Kota Kinabalu

A Borneo Malaysia tour is one of the few chances you will get in your lifetime to watch orangutans from up close. This critically endangered species has found a refuge in Borneo where a few orangutan rehabilitation centers have taken on the onus to nurse injured animals to health and teach orphaned babies the necessary life skills to survive in the wild. It is through the relentless efforts of conservationists that these gentle, furry apes can once again dream of prospering in the wild. During your holiday in Kota Kinabalu, head to the Shangri-La Rasa Ria to watch orphaned orangutans in a vast nature reserve. The baby animals are mischievous and playful, and it will warm your heart when they gaze at you with their soulful eyes peering out through their wizened faces. An encounter with the orangutans is an experience you will cherish all your life. But what is equally touching is the bond the animals share with their trainers. For many of us, a lion’s share of our connections are with faceless entities on the digital domain. An encounter with the orangutans is an eye-opener. The “real” connections are those that are based on empathy that stems from love, which is derived from the realization that we are all Mother Nature’s creatures and connected. A tour in Borneo Malaysia turns into a lesson in being able to feel the plight of others.

On your wildlife holiday to Borneo Malaysia, you will have ample opportunities to be in the midst of Nature, behold at Her myriad creations, and marvel at the rich biodiversity of the land. What is more appealing is that during your Kota Kinabalu holidays, you don’t need to venture very far from the city to reach these natural wonders. There are plentiful snorkeling spots in the waters off Kota Kinabalu. Go on a day trip and explore the rich and colorful world of underwater flora and fauna or laze on the beach and soak up the sun with a cool drink in hand. You can have a tryst with wilderness at the Mantannis. Here you can rent a stilt chalet, settle in, and drift into a dream where you are a castaway who is trying to survive in the wild. Your holidays to Kota Kinabalu will give you goosebumps, but from the safety of the chalet.

If the mountains stir the intrepid adventurer in you, challenge your body and spirit to ascend Mt. Kinabalu. For those who would rather not scramble up the slopes, equally stunning views await them at the base of the mountain. The botanical gardens is home to many beautiful orchids. On your holiday to Kota Kinabalu, the wonders of an exotic tropical paradise are stark reminders of a harsh reality—it takes little to tip the delicate balance of Nature and destroy what has been created and nurtured through millennia.

The story of a people is as much in their cuisines as it is in their buildings and the books they have penned. During your Kota Kinabalu holiday, take the culinary route into the heart of the warm and friendly locals. Their spices hide away stories that date back centuries. The flavors they rustle up give glimpses into their psyche and lay bare their hopes and dreams. At the Mari Mari Cultural Village, you can sample dishes of indigenous tribal communities, the people tied to their lands and who live by the rules of Nature.  Kota Kinabalu is one of the most ethnically-diverse regions of Malaysia. The tolerant people of this land have warmly embraced the cultural strains brought in by the settlers. The result is a diverse culinary culture where the tastes and aromas contain whiffs of distant lands.

Figuring out when to go on a Borneo Malaysia holiday is easy; you can drop by at any time of the year. Kota Kinabalu enjoys a tropical rainforest climate. The year-round temperatures hover around the same range. There’s just a dry season and a rainy season.

In a gist, the climate here is a happy procession of warm, sunny days except during the wet season when the spell is broken by frequent showers. But the rains do not play spoilsport; instead, they add to the lushness of the surrounds. If you want to plan a holiday to Kota Kinabalu, look up the social calendar instead.

Dry Season January - March: Nature Awaits You

Don’t mistake the dry season for a hot, sultry summer when the landscape wilts, the birds are silent, and the animals hide away in the shade, panting. On the contrary, the dry season in Kota Kinabalu, which runs from March to September, is the ideal time to visit the city and be outdoors to enjoy the splendors of Nature. The landscape is lush and the wooded trails are filled with the intoxicating fragrances of tropical flowers and the juicy smell of fruits that typically mature in this season.

The Adventure Season April – June and : Action, Competition, and Adventure

With an abundance of natural vistas and Malaysia’s highest peak not too far away, it is no surprise that the fun- and adventure-loving locals will think up events to satiate their adrenaline rush. The Borneo International Marathon attracts runners who pit their strength and endurance against one another. They prepare for months on end for this event, and their stories of discipline and dedication are as inspiring as watching them run for glory. The Mt. Kinabalu International Climbathon-Adventure attracts climbers who want to pit their strengths against the might and height of the tallest peak in Malaysia. It is also no surprise that the adventure season here almost coincides with the dry season; after all, it is never wise to plan a run or a climb when it is pouring outside.

Celebrating Music- July-September

Musicophiles have one great reason to plan a holiday to Kota Kinabalu in July. It is when the Kota Kinabalu Jazz Festival gets underway. Every year, this festival brings together local and global musical talents who then enthrall the crowds with their soulful and tuneful renderings. They say music unites hearts. Behind all the frenzy and the euphoria of the Kota Kinabalu Jazz Festival is a noble cause. It is actually a fundraising event, the proceeds of which go on to fund the work of local charitable organizations.

The Wet Season October to January: Lushness All Around

The wet season is traditionally from October to January, and just because it rains during these months is no reason to not plan a Kota Kinabalu holiday. The rains bathe the land. The moist, glistening beauty of the landscapes is soothing to the eye while the lusher-than-ever greenery calms the mind. The rainy season in Kota Kinabalu does not upset your travel plans, provided you carry appropriate rain gear. There are ample recreational options right within the city that you can enjoy, rain or no rain.