Borneo comprised the Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak, the sultanate country of Brunei Darussalam, and the Indonesian province of Kalimantan. Borneo is the third largest island in the world and its rainforest and eco-system is acknowledged to be one of the oldest in the world. It is an exotic place blessed with a huge variety of flora and fauna as well as plentiful scenic natural beauties from breathtaking islands to awe inspiring mountains. Sabah is the second largest state in Malaysia behind its Borneo neighbour, Sarawak. It was once known as North Borneo, under the British colony rule from the late 19th century to early 20th century. It changed its name to Sabah after gaining independence through the formation of Malaysia on 16 September 1963. Sabah is one of thirteen states in Malaysia, a democratic country where general elections are held every 5 years to elect a government to be led by a Prime Minister. Sabah has its own Cabinet and Ministerial form of Government headed by Chief Minister. Sabah also has a single Chamber Legislative Assembly (ala UK constitutional system) which are responsible over matters not reserved for the Federal Constitution. Besides the touristic attractions, the following are 10 little things, taken granted by most Sabahans, that make Sabah one of the best place to live in: Summer All Year Round Well, almost. Sabah have warm tropical weather and warm seas for at least 9 months of the year. Usually, there will be about 3 months of rainy spell during the Monsoon season (normally November to January in areas around Kota Kinabalu, and different months in other districts like Sandakan or Tawau) but that does not mean it will rain non-stop for 3 months. It just mean an occassional shower or two, which might be heavier than other months. Due to the Greenhouse effect, the Monsoon season is not so predictable anymore. Relatively Free from Natural Disasters Sabah is affectionately known as The "Land Below the Wind", first made famous in a best selling book by Agnes Keith, the famed American writer of the early 20th century. It is also a name appropriately given to the state as Sabah lies below the typhoon (or hurricane) belt of East Asia - Sabah only feels the brush of the tail wind of a typhoon and therefore, is relatively free from any wrath of nature. Early seafaring traders were said to seek refuge in Sabah from the vicious typhoons that plague other parts of Southeast Asia in the summer. Calm, Serene and Modern As a state within the Federation of Malaysia, Sabah, which is slightly less developed than its counterparts in Peninsular Malaysia, is basically away from the hustle bustle of a city environment. Even Kota Kinabalu city, the capital and business centre of Sabah is very much a surburban town compared to Kuala Lumpur. It is less crowded everywhere even in the city. But The international gateway to Borneo, Kota Kinabalu is a major city with fast developing modern infrastructure, well-planned with an efficient road system, and an International airport that has become the busiest airport in Malaysia after the Kuala Lumpur International Airport. Warm, Friendly and Colorful People You will be fascinated by the warm hospitality and smiling faces of Sabahans, which come in many races and exhibit wide cultural diversity. You will also be captivated by the remarkable feature of the colorful population. There are at least 30 distinct ethnic indigenous groups in Sabah speaking different languages and close to 100 dialects. The days of savage tribesmen and headhunting are history and only illustrated/depicted for tourism purposes. The major races are Kadazandusun, Bajau, Murut, Malay and Chinese . But of course, people tend to be even more helpful and friendlier as you get further away from the town centres like in the interior or rural areas. English and Chinese Widely Spoken Malay or Bahasa Melayu is the national language of Malaysia but English is considered as the second language in Sabah (as well as in Malaysia as a whole), perhaps as a legacy of being a former colony of the United Kingdom. Most locals can converse well in the language, and even the less educated rural folks can maybe understand a few words (and give direction as well). Chinese is also widely spoken as there are many people of Chinese origin residing here (third largest ethnic group). Mandarin is the standard Chinese dialect for communication but Hakka and Cantonese is commonly used for daily conversation in West Coast and East Coast respectively. Best Seafood and Tropical Fruits Being a coastal state, Sabah is well known for its abundant fresh and tasty seafood. Many