Children are always thrilled by Sabah’s wealth of wildlife, many species of which can be found in special rehabilitation centres that permit safe, up-close viewing. Leopards, elephants, apes and enormous flying squirrels are just a few of the animals children go home talking about. Local tour guides know just where to go for the best sightings.

Beaufort-Tenom Railway
There's a sole stretch of railroad through Sabah that extends from Kota Kinabalu to Tenom. The segment from Beaufort to Tenom is especially picturesque as it winds through the mountains and jungles of Sabah. Even in bad weather, this is a nice way to spend an afternoon.

Butterfly Farm
Kids are never disappointed with the caterpillar house here at the Butterfly Farm. You'll also find a great variety of these fragile creatures flapping through the butterfly nursery as well as in the outdoor area.

Canopy Walkway
This 'catwalk' through the treetops gives kids a fantastic perspective on the lives of arboreal monkeys. The walkways are very safe, though the recoil in the platforms can put an alarming spring in your step.

Kinabalu Park
Well over 13,000 feet high, Mount Kinabalu is the tallest peak in Southeast Asia. Compared with the other world-record holders, it's remarkably easy to climb. That's not to say you don't need a good measure of endurance to make it to the summit. Most leisure climbers take a couple days to do the trail (compare that to the international record of 2 hours, 41 minutes up and down). Ample accommodation along the way makes this a nice family retreat.
Website: http://www.sabahparks.org.my/pages/kinapark.html.

Kipungit Waterfall
It takes about 15 minutes to hike to this waterfall from Poring Hot Springs. It's an easy walk and the short trail has lots of interesting plants and wildlife to keep kids engaged. An idyllic pool at the base of the falls is a wonderful place for a cooling swim.

Poring Hot Springs
Built by Japanese invaders during WWII, the spa at these hot springs caters for worn-out trekkers looking to soak their tired muscles. It's also a fun stop for kids, with ample facilities and plenty of steaming, sulphur-smelling cauldrons.

Pulau Tiga National Park
Volcanoes of mud and some nice fishing spots highlight this island. The setting played host to the TV show Survivor in recent years.
Website: http://www.sabahparks.org.my/pages/tiga.html.

Sabah State Library
Great for a rainy afternoon, the SSL Teen Club meets here at the library and hosts an array of indoor games, storytelling and crafts to promote creative thinking and more constructive use of spare time.
Website: http://www.ssl.sabah.gov.my/.

Sepilok Orang-utan Rehabilitation Centre
There are only four facilities like this in the world. These droll apes are often as amused with spectators as spectators are with them. While kids love the orang-utans, adults give equally excellent reviews of this facility. Phone: +60 89 531180.

Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park
Boats from Kota Kinabalu make regular trips to this island. If basking on white sand beaches, snorkelling through phenomenal coral reefs and viewing a host of tropical fish isn’t enough, try searching for monitor lizards and wild boars. This is a fun trip for the whole family.
Website: http://www.sabahparks.org.my/pages/ttar_intro.html.

In light of Sabah's natural beauty, visitors who come expecting diverse wildlife and stunning natural beauty are surprised to find that the region's cultural heritage is equally diverse. Several small tribes, each with their own unique traditions, come together here on the island of Borneo. This combined with Malaysia's well-known diversity and colonial heritage means there are countless ways to explore and engage in the local way of life.

Agnes Keith House
Agnes Keith was a 1930s American author who moved to Sandakan and wrote several books about her experiences here. Refurbished as a museum, this wooden villa has several exhibits on her life including materials related to her imprisonment at the hands of the Japanese during WWII. Admission to the Sabah Museum in Kota Kinabalu includes admission to Agnes Keith House. A 20-minute walk along the Sandakan Heritage trail leads from the house to Sandakan city centre.

Home Stays
The tourism board in Sabah encourages tourists to consider home stay arrangements while visiting the state. Accommodation is usually very basic but includes three meals daily and a place to sleep. Some of the more lavish home stays incorporate entertainment, transport and any number of cultural activities to enrich your visit. Check out the tourism board’s website for a complete list of places to stay.
Website: www.sabahtourism.com.

Monsopiad Cultural Village
Built on the territory of the fearsome Kadazan head-hunter, Monsopiad, this cultural attraction was built some 300 years after its namesake lived here. Interestingly, the facility is now operated by direct descendents of Monsopiad, who are committed to fostering the rich traditions of the Kadazan people. Attractions include package lunch and dinner exhibitions featuring Kadazan cuisine and traditional music and dance. The staff also offers lessons in Kadazan music, dance and cooking. Phone: +60 6 88 761336.

Murut Cultural Centre
A few miles outside of Tenom, the grounds of this cultural centre span 33 acres along the Pegalan River. The main buildings holds a number of displays related to the art and culture of the Murut people, who compose the third-largest ethnic group in Sabah after the Bajau and Kadazan people. Many of the Murut in Sabah still live in traditional longhouses, as they have done for centuries. The buildings and longhouses on the premises have been constructed using local timber and are adorned with carvings that reflect indigenous styles.

