National Park Vacation: Kinabalu and Mesilau

Tropical Island Trekking: TAR Island and other Offshore Islands

Sabah boosts many idyllic offshore islands that are big enough to cater for a nature tour activity. Closer to Kota Kinabalu, the islands off Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park such as Gaya island and Manukan island, and Pulau Tiga Survivor Island in Kuala Penyu, are perfect destination for a dual tropical island and nature tour excursions. When you have enough of the sun, sea and sand, you can always switch to a more pleasant trek along the short nature trails on the islands.

Tropical River Safari: Klias and Kinabatangan

Two great places for a river safari on calm river for a nature tour are at Klias Peninsula Wetland (about 1.5 hour by road from Kota Kinabalu) or at Kinabatangan in Sandakan (about 5-6 hours by road or 1 hour by air from Kota Kinabalu). At Klias, a tour normally starts after midday so that you can view the magnificent display of nature's Christmas Lights, the fireflies after a nature cruise, where you might get to view the elusive Proboscis Monkeys, the odd nosed monkeys of Borneo.

The Proboscis Monkey are also found along the Kinabatangan river, but the river safari nature tour experience at Kinabatangan is much more fuller since there is a river lodge accommodation available for an overnight stay (i.e., in the village of Sukau). The early morning visit to the ox-bow lake to search for birds and other wildlife will leave you with an unforgetable memory of your nature tour.

Tropical Plants: Rafflesia, the Largest Flower in the World

One of the best place to learn about the Rafflesia, the world's largest flower, is at the Tambunan Rafflesia Rainforest Reserve, about 65km (or approximately 1 hour) drive from Kota Kinabalu. Tambunan is a a quaint little town seated in a valley of the Crocker Range, and the Rafflesia centre in the Reserve is basically an education centre for the Rafflesia. There are twelve species in the world of which four are found in Sabah. It is a rare destination to learn the unique biology of this parasitic flower, to hike in the cool mountain trail in search of the blooms and buds. The flower may have a stinky smell but but it is a one in a lifetime experience to actually witness the bloom of a Rafflesia.

One thing you have to bear in mind is that the Rafflesia doesn't bloom all the time and you have to be real lucky to catch a glimpse of it. On top of this, the bloom will only last a few days. The best thing is to ask the staff or guide at the centre or call the centre earlier whether there is any bloom. If none, tough luck. But you can always catch other flora and even faunas at the Reserve while you trek in the cooling atmosphere.

Alternatively, you can always try your luck in Tenom, around the vicinity of the Perkasa Hotel, where Rafflesia are also found. But the size of the flower is not likely to beat those at the Tambunan Rafflesia Rainforest Reserve.

Tropical Resorts: Shangri-La's Rasa Ria and Nexus Karambunai Resort

If you prefer to spend most of time at luxurious accommodation in a 5-star tropical resort but still plan to experience a nature tour, then the two world class resorts in Tuaran, about 40-50 minutes drive from Kota Kinabalu, are most recommended. Shangri-La's Rasa Ria Resort's Nature Reserve offers you an opportunity to enjoy the dense flora and fauna of Borneo's secondary jungle.

There are several nature trails in the Nature Reserve ranging from a leisurely walk of 20 minutes to a three hour-long trek. You will also have a chance to meet an Orang Utan (as part of a rehabilitation program - the only one of its kind on the entire West Coast of the state, and indeed the island of Borneo) at the Nature Reserve. At Nexus Karambunai Resort, you are able to experience rainforest nature walks in their 75-acre Nature Park, part of the Borneo Conservation Program.