Your Ultimate Travel Guide
Malaysia
Malaysia is a Southeast Asian country known for its diverse culture, stunning landscapes, and vibrant economy. It consists of Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia on the island of Borneo, sharing borders with Thailand, Indonesia, and Brunei. The capital city, is Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia boasts a rich cultural heritage influenced by Malay, Chinese, Indian, and indigenous traditions. Its natural attractions include tropical rainforests, beautiful islands like Langkawi, and Mount Kinabalu, the highest peak in Southeast Asia. Malaysia has a tropical climate, with warm temperatures and high humidity year-round.
Malaysian Cuisine
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Nasi Lemak – Fragrant coconut rice with sambal, anchovies, peanuts, and egg.
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Char Kway Teow – Stir-fried flat noodles with prawns, eggs, and Chinese sausages.
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Hainanese Chicken Rice – Poached chicken served with fragrant rice and chili sauce.
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Nasi Kandar – Steamed rice served with a variety of curries and side dishes.
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Roti Canai – Flaky Indian-inspired flatbread, best with dhal or curry.
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Laksa – Spicy noodle soup (try Penang Assam Laksa or Curry Laksa).
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Banana Leaf Rice – South Indian-style rice meal served on a banana leaf with curries and vegetables.
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Mee Goreng Mamak – Spicy fried noodles cooked with tofu, eggs, and seafood.
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Beef Rendang – Slow-cooked, rich, and aromatic beef dish.
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Bak Kut Teh – Herbal pork rib soup served with rice and fried dough sticks.
Malaysia Facts
Cultural Facts
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The capital city, Kuala Lumpur, is home to iconic landmarks like the Petronas Twin Towers.
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Bahasa Malaysia is the official language, while English is widely spoken.
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Malaysia boasts a rich cultural heritage influenced by Malay, Chinese, Indian, and indigenous traditions.
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Its natural attractions include tropical rainforests, beautiful islands like Langkawi, and Mount Kinabalu, the highest peak in Southeast Asia.
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The country has a strong economy driven by industries such as manufacturing, palm oil production, and tourism.
Tourist Advice
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Vaccinations - Be sure to check with your doctor about vaccinations and Malaria tablets, depending on the zone and cities you are visiting!
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Visa - Check if you require a visa to travel or to fill in an entry card.
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Insect Repellent- Bring bugs spray with you.
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Data Roaming- Look into buying an E-Sim card before arriving or buy a sim card at the airport on arrival.
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Weather & Packing – Malaysia has a hot and humid tropical climate year-round, so wear light clothing and carry an umbrella for sudden rain.
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Currency & Payments – The local currency is the Malaysian Ringgit (MYR). Credit cards are widely accepted, but cash is preferred in smaller shops and markets.
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Cultural Sensitivity – Malaysia is a multicultural country with a large Muslim population; dress modestly when visiting mosques and temples.
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Safety- I personally felt very safe in Malaysia, the people were so kind and welcoming and all spoke English but like any big city or new country, take caution and care and necessary safety.
Travel Itinerary
I would recommend using Kuala Lumpur as your entry/departure round trip point, it is a very well connected city and has a variety of flights to choose from.
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3-4 days is plenty to see everything in the city and climatize before traveling elsewhere.
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You can take cheap flights out of Kuala Lumpur to various places in Malaysia.
Hotel and Hostel
During my stay in Kuala Lumpur, we split our time in two different hotels, one at the beginning of our trip and one at the end. Both hotels are actually next to each other and the location was great for walking to the KL Tower, Petronas Towers and smaller markets and malls nearby.
both hotels offer infinity rooftop pool, however the second hotel we stayed in had a better view of the city and KL Tower. We stayed in apartments that are provately rented from the hotel. We booked through Booking. com, and it was so reasonable for a group of 4 of us travelling!
Both hotels were clean, bright, spacious and comfortable. Including a kitchen, bathroom, washing machine and 2 separate bedrooms.
Hotel 1: Saba Suites at Platinum KLCC Bukit Bintang, KL.
