Sabah

Sabah is the Malaysian state on northern Borneo — one place where you get a 4,095 m mountain, coral islands and orangutan rainforest. It suits nature-first travellers on a 5-7 day leg, usually based in Kota Kinabalu. February to April is driest.

• Kinabalu Park — walk the botanical trails under Mount Kinabalu (UNESCO); foreigner entry is around RM50 ($12)
• Island-hop the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park off Kota Kinabalu
• See orangutans and sun bears at Sepilok, near Sandakan
• Wildlife river cruise on the Kinabatangan — pygmy elephants and proboscis monkeys
• Dive or snorkel the Semporna islands (Sipadan permits are limited; book far ahead)

Fly into Kota Kinabalu — about 2.5 hours from Kuala Lumpur, with direct flights from Singapore, Hong Kong and other Asian hubs too. Sabah controls its own immigration, so expect a passport check on arrival even on domestic flights from Peninsular Malaysia.

Sabah works best as the second leg of a Malaysia trip: a few days in KL or Penang first, then 5-7 days here. Combining it with Sarawak — orangutans at Semenggoh, the Mulu caves — makes a full two-week Borneo route. See the Malaysia guide for route ideas.