FREQUENT ASKED QUESTIONS

1. What do we expect in Sabah?

Welcome to Sabah, the land of eco-treasures. Where you can climb to the awesome peak of the highest mountain in the region. Play with the Orang Utan, The Wild Man of Borneo, the largest such sanctuary in the world. Admire the Rafflesia, the largest flower in the world in rainforests that are millions of years old. Dive into some of the world's best underwater wonderlands.

You will also meet some of the friendliest, warmest people - and join in their colourful festivals and traditions that will take you back centuries. If you yearn for the exhilarating sense of adventure, Sabah is the perfect place for jungle trekking, white-water rafting, mountain climbing or deep sea diving.

Your taste for exotic culture will be more than sated by the numerous ethnic customs and celebrations which include living in longhouses. You can of course just laze all day on a secluded beach or tee off in a championship golf course in any of the many world-renowned holiday resorts.

So why dream of eco-treasures when you can experience the wonders of it all in Sabah, Malaysian Borneo.

2. What is the weather like in Sabah and best time to come?

Generally, all year round is good to visit Sabah but the month of May would be the busiest time as there are many events being held (please refer to our event calendar).

Sabah does not have distinct wet or dry seasons. It is warm throughout the year with occasional tropical rain-showers or rainstorms - usually in the afternoons cooling the air and keeps the rainforests green.

Summer clothes are recommended. However, visitors to Kinabalu Park (especially climbers) must definitely bring warm and water-proof clothes as advised.

3. Is it easy to change money/travellers cheque?

It is easy to look for Money Changer counter but travellers cheque is only available at banks.

4. Where can I stay during my visit to Sabah?

There are plenty of accommodation to choose during your visit to Sabah. Ranging from the backpackers up to 5 star hotels, you may select the most suitable accommodation according to your budget. List of hotel is available at our Accommodation list.

5. What is the procedure for non-Malaysian getting married in Sabah?

  • Both must stay in Sabah at least a week before register.
  • To fill up the KC02 form obtain from Registration Department, Sabah.
  • To produce letter from their country stating that both are single/divorce.
  • To provide photos, passport size.
  • Both must present at the Registration Department with their witnesses during registration.

6. How to climb Mt. Kinabalu?

Climbing Mt. Kinabalu can be done in 2 days but a more comfortable climb in 3 days is recommended. It does not require special skills to do the climb at least have the basic fitness level. Park regulations stated that all climbers have to engage the services of a registered mountain guide on their climb. The summit trail is the main route taken by most climbers as it is a simpler and shorter approach. Climbers need to stay overnight at one of the mountain hut namely Laban Rata, Gunting Lagadan, Panar Laban, Waras Hut or Sayat-Sayat Hut. After a night of rest, it's off again on the climb at 3:00am to catch a magnificient sunrise on the summit. In clear weather, you can almost see all of Sabah spread out below.

At around 10:00am, clouds usually begin to form. There swirling clouds could obstruct visibility, so it is advisable that you descent by then.

The accommodation is managed by Sutera Sanctuary Lodges located at Lot G15, Ground Floor, Wisma Sabah, Kota Kinabalu.
Please contact them directly for reservation at
Email: info@suterasanctuarylodges.com OR
Tel: 6088 244634, 243629
Fax: 6088 242861
Details of room types and rates, Mountain Guide, climbing permit etc is available at their
Website : http://www.suterasanctuarylodges.com

7. Is there any golf courses in Sabah?

Yes! Today, Sabah boast numerous golf clubs located in all corners of the state with some courses set amongst breath-taking scenery and offering interesting and challenging play, whatever your handicap and levels of challenge may be. You can choose to play in the city, by the sea, high above sea level or closer to earth at the fringe of lush vegetation.

Golf Courses listing can be view at our directory.

