March 2024. However, I caught the Influenza B virus few days before and was unfit to travel. Therefore, mine became a solo climb rescheduled to 25 April 2024. SGTrek Expeditions & Adventures partnered with Amazing Borneo and made all the necessary arrangements for me and provided me with all the information and comfort throughout my climb. My mountain guide was Andrew Bungin and he is a truly helpful and friendly guide whom I can talk to, chat with and most important, trust in him. He guided me alot and showed me which better path to take etc during the steeper and trickier sections.
Honestly, I really enjoyed the climb and I feel that training is very important. You should train preferably 2 to 3 months ahead to build your endurance, muscle strength, climbing techniques, breathing techniques. Personally I climbed up nearby apartment stairs (25 floors X 5 or 6 rounds = 125/150 floors) alternate days on weekdays, and one of the weekend morning I train in the nature, at Bukit Timah Nature Reserve's Dairy Farm trail (3 loops / 3 to 4 hours) as I live in Singapore and there are no high mountains here. Sometimes I will carry up to 7kg weight during the workouts but not all the time. I do feel lazy and skipped at times.
Day 1 of the climb was endless stairs but there are a total of 6 rest huts (excluding the entrance Timpohon hut). As I was climbing solo, my guide was just for me alone so he also carried my bag as the porter. 10kg was 140RM. Day 1 is estimated to take 4 to 6 hours and mostly just stairs upwards. To prevent your body from becoming too cool and needing energy to warm up again, try to rest just 2 to 3 minutes at each hut. You will be carrying up a packed lunch which you can eat at Layang Layang Rest Hut no. 5. Total day 1 climb is 6km to reach Panalaban, and I stayed at Laban Rata dorms. Laban Rata is also the restaurant that all climbers eat their buffet dinner at. Weather was great during my day 1 climb, so I reached Panalaban at 1.45pm and even went to post a post card at the highest post office in Malaysia, located at Pendant Hut. They sell plain hot water at Laban Rata for 3RM and in the afternoon, I chillaxed with a sachet of milo... a hot drink is definitely very rewarding up there!
I couldn't sleep much the night.. and only slept from 10pm to 12am. Woke up and it was raining lightly. Fortunately, after "breakfast" at 1.30am, the rain stopped and I proceeded for the summit attack around 2.35am with my guide. There will be a long line of climbers going up the stairs from 6 to 7km before Sayat Sayat Checkpoint. One tip is to try to overtake some climbers during this time if you are able to, so you are not stuck in the jam. But do breathe deeply and rest if you need to... go at your comfortable pace. I reached Sayat Sayat at 3.45am, but had to go to the toilet due to bad tummyache (cold + nervous + eaten too much probably). The toilet at Sayat Sayat is the highest toilet in Malaysia, do go before continuing to the summit as that's the last toilet available. I brought energy gels and protein bar and water of cos, but did not eat the bars as I'm not hungry. Just wanted to enjoy the scenery!
After endless stretches of rock face with two or three sections of rope climbing, I reached the final push to the summit after the 8.5km mark. Then with the help and guidance from my guide, we reached the summit at 5.48am. I felt so happy and fulfilled then, but I also know that this is only half the journey and the other half is to descend the mountain safely to my awaiting loved ones! The views were truly indescribable and amazing! Sea of clouds and blue skies after sunrise... strong winds, cooling weather and then I took a few pics at the summit before heading to lower areas to chill and relax.
Long story short, I returned to Laban Rata at 8.45am and enjoyed another round of buffet breakfast before packing up my stuff, got changed and then started the descending journey from Laban Rata to Timpohon Gate. Left Laban Rata at 10 plus am and reached Timpohon Gate at 2.30pm. Took pics and relaxed along the way. The ground was wet but it was not raining so I felt that I was truly lucky to avoid climbing/descending in downpours etc. I did not even use my new poncho.
Went for buffet lunch at Liwagu Restaurant and then at 3.30pm, Amazing Borneo van picked me up and headed to Kinabalu Park to get my certificate and my luggage. I also bought a medal for 30RM. For those who summit successfully, you can buy the medal and your certificate will also be the coloured version instead of black and white if you did not manage to summit. Finally, the van sent me to Kinabalu City and I checked in the Promenade Hotel.
