Attractions of Malaysia

Taman Negara National Park contains rainforest that is believed to be the oldest in the world, dating back 130 million years. The park can be explored through forest trails, boat rides or for a different perspective by walking along the 400 metre Canopy Walk, a rope bridge situated above the forest treetops. The diversity of species found in the park is predictably huge, from exotic plants to butterflies and birdlife such as kingfishers and eagles.

Situated at 1800 metres above sea level the Cameron Highlands were the location for a series of villages and hill stations built by the British to escape the heat and humidity of the lower altitudes. Today the region has maintained its English character and is a good location for picturesque forest and mountain walks in the refreshing air. The highlands are also known for their tea plantations which can be visited alongside a trip to a tea factory.

Bako National Park is located on the beautiful Muara Tebas Peninsula. It is the oldest and smallest national park in Sarawak but with a variety of habitats and landscapes. There are beaches and sandstone cliffs along the coastline as well as rainforest, jungle streams and waterfalls with plenty of trekking trails for exploration. The wildlife living in the park include proboscis and silver leaf monkeys, long tail macaques, wild boars and monitor lizards.

Batang Ai

Perhaps the true highlight of a trip to Borneo is travelling deep into the Borneo rainforest and staying there with traditional tribes. Of the options available, Batang Ai, east of Kuching, is one of the best. This area is home to the Iban tribe, the largest and most vibrant of Sarawak's 22 tribal groups, who live with extended family groups in traditional longhouses by rivers on the edge of the jungle. In times past the Iban used to be known as head-hunters but today they live through fishing and ecotourism. Trekking through the jungle can be strenuous and humid but is a perfect opportunity to experience unspoilt wilderness and search elusive orangutans and or their nests. Bathing in the rivers or at Enseluai Waterfall offers ideal relaxation after trekking, in addition to learning about Iban customs and trying their rice wine.

Gunung Mulu National Park in eastern Sarawak covers 529 km² and is an area of remarkable biodiversity. It's best known for its karst features - pinnacles which are blades of rock that project through the rainforest canopy and underground caves, of which 295 kilometres have been identified, believed to be 2-3 million years old. Wind Cave has impressive stalactite and stalagmite formations and some of the longest tunnels in the world. Clearwater Cave has a river winding through its centre, which is over 100 kilometres long. The enormous Deer Cave is home to 32 million bats and watching them leave the cave in the late afternoon in search of food is an extraordinary site. The park also contains the world’s longest tree canopy walkway, allowing you to view the forest and spot some of the resident wildlife.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Gunung Mulu National Park

Kota Kinabalu

Kota Kinabalu is the capital of the state of Sabah, located on the northern Borneo coast on the South China Sea. The city has an interesting blend of European, Malay, Chinese and Filipino cultures. Sites of interest include the Sabah State Museum and the contemporary Islamic architecture of the State Mosque. A 15 minute boat ride from Kota Kinabalu takes you to the five beautiful coral islands of the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park, including Gaya, Sapi and Manukan. Here you can enjoy the pristine white beaches and warm, clear waters or go diving or snorkelling to explore the coral reef.

Mount Kinabalu

Mount Kinabalu at 4,095 metres is the highest mountain in southeast Asia (outside of New Guinea). Scaling the mountain requires a strenuous two day trek, starting at Park headquarters at 1,900 metres and trekking to base camp at Laban Rata at 3,270 metres. From here a pre-dawn ascent takes three hours to reach the top and enjoy spectacular views with the sun rising over the misty emerald jungles of Sabah on one side and the blue waters of the South China Sea on the other. Kinabalu Park itself has a wide range of habitats that are passed on the climb, ranging from tropical rainforest to mountain forest and up to alpine terrain. It also has a huge diversity of plant and animal life, with over 6,000 plant species (including orchids, pitchers and Rafflesia - a rare parasitic plant with the world's biggest flower) and almost 300 bird species.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Kinabalu Park

The Danum Valley is the largest protected lowland rainforest area in Asia, measuring some 430 km². It is home to 274 bird species and 110 mammal species, many of which are rare and endangered. From a base at the Borneo Rainforest Lodge, there are many trails through the jungle that allow you to look for orangutans, giant flying squirrels, gibbons, bearded wild boars, flying frogs, Asian elephant and the extremely endangered Sumatran rhinoceros. Night drives may enable spotting of nocturnal species such as civet, sambar deer, leopard cat, slow loris or clouded leopard.