TEMPAT MENARIK

Sepilok Orang Utan Sanctuary
Sandakan
The Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre was set up in 1964 to rehabilitate orphaned baby orang utan. Set in the lush 4,300-hectare Kabili-Sepilok Forest Reserve, the Centre under the administration of the Wildlife Department of Sabah attracts tourists and researchers alike, giving them the opportunity to watch the orang utan up close in their natural habitat. A boardwalk leads you to a viewing gallery and feeding platform where the apes are fed milk and bananas twice a day at 10.00am and 3.00pm by rangers. Feeding time also attracts long-tailed macaques to the area. 

While orang utan rehabilitation is still the primary goal at Sepilok, it also focuses on public education on conservation, research and assistance on other endangered species such as the rhinoceros. 

Visitors are restricted to walkways. Some orang utan have become familiar with people but touching them is strongly discouraged, and while the apes are naturally shy and gentle, the more mischievous ones may try to grab your camera or hat, in which case you should call for a ranger as trying to wrestle the 200 pound apes may not be a good idea.

For the more adventurous, there is trekking through mangrove forest. As this is under the Forestry Department, you will have to get a permit from them before trekking the 5km trail which runs through Sepilok Laut. You can also arrange for a boat return or accommodation in chalets in the forest.

Getting There
If you are not on any tour, public buses and taxis are available from Sandakan town. The Labuk Road Bus Company vehicles depart from the front of the Sandakan Town Council (Majlis Perbandaran Sandakan or MPS) from 6.00 am onwards. Fares are RM2.10 one way, but it will only stop at the junction to the Centre. You will have to walk about one and a half km in. You can hire a taxi for a return trip for about RM100.00 negotiable. The distance between town and the Centre is approximately 23km.

Opening Hours
Security Gate: Daily from 8.00am till 5.00pm
Reception & Ticketing Counter: Daily from 9.00am till 11.00am and 2.00pm till 3.30pm
Exhibition Hall: Daily (except Fridays) from 9.00am till 4.30pm
Centre: Daily from 9.00am till 12.00pm and 2.00pm till 4.00pm Fridays 9.00am till 11.00am, 2.00pm till 4.00pm

Admission Rates

	Adult	Below 18 years old
MyKad Holders	RM5.00	RM2.00
Others	RM30.00	RM15.00
Use of Cameras, camcorders, camera phones etc will be charged RM10.00

Address
Batu 14, Jalan Labuk Sandakan Sabah

WDT200, 9009 Sandakan Sabah

Tel : 6 089 531180
Fax : 6 089 531189
Email : soutan@po.jaring.my
Webpage : http://www.sabah.gov.my/jhl/

Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey SanctuarySandakan

In the centre of the mangrove forests of Semawang is the Labuk Bay 

Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary, where you can see Borneo's indigenous proboscis monkeys. This privately-owned sanctuary located within an oil palm estate gives you the chance to observe these animals up close and personal.

The remarkable males sport big dangling noses, reddish flat-top hairstyles, white tails and markings, and pot bellies. The females on the other hand, are much smaller and have up-turned noses.

Take a night tour for a chance to see wild boars, flying squirrels, fireflies and crocodiles. The sanctuary also has a lodge with aircondtioned twin or double rooms, family chalet and dormitaries for those who wish to stay overnight.

Getting There
Travel along Jalan Labuk (heading towards Kota Kinabalu) and turn off at the SPS 3 junction at Mile 19 (adjacent to Consolidated Sabah Farms). From here, the sanctuary is a 15km further along the road.

The sanctuary also provides transfers, daytrips and overnight stays. You can also go through a local tour operator.

Hours / Feeding times
Platform A : 09:30am & 02:30pm Daily
Platform B : 11:30am & 04.30pm Daily

Admission Fees

	Adult	Below 12 years old
MyKad Holders	RM15.00	RM5.00
Others	RM60.00	RM30.00

Further Information
Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary
Yet Hing Oil Palm Estate, Off Jalan Labuk
Sandakan.

Tel : 6 089 672133, 672177, 674880
Fax : 6 089 672136
E-mail : labukbay@proboscis.cc
Website : http://www.proboscis.cc

Agnes Keith House
Sandakan

If you should ever stroll along the stretch of Jalan Istana inSandakan, the much-talked about Agnes Keith House is hard to miss. With its sprawling green lawns and colonial-style wooden walls, the residence has since been restored by the Sabah Museum, in collaboration with the Federal Department of Museums and Antiquities.

