Complete Guide to Sabah Borneo: Top Places to Visit

Ultimate Guide to Sabah, Borneo: Top Places & Itineraries

Sabah is one of the most diverse places we have ever visited. It is located in Malaysia, on the northern half of the island of Borneo. We were enticed to go to Sabah to see orangutans and proboscis monkeys in their natural habitat. There are very few places in the world to see these creatures in the wild. 

Orangutans are on the critically endangered list and can only be seen in the wild in Sumatra and Borneo. Reminding me of the creepy dude at the bar, proboscis monkeys are endemic to Borneo. These unique monkeys are so amazing to see in real life. However, due to palm plantation deforestation, they are losing their homes at alarming rates.

Sabah also has so much more to offer. It is teeming with exotic wildlife, beautiful beaches, an epic mountain hike, and world-class scuba diving. Sabah is perfect as part of a bigger Malaysia trip or for a Borneo wildlife holiday! Whether you plan to come for a family vacation or a backpacking trip, Sabah is a wonderful destination nestled in Southeast Asia.

Check out this guide to Sabah as it covers all the best places to visit to help you plan your trip!

Content and photographs provided by Yana Kogan and Timon.

Best Time to Visit Sabah, Borneo

Travel to Sabah: Mount Kinabalu
Walking around the summit of Mount Kinabalu

The best time to visit Sabah is not as cut and dry as most places. There are different rainy seasons for the east and west of Sabah. When one has more rain, the other is drier. Overall though, March through October is the driest part of the year. Most of Sabah is rainforest, so it is possible for rain at any time of the year.


Currency in Sabah, Borneo

The Malaysian Ringgit (RM) is the national currency in Malaysia and Sabah. As of April 2022, the Ringgit is worth:

  • $1 USD = 4.35 RM
  • €1 = 4.60 RM
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Religion and Language in Sabah, Borneo

Visit Sabah: Male Monkey
A male proboscis monkey

Sabah is not as conservative as West Malaysia, such as the Kuala Lumpur area. The majority of people are Muslim, but there are also small pockets of practicing Christians. Malay is the official language of Malaysia. However, English is widely spoken in Kota Kinabalu and the majority of tourism and hospitality businesses around the island.

As always, a few phrases in the native language are good to learn. We found that just saying “thank you” in Malay brings a very friendly response.

  • Hello – Helo
  • Good morning – Selamat pagi
  • Good evening – Selamat petang
  • How are you? – Apa khabar
  • Thank you – Terima kasih
  • I am – Saya
  • Your welcome – Sama-sama

Food in Sabah, Borneo

There are typically three types of food you can find in Sabah – traditional Malay, Indian/Bangladeshi, and Chinese. Many of the dishes in Sabah are heavily influenced by Chinese cuisine. Most of the population and places to visit are on the coast, so seafood is widely available.

Malay food is not the best for vegetarians. However, roti canai, similar to a flaky naan beard, was our lifesaver and so delicious. We ate it every day, typically for breakfast and snacking. Also make sure to try teh tarik, a frothy delicious tea.

Some common dishes in Malaysia with typical prices:

  • Roti canai – traditional bread with dipping sauces 4 RM – 6 RM
  • Telur mata – sunny side eggs 4 RM – 6 RM
  • Telur dadar – omelette 8 RM – 10 RM
  • Thosai – similar to Indian dosa 12 RM
  • Mee goreng – fried noodles 12 RM – 20 RM
  • Nasi goreng – fried rice 12 RM – 20 RM
  • Teh Tarik – Black tea with condensed milk (frothy) – 4 RM – 6 RM
  • Teh “O” – tea with sugar – 4 RM – 6 RM
  • Kopi – coffee 4 RM – 6 RM

A few useful words on food/drinks in Malay

  • Panas / Sejuk – Hot/Cold for drinks
  • Sayur – vegetables
  • Tidak ayam – no chicken

Accommodation in Sabah, Borneo

Sabah Trip: Female Orangutan
A shy female orangutan in Sepilok

The accommodation is expensive relative to the rest of Southeast Asia. Budget hostels and dorms start from 20 RM to 36 RM ($5 – $8 USD) depending on the area. Basic private double rooms start from 70 RM ($16 USD) per night. A budget room in Sabah also typically means really poor standards. Not all hotels charge it, but legally, hotels and guesthouses are required to charge a tourist tax of 10 RM per night.

One thing we noticed was that prices were ALWAYS higher as a walk-in. We would book ahead, or walk in to check out the room, and if we decided to stay, book the room online. The best prices typically were on Booking.com.


Transportation in Sabah, Borneo

Sabah, Borneo Travel Itinerary: Mabul Island
A local fisherman at Mabul Island

Getting to Sabah is best with AirAsia, a budget airline based in Kuala Lumpur. They have cheap flights to Sabah from different airports in Asia. A flight from Kuala Lumpur to Sabah is 120 RM ($30 USD) when booking 4+ weeks in advance.

