Bucket List Family
FAM TRIP

SABAH (Kota Kinabalu)

Sabah welcomes you. From the mountains to the sea, Bornean ecological marvels are yours to explore from coast to coast. There are a myriad of must-visit places spread out across the second-largest state in Malaysia.

Your thrilling adventure to experience the land of North Borneo begins as you touch down at Kota Kinabalu International Airport, about 15 minutes away from the capital city of Kota Kinabalu. Here, you will find a truly unique sanctuary. Imagine a short boat journey from your accommodation could take you to your next dive spot. A 2.5-hour roadtrip will get you to the starting point of Malaysia's highest peak, while a 45-minute flight will take you to a destination and experience straight out of a jungle book. Borneo’s pandora box awaits you.

Any adventure by the Bucketlist family is literally a bucket list! Dive below to discover the adventures that Garrett, Jessica, Dorothy, Manilla and little Calihan had in Sabah.

Shangri-La Rasa Ria Resort, Tuaran

Treat the jet-lagged with a relaxing stay at Shangri-La Rasa Ria Resort. A breathtaking sanctuary located on the outskirts of the private land of Dalit Beach in Tuaran district. This retreat is a perfect escape from the city centre yet still within Kota Kinabalu’s top attractions. Kota Kinabalu is 35km away while the Mount Kinabalu highlands is 72 km away after the Tuaran Town. It's a perfect place to unwind, explore, and bond with your loved ones.

The Shangri-La resort offers an extraordinary experience, blending the wonder of the rainforest with the tranquillity of a stunning beach getaway. Their Rasa Ria Reserve spans 64 acres of tropical jungle, cradled between two riverines and the South China Sea. Guests can go on a guided walk with an experienced resident naturalist for interpretation of flora and fauna in the reserve, or they can enjoy Sabah’s world-class sunsets by the beach, stretching up to 3 km long.

Kids especially, would love Shangri-La Rasa Ria Resort. In addition to the fun swimming pools and adventure points, the Cool Zone Kids Club offers exciting daily activities for little travellers.

With a plethora of exciting activities, delicious food, and a tranquil setting, this resort promises to provide the perfect getaway for solo travelers, couples, or families.

SANDAKAN

Escape to Sandakan, known as the nature city. Historically, back in 1879, it was a hustling and bustling hub for trading activities when the British North Borneo Company made Sandakan the main administrative centre for North Borneo. At one point, it was also doubted to be the little Hong Kong of Southeast Asia due to the high presence of migrants from Hong Kong. It is also a place with profound historical narratives.

Sandakan is your portal to nature and wildlife attractions in Sabah. Some of Sabah’s incredible dive sites are a boat ride away from the mainland. The mysterious lowland rainforest of the Kinabatangan River is etched as an iconic place to be among local and international visitors. While in Sandakan, one should never skip the gastronomical wonders of Sandakan too. Renowned for seafood and the adorable little UFO tart, any foodie will find the culinary delights a burst of flavours and a joy to explore.

Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre

Established in 1964, the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre (SORC) is managed by the Sabah Wildlife Department to rehabilitate orphaned and injured orangutans. It is the first centre in the world dedicated to saving this endangered primate. The Bornean orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus) is one of the three known orangutan species endemic to the island of Borneo. It is listed as a critically endangered species on the IUCN’s red list.

Your admission to SORC will contribute to the rehabilitation of each orangutan nursed in this centre. The place is equipped with orangutan treatment facilities, a nursery, a viewing platform, and an exhibition gallery. It is important to note that this area is an open space, and the orangutans are free to wander around within the Kabili-Sepilok Forest Reserve.

Visitors at Sepilok can view the orangutans at the platform and nursery during their feeding times at 10:00 am and 3:00 pm daily. From Sandakan city, SORC is about a forty-minute (23 km) drive away.

Bornean Sunbear Conservation Centre

The Bornean Sunbear Conservation Centre is located within walking distance and adjacent from the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre. It is the best place to learn about the world’s smallest bear species. Founded by Dr Wong Siew Te, or fondly known as Papa Bear, he has worked tirelessly to protect this special Bornean species.

The centre aims to provide the best care and rehabilitation to the rescued sunbears while increasing public awareness about this vulnerable species. To date, there are about 43 rescued ex-captive sun bears residing at the centre, with continuous efforts to set them back into the wild once they are ready. Visit the centre to read about the interesting journal of each rescued sun bear and the admirable efforts done by all the ‘Bear Care’ team and volunteers, the true fighters for this voiceless mammal. Trust us, it will be a wholesome, enriching experience.

