ABOUT SABAH, MALAYSIAN BORNEO

Sabah sits at the tip of Borneo, the world’s third largest island (view map). Its coastline of 1,440 km (900 miles), washed by the South China Sea on the West and the Sulu Sea and Celebes Sea on the East, encloses an inland area of 74,500 sq km (29,399 sq. miles).

Lying just north of the equator, Sabah enjoys a sunny tropical climate where it’s summer all year round. Daily temperatures range from 74 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit (23 to 33 degrees Centigrade), with cooler weather up in the mountains.

Sabah is also known by the famed romantic name of “The Land Below The Wind”.
Kota Kinabalu, the state capital, is the modern gateway to the rest of Sabah. Direct flights between Kota Kinabalu (KK) and the regional capitals of Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Tokyo, Seoul, Taipai, Kaoshiumg, Hong Kong, Brunei, Manila and Cebu, make Sabah easily accessible to travelers everywhere.

Sabah presents the traveler with the highest challenge in Borneo – Mount Kinabalu, rising majestically into the sky at 4,095.2 m (13,432.26 ft.). Mount Kinabalu is the main attraction in Kinabalu Park, which is less than 2 hours’ drive from Kota Kinabalu.

The rain forests in Sabah are some of the oldest in the world. Jungle trekking here is an opportunity of a lifetime to marvel at rare flora and fauna. But the star of the rainforest here is undoubtedly the orang utan, also known as the “wild man of Borneo” . You will find them swinging through the forest in Sepilok, the world’s largest orang utan sanctuary.

Sepilok is only 15 minutes’ drive from the east coast town of Sandakan. In this sanctuary, orang utans that have been abandoned by their mothers, or were formerly in captivity, are rehabilitated until fit enough to be returned to the wild.

Climate:
Equatorial/Tropical

Average Temperatures:
Lowlands – 32 degrees Centigrade
Highlands – 21 degrees Centigrade

Currency:
Malaysian Ringgit (RM) Travellers checks and foreign currencies can be changed for Malaysian Ringgit at banks and hotels. Most charge a nominal fee for currency conversion.

Major Credit and Charge Cards:
VISA, MasterCard, American Express, Diners Club

Language:
Bhasa Malaysia is the national language. English is widely spoken

Electricity:
240 volts AC/50-Cycle System

Local Time:
Standard Malaysian Time is 8 hours ahead of GMT.

Entry Requirements:
• A valid passport (and visa wherever applicable is required) Click here to view the Malaysia FAQ for entry requirements

For more information on Sabah visit the following web sites:

Ministry of Tourism, Environment, Science, and Technology
http://www.sabah.gov.my/mocet/

Sabah Tourism Promotion Corporation
http://www.sabahtourism.com/

Sabah Travel Guide
http://www.sabahtravelguide.com