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SABAH

Of all the outdoor destinations in Southeast Asia, Sabah by far proves the most exciting. Covering 73,711 sq. km (48,480 sq. miles) in the northern part of Borneo, the world's third largest island, Sabah stretches from the South China Sea in the west to the Sulu Sea in the east, both seas containing an abundance of uninhabited islands and pristine coral reefs and marine life. In between, more than half of the state is covered in primary rainforest that's protected in national parks and forest and wildlife reserves. In these forests, some rare species of mammals like the Sumatran rhino and Asian elephant (herds of them) are hard to spot, but other animals, such as the orangutan, proboscis monkey, gibbon, lemur, civet, Malaysian sun bear, and a host of others can be seen on jungle treks if you search them out. Of the hundreds of bird species here, the hornbills and herons steal the show.

Sabah's tallest peak also happens to be the highest mountain between the Himalayas and Irian Jaya. At 4,095m (13,432 ft.), it's the tallest in Southeast Asia, and a thrill to trek or climb. Sabah's rivers are also open for river rafters, providing white-water thrills for every level of excitement, from soft adventure to extreme sports.

Not only does this state bold mysterious wildlife and geography, but people as well. Many visitors are attracted to Sabah by the region's 32 different ethnic groups, whose cultures and traditions are so different from the Western norm. Divided into four major linguistic families-Kadazandusun, Murutic, Tidong, and Paitanic-certain of these groups were the headhunters that filled past travelers' tales with much intrigue.
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