Mari Mari Cultural Village

Kota Kinabalu (Capital City)

The Mari Mari Cultural Village is situated amidst a remote forest setting in Kionsom, Inanam; 25 minutes away from the hustling and bustling city. Its surrounding atmosphere may faintly remind you of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s ‘The Lost World’; in the Sabahan sense. The beauty of untapped nature is guaranteed to capture your eyes and heart as soon as you arrive at the village!

In the village, you will be introduced to various traditional homes of Sabahan ethnic communities—the Bajau, Lundayeh, Murut, Rungus and Dusun—which are built by descendants of the tribes which they represent. Your friendly excursion guide will also give thorough introductions to the houses, making it a highly educational experience.

Be prepared to teleport back to the times of ancient Borneo through the display of unique ingenious architecture, simulated lives and ritualistic ceremonies. Also, get acquainted with each village tribe as you enter their homes and experience their rich culture.

For a more hands-on experience, check out the little huts in the village where daily routines of traditional Sabahan life come alive. Grab the chance to see blowpipe-making demonstration, fire-starting demonstration using bamboo, tattoo-making demonstration, and get an in-depth look at the mystical symbolisms behind them. Visitors will also get chance to sample Sabahan traditional delicacies from each ethnic group.

A visit to the Mari Mari Cultural Village will be a cultural excursion of a lifetime! See, taste and feel the essence of Sabah presented to you as it was and as it is.

Mari Mari!!

Getting there

To arrange a visit to the Mari Mari Cultural Village, you would have to book a tour package from the company. No individual drop-ins are allowed.

Tariffs

With Return Transfer
Package Rates	Malaysian (per pax)	Non-Malaysian (per pax)
Adult	RM 140.00	RM 160.00
Children (5 - 11 y/o) Children of 4 years & below is F.O.C	RM 110.00	RM 140.00
Without Transportation (own arrangement)
Package Rates	Malaysian & Non-Malaysian (per pax)
Adult	RM 80.00
Children	RM 70.00

Itinerary for 10am / 2pm / 6pm arrivals

• Upon arrival, you will be greeted and as preparation for your time-travelling into prehistoric Borneo, briefing on the Village Rules is a must before you enter. Then you may walk through the suspension bridge to enter the village.
• First, you will visit the Dusun house. Here, you will be briefed on the tools / items used in the olden days and the materials of the house itself. You will witness the Tapai (Rice wine) making. As you exit through the back door, you will enter a hut specialized for bamboo cooking and Montoku (distilled rice wine) processing.
• Second, we will bring you to the Rungus Longhouse. Here, you will learn how to start a fire without lighters or matches. Later, you will also see how this tribe chew beetle nut  and look into the typical room of the tribe.
• Third, you will find the Lundayeh House. Inside, be awed by a demonstration on the olden ways of producing ropes, vests, floors, walls and etc. from tree barks.
• Fourth, visit the Bajau House to watch the locals prepare Jala (local cookies) and Pandan juice.  Inside, you will see a myriad of colourful materials of antique ancestral objects. At one corner, there is a decorative bridal parlor for your photo-taking pleasure. In the kitchen, you will see how coconut grating is done in the olden days.
• Fifth, belonging to the headhunters’ tribe, the Murut Longhouse, awaits you as your journey reaches the ending. (Just kidding! We hereby guarantee that your head will still be attached to your body after visiting this house). You will be greeted by the Chief and his warriors, and go through a custom Welcome Ceremony. You will witness a demonstration on blowpipe making before going into their house. Inside, there is a built-in Lansaran (traditional trampoline-like floor) which you may dance on after they show you how to jump for your “prize”. At a corner, you will see demonstration on tobacco smoking and have a puff or two. At another corner,  witness the locals as they tattoo their bodies the old method.  You can also get a temporary body tattoo the ancient way if you wish.
• Finally, you will be led to the stage where our very own staff will entertain you with cultural performances.  After that, proceed to the main dining hall where you visit the Souvenir shop or choose to take photos of your surroundings. Otherwise, you may proceed for sumptuous meal which is prepared for you at the Buffet Counter.
• Then, it is time to bid farewell to the villagers and depart into the 21st century, as we transfer you to your respective hotels/ drop-off points.

Package includes :  With or without return transfer, English speaking guide, Lunch / High Tea / Dinner, house tour with demo. activities and cultural performance.

Things to bring / Wear:

• Cap / Hat
• Extra pocket money
• Comfortable walking shoes / sandals / slippers
• Casual wear (light clothing)
• Poncho / umbrella

Optional: Camera

For more information, contact:

Traverse Tours Sdn Bhd (KKKP: 3505)
Lot 227-229,
2nd Floor, Wisma Sabah,
88000 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.

