Malaysia consists of two components: peninsular Malaysia, which is part of mainland Southeast Asia, and the states of Sabah and Sarawak on the island of Borneo. Although there are considerable areas of lowland and coastal plain, much of the country consists of mountainous terrain clothed in dense rain forest. With the exception of Mount Kinabalu in Sabah, elevations are modest3,000 to 6,000 feet (1,000 to 2,000 meters). Since Malaysia lies entirely between one and seven degrees north of the equator, it experiences a humid equatorial-tropical climate.

Malaysia has superb golden beaches, lush vegetation, mountains and fabulous shopping allied to some magnificent hotels. This has made the country the fastest growing destination in South East Asia. The mix of the ancient and the ultra-modern make Malaysia a fascinating place to visit, while the low cost of living and huge visitor choice makes it the ideal holiday location. Lying just north of the equator the country is south of Cambodia and Vietnam and north of Singapore and Indonesia. More than one thousand islands are part of Malaysia with some 38 designated as marine parks. Parts of the primeval rainforest are more than 100 million years old with a dazzling selection of birds and wildlife.

Malaysia has a tropical climate throughout the year, enjoying warm days and mild evenings in all seasons. English is very widely spoken although the national language is Malay.

The country offers a fascinating cultural mix with colourful festivals, unique arts and crafts, architecture, food and a rich array of dance forms.

Mountain ranges extend southward from Thailand into peninsular Malaysia. Much of the centre of Borneo consists of mountain systems. Sarawak, in the Northwest, represents a slightly uplifted basin with its southern portion folded into a series of parallel ridges from Southwest to Northeast. The mountain ridges of Sarawak pass north-eastward into Sabah, where they form a more compact coastal mountain chain. This culminates in Mount Kinabalu, which at 13,698 feet (4,175 meters) is the highest point between north-eastern India and the island of New Guinea.

Malaysia enjoys a tropical climate with plenty of sunshine throughout the year. Temperatures typically range from 70 to 90ºF (22 to 33ºC) and cooler in the highlands. With the occurrence of the annual Southwest (April to October) and Northeast (October to February) monsoons, the average rate of annual rainfall is high: 100 inches (250cm). Much of the rainfall is concentrated in the late afternoons. Humidity is high throughout the year.

The world around us offers so much that is beautiful - in every direction we turn, we see natural delights that no words could describe adequately. The beauty that Mother Nature is associated with cannot be emulated by the creations of man - no matter how hard we try. While there are many man-made tourist attractions that may astonish us, it could never rival the serenity of an untouched beach, the thick blanket of the rainforest or the utter joy of being able to witness the animal kingdom in their natural habitat. Malaysia is a land that takes pains to preserve its many natural wonders. Much of our land is still covered by lush greenery, we take pains to preserve the treasures of our underwater kingdom and can be proud of our efforts at preserving the endangered species in the country. Perhaps one of the most important "natural" delights in the country is the Taman Negara National Park which is located at the very heart of Pahang's tropical forest. Sprawled across 4,343 square kilometres of verdant tropical beauty, Taman Negaras (formerly the King George V National Park) lush foliage dates back as far as 130 million years - older even than the mysteries of the Congo and the Amazon.

Trees that are hundreds of years old form a giant canopy above you as you enter the park which is accessible through Jerantut which acts as its main entry point. Most of Taman Negara lies on sedimentary rocks, predominantly sandstone that has metamorphosed to quartzite around intrusions to exhibit some of the most spectacular land forms in the peninsula. It is undoubtedly the untouched element of Taman Negara that most fascinates visitors to the park. They marvel at the diversity of habitats and plant life, its giant tropical trees, limestone caves, animals roaming in the wild. The Park offers an indefinite number of possibilities. Jungle paths, for leisurely walks through lowland forests, bring you to the wildlife hides. Animals visit these sites to obtain essential body salts by licking up the water and soil. Six hides are situated in the park. Less than one hour's walk from the Park HQ. at Kuala Tahan, is the dark mystique of Gua Telinga, a cave carved by a stream through a limestone outcrop. Some 250 species of birds have been recorded in the park. Of the many spectacular birds, the most easily seen and heard are the Hornbills. The Firebacked Pheasants are often flushed along jungle trails. Fishing Eagle and Kingfishers are seen along the rivers. From the hides larger animals which may be seen include the Seladang, Sambar, Barking Deer, Wild Pig, Tapir, Elephants, Tigers, Leopards, Sunbears and Sumatran Rhinoceros. Cavers will be fascinated by the ancient drawings of Gua Telinga (Ear Cave). While exploring the cave which is carved through a limestone outcrop by a stream which runs through it, visitors will be fascinated by its mystery and enjoy the magnificent view of the emerald jungle after climbing to the peak of Bukit Guling Gendang.

Sabah, picture yourself in a country where the attractions are varied as they are excitingly fresh and unspoilt.... uncrowded beaches, isolated tropical islands, fascinating culture, colourful and beautiful marine life, spectacular countryside dominated by an awesome mountain ( Mt. Kinabalu, the highest in South East Asia), and where the genuine friendliness and hospitality of the people are part of their tradition. Sabah's state Parks are a naturalist's paradise with their unique flora and fauna. Sabah also has the world's largest orang utan sanctuary. If you are feeling adventurous, go jungle trekking, visit a longhouse and be intrigued by the traditional lifestyle, explore caves, experience rafting, go mountaineering, or dive and discover exciting and colourful marine life.

