The Secrets of Sabah

The lush green Malay state of Sabah located on the Northern tip of Borneo is a nature lovers’ paradise.  Known as the land below the wind, the state is home to the highest peak in South East Asia, Mt. Kinabalu. 

The Sipadan Islands and Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park which offer some of the best dive sites in the World, are renowned for their clarity and abundant underwater life.  Hidden deep inside Sabah’s prominent tropical rainforest is another natural wonder, the Rafflesia, the World’s largest flower.  With over 30 different ethnic groups, a few of which still reside in Longhouses in the jungle, Sabah is brimming with culture and heritage.

Kota Kinabalu, the bustling state capital is a two and half hour flight from Kuala Lumpur and is an exciting mix of old and new.  Close to the South China Sea, the city is only a twenty minute speed boat ride to the magnificent Tunku Abdul Marine Park and therefore an excellent base for scuba divers.

Just outside of Kota Kinabalu is the North Borneo Railway, this steam train adventure runs from Tanjung Aru Station to the town of Papar, passing many places of interest such as Putatan Water Village, where the native houses are built on stilts and Tien Shi Temple at Kinarut. The journey gives picture postcard views of buffalos wallowing in mud pools, palm plantations, mangrove swamps and paddy fields

Sutera Harbour Resort

Five minutes from the centre of Kota Kinabalu is the elegant 5* Sutera Harbour Resort, the 384 acre resort overlooks the South China Sea and beautiful tropical islands on the horizon, in turn its watched by the magnificent Mt. Kinabalu. Comprised of two hotels the Pacific Wing and the Magellan Wing, guests are indulged with full access to the facilities of each of these 5* hotels.

Traditional ethnic longhouses have inspired the architecture of the Magellan Wing.   Deluxe garden view rooms have private balcony, bathroom with separate shower, satellite television with in house movies, tea and coffee making facilities, mini bar, and in room safe. The superb Sutera Harbour Marina, Golf and Country Club has a championship standard course with 27 holes, surrounded by lush gardens and overlooked by Mt. Kinabalu.

At the opulent Mandara Spa nature’s fresh and finest ingredients are used to provide the ultimate in massage, facial treatments and reflexology. The resort has a number of tennis, badminton and squash courts, a well equipped fitness centre, ten-pin bowling and five swimming pools.

There are two beaches, the main beach in front of the Magellan Wing and the smaller by the Pacific Wing.  A variety of motorised and non motorised watersports are available from the Marina.  There is also a regular ferry service to some idyllic outlying islands with fantastic beaches and crystal clear waters.

There is a huge array of restaurants serving sumptuous international cuisine, ranging from Chinese, Malay, Italian, Mediterranean, Korean and Western. 

Turtle Island & Orang Utan Encounter

Turtle Islands Park is comprised of three islands located 40km north of Sandakan on the East Coast of Sabah, they are renowned for the thousands of greenand hawksbill turtles that swim ashore and nest particularly between July and October.  Selingan is the second largest of the islands and is most popular with green turtles, Gulisan Island is in turn favoured by the hawksbill turtles.

Twenty minutes from Sandakan is the world’s largest Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centres, Sepilok Orang Utan Sanctuary.  Spread over 4,500 hectares of virgin jungle it is home to orang utans that have been abandoned by their mothers or rescued from captivity.  Many of the older female orang utans have become used to human contact and are not willing to go back into the wild, this has become a great opportunity for visitors to come in to close contact with these endangered animals.

The Turtle Island & Orang Utan Ecounter allows you to experience both unique sites. There is an early morning transfer from the Sutera Habour Resort to Kota Kinabalu Airport for your flight to Sandakan.  On arrival there is a one and a half hour boat transfer to beautiful Selingan Island.  The rest of the day is spent at leisure, after dinner local rangers will advise you of the best time to visit the beach and watch the turtles nest.  Following breakfast you will return to Sandakan by boat and then transfer to the Sepilok Orang Utan Sanctuary for some free time.  After lunch in Sandakan you will then enjoy an afternoon tour of the city before returning to the airport for your return flight to Kota Kinabalu and transfer to the Sutera Harbour Resort.

Mt. Kinabalu Summit Climb

Towering over South East Asia at a height of 4101 metres stands Mt. Kinabalu, the surrounding national park contains one of the richest and most diverse areas of fauna in the world. Witness the wilderness first hand and watch dawn over South East Asia in a 2 day/1 night Mt. Kinabalu Summit Climb.

On day one you are transferred from the Sutera Harbour Resort to the Kinabalu Park Headquarters, here you will register for your fantastic summit climb.  Accompanied throughout by a guide you will begin your ascent, spending the night at the Laban Rata Rest House.  On day 2, rise early and at 3 am start your climb to the summit of Mt. Kinabalu to witness the sunrise.  After your descent to the base of this magnificent mountain you will enjoy lunch at a local restaurant and then be transferred to the Sutera Harbour Resort. Fly with Malaysia Airlines via Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu.  Stay for 10 nights at the Sutera Harbour Resort and also enjoy the Turtle Island & Orang Utan Encounter and Mt. Kinabalu Summit Climb.

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