Sepilok is home to the orangutans. These beautiful, critically endangered creatures are native to Malaysia. The orangutan rehabilitation centre in Sabah is spread over about 43sq km of protected land at the edge of Kabili Sepilok Forest Reserve. This place is home to about 25 young orphaned orangutans which are housed in the nurseries, as well as those free in the reserve.
WATCH BABY TURTLES HATCH
The elegant white beaches of Lankayan, a tiny island in the Sulu Sea, are the perfect place to unwind. But the island, about one-and-a-half hours north of Sandakan by boat, is also a turtle spotting destination with its own turtle hatchery. The green turtle and hawksbill turtle make regular appearances as the new hatchlings are released to the sea from June to September.
SEE PYGMY ELEPHANTS PLAY
Many adventurous travellers head to Sabah to get their fix of wildlife. The Kinabatangan River is home to pygmy elephants, proboscis monkeys, orangutans, sumatran rhinos and clouded leopards, along with countless rare birds such as the hornbill and the Oriental darter. Crocodiles can also be spotted lazing along the riverbank.
DIVE WITH HAMMERHEAD SHARKS
Drop into crystal clear waters and be surrounded by hundreds of hammerhead sharks at Layang Layang, a resort island 300km off the north coast of Borneo. The clear waters have a visibility of up to 40m and pristine reefs. The island is actually an atoll of 13 linked coral reefs which drop down into sheer walls. As well as hammerheads you'll also encounter turtles, giant clams, tuna, redtoothed triggerfish, pyramid butterflyfish and unicornfish.
RAISE THE BAR
It's not often you can indulge in a cocktail at such dizzying heights, but Malaysia has you covered. Marini's On 57 is the country's highest rooftop bar, offering 360-degree panoramic views of Kuala Lumpur's city skyline. The award-winning SkyBar is also in KL and is located on level 33 of the Traders Hotel, overlooking the KLCC Park and the Petronas Twin Towers, where you can mix delicious cocktails and food with intoxicating views of the city.
EXPERIENCE THE THRILL OF F1
The Malaysian Grand Prix takes place each March at the Sepang International Circuit, which is located just outside Kuala Lumpur. Rev heads can get their adrenaline pumping watching the exhilarating action at one of the most impressive tracks in the world, with its extreme hot and wet conditions proving a challenge for even the most experienced drivers in the world. The added bonus of it being one of the cheapest races on the circuit doesn't hurt either - this means that it's an affordable option in terms of ticket prices.
WALK THE SKY BRIDGE
Above the rainforest in Langkawi the Sky Bridge offers visitors the chance to walk above the rainforest. The suspension bridge is perched in the mountains about 100m above the ground. At 125m long, visitors are treated to spectacular views throughout the entire walk.
HAVE HIGH TEA IN A TEA PLANTATION
Located on the Titiwangsa Range - some 1500m above sea level - the Cameron Highlands is home to a vast plantation producing tea, flowers, vegetables and strawberries. Visitors can relax among the tea plantation with a picturesque view across the rolling hills while enjoying all the trimmings of a high tea.
SEE A 'CORPSE FLOWER'
The Rafflesia thrives in altitudes of between 500m and 700m in the forests of Borneo. This species has small, brownish, scale-like leaves and flowers that look and smell like rotting flesh (hence its nickname of "corpse flower") varying in size between a few centimetres to a metre in diameter. Buds take up to 10 months to develop and blossom for just a few days.
- AAP
