The Poring hot springs are open daily from 8am 3pm. The Malaysian Ringgit (RM) is the national currency in Malaysia and Sabah. Here you can easily seeproboscis monkeys, orangutans, pygmy elephants, crocodiles, snakes, exotic birds, and many more in just a couple of days. Order a GRAB cab and, with a tear, leave Big Fin Divers on the mainland bound boat. Kota Kinabalu, previously . Planning to travel to South Korea? Many visitors make a bee line for Poring Hot Springs on their Borneo itinerary. The mighty Kinabatangan river as seen from above flying into Sandakan. This 2 week Borneo itinerary can easily be turned into a 3 week trip by adding Danum Valley and a Sipidan diving trip. The Best Beaches in Sabah at the Tip of Borneo, 5. Please give me feedback if you book online and let me know if you encounter any problems. Spend the rest of your day back at Manukan Island. We've compiled a list of best things to do when in Sabah for you to add onto your trip itinerary! Continue with Recommended Cookies. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. We spent a week in Sukau volunteering as a family re-planting the rainforest it was fantastic experience allowing us to immerse ourselves in the community with our guide taking us on countless wildlife boat tours along the river not only to access our daily rainforest planting sites, but also to monitor the wildlife. Depart to Semporna Jetty and. Sepilok has a wooden platform that leads through the jungle. Staying home doesn't have to be boring. The journey from Kota Kinabalu to Kundasang is likely to take around 2 or 3 hours by road. Read more: The Ultimate Packing List for Borneo. Sabah is perfect as part of a bigger Malaysia trip or for a Borneo wildlife holiday! A sample 2-week itinerary through Sabah - Travelfish Hiking Mount Kinabalu 4. You may need to arrange your final return boat time when you book your tickets. Mount Kinabalu is the tallest mountain in Malaysia and one of the highest in Southeast Asia. Visit the Tawau Hills Park. High-End Stay:Sepilok Forest Edge Resortis located next to the sanctuaries and has chalets starting from 290 RM ($70 USD). Most of Sabah is rainforest, so it is possible for rain at any time of the year. There are a few resorts located downriver that are more remote. We have tried to include a bit of everything. We preferred a smaller more private beach and tent camping at the Secret Place. Alternatively, you can travel overland back to Kota Kinabalu or Sandakan. Local taxi drivers will know the current whereabouts of a flowering rafflesia. Seeing the sights of Sandakan from above! Itinerary Highlight: The tour is a 5 day 4 night journey of amazement to the heart of the beautiful Sabah state - its capital, Kota Kinabalu. We didnt do any hikes direct from Paganakan Tropical Retreat as we were heading straight onto the Kinabatangan so it was just an overnight stop for us, but thats not to say there arent any. OR if you have more room in your budget, check out the Horizon Hotel great location and awesome Asian vibes. What do you need to prepare for an island hopping trip? Check out our recommendations on the ultimate packing list for Borneo, or read about our experiencefamily volunteering in the Kinabatangan, and tips on climbing Mount Kinabalu to get started with your planning today! There are very few places in the world to see these creatures in the wild. Family volunteering re-planting the rainforest in Sakau, Kinabatangan River. Travel Guide to Sabah, Borneo: Top Places & Itineraries If climbing Mt Kinabalu isnt your thing or you couldnt get a permit, its still worth putting Kinabalu National Park on your Sabah itinerary as there are many other trails around the base which showcase some of the best primary rainforest in the world which you can discover on numerous base camp trails, many of which are easy and short enough for young kids to enjoy. Sepilok has two daily feeding times and the orangutans gather at the feeding platform during these times. The best prices typically were onBooking.com. 1. Mount Kinabalu is quoted to be the easiest 4,000m peak in the world. This is a great budget option with private rooms. We took a private taxi (100RM) from Kinabalu National Park to Poring to spot one. B L D. After breakfast, take an easy 2-hour scenic drive from Kota Kinabalu to south-east of Sabah to the Malaysia's first World Heritage Site of Mount Kinabalu which designated by UNESCO in December 2000. Check Skyscanner for epic deals to and from Sabah and internal flights within Sabah and Malaysia. As of April 2022, the Ringgit is worth: Sabah is not as conservative as West Malaysia, such as the Kuala Lumpur area. Settle into your Kinabalu National Park accommodation to acclimatise for the big climb tomorrow. A dive at Sipidan, undoubtedly on every divers bucket list, will blow your budget to pieces. For budget travellers, Osmans homestay comes recommended (Osman is an excellent guide & theyll happily put an extra bed in the room for kids for an extra 50RM (2-11) or 100RM for 12+). If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. They were excellent, very friendly and great with kids. Any suggestions of itineraries, family-friendly accommodation and tips for avoiding leeches would be gratefully received. We love travelling in SE Asia and are interested in a mixture of culture, wildlife, nature, food and fun. Basic private double rooms start from 70 RM ($16 USD) per night. Bag your first 4000m with this challenging but achievable 2 day, 1 night trek. An amazing day trip to the beautiful Bohey Dulang island is definitely worth it. For a night of indulgence choose Sepilok Nature Resort. Many of the dishes in Sabah are heavily influenced by Chinese cuisine. The climb was definitely the hardest (and most expensive!) Streets are littered with trash and an absurd amount of pollution/plastics in the water. Contact 52Hz Dive Shop for island hopping trips in Semporna. There are different rainy seasons for the east and west of Sabah. 