Bus Transport in Sabah is available between all major cities. Bus departures typically leave from Kota Kinabalu each hour to destinations, such as Sandakan, Semporna, or Tawau. There are several bus companies with similar fares. At the time of writing, the fares were as follows:

  • Kota Kinabalu to Mount Kinabalu 25 RM
  • Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan 45 RM
  • Sandakan to Semporna 45 RM
  • Semporna to Tawau 20 RM

Motorbikes are available for rent in Kota Kinabalu for 45 RM/day.

Car hire companies are located near the airport in Kota Kinabalu. The price for a small car, such as a Viva, is around 100 RM/day, or a larger Toyota SUV for 200 RM/day.

Grab Car is excellent and available in all cities in Sabah. When traveling with multiple people, it is often the same price or cheaper than the bus. For example, a Grab Car from Kota Kinabalu to Mount Kinabalu for 80 RM, or from Semporna to Tawau for 65 RM.

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Top Places to Visit in Sabah, Borneo

1. What to do in Kota Kinabalu

Travel to Sabah: Chili's Night Market
Chili’s at the night market

The main city in Sabah – Kota Kinabalu – is filled with hotels, restaurants, and lively night markets. The Filipino market and night market, both centrally located by the waterfront, have local produce, meat, fish, and freshly prepared dinners. There are local BBQ restaurants that cook fresh seafood. Make sure to negotiate.

Gaya street has many bars and Chinese and Malay restaurants. Definitely stop by Yee Fung Laksa on Gaya Street for the best Laksa in all of Malaysia. For 19RM, you get a steaming hot bowl of the good stuff. Trust us on this one! It is worth a stop outside of town to the Kota Kinabalu City Mosque. The reflection of the mosque on the moat is a really awesome photo opportunity.

High-End Stay: Shangri-La Tanjung Aru Resort is located near the city and with a private beach. Rooms start at 800 RM ($190).


2. The Best Beaches in Sabah at the Tip of Borneo

Sabah, Borneo Travel Itinerary: Tip of Borneo
The tip of Borneo

The Tip of Borneo is a picturesque spot on the northernmost point of Borneo. The rocky shoreline is a perfect backdrop for sunset. Some of the best beaches on mainland Borneo are located just south of the tip. The large Kalampunian Beach has several beach cottages and a few restaurants, although a bit rundown. We preferred a smaller more private beach and tent camping at the Secret Place.

High-End Stay: Kudat Riviera Beach Villas is located at private beaches with three stunning villas to choose from starting at 1380 RM ($330).


3. Hiking Mount Kinabalu 

Sabah Trip: Mount Kinabalu

Mount Kinabalu is the tallest mountain in Malaysia and one of the highest in Southeast Asia. The hike is expensive at $350 – $400 per person and with limited permits. However, the views from the summit are some of the best of any mountain in SE Asia. Mount Kinabalu is a strenuous hike ascending over 2,200 meters (7,300 feet) and was one of our highlights in Sabah.

Check out our full post on hiking Mount Kinabalu for more information.

High-End Stay: Sutera Sanctuary Lodges Kinabalu Park is located in the national park with rooms starting at 200 RM ($50 USD).


4. Borneo Wildlife in Sepilok & Sandakan

Visit Sabah: Pregnant Orangutan
A very pregnant orangutan eating ALL the food

Sandakan is the gateway to visiting several attractions in the area. We found the waterfront to be quite dirty and pretty smelly. Sepilok is popular for animal sanctuaries to visit. The well-known Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Center should not be missed.

The orangutan nursery is just too cute and the twice-daily feeding is a great way to get up and close to adult orangutans. The feedings are at 10 AM and 3 PM, the latter of which is less crowded. Located next door is the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Center. Sun Bears are the smallest bears in the world and are threatened by deforestation and illegal hunting. This center is home to 42 sun bears and is open between 10 AM and 3 PM.

There is a proboscis monkey sanctuary in Labuk Bay. However, we do not recommend visiting this attraction. The owner of this “sanctuary” owns the palm plantation surrounding the park, which displaced the monkeys in the first place. Proboscis monkeys can easily be seen in the wild elsewhere in Sabah (see Kinabatangan River). From Sandakan, it is possible to visit Turtle Island to see nesting turtles in June.

Entrance Costs: The entry to the Orangutan and Sun Bear conservation are both 30 RM.

High-End Stay: Sepilok Forest Edge Resort is located next to the sanctuaries and has chalets starting from 290 RM ($70 USD).

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5. Borneo Rainforest Tours at the Kinabatangan River

Travel to Sabah: Female Monkey
Female proboscis monkey

Borneo is known for its superb wildlife. The Kinabatangan River is one of the best places in Borneo to see wildlife due to its easy accessibility. Here you can easily see proboscis monkeys, orangutans, pygmy elephants, crocodiles, snakes, exotic birds, and many more in just a couple of days.

