Adventures
& Sports
Adrenaline junkies and sports enthusiasts
will be spoilt for choice with the variety of adventure and sporting activities
available in Sabah. From the exhilarating Mountain Torque Via Feratta, to the
Kiulu White Water Rafting, to jungle trekking expedition in Mesilau—Sabah is
abound with challenges to suit the wild at heart.
Padas River White Water Rafting Tenom
Looking for some serious wet and
wild fun? Then get ready to strap on your life jacket and safety helmet to
brave the raging Padas River for some rafting adventure.
With cutesy names such as
Merry-Go-Round and Scooby Doo, don’t judge the rapids by their names as each of
the seven swollen rapids will ultimately challenge your survival (and paddling)
skills to the very core. The tumble of this Grade III to IV river
is guaranteed to put even the biggest adrenaline junkie’s heart in his
mouth.
This exhilarating excursion covers a
distance of 30 kilometers—making it the longest rafting route in Borneo by far.
Padas River has also been rated to have some of the best and safest rapids in
South East Asia. It is suitable for rafters aged 12 to 55.
When not screaming over whiplashes of
water, take the time to drink in the beauty of unadulterated nature at its
best. With chirping birds and scrims of majestic trees engulfing the river,
Padas white water rafting should be high on your list of nature-adventure
must-dos in Sabah.
At the end of the journey, you’ll
feel quite warrior-like for your feat in conquering the Padas rapids. Three
cheers for courage!
Kuala Penyu
Make your way to the district of Kuala Penyu
and hop on a boat to Pulau Tiga!
The island’s claim to fame is none other than being the first ever ‘secret’
location for the hit reality series, ‘Survivor’. Hence, many refer to Pulau Tiga
as Survivor Island.
Located just 10km off shore on the West Coast of Sabah, you can enjoy a day
trip to the island but many recommend spending at least a night or two.
The island has two resorts, Pulau Tiga
Resort and Borneo Survivor Resort (see contact details). There’s plenty to see
and do here: spend the sunny days swimming or snorkeling in its surrounding
clear waters or go kayaking. Divers can explore its underwater treasures
(diving courses are available).
Pulau Tiga
is also famous for its therapeutic natural volcanic mud. Looking for
some wildlife? Say hello the island’s famous residents: snakes! Facilities on
the island include a restaurant and camping site.
Keningau
144
kilometers away from Kota
Kinabalu is the Crocker Range National Park (CRNP), situated in the Crocker
Range, Sabah. The Crocker Range Park is located 13 kilometers from Keningau
town, approximately 25 minutes away by car.
The Crocker Range was designated to be a forest reserve in 1968. In 1984, Crocker Range Nature Park was then established in order to protect the water catchments area which was supplying clean drinking water to the West Coast and the interior of Sabah. It was renamed Taman Banjaran Crocker (Crocker Range Park) in 1996 and is managed by the Sabah Parks.
Located in the heart of Crocker Range Park, the newly developed Sabah Park’s facility which opened in February 2004 is ideal a place for meetings, camping, jungle trekking and outdoor educational activities. Among the attractions to found in the Crocker Range Park are the Rafflesia sites, trekking courses, and camping ground.
The rising concern for protecting its rich biodiversity and rare species of flora and fauna had been the prime propellant in the initiative to gazette it as a national park
The Crocker Range was designated to be a forest reserve in 1968. In 1984, Crocker Range Nature Park was then established in order to protect the water catchments area which was supplying clean drinking water to the West Coast and the interior of Sabah. It was renamed Taman Banjaran Crocker (Crocker Range Park) in 1996 and is managed by the Sabah Parks.
Located in the heart of Crocker Range Park, the newly developed Sabah Park’s facility which opened in February 2004 is ideal a place for meetings, camping, jungle trekking and outdoor educational activities. Among the attractions to found in the Crocker Range Park are the Rafflesia sites, trekking courses, and camping ground.
The rising concern for protecting its rich biodiversity and rare species of flora and fauna had been the prime propellant in the initiative to gazette it as a national park
Gomantong Cave
Sandakan
Sandakan
Gomantong Caves in the heartland of
the Gomantong Rainforest Reserve have been the focus for birds' nests for centuries.
Since the 13th century, Chinese
traders have come to Sandakan
in search of birds' nests, a prized delicacy among the Chinese and found nearly
100 metres up on the ceilings of the Gomantong Caves. Harvesters put their
lives on the line literally, climbing networks of rattan ladders and ropes to
get to the nests. The risky nature of nest collecting has only helped made the
commodity a pricey one.
There are two cave complexes - Simud
Hitam (Black Cave) soaring up to 90 metres high and the more accessible of the
two, and Simud Putih (White Cave), where the more valuable nests are found.
Simud Hitam is a five- minute walk from the registration centre. A well-maintained
boardwalk gives you easy access to do some exploring or watch the skilled
harvesters at work.
The resident creatures of the caves
include swiftlets (from which the nests are collected) and bats among others.
Outside, other birds such as serpent eagles, bat hawks and kingfishers can be
seen. You might even spot an orangutan or two. You will need to make prior
arrangements for exploring the more challenging Simud Putih which calls for
more serious caving.
Facilities include a picnic area as
well as the Gomantong Rainforest Chalet which can accommodate up to 30 people a
night.