Kuala lumpur
Facts about Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur (KL) is the capital and largest city of Malaysia, known for its modern skyline, cultural diversity, and vibrant economy. KL is a melting pot of Malay, Chinese, Indian, and international cultures, reflected in its food, festivals, and architecture. KL has a tropical rainforest climate with warm temperatures and high humidity year-round. The city's public transportation includes the MRT, LRT, Monorail, and KTM trains, making it easy to explore. Kuala Lumpur is also known for its bustling nightlife, street food at Jalan Alor, and vibrant cultural scene, making it a top travel destination in Southeast Asia.
Places to Visit
Petronas Twin Towers
Visit the world-famous twin towers, the tallest in the world, standing at 452 metres. Walk on the Skybridge, and enjoy breathtaking city views.
Batu Caves
Climb 272 colorful steps to this iconic Hindu temple inside a limestone cave.
Merdeka Square & Sultan Abdul Samad Building
Explore Malaysia’s historic independence square and admire colonial architecture.
KL Tower (Menara Kuala Lumpur)
Get a panoramic view of the city from the observation deck or the Sky Box.
Jalan Alor Street Food
Indulge in Kuala Lumpur’s best street food, from satay to noodles.
Chinatown & Petaling Street
Shop for souvenirs, try local delicacies, and explore cultural spots.
Thean Hou Temple
Visit one of the most beautiful Chinese temples in Malaysia with stunning city views.
Perdana Botanical Gardens & KL Bird Park
Enjoy nature, walk through the lush gardens, and see exotic birds.
Central Market
A heritage site perfect for shopping traditional Malaysian crafts and souvenirs.
Saloma Bridge & River of Life
Visit these stunning, Instagram-worthy spots, especially at night when the lights are on.
Travel Itinerary
From Bangkok you can take a direct flight from Kuala Lumpur to Sandakan. This is the fastest route, as there are no direct roads or rail travel to Sandakan.
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Duration: 2 hours 45 minutes
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Airlines: Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia, Batik Air
Hotel and Hostel
Kinabatangan River Safari at the Scenic Riverside Resort has a variety of packages depending on how many days and nights you want to stay for, the type of room you opt for and if you have any add ons.
1 Night Package
Cost: 185 euro
Included:1 person in a dorm bedroom, with an add on for the Orangutan Rehabilitation and Centre and Bear Conservation Centre. Collection and drop of from Sandakan, dinner, breakfast and the various river safari excursions.
Check out SeekSophie for more information and to book your stay!
Sandakan
Facts about Sandakan
Sandakan is a coastal town in the Malaysian state of Sabah, located on the northeast coast of Borneo. It was the former capital of British North Borneo and played a significant role in World War II, particularly in the Sandakan Death Marches, one of the darkest events in Malaysian history. Today, Sandakan is known as the "Nature City" due to its rich biodiversity and proximity to several wildlife conservation sites.
Sandakan is famous for its seafood, especially fresh prawns and fish noodles. The town also has cultural landmarks like Puu Jih Shih Temple, a stunning hilltop Buddhist temple, and the Agnes Keith House, a museum dedicated to the American author who wrote about life in British North Borneo. With its deep historical roots and incredible wildlife, Sandakan is a must-visit destination for history buffs and nature enthusiasts.
Places to Visit
Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre
Observe rescued orangutans being rehabilitated and released into the wild.
Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre
Learn about the world's smallest bears and conservation efforts to protect them.
Kinabatangan River Cruise
Spot proboscis monkeys, pygmy elephants, crocodiles, and exotic birds along Borneo’s second-longest river.
Turtle Islands Park (Selingan Island)
Witness sea turtles laying eggs and watch baby turtles being released into the ocean.
Rainforest Discovery Centre (RDC)
Walk along canopy walkways and explore Sabah’s rich rainforest ecosystem.
Kinabatangan River Cruise
If you are travelling to Sandakan there are a few activities that I would highly recommend. The first being an overnight stay in the Kinabatangan River. I would highly recommend booking a 1 or 2 night stay in Kinabatangan River Safari at the Scenic Riverside Resort. We organised to be collected from the city of Sandakan, we then travelled 1.5 hours (approx) to the resort, where we slept in a jungle style lodge. Crossing wooden bridges to the hostel rooms, surrounded by forest, monkeys, lizards, and looking out onto the croc infested river.