Tel: +60 88-260501, +60 88-260502
Fax: 088-261503
HOTLINE: 019-8204921 / 016-8321509

Credit Photo: http://kinabalu-home.blogspot.com/2008/12/mari-mari-cultural-village.html

Lok Kawi Wildlife Park

Kota Kinabalu (Capital City)

The Lok Kawi Wildlife Park was officially open to the public on the 17th February 2007. It is located along the Penampang-Papar old road and is fully developed by the Sabah Wildlife Department.

The park consists of two components: zoological and botanical. The main objective of the park is to become a family-oriented park and the emphasis is put on the Children’s Zoo.

Among the inhabitants of the zoo (zoological component) are the Borneo Pygmy elephants, Proboscis monkey, Malayan tiger, as well as some different species of deer.

The botanical component, on the other hand; offers visitors the opportunity to go jungle trekking along the botanical trail. The paved trail is about 1.4 kilometers long. However, for leisurely strolls, visitors are only advised to walk halfway along the trail.

TariffsLok Kawi Wildlife Park is open for the public daily from 9.30a.m to 5.30p.m. Entrance fees charged are as follows: adults RM10 (Malaysian) and RM20 (non-Malaysian).

Getting ThereThe journey to Lok Kawi Wildlife Park takes 30 minutes to an hour’s drive from Kota Kinabalu, the estimated distance is 20 kilometers. For transportation, visitors can either drive or take a taxi from the city centre.

Taxi fare per way is RM25 to RM30. Please arrange with the taxi driver regarding the drop off and/ or return point.

Further Information:For more information, please contact the Lok Kawi Wildlife Park at telephone number 088-765793, or 088-765710. Alternatively, visitors can fax to 088-765762.

Layang-Layang Island

Kota Kinabalu (Capital City)


Layang-Layang, known as "Swallows Reef" is an atoll situated in the South China Sea 300km north-west of Kota Kinabalu. The island is man-made and was constructed for the Malaysian Navy and later developed for the only dive resort, Layang-Layang Island Resort.

The island location offers absolute isolation, luckily there is an airstrip with regular flights from Kota Kinabalu, which is the only mode of transport for guests visiting Layang-Layang. The extreme location of Layang-Layang, the pristine reefs, excellent visibility, steep walls down to 2000km and regular sightings of pelagic has given Layang-Layang a much deserved reputation of being one of the top ten dive locations in the world.
With resident schools of barracuda and big-eye trevally and frequently seen green and hawksbill are plentiful and healthy with sea fans stretching to more than three meters across that filter plankton from the passing currents.

The 20m deep lagoon has some great macro creatures to be found including seahorses, cuttlefish and pipefish but it is the pelagic visiting the outer walls that truly excite divers. Schools of scalloped hammerhead sharks, grey reef sharks, leopard sharks and the occasional threshers and silvertip sharks can all be seen.

Stingrays are also regular visitors including manta rays, pygmy devil rays, marbled rays and eagle rays. Rare sightings such as whale sharks, orcas and melon headed whales have all been seen over the last few years. Spinner and bottlenose dolphins frequently follow the dive boats to each location and divers are sometimes rewarded with snorkeling and diverse fish life and visiting pelagic marine life.
Layang-Layang has rightly gained worldwide recognition.

For more infoLayang Layang Island Resort (KPL 2992)
Address : Sales & Reservation Office Unit
A-2-4, Block A, 2nd Floor, Megan Avenue II, 12 Jalan Yap Kwan Seng,
50450 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Phone : +60 3 21702185
Fax : +60 3 27309959
Email : res@avillionlayanglayang.com
Website : www.avillionlayanglayang.com

Kota Kinabalu Wetlands

Kota Kinabalu (Capital City)

Situated just two kilometers north-east of Kota Kinabalu City in Likas (ten minutes from the heart of the city centre) is Kota Kinabalu Wetlands. Formerly known as Kota Kinabalu City Bird Sanctuary, this site covers 24 hectares (60 acres) of mangrove forest, and is used primarily as a model wetland centre for the purpose of conservation, education, recreation, tourism and research. Kota Kinabalu Wetlands is managed by local NGO, Sabah Wetlands Conservation Society.

A 1.5km boardwalk brings you deep into the mangrove - a unique ecosystem where land meets sea. A 45-minute stroll on the boardwalk is a pleasant experience where you can enjoy fresh air and tranquility, while spotting interesting birds, plants and wildlife.

