Sabah, on the northernmost tip of Borneo, is a haven for adventure seekers and outdoor enthusiasts. From the frigid heights of Mount Kinabalu to the tropical rainforests and coastal coral reefs, there's more to see and do here than most tourists' itineraries can accommodate.

A total of seven national parks pave the way for exploring the natural beauty. Kinabalu National Park, home of Southeast Asia's highest peak, is the most popular and enjoys UNESCO World Heritage status. Leaving the volcanic hill country, there are just as many national parks centred on islands off the coast, home to some of the best diving sites in the world.

Visitors are consistently amazed by the breadth of wildlife here in Borneo. Previous logging and deforestation has driven the wildlife on the island into compact wooded areas where you can view multiple species all in a single hike. Rare Sumatran rhinos and orang-utans inhabit the lowland caves, while deer and giant squirrels can be seeing scurrying out of sight on the trail's peripheral.

Sabah's wealth of natural beauty has prompted the local government into establishing rigid guidelines for visitors. As a rule, tourists have access to all the backcountry they desire, though permits and guides are required. Those arriving from Sarawak or other parts of Borneo may be taken off-guard by the extra red tape, but none of it hampers the outdoor activities available here. Instead, visitors are greeted with pristine wilderness and knowledgeable guides that enhance the experience.

This isn't to say that independent travellers can't find their niche in Sabah. There are plenty of self-guided trails available, especially in Crocker Range National Park where crowds are minimal. In addition, the first half of the Mount Kinabalu ascent is open for unguided tours.

In the 16^th century, Sabah (or North Borneo) was ruled by the Sultanate of Brunei. Over the next couple of centuries, North Borneo was passed back and forth between local kingdoms until the British East India Company established a trading post here late in the 18^th century. The subsequent failure to attract foreign investors ultimately kept European imperialists at bay during this time.

WWII saw North Borneo fall into Japanese hands, and the ensuing bombings completely razed Sandakan. After the war, North Borneo was declared a British crown colony and present-day Kota Kinabalu was named the capital. British rule lasted for about 20 years until 1963, when North Borneo along with Sarawalk, Singapore and Malaya merged to form the independent Federation of Malaysia.

Sabah's climate is much like the rest of Malaysia's. Temperatures are generally high year round, ranging from 25°C to the low 30s (°C). The weather is generally humid year-round, regardless of the rains. The only exception is at higher altitudes, particularly on Mount Kinabalu, where hikers welcome the cooler temperatures which dip even further after sunset. Above 11,000 feet, it's not uncommon for temperatures to periodically dip below freezing, a surprising contrast with the lowland climate.