Have you covered all the islands in Sabah? Looking for alternative places to visit besides the crystal clear, picturesque islands?
Here are some alternative nature attractions that might intrigue you.
Turtle Island Park
Photo Credits to all photo owners
Turtle Islands Park is located within the Turtle Islands, which lie in the Sulu Sea some 3 kilometres north of Sandakan in Sabah, Malaysia. It consists of 3 islands – Selingaan, Little Bakkungan and Gulisaan, including the surrounding coral reefs and ocean. Turtle Island park is safe haven for the endangered green and hawksbill turtles. The park gives a limited number of visitors the rare opportunity to watch turtle landings.
Rating: 4.5/5
Location: 6, Jalan Utara, Bandar Tyng, 90000 Sandakan, Sabah
Contact no: 089-212 711
Gomantong Cave Sandakan
Photo Credits to all photo owners
Gomantong Caves (Gua Gomantong) is the largest cave and the most important source of edible birds’ nest in Sabah. The cave is located in 3,297-Hectares Gomantong Forest Reserve of Kinabatangan district, about 85 KM away from Sandakan city. In fact, Gomantong Caves is a limestone cave system consists of 9 caves, and the two largest caves are Simud Putih (White Cave) and Simud Hitam (Black Cave).
Rating: 4.3/5
Location: Gomantong Hill, Sandakan Malaysia
Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre
Photo Credits to all photo owners
The Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre was set up in 1964 and is the best known of the four orang utan rehabilitation centres in the world. The centre covers 43 square kilometers within the 4,500 hectare Kabili-Sepilok Forest Reserve and is located approximately 25 km form Sandakan.
Sepilok is a sanctuary for injured, orphaned or rescued orang utans who are trained how to survive in the forest; a learning process that can take years. Upon graduation rehabilitated orang utan are released into the surrounding forest. Many of the orang utan living in the forest return to the centre at the twice daily feeding times, giving visitors a unique chance to get close to orang utan. Since opening Sepilok has successfully released over one hundred orang utan into their natural forest habitat.
Rating: 4.5/5
Location: Sabah Wildlife Department, W.D.T. 200, Sandakan, Jalan Sepilok, Sepilok, 90000 Sandakan, Sabah
Contact No: 089-633 587
Poring Hot Spring and Nature Reserve
Photo Credits to all photo owners
Poring Hot Spring and Nature Reserve which houses both open-air and private cabin baths whose water contains sulphur that is known for its skin-curative properties. The natural hot spring is perfect to soothe tired and aching muscles after the long climb up to Mount Kinabalu. Poring Hot Spring is Situated approximately 40 kilometres from Kinabalu Park, 400 metres above sea level in a lowland forest with large rainforest trees.
Rating: 4.1/5
Location: 89300 Ranau, Sabah
Sandakan RainForest Discovery Centre
Photo Credits to all photo owners
Situated 23 kilometres from Sandakan Town and not too far from the Sepilok Rehabilitation Centre, the Rainforest Discovery Centre’s main highlights are its exhibition halls, the Plant Discovery Garden, the Kapili-Sepilok Forest Reserve, environmental education programmes and a small lake for boat rides.
The Rainforest Discovery Centre’s also gives visitors a chance to get intimate with nature through its Nature Experience programme which includes a guided walk to the Plant Discovery Garden, Rainforest Walk and indoor/outdoor activities.
RDC is also the usual venue for the annual Borneo Bird Festival which attracts the participation of birding enthusiasts from all over the world. If you are lucky, you can spot the endemic Bornean Bristlehead and, in the evenings, catch sight of the red giant flying squirrel leaping from one tree to another.
Rating: 4.4/5
Location: Rd 90000 Sandakan Sabah
Lok Kawi Wildlife Park, Kota Kinabalu
Photo Credits to all photo owners
Lok Kawi Wildlife Park in Malaysia is quite popular among nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts. Spread over 280 acres of land, the park is divided into two sections, the botanical and zoological side. It is run by the Sabah Wildlife Department under the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment.
The park is mainly family oriented and is also well-liked as a children’s zoo. The residents of the zoo include the Borneo Pygmy elephants, Orang Utan, Malayan Tiger, Sumatran Rhinoceros, Proboscis monkey, as well as a few species of Deer.
The botanical side of the park allows the visitors to go on leisurely strolls and jungle trekking along the trail. The well maintained and paved botanical trail runs for approximately 1.4 kilometres and the entire botanical component is spread over 200 acres of the area.
Rating: 4/5
Location: Lok kawi Putatan, 88200 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
Sabah Agriculture Park
Photo Credits to all photo owners
The Sabah Agriculture Park (Taman Pertanian Sabah) is situated on a 200 hectare site and was developed and maintained by the Agriculture Department. The park offers visitors both recreational and educational activities. The 1,500 acre Sabah Agriculture Park in Tenom got amazing collection of plant, flowers and fruits from all over the world as it is one of the best parks in Asia.
Rating: 4.5/5
Location: W.D.T No. 28, Taman Pertanian Sabah, Sabah, 89909 Tenom
Information Center Gemok Hill Forest Reserve
Photo Credits to all photo owners
This forest resort was developed in the early 1990’s, basic facilities such as rest tents, washrooms and trails have been installed. These facilities will be increased and maintained to cater for the needs of visitors. The trails cover the perimeter and peak of the hill. They also allow for activities like jogging and the appreciation of the resort’s natural beauty.
The natural forests in Gemok Hill are protected. Various commercial timbers can be found here. Wild plants such as the forest orchid can also be seen. On top of Gemok Hill, one can see the panoramic beauty of the city of Tawau. Besides offering Gemok Hill climbing as one of many sports activities, the breeze and the sacredness of this forest resort can sooth the mind of any visitor.
Rating: 3.9/5
Location: Jalan Merotai – Tawau, 91000 Tawau, Sabah
Disclaimer :
Malaysia Welcomes You team strives on to deliver the best and latest information for the benefit of other valued travelers together with all our tourism stakeholder friends. All information are subject to change/outdated with or without notice. Highly APPRECIATE if any latest updates from all concerned Malaysians to make Malaysia as the most Attractive and Peaceful Multi-cultural Nation in the world for all our valued guests to visit. Do update us at info@malaysiawelcomesyou.com. Have a nice day.