2025 Recap: Our Most Popular Sabah Tours & a Practical 2026 Tour Planning Guide

How Travel in Sabah Looked in 2025?

Travel in Sabah during 2025 felt calm, deliberate, and quietly confident. Travellers were not chasing checklists or rushing from one stop to the next. Instead, they arrived with a clearer sense of what they wanted to experience and how much time they were willing to give each place.

Here is something interesting we noticed. Many travellers planned earlier, not because Sabah was complicated, but because they saw it as a destination worth doing properly. They asked practical questions about pacing, weather, and comfort. They wanted to know what a day actually feels like on the ground, not just what looks good in photos.

Sabah suits this mindset well. Nature here sets its own rhythm. Distances matter. Some experiences reward patience more than speed. When travellers understood this from the start, the trip usually unfolded smoothly and left a strong impression. Those were often the guests who talked about returning before they even left.

Our Most Popular Sabah Tours in 2025

1. Mount Kinabalu Climb

The Mount Kinabalu climb remains one of Sabah’s most meaningful experiences. It is physically demanding, yes, but it is also surprisingly quiet and reflective once you are on the trail.

The experience is simple in structure. You climb steadily, rest often, and move at a pace guided by your mountain guide. Summit day begins before dawn, usually cold and windy, but that early start creates a shared sense of focus among climbers. When the weather cooperates, sunrise from the summit feels earned rather than staged.

In 2025, travellers chose Mount Kinabalu because it felt purposeful. Many treated the climb as a personal milestone, a reset, or a challenge they had been thinking about for some time. Planning ahead was part of the experience, not a barrier.

This climb suits travellers who prepare reasonably well and approach it with patience. You do not need to be an athlete, but you do need to respect the mountain and follow guidance closely.

The most stable climbing months remain March to September. Weather can still change quickly, but those who understand this usually enjoy the climb more, regardless of summit conditions.

2. Wildlife Tour (Sandakan, Kinabatangan River, Turtle Island / Selingan Island)

This classic wildlife route through Sandakan, the Kinabatangan River, and Selingan Island continued to attract travellers who wanted real encounters with Borneo’s wildlife.

What this experience feels like is best described as unhurried. River cruises happen early in the morning and late afternoon, when wildlife is most active. Some sessions are quiet, others unexpectedly busy. That unpredictability is part of the appeal.

Travellers chose this tour in 2025 because it feels genuine. There is no fixed script. Seeing orangutans in the wild or witnessing turtles nesting at night leaves a lasting impression, especially when it happens naturally and without crowds.

This route suits travellers who enjoy nature, are comfortable with early mornings, and appreciate simple lodge stays in exchange for location. It works well for couples, families with older children, and first-time visitors to Borneo.

March to October generally offers the best balance of weather and wildlife activity, although sightings continue throughout the year.

3. Danum Valley Experience

(Danum Valley Field Centre & Borneo Rainforest Lodge)

The Danum Valley experience, based at Danum Valley Field Centre or Borneo Rainforest Lodge, appealed to travellers looking for depth rather than variety.

Danum Valley feels immersive from the moment you arrive. The rainforest is old and intact, and days revolve around guided walks, canopy views, night drives, and quiet observation. It is not about rushing from activity to activity. It is about noticing small details and letting the forest reveal itself gradually.

In 2025, travellers chose Danum Valley because it offered a sense of place. Many visitors wanted to stay put, unpack once, and experience the rainforest properly rather than sample it briefly.

This experience suits travellers who enjoy learning, walking, and spending several nights in one location. Couples, photographers, and nature-focused travellers often find Danum particularly rewarding.

The best visiting period is March to October, when access conditions are more predictable, though the rainforest remains active year-round.

4. Customised Sabah Tour Packages

Customised Sabah tour packages became increasingly popular in 2025, largely because travellers wanted trips that reflected how they actually travel.

The experience here is flexibility. Routes, pacing, and accommodation choices are adjusted to match personal interests. Let me give you a quick example. Some travellers preferred fewer destinations with longer stays, while others combined wildlife experiences with cultural visits and a few relaxed days near the coast.

Travellers chose customised packages because they removed unnecessary rushing. Families appreciated the breathing space. Couples enjoyed having time to rest between activities. Older travellers valued comfort without losing authenticity.

This option suits almost any traveller, especially those with specific interests or mixed-age groups. It also works well for repeat visitors who want something slightly different from standard routes.

Customised itineraries can be arranged year-round, with adjustments made for weather and travel windows.

6. Birding & Wildlife Photography Tours

Birding and wildlife photography tours continued to attract dedicated travellers who valued patience and local knowledge.

These tours move slowly and intentionally. Time is spent waiting, listening, and positioning rather than chasing sightings. When moments come together, they often feel earned.

Travellers chose these tours because guidance matters. Knowing where to wait and when to move makes a significant difference.

This experience suits serious hobbyists and photographers who enjoy focused travel. March to October remains the most reliable period, depending on target species.

What We Learned From 2025 Travellers?

Here is something interesting we noticed. Long weekends often filled faster than extended school holidays. Travellers were using four or five days thoughtfully rather than waiting for long breaks.

Customisation stood out as a strong preference. Travellers valued flexibility, even in small adjustments, and appreciated itineraries that felt balanced rather than packed.

We also saw earlier bookings for Mount Kinabalu and wildlife lodges. Awareness around availability has improved, which helped trips run more smoothly.

2026 Sabah Public Holiday Calendar: Planning with Purpose

Public holidays continue to shape Sabah travel patterns. Long weekends around Chinese New Year, Hari Raya, and National Day are ideal for short Sabah escapes.

Four-day breaks work well for Kota Kinabalu day tours, island hopping, and cultural experiences. Five to seven days suit wildlife routes or customised combinations. Longer school holidays are well suited for Mount Kinabalu climbs paired with recovery days or rainforest stays.

Planning early is less about pressure and more about choice. Securing preferred dates and accommodation simply makes the experience easier.

To help you plan your trip to Sabah, here is the Sabah public holiday calendar for your reference:

This calendar is provided for reference only, and some dates may be subject to change.

Planning Your Sabah Holiday in 2026

Peak travel periods benefit from early planning, especially for Mount Kinabalu climbs and wildlife lodges. Off-peak travel offers more flexibility but works best when expectations are clear.

As a general guide, Mount Kinabalu climbs should be planned around six months ahead. Wildlife trips are best arranged three to four months in advance. Customised tours benefit from early discussions, even if travel dates are not fully fixed.

Closing Thoughts

Sabah continues to appeal to travellers who value meaningful experiences over rushed schedules. The patterns we saw in 2025 point toward more intentional, better-paced travel.

If you are considering Sabah in 2026, starting early allows the journey to be shaped around how you want to travel. Enquiries for customised Sabah tour packages are always welcome, and thoughtful planning often makes all the difference.