Recommended Nature Tour and Eco Tour Destinations in Sabah, Malaysia BorneoFancy going on a fascinating nature tour during your tropical island vacation? Then, Sabah, Malaysia Borneo is a perfect tropical vacation destination with a taste of nature and eco tourism. Where else can you: The assorted nature tour attractions give you a wonderful opportunity to get close to the natural environment, unique wildlife and bio-diversified floras, as well as appreciate the culture of the colourful indigenous peoples. You also have the choice to indulge in luxury and comfortable surrounding in a natural environment or exotic outdoor setting, or rough it out in controlled nature/eco tour environment. For those who are looking for a new and fascinating place to visit, the following nature tour destinations are testament as to why Sabah is indeed an ideal setting for your dream tropical nature tour vacation. National Park Vacation: Kinabalu and MesilauWith an estimated 4,500 species of plants which includes 1,500 species of orchids (where 77 of which are endemic to Kinabalu), some 289 species of birds and 290 different types of butterflies, Kinabalu National Park, a World Heritage Site, is one of the world’s most important biological sites. Located within the Kinabalu National Park vicinity is Mesilau Nature Park, nestled at the foot of Mount Kinabalu, the highest peak in South East Asia.There are numerous rainforest nature trails at both Kinabalu National Park and Mesilau Nature Park for you to explore if you are into some soft adventure trekking. If not, just by visiting the national park area within the Park Headquarter itself is already a fascinating nature tour experience on its own. In sum, a nature tour at the Kinabalu National Park or Mesilau Nature Park will definitely provide an eco experience that is not only unique but also one-of-its-kind. More on National Park Vacation in Sabah Tropical Island Trekking: TAR Island and other Offshore IslandsSabah boosts many idyllic offshore islands that are big enough to cater for a nature tour activity. Closer to Kota Kinabalu, the islands off Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park such as Gaya island and Manukan island, and Pulau Tiga Survivor Island in Kuala Penyu, are perfect destination for a dual tropical island and nature tour excursions. When you have enough of the sun, sea and sand, you can always switch to a more pleasant trek along the short nature trails on the islands.More on Tropical Island Vacation in Sabah Tropical River Safari: Klias and KinabatanganTwo great places for a river safari on calm river for a nature tour are at Klias Peninsula Wetland (about 1.5 hour by road from Kota Kinabalu) or at Kinabatangan in Sandakan (about 5-6 hours by road or 1 hour by air from Kota Kinabalu). At Klias, a tour normally starts after midday so that you can view the magnificent display of nature's Christmas Lights, the fireflies after a nature cruise, where you might get to view the elusive Proboscis Monkeys, the odd nosed monkeys of Borneo.The Proboscis Monkey are also found along the Kinabatangan river, but the river safari nature tour experience at Kinabatangan is much more fuller since there is a river lodge accommodation available for an overnight stay (i.e., in the village of Sukau). The early morning visit to the ox-bow lake to search for birds and other wildlife will leave you with an unforgetable memory of your nature tour. Tropical Plants: Rafflesia, the Largest Flower in the WorldOne of the best place to learn about the Rafflesia, the world's largest flower, is at the Tambunan Rafflesia Rainforest Reserve, about 65km (or approximately 1 hour) drive from Kota Kinabalu. Tambunan is a a quaint little town seated in a valley of the Crocker Range, and the Rafflesia centre in the Reserve is basically an education centre for the Rafflesia. There are twelve species in the world of which four are found in Sabah. It is a rare destination to learn the unique biology of this parasitic flower, to hike in the cool mountain trail in search of the blooms and buds. The flower may have a stinky smell but but it is a one in a lifetime experience to actually witness the bloom of a Rafflesia.One thing you have to bear in mind is that the Rafflesia doesn't bloom all the time and you have to be real lucky to catch a glimpse of it. On top of this, the bloom will only last a few days. The best thing is to ask the staff or guide at the centre or call the centre earlier whether there is any bloom. If none, tough luck. But you can always catch other flora and even faunas at the Reserve while you trek in the cooling atmosphere. Alternatively, you can always try your luck in Tenom, around the vicinity of the Perkasa Hotel, where Rafflesia are also found. But the size of the flower is not likely to beat those at the Tambunan Rafflesia Rainforest Reserve. Tropical Resorts: Shangri-La's Rasa Ria and Nexus Karambunai ResortIf you prefer to spend most of time at luxurious accommodation in a 5-star tropical resort but still plan to experience a nature tour, then the two world class resorts in Tuaran, about 40-50 minutes drive from Kota Kinabalu, are most recommended. Shangri-La's Rasa Ria Resort's Nature Reserve offers you an opportunity to enjoy the dense flora and fauna of Borneo's secondary jungle.There are several nature trails in the Nature Reserve ranging from a leisurely walk of 20 minutes to a three hour-long trek. You will also have a chance to meet an Orang Utan (as part of a rehabilitation program - the only one of its kind on the entire West Coast of the state, and indeed the island of Borneo) at the Nature Reserve. At Nexus Karambunai Resort, you are able to experience rainforest nature walks in their 75-acre Nature Park, part of the Borneo Conservation Program. More on Nature Tour at Tropical Resorts in Sabah
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