Rainforest Discovery Centre

The Rainforest Discovery Centre (RDC) introduces Borneo's rainforest uniqueness and importance. Look around to see the area's wonderful flora and fauna. The famous Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre and Bornean Sunbear Conservation Centre are within walking distance from RDC. The longest skywalk in Sabah, 620 meters, is the showpiece of this natural space. RDC offers various loop walks around the Kabili-Sepilok forest reserve, including a doable trek to uncover the Sepilok Giant.

Recognised as an Important Birding Area (IBA) in 2009, the RDC is frequented by Avian enthusiasts from around the world. One may see various species of hornbills, Blue-headed Pitta, Sabah Partridge, Bornean Banded Kingfisher, Bornean Black Magpie and the most exclusive Bornean Bristlehead. Total bragworthy if you spotted them out!

At sunset, visitors anticipate the Red Giant flying squirrel emerging from its hiding location. For the best RDC experience, choose the night walk program as the dark could reveal tarsiers, sluggish lorises, civets, and other nocturnal animals.

Lower- Kinabatangan River

The mighty Lower-Kinabatangan River sustains one of the world’s richest ecosystems. It is Sabah’s first and Malaysia’s largest RAMSAR site. The surrounding forest is one of only two known locations in the world where 10 species of primates can be found.

This is Malaysia’s second-longest river, flowing 560km from Southwest Sabah to its outlet at the Sulu Sea, on the East Coast. A total of 26,000 ha was gazetted as the Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary.

A river cruise at dawn or dusk is the best opportunity to see wildlife. You might even see the elusive Bornean pygmy elephant feeding along the river banks, witness stunts of the Proboscis jumping from tree to tree, or even catch sight of wild orangutan. Saltwater crocodiles are prominent residents of the river and always make themselves visible as they linger by the riverbanks.

The Kinabatangan lowland rainforest is home to all eight species of Hornbills found in Borneo! It is no wonder that Kinabatangan is also listed as an Important Bird Area (IBA). Birdwatchers from near and far often book carefully designed birding tours with travel agents specializing in this niche interest.

It goes without saying that Kinabatangan offers nature lovers a "National Geographic" experience. It is an excellent educational travel destination suitable for families and frequently featured in the Natural History docu-series as a hotspot for wildlife.

Many major local tour companies run lodges in the Sukau, Bilit and Abai area with packages that include accommodation (ranging from backpackers to luxurious river lodges), transportation, meals, and guided tours.

Borneo Rainforest Lodge, Danum Valley

A naturalists’ paradise, the Danum Valley Conservation Area is renowned for its intricate ecosystem and is officially designated as a Class 1 (Protection) Forest Reserve. The enchanted forest functions as a habitat for a diverse array of flora and fauna, including but not limited to the banteng, clouded leopard, orangutan, slow loris, proboscis monkey, and the critically endangered Bornean pygmy elephant. Danum Valley is also home to the Yellow Meranti tree species, the tallest tropical tree in the world.

The Borneo Rainforest Lodge (BRL), situated alongside the Danum River, is a renowned eco-lodge that has received international recognition for its exceptional standards. The establishment's premium villas and chalets provide individuals of all age groups with an exceptional experience and a high level of comfort, allowing them to relax comfortably in the middle of the forest while enjoying eco-luxurious touch.

The property is designed with environmental awareness in mind, to be sustainable, and to have as little impact on the natural environment as possible. Aside from eco-friendly cleaning products, comfort items like room scents, hand sanitizers, shampoos, and soaps are made from natural ingredients. A routine for organic composting and managing waste separation is also part of the operation.

Visitors who want to fully experience nature in this area can do a number of things, such as exploring along their famous canopy walkway, going on a guided hike to the cinematic View Point and Coffin Cliff, river tubing, visiting the Fairy Waterfall and night safari.

Prominent individuals that have graced their presence in this area include HRH Prince William and Catherine Middleton, The Prince and Princess of Wales, esteemed natural historian Sir David Attenborough, actress Dame Judi Dench, and renowned lifestyle guru Martha Stewart.

The Borneo Rainforest Lodge offers a comprehensive package that includes full board accommodations with various engaging activities, catering to the interests of both young and old travelers.