Sabah occupies the top portion of the island of Borneo (the third largest island in the world) and covers an area of 74,500 sq km (29,388 sq miles) with a coastline of about 1,440 km (about 900 miles) washed by the South China Sea on the West and the Sulu Sea and Celebes Sea on the East. Sabah lies between 3 degree and 7 degree North of the equator, and its climate is tropical but pleasant. Sunny blues skies typify most days and it is summer all year round. Though depending on the month and locality, rain may cause a little inconvenience, with the annual rainfall varying from 60 to 120 inches. As a general guide the wet season falls between November and February. Fortunately, Sabah does not experience any natural disaster or calamities. In fact it is under the typhoon belt (thus the name " Land Below The Wind ") and is free from any climatic disturbances. Temperatures seldom reach 90 degree F (33 degree C) and usually vary during the day from 74 degree F to 88 degree F (23 degree C to 31 degree C) and are cooler on the mountains.

Towering 4101 metres above the mysterious tropical jungles of North Borneo, Mount Kinabalu is the majestic centre piece of Kinabalu Park and is also the highest mountain in South East Asia. The Park extends from an elevation of 152 metres above sea level to the summit of Mount Kinabalu, a reserve of some 767 sq. km encircling Mount Kinabalu. The park presents a fascinating panorama of North Borneo flora and fauna. The park reserve surrounding Mt. Kinabalu provides plenty of nature trails weaving their way through the park. Over 800 species of orchids add extra colour and the reddish Rafflesia, the largest flower in the world, spreads its metre wide bloom on the floor of the primary forest. The birds of Kinabalu are unusually tame. Although some birds such as the Argus Pheasant are shy, the mountain Black-eye will hop around your feet. More than 250 varieties of birds have been recorded.

The Wild Man of Borneo, in Sepilok are about 15 minutes drive from the East Coast town of Sandakan, is the world's largest orang utan sanctuary. Orang utan ("Wild Man of Borneo") which have been abandoned by their mothers, or which were formerly in captivity, are rehabilitated until fit enough to be returned to the wild. Watching these charming and entertaining orang utan during feeding time is a sheer delight.

The Kinabatangan is the largest river in Sabah. Its lower reaches are rich in wildlife, especially the curious Proboscis Monkeys, which sleep in the trees along the bank. Watching them gather there, as your boat drifts silently down the river at dusk, is a memorable experience. You have a good chance of seeing Hornbills and Kingfishers, Macaques, and Leaf Monkeys. Small lakes near the river attract larger animals, Wild Boar and Deer come to drink. Elephants are also known to be in the area.

The Crocker Range National Park (1399 sq. km) is located within the Crocker Range and forms a backbone for most of Sabah. It is the largest single totally protected area in Sabah. There are no visitor facilities as yet and the forest here is still largely untouched with some of the last remaining areas of West Coast hill dipterocarp forest in Sabah. The area is ideal for long jungle treks to observe the montane and lowland vegetation. The park is interspersed with rushing streams and rivers.

The Rafflesia Sanctuary, located in the Crocker Range Park, just over an hour's drive from Kota Kinabalu. The sanctuary was set up to protect the site where the Rafflesia grows. It covers an area of 356 hectares and visitors will have a very good chance to see the flower in bloom.

Sarawak's network of national parks is acknowledged as one of the best in the region, offering Eco-conscious visitors the opportunity to explore Borneo's rainforest, see rare wildlife and view some of the most spectacular natural attractions Sarawak has to offer. Each of Sarawak's ten parks is a conservation zone, totally protected by Malaysian law. Hunting is strictly prohibited and all commercial activities are banned. In some of the parks, local communities are allowed to carry out traditional activities that they have practised for centuries, but even this is monitored to ensure that the ecosystem is not disturbed.

Although the emphasis is on the conservation of Sarawak's unique flora and fauna, park facilities have been developed so that visitors can enjoy and appreciate the diverse natural attractions. Nature-based recreational activities include jungle trekking, mountain climbing, birdwatching, caving, guided rainforest walks, plant study and beach combing, all with good opportunities to see some of Borneo's rare and unusual wildlife consisting of over 550 species of birds, Barking Deer, Wild Pigs, Honey Bears, Gibbons, Crocodiles, Lizards, Snakes and of course, the Orang Utan. Four species of Turtles make Sarawak their home. The Hornbill is a protected bird and also the symbol of the official crest.

Within the boundaries of Gunung Mulu National Park is one of the most extensive and spectacular limestone cave systems on earth, the second highest mountain peak in Sarawak and many plant and animal species only recently discovered. During caving expeditions between 1976 and 1984, over 26 caves comprising 159 km. of passage were surveyed. It is believed that this represents less than 30% of the caves actually occurring in Mulu. Sarawak Chamber is the largest natural chamber in the world, being 600 metres long, 450 metres wide and 100 metres high. Deer Cave is the largest cave passage known to man at 100 metres wide and 120 metres high. It has two huge entrances at either end of the mountain.

Not all of Mulu's limestone features are contained in caves, 900 metres up on the side of Gunung Api, are the amazing pinnacles - gigantic rocks of arrowhead shape. Sculpted and grooved by the rains of five million years, the pinnacles rise above the tree tops to a height of 45m. The forest that blankets these mountains, varies from peat swamps, heath and mixed dipterocarp at lower elevations, upward through limestone and moss forests to the stunted upper montane vegetation at Gunung Mulu's summit.

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