Sabah Regions Guide - overview

Evocatively named, 'Land below the wind', Sabah is situated at the northeast corner of Borneo, below the typhoon belt in East Malaysia. Most visitors to Sabah are lured by the natural splendor of the state and the unique experience of its national parks. The rugged landscape is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts with some of the highest mountains in Malaysia to climb, and one of the richest and least spoilt underwater ecosystems in the world to dive in. Other extreme sports like paragliding and skydiving are adding to Sabah's growing reputation as an adventure destination.

Its spectacular environment boasts one of the largest rainforests in the world and the highest mountain peak in South East Asia, Mt Kinabalu, stands at 13,500ft (4,101m) within Kinabalu Park. The park is the most visited and has been declared a World Heritage Site in recognition of its incredible variety. A popular trek is the two-day summit trail. Sabah's diversity extends to the indigenous people of the area that comprise 31 different groups speaking more than 50 indigenous languages. These ethnic differences form a rich culture of music, dance and handicrafts that are unique to the region.

Sabah is an expensive travel destination with the only real 'budget' accommodation located at Kinabalu National Park and Poring Hot Springs. Direct flights to Sabah are routed to the capital, Kota Kinabalu.