SABAH
abah is located in the island
of Borneo, one of the world’s
biodiversity hotspots. The mystical
wonders in this Malaysian state include
the weirdest wildlife from the world’s
smallest elephant to the largest leech!
Sabah’s iconic Mount Kinabalu, standing
at 4095.2 metres, is one of the world’s
youngest mountains and the highest peak
between the Himalayas and New Guinea.
It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site due
to its bio-diversity and a favourite topic for
conservation books and researchers.
The capital of wildlife for Sabah is
Sandakan. Besides rare birds, the familiar
orang utans at the Sepilok Orang Utan
Rehabilitation Sanctuary is a must-visit.
As the leading centre of excellence for the
great ape, it offers a less rugged experience
where visitors can view, from a platform,
how rescued orang utans are nursed and
released back into the wild. Do ask about
the orang utan adoption program that
visitors can participate in when there, the
program provides aid to the rehabilitation
of orang utans and their habitat. Nearby,
the Rainforest Discovery Centre (RDC)
managed by the Sabah Forestry Department,
is an educational centre that features a 300m
long canopy for sighting of 250 species of
birds and it is one of the few places to see the
Giant Red Flying Squirrel. The RDC is the
venue for the annual Borneo Bird Fest held
every October.
For the conscious travellers, there
are many opportunities to offset your
carbon footprint such as the tree
replanting programs at Kinabatangan. The
Kinabatangan floodplain has one of the
richest ecosystems in the country with theS
highest concentration of wildlife such as
the Borneo pygmy elephant, orang utan,
proboscis monkeys, crocodiles and rare birds.
The tree-replanting program undertaken by
environmental NGOs and local communities
is open for visitors to participate.
For green activities close to the state
capital, the Giant Clam Rehabilitation
Centre and “Reef Project” at Gayana Island
Eco Resort encourages visitors to take
part in marine educational activities while
on holiday. Visitors are taught that giant
clams filter water in marine ecosystems by
absorbing organisms that are harmful to
coral reefs. These giant clams can grow to an
impressive 1.5m in length and are classified
as endangered. The good news is the Marine
Ecology Research Centre (MERC) at
Gayana has successfully propagated 7 out of 9
species of giant clams.
Sabah is the emerging eco destination in
South East Asia. Air connectivity into SabahBEST OF
BORNEO
Sabah:
Blessed with
natural diversity,
unique cultures,
adventure,
beautiful beaches,
and fantastic
cuisine
“Whether for
business or
pleasure, visitors
are sure to feel
laidback, relaxed
and experience
timelessness
in Sabah”