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SABAH
Sabah
Species count for Sabah:
Sabah, ‘The Land Below the Wind’ as it is famously known, is located on the northern part of the Island of Borneo. It is given that name by seafarers to describe locations below the typhoon belt, and free from climatic disturbances.
- Contact Info
- Kota Kinabalu Wetland Centre
- (closed on Monday except public holiday)
- Tel: +60 88-246 955 Fax: +60 88-247 955
- swcs@sabahwetlands.org
- sabahwetlands.org
- Crocker Range Park (Head Station Keningau)
- Tel: 019 862 0404 Fax: 087 330 924
- Sabah Parks
- Tel: 088 523 500 Fax: 088 486 435
- info@sabahparks.gov.my
- www.sabahparks.org.my
- Danum Valley Conservation Area - Kota Kinabalu (Head Office)
- Block E, Unit No. 28, 3rd Floor, KK Times Square, 88100 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.
- Tel: 088 486 168 Fax: 088 486 708/718
- inno@sabahholidays.com
- Danum Valley Conservation Area - Sandakan Operation
- Ground Floor, Yayasan Sabah Group Jalan Cheng Min/Jalan Mekaran, 90715 Sandakan, Sabah.
- Tel: 089 225 718 Fax: 088 228 001
- Pegawai Penguasa (Enforcement Officer) Pejabat Hidupan Liar Daerah (District Wildlife Office)
- W. D. T. No. 169 90200 Kinabatangan
- Tel: 089-561581 Fax: 089-561523
- Rainforest Discovery Centre, Sepilok
- Tel: 089 533 780/781 Fax: 089 535 201
- rdcsepilok@yahoo.com
- Tabin Wildlife Holidays Sdn. Bhd
- Tel: 088 267 266 Fax: 088 258 266
- enquiry@tabinwildlife.com.my
- www.tabinwildlife.com.my
Sabah’s beautiful and breath-taking sun-kissed islands and beaches, rich marine life as well as lush hills and forests are the driving force for tourist around the world to visit this state. The state’s most iconic attraction is Mount Kinabalu, which rises into the clouds reaching a height of 4,095.2 metres, making it one of the tallest mountains in Southeast Asia and the 20th most prominent peaks in the world.
Nature buffs will have an abundant of amazing activities, as the best dive sites in the world, beautiful mountains and wonderful wildlife to explore are located in Sabah. Visitors can record some of the world’s most exquisite and exclusive species of birds.
The state has 15 Important Bird Areas (IBAs)
Kota Kinabalu
Likas Bay
Crocker Range
Coordinate: 5°48’45.9”N 116°20’16.7”E
No. of species: 237
Crocker Range Nature Park, established in 1984 and recognised as an Endemic Bird Area and IBAs (MY20), is located about 144 kilometres from Kota Kinabalu. It is the largest state terrestrial park covering an area of approximately 180,000 hectares and lays claim to having Mount Kinabalu within its enclave. Also situated within this range is Mount Alab (1,964 metres), and the forests contain submontane and montane birdlife including the globally threatened Kinabalu Serpent-eagle (Mountain Serpent-Eagle) and Bulwer’s Pheasant.
A noteworthy facility at this site is the Rafflesia Centre, which, apart from leading to trails that will offer glimpses of that mysterious Rafflesia flower, it is also known to be the playground of the endemic Bornean Bristlehead, Whitehead’s Spiderhunter, Bornean Treepie, Mountain Barbet, Bornean Barbet, Bornean Leafbird and Bornean Bulbul.
Kinabalu Park
Coordinate: 6°00’21.3”N 116°32’33.2”E
No. of species: 326
One of the country’s natural gem and wonder is the World Heritage Site, Mount Kinabalu. This magnificent mountain is located within the Kinabalu Park which is a must-visit site for birdwatchers and photographers keen on observing unique and endemic birds of Borneo. Established in 1964, it covers 754 square kilometres of lowland, montane and cloud forest as well as sub-alpine vegetation closer to the mountain peak.
An IBAs (IBA MY21), it boasts 326 species of birds, 23 of which are endemic to this area including the Bornean Partridge (Red-breasted Partridge), Crimson-headed Partridge, Kinabalu Serpent-eagle (Mountain Serpent-Eagle), Whitehead’s Broadbill, Whitehead’s Spiderhunter, Whitehead’s Trogon, Bornean Barbet, Golden-naped Barbet, Mountain Barbet, Fruithunter, Friendly Grasshopper-warbler (Friendly Bush Warbler), Mountain Blackeye, Everett’s Thrush, Mountain Wren-babbler, Bornean Stubtail, Chestnut-crested Yuhina, Sunda Laughingthrush, Bornean Whistlingthrush, Bornean Whistler and Black-sided Flowerpecker.
A popular starting area to bird is the Poring area, rising from 550 metres to reach Langanan Waterfall at 1,200 metres. The area surrounding the much- frequented hot springs and canopy walk are residence to the Blue-banded Pitta, Bornean Banded Pitta, Chestnut-capped Thrush, White-crowned Forktail and Chestnut-naped Forktail, Malay Blue-banded Kingfisher (Blue-banded Kingfisher), Hose’s Broadbill, Whitehead’s Broadbill, Orange- breasted Trogon, Bornean Treepie and Black Hornbill.
About a 45-minute drive to another area, Mesilau, offers regular sightings of the Eye-browed Jungle-flycatcher, Black-sided Flowerpecker, Bornean Whistling-thrush, Whitehead’s Spiderhunter, Pale-faced Bulbul and Bornean Stubtail.