5D4N Sabah Itinerary: Discover The Best Of Kota Kinabalu, Kundasang And I saw there is a free shuttle. Spend the day snorkelling the crystal clear waters of the Sulu Sea and learning about Borneos green and hawksbill turtles in the conservation centre. Parasailing, Banana boat and snorkeling. A beach curfew at 6pm signals the start of the evening with the arrival of the first female turtles. Take note of this list of newly announced SOPs. See Tripadvisor's 96,741 traveler reviews and photos of kid friendly Kota Kinabalu attractions 5 days Kota Kinabalu & Kundasang Tour (Suggested Itinerary) The views are incredible and the beaches are some of the best in Sabah. If you are planning to visit Sabah please read this Sabah itinerary carefully. I have a few questions and thank you for letting me pick your brain. Borneo is home to the worlds largest flower, the rafflesia. BUT this island sadly has a lot of rubbish around. You can also subscribe without commenting so you can read replies as they come in. Make sure to negotiate. Whether you plan to come for a family vacation or a backpacking trip, Sabah is a wonderful destination nestled in Southeast Asia. Head to the Semporna Jetty, where you will then take a direct speedboat ride to Bohey Dulang Island. Refer for ideas above. DAY 6 - Kinabatangan. Follow our itinerary and you will save money AND have an amazing trip. Is the JR Pass Still Worth It Even After the Price Increase? Go kayaking in the sea, have a game of beach volleyball with your loved ones or visit the nearest village on the island for a fun fishing experience. The Mari Mari cultural Village displays traditional clothing, art and jungle houses. Take an island hopping day trip from Kota Kinabalu. EXPAND ALL. To get to the canopy walkway just walk to the top of the hot springs and look out for signs. After seeing the orangutans you can also visit the Malaysian Sun Bear conservation project (it is right next to the orangutan sanctuary at Sepilok). Sabah Itinerary 7 Days - Top Things to Do in Sabah - We Seek Travel There is a small Chocolate Museum in Tawau town called the Teck Guan Cocoa Museum. Hop onto your last boat ride as you head back to Semporna Jetty, before driving to Tawau Airport and catching your flight back home. Let me know if I can help you with anything else. We saved a packet by booking last minute, and scored some fantastic digs for both nights. Fab that they are walking distance to the Rehabilitation Centre. 3 Days in Paris: Your itinerary to get the most out of Paris. 3) Day 3 - Still in Kundasang. All with affordable beach cabanas and on the right coast for us to to the Mt Kinabalu climb. My daughter adopted baby Archie and has been thrilled to receive photos and updates of his throughout the year. . She ended up doing 3 dives with easy going Rich who was just the most brilliant instructor for my 10 year old. This day is a lot easier if you have your own vehicle. If you visit at feeding time theres a good chance of seeing around 5 10 orangutans at the feeding platform. G Adventures for a multi-day guided tour. Mabul Island has diving as well, which is subpar relative to Sipadan, but its inexpensive and has tons of massive turtles. In fact, this is the first Heritage Site in Malaysia! Rooms range from 20 30 per night. The vibe here is very inclusive. You can also snatch up some great deals for theSabah Hotel on Booking.com. They have a range of fresh seafood dishes. Mount Kinabalu is a strenuous hike ascending over 2,200 meters (7,300 feet) and was one of our highlights in Sabah. Mid-Range Stay:Borneo Natural Sukau Bilit Resorthas all-inclusive packages for two people at one of their cottages for 1,060 RM ($250 USD/room). If you have time in your Borneo itinerary, consider booking for longer here to partake in additional tours such as a night time boat tour or guided hikes. The only problem with booking so late is that you might not get tickets. Our Sabah itinerary covers the main highlights of Sabah, bar diving at Sipidan Island. In the morning we recommend that you check out of your accommodation, do the epic activities in the morning, and then travel on towards Sandakan in the afternoon. Turtle Island Borneo The Ultimate Guide to BORNEO Diving Kota Kinabalu Big Fin Divers. Gaya street has many bars and Chineseand Malay restaurants. Be prepared for an early start to head over to the Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary. Sabah Trip in the Real Wilderness: Danum Valley (3-5 Days) 3. Spotting the worlds largest flower the rafflesia. Sandakan backpackers can be found on Agoda and booking.com. It only grows in a few locations, however one of the best places in Borneo to see them in bloom is near Poring, a short drive from Kinabalu National Park. In the afternoon head over to Sandakan so you are ready for your adventures on the next day. If you are really looking to splash out consider a stay at the 5 star Le Meridien Hotel. Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings. The rangers are very knowledgeable and releasing the baby turtles and watching them flap their way to the ocean remains indelibly marked on our memories forever a definite highlight of our Borneo itinerary!