Sabah Itinerary: The Ultimate Week in Animal Lover’s Paradise

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Split up into Indonesian, Malaysian and Brunei territory, Borneo is arguably one of the most beautiful and naturally diverse places on the planet. In particular, Sabah (known as Malaysian Borneo) provides spectacular scenery, whether you spend it at the top of Mount Kinabalu or submerse yourself into one of many famous dive spots.

For nature lovers, Sabah is perfect for experiencing once-in-a-lifetime bucket list items and seeing some of the world’s most endangered species, such as the cheeky orangutan. Admittedly, during my travels around Asia, Borneo wasn’t even a part of my original plan. However, as someone who loves to claim a summit, I couldn’t resist tackling the highest peak in Southeast Asia and spending some time practicing my animal photography at the same time.

This ultimate Sabah itinerary will walk you through how to spend a week in the region, with some flexible activity options depending on your travel style.

Before you go: Visiting Sabah

Best time of year to visit Sabah

Borneo’s dry season typically runs from March to October, with the peak tourist season running from June to August. My recommendation is to try and make sure you visit during these times, as the rainy season in Sabah can be extremely turbulent and cause dangerous conditions for hiking, poor visibility for diving and river cruises can be cancelled.

Getting to Sabah

Most travelers will begin their Sabah itinerary at Kota Kinabalu (colloquially known as KK). You can fly into Kota Kinabalu International Airport from most major cities in Malaysia, as well as an extensive number of regional cities including Singapore, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Seoul, Bali and across China.

Both Sandakan and Tawau have smaller airports with regular flights to Kuala Lumpur, and seasonal flights to select regional cities.

Getting around Sabah

Finding your way around different regions of Sabah may seem daunting, but there are plenty of options to suit your budget. Typically, flying is the easiest and fastest way to get between places, especially if you don’t want to waste a whole day traveling. Flights across Sabah from Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan are usually very affordable year-round and often only take around 45 minutes. In my opinion, this is often much more appealing than an eight-hour bus.

Alternatively, if you have more flexibility with your travel plans, it’s worth considering renting a car from Kota Kinabalu to experience Sabah at a more casual pace – as well as giving you the freedom to go off the beaten track.

The ultimate one week Sabah itinerary

Days 1-2: Kota Kinabalu and Mt. Kinabalu

You’ll likely start your adventure in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah’s state capital. It’s the perfect place for shopping centers, markets, and most importantly, Mt. Kinabalu which stands at a staggering 4095m. Even if you don’t consider yourself a mountaineer, there’s something here for everyone and the ideal place to ease yourself into the Malaysian Borneo culture. Below, I have listed some key attractions and activities to personalize your time in this grand city.

Climb Mt. Kinabalu

It’s no surprise that this is first on the list, as reaching the top of the famous mountain is extremely high on backpackers’ lists. As this is an overnight hike, you can expect this activity to take up the majority of your first two days in Sabah – so keep this in mind if there’s other attractions you want to see.

I’ll also be honest, the Mt. Kinabalu hike is fairly expensive, usually costing hundreds of US dollars (from around $400 upwards). However, as someone who’s done it, I would say this hike was worth every penny, and the views were absolutely mind-blowing, as well as giving you a huge sense of achievement from tackling this beast of a mountain.

To give you a brief rundown, you’ll usually start from Timpohan Gate and hike for four to six hours to the Laban Rata Resthouse. The race to the summit then starts between 2-3 am, tackling a series of steep staircases and rock-face climbs before reaching Low’s Peak in time for the sunrise. Each hike package usually includes all your meals, accommodation, and a guide to talk you through the route and give you the history of the beautiful park.

Before heading off, I strongly recommend reading through this official kit list to make sure you’re fully prepared (or know what to buy as soon as you land!).

Day trips to Kinabalu National Park

If you’re short on time or are worried about your fitness, you can instead go on a day excursion to Kinabalu National Park to explore the lush trails – without facing the daunting climb. This is also a more budget-friendly option if you still want to learn about Mt. Kinabalu and experience the natural beauty of the area.

During your excursion, you can also visit the Poring Hot Springs, where you can soak in mineral-rich sulfur baths while surrounded by the vast rainforest. If you’re looking for the perfect combination, I absolutely love this tour which combines the adventure of the National Park with the perfect amount of relaxation.

