This park surrounds Mount Kinabalu, which at 4,095 metres, is the highest peak between Myanmar and New Guinea. Kinabalu’s slopes are protected from sea level right up to the summit.
The abrupt variation in altitude and climate produces many different habitats, ranging from lowland forest to the montane oak, rhododendron, and conifer forests of the middle altitudes, and the alpine meadows and stunted, windswept bushes, and eventually bare rock of the summit. Plant species are of Himalayan, Australasian and Indo-malayan origin.
The total number of plant species found in Kinabalu is more than Europe and North America (excluding Mexico’s tropical regions) combined. One of the world’s largest flowers, the rafflesia, whose giant red blossom can grow to over 170 centimetres in diameter, grows here. Other flora includes more than 800 orchids, in excess of 500 ferns (more than in Africa), and the world’s richest collection of pitcher plants (nepenthes). Bird species recorded in the park include: rhinoceros hornbill, mountain serpent-eagle, Dulit frogmouth, eyebrowed jungle flycatcher and pale-faced bulbul. Of the total, 24 are found mainly on the mountain, and the Bornean spiderhunter is a pure endemic.
Most of the mammal species found on the mountain live high in the trees, and so are rarely seen. These include the orangutan, three kinds of deer, Malayan weasel, Oriental small-clawed otter, and leopard. Endemic species include the black shrew and Bornean ferret-badger.
Ideal for viewing: Bornean ferret badger, oriental small-clawed otter, rhinoceros hornbill, serpent eagle, sun bear
Where: Sabah State, Borneo
Wildlife trips
This
wildlife location
is featured in the following itineraries:
Join acclaimed photographers Nick Garbutt and Alex Hyde to explore Borneo's fascinating habitats and photograph the incredible diversity that lives within them. The forests, rivers and caves of Sabah are home to a huge variety of wildlife that provides no end of photographic opportunities.
Find out more about Borneo Rainforest Photography Workshop
Destination: Borneo
Price
(inc. flights): 19 days
from £11,995
Trip type:
Group Tour
When to go:
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Explore the lower slopes of Borneo’s highest mountain, navigate Malaysia’s second longest river, and delve deep into the world’s oldest rainforest on this wildlife trip to encounter Sabah’s hidden secrets and spectacular wildlife including endemic primates and colourful birdlife.
Find out more about Borneo’s Wildlife
Destination: Borneo
Price
(inc. flights): 14 days
from £7,995
Trip type:
Group Tour
Tailor-made can be arranged
When to go:
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Travel to Borneo on a two-week trip that visits the best places to see Sabah’s wildlife. Enjoy boat trips to discover the extraordinary wildlife of Kinabatangan, including proboscis monkey, orangutan and Asian elephant, and four nights at one of our favourite lodges in the Danum Valley.
Find out more about Sabah Wildlife Special
Destination: Borneo
Price
(inc. flights): 14 days
from £4,395
Trip type:
Tailor-made Holiday
When to go:
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
A unique and comprehensive exploration, by day and by night, of Borneo’s wildlife, including endemic birds and mammals and a host of rarely seen nocturnal species. Visiting Mount Kinabalu, Deramakot Forest Reserve, the Kinabatangan River and Tabin Wildlife Reserve, it offers the very best of wild Borneo.
Find out more about Wild Borneo
Destination: Borneo
Price
(inc. flights): 15 days
from £7,295
Trip type:
Group Tour
Tailor-made can be arranged
When to go:
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Suggested accommodation is shown below.
Please
contact us
for further recommendations.
Hill Lodge’s bungalows are spacious – about 83 square metres – and within a short walk of the complex’s central Liwagu restaurant and café. Each has a king-sized or twin beds and hot running water, and is surrounded by nature and gardens. Facilities include a souvenir shop and communal hall.
Find Out More about Hill Lodge