Sabbatical & Experiential Travel to Malaysia

Holidays & Sabbaticals to Malaysia – In a Nutshell

Malaysia is wildly diverse, from its culture – a blend of Malay, Chinese, Indian and indigenous groups – to its nature, cuisine, and architecture. Bustling cities are a blend of modern and traditional, with ancient temples and UNESCO protected streets sitting side by side with gleaming skyscrapers. Come for the culture and stay for the food. A melting pot of cultures creates a melting pot of flavours, and markets are brimming with Malay street food that’ll have you salivating. Away from the urban there are incredible National Parks. The world’s oldest tropical rainforest, vast cave networks and marine reserves are home to abundant wildlife and ensure plenty of scope for adventure. And when you’re done exploring, Malaysia’s many beaches and islands await for a touch of R&R.

How to Get to Malaysia

Most people arrive into Kuala Lumpur International Airport, around 75km from Kuala Lumpur’s city centre. There are direct flights from London taking approx. 13 hours, and plenty of 1-stop options from regional airports in the UK with short stopovers. Travel from the US takes approx. 20 hours with a stop in the Middle East or other parts of Asia. Flights travelling via Asia mean more airport options when landing in Malaysia. Getting around is easiest by flight, especially when travelling to Borneo or other popular islands. Within peninsular Malaysia, travel is easy enough by road, whether you prefer public transport or a private vehicle and guide. In Borneo, expect a mix of river ferries, boat travel and flights. Alternatively, stopover in Singapore for a few days and travel overland into Malaysia.

When & Weather – Malaysia

Malaysia is hot and humid year-round but the rainy season hits both the Malaysian Peninsula’s east coast and Sarawak in Borneo from November to February. In September and October, the rains hit Sabah and mainland Malaysia’s west coast. The best time to travel is typically from February-September, with March-June bringing the driest weather and the best wildlife viewing opportunities. Bear in mind that Ramadan may impact your travels, from restaurant openings to transport options. Chinese New Year also attracts large crowds of revellers so it’s worth bearing in mind when planning.

Who will Malaysia Appeal To?

Malaysia is perfect for wildlife and nature lovers, as well as adventurous travellers and beach fans.
In particular, it’s suited to:

Nature lovers
Active travellers
Divers
Beach lovers
Foodies
Photographers
Solo travellers

Accommodation

We work with a range of luxury boutique hotels, rustic ecolodges, lavish resorts, and barefoot beach properties, each with its own charms.

Off The Beaten Path

Search for Rafflesia, the world’s largest flower in the Malaysian rainforest. This bizarre plant only flowers for a week
Pick up local crafts at the markets in Kota Bharu
Discover the old colonial capital of Kuching
Traverse rainforest canopy walkways in Taman Negara and meet the Orang Asli indigenous people
Hike Gunung Tahan, Peninsula Malaysia’s highest peak, a hike that’s overshadowed by the more famous Mount Kinabalu

Wildlife

Swim with turtles in the marine reserves of Sipadan
Observe orangutans in action at one of Borneo’s many incredible rehabilitation centres
Seek out Malayan tigers, the North Sumatran rhino, and over 300 bird species in Taman Negara National Park
Dive alongside shoals of tropical fish, sharks and dolphins
Take a boat along the waterways of Borneo and look for pygmy elephants and proboscis monkeys amongst the trees

Malaysia Experiences you shouldn’t miss:

Dine on delicious food at Kuala Lumpur’s hawker markets
Embrace Penang’s art scene and lose yourself in museums and galleries
Stay in a traditional longhouse in the jungles of Borneo
Dip your toes in the sand of the Perhentian Island’s powdery beaches
Hunt for proboscis monkeys, orangutans and the Bornean pygmy elephant in Sabah’s rainforests

Giving back

Go behind the scenes of orangutan and sun bear conservation in Sarawak. Join a 3 day volunteer programme and become part of the team of the NGO ‘Orangutan Project Sdn. Bhd.’ Spend time with experts in the field who will share their experience and knowledge about wildlife conservation.

Start Planning

Our experienced team will guide you through a number of ideas based on how you would like to experience Malaysia.

No matter how long you wish to travel, we’ll guide you through the planning process to ensure a trip is carefully pieced together to suit your interests, pace of travel and budget.