Mari Mari Cultural Village

If hiking isn’t your thing and you’re looking to learn more about Sabah’s ethnic groups, the Mari Mari cultural village is perfect for a half day trip. If you’re traveling to Sabah with kids, you’ll want to put Mari Mari on your itinerary

In the village, there is one morning and one afternoon tour, both of which allow you to watch traditional performances, sample the local food, and visit authentic tribal houses and see how different communities lived many years ago.

As Mari Mari is a popular attraction, I always recommend you book a tour in advance.

Days 3-5: Sepilok and the Kinabatangan River

Animal lovers strap in, I promise you the next few days will offer some of the most unforgettable wildlife encounters of your life.

Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre

One of the most famous wildlife sanctuaries, this is one of the best places to observe orangutans before they are released back into the wild. If you don’t get the opportunity to come to Sepilok, you can also see them in Kuching (which is another one of our favorite places to visit in Malaysia).

Established in 1964, the centre rescues and rehabilitates orphaned or injured orangutans, helping to prepare them for life in the jungle. Here, you can watch the cheeky primates interact with each other, swing through the trees and even see mothers with newborn babies.

I strongly recommend visiting during the feeding times at 10 am and 3 pm at the main feeding platform, and 9:30 am and 2:30 pm at the nursery. If you’re lucky, you might get to see the alpha male orangutan. This big guy is truly a breathtaking natural wonder.

Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre

Just across the road from the orangutan sanctuary, you’ll find the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre – home to the world’s smallest bear. Only found in Southeast Asia, these bears often sadly fall victim to illegal hunting, and are even occasionally mistaken as dogs and kept as pets (yes, really).

Around the centre, visitors are able to go along walkways and viewing platforms to see these little bears in their natural habitat, as well as learn about each one’s personality and story.

Make sure to save some money for the gift shop (which is possibly the most tempting one I’ve ever been in and has left me bankrupt).

Kinabatangan River cruise

Taking a jungle cruise on the Kinabatangan River is a must on your Sabah itinerary. As you sail along Borneo’s longest river, you’ll have the opportunity to see some of the world’s most fascinating such as proboscis monkeys, crocodiles, vibrant birdlife and even pygmy elephants. Whether you’re a wildlife photographer or a nature lover, this experience is guaranteed to leave a lasting impact.

There are a lot of companies which offer different tours, so it can be overwhelming to decide which one to choose. You’ll want to pre-book to avoid the hassle!

Personally, if you’re willing to extend your stay, I strongly recommend opting for a three-day package to give yourself plenty of opportunities to see the animals – as it’s not always guaranteed. Alongside the cruise itself, you’ll get to stay in a lodge in the heart of the jungle, and sometimes animals will be right on your doorstep (or in my case, stealing a pot of coffee).

Included in the three-day package you’ll also go on a jungle trek to learn more about the rainforest and see creatures up close and personal. My advice, definitely remember to pack/buy a pair of leech socks.

Days 6-7: Semporna

After a few days of jungle adventures, it’s time to head to Semporna for some relaxation time or diving deep into the ocean to see some very different types of animals.

Island hopping

Semporna town provides a gateway to exploring stunning islands and marine environments. A short boat ride from the mainland takes you to Bohey Dulang, Sibuan, Mantabuan, and Timba-Timba Islands, each offering crystal-clear waters, white sandy beaches, and colorful coral reefs teeming with different species.

If you’re limited on time, I recommend prioritizing Mataking Island for unique snorkeling experiences, such as Turtle Playground, where you can swim alongside turtles in crystal-clear water. To avoid any hassle, many resorts offer inclusive packages with meals, transfers and island-hopping, so you can truly relax during the final days of your trip.

Diving

Whether you have your diving certification or have a few dives under your belt, Semporna is the perfect place. Home to some of the best dive sites in the world, the warm waters and excellent visibility make for a memorable diving experience.

Sipadan Island (known as the ‘Crown Jewel’) is the most famous place for diving. Here, you can find incredible marine wildlife like sea turtles, reef sharks, hammerhead sharks and barracudas. Due to conservation work, it is now required for travelers to have a special diving permit, which must be booked months in advance due to popularity.

It’s also important to note that even though beginners are allowed to dive here, an Advanced Open Water Certification is required for deeper dives.

Or alternatively, if you’re reading this article and wishing you’d learnt to dive – it’s never too late. You can always add on an extra week to your Sabah itinerary and get your PADI Open Water. Can you ever have enough of those beautiful Borneo sunsets?

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