Sabah's Outdoor Activities

Abseiling

Seeking for an adventurous activity? Try abseiling, which means to 'rope down' in German. This is one activity which will be both challenging and exciting!


Sabah has great outdoor rock climbing opportunities and also offers a great selection of indoor climbing opportunities.

For the brave, why not attempt to abseil Mount Kinabalu and marvel at the spectacular view that Mount Kinabalu has to offer. This will surely not dissapoint.

Try Zip Borneo and abseil down their 18 meter tower and take in the beautiful jungle and river side views on your way down.








Biking

Another outdoor recreational activity which is slowly gaining popularity in Sabah is biking. Sabah is known for scenic roads, natural areas, cultural and historic attractions and biking is a great way to discover all this at your own pace.

Want to be away from the hustle and bustle of the city? Bring the whole family on a perfect biking activity and bask in the scenic views that Sabah has to offer.


Birding


Did you know that there are 688 species of resident and migratory birds and out of that 688 species, 54 species are endemic to Borneo and 33 species are endemic to Sabah?
Birding or bird watching is an activity where you could explore more of these unique feathered friends of ours.

Birding in Sabah
There are various locations in Sabah where bird enthusiasts could do birding.

Mountain Range
You can expect to see birds such as, the Malaysian Treepie, the Laughing Thrush, Short-tailed Magpies, Sunda Laughing Thrushes, Whitehead’s Spiderhunter and not forgetting the endemic Mountain Barbet at this type of terrain.

In Sabah, try visiting Kinabalu Park, where 17 endemic birds to Borneo can be found and Crocker Range Park, which has two areas often visited by birdwatchers; the Rafflesia Forest Reserve and Keningau head-station of Crocker Range.

Lowland Forest
Known to have the richest habitat, the most number of bird species can be found in this habitat in Borneo. There are a few prime bird watching areas in Sabah with this terrain, such as, Danum Valley Conservation Area, Tabin Wildlife Reserve both located in Lahad Datu, Rainforest Discovery Centre (RDC) in Sandakan and Poring Hot Springs in Ranau.

For birders, this type of terrain, you can expect to see the endemic Bornean Bristlehead, the Scarlet Minivet, Banded Broadbill and the Red-bearded Bee-Eater. In Tabin alone, you can find 8 endemic species including the Bornean Bristlehead and Blue-banded Pitta.

Freshwater
Kinabatangan River – Kinabatangan River holds one of the world’s richest ecosystem and makes Kinabatangan an excellent location for bird watching.

Highlight in Kinabatangan : 8 species of Hornbills, Oriental Darter and Storm’s Stork.

*All birding destinations are easily accessible with good transportation network and accommodation facilities are also available.

Equip yourself with a good camera and a tripod, good binoculars and a good field guide and you are good to go. We see birds everyday, but can you distinguish one bird song to another? Take up birding and you may just be able to.


Golfing
Sabah's wealth of natural beauty makes golfing here a once-in-a-lifetime experience not to be missed. From picturesque courses in tranquil settings to the most challenging terrains, Sabah's golf clubs offer a spectrum of experiences for the avid golfers.

Today, Sabah boasts numerous golf clubs located in all corners of the State with some courses set amongst breath-taking scenery and offering interesting and challenging play, whatever your handicap and levels of challenge may be. You can choose to play in the city, by the sea, high above the sea level or closer to earth at the fringe of lush vegetation.

A world-famous golfer once said that one of the main pleasures of the game lies in its natural elements are brought in, to test the player to the full. (In fact Graham Marsh said it, in the Benson & Hedges Holiday Golf guide to where to play and stay in SEA, published 1978.

This great East Malaysian state on Borneo Island is naturally endowed with endless beaches and bays, ancient rainforests and amazing plants and animals, and the sacred Mt Kinabalu - and all this natural beauty is blended into the landscape of the golf courses, making Sabah truly a golfer's Paradise.

Parasailing
Parasailing is a recreational activity where you are able to enjoy the bird's eye view of the destination of your choice. Experience the sheer freedom and rush of being hosted up in the air.

While attached to a canopy wing, you, in your harness, will be lifted up and through the air by a moving boat. Doesn't that scream excitement? The feeling of infinite freedom that parasailing gives is exactly why you should give this activity a try.


Sea Walking
The name itself is intriguing and it does speak for itself. What was once unthinkable, now made possible with the help of a 35 kg helmet of course. Sea walking is a new sea sport that allows a person to enjoy the underwater world without the hassle of mastering scuba skills.

Sea walking allows you to admire the amazing marine life up close and personal. Looking for an activity for the whole family, this would be perfect.

White Water Rafting
Adrenaline junkies and sports enthusiasts will be spoilt for choice with the variety of adventure and sporting activities available in Sabah, one of it is white water rafting. It is a recreational activity using a raft to navigate a river or other bodies of water.

Three main words you would need to know venturing into this sporting activity; rapid, whitewater and raft.  Rapid is the turbulent areas of a river. White water occurs when a river forms bubbly and frothy water which is white, due to rapids. Meanwhile, a raft is used to navigate through the river.

Whitewater rapids are classified into six categories. Class 1 which means it’s a smooth river with hardly any rapids to Class 6 which is suitable only to those seasoned experts. Class 3 and 4 will give you exciting, adrenaline pumping, wild fun rides, with limited risk.

In Sabah you could experience white water rafting at Padas River which gives you Class 3 and 4 rapids, while Kiulu white water rafting is more suitable for family with children as it gives you Class 1 to 2 rapids. All rafts big and sturdy, with an experienced expert guide who controls the steering of the rafts.