Sabah holidays

Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre is a vast sanctuary that gives orphaned, injured and captured orangutans a second chance at life in the wild. Babies are paired with adults and taught to climb, forage, build nests and even use tools. This is the classic activity to do in Sabah, so come for the afternoon feeding session to avoid the worst of the crowds and know that your visit supports the continued conservation of these great apes. Many of our holidays also make a financial donation to organisations and projects that aim to protect and restore rainforest habitats – the only way that orangutans have a future in the wild.

For the chance to glimpse wild orangutans, look for our trips that feature guided rainforest treks. Most of our Sabah holidays spend a few days by the Kinabatangan River, where the tropical rainforest downriver teems with rare and unique wildlife, including orangutans, gibbons, proboscis monkeys, flying foxes, slow lorises and the world’s smallest elephants, as well as reptiles, birds and insects found nowhere else in the world. Boat trips, walks and night hikes are led by expert local guides adept at pointing out creatures you might otherwise miss.

Take a trek up to the summit of Mount Kinabalu, reaching the peak in time to watch sunrise breathing life into the forests below. On your return, treat your tired legs to a relaxing soak at Poring Hot Springs and marvel at the otherworldly flora that is found here, including the rafflesia (the world’s largest bloom), over 500 species of orchids, and carnivorous pitcher plants. Our holidays to Sabah are also a fantastic opportunity to explore island culture. Homestay options invite you to stay in village houses, savour local food and learn how dishes are cooked. Income from tourism can make a big difference in small remote villages; our trips often support a range of community projects too.

Many of our holidays to Sabah finish with a few days at a beach. Rainforest-cloaked Gaya is often the island of choice – the largest in Tunku Abdul Rahman Park and just a 15-minute boat ride from Kota Kinabalu. Lankayan Island is another option, best reached from Sabah’s second city, Sandakan. Here, our holidays support a locally led reef project involved in baby turtle releases – you’ll get the chance to observe hatchlings skedaddling down the beach for their first dip. You can skedaddle into the sea too… but perhaps at a more leisurely pace and with snorkel in hand.