Enjoy world class scuba diving and gorgeous nature reserves
This is where Malaysia's mighty Mount Kinabalu jaggedly peaks beyond 4,000 metres above rainforest. This is where you can explore the river-hugging forests of Sabah's longest waterway, Sungai Kinabatangan. Sabah's Tunku Abdul Rahman National Marine Park hosts picturesque coral gardens and the Sipadan Islands provide one of the world's best dive spots. White-water rafting on the Padas or Kiulu Rivers is also an option for aqua-lovers.
The Rhinoceros Hornbill
The capital is Kota Kinabalu – or KK for short – and this 500,000-strong town is used by many visitors as a base for exploring Sabah's tropical offerings. It's also were the ethnic diversity of the region can easily be spotted, particularly in the city's places of worship: there are temples, mosques and cathedrals. Beyond KK, the region's main native groups are the Kadazandusun, Murut, Bajau, Suluk, Bisaya and Orang Sungai. Add Chinese, Filipinos, Indonesians and a swirl of British colonial history and you've quite an intriguing array of peoples (and food!).
View of Tun Sakaran Marine Park on Semporna Island
A holiday in Sabah is best planned ahead as independent travel can be bureaucratically cumbersome, so just grab a tour and get set for an adventure you'll not soon forget.