Kota Kinabalu Wetlands, designated as a bird sanctuary in 1996, is an important refuge and feeding ground for many species of resident birds as well as migratory species from Northern Asia. 

Commonly sighted birds include migratory species like the sandpiper, Greenshank, Redshank, egrets and herons as well as canopy birds such as collared kingfisher and stork-billed kingfisher. To date, almost 80 species of birds have been identified at the sanctuary. Other mangrove wildlife that live within Kota Kinabalu Wetlands include monitor lizards, fiddler crabs, mudskippers, weaver ants, butterflies and other insects, jellyfish, water snakes and mud lobsters.

Things to Do

Apart from self-guided walks, there are a range of activities that can be done at Kota Kinabalu Wetlands, including guided walks, Environmental Education programmes, bird-watching sessions, and corporate volunteer programmes. Advance notice is required.

Getting There 

Take the No.1 bus towards Likas from the bus stations in front of City Hall or Wawasan Plaza in the City, to Likas Square. At the traffic lights there, turn right towards Signal Hill until you get to the third junction on the left. Return bus fare is RM2.00.

Opening Hours 

Tuesday to Sunday 8.00am till 6.00pm (Closed on Mondays, except when falls on a Public Holiday); Open on all Public Holidays

Admission Fees

	Adult	Children (7yrs & above)
My-Kad	RM5	RM3
Others	RM15	RM10
Free admission for children 6yrs and below

Tel : 6 088 246955
Fax : 6 088 247955
Email : swcs@sabahwetlands.org
Website:www.sabahwetlands.org

Kota Kinabalu Esplanade

Kota Kinabalu (Capital City)

The newly opened KK Esplanade invites visitors of all walks of life to come and enjoy it!

Surrounded by famous landmarks such as the Hyatt Regency hotel, Cocoon bar, and Wisma Merdeka shopping complex, this esplanade is a perfect place to chill out and enjoy the atmosphere of KK city. Overlooking the sea, the esplanade also serves as a strategic place to catch a beautiful sunset after a long, hard day.

Located at the heart of the city, this esplanade provides an alluringly unique backdrop for photography enthusiasts to hone their skills. In addition to the benches provided and the wooden platform overlooking the islands, visitors will be amused by the dolphin monument and the smaller statues of fishes decorating the esplanade. 

For more info
Contact Kota Kinabalu City Hall at telephone number: 088-521800, fax: 088-219175, or visit their website at www.dbkk.sabah.gov.my

Kipandi Butterfly Park

Kota Kinabalu (Capital City)


The Kipandi Butterfly Park is located at Kampung Kipandi, Moyog - situated approximately 36 kilometers away from Kota Kinabalu city via the Penampang - Tambunan road.

The gorgeously scenic park is surrounded by the hills of the Crocker Range. Lying at 700 meters altitude, it is rich in entomofauna. Over 100 species of butterflies have been recorded in this park; among the recorded species are the Troides Brookiana (Raja Brook’s Birding), Troides Amphrysus (Golden Birding), and the Papilio Karna (Peacock’s Swalloe Tails).

The insectariums has over 1,500 butterfly specimens and over 3,000 beetles which include many endemic species that are only found in the Crocker Range, such as the Cyclommatus Chewi. Special enclosures have also been constructed to house some of the rare and endangered species of Sabahan orchids and pitcher plants. This project is a joint collaboration with the Sabah Wildlife Department.

Plants have been saved from trees that were felled in land clearing for agricultural and developmental purposes. To date, there are as many as 500 species of native orchids, 40 species of Hoyas, and 5 species of Lipstick flowers Aeschynanthus, 28 species “carnivorous” pitcher plants (Nepenthes) and medicinal plants.

The park also initiates a free educational guided walk program for school children. This program is aimed at raising the awareness of the younger generations regarding the precious entomofauna of Sabah.

The Kipandi Butterfly Park is open daily from 9am to 4pm, the best time to spot butterflies are between 9am to 11am.

Kipandi Butterfly Park Rates

Foreign:
Adult : RM30.00
Children : RM15.00
Local:
Adult : RM10.00
Children : RM5.00

Getting There
Kipandi Butterfly Park is accessible via the long-distance bus to Tambunan and Keningau, the local bus from Penampang and via taxi.


Further Information
Kipandi Entomofauna Ecotours Sdn Bhd (889574-P) (KPL/LN: 6210)
Unit No. A 1017, 10th Floor Phase 1, Wisma Merdeka
88000 Kota Kinabalu
Sabah.
Tel: +60 88-232015, 016-8380100, 013-8739092
Fax: 088-235015
Email: kipandipark@hotmail.com
Website: www.kipandi.com.my