I stayed one night and the stay included transport to and from Sandakan (including the airport), dinner, breakfast, night time jungle trek, sunset and sunrise morning river cruise safari. We saw a lot of proboscis monkeys, crocodiles, and exotic birds along Borneo’s second-longest river. Unfortunately we didn't see any pygmy elephants.
We also opted for the package that brought us to both the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre and Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre. Check out more about these below!
Travel Itinerary
The center is easily accessible from Sandakan via a 30-minute taxi or bus ride, making it a top eco-tourism destination in Sabah. If you are doing the Kinabatangan River Cruise, you can also opt in for the option for them to bring you to and from the centre.
Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre
Facts about Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre
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Location: Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre (SORC) is located in Sabah, Malaysia, about 25 km from Sandakan on the island of Borneo.
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Established: Founded in 1964, it was the first rehabilitation center in the world for orphaned and injured orangutans.
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Mission: The center rehabilitates rescued Bornean orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus) that have been orphaned due to deforestation, hunting, or illegal pet trade, with the goal of releasing them back into the wild.
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Size: The sanctuary covers 4,300 hectares (10,600 acres) of protected Kabili-Sepilok Forest Reserve, providing a natural habitat for orangutans to roam freely.
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Rehabilitation Process: Orangutans undergo a long training process to learn essential survival skills, such as climbing, foraging, and nest-building, before they are released.
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Feeding Platform: Visitors can watch semi-wild orangutans at feeding times (10:00 AM & 3:00 PM), where they are given supplementary food like bananas and milk.
Travel Itinerary
The center is easily accessible from Sandakan via a 30-minute taxi or bus ride, making it a top eco-tourism destination in Sabah. If you are doing the Kinabatangan River Cruise, you can also opt in for the option for them to bring you to and from the centre.
Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre
Facts About Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre
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Location: The Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC) is located in Sepilok, Sabah, Malaysia, next to the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre.
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Established: Founded in 2008 by Malaysian biologist Dr. Wong Siew Te, the center aims to rescue and rehabilitate Bornean sun bears (Helarctos malayanus euryspilus), the world's smallest bear species.
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Mission: The center focuses on rescue, rehabilitation, education, research, and conservation of sun bears, which are threatened by deforestation, illegal pet trade, and poaching.
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Size: BSBCC covers 2.5 hectares (6 acres) of natural forest enclosures, allowing rescued sun bears to learn survival skills in a semi-wild environment.
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Unique Species: The Bornean sun bear is a subspecies of the Malayan sun bear, found only on the island of Borneo. They are named after the golden, crescent-shaped mark on their chest.
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Threats to Sun Bears: Sun bears are endangered due to habitat destruction (mainly for palm oil plantations), poaching for their bile (used in traditional medicine), and the illegal pet trade.
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Rescue & Rehabilitation: Many rescued sun bears at BSBCC were once kept illegally as pets. At the center, they are trained to forage and climb, with the hope of being reintroduced into the wild.
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Visitor Experience: The center has elevated boardwalks and observation platforms, where visitors can watch sun bears in their natural forest habitat. Educational talks and exhibits help raise awareness about conservation.
Travel Itinerary
Kuala Lumpur
The most convenient way to travel from Kuala Lumpur (KL) to Kota Kinabalu (KK) is by air, as there are no direct land or rail connections.
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Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
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Airlines: Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia, Batik Air
Sandakan
There are two main ways to travel from Sandakan to Kota Kinabalu:
✈ By Flight (Fastest & Easiest)
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Duration: 50 minutes
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Airlines: Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia
🚍 By Bus (Budget-Friendly, Scenic Route)
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Duration: 6–7 hours
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Operators: Tung Ma Express, Sida Express
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Cost: 8–15 euro
Hotel and Hostel
During my stay, I stayed in Sunset Seaview Vacation Condos at Jesselton Quay. This was a rented 2 bedroom apartment, one bathroom, open plan kitchen and sitting room. It had views of the swimming pool and sea. Downstairs there were multiple restaurants, shops and in walking distance to the Kota Kinabalu shopping mall and a short taxi ride to the waterfront where there are plenty of bars, restaurants and nightlife music to choose from!
