Sabah sits at the northern tip of Borneo, and if you haven't been, you're missing one of Southeast Asia's most rewarding destinations. Rainforests, coral reefs, wildlife encounters, and a food scene that punches well above its weight — this place has it all. Whether you're working through a Sabah travel guide or just starting to plan, here's exactly what to put on your list.
1. Watch Fireflies Light Up the Klias River
Nothing quite prepares you for the sight of thousands of fireflies blinking in sync along a dark jungle riverbank. It looks like someone strung fairy lights through the mangroves. Book the Klias River Proboscis Monkey & Fireflies Cruise for a fully guided experience that pairs the firefly show with proboscis monkey spotting earlier in the evening — two bucket-list moments in one trip.
2. Spot Proboscis Monkeys on the Klias River
Proboscis monkeys are one of Borneo's most distinctive animals, and the Klias wetlands are one of the best places to see them in the wild. These large, pot-bellied primates with their unmistakable noses are surprisingly entertaining to watch as they leap between trees before sunset. Go in the late afternoon for the best sightings — the Klias River Cruise Day Tour times things perfectly so you catch both the monkeys and the fireflies in a single outing.
3. Go White Water Rafting on the Kiulu River
The Kiulu River is the perfect introduction to white water rafting if you've never done it before. The rapids are exciting without being terrifying, and the surrounding jungle scenery makes every splash worth it. Pair it with a cultural stop by booking the Kiulu White Water Rafting & Mari-Mari Cultural Village Combo Tour, which combines the river adventure with a visit to one of Sabah's most engaging cultural experiences.
4. Visit Mari-Mari Cultural Village
Mari-Mari Cultural Village gives you a genuine window into the traditions of Sabah's indigenous communities. You'll see traditional longhouses, watch fire-making demonstrations, taste local food prepared the old way, and hear stories that most travellers never get to hear. It's the kind of place where you leave knowing you actually learned something, not just ticked a box.
5. Snorkel at Mengalum Island
Mengalum Island sits about two hours off the coast of Kota Kinabalu, and the journey is absolutely worth it. The coral reefs here are colourful, healthy, and full of marine life that will have you lingering in the water far longer than planned. The Mengalum Island Snorkeling Day Tour requires a minimum of four people, so grab some travel companions and make a day of it.
6. Ride an ATV up Kokol Hill at Sunset
This one is for the travellers who like a bit of adrenaline with their scenery. Kokol Hill offers sweeping views over Kota Kinabalu and the South China Sea, and arriving by ATV makes it a whole lot more fun than a standard drive up. The Kokol Hill ATV Adventure, Sunset Rendezvous with Local Cuisine Dinner Tour wraps up the evening with a local dinner, so you get the view and the food in one go.
7. Hike Mount Kinabalu
Southeast Asia's highest peak stands at 4,095 metres and it's one of those climbs that genuinely changes your perspective. You don't need technical mountaineering skills, but you do need a permit, a guide, and a reasonable level of fitness. Book your climb well in advance — spots fill up months ahead, especially during peak season between March and August.
8. Explore the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre
Watching young orangutans swing and tumble at the Sepilok feeding platforms is one of those experiences that will make you smile for days. The centre rehabilitates orphaned and injured orangutans with the goal of returning them to the wild, and the work happening here is genuinely important. Combine your visit with a stop at the nearby Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre — the world's smallest bear deserves your attention too.
9. Take a Sunset River Cruise on Kawa Kawa
If you're after something a little more relaxed, the Kawa Kawa Fireflies Sunset Cruise delivers a beautiful, unhurried evening on the water. You'll drift through mangrove forests as the sun goes down, then watch the fireflies take over as darkness settles in. It's the kind of evening that reminds you why slow travel is worth it.
10. Cross the Tamparuli Suspension Bridge
The Tamparuli Suspension Bridge is one of those spots that most first-timers skip, and that's a mistake. It stretches across a river in a quiet, leafy setting that feels a world away from the city, and the walk across is equal parts wobbly and wonderful. You can include it as part of the Kiulu Water Rafting, Tamparuli Suspension Bridge & Likas City Mosque Half Day Tour, which packs in several highlights and includes lunch.
11. Eat Your Way Through Kota Kinabalu Night Market
The Kota Kinabalu waterfront night market, known locally as the Filipino Market, is where you go when you want to eat well and spend very little. Grilled seafood, hinava (a raw fish dish marinated with lime and chilli), and fresh coconut water are just the start. Go hungry, go with an open mind, and don't be shy about pointing at whatever looks good on the grill next to you.
---
Sabah rewards travellers who come curious and leave plenty of room in the itinerary for the unexpected. Whether you're chasing wildlife, waves, or just a really good plate of grilled fish at sunset, this corner of Borneo has something that will stay with you long after you're home. Start planning, book what excites you, and get ready for one of the most memorable trips you'll take.
Written by Matt Cuckston, Founder & Travel Technology Expert at TixLayer.