This British colonial government quarters, called Newlands, was once occupied by famous American writer, Agnes Newton Keith, who penned Land Below The Wind in 1939. Two books followed her first success, namely Three Came Home (1946) and White Man Returns (1951). With the exception of the second book, Land Below the Wind and White Man Returns were written in the house on the hill where she had the best views of Sandakan Bay at the front and the Sulu Sea at the back.

Newlands was rebuilt some time in 1946/47 and was the first government permanent timber dwelling to be built after the Second World War. It was built upon the ruined foundations of the original house that was destroyed during the war.

The house became home to Agnes and her family, Henry (also referred to as Harry) George Keith, who was the Conservator of Forests and their son, George. When the Keiths left Sabah in 1952, the house was occupied by subsequent Conservators of Forests, forestry officers, volunteers and other staff. Though the Keiths never retuned to Sabah, the house was always referred to as Agnes Keith's House by visitors who never stopped coming to see it.

Today the house has been restored and turned into a heritage house, providing interesting insights to life during British North Borneo. It is furnished with a reproduction of colonial furniture and antiques. A gallery on the first floor tells the story of this remarkable woman, her books and her family. A Keith time-line starts in 1873 and ends in 2004 tracing the past to the present Keiths.

"The new house is beautiful. Round trippers on world boats would come up to see it, carrying their cameras and calling, Why look!" (Agnes Keith, White Man Returns, 1951, p.87)

Getting There
The Agnes Keith House is part of the Sandakan Heritage Trail . From Sandakan town, it is a 20-minute walk. You can also take a taxi.

Opening hours
Seven days a week (Monday - Sunday), from 9am to 5pm 

Admission fee
MyKad holders: RM2.00
MyKad holders above 55 years: Free
Children below 12 years: Free
Others: RM15.00

Contact 
Sabah Museum: +6088-225033/ 253199
Sandakan Heritage Museum: +6089-222679

Batu TulugSandakan
Located at Batu Putih village and 41km from the Kota Kinabatangan township, Agop Batu Tulug is a steep limestone cliff that stands 39 meters high and is part of the 20-25 million- year old Labang limestone formation. The word ‘agop' in the Orang Sungai language means cave. There are three main caves, agop suriba (lower) on the forest floor, lintaga (middle) and sawat (upper) betweeen 12-15m high. 

Inside the middle and upper caves are more than a hundred carved wooden coffins dating back 200-250 years, watched over by bats and swallows. Batu Putih village can be viewed from here as well.

The coffins resemble different animals associated to the beliefs of the Orang Sungai but it has also been said that they are the coffins of the Chinese who once settled in the area as Chinese artifacts were found among the remains.

A site Museum since 1996, it has facilities such as an information center, stairs leading to the caves, toilets and resting huts.

Getting There
The drive to Batu Tulug takes one and a half hours from Sandakan or 45 minutes from Lahad Datu. You may self-drive or go through a tour operator.

Opening Hours
Daily from 9.00am till 5.00pm

Admission Fees 
MyKad holders : RM 2.00 (Adults)
Others : RM15.00
Students in uniform, children below 12 years, disabled persons and senior citizens enter for free

Address
Museum Batu Tulug
WDT 197, 90200 Kota Kinabatangan Sabah

Tel : 6 089 565145 (Ticket counter) /  6 089 551062 (Office)
Email : muzium.sabah@sabah.gov.my
Webpage : http://www.mzm.sabah.gov.my/agoptulug/cyber_tulugmuseum.htm

Gomantong CaveSandakan
Described by WWF as 'the best-managed edible birds' nest cave in the world', Gomantong Caves in the heartland of the Gomantong Rainforest Reserve have been the focus for birds' nests for centuries.

Since the 13th century, Chinese traders have come to Sandakanin search of birds' nests, a prized delicacy among the Chinese and found nearly 100 metres up on the ceilings of the Gomantong Caves. Harvesters put their lives on the line literally, climbing networks of rattan ladders and ropes to get to the nests. The risky nature of nest collecting has only helped made the commodity a pricey one.

There are two cave complexes - Simud Hitam (Black Cave) soaring up to 90 metres high and the more accessible of the two, and Simud Putih (White Cave), where the more valuable nests are found. Simud Hitam is a five- minute walk from the registration centre. A well-maintained boardwalk gives you easy access to do some exploring or watch the skilled harvesters at work.

