Sabah travel advice
Turtle watching advice
Daniel Waters, from our adventure vacation specialists Wild Frontiers, shares his Sabah travel advice:
“Turtle Island is famous, but some people find the overnight trip is overrated. There's a massive turtle reserve where they come and lay their eggs, but it is very popular, with many people crowded around one turtle. Instead, you can go to Lakayan Island or Pom Pom Island. It's just silence – all you can hear are hundreds of turtles coming up to take gasps of air then going back down under the sea. It's just amazing, and there's no-one else there. You've got your own little island with turtles everywhere – it's a brilliant experience. If you're into marine life, I can't recommend that area enough.”
“Turtle Island is famous, but some people find the overnight trip is overrated. There's a massive turtle reserve where they come and lay their eggs, but it is very popular, with many people crowded around one turtle. Instead, you can go to Lakayan Island or Pom Pom Island. It's just silence – all you can hear are hundreds of turtles coming up to take gasps of air then going back down under the sea. It's just amazing, and there's no-one else there. You've got your own little island with turtles everywhere – it's a brilliant experience. If you're into marine life, I can't recommend that area enough.”
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Orangutan viewing advice
Nicki Hollamby, from our partner Audley Travel, shares her Sabah travel advice:
“People always ask about the orangutan sanctuary at Rasa Ria – and I would advise against it as your only orangutan experience. It's not a bad place, but what they have is a little wildlife reserve with a holding center for orangutans where they are kept when there's not space for them at the rehabilitation centers. So it's not guaranteed that you'll see them. It is a great family resort, but if the orangutans are there it's a bonus. They might have one baby, they might have a couple of adults – or they might have none if they've all gone to the rehabilitation centers.”
“People always ask about the orangutan sanctuary at Rasa Ria – and I would advise against it as your only orangutan experience. It's not a bad place, but what they have is a little wildlife reserve with a holding center for orangutans where they are kept when there's not space for them at the rehabilitation centers. So it's not guaranteed that you'll see them. It is a great family resort, but if the orangutans are there it's a bonus. They might have one baby, they might have a couple of adults – or they might have none if they've all gone to the rehabilitation centers.”
Kota Kinabalu advice
Daniel Waters, from our adventure vacation experts Wild Frontiers, says:
“I was really surprised by Kota Kinabalu. It's a destination in itself. It's a wonderful ethnic hodgepodge of Malays and Indians and Chinese – the food is absolutely amazing. If you're into Asian food, I actually haven't been to a better city. The setting is also phenomenal. Right from the bay, out into the Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park, and you can see Mount Kinabalu looking over the city. It's just stunning. It's pretty metropolitan as well, so it's a really good mix of ethnicities, the old and new. I really liked it and it's a good point for people to start their proper adventure into Borneo.”
“I was really surprised by Kota Kinabalu. It's a destination in itself. It's a wonderful ethnic hodgepodge of Malays and Indians and Chinese – the food is absolutely amazing. If you're into Asian food, I actually haven't been to a better city. The setting is also phenomenal. Right from the bay, out into the Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park, and you can see Mount Kinabalu looking over the city. It's just stunning. It's pretty metropolitan as well, so it's a really good mix of ethnicities, the old and new. I really liked it and it's a good point for people to start their proper adventure into Borneo.”
Critter tips
Harriet Whitmarsh, from our volunteering specialists The Great Projects, shares her Sabah travel advice on dealing with bugs: “A lot of people bring citronella as an insect repellent because it smells nice – but that actually attracts hornets, so when you're jungle trekking it's not the best thing to have! You'll just end up being stung by hornets instead of mosquitoes.”Kate Tyler, from our friends Odyssey World, offers Sabah travel advice for avoiding leech encounters: “Don't forget your leech socks! They're not the most glamorous things in the world, but my goodness you'll need them. Especially following the rainy season when the water is really high up.”
Our top Sabah Vacation
Borneo tour, Great Apes and Beach escapes
Explore bustling cities, lush jungles and paradise beaches.
From
£1845
9 days
ex flights
Tailor made:
Everything is tweak-able, giving you the freedom to build your own unique and meaningful trip. Slow down the pace with few extra nights here and there, add a few more active adventures along the way, upgrade your accommodation for that extra bit of luxury – it’s up to you!
Everything is tweak-able, giving you the freedom to build your own unique and meaningful trip. Slow down the pace with few extra nights here and there, add a few more active adventures along the way, upgrade your accommodation for that extra bit of luxury – it’s up to you!
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Sabah advice from our travelers
At Responsible Travel, we think the best people to advise our travelers are often... other travelers. They always return from our tours with packing tips, weather reports, ideas about what to do – and opinions about what not to.
We have selected some of the most useful Sabah travel advice that our guests have provided over the years to help you make the very most of your vacation – and the space inside your suitcase.
We have selected some of the most useful Sabah travel advice that our guests have provided over the years to help you make the very most of your vacation – and the space inside your suitcase.

Don't underestimate the preparation for the mountain.![]()

– Tez Kurwie
“Go with the flow. People have a very laid back attitude so patience is required, especially in restaurants. Don't forget to take your sense of humour with you!” - Edell Morrow
“Go to the night market in Kota Kinabalu, you get a feeling you are in a place very different from England!” - Anna Davies
“Take extra cash to tip your guides as they are fantastic and deserve it.” - Anna Higgins
“When the travel tip says "wear comfortable walking shoes" ignore that advice and take the hard core hiking boots. Ye gads, the mud!!!!!!” - Linda Mundy
“Tuck your top in in the jungle! We didn't on the first trek and got 'leeched', yuk!” - Denise Rivers
“Go to the night market in Kota Kinabalu, you get a feeling you are in a place very different from England!” - Anna Davies
“Take extra cash to tip your guides as they are fantastic and deserve it.” - Anna Higgins
“When the travel tip says "wear comfortable walking shoes" ignore that advice and take the hard core hiking boots. Ye gads, the mud!!!!!!” - Linda Mundy
“Tuck your top in in the jungle! We didn't on the first trek and got 'leeched', yuk!” - Denise Rivers

If you are going to mix up adventure/trekking/climbing/etc and beach/relaxation time, do the beach stuff last!![]()

– James Cooper
“There's not much to do in the evenings at any of the jungle/island lodges so take plenty of books/games.” - Victoria Goode
“Book early. We met many people who wanted to climb the mountain or stay in the accommodation we were in but everything was booked up.” - Phil Pinchen
“Having a guide with us made the whole trip so brilliant, it meant we always ate well as Lee found good places and helped order. I think we got to know Borneo, people and wildlife so much better because of his knowledge.” - Shauna Seccombe
“Don't miss a trip, each one is different and worth the early starts. Talk to all the local people, they have so much passion and many stories and history to tell.” - Deanne Ward-Thompson
“Book early. We met many people who wanted to climb the mountain or stay in the accommodation we were in but everything was booked up.” - Phil Pinchen
“Having a guide with us made the whole trip so brilliant, it meant we always ate well as Lee found good places and helped order. I think we got to know Borneo, people and wildlife so much better because of his knowledge.” - Shauna Seccombe
“Don't miss a trip, each one is different and worth the early starts. Talk to all the local people, they have so much passion and many stories and history to tell.” - Deanne Ward-Thompson