Kota Kinabalu Travel Guide

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Whether you’re wanting to scuba dive in pristine coral reef, trek Malaysia’s highest mountain or simply relax on the beach of a stylish resort, Kota Kinabalu seems to have something for everyone. The busy CBD and waterfront are compact enough to easily explore, and visitors can delight in the city’s emerging music scene and diverse culinary options.

14 days

The best of Sarawak

Orangutans, rainforests and beaches

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Kota Kinabalu Tours

Off The Beaten Track in Borneo

Kota Kinabalu, Sepilok and the Kinabatangan River

15 daysFrom £3,000

	Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary, Kota Kinabalu, Kinabatangan Wildlife Reserve, Danum Valley
	Custom itinerary, Private guided tour
	Family, Adventure, Caving, Hiking & Trekking, Active, Walking, Camping, Nature & Wildlife, Photography, National Parks, Culture, Indigenous Tourism

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Destinations	Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary, Kota Kinabalu, Kinabatangan Wildlife Reserve, Danum Valley
Activity	Family, Adventure, Caving, Hiking & Trekking, Active, Walking, Camping, Nature & Wildlife, Photography, National Parks, Culture, Indigenous Tourism
Tour Type	Custom itinerary, Private guided tour
Physical Level	Mild

Starting in Kota Kinabalu, travel deep into one of the most remote parts of Sabah state by 4-wheel drive and boat. You’ll travel through the homeland of the Murat people towards Batu Punggul, an 800 ft forest-clad limestone pinnacle and explore caves via underground streams, sleeping under the stars in a comfortable hammock camp.

Spend the night in a longhouse in Batu Punggal and enjoy an evening of Murut hospitality before a morning of light trekking and swimming in local waterfalls.

Travel onto Kabili-Sepilok Forest, renowned for its orchids, ancient trees, its orangutans. Visit the Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary before travelling along the Lower Kinabatangan River passing mangroves, wetlands and lush rainforests, with plenty of opportunities for wildlife spotting.

Travel onward to Danum Valley Conservation Area where you’ll enjoy trekking, night drives and night walks and one of the best wildlife viewing experiences in Borneo. Keep watch for wild orangutan, slow loris, gibbons, red leaf langurs, western tarsiers, flying squirrels and maybe even the elusive clouded leopard.

After an early morning transfer and quick flight back to Kota Kinabalu, you’ll head towards the sleepy beaches of Kudat. Relax and rejuvenate on the sleepy beaches of Kudat for a few days before your flight back to the UK.

	Accommodation	All nights in hand-chosen hotels and carefully selected guesthouses. All hotels can be adjusted according to budget and preference.
	Guided excursions	Expert, English-speaking guides and fully escorted tours in every destination.
	International flights	International flights are included in the price (can be removed if required).
	Insurance	Full financial protection (full ABTA and ATOL bonding).
	Ground transfers	All airport collections, hotel transfers and other ground transfers.

Beach and Wildlife

Explore Borneo's national parks and beaches

14 daysFrom £3,000

	Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary, Kota Kinabalu, Kuching, Bako National Park, Kinabatangan Wildlife Reserve, Mulu National Park, Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park
	Custom itinerary, Private guided tour
	Luxury, Beach, Family, Adventure, Caving, Hiking & Trekking, Active, Walking, Camping, Nature & Wildlife, Photography, Birdwatching, National Parks

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Destinations	Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary, Kota Kinabalu, Kuching, Bako National Park, Kinabatangan Wildlife Reserve, Mulu National Park, Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park
Activity	Luxury, Beach, Family, Adventure, Caving, Hiking & Trekking, Active, Walking, Camping, Nature & Wildlife, Photography, Birdwatching, National Parks
Tour Type	Custom itinerary, Private guided tour
Physical Level	Mild

Starting in Kuching, take a guided stroll or cycle to discover the city and its surrounds, learning about Kuching’s history and experience the delicious and varied local food along the way.

Travel by boat to Bako National Park, a pristine rainforest with wildlife, diverse plant life, waterfalls, beaches, rock formations and hiking trails. Visit the Kuching Wetlands, home to a variety of birds, fish and crocodile.

A short morning flight takes you directly from Kuching to Mulu, where you visit the treetop tower for views across the national park, take a stroll along the boardwalk to see waterfalls or follow a short heritage trail.

