The best thing about Lok Kawi Wildlife Park is getting up close and personal with some of Borneo’s exotic and endemic creatures in their natural surroundings without having to traipse from one end of Sabah to another.

Located about 30 minutes away from Kota Kinabalu, the first wildlife park in Sabah was first open to the public on 17 February 2007. At first glance, you will be forgiven to think that this is a regular zoo at first glance. 

For one, it is massive. About 280-acres in size, the park is a combination of both a zoo and a botanical garden. Adventurous souls can go jungle trekking along the 1.4km long botanical trail and leisurely strollers can opt to walk just half of the trail. 

For another, most of the park resides in a forested area, which provides a habitat that is as close as possible to the animals’ natural environment. 

It is also a sanctuary for pygmy elephants who got their name due to their small size and gentle nature. Native to Borneo, they are normally found along the Kinabatangan river. Unfortunately, they are at risk of extinction. These elephants that are fond of oil palm have been encroaching on oil palm plantations resulting in them being killed by farmers. At Lok Kawi Wildlife Park, you will see several friendly adults and baby elephants interacting with the visitors. For a fee of RM5, children can get to ride on the elephants on weekends and public holidays from 10am to 11am and 2pm to 3pm.

A mynah bird who periodically yelps “Aramaiti!” which means “Cheers” in Sabahan language can spotted at the bird displays. If you are lucky, you may even get to hear it sing a line of Malaysia’s national anthem. During feeding time, visitors can observe the majestic hornbills being fed.

Just a short stroll from the pygmy elephants is the enclosed aviary - a place shrouded with greenery, exotic singing birds and sound of running water. There is a shy mousedeer that makes it home at the mini rainforest, too.

The fascinating and agile sun bears would shamelessly show off their long claws and rip their favourite coconuts apart before consuming them. A family of proboscis monkeys on a nearby glass enclosure seem unfazed by humans and will chomp on their vegetarian meal calmly as visitors watch.

The frisky otters will swim and play at the tranquil pond while the Malaysan tigers and orang utans will drape themselves lazily in the shade away from the hot afternoon sun. Other species found at the park include the slow loris, zebras, ring-tailed lemurs and banteng (the second largest mammal in Sabah that resembles a cow).

Visitors should not miss out on the animal show that takes place at the amphitheatre daily at 11.15am and 3.30pm. Mowgli, the clever orang utan is a star of the show and can charm the 200-odd audience on a full day.   He is closely followed by Pako and Carlo, the cheeky parrots who show their stuff with a ring toss and basketball competition. If you want a neck massage and are brave enough, you may just get it from the baby phyton during the show. 

Those who prefer to explore the wildlife park at a more leisurely pace, can take the tram at a cost of RM2 per person and departs at 10am, 11.15am, 2pm and 3.15pm. However, there would not be any tram service during heavy rain. 

Needless to say, you can easily spend a whole day exploring the interesting and educational wildlife park.

Lok Kawi Wildlife Park is committed in their conservation and education efforts and has some programmes in partnership with Travellers Worldwide (www.travellersworldwide.com) that allow volunteers the golden opportunity to care for the hand-reared animals of several species.