visitors have been raving about the superior quality of Sabah's seafood and certainly behooves Sabah to be committed on marine conservation efforts. You can easily find seafood in local restaurants and seafood centres. You can even choose the fish, lobster or tiger prawn of your choice from the restaurant's aquarium for the cook to prepare your meal. As for tropical fruits, all of them can be found here such as durians, rambutans, mangosteen, belimbing (or star fruit) and many more. But there are also has a number of specials not found anywhere else such as at least 14 varieties of local mango including the popular bambangan, the tarap, a variety of wild durian with red flesh, and the Markisa, a yellow-skinned passion fruit. Politically and Socially Stable Malaysia as a whole is the most stable country in the region. There have never been a change in government since independence (ruled by an alliance groups of multi-racial political parties called Barisan Nasional or National Front). Malaysia's commitment to religious plurality and economic equality has created enduring harmony and peace in multi-cultural Sabah. Despite so many people from different races and religions living together, Sabah never experience any serious racial tensions or riots in its 40+ years history. Most Sabahans are simple folks and satisfied with and appreciative our economic well-being. Poverty here is defined by household income, not by material possessions or daily meals. Starvation is unheard of in Sabah. Our hardcore poor may still be living in their own land and can plough the land for food. Safe and Secured Crime is not really a big issue in Sabah. Your probability of being mugged on the street of Kota Kinabalu is almost the same as falling down from a staircase in a hotel here. But it's always good to take precaution and avoid back alleys (not many anyway) or dimly-lighted areas after midnight. Crime is almost a non-issue in most touristic places and accommodations. Your wallet is more likely to be stolen by an Orang Utan at Sepilok than by his cousin, the homo sapien. Low Health Risk Basically, cases of infectious diseases like Malaria are rare (even in the rural areas) and always brought in from elsewhere, but you are best advised to take a preventive medication, such as Maloprim or Paludrine especially for visiting places such as Sukau, Tabin or Danum Valley. But normally, you would have been advised well in advance by your travel guide/company. Limited Terrorist Threats Sabah is safer than most places in the world for the following three reasons: 1. Not densely populated and easy-to-target tour destinations (e.g., eco, rainforest, natural caves, rural areas, etc. normally do not and cannot have too many people frequenting at one time). 2. Not a prime destination for Americans (or Europeans), or with lots of US interests (at least not yet, and not likely in the immediate term). And the capital of Malaysia is not located in Sabah or Sarawak. 3. Politically and socially most stable and peaceful in the region, two important ingredients that can minimise the threats of terrorism. It is definitely much safer in a secluded beach resort or in the jungle or natural environment than a populated high rise building or nightclub (not enough nightlife here in fact). Add Comment Poring Hot Spring 16/09/2011
 Poring Hot Springs is a must for every visitor who goes to Kinabalu Park. It is about half an hour's drive from Kinabalu Park. You will pass by the town of Kundasang and Ranau on your way here. The local Kadazan people call bamboo "Poring". This place does have lots of bamboo trees. Upon your arrival, you will see a parking area, a reception area and a visitor centre. You can see the bamboo tree as you enter the park as shown in the picture above. This hot spring was first developed by the Japanese during World War Two. One is able to see and use the many open air and indoor Japanese style baths facilities. The hot water is channeled from the source where the temperature is hot enough to boil eggs. The temperature of the water can be regulated by mixing it with the cold water which is channeled from the nearby river. The hot spring is reputed to be good for health as it contains Sulphur which is known for its curative properties for those with skin problems. The open air type is more crowded and free of charge but the indoor type is for those who want to have time off by themselves. There is a fee charge for the rental of the indoor type based on the number of hours used. Canopy Walk Besides the hot spring, one can also explore the popular Canopy Walk. The total distance to complete the circuit is 2 km