All the arrangments were seamless.. so if you are a Singaporean or residing in SG and is keen to climb Mount Kinabalu, do check out SGTrek Pte Ltd. They also organise trips to other mountains and so far I have been to many trips with them since 2018. Looking forward to more.Written 11 June 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - tonimcallenFremantle, Australia55 contributionsThis was the first of the islands around Kota Kinabalu we visited. The facilities on the island are basic but it is a pleasant place to spend time. The snorkelling was enjoyable in that there were plenty of fish to see, including small sting rays. However, the coral has been badly affected by tourism and pollution so that was disappointing.Written 9 April 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Ay A19 contributionsWe learned about the Labuk Bay Proboscis Sanctuary at the Orangtuan Rehabilitation Center, and it was a life-changing event. It is worthwhile to visit during the feeding period when you will witness an abundance of monkeys.Written 1 October 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- watchsmartAsuncion, Paraguay310 contributionsYou can walk in the canopy. You can walk below the canopy. You can walk in the day. You can walk at night. Highly recommended.
Don't miss the interpretation center.Written 29 August 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - podsyBristol, UK77 contributionsA pretty island with great beach. Soft white sand and turquoise water. Great for relaxing on the beach and going in the water. However not much to see when snorkeling as the now dead coral areas have all been roped off to protect them. There is better snorkeling at the moment on Mamutik island. Lots of tour companies stop at the island for buffet lunch but there is also a small cafe that serves very welcome cold drinks and basic meals. RM2 for hot water if you bring your own instant noodles, or you can also purchase at the cafe.Written 28 July 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Seaside516604882561 contributionVery basic accommodations. If you expect to be pampered, don't. Shower in the bathroom sprays water everywhere--on the sink, on the toilet, on the floor. Uncomfortable bedding.
That being said, awesome to see a Turtle laying her eggs. Seeing the hatchery and understanding the work they are doing was educational and interesting.Written 21 March 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - tonimcallenFremantle, Australia55 contributionsWe went solely for the sunset and it did not disappoint. The area is attractive with the islands as a backdrop and the lovely casuarina trees. It has a peaceful vibe, a relaxing place to watch the sun go down. There are also plenty of eating options around. We did not swim or engage in water sports so can't comment on those aspects.Written 9 April 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- iestyn83Bromborough, UK20 contributionsAnother must do for a trip in combination with the Orangutan centre, which is just over the road, you get to learn about the rare species and see them in the wildWritten 5 September 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Maree RChristchurch, New Zealand1,261 contributionsIts a huge area of which we followed an easy trail. Lovely plants but the orchids didn't flower this year like they should have. Large variety of plants and a nice place to spend some time.Written 4 September 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Eliana P27 contributionsWe did a snorkelling day trip in TARP with kids and thoroughly enjoyed it. Water was clear, lunch was really good and guides were very helpful with the kids. Highly recommend a visit before it is destroyed!!
Too much trash in the water. No one seems to be looking after it - plastic bags, plastic bottles, aluminium cans. If this is not corrected soon the area will be destroyed.Written 24 September 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Aldo VSwitzerland19 contributionsWe only visited Mamutik and Manukan islands, but Mamutik was by far the more interesting.
I saw beautiful fish, a sting ray and a reef shark while snorkeling.Written 7 April 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Daz0Stockport, UK85 contributionsNice to get up into the hills.
This place has pros and cons.
Nice tree top walk and walk to the waterfall
But the actual hot springs are a bit tacky. It would be nice if it was a bit more natural other than the swimming pool and hot tubs it is!!Written 15 July 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - allanwenham99Buckinghamshire, UK12 contributionsThe park was decent, the Animals All Looked well , and looked after and Happy.
The park is a little bit run down too !
But an enjoyable day out.Written 3 October 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Ay A19 contributionsWe completed two dives at Barracuda Point and one at Hanging Garden. It was incredible. Wow was expressed often over the Barracuda and Jackfish school, as well as the stunning corals and white-tip sharks.Written 1 October 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