The resident creatures of the caves include swiftlets (from which the nests are collected) and bats among others. Outside, other birds such as serpent eagles, bat hawks and kingfishers can be seen. You might even spot an orangutan or two. You will need to make prior arrangements for exploring the more challenging Simud Putih which calls for more serious caving.

Facilities include a picnic area as well as the Gomantong Rainforest Chalet which can accommodate up to 30 people a night.

Getting There
A 1½ hour bus ride leaves from Sandakan to Sukau for the 95km trip. Fares are about RM17.00 each way. You can arrange your visit through local tour operators or the Forestry Department. Check our Directory for listings.

Visiting Hours
Daily from 8.00am till 6.00pm

Admission Fees

	Adults	Below 18 years
MyKad Holders	RM5.00	RM2.00
Others	RM30.00	RM15.00
(There will be charges made on use of photographic equipment)

Further Information 
Birds' nest collecting is done usually between February and August.

Address
Sabah Forestry Dept
Website : http://www.forest.sabah.gov.my

Sandakan Crocodile FarmSandakan
The Sandakan Crocodile Farm is Malaysia's largest with over 3000 of the reptiles. The original stock came from wild crocodiles found along the Kinabatangan River. The animals are farmed for their skins to be turned into shoes and bags.

Besides offering visitors an up-close look at Sabah's biggest reptiles, the farm hosts several other attractions as well, including crocodile and snake shows. It also features a mini zoo with a 100kg Amazonian fish, and a children's park.

Getting There
The drive from Sandakan to the farm takes about half an hour.

Visiting Hours
Weekday show times (Crocodiles only) - 11.45am & 4.00pm
Sunday and Public Hols show times (Crocodiles and snakes) - 11.45am, 2.00pm & 4.00pm
Daily feeding times - from 9.30am onwards until 4.30pm

Admission Fees

MyCard Holder
Adults RM7.00
Children below 12 years RM4.00

Non-MyCard Holder
Adults RM10.00
Children below 12 years RM5.00

Address
P O Box 633, 90007 Sandakan Sabah

Sandakan Crocodile Farm,
Mile 8, Jalan Labuk
Tel : 6 089 660666 (Farm) / 6 089 211391 , 6 089 217637 (Office)
Fax : 6 089 71448

Rainforest Discovery Centre (RDC)Sandakan

The Rainforest Discovery Centre (RDC) is the gateway to getting to know the uniqueness and importance of Borneo’s rainforests.

Situated 23 kilometres from Sandakan Town and not too far from the Sepilok Rehabilitation Centre, the RDC’s main highlights are its exhibition halls, the Plant Discovery Garden, the Kapili-Sepilok Forest Reserve, environmental education programmes and a small lake for boat rides.

The RDC also gives visitors a chance to get intimate with nature through its Nature Experience programme which includes a guided walk to the Plant Discovery Garden, Rainforest Walk and indoor/outdoor activities.

As of 2009, RDC has also become the official venue for the annual Borneo Bird Festival which attracts the participation of birding enthusiasts from all over the world.

The centre is open 7 days a week, including public holidays, from 8.00am-5.00pm

Getting There

The RDC is reachable by bus and taxi. From the Sandakan town centre bus station take bus number 14 to the Sepilok Rehabilitation Centre, bus fare is RM3 per way. By taxi, the fare is RM35 per taxi per way. The journey will take about 45 minutes.

If you are driving, the RDC is 30 minutes away from the airport.

Tariffs

Malaysians:       RM2.00 per child; RM5.00 per adult

Internationals:   RM10.00 per adult/child

* All prices are estimated and subject to change

Contact

Contact Person: Miss Cecilia

Phone:  +60 89 533 780 / 533 781

Fax:      +60 89 535 201

Email:   rdcsepilok@yahoo.com

St. Michael's and All Angels Church, Sandakan
Sandakan

The historical city of Sandakan is home to many buildings and monuments, each witness to the changes of time and events over the years. One of the oldest buildings is St. Michael’s and All Angels Church.

