Malaysia Family Holidays
Malaysia
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Divided by the South China Sea, Malaysia is split into two: the Malaysian Peninsula, which is found to the south of Thailand, and the western side of Borneo, about 640 miles away. Malaysia is a country influenced by culture; the historic eastern trade route was the reason for this, with Egypt’s domination of the route ended by the Portuguese, Dutch and British. It is easy to find reminders of Malaysia’s cultural history - perhaps most noticeable on the peninsula - from British colonial buildings in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia’s capital) to its Chinese and Indian influenced cuisine. The Borneo part of Malaysia is far more remote, and its jung... (Read more...)
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The Perhentian Islands are renowned for being the most beautiful Islands in Malaysia and this title is warranted. The coral sand beaches are lined b...
le terrain is the home to dense, impassable fauna. Wherever you are in Malaysia, you are guaranteed breathtaking sights; whether it’s the beaches of the Perhentian Islands, the tall futuristic structures of Kuala Lumpur or the orang-utans of the Borneo jungles, there are visual delights for all travellers.
Altogether, Malaysia covers and area of almost 330, 000sq km, and is home to 27.9 million people, made up of the territories Malaya, Sarawak and Sabah. Malaya is the peninsula found south of Thailand. Central mountains dominate the landscape and divide this section of the country. Sarawak and Sabah in Borneo are the home to dense rainforest, villages and tribes.
Travel to Malaysia is possible year round, with a tropical climate yet relatively steady temperatures between 20 and 30C, it rarely gets too hot, however it does get very humid. Rainfall is fairly even throughout the year, with little difference found between the main rainy season and other periods. That said, Sabah and Sarawak receive a higher rainfall throughout the year than Malaya, especially during this rainy season.
Wildlife and Nature
Go to eastern Malaysia to take advantage of the abundance of wildlife and nature, much of which is unique to this part of the world. Animals to be found include elephants, rhinos, tigers, leopards, tapirs, orang-utans, monkeys and anteaters; as well as many colourful types of birds, turtles and snakes…most of the animals you'll ever want to see can be found here. Head to Kinabalu National Park to get a glimpse of the rich variety of flora and fauna, and just 40km south-east of here is the popular Poring Hot Springs, famed for their therapeutic properties.
Mountain Biking
Travellers can mountainbike through untamed Borneo on both tarmac and dirt roads. Doing this on the Borneo side of the country is a great way to travel around and see what Malaysia really has to offer. The rugged terrain of this part of the country screams adventure, and you need to explore it! Try a mountain bike tour, where you will discover the mountains, rivers, beaches and forests of Malaysia and get a real feel for the country as it rolls under your wheels.
Scuba Diving
Diving is possible all year round in Sabah as it sits below the typhoon belt. Boasting a multitude of coral reefs to explore, there are countless sites to head to. Try Pulau Sipadan, an island to the eastern side of the Sabah territory. Here you will come across a huge selection of colourful tropical fish, and sea turtles, as you experience one of the best dive sites the world has to offer. A short distance from Sipadan is another island, Kapalai, and the shallow Ligitan Reefs. Diving spots are extremely close to the island; you can even swim to a few of them. Although you are unlikely to find the big fish and turtles you would have at Sipadan, it is still a great experience and a beautiful dive site. If you would rather stay closer to the mainland, Kota Kinabalu has some popular diving sites at the nearby Pulau islands.
Yachting
What better way to get a feel for the Malaysian coastline than to charter a yacht and explore it for yourself? This way you can check out all the islands you have read about, exploring the rugged side of Malaysia, whilst having the option of dropping anchor by a beautiful white sandy beach, enjoying a sunset and chilling in one of the many comfortable tourist resorts for the evening. To top it off, the sea temperatures around Malaysia are warm, so you can always feel free to jump in and snorkel to try and catch a glimpse of the sea life. Check out Langkawi, a group of 99 islands found about 20 miles off the coast of the north-west of Peninsula Malaysia. Here you can experience a little of the cultural mish-mash that makes Malaysia so special.
Cultural
To see the cultural diversity that epitomises Malaysia, visit the country’s capital city Kuala Lumpur. Famous for its skyscraper skyline and rich history, colonial and contemporary combine here making this an international destination with all the trappings of a global capital. In KL, as it's frequently known, you can be exploring the old British colonial buildings in the morning and shopping in the latest and greatest designer shops in the afternoon.
Classic Itineraries
A great place to start your trip and to get a feel for Malaysia is in Kuala Lumpur. Here you can experience Malaysia’s space-age like capital city, whilst appreciating some cultural history and influences - from its British colonial buildings and midnight markets, to its wondrously varied cuisine. Travel to the nearby Langkawi Islands in the north-west of Peninsula Malaysia. Island-hop here, chartering a yacht, and take in the secluded beauty of some of Malaysia’s most loved and less well documented islands.
Travel the 640 miles across the South China Sea to Borneo. Here you can explore the jungles of Sabah and Sarawak, checking out wildlife and nature that you can’t find anywhere else in the world. Climb Mount Kinabalu and recover at the therapeutic Poring Hot Springs. Now it’s time for some scuba diving, and there are plenty of great diving sites in this area, including the Pulau Islands.
Other Activities
Try out an eco-tourism holiday in Sabah or Sarawak, which will make you appreciate and feel closer to the nature you discover. There are other things to do, such as trekking holidays – maybe look to pack a rucksack and conquer Mount Kinabalu? Or if you are looking to get your adrenaline pumping, try out a popular multi-activity holiday. These do what it says on the tin – you'll get to raft the Kiulu River, mountain bike and explore the Malaysian jungles, and hike to the Dusun Villages. Malaysia is sure to get your heart racing and your smiles widening!