and the Canopy Walk makes up about 200 metres of the circuit. Built some 50 m above the ground, one has to be bold and stout hearted to do this walk as the canopy can be shaky and looks flimsy at times. Take heart, these hanging bridges are tested everyday before they are opened to the public. For those who stay overnight in Poring Hot Spring, you can do a bit of jungle trekking along the banks of a winding river. After an hour or so walk (shorter path route), you will be able to see a 10m waterfall. The longer path route takes 3 hours to complete and ends with the view of a 100 m high waterfall. Accommodation If you choose to stay overnight at Poring Hot Spring, the facilities include Poring Chalet where a unit can accommodate 6persons. The New Cabin has 2 bedrooms which can accommodate up to 4 persons. For those who come in big groups, there is the Youth Hostel which can house a total of 64 persons. Jungle Restaurant is the place where you unwind in the evening. As you dine, you will be able to hear the sound of insects and the sound of the rushing water in the nearby river. You may be able to see the natural "Christmas Light" when the fireflies come out to feed on the nectar of the tree leaves as night falls.  Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park 09/07/2011
 If you are looking for a family holiday with your children, Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park in Sabah is worth consideringgoing. Located about 20 minutes away by speed boat from Kota Kinabalu, this marine park consists of five islands and coralreefs. It is named after Malaysia's first prime minister, Tun Abdul Rahman when gazetted as a National Park in 1974. The five islands that formed this park are Gaya Island, Manukan Island, Mamutik Island, Sapi Island and Sulug Island. GayaIsland is the biggest island in the park and has been a forest reserve since 1923. There is a Marine Ecology ResearchCentre in the island. As this island is occupied by illegal immigrants from the Phillipines, it is not advisable for tourists to go to this island. The Islands Manukan Island is the second biggest island in this park and is the recommended island to go for snorkelling, diving andswimming. There are many coral reefs and plenty of colourful fishes that will make your snorkelling fun especially ifyou are taking your children along with you. Do remember to wear a safety vest to enable you to float if you are not good at swimming. You can rent one at the beach. Manukan Island is the most developed island with 20 units of chalets, clubhouse, restaurants and a diving centre. If youare staying here, you can enjoy other facilities such as squash, tennis courts, swimming pool and even a football field.If you are not keen to stay here, you can always take a day or half a day as a family outing to this island. Many visitorsstay in Sutera Harbour Hotel and travel here for half a day's trip before going back in the afternoon. Remember to bring along your snorkelling and diving gears. Otherwise, you can also rent them at the beach. Though it is the smallest island in the park, Mamutik Island or Pulau Mamutik has some good beaches and coral reefs for youto see and enjoy. Limited facilities such as rest house, toilets, changing rooms, barbeque pits, fresh water and electricityare available. Sapi Island is located at the South West of Pulau Gaya. It has one of the nicest beaches in the park for tourists to dosnorkelling and scuba diving. It too has basic facilities such as barbeque pits, changing rooms and toilets. If you are looking for a quiet place to go far away from the crowd, Sulug Island is the island to go. Not as developedcompared to other islands, there are good reefs and beautiful fishes to see.  Garama, Klias or Weston? 18/06/2011
 One of the most popular day tours for tourists to Kota Kinabalu is the River Safari Tour. For those who can’t make it to the East Coast of Sabah, the River Safari gives visitors to Kota Kinabalu the best chance to see wildlife in its natural surroundings. The tour starts around 2pm when tourists are picked up from their hotel for a 2-hour car ride to a river jetty. The river cruise begins from about 4.30pm and lasts until the sun sets and the sky turns dark. During the evening cruise, the main attraction will be the proboscis monkey, a primate with a huge pendulous nose found only in Borneo. At night, the attention turns to the beautiful lights of the fireflies that dot the trees by the river side. It is one of the best day tours in Kota Kinabalu and should not be missed. What few tourists know though is that there are actually 3 rivers that are currently being used by