Kota Kinabalu
Facts about Kota Kinabalu
Kota Kinabalu, the vibrant capital of Sabah on Borneo, is named after the majestic Mount Kinabalu, Southeast Asia's tallest peak. Formerly known as Jesselton during British colonial times, KK is a bustling coastal city that offers a gateway to tropical island paradises like the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park and rich cultural experiences through its diverse indigenous communities and bustling markets. Renowned for its fresh seafood and lively street bazaars, the city also serves as a launching pad for adventures into Sabah's pristine rainforests, wildlife parks, and the renowned Kinabalu Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Places to Visit
Climb Mount Kinabalu
Hike Malaysia’s highest peak at 4,095m, located in Kinabalu Park (UNESCO site).
Island Hopping at Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park
Explore the tropical islands of Sapi, Manukan, Mamutik, Sulug, and Gaya for snorkeling, diving, and beach relaxation.
Visit Kinabalu Park & Poring Hot Springs
Enjoy cool mountain air, jungle trekking, and a canopy walk, then relax in the natural hot springs.
Mari Mari Cultural Village
Learn about Sabah’s indigenous tribes, their traditions, and taste authentic native food.
City Mosque (Floating Mosque)
Visit one of Malaysia’s most picturesque mosques, surrounded by a reflective lagoon.
Signal Hill Observatory Platform
Get the best panoramic view of KK city and its coastline.
Visit the Waterfront & Night Markets
Enjoy the lively KK Waterfront, famous for bars, seafood, and local markets.
Travel Itinerary
Speedboat
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Location: Jesselton Point Ferry Terminal
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Duration: 15-20 minutes
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Price: A two-island hopping trip to Sapi and Manukan Islands costs around RM 45 per person. Upon arrival at the islands, visitors are required to pay a Marine Park Conservation Fee of RM 25 per adult. It's important to note that these fees are subject to change, and it's advisable to check the latest rates before planning your trip.
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Times: 8:30-5:00pm daily
Sapi and Manukan Island
Facts about Sapi and Manukan Island
Kota Kinabalu is home to the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, a stunning island group consisting of five islands—Gaya, Manukan, Sapi, Mamutik, and Sulug—just 15–20 minutes by boat from the city. These islands are known for their crystal-clear waters, white sandy beaches, and vibrant coral reefs, making them ideal for snorkeling, diving, kayaking, and island hopping.
Manukan Island is the most developed, offering resorts and water activities, while Sapi Island is famous for its clear waters and zipline connecting it to Gaya Island. Gaya Island, the largest, has luxury resorts and a lush rainforest, whereas Mamutik and Sulug Islands are quieter, perfect for relaxing in nature. The marine park is a protected area, ensuring rich marine biodiversity with colorful fish, sea turtles, and reef sharks.
Manukan Island
Manukan Island, the second-largest island in the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park at 51 acres, is the most developed, featuring resorts, restaurants, and basic facilities for overnight stays. It boasts one of the longest beaches in the marine park, offering breathtaking sunset views, clear waters for snorkeling, and various water activities like parasailing and jet skiing. The island also has jungle trekking trails for nature lovers seeking adventure. Both islands are easily accessible via a 15-20 minute boat ride from Kota Kinabalu’s Jesselton Point Ferry Terminal, making them popular destinations for visitors looking to explore Sabah’s tropical paradise.
Sapi Island
Sapi Island, covering about 25 acres, is known for its crystal-clear waters, white sandy beaches, and excellent snorkeling and diving spots with vibrant coral reefs. It is home to the Coral Flyer Zipline, one of the longest island-to-island ziplines in the world, connecting it to Gaya Island. Wildlife such as monitor lizards and macaques can be spotted roaming the island. Although there are no accommodations, Sapi is a popular day-trip destination for visitors looking to enjoy its pristine natural beauty and rich marine life.
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