The iconic Mount Kinabalu is the heart and soul of Sabah and the ultimate pride of its people. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it boasts the highest peak between the Himalayas and New Guinea, and has been identified as a center of plant diversity in Southeast Asia. Taking in a summit sunrise from the 4,096 meter Low’s Peak is a must if you’re planning to visit Borneo.
Mount Kinabalu National Park is among the elite biological sites in the world and is home to more than 5,000 species of plants, and over 400 species of birds and mammals. It holds around half of Borneo’s plant species in a wide array of habitats – from rich tropical lowland rainforest, to tropical montane forest, to sub-alpine forest at higher elevations, with ultramafic forests covering about 16% of the park. The park sees thousands of visitors every year, but hiking to the summit is only one of many possible activities. It’s a birder’s paradise, a must for botany enthusiasts, and a haven for those seeking amphibians, insects and reptiles. Exploring the surrounding villages will open your eyes to the rich and historical culture of the Dusun people.
