Travel Asia

Kinabalu National Park is one of the first national parks of Malaysia which was established in 1964. It was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in December 2000 for its outstanding universal values and its role as one of the most important biological sites in the world. Kinabalu National Park covers an area of 754 square kilometers which surrounds the majestic Mount Kinabalu which is the highest peak on the island.

The park is host to an astonishing variety of flora and fauna that covers over four climate zones. The mountain is famous for its many carnivorous plant and orchid species, most notably Nepenthes rajah. It is also home to a multitude of endemic animal species, including the Kinabalu Giant Red Leech and Kinabalu Giant Earthworm.

Climbing Mt. Kinabalu is a different experience for each person but what makes most people succeed above all is perseverance. Climbing Mt. Kinabalu is a major tourist attraction in the park. Visitors who wished to climb Mt. Kinabalu should be medically fit. The mountain oak and chestnut forest at park headquarters gives way to lowland dipterocarp forest at Poring on the eastern boundary. Visitors can enjoy a short trek through the rainforest and witness life in the treetops as they walk along the 100ft high Canopy Walkway If the canopy walkway is closed, it will be replaced with a visit to the Tropical Garden. It is a 30 minutes uphill trek to get to the canopy walkway. Those who find this walk strenuous may opt to sit by the springs. Visitors are advised to bring a light jacket as the temperature at the Park may drop to below 24 and good walking shoes.

Accommodations at the park is provided by the Sutera Sanctuary Lodges which offers vacation packages that includes a night stay at Kinabalu Lodge, return transfers, meals and a choice of mountain tours to either Kinabalu National Park or Poring Hot Spring.

The park Headquarter is located 88 kilometers away from Kota Kinabalu City. The highways and roads are located at the southern boundary of the park.

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