Sabah is situated on the northern portion of the island of Borneo (which as a whole is the third largest island in the world!). The second largest state in Malaysia, Sabah borders Sarawak on its southwest and shares a border with the province of East Kalimantan of Indonesia in the south.
The name Sabah means "the land below the wind", which comes from its location just south of the typhoon-prone Palawan region of the Philippines.
Due to its proximity to Borneo, the southern part of Palawan came under the rule of the Sultan of Borneo, who later ceded it to Spain. The northeastern part of the territory was granted to the Sultanate of Sulu as a prize for helping Brunei against its enemies. The territory was then leased to Sabah, which continued until the independence and formation of the Malaysian federation in 1963 together with Singapore, Sarawak and the states of Malaysia.
Although it is recognized as a Malaysian state, Sabah till today remains a disputed territory with the Philippines having a dormant claim over much of the eastern part of this territory. Click or drag the map below to explore the geography of Sabah!
Sabah shares the island of Borneo with Brunei and Indonesia. The Indonesian occupied Borneo is referred to as Kalimantan while the Malaysian region of the island is referred to as East Malaysia or Malaysian Borneo.
The state experienced much intermingling of cultures and people due to its various shifts of power and its location. Sabah has currently 32 officially recognized ethnic groups. Unlike the rest of Malaysia, highly populous Sabah has a very small population of Indians and South Asians. The Sabahans, as they are known, are largely comprised of the Kadazan-Dusun, the Bajau and the Murut people.
Sabah is a unique and diverse world of culture and tradition blessed with the splendour of nature. The Sabah experience is too large to be completed in one trip. This pearl of the South China Sea has many sandy beaches with crystal clear tropical waters, lush tropical rain forests, mountains, cultural diversity, delicious cuisine, snorkelling and breath taking dive spots. In fact it is popular with backpackers who love to get lost in this magical world.
Sabah also has one of the world’s top dive spots, Sipadan Island, along its coast. Sipadan is home to one of the richest marine habitats in the world with more than 3,000 species of fish and hundreds of coral species. It truly is a diver’s paradise.
The capital of Sabah is Kota Kinabalu. Situated off the South China Sea, the city is a growing resort destination with magnificent tropical islands like Pulua Gaya, Pulau Sapi, Pulau Manukan, Pulau Sulug and Pulau Mamutik, just a boat ride away. The clear emerald waters of these islands are perfect dive spots for beginners with magnificent varieties of fishes and coral reefs and lowland rainforest with a unique flora and fauna including medicinal plants.
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Kota Kinabalu international airport is the second business airport in Malaysia, along with the nation’s capital Kuala Lumpur. The airport is a gateway to all that Sabah has to offer. Everything else in Sabah is a drive or a boat ride away from Kota Kinabalu.
The city itself has a lot to offer. A small town south of the city, Lok Kawi, is a conservatory for orang-utans, Proboscis monkeys, gibbons, a Sumatran rhinoceros, some tigers, local deer, various birds, elephants, and other animals. This is about as close as you can get to the jungle without leaving the vicinity of Kota Kinabalu.
Another unique eco-tourism destination a 2-hour drive away from Kota Kinabalu is Kuala Penyu. Sit back and enjoy a leisurely boat ride along the tranquil Garama River lined with mangroves, palms, scrubs and secondary forests. This area is home to the pot bellied and curious looking Proboscis monkey, and other species like the rare silver Leaf monkey, macaques, flying foxes, birds and water buffalos. Some of these animals are unique to the island of Borneo.
A trip to Sabah and Kota Kinabalu is incomplete without a trek up Mount Kinabalu, standing tall at over 4000 metres above sea level. Climbing the Kinabalu Mountain gives an insight on the beliefs and traditions of the Sabahans and a bird’s eye view of the splendour of Sabah. The mountain holds a lot of spiritual meaning to the Kadazan Dusan, who believe that the spirits of their ancestors rest atop the mountains. Kinabalu is “Aki Nabalu” which means “The revered place of the dead” in their native language. The capital city gets its name from the mountain. It was formerly called Jesselton.
Even if trekking up the mountain is not part of the plan, a trip to the Kinabalu Park around the mountain is worth a visit. Kinabalu Park, Malaysia’s first World heritage site is also just another 2-hour drive away from Kota Kinabalu. The park is a botanical wonder world with over 800 species of orchids and 600 species of ferns - most of which cannot be found anywhere else in the world.
After a taste of nature it is time to taste Sabahan hospitality and their delicious cuisine. Also try shopping for the best bargains money can buy at Kota Kinabalu's Sunday Market!
From eco treasures high up in the mountains, to marine treasures deep down in the sea and a paradise in between. Sabah is a holiday spot in a league of its own!
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