Most homestays and resorts are located near Sukau, a village upriver next to palm plantations. There are a few resorts located downriver that are more remote. While staying on the Kinabatangan, resorts usually have an all-inclusive package rate that includes meals, river cruises, and jungle walks. There are a few budget backpackers and homestays on the Kinabatangan, and there are several high-end resorts, leaving few options in between.

Mid-Range StayBorneo Natural Sukau Bilit Resort has all-inclusive packages for two people at one of their cottages for 1,060 RM ($250 USD/room).


6. Stunning Beaches and Views at Bohey Dulang

Sabah, Borneo Travel Itinerary: Bohey Dulang
View of Bohey Dulang

An amazing day trip to the beautiful Bohey Dulang island is definitely worth it. The views are incredible and the beaches are some of the best in Sabah. You can arrange a trip from the port town of Semporna, which is the gateway to Bohey Dulang and Sipadan.

However, if it weren’t for these two things, there is absolutely no reason for anyone to ever visit Semporna. It is a filthy city with no redeeming qualities. Streets are littered with trash and an absurd amount of pollution/plastics in the water. I would avoid the cheapest backpackers here, they are truly horrible. Semporna is the necessary evil to get to some amazing places, so get in and out as fast as possible!

Travel to Sabah: Bohey Dulang
Gypsy sea village near Bohey Dulang

Mid-Range StayThe Village is a new and modern hotel with private rooms for 180 RM ($40 USD).


7. Scuba Diving at Sipadan

Visit Sabah: Scuba Diving
This is typically what your dive will be like!

Sipadan is one of the best dive sites in the world. Doesn’t it seem like you hear that in so many countries? With over 150 combined dives in some incredible places, we can attest to it being one of our favorites! With stringent laws for the protection of the marine environment, there are now only 120 daily permits for diving at Sipadan.

Sipadan is known for its incredible marine diversity. The island is an inactive volcano, with a sloping wall that has a drop-off of 600 meters (2,000 feet) to the seabed. It is home to green and hawksbill turtles, massive schools of barracuda and big-eye trevally, manta rays, reef sharks (white tip/blacktip/grey), as well as an occasional spotting of whale sharks and hammerhead sharks.

Several websites state it is cheaper to stay in Semporna, and maybe it is, but we recommend staying on Mabul Island. Mabul Island has diving as well, which is subpar relative to Sipadan, but it’s inexpensive and has tons of massive turtles.

Mid-Range StayBillabong Scuba has overwater chalets for 150 RM per person including all meals (price for divers) ($35 USD).

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One-Week Itinerary for Sabah, Borneo

Visit Sabah: Mount Kinabalu
Looking out above the clouds at Mount Kinabalu

Day 1 – Arrive in Kota Kinabalu and check out the Filipino night market and nearby KK night market.

Day 2 – Take a bus to Mount Kinabalu, enjoy views of the park and pick one of the nine shorter hikes near the base of Mount Kinabalu.

Day 3 – Transport to Sandakan/Sepilok, and check out the sun bear conservation and afternoon orangutan sanctuary feeding.

Day 4 – Transport to Semporna.

Day 5 – Bohey Dulang day tour.

Day 6 – Scuba diving at the world-famous Sipadan (permits required).

Day 7 – Return to Semporna and take a flight from Tawau to Kota Kinabalu to finish your one-week trip!


Two-Week Itinerary for Sabah, Borneo

Sabah Trip: Borneo Sunset
Sunset at the tip of Borneo

Day 1 – Arrive in Kota Kinabalu and check out the Filipino night market and nearby KK night market.

Day 2 – Stop at the Kota Kinabalu City Mosque on the way to Kudat. Spend the afternoon at the beach, and watch the sunset at the tip of Borneo.

Day 3 – Beach day.

Day 4 – Travel to Mount Kinabalu.

Day 5 – Hiking day one up to Labuan Rata Guesthouse (permits required).

Day 6 – Summit Mount Kinabalu and descend the mountain, staying the night in Ranau.

Day 7 – Travel day from Ranau to Sandakan. Go to the sun bear conservation and the 3:30 pm feeding at the Orangutan Sanctuary.

Day 8 – Travel day from Sandakan to Semporna.

Day 9 – Boat to Mabul Island, scuba diving at Mabul Island.

Day 10 – Scuba diving at Mabul Island.

Day 11 – Scuba diving at the world-famous Sipadan (permits required).

Day 12 – Return to Semporna.

Day 13 – Day trip to Bohey Dulang, afternoon transport to Tawau, flight to Kota Kinabalu.

Day 14 – End your two-week holiday in Sabah!

That’s it – we hope you enjoy exploring Sabah, Borneo!


Planning a trip to Malaysia? Check out our favorite books and travel guides!


About the Author:

  • Yana and Timon

    Yana & Timon met at college in Boston, Massachusetts. After graduating, they started their professional careers. They moved to San Francisco in 2010, a city they loved living in for nearly six years.

    After working and saving up money for several years, they quit their jobs and set off on an adventure of a lifetime. They started living a nomadic lifestyle in December 2015 and have not looked back since.

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