tour operators and while all 3 rivers offer almost the same thing, that is proboscis monkeys and fireflies, in truth, they are very different, and would affect how much the tourists enjoy the tour, depending on what they would like to see most. Almost all tour operators never specify the name of the river that they are going to, and even if they do name the river, you might actually be taken to a different place instead. So, it is very important that you INSIST on where you want to go if you have a particular river in mind. Klias River This river wins hands down for its fireflies display. I would say that the fireflies here are even better than at the world-famous Kampung Kuantan fireflies in Kuala Selangor. It is only on very rare occasions when there is a full moon or when it is raining that the fireflies display would be less than excellent. The wildlife though is disappointing. Unless you are lucky, you would need a pair of binoculars to see the wildlife. Proboscis monkeys can be seen. Other wildlife that might be seen are silver leaf langurs, long-tailed macaques and monitor lizards. Birdlife include egrets and brahminy kites. Crocodile-eyes spotting can be excellent during low tide and if there are few tourist boats on the river on that day. There are a few jetties from where the river cruise can be taken, all of them of almost the same standard. Garama River Garama River is a smaller and narrower river than Klias or Weston, and therefore the experience is most like a river safari. Wildlife is excellent most of the time (but nothing compared to Kinabatangan). Almost guaranteed sightings are proboscis monkeys and long-tailed macaques. Silver langurs can be seen sometimes. And there are more variety of birds due to the smaller river. What makes Garama special though are the dozens of water buffaloes that can sometimes be seen bathing in the river. This alone means that it is worth coming here even if you have been on a cruise at Kinabatangan River. It would be the perfect river if not for the fact that the fireflies display can be pathetic at times. Make that most of the time. It is not that there are no fireflies at Garama, but rather no effort is made to make this the best tour possible. There are fireflies, if you know where to go. The largest tour operator here is Only In Borneo (OIB), and it has the cleanest toilets. Most tour operators pass their guests to this company (even those who sell tours to Klias River!). For a more intimate experience, there are three other jetties where the cruise can be taken. Weston The least well-known of the three rivers and the least used. It is unique because as soon as you arrive at the jetty, you board a boat for a short ride to the restaurant. Proboscis monkeys, long-tailed macaques and silver langurs can be seen most of the time, but the wildlife here is less tame and runs away if you get too close. Crocodiles are also spotted very often. The river is a bit different as it is nearer to the open sea than the other two rivers and is quite wide. Fireflies are better than at Garama, but not as good as Klias. There is only one jetty offering river cruises. Which river to go to? Klias for fireflies Garama for proboscis monkeys and water buffaloes Weston for crocodiles Distance from Kota Kinabalu 1. Klias River – 1.5 hours 2. Garama River – 2hours 3. Weston – more than 2 hours  Sipadan Island 22/05/2011
 Made famous by Jacques Cousteau documentary called "Ghost of the Sea Turtle", this island has been one of the most popular diving destination for many divers. Located off the north-east coast of Sabah at the Celebes Sea, this island is formed by corals on an extinct volcanic cone that rises 600m or 2,000 feet from the seabed. It has one of the most richest marine habitats with over 3,000 species of fish in the world along with Galapagos Islands and Truk in Micronesia. This island has been voted as the best diving spot in the world by divers who came here. The uniqueness of this island is the drop-off of approximately 600m or 2,000 feet just 9m or 30 feet away from the beach.It is like a wall that drops off suddenly to a bottomless depth. As you dive, you will be able to see groups of green turtles and hawks bill turtles resting on corals in their natural habitat. Hammerhead shark, leopard shark and grey reef shark are a common marine life that you will encounter here. The elongated fish with strong jaw fish called barracuda is commonly found here. Other marine life include the octopus, the parrot fish and manta rays to name a few. As with any marine park, please remember the rules below to ensure that this island remains what it is today.
