Among the great beauties of this Earth, there are some destinations that truly excel at everything, mixing amazing natural landscapes and scenery, rich and exotic wildlife, interesting and inviting cultural heritage, as well as a great overall atmosphere. One of the best regions of Malaysia to find all of these and much more is the state of Sabah, located in the Borneo part of the country, together with Sarawak to the southwest. Maybe the most diverse destination in Malaysia, with plenty of things to see and do, Sabah is a natural heaven and cultural marvel, divided into several divisions, each with its own attractions and characteristics, from luxuriant jungles to high mountains and from pristine beaches to wildlife sanctuaries. A true adventure for the body and soul, Sabah is part of the island of Borneo, famous in the whole world for its unique nature and wildlife. The rest of Borneo is occupied by the Malaysian state of Sarawak, the nation of Brunei and the Indonesian part of the island, also known as Kalimantan.
The different divisions of Sabah are excellent tourist destinations on their own, then divided into smaller districts. The Kudat Division is located in the north of the state, being the smallest of all, with three different districts named after their capital towns of Kudat, Kota Marudu and Pitas. It is a popular destination, with several attractions, including the beach next to the city of Kudat, the less known but idyllic beach of Kelambu, with crystal blue waters and white sand, the traditional markets in the towns of Kudat and Kota Marudu, the Sorinsim Waterfall off the town of Kota Marudu, as well as many opportunities for activities like golf, hiking, sailing and diving. The west coast is probably the most popular destination, named after the capital city of the Sabah state,
Kota Kinabalu, featuring a wide range of destinations, from the imposing Kinabalu Mountain, to beautiful beaches and charming islands. The districts of this division include Ranau, Kota Belud, Tuaran, Penampang, Putatan, Papar and the capital city of Kota Kinabalu. This city is excellent for all kinds of visits and experiences, with important museums, monuments, mosques and temples, parks and other activities, the most important including Sabah State Museum, Islamic Civilization Museum, Aquarium and Marine Museum, Sacred Heart Cathedral, Sabah State Mosque, City Mosque, Tun Fuad Park, Chinatown and others. The islands off the coast feature amazing resorts and beaches, while the interior an awesome jungle, with Mount Kinabalu a favorite for hiking and trekking.
The Interior Division is located in the southwest of Sabah, with the districts of Beaufort, Kuala Penyu, Sipitang, Tenom, Nebawan, Keningau and Tambunan. These are rather isolated and wilder areas of Sabah, with the beautiful city of Beaufort, known as Venice of the East for its annual flooding and old colonial buildings. The true beauty of these districts comes from their unspoiled nature and traditional villages, with attractions including wild orchid fields, traditional markets, handicrafts, Senipung Hill, Crocker Range Park, Garama Wetland, Maga Waterfall, Rafflesia Information Center, Sabah Tea Garden and others.
The southeast part of Sabah is part of the Tawau Division, with the main towns of Tawau, Lehad Datu, Kunak, Semporna, as well as the islands of Pulau Sipadan, Pulau Ligitan and the northern half of Pulau Sebatik. The main attractions of this division are natural, including parks and exotic locations, such as the diving heaven of Sipadan Island, Balung River, the water villages of Mabul Island, Pom Pom Island, Bukit Gemok forest, Danum Valley conservations area, the wonderful nature of Maliau Basin, Kapalai Island, Madai – Baturong Forest Reserve, Mataking Island and many others.
The last and the largest part of Sabah is occupied by the Sandakan Division, with the districts and main towns of Sandakan, Kinabatangan and Beluran. An extremely diverse area, there are plenty of things to do and see in Sandakan, beginning with the city, the second biggest of Sabah and a major destination, with a range of adventures leaving from here. The Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre is one of the most famous, but tourists can also reach the Turtle Islands Park, Rainforest Discovery Centre, Kinabatangan River, Gomatong Caves, Sandakan Heritage Trail, the Crocodile Farm, Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary and many other eco-tourism destinations. All of these, as well as the friendly and warm nature of the people, the delicious and exotic cuisine and many others, are perfect reasons to visit Sabah.