Explore the magnificent stalactites and stalagmites at Lang Cave before proceeding to Deer Cave and see the colony of free-tailed bats that inhabit the cave. Take a night trek through the jungle to the park headquarters; keep a lookout for nocturnal animals and the flash of fireflies.

Wake up to the sounds of the jungle before taking a short longboat ride to experience Wind Cave and Clearwater Cave. These form part of the Sarawak Chamber - the most extensive connected cave system in the world.

Fly to Kota Kinabalu and choose from a range of activities such as a day trip to Mount Kinabalu National Park or a cycle tour weaving through the countryside around the Kiulu River via a network of rope bridges and easy road trails.

Onto Sandakan where you'll explore the Kinabatangan River with your expert nature guide. The surrounding rainforest is alive with monkey and bird species that the guide will point out during your stay. Whether it's during nocturnal treks, from the comfort of your hotel deck or while cruising to Pitas Oxbow Lake. You're likely to see proboscis monkeys, orangutans and pygmy elephants during your stay here.

Head onto Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park where you'll check-in at Gaya Island Resort where you'll spend the rest of your holiday at leisure, enjoying the beautiful beaches and reflecting on your adventure.

	Accommodation	All nights in hand-chosen hotels and carefully selected guesthouses. All hotels can be adjusted according to budget and preference.
	Guided excursions	Expert, English-speaking guides and fully escorted tours in every destination.
	International flights	International flights are included in the price (can be removed if required).
	Insurance	Full financial protection (full ABTA and ATOL bonding).
	Ground transfers	All airport collections, hotel transfers and other ground transfers.

Luxury, Adventure & Boutique Beach

Explore Borneo's beaches and cities

15 daysFrom £3,000

	Borneo, Malaysia
	Custom itinerary, Private guided tour
	Luxury, Beach, Adventure, Caving, Water Sports, Kayaking, Canoeing, Active, Walking, Snorkelling, Swimming, Nature & Wildlife, Photography, Birdwatching, National Parks, Culture, Cities, Museums & Galleries

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Destinations	Borneo, Malaysia
Activity	Luxury, Beach, Adventure, Caving, Water Sports, Kayaking, Canoeing, Active, Walking, Snorkelling, Swimming, Nature & Wildlife, Photography, Birdwatching, National Parks, Culture, Cities, Museums & Galleries
Tour Type	Custom itinerary, Private guided tour
Physical Level	Easy

Starting your trip in Kuala Lumpur, you can explore China Town, the Jamek Mosque and Sri Maha Mariamman Hindu Temple before heading on to Borneo.

Drift down the Kinabatangan River searching for some of Asia’s best wildlife: wild orangutan, red and silver leaf monkeys and pygmy elephants and get a bird’s eye view of Danum Valley, spotting birds and gibbons.

Explore the countryside around Kota Kinabalu by bike and wonder at the rolling hills, lush forests and small villages before unwinding at Japamala and spending time snorkelling, in the spa or simply reading a book under the shade of the palm trees.

	Accommodation	All nights in hand-chosen hotels and carefully selected guesthouses. All hotels can be adjusted according to budget and preference.
	Guided excursions	Expert, English-speaking guides and fully escorted tours in every destination.
	International flights	International flights are included in the price (can be removed if required).
	Insurance	Full financial protection (full ABTA and ATOL bonding).
	Ground transfers	All airport collections, hotel transfers and other ground transfers.

Borneo Trek and Climb

Climb Mount Kinabalu and experience Borneo's wildlife and culture

16 daysFrom £3,000

	Kota Kinabalu, Kuching, Mulu National Park
	Custom itinerary, Private guided tour
	Beach, Adventure, Climbing, Hiking & Trekking, Water Sports, Kayaking, Active, Walking, Snorkelling, Swimming, Nature & Wildlife, Photography, Birdwatching, National Parks, Culture, Indigenous Tourism

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Destinations	Kota Kinabalu, Kuching, Mulu National Park
Activity	Beach, Adventure, Climbing, Hiking & Trekking, Water Sports, Kayaking, Active, Walking, Snorkelling, Swimming, Nature & Wildlife, Photography, Birdwatching, National Parks, Culture, Indigenous Tourism
Tour Type	Custom itinerary, Private guided tour
Physical Level	Moderate

Get an authentic feel for the depth and variety of Borneo's wildlife, village life, culture and tradition on this 16 day adventure.

Starting in Mulu National Park exploring the "Headhunters Trail," explore the magnificent cave chambers and climb Mt Api to view the Pinnacles in Mulu National Park visiting the indigenous tribes to stay in their traditional longhouse.