Getting Here The best time to visit this island is from the month of June to September. AirAsia airline fly to Tawau regularly. From Tawau, take a cab to Semporna town. From Semporna town, take a 45 minutes boat to Sipadan. Make sure that you do your booking with a licensed diving operators before coming here. Accommodation As all resorts on Sipadan Island had been moved out by the directive of the Government, divers who come here will stay at the islands nearby. They are Mabul Island or Kapalai Island. Mabul Island is approximately 25 minutes away by boat to Sipadan.  Turtle Islands Park 15/04/2011
 The Turtle Islands Park was gazetted as a marine park in 1977 to protect and conserve the breeding habits of the sea turtles.The two species that are still surviving in bigger number are the Green Turtles and the Hawksbill Turtles.These endangered species come to the three islands located 40km northeast of Sandakan, the gateway to eco-adventure in Sabah. The three islands are located at the Sulu Sea are:
An Introduction to the Sea Turtles Turtles Laying Eggs The main attraction of this park is seeing the turtles laying eggs at night. Generally, the turtles will come at night to the shore and create an egg chamber using their rear flippers. They then lay a minimum of 40 eggs up to a maximum of 200 eggs. When this is done, they will then cover the eggs with the sand before returning to the sea. One interesting point to note while you are here is that the sex of the offspring is determined by the temperature of the nests. A cooler temperature will produce male offspring and a warmer one will produce female offspring. The eggs are then transferred to the fenced hatcheries to prevent poachers from collecting them and selling them in the market. The eggs will hatch in about 50 day's time after which they will be released to the sea by the wardens. A study showed that out of the many offsprings, only a small number survive to adulthood as there are many sea creatures preying on these young ones. A point to note is that you are not allowed to walk along the each at night. The rangers will inform you when the turtles come up to the shore. Other Activities Other activities that you can do besides watching the turtles are snorkelling, scuba diving, swimming and fishing. There are hatcheries that you can see to learn more about the life cycle of the turtles. Accommodation As the conservation effort of the turtles is a delicate process, only Pulau Selingan has accommodation and a visitor interpretative centre. The number of visitors is limited to 38 per day. Getting Here Get to Sandakan by flight if you are coming from Kuala Lumpur. Take the 9:30am speedboat from Sandakan Harbour and you will reach the islands at about 10:30am. The best time to sight the Green turtles are from July to October and Hawksbill turtles from February to April though you may be able to see a smaller number of them at other times. The Green turtles are bigger in size.  Pulau Tiga Park Sabah 07/03/2011
Pulau Tiga Park is located at the southwest coast of Sabah and north of Kuala Penyu. This park consists of three islands and was gazetted as a marine park in 1978. Pulau Tiga is the biggest with an area of 607 hectares followed by Pulau Kalampunian Besar and Pulau Kalampunian Damit. A study showed that it was formed by the eruption of mud volcanoes. Volcanic activities can still be seen today in the form of bubbling mud. The last volcanic eruption occurred in 1941 and since then have remained passive. Playing on the mud volcano is one of the attractions on this island that visitors go to. Pulau Kalampunian Besar is a low lying island formed from sand and clay. Today, it is only a sandbar continuously being eroded by the waves of the sea. Pulau Kalampunian Damit consists of a big limestone rock with dense vegetation. It is also known as "Snake Island" as snakes come here to breed throughout the year. The snakes are of Laticauda Colubrina species which prey on eels. They lay eggs on the rocks. As the snakes are poisonous, be careful if you come to this island. This park was made popular as it was the location of the reality TV show "Survivor" in 2001. Birds This park has many species of birds, some of them are migratory birds. If you are into bird watching, this is a good place to enhance your knowledge of the birds. Large Megapodes or Megapodius Freycinet which is a type of bird the size of a domestic fowl. These birds are unique in that they hatch their eggs by using the heat from the environment and not from their body heat. The eggs are incubated using the natural heat from the sun or the heat generated from the fermentation process of vegetation. They also produces sound like a cat.
