Sabah travel guide
The iconic image of Borneo is a zoo like forest with big trees and an ecosystem teeming with life. Danum Valley gives you exactly that. Danum Valley is made up of 438 square kilometres of protected forest. It has the highest concentration of orangutans in the world, pygmy elephants, clouded leopards, and many more animals. Staying at the research centre is amazing because at the restaurant, you can converse with scientists that are studying the ecology of the forest. Very helpful if you have questions about the Bornean rainforest. There are many activities to keep you busy there from trekking to waterfalls to doing night safaris through the jungle. Bring some leech socks because it is a very healthy rainforest, and so that means lots of leeches! Go to the ridge observation tower for sunrise and watch the clouds burn off from the forest as the day starts. We guarantee it will be something you will never forget.
Gomantong Caves appear to be the mother of all caves. With a ceiling 90 metres above head, and the millions of swiftlets and bats living in them, it is quite a spectacle. The main chamber is huge, and for further adventure, you can head to the upper chamber which involves some serious caving to see. There is an elevated walkway around the main chamber - a relief because it keeps you off the mountain of bat guano beneath. Bring a flashlight and a set of nerves if you don't like insects. The guano attracts cockroaches by tens of millions, along with long-legged centipedes, and many more creepy crawlies.
The Kinabatangan River meanders through Northeast Borneo for 560 kilometres. Because of the encroaching palm oil plantations, wildlife has been squeezed into the forest reserves that border the river. Batu Puteh sits along the river in the Pin-Supu Forest Reserve. The people of Batu Puteh have established a community-based forest restoration project that is very successful, restoring forest that has been illegally logged in the past. A great way to experience the jungle, and do something good for our planet, is to volunteer your time in the village. You get to see the amazing biodiversity of Borneo, and meet some very cool people. All of the wildlife congregrates on the banks of the Kinabatangan in late afternoon, making animal viewing very easy.
One thing that makes Mt. Kinabalu stand out from other mountains is the fact that it is possible to take in its full scale. On a clear day you can splash around in the South Chinese Sea along Borneo's shore and see Mt. Kinabalu's grey dome rise dramatically above the green and lush jungle less than 50 km inland. Today, no skills are required to trek it and the tracks are well marked. It can be done in a very long day, but two days are strongly recommended. This way you can get some rest in one of the huts below the bald granite, before heading for Low's peak, which is the highest point, in total darkness to watch the sunrise light up Borneo.
Take the ancient ferry boat from Kudat and head for the island of Pulau Banggi. The majority of the island is uninhabited, with dirt tracks giving you access to the beauties of this island. Near the ferry landing there is a guesthouse with a tree house, and they will rent you a 4x4 truck to explore the island. You will find pristine forest, mangrove-lined rivers (with big crocodiles), and beautiful quiet beaches. Spend an afternoon roaming through the water villages along the coast in the main town and to find a fisherman to take you to the smaller islands surrounding Pulau Banggi. Bring your fins and mask as well for the reefs are stunning. But remember, no alcohol is sold on the island, so if you want to booze, be sure to pack it in!
Take a beautiful drive to the northern district of Kudat. 3 1/2 hours from Kota Kinabalu, Kudat sits face north towards the Phillipines. The coastline, filled with coconut palm plantations (yes, different from palm oil), has beautiful one-lane roads winding through them. The tip of Borneo has a monument and interesting rock formations along the coast. But the real gem is the beautiful white sand beach that you will find next to it - with nobody on it. It's a killer place to watch a sunset.