8. Where are the good dive sites in Sabah?

Sabah has several dive sites rated to be amongst the top ten in the world such as Sipadan, Langkayan, Layang-Layang, Mabul, Mantanani and many more yet to be truly explored. Sabah is not only known for its reef's larger inhabitants but also as a "Muck diving" paradise with such rarities as the mimic octopus, flamboyant cuttlefish mandarin fish, harlequin ghost pipefish plus many types of weird and wonderful frogfish and nudibranchs. These underwater delights are not restricted to the certified diver; snorkelers and hopeful divers may enroll in one of the many PADI affiliated dive courses run at any of Sabah's dive resorts.

Dive Operator list can be view at our directory.

9. How can we get tourism pamphlet on Sabah?

If you require the brochures before your arrival to Sabah, please forward your mailing address and will be sent to immediately. Once you are in Kota Kinabalu, you may collect them from

  • Kota Kinabalu International Airport, Arrival Hall

  • Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board
    Lot 1-0-7, Ground Floor, Block 1, Lorong Api-Api 1
    Api-Api Centre, 88000 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.
    Phone: 6088 248 698/ 6088 211732
    Fax: 6088-241764
    Email: mtpbbki@tourism.gov.my
    Website: http://www.tourism.gov.my

    Opening Hours:
    Monday - Friday : 8:00am - 5:00pm
    Saturday, Sunday & Public Holiday : Closed

  • Sabah Tourism Board
    No. 51, Jalan Gaya
    88000 Kota Kinabalu.
    Phone: 6088 212121
    Fax: 6088-212075

    Opening Hours:
    Monday - Friday : 8:00am - 5:00pm
    Saturday, Sunday & Public Holiday : 9:00am - 4:00pm

10. What are the best cuisines that I can have in Sabah?

All sought of cuisines can be found in Kota Kinabalu. Western to Asian food is widely available. As Sabah is surrounded by sea, it is very convenience to search for fresh seafood which you can dine it indoor or open space concept restaurant.

11. Where are the best place for bird watching?

Sabah is bless with various types of birds. You may enjoy whether to view local birds or migrated birds from other places. Among the places that you can visit for bird watching are:-

  • Kota Kinabalu City Bird Sanctuary
    The Bird Sanctuary is an important refuge and feeding ground for many species of resident birds, as well as several migratory species from Northern Asia. Rare sightings include the Lesser Adjutant Stork and Rufous Night Heron. Don't miss out on the egrets, kingfishers, green pigeon, purple herons and many more. During the migratory season (September - April), you can also see sandpipers, plovers, redshanks, etc.

  • Kinabalu Park
    Located about 2 hours drive from Kota Kinabalu city, Malaysia's first World Heritage has excellent system of trails around Park HQ are home to many interesting birds including all 3 kinds of Laughingthrushes(Chestnut-capped, Sunda and Bareheaded), Crimson-headed Partridge; in small trees along the roadsides are flocks of black-capped White-eye and Chestnut-crested Yuhina.

  • Kinabatangan Floodplain
    One of the richest and most accessible wildlife regions in all of Southeast Asia, the Kinabatangan is home to a plethora of birds. The lower reaches meanders through a vast floodplain of riverine forest dotted by picturesque villages along the banks. The best way to bird watch here is by boat. Jerdon's Baza, Wallace's Hawkeagle and Great-billed Heron can occasionally be spotted from the boat.

  • Tabin wildlife reserve
    Tabin Wildlife Resrve is made up of early to mid-secondary growth rainforest located about 50km from Lahad Datu. Overall, at least 259 species of birds have been recorded here. Tabin is particularly good for Babblers, Broadbills, Hornbills and Raptors.

12. Can you suggest some tours in Sabah and where can we book them?

Tourist destination in Sabah are scattered, requires at least 7 days 6 nights to discover the main attraction such as Kinabalu Park/Poring Hot Spring, Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre, Tunku Abdul Rahman ParkM, White Water Rafting, Garama River Cruise, Kota Belud Sunday Market and Rungus Long House. Some of the places are possible to be done on the tourist own arrangement but one may need to organize it through the local tour operator due to accommodation and transportation availability. Tour Operator list is available at our directory listing.

Sabah Tourism Board, 51 Gaya Street, 88000 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah Malaysia.
Tel: +6088 212121   Fax: +6088 212075   Email: info@sabahtourism.com

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Last update : Jul 2008