North Borneo Railway
Opened in the late 19^th century, this line of track was refurbished in 2000 in honour of Kota Kinabalu's new status as a Malaysian city. Tourists receive a boxed lunch along with a taste of the bygone colonial era onboard this Vulcan Steam Engine, built in 1954. Strictly a novelty ride, trains depart Tanjung Aru Station three times per week and make a round trip (five hours) to and from Papar. Phone: +60 6 88 263933

Sabah Museum
This four-storey structure was constructed to reflect the building styles of the Murut and Rungus tribes. A few of the best permanent exhibits are an artificial limestone cave, botanical samples from around the region and artefacts like handicrafts and ceramics from several of the local tribes. A life-sized Kadazan bamboo house is located outside in the heritage gardens, while a science and education centre has devoted its greatest resources to exhibits on the petroleum industry. Phone: +66 6 88 253199.

State Mosque
A few miles south of Kota Kinabalu, this mosque’s dome and striped minaret are visible from the highway that leads to the international airport. Built in 1976, this impressive building accommodates a grand total of 5,500 worshippers (5,000 men and 500 women) and epitomises modern trends in Islamic architecture. Those who don’t adhere to Islam are welcome, though appropriate dress is expected, including head scarves and no shoes.

Sabah’s capital city Kota Kinabalu is the most prominent city in the whole state. The scope of goods and services offered here is impressive, and you’ll find all of the modern outlets that today’s shoppers expect.

Kota Kinabalu has seven major shopping centres, the largest of which is the four acre Centre Point near the bus terminal at the city centre. The Karamunsing Complex and the KK Plaza Mall are also popular. Factory outlets at Centre Point have some of the best retail bargains in town and are popular with tourists.

The Merdeka Complex is well-known for its selection of antique goods and bookstores. Sporting outfitters are available in shopping centres and Wisma Sabah in particular operates several travel agents and diving companies. Beyond this, Sabah is regionally known as one of the best places in Malaysia to pick up affordable electronics.

As you travel across the state, you’ll come across small vendors selling unique handicrafts. These are generally harder to find and more expensive in Kota Kinabalu. If you’re in the market for a unique gift, head to the Karamunsing Complex of the Borneo Trading Post, both of which carry a variety of regional handicrafts.

When you’re out and about in Sabah, you may find yourself faced with a limited selection of eateries. However, this usually presents travellers with an opportunity to sample some truly authentic cuisine. Noodle stands are popular wherever you go, and there’s usually a restaurant or two serving up Western style cuisine.

The most popular hiking trails are outfitted with a few rest areas that offer buffet or canteen-style dining services. Generally, when you arrange a guided trek or backcountry tour, the cost includes all meals which are either eaten at one of these establishments. Independent travellers planning to go hiking can stock up on food in Kota Kinabalu before setting out.

You’ll find a much wider assortment of restaurants on the semi-metropolitan streets of Kota Kinabalu. After spending some time in Malaysia, you won’t be surprised to find multiple halal restaurants and Chinese coffee shops, but there’s also a surprising variety of European and Japanese cuisine on the menus. On top of this, fresh local seafood means eating in Kota Kinabalu is always a rewarding experience.

The staggering range of outdoor activities is the number one draw for Sabah's tourism industry. Whether scaling the highest peak in Southeast Asia, exploring the coral reefs of Sipadan, or trekking through the vast rainforests and ravines, there's always a reason to spend time outside in Sabah. Sabah's natural beauty is well-guarded and most of the activities here require a permit or at least a guide. It is easy to find an organisation that can help you arrange exactly the sort of adventure you're looking for.

Mountain Climbing
Mount Kinabalu is great for a number of activities. Every year, the mountain hosts a variety of competitions, testing the endurance of climbers and cyclists. The climb is gentle enough that you don't have to be in great shape as long as you take it slow. Plenty of rest houses and restaurants along the way make it possible to break the climb up over two or more days. If you're going all the way to the summit, you'll need to hire a guide. However, the trails leading up to Laban Rata are open to all hikers who have arranged a permit at the park headquarters.

Trekking
Sabah's two most popular areas for trekking are Crocker Range National Park and Danum Valley. The latter is one of Sabah's gems—a logging forest turned conservatory that boasts orang-utans, rare Sumatran rhinos and clouded leopards. Crocker Range is better suited to independent travellers, with several well-marked trails and some interesting wildlife including a bizarre legless lizard species. However, the primary attraction here is the tambunan rafflesia flower, the largest flower in the world with blooms that span three feet or more.

Wildlife Viewing
Wherever you go in Sabah, you'll be perpetually amazed by the breadth and scope of the local wildlife. Wildlife protection facilities like the Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary or the Sepilok Orang-utan Rehabilitation Centre are understandably popular, though there's much more to see beyond these places. The Sugai Kinabatangan River is practically overflowing with wildlife, as massive deforestation has driven these animals to take refuge in the palm-oil groves on the banks of the river. While birds make the most consistent showing here, some lucky visitors see elephants, marbled wildcats and giant squirrels.