Wild Borneo.
Right at Home.
Proboscis monkeys in mangrove forests. Turquoise water around coral islands 40 minutes from Kota Kinabalu city. UNESCO rainforest trails in the shadow of Mount Kinabalu — the highest peak between the Himalayas and New Guinea. Highland farms with dairy cattle and mountain mist at 6,000 feet. Five indigenous cultures under one longhouse roof. Malaysia's wildest corner is also the one most Malaysians have never seen.
4,095m
Mount Kinabalu — Highest Peak in SE Asia
35+
Years of Travel Expertise
1988
Trusted Since
The Other Malaysia — Wilder, Quieter, Genuinely Extraordinary
Peninsular Malaysia is familiar. Sabah and Sarawak on the island of Borneo are different countries in every meaningful sense — different wildlife, different geography, different indigenous cultures, and a nature that is simply on a different scale.
Kinabalu Park — UNESCO World Heritage Rainforest
Mount Kinabalu at 4,095 metres is the highest mountain between the Himalayas and Papua New Guinea. The surrounding Kinabalu National Park — a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000 — protects one of the most biodiverse ecosystems on Earth: over 5,000 plant species, 326 bird species, and 100 mammal species within its boundaries. A guided nature trail through the park's lower slopes takes you through cloud forest so dense and alive that Borneo's international reputation as a biodiversity hotspot becomes immediately obvious.
Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park — Islands from the City
Five islands, 40 minutes by boat from Kota Kinabalu's Jesselton Jetty, make up the Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park — Malaysia's first national marine park. Manukan Island has 1,500 metres of white sandy beach and exceptional snorkelling on healthy coral reefs. Sapi Island adds the Coral Flyer — a 250-metre zipline at 60 km/h across the water between two islands. Gaya Island's sandbar at low tide attracts wild proboscis monkeys from the jungle behind the beach.
Kundasang — The Highlands at 6,000 Feet
Kundasang sits at 1,800 metres in the Crocker Range, directly facing the granite peaks of Mount Kinabalu across the valley. The temperature drops to 15–20°C at night, the morning clouds sit below the town, and the scenery — mountain pastures, cattle farms, vegetable gardens — is so unlike anything on the Malay Peninsula that first-time visitors frequently compare it to New Zealand or the Swiss Alps. Desa Farm here, with its dairy cattle and highland setting, is the view that defines Sabah for most Malaysian visitors.
Mari Mari Cultural Village — Five Tribes in One Place
Twenty-five minutes from Kota Kinabalu, Mari Mari Cultural Village brings together the five major indigenous peoples of Sabah under one roof — or rather, five separate authentic longhouses. The Dusun, Rungus, Lundayeh, Bajau, and Murut tribes each have their own structure built by tribal descendants, their own cultural demonstrations (blowpipe shooting, fire-starting, traditional tattoo art, the Murut Lansaran trampoline jumping), and their own food traditions. It is the most comprehensive introduction to Sabah's extraordinary cultural diversity in one visit.
Sabah and Sarawak — Malaysian Borneo
Two Malaysian states on the world's third-largest island. Sabah in the north is the most visited — Kota Kinabalu, Kinabalu Park, the islands, Kundasang. Sarawak in the southwest is rainforest, longhouses, and the Iban people's extraordinary river culture.
Sabah
Wild & AdventurousMalaysia's 'Land Below the Wind.' Kota Kinabalu's island-dotted bay, UNESCO Kinabalu Park, the cool highland town of Kundasang, proboscis monkey river cruises, fireflies, sky mirror beach and the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park islands — all in one compact northeast Borneo destination.
Sarawak
Rainforest & CultureMalaysian Borneo's largest state. Kuching's colonial waterfront and the best food scene in East Malaysia. Bako National Park for proboscis monkeys and pitcher plants. Iban longhouses on the Skrang River. Mulu National Park's cave systems — the world's largest underground chambers. Custom packages available.
Best Time to Visit Sabah from Kuala Lumpur
Sabah is a year-round destination. The east coast experiences a different monsoon pattern from the west coast — Kota Kinabalu and the islands are most reliably calm during the dry season.
Peak Season
Best for IslandsMarch to October
Kota Kinabalu's west coast dry season. Calm seas for island hopping, clear skies for snorkelling at Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, and the best visibility for Mount Kinabalu from Kundasang. Most popular travel window for Malaysian families.
Cool Highland Season
Best for HighlandsNovember to February
Slightly cooler at Kundasang with morning mist and dramatic cloud formations around Mount Kinabalu. West coast can see some rain but usually clears by mid-morning. Excellent for Kinabalu Park nature trails and Desa Farm visits. Hotel rates are lower.
How Many Days Do You Actually Need?
City + One Experience
Choose between the Bongawan river cruise and fireflies (coastal) or Kinabalu Park and Kundasang (highland). Three days covers one experience well.
Sweet Spot
Adds island snorkelling at Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park to the Kundasang highland circuit. The best balance of mountain, coast, and city.
Complete Sabah
Everything: Kinabalu Park, Kundasang, islands, and the Mari Mari Cultural Village. The most comprehensive Sabah experience in a single trip.
Sabah Tour Packages from Kota Kinabalu
From the mangrove river cruises and fireflies of Bongawan to the UNESCO rainforest of Kinabalu Park, the highland dairy farms of Kundasang, and the island snorkelling of Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park. Every package is 100% private with a dedicated driver-guide.
4 Days Kota Kinabalu Snorkelling + Kundasang
- Manukan & Sapi Island Snorkelling — Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park
- Coral Flyer Zipline (250m / 60 km/h) Between Islands
- UNESCO Kinabalu National Park Guided Trail
- Desa Cow Farm at Foot of Mount Kinabalu
Group discounts available from 3 adults. Custom packages on request. Contact us to customise.
Why Book Your Sabah Trip Through Dhesu
Sabah rewards those who have arranged the details correctly. The timing of Kinabalu Park (early morning before the clouds come in), the Bongawan fireflies cruise (tide-dependent), and the island hopping sequence (Sapi then Manukan, not the reverse) all require local knowledge. Dhesu has been arranging Malaysia travel for over 35 years.
MATTA & IATA Registered
Fully licensed Malaysian travel agency. Trusted by Malaysian travellers for domestic and international travel since 1988. All Sabah packages are arranged with licensed local operators.
Trusted Since 1988
35+ years arranging travel for Malaysians. We know Sabah's seasons, operators, and how to make each package work well — from the island weather windows to the Kinabalu Park permit system.
100% Private Tours
Every Sabah package from Dhesu is completely private — your own driver-guide, your own vehicle, your own schedule. No sharing with strangers, no waiting for others. Your trip moves at your pace.
Group Discounts Available
Significant price reductions for groups of 3, 5, and 7+ adults. The 5-day package drops to RM988 per person for a group of 7 — making Sabah extremely accessible for extended family trips and company retreats.
Plan Your Sabah Adventure
Wild Borneo, UNESCO rainforest, island beaches and five indigenous cultures — tell us when you want to go.
Level 2 and 3, Wisma Dhesu, No. 5 Jalan Bangsar Utama 3, 59000 Kuala Lumpur.