East Malaysia Map: Malaysia Borneo Map for Tourists

The Big Picture: Your East Malaysia Orientation Map

Picture this: On the left, you have Peninsular Malaysia, where Kuala Lumpur (KL) buzzes with skyscrapers.

On the right, across the South China Sea, lies East Malaysia—wild, green, and epic. It shares the island of Borneo with Brunei and Indonesia's Kalimantan.

On your East Malaysia Map, two names stand out:

• Sarawak – The Land of Hornbills

A place of culture and caves, ancient longhouses, and vast river systems. Its capital city, Kuching, is the gateway to unforgettable wildlife and rainforest adventures.

• Sabah – The Land Below the Wind

Home to Mount Kinabalu, Sipadan Island, and Kinabatangan River, Sabah is all about high adventure and biodiversity at its best. Its capital, Kota Kinabalu (KK), is where most journeys begin.

East Malaysia on Map

Here's the golden insight:

East Malaysia is huge—the distance from Kuching (in Sarawak's west) to Tawau (in Sabah's east) is over 1,500 km (about the same as flying from London to Rome).

So remember this #1 rule when using your East Malaysia Map: You can't base yourself in one city and see it all. This is a multi-stop journey, connected by short flights, scenic roads, and adventurous rivers.

East Malaysia Map with Cities: Where to Base Yourself

Because of its size, exploring East Malaysia means hopping between a few key cities and nature hubs.

Top Tourist cities on East Malaysia Map

Here's how most travelers plan their stay:

• Kota Kinabalu (2–3 nights): Your lively base for island hopping, sunset dinners, and climbing Mount Kinabalu.
• Kuching (1–2 nights): A charming riverside city full of museums, street art, and great food—plus easy access to orangutans and Bako National Park.
• Sandakan (1–2 nights): A coastal city that opens the door to wildlife encounters in Sepilok and river safaris.
• Kinabatangan (2–3 nights): Stay in a jungle lodge along the river for the ultimate wildlife immersion—pygmy elephants, proboscis monkeys, and crocs await!
• Mulu (1–2 nights): A UNESCO World Heritage wonder hidden deep in Sarawak's rainforest. Come for massive caves, limestone pinnacles, and the spectacular evening bat exodus. It's only accessible by flight—adding an extra touch of adventure.
• Semporna (2–4 nights): The ultimate diver's dream! Base yourself here for snorkeling or diving trips to Sipadan, Mabul, and Kapalai Islands—some of the most spectacular underwater worlds on Earth.

Each destination is like a different chapter in your East Malaysia adventure—and the real magic happens when you connect them all together.

Recommended Tours:

7 Days Sabah Borneo Tour: Wildlife Safaris, Kinabalu Park & Island Hopping

The Attractions Map: Pinpointing Your Borneo Bucket List

This map pulls everything together — a single, colorful look at East Malaysia's biggest adventures, split between Sabah and Sarawak. Each icon represents a must-see highlight, so you can instantly picture what kind of experiences await in every corner of Borneo.

Popular Tourist Attractions on East Malaysia Map

For the Hiker & Climber

Mount Kinabalu (Sabah) – Conquer Southeast Asia's tallest peak and catch a sunrise that feels like the top of the world.

Gunung Mulu National Park (Sarawak) – Trek through the rainforest to the legendary Pinnacles, with caves and limestone spikes straight out of a fantasy film.

Crooker Range Park (Sabah) – Go off the beaten track with lush trails, cool highlands, and homestays tucked in misty mountains.

Recommended Tours:

12 Days Borneo Adventure Tour: Wild Expeditions in Sabah & Sarawak

For the Wildlife Seeker

Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre (Sabah) – Meet rescued orangutans up close as they learn to return to the wild.

Semenggoh Nature Reserve (Sarawak) – The smaller, quieter cousin to Sepilok—great for natural encounters at feeding time.

Kinabatangan River (Sabah) – Cruise past pygmy elephants, proboscis monkeys, and crocodiles—Borneo's ultimate jungle safari.

Bako National Park (Sarawak) – Spot wild proboscis monkeys, tropical birds, and hidden beaches all in one compact park.

Turtle Islands Park (Sabah) – Watch sea turtles nest under the stars and baby hatchlings dash into the sea.

For the Diver & Island Hopper

Sipadan & Mabul Islands (Sabah) – Dive among sea turtles, reef sharks, and shimmering barracudas at one of the world's top dive sites.

Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park (Sabah) – Just minutes from Kota Kinabalu, hop between islands for snorkeling, parasailing, and sunsets.

Manukan Island, Kota Kinabalu

Kinabatangan River Cruise

For the Cave Explorer

Mulu Caves (Sarawak) – Venture into the world's largest cave chamber and watch millions of bats swirl out at dusk.

Gomantong Caves (Sabah) – Discover Borneo's most famous bird's-nest cave, complete with cathedral-sized chambers.

Niah Painted Caves (Sarawak) – Step back in time—this prehistoric site holds cave paintings and ancient human remains.

Each icon on the Borneo Attractions Map tells its own story—mountains, rivers, islands, and caves all within reach. Whether you're trekking through Sarawak's jungles or diving off Sabah's coast, this map helps you plan your ultimate Borneo adventure.

The Logistics Map: How to Get There & Get Around

Flying is by far the easiest way to reach and explore East Malaysia — distances are long, and the rainforest terrain means there's no land connection with Kuala Lumpur.

Most travelers arrive through Kuching (KCH) in Sarawak or Kota Kinabalu (BKI) in Sabah, the two main gateways on the island of Borneo.

• From Kuala Lumpur (KUL): About 2 hours to either city, with many daily flights.
• From Singapore (SIN): Around 2 hours to Kota Kinabalu and 1¾ hours to Kuching.
• From Penang (PEN): Direct flights are available daily, ideal for those exploring both sides of Malaysia.

Once you're there, getting around East Malaysia is part of the adventure.

Short domestic flights link major towns like Miri, Sandakan, Tawau, and Mulu, while scenic boat rides and rural drives take you deep into national parks and river valleys.

Check the East Malaysia Map with Airports & Flights below to see which areas are accessible — and to start planning your route across Sarawak and Sabah.

East Malaysia Map with Airports and Flights

The Malaysia Borneo Itinerary Map: 3 Proven Travel Routes

Itinerary 1: The Sarawak Explorer (9 Days) - Culture & Caves

Route: Fly into Kuching. Use it as a base to explore Bako National Park and Semenggoh. Then, take a short flight to Mulu National Park for 2-3 days of cave exploration before flying to Kota Kinabalu for a 2-3 days of island fun.

East Malaysia Travel Route on Map

Best for: Travelers fascinated by culture, pristine jungle, and geological wonders.

Recommended Tours:

9 Days Borneo Wildlife Tour: From Kuala Lumpur to Sabah Adventure

Itinerary 2: The Sabah Adventure (7 Days) - Wildlife, Mountains & Sea

Route: Fly into Kota Kinabalu. Explore the city and nearby islands. Travel overland to Kinabalu Park. Continue to the Kinabatangan River for a 2-night jungle lodge stay and river safaris. End in Sandakan to visit Sepilok before flying out.

Sabah 7-Day Itinerary on Malaysia Map

Best for: Action-oriented travelers, wildlife photographers, and divers/snorkelers.

Recommended Tours:

7 Days Sabah Borneo Tour: Wildlife Safaris, Kinabalu Park & Island Hopping

Itinerary 3: The Ultimate East Malaysia Epic (12 Days)

Route: Combine the two! Start with the "Sarawak Explorer" itinerary. From Mulu, fly to Kota Kinabalu to begin the "Sabah Adventure" itinerary.

Sabah 12-Day Itinerary on Malaysia Map

Best for: Those with more time who want the complete Malaysian Borneo experience.

Recommended Tours:

12 Days Borneo Adventure Tour: Wild Expeditions in Sabah & Sarawak

Tips for Visiting East Malaysia

Best Time to Visit: March–October (drier and ideal for wildlife watching).

What to Pack: Lightweight clothing, rain jacket, insect repellent, and good walking shoes.

Permits: Needed for Mount Kinabalu climb and Mulu caves — book early.

Cost Level: More affordable than similar adventures in Africa or South America.

Food to Try: Sarawak laksa, bamboo chicken, Sabah seafood, and jungle ferns.

Related Article(s):

How to Spend One Week in Malaysia? (7-Day Itineraries with Cost)

Malaysia 10 Day Itinerary: 3 Plans for 10 Days in Malaysia

Two Weeks in Malaysia: 2 Best 14-Day Malaysia Itinerary

Malaysia Itineraries: How Many Days in Malaysia for First Time?

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