The construction of the first stone building in Sabah began in 1893 and took almost 30 years to complete. Designed by New Zealander Mr. B.W. Mountfort, the building was first constructed with belian (ironwood) timber, followed by brick and finally stone, which is said to have from the nearby Buli Sim Sim, while the white stones that adorn the windows and doors are from Hong Kong. The stones were delivered from Buli Sim Sim by prison labour at RM1.25 per cubic yard. A cubic foot of stone weighs approximately 140 lbs and each stone was painstakingly laid atop each other.

During the 1906 Michaelmas celebration, celebrated on 30 September, the nave and transepts were finally dedicated. Three services were held that day to celebrate the goodness of God and the faith of His people. The western porch (the main entrance) of the Church was not completed and dedicated until 1925 – 32 years from the start of its construction. The Church avoided major damage during World War II in the 1940s and remains one of the very few stone buildings in the whole of Sabah. The beautiful stained glass windows in the church were donated by Australians to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II.

Getting There

The Church is part of the Sandakan Heritage Trail. Alternatively, take a taxi from Sandakan town. It is recommended that you make return arrangements with your taxi driver as public transport is not readily available in this area.

Contact

Rev. Clarence Fu

Tel. no :                      +6089 215860 / 274830

E-mail:                        clrfu@tm.net.my 

Postal address

P.O. Box 17, 90700, Sandakan

Lankayan IslandSandakan

Lankayan, a tiny jewel-shaped island located on the northeastern coast of Sabah, is part of the Sugud Islands Marine Conservation Area (SIMCA) and is surrounded blue-green waters and coral reefs. It is also one of Sabah's top diving spots.

The availability of jungle interior and interesting diving attracts both divers and non-divers alike to Lankayan.

14 dive sites including the Lankayan Wreck, all only minutes away from the island, offer magnificent displays of marine life ranging from giant groupers to tiny ribbon eels. Enormous whale sharks are regularly sighted between March and May, and the island is also a nesting site for green and hawksbill turtles. You can watch as the baby turtles are released back into the sea.

The Langkayan Island Dive Resort has sixteen attractive wooden chalets with beach fronts and the common dining area extends to a sundeck jutting out to the beach.

Getting There
The transfer to Lankayan is by speedboat departing from the Sandakan Yacht Club and takes about an hour and a half.

Extra information
Pulau Sipadan Resort & Tours Sdn Bhd (KPL 2536)
Telephone : +6088 238113
Fax : +6088 238112
Address : Block B, 1st Floor, Lot B-1-1, Plaza Tanjung Aru, Jalan Mat Salleh, 88100 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia.



Turtle Island ParkSandakan

The Turtle Island Park (gazetted 1977) lies 40km north ofSandakan in the Sulu Sea and consists of Selingan, Bakungan Kecil and Gulisan islands. The park is a safe haven for the endangered green and hawksbill turtles and gives you the rare opportunity to watch turtle landings. Selingan, the largest of the islands, houses the park's headquarters, a turtle hatchery, tourist accommodation and basic facilities. The other two islands are more for conservation activities.

As turtle landings usually occur after dusk, an overnight stay would be the best plan to see the turtles as they come ashore to lay their eggs, but shining a light on them or using camera flashes should be avoided as either can be stressful on the creatures.

Turtles lay their eggs throughout the year, but the best time to head there is between July and October when the sea is calmer. Observe the collection of eggs, tagging of mother turtles and releasing of baby turtles into the sea.

Getting There
The boat from the Sabah Parks jetty at Jalan Buli Buli Sim leaves at 9.30am and the ride to Selingan takes an hour.

Visiting Period
Throughout the year

Fees
Adult - RM10.00
Children - RM6.00
Night photography of turtle landing (unaided by flash) - RM10.00

Further Information
Permission to visit the Park must be obtained from Sabah Parks and is currently co-ordinated by the sole agency of Crystal Quest, located at Sabah Park Jetty in Sandakan.

Address
Crystal Quest Sdn. Bhd
Sabah Park Jetty
Jalan Buli Sim-Sim
P. O Box 848,
90719, Sandakan
Tel : 6 089 212711
Fax : 6 089 212712
Email : cquest1996@gmail.com

Sabah Parks
Sabah Parks
Lot 45 & 46, 1st - 5th Floor,
Block H, Signature Office
KK Times Square
Coastal Highway
88100 Kota Kinabalu

Telephone: 088-486 432/486 430/486 420 (General Line)
Fax: 088-486 435 (General)
Email : info@sabahparks.org.my
Website : http://www.sabahparks.org.my