Trek the trail taken historically by the Kayan "headhunters" and discover World Heritage Kinabalu Park, a flora enthusiast’s dream before you make the 4,098 meter climb to the summit of Mount Kinabalu.

Finally, celebrate your achievements with three days of relaxation at Pantai Dalit Beach before heading home.

	Accommodation	All nights in hand-chosen hotels and carefully selected guesthouses. All hotels can be adjusted according to budget and preference.
	Guided excursions	Expert, English-speaking guides and fully escorted tours in every destination.
	International flights	International flights are included in the price (can be removed if required).
	Insurance	Full financial protection (full ABTA and ATOL bonding).
	Ground transfers	All airport collections, hotel transfers and other ground transfers.

In-Depth Borneo Adventure

Explore Borneo's jungles and beaches

18 daysFrom £3,000

	Kota Kinabalu, Kuching, Bako National Park, Danum Valley, Mulu National Park, Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park
	Custom itinerary, Private guided tour
	Luxury, Beach, Family, Adventure, Caving, Climbing, Hiking & Trekking, Active, Walking, Snorkelling, Swimming, Nature & Wildlife, Photography, Birdwatching, National Parks

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Destinations	Kota Kinabalu, Kuching, Bako National Park, Danum Valley, Mulu National Park, Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park
Activity	Luxury, Beach, Family, Adventure, Caving, Climbing, Hiking & Trekking, Active, Walking, Snorkelling, Swimming, Nature & Wildlife, Photography, Birdwatching, National Parks
Tour Type	Custom itinerary, Private guided tour
Physical Level	Mild

This holiday takes in some unique off-the-beaten-track jungle expeditions as well as plenty of time on to relax on glorious tropical beaches.

Follow a historic trail used by tribal hunters over water crossings and through forests on the Pinnacles trek. Marvel at some of the most extensive and most dramatic cave passages in the world and explore Danum Valley, keeping watch for orangutans, gibbons, slow loris and many more in the awe-inspiring rainforest.

Finally, snorkel in the crystal-clear waters of Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park.

	Accommodation	All nights in hand-chosen hotels and carefully selected guesthouses. All hotels can be adjusted according to budget and preference.
	Guided excursions	Expert, English-speaking guides and fully escorted tours in every destination.
	International flights	International flights are included in the price (can be removed if required).
	Insurance	Full financial protection (full ABTA and ATOL bonding).
	Ground transfers	All airport collections, hotel transfers and other ground transfers.

Malaysia's Wildlife and Nature Encompassed

Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu and Gaya Island

20 daysFrom £3,000

	Borneo, Malaysia
	Custom itinerary, Private guided tour
	Beach, Adventure, Caving, Hiking & Trekking, Water Sports, Kayaking, Active, Walking, Snorkelling, Swimming, Nature & Wildlife, Photography, Birdwatching, National Parks, Culture, Cities

Read more Visit site

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Destinations	Borneo, Malaysia
Activity	Beach, Adventure, Caving, Hiking & Trekking, Water Sports, Kayaking, Active, Walking, Snorkelling, Swimming, Nature & Wildlife, Photography, Birdwatching, National Parks, Culture, Cities
Tour Type	Custom itinerary, Private guided tour
Physical Level	Mild

Malaysia is a land of extreme beauty and dramatic contrasts, full of natural wonders and wildlife. This itinerary is a medley of Malaysia’s most striking natural surroundings, both inland and on the water taking you to some extraordinary places that not all tourists get to see.

Start in Kuala Lumpur where you can visit highlights like the Batu Caves and the Petronas Towers before heading deep into the jungle to greet its colourful inhabitants and nocturnal creatures in Taman Negara. Head to the east coast where you can visit a turtle sanctuary and enjoy white sand beaches at Tanjong Jara.

Fly onto Kota Kinabalu, Borneo and enjoy getting up close and personal with Borneo’s orangutans, pygmy elephants and primates before finishing your trip snorkelling, swimming and spa-ing to your heart’s content on Gaya Island.

	Accommodation	All nights in hand-chosen hotels and carefully selected guesthouses. All hotels can be adjusted according to budget and preference.
	Guided excursions	Expert, English-speaking guides and fully escorted tours in every destination.
	International flights	International flights are included in the price (can be removed if required).
	Insurance	Full financial protection (full ABTA and ATOL bonding).
	Ground transfers	All airport collections, hotel transfers and other ground transfers.