The Summit Trail is definitely for the more adventurous traveller. Starting from 1,886 metres and ending at that famous mountain peak of 4,095 metres. Along the way, it is possible to see the Island Thrush, Friendly Grasshopper-warbler and Mountain Black-eye. This part of the route is certainly for the fit and patient birdwatcher!
Danum Valley Conservation Area
Coordinate: 5°01’11.9”N 117°44’47.9”E
No. of species: 319
One of Sabah’s most important conservation biospheres, covering 438 square kilometres of lowland forest, is the Danum Valley Conservation Area. Located in eastern Sabah, about 2.5-hour drive from the town of Lahad Datu. The Danum Valley Field Centre (DVFC) was set up in 1986 for scientific research and education purposes.
Danum Valley is an IBAS (IBA MY24) in Malaysia and is home to more than 300 species of birds. It also boasts of 9 endemic birds including Black-throated Wren-babbler, Bornean Wren-babbler, Bornean Blue-flycatcher, Blue headed Pitta, Blue-banded Pitta, Bornean Ground-cuckoo, Bulwer’s Pheasant, White-fronted Falconet and others.
The Research Centre (hostel facilities) and the luxurious Borneo Rainforest Lodge provide accommodation for the area and interesting birds turn up occasionally within its compound such as the Bornean Crested Fireback, Chestnut-necklaced Partridge, Great Argus, Oriental Darter and many more. This is certainly Sabah’s most famous conservation site.
Kinabatangan River
Coordinate: 5°30’33.5”N 118°17’06.8”E
No. of species: 279
Malaysia has its very own version of the famous Zambezi river, the Kinabatangan! This is the place to catch Pygmy Elephants, Orang Utans and Proboscis Monkeys along with saltwater crocodiles, apart from the bird life! Measuring 560 kilometres, it winds its way to the east of Sabah through the Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary. It is a 3-hour drive from city of Sandakan and lies 5 hours east from Kota Kinabalu. It is a designated IBAS, (MY23) with offerings of adventure and unique wildlife experience like no other in the region.
The diverse habitats here is home to over 200 species of birds including several species endemic to Borneo and 8 species of hornbills. The sanctuary covers an area of 26,100 hectares within the Lower Kinabatangan Floodplain which covers an area of 3,300 square kilometres. A boat ride along the river leads to the discovery of numerous small villages along its banks such as Bilit and Sukau, but the cruise also offers glimpses of the Stork-billed Kingfisher, Blue-eared Kingfisher, Oriental Darter, Storm’s Stork, Bornean Ground- cuckoo, Western Hooded Pitta (Hooded Pitta), Black-and-yellow Broadbill, Black-and- red Broadbill, Lesser Fish-eagle, Grey-headed Fish-eagle, Wallace’s Hawk-eagle and others.
Other regular sightings include the Lesser Adjutant, Jerdon’s Baza, Bat Hawk, Green Imperial-pigeon, Long-tailed Parakeet, Bar- bellied Cuckooshrike, Black-capped Babbler, Malay Blue-flycatcher, Oriental Pied Hornbill, Black Hornbill, Rhinoceros Hornbill, Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher and many more.
Gomantong Caves
Coordinate: 5°31’50.4”N 118°04’31.2”E
No. of species: 269
Sepilok (Kabili-Sepilok) Forest Reserve and Orang Utan Centre
Coordinate: 5°51’53.8”N 117°56’57.5”E
No. of species: 322
Sepilok Forest Reserve and Orang Utan Centre is made up of 60 square kilometres of primary lowland rainforest, but visitors may also explore the surrounding gardens and canopy walk at the Rainforest Discovery Centre, which received its IBAs designation in 2009, (MY29). Accessible with only a 45-minute drive from Sandakan, it is a recognised landmark the world over for its orangutan rehabilitation programme and the sanctuary, established in 1964.
Those wishing to venture further can take a two-hour walk to the mangroves in Sandakan Bay to look for forest understorey birds or walk along the canopy walkway to view birds and wildlife. Due to its location and size, this site hosts a myriad of endemic and interesting birds such as the Bornean Bristlehead, Blueheaded Pitta, White-fronted Falconet, Whitecrowned Shama, Wallace’s Hawk-eagle, Oriental Darter, Great Argus, Rufous-collared Kingfisher, Malay Blue-banded Kingfisher (Blue-banded Kingfisher), Brown-backed Needletail, Velvet-fronted Nuthatch, 7 species of hornbills and many more.
Tabin Wildlife Reserve
Coordinate: 5°16’00.0”N 118°42’00.0”E
No. of species: > 300
Located in the centre of the Dent Peninsula in eastern Sabah, lies Tabin Wildlife Reserve. It is about 50 kilometres northeast of Lahad Datu. Gazetted in 1984, this amazing area of over 120,000 hectares is the site of undisturbed forest in the middle of approximately 1,200 square kilometres of primary and regenerating lowland forests.
This area is a haven for birds and birders and a designated IBAS, (MY27). There are more than 300 species recorded here including the Blue-headed Pitta, Black- crowned Pitta, Bornean Banded Pitta, Bornean Giant Pitta, Dusky Munia, Black- throated Wren-babbler, Bornean Wren- babbler, Bulwer’s Pheasant, White-fronted Falconet, Bornean Blue-flycatcher, Wallace’s Hawk-eagle, Large Green-pigeon, Storm’s Stork and many more.
An amazing geological feature of Tabin, apart from its birds and wildlife is its Lipad Mud Volcano and observation tower, where it is possible to sight of at least 8 species of hornbills and a landscape sight to behold. This site is only accessible via 4-wheel drive vehicles.
OTHER ATTRACTIONS IN SABAH
- Sipadan Island
- Tunku Abdul Rahman Park
- Monsopiad Cultural Village
- Simpang Mengayau Bay
- Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre
