Mount Kinabalu
- Address:Kinabalu National Park, Sabah
- Admission:Free
Good Views / Viewpoint, Must-Do Experience, Nature & Wildlife, UNESCO Heritage Site, Walking/Hiking, Mountain
1:30 AM Monday, May 28
Partly cloudy. Warm.
7 day forecast »
Mount Kinabalu towers over the eastern Malaysian state of Sabah. At 13,435ft (4,095m) above sea level, Mount Kinabalu is the 4th tallest mountain in the Malay Archipelago, drawing travelers the world over to climb its slopes in search of the perfect sunrise.
But it’s not just for the views from its summit that travelers come to Mount Kinabalu. This UNESCO listed World Heritage Site is recognised as one of the most important biological sites in the world.
An estimated 5,000 to 6,000 plant species call Mount Kinabalu, and its surrounding National Park, home. Many carnivorous plants and orchids grow on its slopes, which also attract 326 species of birds and over 100 mammals, including orangutans, Black shrews and the gloriously-named Bornean Ferret-Badger.
The mountains incredible biodiversity is due to several factors - its geographical position as one of the world’s richest plant regions (along with Sumatra, the Malay Peninsula and Borneo); it’s wide-ranging climate – (from extreme heat and humidity at its base to near freezing conditions at the summit); its high rainfall, and its rocky and diverse terrain.
Latest Reviews All Mount Kinabalu Reviews »
We visited the park and botanical garden, had lunch, and then drove to Poring Hot Springs. On the way to the Springs, we were very fortunate to see the Raffalisia flower in bloom. This was one of the highlights of our 10 day trip to Borneo!! The 12-story high canopy walk-way. was another feature of this trip. I have seen other canopy walk-ways but this one is the most "rustic"--being only a plank inside a net--very exciting. Continue Reading »
The park is quite a long way from KK itself but the scenery to be seen on the drive itself makes it all worth it. During the day we made several stops to go into the rain forest to see the indigenous plants and flowers including the Rafflesia. Also visited the hot springs and the butterfly park.
Continue Reading »
Worth doing, but not with this tour company. The guide kept telling us it was not his usual tour, and that he wasn't really interested in these type of tours. Felt like he wanted to go home ASAP. Continue Reading »
Practical Info
Experienced climbers should have no problem climbing to the summit of Mount Kinabalu. It is a tough climb, however, and travelers wishing to attempt it should have a reasonable level of fitness in order to cope with the extremes of heat and cold, and lower oxygen levels as you near the summit. It can be tricky (read bureaucratic nightmare!) to try to arrange to climb Mount Kinabalu independently. All climbs involve an overnight stay on the mountain and an early morning trek to the summit. Climbers are advised to book well in advance.
Buses from Kota Kinabalu take 3 to 4 hours to reach Mount Kinabalu National Park. Alternatively you can arrange to visit as part of a tour.
Do you have photos of this attraction? Be the first to share your photos with other travelers!