Snorkeling and Scuba Diving Scuba diving and snorkeling are the main activities here as there is a 7km coral reef around the main island. It is home toover 135 of hard and soft coral species. There are plenty of brightly coloured fish and other marine life as a result of the thriving coral reefs here. Accommodation The recently opened Pulau Tiga Resort offers a standard rooms, superior rooms and long houses for accommodation. It alsooffers PADI dive courses. The rooms are air-conditioned with coffee making facilities. Prior to this, there were only two chalets and a hostel for accommodation operated by Sabah Parks.The other resort here is Borneo Survivor Resort. Getting Here If you are coming from Kota Kinabalu, you can drive or take a bus 130 km south towards Kuala Penyu Jetty. The one-way bus ticket from Kota Kinabalu near the Segama bridge costs about RM18. The journey to the jetty will take approximately 3 hours. From this jetty, take a 30-minute boat ride to the islands. Normally the resort where you are staying will make the boat transfer arrangement else a return trip will cost about RM130-RM140 per boat. Where to see fireflies in Sabah 15/02/2011
The following places are all located on the West Coast of Sabah, East Malaysia, Borneo. 1. Klias River Definitely the most spectacular fireflies display in Sabah, better even than the world-famous Kuala Selangor fireflies. What makes this the best place to see fireflies is that the fireflies congregate not just at the bottom of the trees, but from top to bottom, thus making it look like a real Christmas tree. The trees here are much taller than the ones at Kuala Selangor, but unlike in the latter place, the fireflies are not all located in one row of trees. Rather, the fireflies congregate at certain tall trees located some distance from each other. Most tours combine the fireflies viewing with a river cruise to see the proboscis monkeys earlier in the evening. Getting there: Kota Klias is located about one and a half hours drive from Kota Kinabalu (2-2.5 hours from Nexus/Shangrila Rasa Ria Resort). Head south towards the Kota Kinabalu International Airport and follow the road signs to Beaufort. After passing Membakut town, watch out for the signboard that points the way to Kuala Penyu. The turning is on the right. Travel to the end of this road, and then turn right again. There are a few jetties where you can take the river cruise. All are located about 10 minutes from the turning. Tourists unfamiliar with the roads in Sabah are advised to join tours from Kota Kinabalu as the road is dark at night and there are very few street lights. It is very easy to get lost. 2. Kinarut/Kawang River The nearest place to Kota Kinabalu where fireflies display can be seen. The fireflies here are different from the population at Klias River. These are slightly bigger, and unlike the ones at Klias, can be lured to fly towards the boat by using a flashlight. It is a different experience from the Klias River. Getting there: From Kota Kinabalu, head south (in the direction of the airport) towards Kinarut, about 20 minutes away. After passing Kinarut town, look out for the signboard on the right to a place called Angler’s Delight. It is a small signboard that can be easily missed. 3. Mengkabong Tourists staying at Nexus Karambunai Resort or Shangri-la Rasa Ria Resort can go to Mengkabong instead. The fireflies found here are similar to the fireflies at Kawang River in that they are attracted to the light from the boat. The experience here is more natural than at Kawang River as the boat used is a smaller boat, and you will be surrounded by a mangrove forest. The sunset here is also very beautiful. For a different activity, you can go night kayaking at Mengkabong River. Getting there: About 45 minutes from Kota Kinabalu, or 10 to 15 minutes from the above mentioned resorts. Note: Fireflies cannot be seen when it is raining, there is a full moon or when there are strong winds. One of my favourite day trips from Kota Kinabalu is a river cruise along the Garama River. It was one of the first places that I went to when I first arrived in Sabah many years ago, and I have since been back there numerous times. But each time I get on that boat and start searching for the proboscis monkeys, it seems like I’m doing it for the first time all over again. The gentle breeze blowing in my face as the boat cruises down the small river is so soothing and relaxing, it is easy to fall into a daydream and imagine myself as Indiana Jones on an expedition. The departure point for the Garama River Cruise is at Garama Village, about 120km south-west of Kota Kinabalu. The scenery from KK to Garama is that of the typical countryside – paddy fields and lazy cows sitting by the roadside, and also watermelon and oil palm plantations. The last 30 minutes of the journey especially passes by a few small villages where goats, water buffaloes, chickens and even long-tailed macaques sometimes appear by the side of the road. Kampung Garama is the name of this remote village populated by the Bisaya and Brunei Malay people. The name of the village is derived from a type of crab that is found in the river. Originally fishermen, the enterprising people have diverse into planting oil palm and some of them into tourism. It is at one of the jetties set up by the villagers that we stop for some refreshments (and a much needed toilet break). After resting for a while, the real adventure begins. If you are one of those people who like to see wildlife, but not the leeches and the exertion that is needed to trek in the jungle, then the river safari is for you. The proboscis monkeys with their huge pendulous nose and big bellies, are the highlight of the Garama River Safari. Only the male monkeys have this huge nose, and it is believed that the bigger the nose, the more attractive the male is to the females. The Garama River is the best place on the West Coast of Sabah to see these strange-looking animals. As these monkeys sleep in trees by the riverside, a river cruise in the early morning or late evening is a good way to catch sight of these primates found only in Borneo. Besides the proboscis monkey, 2 other species of primates can be seen on the Garama River, although sightings are not guaranteed. Other wildlife that can be seen include monitor lizards, various species of birds (kingfishers, brahminy kites, egrets, etc) and if you are really lucky, crocodiles. The not-so-wildlife would be the dozens of water buffaloes that sometimes bathe in the river after a long, hot day in the sun. To some people, this is the best part of the tour. Feel the cool breeze and absorb in the tranquil natural surroundings as the boat cruises along the river. The cruise ends just as the sun sets, turning the sky into a brilliant orange-red color. Back at the jetty, we tuck into a home-cooked Malay meal while waiting for the day to turn to night. For when night comes, the other attraction of this river, the fireflies, take their place among the mangrove trees, lighting them up like beautiful Christmas trees. Crocker Range Park 08/12/2010
Crocker Range Park visitor's centre is about 12km away from the town of Keningau. This range was gazetted as a park in 1984 due to its importance as water catchment area for the surrounding towns. This range covers an area of about 1,392 square km and is located to the south of Mount Kinabalu. It is also called "Taman Banjaran Crocker" in Malay language. The Kadazandusun and Murut communities live in various settlements surrounding the range. The headquarter of the park is located about 145km from Kota Kinabalu where the visitor centre is. Basic facility was constructed and opened in 2004 where you can camp and do jungle trekking here. Bird watching is one of the natural attraction here. For those who are into greater challenge, you can do white water rafting at Padas River. Prior arrangement with tour agent is neccessary to if you intend to jungle trek or white water rafting. Flora and Fauna Find out more about Rafflesia, the world's largest flower at The Rafflesia Information Centre on your way here. It is located near Tambunan. There are trails from this centre where the Rafflesia can be found. It opens daily from 8am to 3pm. Call the centre at Tel : +6 088 898 500 or +6 088 898 501 for more information. This flower is a parasite which has no root, leaf or stem and its host is a vine called Tetrastigma. It flowers usually at midnight after a rainy day and lasted only for a few days. You will be fortunate to see a real one flowering. After that, they will begin to rot emitting a rotten meat smell. Flies will come and as a result the plant is pollinated. The most common species found in Sabah are:
Look out also for the following flora at this dipterocap forest.
Camping Contact Sabah Parks for permit if you intend to camp here. Contacts of Sabah Parks: Lot 1-3, Block K, Ground Floor Sinsuran Complex Kota Kinabalu, Sabah Tel: +6 088 212 719 or +6 088 211 881 or directly to: Crocker Range Park: +6 019 862 0404 Admission and Camping Fees Admission fee is RM3 per person. Camping fee is RM5 per adult and RM1 for those below 18 years old. Opening Hours 8:00am to 5:00pm daily Getting Here If you are coming from Kota Kinabalu, take a bus to Keningau town at the "Long Distance Bus Station" near Merdeka Field. It will cost you less than RM20. Once you arrive in Keningau, take a taxi here. The one-way fare is about RM40/taxi. |
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